Official 2021 WCR in San Luis Obispo, Oct. 14-17, Updated 13-Oct-2021 Alisal Fire won't impact our drives Options

[strawman]

Update 13-Oct-2021:
The Alisal Fire in Santa Barbara County should not impact either of our drives, since we won't be any further south than Los Olivos on Saturday. In fact, I ran the optional Aliso Canyon and Harris Grade portions of the Saturday run yesterday evening and did not experience any smoke. Hopefully, it stays that way throughout the weekend.

Also, I uploaded the turn sheets for both drives a few minutes ago in post #197, which also shows approximate times at waypoints for those folks who are joining us late. I'll provide printouts of the turn sheets in the SWAG bags.

I approved the t-shirt mock-up about an hour ago -- they look GREAT! I'll stuff them into the SWAG bags in time for WCR check-in at the Quality Inn Suites tomorrow beginning at 2PM and ending at 4PM.

Due to timing, we will not gather at Cloisters Park at the outset of the Friday run as originally planned. I'm hoping Mark Whitesell will bring his drone so that we can take a car/group photo alongside the dinosaurs in Huasna on Saturday; otherwise, it'll need to be folks snapping iPhone photos from atop the nearby hill.

Finally, I have informally reserved the outside patio at Beda's Biergarten beginning at 4:30PM on Thursday. The address is 3230 Broad Street in SLO. Come join me for some of my favorite German food and a glass of bier, prior to heading out at 6PM to watch the sunset at Morro Rock in Morro Bay.



Previous Updates:

Alright, "registration" is officially open! I put it in quotes because I am not charging a fee this year, since I know that hotel costs are crazy-high in this beautiful part of the country and mostly everything will be a la carte (more details below). PM me thru this website, and include your real name and the screen/real names of your guests. I'll update the attendee list every day or two.

Upfront, I want to thank the incredible vendors that support our Porsche 914 addiction and provide such great service to us. In anticipation of this year's WCR event, I have talked with many of them, and their support for WCR 2021 is pouring in. As additional commitments are made, I'll update the list. The donated items will be raffled off during the Saturday evening awards dinner at Woodstock's in downtown SLO; winners must be present to accept prizes. If you are willing to contribute something (hint: I'm looking for someone to make People's Choice trophies!), please PM me. Below is the current list in alphabetic order:

Official T-Shirt Ordering Link

Click on the Official 2021 WCR T-Shirt Ordering Link to order t-shirts! Registrants whose orders are received by October 7th will be provided their t-shirt(s) during registration on October 14th; all others must choose the direct shipping option.

WCR 2021 Sponsors List:

914Rubber - SWAG bags & various 914 items
914Werke - muffler hanger, tuna can, throttle cable mount, tow hooks, etc.
Bruce Stone - refurbished pedals set
BuddyV - posters of WCR 2021 logo
PMB Performance - refurbished caliper set
Pokrajac Automotive - discounted dyno runs
Spokeworks LED - two sets of LED taillights
strawman - WCR 2021 logo artwork, local wine for "Best Of" prizes
914SIXXation - vintage 914 pillow
RockAuto - $25 gift certificate, magnets, etc.

Below is the final draft logo for this WCR 2021 that I worked with a local graphics artist to develop. I will start a separate posting to order shirts from a reliable local vendor whose shop is a few doors down from my office and we've used him for a lot of past orders. I'll add a link to this posting here once that link is up. A range of options will be provided (color of shirt, long- or short-sleeve, women's/men's, hoodie, etc.), and ordering will be done through a third-party vendor. The shirts will be distributed during registration on Thursday October 14th.



Due to COVID-19, the only "official" gathering will be at Woodstock's Pizza on Saturday October 16 at 6PM in downtown SLO. Everyone will be responsible for ordering and paying for your own meals/drinks. The same is true for meals during the Friday and Saturday drives -- you're on your own to set up small groups to chow down for lunch in Cambria (Friday), and lunch in Los Olivos (Saturday).

The SLO Trolley is currently suspended due to a lack of bus drivers, so there's no free shuttle between the host hotel and Woodstock's on Saturday evening. You can choose to make the (pleasant) walk to Woodstock's from the host hotel, Uber, or park downtown. There's three parking garages within a few blocks, and plenty of curbside parking nearby in the vibrant SLO downtown area -- but please drive safely/sober if you choose to drive.

In mid-September, the SLO County Public Health Officer decreed that face masks must be worn indoors due to the COVID-19 Delta variant, and I ask that you respectfully comply. Obviously, when you're eating/drinking, mask wearing is not possible and I am certain that enforcement is relatively lax. But I don't want our Porsche 914 community to be labeled "those guys" for raising an unnecessary ruckus.

During registration, you'll be provided your shirt (if you ordered one!), the final itinerary of events, print-outs of the drives on Friday and Saturday, ballots for People's Choice Awards (longest drive, best original, best modified, etc.), raffle tickets, as well as maps to get to the Dyno Day and other events that we can (safely) put together. I'm thinking a Thursday night sunset picture opportunity near Morro Rock, followed up with small-group gatherings to eat dinner in Morro Bay / Cayucos... but I'm open to other ideas (PM me!).

The car show will officially kick off in the Quality Suites Inn parking lot following the Saturday drive. I'll be there to collect the ballots, which we will tally up prior to meeting at Woodstock's later that evening.

I will continue to maintain this posting #1 as the singular place for details, so please subscribe and check back often.

List of Attendees:

1. strawman (Geoff S., and Nancy)
2. Steve (Steve F.)
3. BuddyV (Robert)
4. markhoward (Mark S.)
5. siverson (Steve I.)
6. Coondog (Greg)
6. markb (Mark B.)
7. Retroracer (Tony D.)
8. gonzo54 (Rick R.)
9. drem914 (Franz N., and Joyce)
10. Mike D. (Mike D.)
11. jim_hoyland (Jim H.)
12. FL000 (Josh, and Adelita)
13. MartyYeoman (Marty Y., and Debbie)
14. 914-300Hemi (Ravi, and Michelle)
15. VegasRacer (John P.)
16. 914SIXXation (Margie SH)
17. jcd914 (Jim D., and Mary)
18. Mikey914 (Mark and Janelle W., and Scott and Daun B.)
19. Unpretentious (Jerry M.)
20. dgroover (Dave G.)
21. 914-7T3 (Jeffrey)
22. mgp4591 (Mike P.)
23. DucRS (Alfred, and Nancy)
24. 914Toy (Keith H.)
25. mxkinn01 (Mike, and Donna)
26. MikeEnglish (Mike E.)
27. Chris914n6 (Chris P.)
27. Eric_Shea (Eric and Diane, and possibly Larry & Gloria P.)
28. PCH (Peter - Saturday only)
29. EdwardBlume (Rob)
30. second_wind (Greg G.) - in for dyno day
30. Cairo94507 (Michael H, and brother Bob H)
31. DTMLGND (Paul)
32. 9ONE4_JIM (Jim P.)
33. bdstone914 (Bruce S.)
34. PDXMike (Mike P.)
35. buggvert (Will W.; Saturday only)
36. 44ron (Aaron M.)
37. alex914 (Alex H, and Jovita)
38. Robarabian (Robert A.)
39. roberthbollinger (Bob B., and Patricia)
40. DHF (Dirk F.)
41. jdbogart@self-serv.net (Don B., and Judy)
42. Yellowporky (Chris S., and Venus +2 kids; Boxster 2nd car)
43. Jack_Standz (John, and Kay)
44. echocanyons (Kelly)
44. 808_WRX (Efren M; Saturday only)


Update on 27-Aug-2021:

I have run a few great Central Coast drives over the past few weekends, and I believe we've got 'em locked in now. I'm also working with a great local artist to design a cool t-shirt, and will start a separate thread once it's ready for debut. I haven't yet figured out the registration fee that will include the t-shirt, but will update this thread as soon as I can nail it down. Stay tuned!

We'll do a Thursday evening drive for the early check-ins to the Morro Rock to watch the sunset, snap a few pics, and catch up. Those who are up for it can join me for dinner at Beda's Biergarten for some authentic German food and cold beer.

Friday morning will start at 9:14AM in the Quality Inn parking lot, with a re-group at Cloisters Community Park in Morro Bay. Then we'll head up the Coast and then over the mountains to Paso Robles Wine Country for some scenic and twisty roads. Next it's back to the Coast to to see some unique Coastal Vistas and have lunch in Cambria in small groups. Later that afternoon, we'll head over to watch those who signed up (details coming soon!) for dyno pulls.

Saturday morning will be another 9:14AM start, and we'll head along the south Coast (after a diversion to a unique SLO picture-taking opportunity!) and head for the twisty roads in the North Santa Barbara County Wine Country. We'll head back to the Quality Inn parking lot to display our cars and collect ballots for People's Choice / Best of Show.

The awards banquet will take place at 6:00PM at Woodstock's Pizza, which is located relatively close to the Quality Suites. Click on the link to see their menu. It'll be No-Host, so you're responsible for buying your own grub and beer. But I can vouge for it all; it is a go-to for me when I'm in downtown SLO.

There are a lot of great drives into and out of SLO County, so I'll send those details to registrants so that you can group up and have mini-rallies before/after the WCR.

Original 18-Feb-2021 Posting:

Hi All --

I will continue to edit/update this posting as details are nailed down, but we've finalized the dates and location for the 2021 West Coast Ramble: the WCR will be held October 14-17, 2021 in San Luis Obispo. Ink it into your calendar!

The "host" hotel is the Quality Suites Downtown San Luis Obispo. While this place ain't cheap, it is clean, safe and within walking distance of lots of food and entertainment venues. Call them at (805) 242-0269 and ask for Angela -- she is the only one that can give you the group rate. When you book at the Quality Suites make sure to ask for the "914WORLD Group Block Rate." The 3-day total is $747.63. We may see a slight discount on this rate as we get closer to our rally as per hotel staff (I am presuming they'll credit the cost; stay tuned).

Presuming the COVID-19 pandemic is not going to re-rear its ugly head again this fall, there is a free Downtown Trolley that operates Thursday through Saturday nights, with a bus stop out front of the Quality Suites.


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[strawman]

And the whipsaw continues... I just heard from my contact at the Cal Poly campus that they've moved the Parents Weekend from October 16th to October 23rd. The good news is that my alma mater (UC Davis) is playing Cal Poly in football that night, and it'll likely be another Aggies slaughter over the Mustangs. The bad news is that it'll jack up hotel room prices if we keep our WCR on that weekend.

I just met with the assistant manager at Quality Inn to see if they'll adjust their room rates back down for the previous weekend and he's checking into it. Still waiting to hear back, but we might need to revert back to October 14-17. Stay tuned...

[drem914]

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/smilie_pokal.gif)

Should be doable, we'll just see how the car comes along the next four or five months.

Thanks for getting the ball started on this.

Hopefully, the ping pong of dates gets settled soon as the October 24 weekend is also the same one as the US F1 in Austin, Texas for those traveling there.

[MartyYeoman]

Any date solidification yet?

[Cairo94507]

Regardless, absent some cataclysmic event, we will be there. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)

[Grosbard]

I know it's not a voting situation, but if you're having trouble deciding on which weekend to choose, my vote is for Oct 14-17. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

[Coondog]

I know it's not a voting situation, but if you're having trouble deciding on which weekend to choose, my vote is for Oct 14-17. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

I reached out to Strawman, just waiting for a date. It’s all based on the Cal Poly
parent weekend schedule.

[strawman]

I just update the original posting: the dates for the 2021 WCR are October 14-17, 2021. Cheers!

[drem914]

Hopefully, the ping pong of dates gets settled soon as the October 24 weekend is also the same one as the US F1 in Austin, Texas for those traveling there.

Thanks for setting the final date. See you there. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/blue914.jpg)

[9one4tay]

I’m in! Hopefully the Phoenix will have risen by then!

[jim_hoyland]

Are we getting a special rate ? Seems a little pricy…

[Coondog]

Are we getting a special rate ? Seems a little pricy…

It’s peak tourist season for the Gold Coast. SLO is always $$$ you won’t be disappointed. Quality Suites hits all the marks.

# Safe & Secure
# Free Happy Hour Beer & Wine.
# 5 min walk to Downtown
# Large two room suites that can easily be shared by two people

[Grosbard]

This is so exciting! Huge thank you to the organizers!!

Just wondering on next steps:

1. Should we all be booking our room now via the hotel's website, or is one of the organizers getting a group rate for us (or something like that)?
2. What is the recommended hotel check-in and check-out dates. Or the better question is probably - what time on Oct 14 is the first event, and what time on Oct 17 is the last event?

Thanks, and look forward to meeting everyone!!

[Coondog]

This is so exciting! Huge thank you to the organizers!!

Just wondering on next steps:

1. Should we all be booking our room now via the hotel's website, or is one of the organizers getting a group rate for us (or something like that)?
2. What is the recommended hotel check-in and check-out dates. Or the better question is probably - what time on Oct 14 is the first event, and what time on Oct 17 is the last event?

Thanks, and look forward to meeting everyone!!

I will get with Geoff “Strawman” to post up the hotel details.

[jim_hoyland]

Room booked. I will spend Monday -Thursday in Cambria at the Cambria Pines.

[drem914]

Room booked

Same here. Just let us know if a special rate is set up, so I can update the reservation.

[Coondog]

Room booked

Same here. Just let us know if a special rate is set up, so I can update the reservation.

I just called them and got 3 different rates from 3 different people. I will nail this down on Monday. Best I got so far for a king bed with AAA rate for Thursday and Saturday is 193.00 per night. It’s Saturday night which is a killer, 322.00.
These rates included taxes. They do come with a separate room with a fold out couch.

Expedia rate is just as high.

[Coondog]

HOTEL GROUP RATE HOTEL GROUP RATE HOTEL GROUP RATE HOTEL GROUP RATE

Quality Suites SLO.......(805) 242-0269. You have to ask for Angelia she is the only one that can give you the group rate. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/confused24.gif)

When you book at the Quality Suites make sure to ask for the 914 World Group Block Rate. Three day out the door cost is $ 747.63. We may see a slight discount on this rate as we get closer to our rally as per hotel staff.

Unfortunately the hotel will only hold 20 rooms at this rate after that booking via AAA will see a slight increase.

Please note each room has a separate living area with a fold out couch, if you want to double, triple up...... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/grouphug.gif)


We are making this the host hotel, there are several others within very close walking distance but you won’t save much and the Quality Suites hotel parking lot privacy is xlint.

[bobboinski]

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/piratenanner.gif) Great work!

[Coondog]

Just a FYI, while I know the hotel is $$$ you will be saving money at our banquet as the only cost is the pizza you eat and the beer you drink...... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beer.gif)

[VegasRacer]

HOTEL GROUP RATE HOTEL GROUP RATE HOTEL GROUP RATE HOTEL GROUP RATE

Thanks for setting this up Greg. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)

I told them my credit card number in exchange for a reservation number. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/boldblue.gif)