WE DID IT! You guys are great!

[Double Venom]

I want everyone to know how proud and goose bumpy I get having the honor to put this "Picnic" together. It couldn't happen without each and every one of you! Dan, one of these days I'm going to get a piece of the Pie!

On a little side not I have copied a post from the FFR board to here with my response. Maybe I just took it wrong, but then I thought if 'Rocket' felt this way, then there must be others. Those that know me, know I absolutely refused all suggestions to put a fee on the DVSF. I felt and still do feel that you simply do not charge people to come to your picnic. But when the bill for this picnic starts running into the thousands and thousands of dollars it was either time to bid farewell or simply break down, succumb to reality and move on.

This is my response to Rocket's comments. Please feel free to speak freely, add your comments yay or nay. If the Fling is to live it will be solely of the wishes of our Cobra community!

As an incentive to get more people to bring their cars numbers 300, 400 and 500 should be free. Maybe even a free hotel room for number 500.

just a thought.

--------------------
Craig

My response:
Rocket...
I had a total and long response to your comment all typed up last night, then deleted it.
Bottom line is--NO ONE has to pay a dime to come to the DVSF III. The second point is, "we" are doing exactly what all the cobra forums asked us to do for this year. (If you were around for the first two Flings you will know that the only entry fee required was a bowl of Chocolate Chip Cookies )

The point to be made is this, our Cobra Family wanted to hold racing type events, this costs money. Our Cobra family wanted to have a picnic and this costs money. (Have you taken 600 people out to dinner before and picked up the bill?)

Our Cobra Family wanted Police security for the protection of there cars, this cost money. You think 4 or 5 Cobras draw crowds, well try 200 Cobras in one spot.

Our Cobra family wanted personal name tags so we could ID each other at the events, this cost a lot of money.

Our Cobra family wanted entertainment and that didn't mean me standing on a stage doing my 'uh-gee-whiz routine! They wanted a private, semi-secluded party house for their own use. Our Cobra Family wanted to 'let their hair down' and party with the best of them, but they didn't want to party and then drive their Cobras 18 miles back to the hotels. (For those that may not be aware of it, the Mrs. and I have hired two Greyhound type buses to transport everyone to and from the Hotels Friday night-NO drinking and driving please!) And, you can bet your total bippy that that aint cheap!

Our Cobra family wanted to take over a small town and that they have! With the blessing of the town no less!

For those that drive the big rigs and even the single car haulers, our Cobra Family demanded safe, secure and Police protected parking.

Our Cobra family wanted a Parade and a Parade they've gotten. Almost 48 miles down a 4-lane hi-way, under full Police escort, (Twice as many cruisers and motorcycle cops as before!)right through a major metropolitan city without stopping once for any traffic signals.

Rocket..I have just touched the surface on the direct costs associated with the DVSF III. If you want I will be happy to supply you with a total break down of the costs, right to the penny within ten days of the closing of the DVSF III.

I have said it many times and I will continue to say it, If ANYONE, for any reason cannot or simply does not want to pay the fee to come to the DVSF III, all you have to do is e-mail me. I don't ask "why", I simply register for you.

But, one last note, please remember what the DVSF is about! It's about getting the greatest group of people in the entire world together once a year. Enjoying the camaraderie, eating chocolate chip cookies, showing off these marvelous hand crafted cars...AND IT'S FOR JENNY!

DV--Da' Fling is a picnic like no other!