Miata Mailing List: August 1998, Message #181

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Wow!  What a weekend! 

Ok, by now there will probably be a few recaps from the Gap, but I must 
tell you…this recap has some excitement, some honor and some deadly 
consequences (see below).  

I want to first say THANK YOU Scott, Mike and RAGS for the incredible 
experience!  I will be back again, and again, and again….

My wife and I left Atlanta around 11AM for Deal's Gap.  I used MAPBLAST 
(www.mapblast.com) for some basic instructions, but almost got lost 
twice because of some major inaccuracies.  We arrived around 1:30PM to 
find Woody meeting us at the front of Tapocco Lodge.  There we said 
hello to Scott and Mike and quickly ran off to have lunch by the 
wonderful Little Tennessee River.  Come to our surprise while we were 
having lunch that we had roadside seats to the "Fiat Freaks" who were 
racing by this location at speeds above 60mph and eating up quite a bit 
of asphalt.  A couple of times, I saw two Lancias actually driving side 
by side down this particular stretch of Hwy. 129 and not even 
considering that someone might be coming around the corner on the other 
direction.  It was very reckless and I was quite concerned.
Nevertheless, we finished lunch and went back to the lodge for "Blowers 
and Bars."

When we got there, I met Butch Brown…someone who I have always wanted to 
meet.  Butch is a great guy and we must meet again.  I also met Larry 
Alster, Doc and his lovely wife Julie, Will Brown, as well as several 
others, including the usual suspects from Atlanta.

Bars and Blowers hit around 4PM with some good info provided.  I was 
snapping photos left and right of everyone's car (soon to be up on my 
site) while looking at several Sebring set-ups.  Before you knew it, my 
wife and I decided to explore the creek just out front of the lodge.  We 
dipped our toes for a nice relaxing break.  Then, out of no where, a man 
came walking up on the rocks wearing a bright yellow MCA golf shit.  Hey 
yelled, "mind if I join you?".  "Sure" we said and he came up and sat 
down right next to us.  My wife saw me turn stark white as I soon 
realized that Vince Tidwell was now dipping his toes in the small creek 
with us.  I was in shock.

We talk for over 2 hours.  I kid you not.  He is such a great guy.  We 
exchanged stories on favorite southern travel destinations, restaurant 
recommendations, marriage, kids, and of course Miatas.  For every one 
question my wife asked him about his home town of Catersville, I came 
back with some sort of techno-babble question concerning the new Miata 
or the Sebring SC set-up.  After our feet looked like prunes, we hustled 
back up to the main area (after looking at his new '99 Red) to introduce 
him to my Red '91.  Before you knew it, it was the big moment…The 
giveaways!

There were at least close to 120 people in the stuffy room….trying to 
make out Scott's words of wisdom.  Don't worry Scott…I was choked up as  
well.  I cannot believe how much stuff was given away!  I really wanted 
that roll bar gift certificate, but maybe next year.  It was cool to see  
all these happy faces with neat toys and prizes.  Before you knew it, it  
was time for us to go.  Said bye to Joseph (R-Speed) and said that I  
would see him next week (I usually do…love to hang at his place).  We 
were going to find a place in Maryville for the night before we went 
back.  Said goodbye to Vince and several others and we were off.

Enter The Dragon:  We did it.  I took all 318 curves for the fist time 
and LOVED it!  I was right behind a black '92 from Illinois…we were very  
tight through most of it.  The sun was setting and it was getting dark.   
The '92 decided to pull over and we zoomed on.  Eventually we met up 
with the '92 right outside Maryville as we suddenly realized that one of 
us was going in the wrong direction!  It was us.  "Atlanta is south,  
stupid" we said to ourselves.  Back around and down I-75 we went.  It 
was 11PM when we decided to stop in Cleveland for the night.  I had a 
Ferrari meet early on Sunday, so time was crucial.

Now for the deadly topic.  On our way back on Sunday morning, we were 
just outside Carterville when a Lexus Sport-Utility crossed the grass 
divider, out of control, and headed straight for us.  I couldn't believe 
it!  My life was about to be snuffed out it one quick and painful 
accident.  I swerved to the emergency lane and slammed on the brakes.  
By this time, the sport-ute flipped 7 times as debris went everywhere, 
showering my car with dirt, stopping 10 feet in front of us and a semi.  
I saw bodies.

Time was short.  Threw the phone to my wife, told her to call 911, and 
bolted to the now upside down Lexus…liquid of all colors was everywhere.  
I saw a female (Michelle) inside who was struggling to get out.  I 
yelled to her if there was anyone else in the car.  There was a male who 
was badly injured.  She indicated to me that they were the only two in 
the vehicle (in fact I didn't see bodies flying but their clothes).  The 
doors were jammed….I kicked out the rear window and got the male out.  
By this time, I had about five other people helping.

We got Michelle off to the side of the highway and the male was 
suffering from a major head injury.  He starting asking where his friend 
was who was in the Lexus with them.  My heart froze as two people 
decided to walk the median for extra bodies.  Michelle assured us that 
they were the only two.  He companion was now suffering from major 
disorientation and a concussion.  She told me that he had been drinking 
and dozed off at the wheel as she has a suspended license.  I couldn't  
believe what had happened.  Both were taken away very quickly and I  
think they are doing ok.  The male's head injury had swollen two-fold 
and got even more disoriented as they rushed him off.

Shaken and not hurt, we went home and thought about life for awhile.  It 
was very scary for us and all I cold think about was the front of that 
Lexus heading for us at the speed of light.  Whether it was the Lancias 
or the Lexus that was scaring me, I was just glad to be home and safe.

Later on the 11PM news, they had some coverage of the accident.  The 
driver was DUI as well as possessing cocaine.  Somehow when I think back 
to the accident, I just kep thinking why a guy who was wearing 
skate-boarding designed attire with a huge Rolex just didn't match.

It was a very memorable weekend for us both.  Hope to see everyone again 
soon and I hope everyone made it back safe!




Peter Brusa/Peachtree Miata Web Editor <repete@hotmail.com>
["TEAM 9t1"/R-Speed]
Home Page: <http://www.geocities.com/motorcity/garage/4991>           
Peachtree Miata Club: <http://www.mindspring.com/~peachtreemiata/>


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