Announcenment: Schuh Syndikat - 2013

[z3elda]

I am pleased to announce the plans for Schuh Syndikat 2013. For those that don’t know, Der Schuh Syndikat is an annual east coast event for enthusiasts of 1998 – 2002 M and Z3 Coupes. While this is an E36/8 Coupe-centered event, we’re open to all BMW’s. Even Mini’s won’t be turned away.

This year’s get-together is again happening in Charlotte, NC USA on May 3-5, 2013. We’ve put together a weekend that offers a little something for everybody: Driving, socializing, education, dining and charity. Here’s the major elements:

Venue: The event hotel is the Hilton Garden Inn Charlotte North. This is the same hotel we used last year. It is a fairly new property easily accessible from I-77 with plenty of secure, well-lit parking. We have a block of rooms set aside. Our deal starts Thursday night May 2nd and runs to Sunday May 5th.
Reserve online here: http://hiltongardeninn.hilton.com/en/gi/groups/personalized/C/CLTNHGI-DSK-20130502/index.jhtml?WT.mc_id=POG . You can also call and reserve directly with the hotel at 704.597.7655 Use Group Code “DSK”. The block of rooms is only set aside until April 11th, so please reserve early.

Schedule:
Thursday May 2nd: We will have registration open for a while starting at 5pm. The Hotel is providing a place to wash cars, and I’ll have materials available (bring your own drying device)

Friday May 3rd : Prelude to the “Syndikat”.. a purely optional activity.. We’ll depart the Hotel at 8am and head to the twistys north of Marion, NC. Blue Ridge Parkway, NC routes 80, 226, 226a, 181, etc . (Think “Tail of the Dragon” without the traffic and police presence) We will have an alternate meetup point for those coming from points north, and we’ll stop somewhere for lunch with plans to be back the Hotel at 5pm for registration and a Pizza reception sponsored by our friends at the ZSCCA.

Saturday May 4th:
Morning: We'll leave early and head down to Charlotte Cars and Coffee. There's always something new, old, odd, rare or exotic on display, and there really isn't a better place to show off a big group of Clown Shoes.

Afternoon: We’ll head to CES Motorsport for our Dyno/Demo event. http://cesmotorsport.com/ Owner John Couchell hosted us for DSS 2012, and never hesitated when we asked about coming back this year. The Dyno will be open at a special price for registered Syndikat participants, and we’ll have demos and items on display along with raffles and prizes to support this years charity (not yet decided). We’ll have our own car show, with voting amongst ourselves for the “Favorite Schuch” award, furthest traveled, etc.. And, of course, scintillating social interaction!! J

Evening: We’ll return to the Hotel and take a short break before Dinner. We’ve arranged for the Hotel’s shuttle van to take us to The nearby Fox and Hound Pub and Grill so no-one has to drive or negotiate parking. http://www.foxandhound.com/restaurantinfo.aspx?location=fox---hound-charlotte-northlake We’ve reserved their separate meeting room. This is a pay-your-own way meal, and we’ll order from the regular menu. There will be some additional prizes, I’ll thank our sponsors, then open the floor for a semi-organized discussion about Schuh Syndikat 2014.

Late Evening: Not planned or sanctioned by DSS, but there are nearby establishments within an easy walk of the hotel. One word -"Karaoke"

Sunday: Last year, the majority of participants headed home. If anyone would like to stay around a little longer, we can take in the NASCAR Hall Of Fame. If there is a lot of interest in this, I will try to get a group rate.

Cost: We’ve simplified it. $60 per car, any car, and that includes one guest. Translated, this means the guest is riding with you, not driving another car in the event. On-site registration (just show up) will be allowed on a limited basis for an additional $10.
Let me be blunt about this… I lost money on last year’s event, and I’m not going to do that again. I’ve taken some advice from other event organizers, tightened up the budget and set a realistic price. Again, anything left over will go to Charity.

T-shirts: We will have them, they will be Epic. But you MUST preorder to get one

Registration will open during the first weekend of March, and will close a couple of days prior to the event.


Please post any questions, and GET READY TO REGISTER!


-Eric

[4DIMNZN]

I'm in!

[MudHut]

I'm planning to be there!

[TopGear8]

I might be there for some of it.

[z3elda]

Sorry to announce that the Autocross during Schuh Syndikat 2013 is canceled. There was a scheduling issue with SCCA that they couldn't get around. I am looking at alternatives for Saturday AM, with Cars and Coffee Charlotte as a fallback activity.

Initial Post edited..

[MudHut]

You mean I'm going to miss the opportunity to drive very far away from my home and thrash the car that brought me very far away and hope I don't break it thus leaving me to find an alternate way home?
Although I was kinda looking forward to the autocross I have to say I'm slightly relieved it's not going to happen.

I really enjoyed the Charlotte Cars and Coffee last year and won't be disappointed with seeing so many great cars again.

[rf900rkw]

If it ends up being Cars and Coffee again, Dianna and I will not be disappointed. I didn't get to see any of the cars last year.... too busy talking with people in our corral.


Of course, the same thing will likely happen again this year....

[4DIMNZN]

Cars and Coffee is a great option. After a full day of driving on Friday it would be very enjoyable to kick back on Saturday morning and do my 2nd favorite coupe activity (driving it is #1, talking about them is #2).

[mcoupemindy]

[KeysCoupe]

To agree with several earlier posts, Cars and Coffee was great last year. As Randy noted, most of us didn't have time to see the rest of the field outside of our group.
Eric, I know you are an autocross guy, but you are local. As mentioned previously, I probably wouldn't run my car considering the LONG trip home!
Cars and Coffee was really good last year, and I would hate to miss that.
-Donny

[jajou318]

In for a t-shirt!

[rf900rkw]

In for a t-shirt!

Eric may have a few shirts left from last year. Collect them all!!

[MudHut]

I'll take a shirt or three. XL, L and a kids large or woman's small, whatever fits a lanky eleven year old.

Jay

[z3elda]

In for a t-shirt!

You can pick it up in Charlotte on May 3rd.

But seriously - I'll setup a way to pre-order T-shirts for those that want them but can't pick 'em up in person.

And YES! I have a good supply of last years T-shirts, I might run a "buy a 2013, get a 2012 for $5" sale or something..

To agree with several earlier posts, Cars and Coffee was great last year. As Randy noted, most of us didn't have time to see the rest of the field outside of our group.
Eric, I know you are an autocross guy, but you are local. As mentioned previously, I probably wouldn't run my car considering the LONG trip home!
Cars and Coffee was really good last year, and I would hate to miss that.
-Donny

Thanks Donny and everybody else for the feedback. If ya'll are good with Cars and Coffee, then that works for me. Maybe we can get a little earlier start - or send a couple on ahead to reserve some spots so we can be the center of attention this time.

I really don't want each Schuh Syndikat to be just like the last one, and desire to raise the bar each time (even if it's just a small improvement). I really value the opinion of the Coupe Community on this - especially those that have used their vacation and cash to make the trip.

We will make some time during this Syndikat to brainstorm future event ideas.

Cars and Coffee is a great option. After a full day of driving on Friday it would be very enjoyable to kick back on Saturday morning and do my 2nd favorite coupe activity (driving it is #1, talking about them is #2).

I just realized that I am in your signature photo. Cool stuff. I think Keyscoupe is in there too.