Any chance there will be a Fall Big West ride in '06?

I'll have a weeks vacation time in Sept and would like to go to Killpecker at least or maybe just straight to St. Anthony's.

Any thoughts on this?

There was some discussion of this, will have to see how everyone feels after they get back and the dust all settles.

I'd certainly be interested in another trip out to St. Anthony, Idaho. These dunes are very impressive to say the least. Also a very nice facility for camping and close to town for supplies. Killpecker was ok but the primative camping & distance from town makes it a bit less desirable. Time would be better spent at St. Anthony IMO for the few hour drive difference.

I am up for a fall trip but it needs to be before my son goes back to school

I know I would not even have any time until the second week of Sept and I am sure all the kids will be in scholl by then.

I went and did something tonight that I proabaly should not have...

Sorry I just couldn't help my self...

BUT
.
.
.

Yep I went and totalled up my gas expenses from the Big West Spring Trip...

Some numbers just for the heck of it... (These are based on my receipts)

Lincoln, Nebraska to Killpecker Dunes (near RockSprings WY) 720 miles
KillPecker to St. Anthony's Dunes (near Parker ID) 422 miles
St. Anthony's to Lincoln Nebraska 1010 miles

Total distance driven 2,152 miles
Total gas used 286.7 gallons (pulling vechile 236.7 - ATV's 50)
Average $ per gallon - $2.84
Average MPG - 9.1
Total Fuel Cost $814.23

So it cost me $672.23 to get to the ride areas and home
and $142 once I was there to play...

Boy I sure wish they were closer...

ANYHOW WHEN WE HEADED BACK ???

Your lucky you did'nt do that trip in AUS, average $1.40 per litre, OUCH! Baz

You get 2x the mpg I get my trip was 3125 miles...

On the up side to the bad mpg the hoser hauler gets soon as I turn the key off I quit paying and the cost per year is almost nothing, insurance and plates is the same as the Ritz was.

I spent 16 nights so far in the new rig I would like ot spend at least another 25 in it this season so yeah when are we going back, my son missed the spring trip so I want him to attend the fall trip he needs to be back before school starts in the fall.

I'm pretty certain I got the trophys for;

"Most money spent on this trip" (Drakart purchase).

"Drove the longest leg with no sleep." Wichita, Ks.- Rock Springs, Wy.
via going to Jerry's on the way....well over 900 miles.

"Wrench time." I was constantly trying to get the Drak tuned
properly at Killpecker.

"Worse wipeout(s)" Stitch drew more blood.

"Lucky to be alive" no comment

I could come up with a few more but I don't wish to depress myself
any more than I have already.

Any updates on you or the Drakart, pictures of the carnage, thoughts or ideas on the repairs?

Will you be ready for the late summer early fall trip?

Fed and I do our elk bow hunting trip starting around the 15th or so of September, so how about the week prior?

We have been getting some very weird weather patterns up here the last week or so. Very cool with moisture in the air. Its normally very dry all the time. Hell, the high yesterday hit 65 degrees and has been mid 70s. Much better than 95, not complaining though. It snapped a few pictures you may want to see. Very pretty sunsets about every night, some large and small dust devils rolling thru. The picture of the big dust devil looks like a damn tornado, biggest I have seen since the one we saw at KillPecker.

Very cool pics I bet seeing that sun set in person was great, you loose so much when you take a pic. Its been hotter than hell here high of 65 would be nice for a change.

Any updates on you or the Drakart, pictures of the carnage, thoughts or ideas on the repairs?

Will you be ready for the late summer early fall trip?[/quote]

I should have no trouble having the Drak ready by then.

My biggest hurdle so far has been getting parts.

The Drakart cars really have to be treated like one off type cars as parts are not readily available. Most models have been discontinued and manufacturers such as Hawk have closed their doors and have limited parts left leaves you to deal with Alain and all previous owners who may have stocked up on some items.

Fortunately Jasson from Hawk gave me a contact that had most of the parts I needed plus many I didn't but purchased anyhow.

As it turned out the car suffered more costly damage from being pulled in over rocks then the crash itself. This wiped out my lower left a-arm & bent my shock.

My fabricator buddy has done a fantastic job restoring the Drakart to better than new condition. Seat belt tabs have been relocated & a very nice aluminum roof is currently in the works.

The project is on the back burner this weekend as we have a big money event at our local 1/4 mile drag strip the he hopes to win with his 7.5 second 69 SS Camero.

Glad your able to find the parts.

So Hawk does not build or sell Drakarts any more? What happen their I thought Hawk was going to be the answer to all Alains mfg problems? Who is building what cars now?

Alain is the only Drakart manufacturer and he is not building the Formula Cross any longer. The Tornado seems to be his main focus. I heard he is busy building & sending these over to the oil rich nations.