SSVI GT-R Exclusive | 4.2 The Afterparty

Tekknikal · #1 10-06-2008, 07:38 PM

...The continuation from 4.1, written by Duttyman.

The rain eventually let up a little. It was not what we had in the morning but it was far better than the stuff the London crew have to deal with. The word was brunch. It was a good opportunity to chat with Ricky's crew. It was also the explanation of why they were so refreshing. Each of them owned multiple autos across multiple brands and countries. Their collective resumes made sense. They were enthusiasts. The food was not bad either but who cares about a meal when there are GT2s, Carrera GTs and GT-Rs to be driven. Tekk followed Ricky as he needed to run some errands before we could proceed to destination 2. We went to Publix (a local Florida grocery chain) which of course, created quite a stir. I suppose you don't see three quarters of a million dollars worth of cars going grocery shopping like that every day...

Tekk said: I think we made the days of every 9 year old within five miles....

With his errands complete, Ricky decided that he wanted to park up the Carrera GT and GT2 for the day. The rain looked like it wasn't going to fully let up so he was going to switch cars. But before we move on with the story there are a few more mentionables about Ricky. In addition to the Carrera GT, Ricky also owns a 911 GT2- the highest end 911 built. At the time of this meet, he also had a GT-R on order. Tekk would later tell me that meeting Ricky in person, wasn't exactly what he expected. For one thing he was younger. For another, he was way cooler. Not seeming to get caught up in the drama that always seems to accompany car meets. I have to absolutely agree. Ricky and crew were a true breath of fresh air.

So we are now at Ricky's crib along with his detailer and homeboy Kareem. Kareem was piloting the GT2 back to the crib and he also helped to park cars and take pictures at the event. Ricky's garage setup is a boy's dream. It looked like something Hot wheels would make. We tried to behave as Ricky and Kareem put the two fire red Porches to bed. Tekk fired off shots in the drizzle. I tried not to act brand new. I was in absorption mode and missed when another garage door opened. Good grief. It's the badest RS6 I have ever seen. The thing looked like a pit bull with chrome feet. Ricky took the time to explain the specs but all I heard were Tekks camera clicks and words like 500 horse power and Audi RS6. We decided that the moment had to end. So the weapons were reloaded for round two, trip two. Tekk followed in the GT-R.

Rendezvousing back at the brunch spot, we met up with about a dozen others. They were 911 owners of various kinds - Carrera S, GT3, etc. as well as a couple Vipers. We all headed out together. Our destination? The exotic car gallery at the Millenia Mall.

This drive involved another mega road, But unlike 417, Interstate 4 (I-4) is not a driver's pleasure. Even worse, it was raining hard again. No- thunder storming, the baby hurricanes were back. Again the GT-R beat the pack, literally. We were rolling deep. Close your eyes and imagine if you could, a line of Porsches and Vipers lead by Ricky in the RS6 up front and us in the GT-R right behind him. Even trough the drenching, people slowed down to pay homage. I am not into the whole entourage thing but even I have to admit to that it was super sick. I am glad that I experienced it.

Not all of us would make it though. The Viper driver admitted conditions were dicey. Tekk said, I could imagine. Some of the Porsches, including a GT3, turned back. With their light bodies and wide tires, many of them likely found the standing water to be too much. I couldn't blame them. I wouldn't be surprised if some were on Michelin's Cup R-Compound tires. I'd have turned back too....

To complete the spectacle, the rest of us, over half a dozen top notch cars pulled into one of Orlando's most high end malls, Mall at Millenium.

Tekk's thoughts: Until this point in time, I had felt that the GT-R was a little pricey. Once we got off the highway though, I had to admit to myself in reality, it was really cheap. Not in quality, but on a value basis. Not only does the GT-R outperform its higher priced, more exotic competition in the dry, but it dominates them in the wet. Not once did the car feel unsettled in the drive. I could feel the car readjusting to conditions, particularly as I hit standing water, but never did it loose its footing. Never did it feel the slightest bit compromised. I was floored. Even if the GT-R didn't offer class leading performance, the car would be worth it for its usability alone. Many cars are sold with their only merit being dry performance on the level of the GT-R. The GT-R offers both performance and usability without compromise. I felt like I had really purchased two cars for the price of one. Amazing.

As an Orlando native, I am accustomed to tourist attractions. In fact, I am bored of tourist attractions. So I was probably more surprised than anyone else to discover that there was a tourist attraction that I was not aware of. I stood detached and observed as Ricky disappeared behind a pair of smoke grey tinted doors. My attitude was 100% skeptical. They say that there are Veyorns in there, ha! What do they take me for a rookie tourist? Ok so I am a man, I can admit when I am wrong.

There were Veryons behind the smoked tint doors. Veryons, Maseratis, Ferraris, GTs, so forth and so on. Yes, plural. I looked to the sky and asked God why he kept this slice of tourism from me. I could kill you all with the metaphors but in this case, pictures need to do the talking.

The exotic car gallery is really a club. You pay something like $40,000 a year and get 1,000 points. You can use those points to drive different cars for different amounts of time. Sort of like a rental. The cost of driving a Veyron for a day? 1,000 points.

But its also a social club. Upstairs we had the opportunity to enjoy the ambiance of it all. Checking out their conference center, grabbing some drinks at the bar, and basically shooting a lot of small talk over a lot of not so small cars.

What a Saturday!

Tekk says, I think it's immature posers who give car enthusiasts a bad name. Many "high line" owners for instance are true enthusiasts and appreciate cars of all kinds, of all prices. It's those who aren't enthusiasts that do not. Ricky's aim with C&C was to bring enthusiasts from all walks of life together. Not unlike my aim with StreetSeen. He's someone else out there that gets it. I agree.

Tekknikal · #2 10-06-2008, 08:00 PM

just wanted to shout out duttyman for telling this chapter better than i could have..
at the end of the day, i was truly without words

big ups to ricky and kareem also, for an awesome saturday

twincityfinest · #3 10-06-2008, 09:12 PM

whoa!!!!! this is just an epic moment for streetseen. the coverage is wicked, the story is wicked i mean damn!!!! big up to tekk and dutty for holding it down on streetseen.

StreetRX7 · #4 10-06-2008, 10:53 PM

YO YO .. THIS IS MADNESS..F40 tiwn turbo ,SALEEN WICKED,3 VEYRONS,FORDGT..ETC...

I would of been in ah mental house by now....

YO RICKY an KAREEM mad respect ..I know it have to be an experience of ah life time.. for Tekk an Duttyman.....

That RS6 is the older model.. newer model much more agressive.. I use to work for VW even the new S4 is not turbo they slam in ah V8 IN it... wicked... But all the cars was nice an was breath taking....

+ 1 MILLION FOR Tekk an Duttyman.... lol.. GREAT JOB...

freddie_vi · #5 10-07-2008, 08:49 AM

and i had to stay in the ATL....

Way to go guy's ...Good job Dutty!

Ricky-OAC · #6 10-07-2008, 11:55 AM

I wanna thank God for allowing me to meet these 2 incredible souls. I need to say no more. Fantastic work with the write up. I appreciate your kindess towards Karim and I. I hope to see both of you back at the meet soon. This month Cars and Cafe meet will be bananas as Gatorun.com will be crashing our party with 50 exotics/sports cars on sunday October 26. Make a note that its on the last sunday of the month unlike the other ones. Dutty you have no excuse for not coming up, I expect to see you there. There will be a private lunch afterwards that you are more than welcome to attend.

Be safe and continue to express your "Enthusiastic Automotive Game"

Ricky
Orlando Automotive Club

Tekknikal · #7 10-07-2008, 01:22 PM

Yeah you'll be seeing Dutty soon, he has no excuses

On a serious note thanks again, the meet was crazy. Anyone in Orlando should definitely make it out. BTW You guys can get info and check out pics from the most recent C&C Orlando at the OAC site right here while we work on starting up continuing StreetSeen coverage of the event...

Duttyman · #8 10-07-2008, 04:27 PM

I appreciate the props fellas but trust me, my words are strictly inspired by the hotness that was Cand C.

Ricky: Have no fear sir,you don't have to twist my arm to join you the fellas on another adventure. I am honored to accept the invite.

StreetRX7 · #9 10-07-2008, 06:32 PM

Damn you DUTTYMAN.... lol... I envy you rite about NOW....
Take major coverage... Like I was there... front an CENTER.... lol..

StreetRX7 · #10 10-07-2008, 09:30 PM

An for RICKY MAD LOVE AN RESPECT for showing Tekk an Duttyman love an embracing them ...

One day i'll take that trip to be in you guyz honor.... one love..

OH I sign up on your site OAC ... nice car ..