Santiago Ortiz
* This was my first year doing the Tour and it won't be my last.
* I was already on my way to NOPI and was told it would be the time of my life.
* I liked the drive down the best and meeting new people and seeing their cars.
* The funniest thing was getting pulled over on my way to the Tour and having that cop car drive away on its own.
* Thanks, Super Street, for an awesome time and Tour.
Nathaniel Whitenack
The Tour this year was awesome, as usual. I could not get off work this year but I had to go, so I came up with a plan. I waited until the weekend before and started spreading around the work place my uncle had a heart attack and was in bad shape (Shame on you. -SS Staff). Then, the Tuesday before the Tour, I relayed the bad news to my superiors that my uncle had passed away and I had to go to his funeral that weekend and could not attend work. I know it was kind of wrong to do that but I mean, I just couldn't miss the Tour and NOPI, so in my mind it was completely justified.
I drove from school to my hometown of Fredericksburg, VA and met up with my buds that were coming with me on the Tour. We set out from Fredericksburg at about noon and began the tour on the way to Greensboro. We arrived at the Sheraton kind of early, but there were still a few people there, awaiting the fun night. Like every year, we packed our crew of Honda lovers into one room to save a few extra dollars. There were a lot of cars to look at and tons of good chatting with fellow import lovers `til the late hours of the night. The next day we headed out early with a few cars to Sonic to catch breakfast before the Tour left Greensboro. We made it in time to leave with the Tour, which was a blast, and for some reason I just love being in a line of 50 imports and looking at all the innocent motorist's faces as we go past them.
We hit the usual Atlanta traffic in the afternoon, where I believe the morning's decision to have Sonic finally caught up with my passenger who, by God's good graces, was blessed with IBS. Just imagine this: We are in gridlock traffic in the pouring rain in Atlanta and my friend Mike is groaning in pain, telling me to get off so he can do his business (but it was impossible; we were not moving). Finally, after what seemed like an eternity of bitching by my passenger, we were able to exit. The S2000 I was traveling with pulled over at some sketchy Chinese food place right off the exit and my friend rushed inside; it wasn't too long after that the owner came out and made us move our cars because we were bad for business and blocking deliveries. So that was interesting; stuck in Atlanta with no idea where we are while my friend is shitting his brains out and this Chinese lady who we could barely understand is yelling at us. Later that day, we made it to NOPI Nationals safe and sound. Over all, our entire trip to NOPI was great, but every year I look forward to the Super Street Tour.
Trey Chavis
As usual, I hung out at the Sheraton for the annual Tour kickoff party that happens every year. I usually attend this event since a lot of my friends in the scene make the pilgrimage for the event just to hang out. After cleaning and waxing my ride, I arrive at the parking lot early so I can get a decent parking space. I walk around and see the North Leg cars and take in the sport compact scene. As I tape the vehicles, I see a familiar face from my favorite rag: JDM Wong. He waves and walks up to me and I ask, "Do you remember me from last year"? He says, "Yes, and I got your email about seeing me walking down the road with Carter." We laugh and chat some more, then part ways. Slowly but surely, the locals roll in, as well as the late out-of-towners; the scene is thick with culture and automobiles, and the air infused with the fumes of gasoline.I make my rounds greeting my pals who have dispersed themselves all across the parking lot. Then before too long, the burnout contest begins, which I care to mention, is never organized and is always complete reckless abandonment. What topped the night was going and picking up my beautiful girlfriend from a friend's wake to join me and take in the sights. Eventually we go home and prepare for the tour to Atlanta. We woke up the next morning ready to join the tour. After it kicked off, I left the majority of the Tour behind due to my lead foot, but we always traveled with a new group every part of the way: the Kentucky boys, the New York boys, the twin turbo 350z from Maryland, a yellow Civic coupe and myself was the perfect mix for misbehaving. We finally make it to Atlanta after turning a four to five hour trip into an almost 10-hour highway rampage of a road trip because of all the rain. We didn't get our lap on the track and got split up from everyone in traffic, though. Overall, my girlfriend and I had a blast. We met a lot of cool people who we will remain friends with for years. We will be sure to continue on the Tour as long as it keeps going.