Kreuzer Fest 2005 - Event Coverage

When you plan a big trip like this, you always have to expect the worst and hope for the best, particularly with variables like cops and weather involved.

For those who don't know, Kreuzerfest is a motley gathering of enthusiasts who have a little fun while traveling to Waterfest.

Remember the last time you took a road trip by yourself? It's pretty boring, but when you're in convoy with over 100 other cars it can be quite exhilarating.

There were two legs this year, one starting from Momentum Tuning in Connecticut and another from Electrodyne in Virginia. Those who chose the north leg were treated to a pre-party the night before. It was hosted by Momentum Tuning, who laid on free drinks and a DJ. Around 30 or 40 cars attended the event and enjoyed an informal little gathering that set them up nicely for the next morning.

At both the north and south venues, cars were arriving by the dozen from about 7am. Fortunately, we were able to make use of shop parking lots so we could fit everybody.

There were plenty of quality cars in attendance in both groups, but we were also treated to the DubAudi Grppe who brought out 10 members to the northern run. These guys take cars seriously and to say that they have sweet rides is an understatement. Their cars are first class and it was a pleasure to kreuze with them. Sadly, the south leg was a bit light on DAG cars since several suffered morning mechanical failure (couldn't get up!!). The Virginia venue was greeted with 80 weather and 100% humidity, yet as the cars started to gather, we realized it was us who were affected by the heat, not the locals. Sweat-soaked shirts is not a good feeling at 9am (So this is how Sunny feels everyday? - Ed). On the plus side Electrodyne provided donuts, juice and water for everybody. So finally we got one over on the northerners.

When 10am came around, both legs were en route to Englishtown, NJ, led by us in a brand new VW Touareg, thanks to the guys at VW. There was one scheduled stop on both legs for food, gas and to wait for slow drivers, like our own Events Coordinator, Elliott Moran. For those who missed the initial starting point, it allowed them to catch up.

While at the rest stop, people were checking out each others' rides and sharing tales from the journey. Soon after, we were on our way to Waterfest.

It was a good thing we left when we did, because state troopers showed up in the south and we would've had some explaining to do. In the north, the only brush with the law was when a car got pulled over, but as everybody else pulled in with him the trooper gave up and got back in his car.

Both legs left the lunch stop with more cars than we arrived with, but we sadly lost a few to mechanical failures along the way. The second half of the Kreuze saw participants get a little rowdy behind the wheel. While we urge people to abide by traffic laws it was amusing to watch drivers doing 100mph on the shoulder in the south leg. Of course, this attracted more state troopers and some fell victim. We also managed to piss off a lot of locals who gave us the finger.

Fortunately, the north leg was accompanied by the US Army, who kept things in check. Sgt Brady Cloward was accompanied by friend Adam Koceja in his Blackhawk helicopter helmet.

By 4pm, the convoys made it to Englishtown's Raceway Park. In a repeat of history, the north beat the south to the punch, but it wasn't a race to begin with (It was if you were coming from the north! - Ed).

The trip ended with the highly-anticipated run on the road course. Participants had the pleasure of taking a few laps around the track. These were led by our own Brady Cloward who was meant to be slowing the pace but somehow descended into flying laps and some pretty nice entry lines and late apexes. We'll have some explaining to do but it just adds to the fun.

For more information on the event, check out our Kreuzerfest gallery at www.eurotuner.com and you might even spot yourself if you attended. If you didn't, then you know what you'll be doing next year, right?