Outside Chicago
big thanks to VWVortex user Jimmy D for the shots.
July 15, 2006
Press Conference Before the Journey
Here's a link to the press conference in Fernandez Park before Matt's cross-country trip.
June 12, 2006
The Route With Dates
July 7th Day 1 SF-Eugene Oregon. 528 miles
July 8th 2 Eugene-Seattle. 283 miles
July 9th Day 3 Seattle-Helena 588 miles
July 10th Day 4 Helena-Bismarck 653 miles
July 11th Day 5 Bismarck-Minneapolis 427 miles
July 12th Day 6 Minneapolis-Chicago 408 miles
July 13th Day 7 Chicago-Cleveland 345 miles
July 14th Day 8 Cleveland-New Jersey 486 miles
Total 3718 miles
July 15th Day 9 Waterfest
July 16th Watefest
July 17th Day 11 Jersey – charlotte NC 595 miles
July 18th Day 12 Charlotte –ATL 244 miles
July 19th Day 13 ATL – Memphis 389 miles
July 20th Day 14 Memphis – Dallas 450 miles
July 21st Day 15 Dallas – Albuquerque 646 miles
July 22nd Day 16 Albuquerque – Vegas 573miles
July 23rd Day 17 Vegas – SD/LA 332 miles
July 24th Day 18 LA – Home 383 miles
Total 3113
Round trip 6830 miles
March 23, 2006
Article in the Contra Costa Times
March 22, 2006
The GTI Gets Suspension
Big props to Tunershop and KW for the help with the suspension.
February 20, 2006
Event Flyer
February 12, 2006
Initial Event Information
There will be a Get Together and BBQ up at the Tomas Sport Tuning shop on Sunday, March 26th from 11-4. The shop will be holding a Garage Sale to help raise some funds to finish Darren's old Rabbit GTI up for a cross-country trip this summer. We will also have a donation jar to help fund the cause.
Also, bring whatever parts you'd like to sell or trade. Always a good idea to bring smaller bills..
There will be more information posted as it continues to develop.
A Few 'Before' Shots
January 31, 2006
The Million Mom March
This is the organization that the money will be donated too. It is a very active NATIONAL group that is tied with the Bradycenter. Here are their websites.
January 22, 2006
Some Background Info on Darren Kretchmar
As posted by Matt in his post on VWVortex:
"On July 30th, my best friend Darren Kretchmar was murdered because the kid he was hanging out with was wearing a red t-shirt. A Sureno gang member though they were both Norteno gang members and shot both of them at point blank in the head. Another young man (18) was shot in the back but lived. All 3 were normal suburban kids hanging out drinkin' 40's in a crowded family park at 6:30 PM IN BROAD DAYLIGHT.
Daniel Ruiz sits in jail right now awaiting trial for the murder of my best friend Darren Kretchmar (21) and David Gregory (18). We had been best friends since the 5th, a little over 11 years. We did everything together, including the passion for VWs. Among the things Darren's parents gave to me was his 1984 Rabbit GTI. Darren had recently killed the wimpy 1.8l and the car was off the road. The night before his funeral several NorCal forum members helped me swap in a new motor. Even Tim Tomas of Tomas Sport Tuning came over and helped get everything running right. At the funeral the car was parked out front, and everyone was encouraged to write messages on the car.
Sucks this is how i got my first Rabbit, but i'm going to make the most of it. I have big plans. I NEED EVERYONE'S HELP FROM THE VORTEX!!
So here's my plan. A cross counrty road trip called the "End The Violence Rally" I plan on driving Darren's Rabbit accross the country and showing the car at Waterfest 12 on July 15th, and have the car back home on July 30th for the 1 year anniversary of his passing. I want to have a GTG at every stop along the way. I want THE NATION to see this car and what it represents. I will also be carrying large poster boards for people to leave messages. I will also have a box for donations. At the end of the trip i will make the donation to a charity that deals with ending violence in our streets on behalf of the Volkswagen Community. "