The Root Beer Raiders
 

I've owned my C6 for nearly 14 years and much of the enjoyment I've, um "enjoyed" was the many people I've met through the various clubs and events. I always try to attend the annual XXX show and a few tours, rallies and such.

Along the way, I sometimes hear stories and adventures of the "Root Beer Raiders" I can only surmise the allusion to root beer relates the the Issaquah XXX. But maybe not.

Who were these people and what is the story behind the name?

So, those of you who are older than me, and not yet in an assisted living residence home. please share the story - if there is one - with the rest of us

God forbid these characters were not an offshoot or branch of the Safari Pirates.

Just curious

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I was a Rootbeer Raider but your post asks for input from people older than yourself. I won't even be your age until next month so you may only hear the sound of crickets waiting for another post. :bigears

Raiders
 

Years ago, the Corvette forum did not have a PNW section. It was more of a West Coast-Hawaii section. We asked about getting one set up but for whatever reason, it didn't happen. With help from Steve Nelson (X-ZZ4) who lived in CA a the time, we (Mostly Steve) set up a forum with it's own URL and it became popular right away and we had many drives and get-togethers over a couple years until the CF set up what we are using now. When it was apparent that the Raiders had run it's course and the CF had set up this current forum, we had on last lunch at XXX in Issaquah. I still have my name tags aw well.:D

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Not to worry, my wrinkled friend. Age is a metaphor we often use for, ah ah,,,I forgot...Was Jurassic an age?

I was sure you were older than me....

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You mean this Badge. I discovered this group a few months before the NW section of the corvette forum was started and then they started to melt away. I made a few of the rides and a lunch or two after. I see a few at the All Corvette Car show at XXX each year. I’m surprised Phil I thought you were one of the founders!

Who, Me?
 

That looks like the official insignia of the fabled Root Beer Raiders, though I might have thought it might be something more along the lines of the WW2 Merrill's Marauders, or even a take on the Oakland/Los Angeles/Oakland NFL team. In any event, it's a terrific symbol for the few of us that have frequented the XXX for so many years. Alas, I didn't know much about your group until much later, following the purchase of the C6 Aero Lightweight in 2006 (one of 42 as you probably aware). I seem to recall that our late friend, Joe Page was one of the group as well. So, no, Mike, I am not a founding member, but seem to be close to the remaining people who were part of the group. Like yourself, friendly, outgoing, guys who I found to be a group that was fun to be associated. Well, save for the time I took a few of them on a tour of the Snoqualmie Valley and Lake Rossinger via Granite Falls. This is a story that is often told among those who were on the trip, always at my expense. In short, some of the other clubs to which I belonged back in the day had a rule for tours that one was always to watch the car behind you and if you cannot see them, then slow down and let them catch up.

So you can imagine my surprise (I'm trying to avoid the overused term, terror) when on a curving back road out of Granite Falls, I see - well nothing - behind me. I pulled over to the shoulder of the road to await their, hopefully, arrival, I didn't need to wait long, as I heard a loud roar about a quarter mile along the route I had just taken. A few seconds later - maybe less, given the speeds at which they approached my unofficial checkpoint - at least three Corvettes emerged from the wooded area and introduced me to the incredible braking capacity of a Corvette.

Thinking I had somehow lost them along the route, I apologized to the "stragglers" for maybe going a bit too fast for them and so inquired as to how much I should diminish my speed so they could keep up.

Almost in unison, they were kind enough to offer some appreciation by making sure I had them in sight in my mirrors. At least that's what I thought they were trying to tell me, but was interrupted and simply was requested if I could drive a bit - no, a lot - faster. I found out these characters were not lost or even unfamiliar with the route. Apparently they pulled over after I was leading the tour for about 10 minutes and had agreed to let me me get about a 15 minute lead\ Then they followed me. At speeds that would still have them doing time in Monroe if they had been caught.

Since we were near the end point of the route I had planned for the tour, they all expressed their appreciation for the "tour" and left - at considerable velocity - for some place near Snohomish. They gave me the name. but they were so far ahead of me, I couldn't follow them..

All these characters, including some Root Beer Raiders who will go otherwise unamed have since become close friends and, showed me how to enjoy my Corvette a bit more than planned.

I am reminded of my dear mother's warnings not to associate with people like this.

Just sayin'

I was a Root Beer Raider. I’m still active with the beer part...

Hi Guys - after a long absence I am back on the Forum. I was an original member of the Root Beer Raiders as well, "Tigger". I had a 2005 Daytona Orange C6 coupe at the time. Sold that car back in 2011 and picked up a brand new 2011 Grand Sport Convertible in Super Sonic Blue. Still have that car. Unfortunately it seems to sit in the garage more than I drive it. In fact my kids get it out to a show once in a while.

Sorry I have not been on the forum in a LONG time. What can I say - Life Happens : ) Going to be on more regularly now or at least try to. Happy trails everyone!

Dave
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Two of my favorite subjects......History and Corvettes. :thumbs:

Mine as well, but in my case let me amend your favorites slightly...

History, including Corvette payments.

I'm here too
 

The sun brings us out of hiding. I live in Thailand and back for the summer.
The C6 is gone and now have a C7 GS. Ready for some cruising and plan to do the Caravan in August.
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