Howdy,
I know that it has been discussed before on the Zuwharrie board, but I thought I would bring it up here.

How about having the Zukfari in May every year when the weather is a lot better.  That is, there is nothing holding us to the EJS schedule, so why do we follow it?  

They only negative is the Jeep trade show will not be there, but to me, that is a very minor negative.  It made more sense to me when Zuki vendors showed up at the trade show, but with only one in attendance (Calmini with only a display), it doesn't make a whole lot of sense to time our run with the EJS.  No parts to purchase and no spares for sale either.

I also realize that the vendors who donate to the raffle might want the Suzukis to run the same week as the Jeeps; in order to show that the public that there is an alternative to the Jeeps.  However, if we had a strong showing (20+) of Suzukis in May, I think that the vendors would be happy with that.

I realize that many of us get Good Friday off work (a paid Holiday), but then again, I had to take 4 additional vacation days to drive there from Oklahoma.  So taking a fifth vacation day doesn't really factor in.  What does factor in is cold, rainy and snowy
weather when the EJS is held in March or early April which is the case for the next two years.  

I would love to go again next year and 2013, but the timing of the event will make me take a pass until 2014.  Been there, done that-EJS 2005 when it started to snow.

I have to say, it is a bit exciting being in Moab during EJS with all that is going on, but that seems to be one of the few up sides. The down sides include crowded trails, crowded camp grounds, motels, and restaurants, bad weather (however this year being in late April was quite nice), being far from family on Easter, etc., etc. I for one would probably try to make it regardless of when the Zukfari is scheduled but I also think that in May would be really awesome.

Don't get me wrong, I like seeing all the cool Jeep stuff as well.  

What I don't like is the crappy weather.  It's too much of a gamble for me to drive 1,000+ miles one way, only to have a major cold front come in and snow on the Zukfari.

The people 250 miles away will go to the EJS no matter what, but for us 1,000 miles away it's definitely a deterant when the Zukfari is in March or early April.  The weather is too much of a variable.  If it was the first or second week of May, I would probably be there much more often.

Hey! Don't hate on us that live in UT! j/k I know how you feel, when I lived in CA it was the same for me. This could be a controversial topic but I wouldn't mind seeing it put to a vote.

No, there is plenty of wheeling in OK.  As long as the Zukfari is tied together with the EJS, I will probably only be going once every five years or so-when I can get off work and the EJS is mid April or later; 2000, 2005, & 2011 thus far.

I would go there a lot more often if the run was in May. 

Brrr, it was 35 degrees in Moab last night. 34 is forecasted for tonight.

I propose that the new Zukfari event would be centered around Memorial Day weekend. Although, from the lack of replies, there doesn't appear to much interest in changing the Zukfari dates.

Just got home from Moab, Dinosaur Monument, Yellowstone.  All of it had SNOW, and I still had a blast.  As a first timer, EJS was not as big a deal as I thought it would be.  I will try to make it again next year for Zukfari, but have another commitment for May 13th (it won't take as long to get home next year).  Another thought for next year, maybe more of the campers could gather in the same campground, that would give us a little more face time, and support for repairs, runs, meals, etc.

Wow, that was quite the long way home Hope you had a fantastic
trip. Good to meet you and look forward to seeing you again next year

Wild

Hopefully I will be able to make it down that way as well.  We'll see what the next year brings. 

We have talked about doing this in past. The weather and prices in Moab can be a deterrent for some. I think we are open to the idea. A lot of it would hinge on if we could get a sizeable group on board to attend if it wasn't during EJS.

-Eric

I think if we had it centered around Memorial Day weekend, we would have a very good turn out from people outside the 200-mile radius.  The local people would still go to EJS, but they would have time to recuperate and attend the Zukfari at the end of May.  

Again, the main deterrent for me not attending the next two years is how Easter falls on the calendar.  Nothing like driving 1000+ miles to encounter snow & ice at Moab.

Just saw the write up on Zukfari too.   

I'd be all for a may trip. I have never been to ejs just because of the jeep-egos (jego's?) I like the died-in-wool Suzuki mentality so the segriation sounds like a win-win too. IMO

Oh yea.... Better weather and fewer people too.

Due to the absence of nearly all other makes of vehicles (other than Jeep) this year at the EJS, I think the Toyota, Hummer, Land Rover, Ford etc groups have all split off from the EJS event as well.  I would say that 95% of the vehicles there this year were Jeeps, 4% were Suzukis, and 1% were other makes.

Due to the absence of nearly all other makes of vehicles (other than Jeep) this year at the EJS, I think the Toyota, Hummer, Land Rover, Ford etc groups have all split off from the EJS event as well.  I would say that 95% of the vehicles there this year were Jeeps, 4% were Suzukis, and 1% were other makes.

It did seem that way this year.  I would go to Moab every week of the year if I could!

I would also support a May Zukfari.  I get tired of dealing with closed trails when I have traveled 1100 miles to explore them.  The crowds at Potato Salad Hill are the only thing I would miss.