I was talking to the guys at the R/C shop tonight about Joey, the guy who built the R/C track in the back of the building where we battled it out. Just like it was yesterday

So much damn fun man,,, Sooo much fun. The best part was meeting up with the rest that we've been chatting to for years. But still an amzing time.


Hoping - if they do it again - they will allow the originals that don't get picked again to come out on their own.

I'd love to come out again in a "helping" capacity if necessary or whatever. Hoping my new layout will increase my chances - not like I've slowed down in my passion or collecting.

If all goes well, I can use the Christmas break to get the DVD cover finished, and then ship out stuff after the post office stops being a madhouse.

I'd love to come out again in a "helping" capacity if necessary or whatever.

I remember as things were winding down and decompressing, they were asking for feedback or 'what would you do different'. One of the things I mentioned was that I would have enjoyed just spending more time at HQ - suggesting that it would be a blast to just help out with different points along manufacturing and assembly.

I know Nik was talking more along the lines of stuffing goody bags and drinking with the winners every night, but still!

There's not a single part of me that feels like any of the time spent there was wasted time, nor was I bored or watching the clock. Everything Oakley planned was just awesome from the first minute.
That having been said, I honestly think the best parts of the whole weekend was anytime we weren't on a schedule, and we just sat around talking with each other and Oakley employees. As much as I enjoyed getting my ass handed to me in paintball, I still find that my fondest memories come from the bonfire dinner and staying up late in the hotel lobby chatting it up with our friends here, and the many new faces. The tour, RC races, paintball, shopping spree, D&B dinner...they were all a blast and a half. But nothing beats the face-to-face nights of drinking and talking. Dawn and I still have moments where we just sporadically reminisce about the fun we had finally meeting everyone, and what it would be like to have you guys at our wedding.


~Yukio

So spoke with someone who has heard a buzz that there may be second coming of the contest, possibly later this year. The difference is that it may be under some different circumstances. Also there is no word on the Original 50 returning or being disqualified. Anybody with deeper insight than myself heard anything or can find anything out?

I'm not privy to any buzz ... but it sounds hopeful and cool if there is a co-pilot 2 in the works. No matter what form it might take or whether or not I'd be invited/eligible. Anything in the works is cool beans.

I haven't heard anything yet either, but man just to think it is cool. I would love to see some of the people who didn't make it the first go around get the chance to experience what the original group did. It truly was the pinnacle of my Oakley collecting! I would be honored to be considered for any involvement in the 2nd iteration if given the chance. Oakley is amazing and anyone who is blessed to be chosen in something like this truly can get a full understanding at that point. Plus, it would give me a reason to pull out all my Co-Pilot gear, suit up, and represent the Class of 2009 proper like!!

Has anyone received a tax bill for the trip yet? I know they have to be postmarked by 1/30, so I was wondering if any of our West Coasters had received one yet.

Maybe based on what we spent in the store they decided to eat it...LOL

it would be nice if they did a european co-pilot contest-o fans do extend outside the uk and im sure us europeans can give just as good!

I haven't, so I'll turn a blind eye. If you didn't receive it, then they didn't claim it.

And the generosity continues even a year later.


~Yukio

That was classy of them to eat it all!! That's why we love the Big O

nope...nada here. Just got today's mail and they would have had it to me by then easily.

Wow, didn't even give much thought to the tax bill, LOL! Heck, considering they didn't bother charging me for the extra night's hotel stay, they've been nothing less than impressive from start to finish. And, really, how surprised can we be that Oakley did it right through and through.

Guy's can you please explain for us non U.S residents why would you be expected to pay a tax bill for the trip?

And I thought us Aussies were taxed to the hilt.

BTW has anyone noticed the Fans tab has been removed from the website?
Or has it been placed somewhere else?

Contest winnings are counted as income, so the estimated $2k value of the trip would be appended to your normal earnings and taxed appropriately. So had they gone through with it, we'd either have had to pre-pay 30% via a 1040ES form, or just take the hit on the tax return.

ouch!

When you win something here thats it, it's yours Tax free. Even the lotto - win 30 Million keep 30 million.

Nice!! I love Australia! Tax free on Lotto earnings....not here, Mate. The IRS will grab it's share, right off the top!!!

That's it. Dawn, pack up the bags. We're moving to Aussie-town.


~Yukio

I don't think we have to worry about the trip being reported. I just got my package from SpeedTV for the ipod I won on the Barrett-Jackson thing, and low and behold, a w-9 form inside..That means I will be getting taxed for the ipod come next year...Oh well, still better than paying for one HAHA

Almost CO-Pilot anniversary time.

Maybe they'll have a special on the homepage about it. It'd be awesome to "revisit the memories", so to speak.


~Yukio

Maybe I'll finish the DVD's. Anyone up for creating a DVD cover that I can print out.

Happy Anniversary Co-Pilots! I cannot believe it has already been a year, it has gone so quickly.

Seeing behind the curtain at HQ was a great experience, so much so that I am taking the family in August!