SAAC-35- 8/27-29- Preview

[Paul F]

I'll second that. Levi Leipheimer lives north of SF. This is road racer's country. Especially so in the hills that you will be riding. Please consider that around any corner a bicycle or two will be in the road (both ways), with no shoulder, and either a cliff or a rock wall as your exit plan, and you, an oncoming car, and bicyclists may come up together. While it may be tempting to get on it a bit on these quiet, winding roads, you may be surprised around any corner.

[computerworks]

Saturday TransAm Race

There is a reason why the heyday of the SCCA Trans-Am series (1967-1970) is talked about and celebrated some forty years later. It was incredibly exciting. It pitted this country's best and most aggressive drivers against each other. Manufacturers were involved. And the cars that raced were very close to their street versions that spectators drove to the track to watch the races.

Today, most of these cars have been found, restored to their original, as-raced configuration, and raced in special vintage races. They even have their own racing association...the Historic Trans-Am Group. When they race at a vintage event, they come as a group.

They only allow cars which have verifiable Trans-Am history, and the cars must be restored to exact period specifications... cosmetic and mechanical. All the drivers know each other and they put on an excellent exhibition of what Trans-Am competition was like during those years.

These are the "Big Boys" of vintage racing and they will be joining us at SAAC-35 at Infineon Raceway: Boss Mustangs, Shelby-built Mustang notchbacks, Bud Moore Cougars as well as Camaros, Barracudas, Challengers and Javelins are part of this group.

We're expecting a dozen or more at the convention. They practice on Friday, August 27, qualify on Saturday morning, August 28
...and the green flag drops on Saturday at 1:50 p.m. for the Trans-Am race.

This vintage race is like stepping back in time because the cars are perfectly restored. They are exactly the way they were when they were raced back in the day. No state-of-the-art updates and no trick, go-fast parts. The emphasis is on history... the way it was, not the way someone wishes it was.

It's a special treat.

Don't miss it!

[computerworks]

On Sunday, August 29, at 1:50 p.m., you’ll want to grab a piece of fence to get a good view of the Vintage Race. The SAAC Vintage Race is a little different because it’s ALL SHELBYS... ALL THE TIME.

If you’ve seen vintage races before you know what it’s like to watch the parade of cars, and how your pulse increases every time the Shelbys and Cobras scream by. Once the green flag drops your pulse accelerates—especially during those early laps when the cars are hunting and weaving and jockeying for position.

Ten laps go by in what seems like the blink of an eye. The hair on the back of your neck will stand on end for 10 laps!

What’s on tap? For starters, Cobra Automotive is mounting a multi-car attack, filling two or three transporters with the fastest cars on the East Coast. The first car off their trailer will be Curt Vogt’s #530. These guys have been getting in shape by eating raw meat without forks and knives and letting the blood run down their chins. Who are they going to butt heads with?

Mike Eisenberg’s Maeco Motorsports is plotting a vicious counter-attack with its gang. Out in front is the Black Knight, Dan Luckow #99, who sharpened his fangs by practicing at the recent Tulsa event. They started him dead last and before the first lap was over he was in first place. Rumor has it that he spends a few hours each day looking at a picture of Vogt’s car, growling and beating his chest. Las Vegas odds-makers are giving 50- 50 odds.

But don’t discount the dark horses from Nor Cal.
Infineon is their home track and they have it dialed in. Keep your eye on the old lions: Tom Fry, Ken Epsman and Tom Georgalos. They are all contenders, as is Jimmy Hague.

This race will make the final laps of the Daytona 500 look like the Soapbox Derby.

This race is always a high point of convention weekend. Check the schedule and watch the entrants practice on Friday and Saturday.
...but be sure to be there for qualifications and the actual race on Sunday.

...another "Don't miss it!"

[4pipes]

Ron, will the paddock and garages be open to all attendees?

[computerworks]

Originally Posted by 4pipes

Ron, will the paddock and garages be open to all attendees?

The garages are rented individually for the full weekend and have been sold out for many months.

The Paddock will have a special parking area for certain groups, including ClubCobra members.

When you check in at registration to pick up your badge (or to register as a "walk-up"), tell them you are from Club Cobra and they will give you a special Paddock Parking Pass. We are trying to keep this only for Cobra and specialty cars, Mustang, etc., not valid for other "daily drivers."

[4pipes]

Sorry, my question wasn't clear. Can attendees walk around anywhere on the grounds, including the garages and paddock (obviously, not in the hot pit).

[computerworks]

Originally Posted by 4pipes

Sorry, my question wasn't clear. Can attendees walk around anywhere on the grounds, including the garages and paddock (obviously, not in the hot pit).

Absolutely.

[tkb289]

Originally Posted by computerworks

The garages are rented individually for the full weekend and have been sold out for many months.

The Paddock will have a special parking area for certain groups, including ClubCobra members.

When you check in at registration to pick up your badge (or to register as a "walk-up"), tell them you are from Club Cobra and they will give you a special Paddock Parking Pass. We are trying to keep this only for Cobra and specialty cars, Mustang, etc., not valid for other "daily drivers."

Ron,

The Club Cobra paddock parking pass does not include later model Mustangs, only vintage Mustangs correct ?

[computerworks]

Originally Posted by tkb289

Ron,

The Club Cobra paddock parking pass does not include later model Mustangs, only vintage Mustangs correct ?

Certainly includes Newgen Shelby and GT500, etc.

hmmm..for the others, judgment call on a given day, based on space available.