Club Cobra - SAAC-35 Trip Report

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SAAC-35 Trip Report

Well, another SAAC National is in the books.

Last weekend (Aug.27 - 29) was the 35th National Convention for the Shelby American Automobile Club, held at Infineon Raceway in Sonoma, CA. If you are a real enthusiast, events like this are a must-see.

My post is better late than never...In the past, I have always tried to post news and pics as they happened during the convention weekend; this year, it was my turn in the barrel as Event Coordinator, so I had my hands full over the three days with logistics...there was little time to post. I'll try and make it up with a robust thread of details and images, to give a sense of the weekend activities.

It was great to see many CC members during the weekend...the WSCG and the BACC gang. The party was a joint effort on the part of SAAC HQ and Nor Cal SAAC, whose members worked tireless hours to make it one of the best conventions in recent years.

Let's get to it...

The host hotel was the Embassy in San Rafael; they really made our group feel at home, especially with a complimentary bar for a few hours every night. :D

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Here's a few shots of the Infineon paddock, before the load-in on Thursday...the aerial view gives you a good idea of what the layout is...

The track was perfect for the event...a neat road course and a world-class drag strip... and the management there was a pleasure to work with.

http://saacforum.com/galleryc/albums.../track-med.JPG

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http://saacforum.com/galleryc/albums.../paddock-1.jpg

Several groups got a head-start on the convention with activities on Thursday.

Mark, the owner of the famous GT-350, 5S003, organized a cruise for 65 and 66 GT-350's. This car was on display thru the weekend with the cars from the Shelby American Museum and the Miller Motorsports collection

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(photo credit - virginiaclassicmustang.com )

SAAC organized an Early Arrivers Cruise for late Thursday afternoon. Earl Castillo from Nor Cal SAAC ran the event and mapped out a great scenic route for a 2.5 hour tour...round-trip from the hotel, along the coast.

http://saacforum.com/galleryc/albums...4/DSC_0136.jpg

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Friday morning, the track opened bright and early...tech inspection began

http://saacforum.com/galleryc/albums...060-082710.JPG

...and the Open Track run groups started up.

http://saacforum.com/galleryc/albums...061-082710.JPG

Shelby American had the new 2011 GT-350 and ran the tires off it all weekend

http://saacforum.com/galleryc/albums...AAC35_2578.jpg

Friday had both the TransAm racers and the Vintage Race entrants doing warm-up and practice.

http://saacforum.com/galleryc/albums...AAC35_2696.jpg

(some photo credit - Kranky from saacforum.com)

This year, with such a great drag strip on the premises, SAAC hosted a Drag Racing event, expertly run by Randy Gillis from LA SAAC.

We shut the road course down mid-afternoon (since the return road uses a common area) and ran Drag Racing until the track closed.

The Dragonsnakes made for some great photo opportunities

http://saacforum.com/galleryc/albums...085-082710.JPG

A 10-second rocket...

http://saacforum.com/galleryc/albums...SAAC35_929.jpg

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The Ford GTs captured top speed for the day.

http://saacforum.com/galleryc/albums...SAAC35_995.jpg

http://saacforum.com/galleryc/albums...AAC35_1009.jpg

CC members Ernie and Morgan faced off in the Drags...

http://saacforum.com/galleryc/albums...SAAC35_958.jpg

...and also dueled in the Open Track as well

http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/f...Ctrack4284.jpg

I guess at some point you were able to sit down Ron? Looks like you were busy as a stump full of ants all weekend.

...and Angela (Ron's lovely better half) was the perfect decoy to keep me out of your hair. :) We had a wonderful visit.

Ron,
There is nothing more brutal on a car than drag racing unless you are not really trying to win. Did any of that vintage iron break?

Quote:

Originally Posted by CobraDan (Post 1076058)

Ron,
Did any of that vintage iron break?

No...but I don't believe they were being pushed hard. ;)
The blue one just got a new engine before the event, I heard...

Randy's GT-350 running 11.27

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r8D498KB2xA

Saturday is always the big day for attendance...this year, it also was the day for the Concours Judging and the TransAm race.

It was a good time to stroll the Paddock and see some special cars.

Thanks to the Miller Motorsports group for bringing a trailer full of history.

Their display included 5S003, ... Numero Uno...which has recently spent time at the Shelby Museum.

http://saacforum.com/galleryc/albums...8Medium%29.JPG

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If you stopped for a bite at the Raceway Cafe, some Guardsman Blue in one corner of the patio would have caught your eye.

One of them was Dan Gerber's USRRC Roadster, CSX2385

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