What would get your attention????

Engineer Ed · #1 (**permalink**) 06-05-2003, 10:24 AM

What do the DSCC, Carroll Shelby, SAAC and March 2004 have in common??

Have you ever dreamed about meeting Carroll Shelby; Driving fast laps at Sebring during a nostalgia race and being a part of a huge assortment of Cobra's, originals and replicas?

Are you aware March 2004 it's the 40th anniversary of Shelby fielding a 427 Cobra at Sebring in the prototype class?

Would you believe this is where the DSCC will have its 4th annual meeting??

Believe it kids; I'm working on putting it together with SAAC.
I'm not sure of the dates in March but it will be the weekend of the 12-hour race at Sebring.
As soon as I get the dates, I'll post hotel info so you can secure a room.
Mark your calendars, start kissing and lovin on the wife, notify your Cobra buddies and start saving up some money. You won’t want to miss this for anything. No excuses!

This is going to be a huge event so I recommend getting in early or you will be left out. Sebring gets completely filled for the 12-hour race and we will be lucky to find accommodations for all of us close to the track.

If you are interested, please drop me a line.
If we can get a bunch of guys together I'll bust my butt to make this happen.

You can e-mail me or post on this thread.

Ed
DSCC President

CobraDan · #2 (**permalink**) 06-05-2003, 12:08 PM

I don't want you to get in trouble as I did and have some outting on a Holiday. First March 16th is my birthday and the next day is March 17th St. Patrick's Day and last is March 20th the day Spring begins. The rest of the month seems to be just fine, if we could possible hold it in my backyard I know it will work for me. If you have it in the middle of the week starting on the 16th I will make sure there is a green birthday cake and party favors.

Pick the date and I will be there.
Dan

Engineer Ed · #3 (**permalink**) 06-05-2003, 12:29 PM

Thanks Danny boy.
Tell you what we can do.
If it falls on your birthday, we will just have you move to Sebring for the weekend.
This way you can attend this event AND be home for your birthday

Ed

excelguru · #4 (**permalink**) 06-05-2003, 04:01 PM

Sounds awesome. Gimme a call if you need me to help with stuff.

cobramandave · #5 (**permalink**) 06-05-2003, 04:48 PM

Ed,

I think you have a winner with this date and event.

Bumpster · #6 (**permalink**) 06-05-2003, 09:33 PM

Ed - Having our annual meeting tied to an event like Sebring is the smartest move you could make. If members won't drive to Florida for that, then they won't ever go anywhere for anything. My wife and I will be there without a doubt.

Bumpster

GatorSnake · #7 (**permalink**) 06-06-2003, 05:04 AM

As I live less than 20 minutes from the track and have attended "the race" for the last 20+ years, I can assure you that you will not find accomadations anywhere near the track even if you call today.
The race weekend is a absolute madhouse with 130,000+ fans crammed in the gates. Unless you can arrange a "Cobra Paddock" area there is nowhere to park and leave your car to enjoy the festivities. Last year I drove around in the Cobra on Friday but returned in my truck for the race Saturday.
I don't want to discourage any plans, just injecting reality. It's a great event and I'd love to attend with my car, just don't expect them to make much room for us.

For those interested in running the full 3.7 mile Sebring track, Speed Ventures in having a track event the weekend of June 14. I believe cost is $250 for Saturday and $400 For Sat. & Sun.

Steve Royce

Engineer Ed · #8 (**permalink**) 06-06-2003, 07:57 AM

Steve,
I know we are going to have problems finding hotels in the area.
I'm going to try and book a hotel for us as close as possible but we may wind up 15-20 minutes from the track.

Sebring is honoring Shelby at the 2004 event and we will be participating with SAAC.
They are trying to get as many "Cobra's" to attend as possible.
The track event will be held on Friday as we will be running in the nostalgia race event.
As for parking, I'm going to see if we can get a corral for us to park in as a group.
Hopefully SAAC is making arrangements for us to park....
Last year there was some room near the Porsche coral on Friday.
Until I get more info, info is really foggy.
I'm posting this to see if guys are interrested in doing this so I can make the plans.

Glad to hear I can count you in.
Since you live "close", how many bedrooms do you have? ? ?

Ed
DSCC President

GatorSnake · #9 (**permalink**) 06-06-2003, 08:14 AM

Ed,
Last year the Bentley team had to fly to Sarasota to stay (100 miles), there just aren't many rooms in Highlands County to begin with and they are booked years in advance.
On the bright side, I do have some extra space. A hunting cabin built in 1946 by my great grandfather is about 700 feet behind my home. It sleeps 5-6, indoor plumbing, kitchen and overlooks one of Florida's largest lakes. I also have a couch and floor space in the detached game room that houses my Cobra. Bad news is I have a shellrock drive, hope it don't rain, argggh.
If you can't arrange a corral, they may have space on the Panoz Race School skid pad for everyone to park on race day. That way some could watch the cars while others toured the track. I'll bring my F250, pile in the back with coolers (yes drinking and driving are allowed inside the raceway) and I give ya'll the tour.
I'd be happy to host a bar-b-que, advise on suitable cruising roads, give airboat rides on the big lake and otherwise squire about any fellow Cobra buds.

Steve

Engineer Ed · #10 (**permalink**) 06-06-2003, 08:24 AM

Steve,
You are making a huge offer with the bar-b-que.
How many Cobra's can you park at your place for a get-together?

Lets find out first what SAAC is offering for parking.
I believe the hotel problem will be our biggest obstacle.
I'm not sure we are going to have many guys bring tents either.
If we get word soon it might give us a chance to reserve a hotel somewhat close by.

Ed

GatorSnake · #11 (**permalink**) 06-06-2003, 08:40 AM

Ed,
I've got 30 acres, think you can fill it with Cobra's?
I'll be very surprised if you can find more than 1 or 2 hotel rooms in the county for that week. Again, I'm not trying to poo poo your idea, just know what it's like when the biggest event of the year hits a very small county. We have maybe 4 or 5 "decent" hotels in the county. You might have luck in Okeechobee, 45 miles down the road.

Steve

Engineer Ed · #12 (**permalink**) 06-06-2003, 09:17 AM

30 acres, we might fit...

I'll need to arrange some activities with you for Saturday if the Cobra gang doesn't want to spend a second day at the races.
Last year, one day was enough for me.
I wasn't very well prepeared and the consessions want your arm and legs for cold drinks! Whew, Hot and exhausting...

I think we might be better suited to find a hotel out of town and convoy to the track and back.
There is just NO WAY we will be albe to get a place near the track. Those places are sold out years in advance.

Again, I'll get with SAAC first and see what their plans are.
They may have a weekend worth of activities that we could join.

Cheers,
Ed

David427 · #13 (**permalink**) 06-07-2003, 07:30 AM

Ed, what a great idea. Sebring is awsome. I think tent camping in March is great. We do this all the time in Orlando. It's still cool but not cold. As long as the property is mowed and we can build a fire...what an awsome picture surrounded by our Cobra's. Oh yea, I'll have one by then. When I attended Sebring in college (Florida) we slept on top of a tractor trailer. A tent would be much better. Count me in.

ps Anyone from DSCC besides Dan going to Ohio?

Jerry Cowing · #14 (**permalink**) 06-09-2003, 05:48 PM

Ed,

Sebring sounds great to me.

Steve,
If you have 30 acres, maybe we could set up a tent/camper city on your place. This would also be more convenient for a BBQ, a nice club meeting around the BBQ fire at night, etc. We could caravan the 20 minutes back and forth to Sebring if they will give us a good place to park. If not, we could attend one day's event at Sebring and do something else in the area for the other days. For instance, just take a cruise around the area and end up back at the BBQ. It may be better not to plan too tight of an event schedule, so folks can kind of do their own thing. Some may want to attend Sebring both days, some will not. Just some thoughts to help out. If we did the tent city thing, is there some place to shower close by?

GatorSnake · #15 (**permalink**) 06-10-2003, 05:38 AM

Jerry,

The cabin on the lake has a outdoor shower, another indoor at the game room, we'll keep you clean. The area around the cabin is perfect for campers, high ground with a beautiful view of the lake, fire pit, etc.
There is also a fish camp across the road from my house with about 12 cabins for rent, they're small but clean. They also have a campground with hookups. They may be booked already, not just race fans, March is prime fishing. I'll check availability.

Steve

Engineer Ed · #16 (**permalink**) 06-10-2003, 05:43 AM

Yes, do check on cabin availability.
I like the idea of a camp-out/cookout/bon-fire!
Again, for those who do not wish to camp can book a hotel.
Can you provide local hotel info for me as well.

Please e-mail me all the info you can provide.
edward.kamptner@med.ge.com

Thanks.
Are you sure you are up for this?
I hope to gather a @#$%^ load of Cobra's for this annual meeting.

Ed
FFR1997K
DSCC President

excelguru · #17 (**permalink**) 06-10-2003, 07:02 PM

My wife and I enjoy camping. Then again, her idea of camping involves hot water, electricity, and restaurants. I'm more of a bathe-in-the-creek and catch-your-own-food kinda camper.

In all seriousness (actually, the above was serious), this is sounding enticing.

southernfriedcj · #18 (**permalink**) 06-10-2003, 08:02 PM

Count me in!

CobraDan · #19 (**permalink**) 06-11-2003, 03:12 AM

I have camped all over Florida in a tent, I'm ready. It would be nice if I could get an electric hook up, I'm in a tent but I like to go first class.
Dan

Engineer Ed · #20 (**permalink**) 06-11-2003, 04:08 AM

I know the pain.
My wifes idea of roughing it is a 4 star motel

I'm in for a cabin! I tried talking her into a tent but she wont budge. She said I can tent all I want but she is going to stay in the cabin.

Whos' bringing the moonshine?
This IS really sounding like a cool outing!
I just hope we dont hear the music from "Deliverance"...

Ed
DSCC President