Some sad news that I have put off for long enough.

[rdorman]

I actually meant to make a reply before!

I just got off the phone with DV/Ed after about an hour. As I believed before, he is a man of great compasion. He could not take having something happen to one of his guests.

Risk is a choice that all of us accept daily. We base that risk on what we know. It seems that we don't know all the risk. Therefore we may not make good risk vs. benefits decisions.

I feel, **** I believe, that what began as a chocolate chip cookie bake off and became the DVSF should not die. I am very pashioniate about it. And believe me, not all well founded............. just ask DV

DVSF is not my creation. I could never hope to create such a thing. But I recognize its beauty. It is not a competitive event. No racing, no 'best of' trophies. No 'buy this from me'. No 'give us your money'.

A simple thing based on a simple principle. People, of a common bond, getting together to share their passion for a little car with each other and all new friends. All the while helping others. A win-win if I have ever heard of one.

I am passionate about this. Enough to be angry, hurt, disappointed beyond belief. This is a unique event that is meant to be continued. The thought of it ending is hurtful.

But alas it is not mine. Wish it was. Would I make the same call. I don't know. DV has information that all of us may not be aware of. If we knew everything he does................. would we make the same decision? Don't know. But I do know that it is not mine to make.

LONG LIVE THE FLING!!!!!!!!!!!

Rick

[bnewell]

Well said Rick!!! I kinda like Mike's idea of having it in Florida. Would next week be too soon?????

B.

[bnewell]

Hey, wait a minute............I don't even have a frickin car yet!!!!!!

Can I ride with you or better yet, your sister????? Or was that sister-in-law????

B.

[rdorman]

Originally posted by bnewell


Well said Rick!!! I kinda like Mike's idea of having it in Florida. Would next week be too soon?????

B.

Hell, Florida! Count me in Can we have it during spring break week?

Rick

[bnewell]

I'm actually heading to Ft. Liquordale this weekend........I'll scope things out for us!!!

B.

[rdorman]

I'll go Brian. Just the thought of no Fling crushes me. I could use a 'pick me up'!
Rick

[Jamo]

Ed

That took guts.

You're making the right decision based upon the current situation and given the lead time for planning. Obviously, it is not just the Cobra parades/commutes themselves, but the drives in and out in cars, trailers, etc. If even one Flinger has a close call...that's too many.

Folks, this obviously wasn't an easy decision for Ed to make, but he never shies away from the tough ones. Let's move forward. Folks can do stuff locally and still raise money...maybe funnel it in through one collection to CF. Try to outdo each other on the Forums with pics and stories of the Spring Flings.

And start thinking about the next one.

Again, bravo Ed for thinking about your Cobra Family.

[bobl]

OK.... we will step up to the plate. Kansas City is centrally located on 3 major interstates I-29/35/70. We have a GREAT road course facility at Heartland in Topeka, a superb drag strip KCIR (KC Int'l Raceway) and a new NASCAR track just 20 minutes from our plant. Top that with the KC Royals, a really FABULOUS city to visit, and a visitor's and convention bureau we can bring in to assist...and we can whip up a great time for all.

PREMIER has a 50,000 sq ft facility. We have the ability to host such an event. We have the Mid-America Cobra Club (although I am not a member and can't speak for them ) and I'll wager where there's a charity event needed to help a little girl - these guys will ALL step up.

So.....I'm making the offer. Until this guy is cuffed - or toe tagged - you may consider Kansas City an alternate location for DVSFIV. Ed, you tell me what you need and I'm in....penny or a pound. 24/7 if need be till you can take the helm again.

913-321-2225. Call if you wish 24/7 365. I'm quite serious. A man with a social conscience who is as generous and kind as you are deserves some help when the gameplan goes sour. Heck, who knows, maybe we begin the tradition of an annual DV Fall Fling as well to provide a second venue for you.... But that's your call.

We're here if you need us!

[OhBuoy]

Bob,

First of all, how can you stand working for a company that builds these wonderfull toys and not own one. I have to assume that you get to play with the toys all the time or you would have to go insane! I like alot of you need to see the Fling go on. I had a really ****ty day yesterday at work, and when I logged in to see that this wonderfull event that Ed puts on with such a big heart was being ruined by some low life, it kills me. I think we should put a bounty on this guys @ss payable to Team Jenny. When I first read this, I thought that we should still have the parade and put snipers shooting distance from shooting distance along the parade route so that the moment this sucker took a shot, they could take him down, but rational set in and said it is not worth the chance of a single member of this family getting hurt and Ed feeling the pain forever. Yes, we would all make the decision on our own as to wether the risk was worthwhile, but Ed being the person that he is, would feel the pain and carry it for a long time if he felt the least bit responsible for something happening to anyone.

KC sounds wonderfull. Alabama did not sound bad at all either. I would step up to the plate for somewhere near Chicago, but I just cannot picture the logistics working. There is an area south of here that I think would be great, but no real place for track events. The city would not work. There are a couple of drag strips in the surrounging area, but nothing near them. With this being said, if anyone wants us to explore Illinois as an option, shout out. If anyone needs help hosting it at an alternate venue, and that help can be done over the phone, via e-mail or the web, let me know. I would love to help make this event continue.

Tom

[CobraDan]

Having been to all three of the other Spring Flings and brought Key Lime Cheescake to the first outting, hopeing to outdo those Chocolate Cookies, I'm ready to I'll have to get together with our new President (Ed Kamptner) of the Deep South Cobra Club and see if we can't have the DVSFIV in Florida. June might not be the best month as this is still going to be my trip to Ohio to visit with my kids and friends. Let's see DFSFIV combined with the Reptile Roundup? Does the month of November sound good? Silver Springs Park? Big Daddy Don Gartlets? Gainesville Track? I'll get back to you Ed.
Dan Wulff

[mrmustang]

Ed,

It truly is a sad day when we must allow people such as this sniper to effect our daily lives. Yes, I do understand and agree with your logic, as "safety first" should always play a factor in any large gathering of people.

I know this has been brought up in past posts, but have you thought about a "change in venue"???? I have a hotel in Somerset, NJ which the GSRMC used to host a MCA "National" event. Parking for several hundred cars, hotel rooms for the same (or hotels within 2-5 miles).....Should you decide to move this event, I would like to offer my services in helping to find a suitable "alternate" location. I'm sure I could get ahold of the Napps (owners of Raceway Park at Englishtown) to set up some type of drag day (or at least get a few lanes to ourselves), and perhaps even use their new "short road course", or get the local SCCA to set up a autocross on the other side of the parking lot.........Drop me a line (you have my cell & home numbers) one night, and let's discuss it for a bit...........I hate to see the DVSF cancelled, but you do what you have to...............


Sincerely,

Bill S

[BMK]

Mr. Mustang



Did you Post some time ago chasing Aussie GT sedans and coupes?

Did you manage to get any?



Just left the "All Ford" day and there were a few there for sale.

ready to go

Cheers

Bernie

Cruising in the summer sun

[Mike Braatz]

All,

Ok-- the fling is cancelled this year in Columbus---

Let's take the next step -- find a location--- and salvage what we can-- I understand some folks want to come to Columbus anyhow---?????

Someone needs to make a decision--- someone needs to step up to the plate--- I'm suggesting the "Ohio Cobra Club" step up--- However, we would need a great deal of support from others and it appears the "offers" are coming in. I must admit I'm throwing this idea out with out talking to Rick Dorman-- so I'm not sure I've got club support--- What do you OCC guys think??? Rick I need your feedback-----We haven't talked -- maybe you have other ideas---Maybe this is premature--

The reason---- I'm suggesting OCC is, we have been involved (limited) in the past years and hopefully the fling will return to Columbus next year---

Centrally located---- -- we could attract more participants-

Weather: I would like to drive to the Fling--

Date; I would like to do something around June-ish

Bob--- KC sounds like it can offer what we are looking for ----

Wow -- I hope, I know what the hell I'm saying-- or doing--

Chicago, Indiana, Florida, Kansas, Detroit etc. etc.

Here goes I'm going to hit the "submit reply" button-- so I can't take back my thoughts or ideas.

Mike

[Jim Wintz]

I checked a location out of curiosity and a wild hair idea, the old Brickyard, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, home of the 500. They will rent the facility out for $1,000 a day but it only appears that initally the only track use would be a parade lap at 30 mph with a safety pace car. The cost also varies mainly up depending on what is required as far as facility and their staff. I was hoping possible use of the track with more freedom as well as use of the new Grand Prix track but not sure any of that would be possble. Like I said just a wild thought with a breif initial contact, I have no idea of hotel set ups or anything else, also not to much farther then London, I think a couple of hours the way the crow flies. Maybe someone in Indy has some info or contacts and can build on this idea if interested.

Jim

[Greg Dunn]

Unless we begin to set up an annual rotation of the fling to different regions I would prefer we keep it "centralized". FLA, NJ, CA all are appealing but probably limiting in participation. At least this year, KC would be most attractive.

[Brent Mills]

This is terrible news folks, but I respect Ed's decision, which had to be one of the toughest he's encountered in a while...or maybe it wasn't. Not too tough to consider the lives of his friends. Ed, you are a great man. Thank you.

I agree, there's got to be a way to change the venue and make this thing happen. It means that Ed will need a lot of help from others in that area, but I'll bet it can be done. Texas comes to mind, as the group down there are fantastic organizers of events and have 70 plus cars show up to their annual event in February from Texas alone.

Ed, hang in there buddy, I'll bet we can work things out!

[Mike Braatz]

ALL;

OK -- IT'S BEEN SUGGESTED WE LOOK AT NORTHERN OHIO--- MAYBE ---NEAR NORWALK DRAG WAY---LOTS TO DO --AND A TON OF ROOMS---


SET UP LIKE PREVIOUS YEARS----

WILL KNOW MORE LATER --

MIKE

[lineslinger]

As long as the fling goes on the a$$face with the rifle accomplishes NOTHING. bobl's offer sounds like a quality setup. Wherever it happens my wife and son and myself will do our best to be there. There is now way I wouldn't miss a Cobra viewing of this magnitude, especially for a father son team thats trying to figure out what direction we want to go. When they catch him I would be more than happy to donate my lake, some chain and an an anvil. KC works for me.

[klayfish]

I started another thread on this, but in hindsight, probably should have just posted it here.

The Tri-State Cobra club has a Cobra only event in the works for June 5th, and possibly June 6th. We have already reserved the pavillion for the 5th (and 6th as a rain date). I checked with the Philly region SCCA, and they are doing a "test and tune" autox on the 6th. That's basically an informal autox. We can run for about $2 per pass until our tires fall off. I can also check with the local drag strips to see if they have anything doing. The event is intended as a family friendly gathering, and originally was a picnic followed by a cruise, with some people staying over to Sunday. But if people want to join in, we can probably expand the activities. Certainly not to the extent of the DVSF, but more than enough so that people won't be bored. There's lots to do around here.

Steve

[jloyd63@hotmail]

IMHO, at this stage it's probably too late to change venues due to the size and scope of the Fling. (It takes DV a whole to coordinate the Fling and it's in the same known location!)

An alternative, as someone else mentioned, would be to setup smaller, more local events. One such event that looks like it could work out (at least for the East coast/Central US folks) is the National Road Rally that is scheduled for June 5-6 in Cumberland MD. It's a two day vintage autocross and car show event. It's not necessarily Cobra specific, but the format (vintage autocross/car show/charity dinner) and time frame are similar.

I contacted the organizer, Dave Williams, to see if they can support the additional cars and participants, as well as whether the Team Jenny angle would conflict. He responded positively on all counts almost immediately and I included that below. One issue of course, beside the slight change in dates, is that is not centrally located like London OH so I'm sure it wouldn't appeal to everyone concerned.

Also, since I was looking at this from a local(CACC) perspective, I quoted 50+ cobras which depending upon response may be a little conservative. In which case, I'd need to get back with them and make sure they understood what that thunder is coming over the mountain!...


FYC, here's the response I got back from Dave.
==============================================

Simple answer to the thought of having a bunch of Cobra fans here. Great idea!!!! I will run it by our Kitchen Cabinet when they convene tonight, but I think this is wonderful “no brainer”. No problem with more fund raising. Bring your charity along and we can find ways to help all.

We can also make you guys a great deal, I think, for a 50+ lodging package either at our flagship Holiday Inn Hotel (they would our first contact as they are our sponsoring hotel) or at a very nice Best Western about 6 miles west of town on I-68 (with whom we have cordial relations and could quickly contract if this sells out the Holiday Inn)....easy, as long as we know we’re “Green light” fairly soon.

Given this kind of lead time, we can find you guys the rooms in a nice place, no problem. For your preliminary consideration, here’s a sample club entry form we’ve created for MG of Baltimore. The MG guys like to camp, might be related to the quality of the tops on their cars and the addictive smell of wet canvas and damp leather, wink, wink.

We would treat your bunch right, for sure. Special space in the show. We could dedicate spaces in our autoX at the airport and our rally, subject to a reasonable deadline to release the space back to the general public...which is exactly how we are working with TT-East, the Audi club that you can click from the front page of our web site at http://www.nationalroadrally.com

The Audi guys are having their annual East Coast event at Rocky Gap Resort and plugging into our programming in the same way it sounds like we could work with you.

Our grand marshal this year will be Ray Heppenstall of Howmet Turbine Car fame. He should be a hoot. Here’s a link about the car he ran here in Cumberland http://www.butterfields.com/areas/mo.../7458m-538.htm

In fact, I think we owe a couple of you guys a freebie or two from the October autoX don’t we? For your preliminary consideration, here’s a sample club entry form we’ve created for MG of Baltimore.

Bottom line is we would treat you right and love to have you guys up here. The more the merrier. You WOULD, however, have to take (and hopefully give back) a little trash talk from the Corvette and Kraut Kar boys who use Cumberland as the battle ground for their regional bragging rights

All salesmanship aside, this is exactly the way we’ve always envisioned the NRR weekend turning out for our community and our hospitality partners....and we can promise your group that we will be up to the task or hosting an enjoyable weekend for your members.

Dave