Club Cobra - My London Cobra Show experience with the GTM

Folks,

Thought I would report on my LCS experience with my GTM.

We drove out to Columbus - left my home in Marlborough, MA on Thursday, 6/22 at 0500. After a long (14.5 hours) and arduous trip with the GTM in tow (rain storms, possible tornado in Cleveland and traffic) we pulled into the hotel parking lot at 1930 to a bunch of folks sitting outside the hotels having a few beers. We had dinner and joined them.

Friday morning we awoke to a good rainstorm. After looking at the weather (rain all day), Steve and I decided to join "Flyin Freddie" at the USAF museum at Wright Patterson AFB. We took the truck and left the GTM in the trailer (I know, I know, but I don't have windows or a wiper yet and I only had 30 miles on her). It was a great day since Steve was in the Air Force in Vietnam and I am still in the ANG (Afghanistan). Some some cool stuff and we actually touched Bock's Car B-29 (don't tell the museum staff).

We left the museum and went straight to Quaker Steak and Lube for the car show, We hit quite a bit of traffic and were a little late. Still driving the truck as the skies were threatening. Had a great time and had dinner with the Capitol Area Cobra Club (CACC) contention (Jose, Rob and Tom) along with Jim DeQuattro who made the trek out with his 8 year old son Nicholas from North Attleboro, MA (we met in Albany and followed each other out). We left the QS&L around 8 to go back to the hotels and you guessed it - have a few beers out in the parking lot. While at QS&L, we met a few folks from Little Rock, Arkansas - Jeff and his wife and son, Lisa and Alex. Jeff is building a Lonestar and they came to see the Cobra's and get reinvigorated to finish his. Many folks befriended them and they drove Cobra's (Mike's and Frank's)and were ecstatic about it. We hung around with them most of the weekend.

On Saturday morning - another early wakeup to drive out to Speedy for the convoy into London. There was miles of Cobra's (I was told 205 Cobras and Coupes and 1 GTM). Promptly at 0900, the convoy left for the 6 or 7 mile trek to London. The streets were blocked off by the LPD and folks were on the sides of the road, waiving to all the cool cars. We arrived in London and parked 4 wide down the main streets. Lots of chatting amongst owners. Steve and I stayed near the GTM for a few hours to answer the endless questions and let folks sit in the car. We took a break for water (voices parched) and to walk around to see the other cars, visit the vendors and chat with owners. We had lunch at the church (thank's ladies) and went over to the FFR booth. Mark D asked me to bring over the GTM and I did but wanted to do 1 run down the 1/8th mile before coming over. I took a paying passenger ($10 bucks to CF) down the strip and managed 89 mph but I missed 3rd gear. I took a rolling start, clutch fully disengaged, I floored it. Sat back in our seats (good g-forces), I hit 2nd gear - little chirp but nothing to scare me. She tracked straight as an arrow. I tried to hit 3rd gear and missed it a few times. I still need to get used to that shifter. I then went over to FFR for the rest of the afternoon to answer zillions of questions about the GTM and a few bites on my Roadster (it's up for sale and I want to thank FFR for taking it to the LCS - great visibility). Many more folks sat in the GTM just to try it out, many pictures...

Saturday night was the dinner under the tent, the auction and the long awaited Cobra raffle. The food was good and so was the company. The auction seemed to last forever. Finally, around 2050, the winning raffle ticket was drawn for the Cobra. I apologize that I don't remember the name of the winner but he was local and very happy to win. He did not have a Cobra and I think his wife was even more excited. Back to the hotel parking lot for more beers and chatting.

Sunday morning was another early wakeup as we had to get to the autocross course for the mandatory 0830 driver's meeting. There was about 25 Cobra's, 1 SPF coupe, 1 SPF GT-40 1 Noble and 1 GTM. We took the walk arond the course, led by the infamous Bill Peirce and then took the parade lap. The course was set up well (thanks Leonard) but there was some sand on it. Some of the hosts were sweeping and some of the competitors grabbed brroms to help out. First car was off around 0915. I wanted to wait until the sticky tire cars took up the gravel before I went. I ended up doing 8 runs and my fastest was 41.13. No where near the top times in the high 35's but hey, I only had about 100 miles on her and was still getting used to it. I did not push her too hard. Some of the corners were tough to negotiate with the longer wheel base car and Leonard offered to open them up a little. I declined and wanted to be treated like the rest of the autocrossers.

The GTM was good on the autocross but she did push a little on the 360 degree left corner. The rear end never once tried to come out on me and was very predictable. Being so low sometimes made it difficult to see the cones near you but that will just take getting used to. I met John McGeever (sp?) - the National Auto Cross champion for I think the year 2000. He had some great advice and said he thought the GTM would kick butt if I had sticky tires on her (I'm running Eagle GT1's now). Jim Schenck was there (with his dad Bob) and would have had FTD if he did not nick that last cone. He may still have had it as I left around 1420 and he was still going.

The long drive home was next on the agenda. I'll save those boring details - suffice it to say we got home at 1330 today - tired and looking forward to next year.

I want to say thanks to the Ohio Cobra Club for putting on such a great event. Thanks to the moderators of Club Cobra and ffcobra.com for the best forums I have ever seen. Thanks to London, Ohio for their awesome hospitality. Thanks to FFR for the chance to build my own dream "supercar" of which I would never be able do withouth their help (thanks Eric!!!) and special thanks to Steve Coburn for helping me realize this dream. Without him, I'm not sure this would have ever happened. A great big thank you to my family for allowing me to do what I dream.

Here's some pictures Bill Peirce took on Sunday next to his Z06: http://www.ffcobra.com/Events/lcs2006/lcssunday2.htm

And here is one on the autocross course: http://www.ffcobra.com/Events/lcs200...08%2001718.jpg

There are many more pics located here: http://www.ffcobra.com/Events/lcs2006/

Henry