Cobra's for Kids????

Dale McBain · #1 (**permalink**) 09-25-2013, 10:14 AM

Dear Fellow Cobra Owners.

I don't know how many of you saw the email from "Finishline" dated 09-25-13, after I read it, it triggered an idea. It is time for us, as Cobra owners, to consider sharing the Cobra experience. Specifically, I am thinking of kids with health challenges who are budding car nuts. I am suggesting that we get a group of Cobra owners together and arrange a run where each driver is paired with child for the proposed run.

Logistically, we may need to arrange with some health care professionals to have one or two(2) support vehicles as part of the run. I am thinking of a run of about 2 hours from start to finish. The run would be strictly for fun, and no pitching for contributions, i.e., don't put the kids on display. I do think every kid should get a memento for the run, maybe a Tee Shirt, with "appropriate graphics".

Is anyone else interested in participating or helping to organize something like this? Does anyone have any ideas how to arrange the proposed run?

This is a direct quote from the email from Finishline that started me thinking-

"A way to distress and enjoy God's glory. Riding in the cobras was like a natural cleanse for all the toxins we take in. The speed, sounds, smells, and fresh air just do something to you. I think doctors should prescribe cobra rides to their patients!!!"

I hope this idea doesn't fall flat on it face, I think it does have merit. I hope some of you agree.

Dale McBain
SPF469

FWB · #2 (**permalink**) 09-25-2013, 10:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dale McBain

Dear Fellow Cobra Owners.

I don't know how many of you saw the email from "Finishline" dated 09-25-13, after I read it, it triggered an idea. It is time for us, as Cobra owners, to consider sharing the Cobra experience. Specifically, I am thinking of kids with health challenges who are budding car nuts. I am suggesting that we get a group of Cobra owners together and arrange a run where each driver is paired with child for the proposed run.

Logistically, we may need to arrange with some health care professionals to have one or two(2) support vehicles as part of the run. I am thinking of a run of about 2 hours from start to finish. The run would be strictly for fun, and no pitching for contributions, i.e., don't put the kids on display. I do think every kid should get a memento for the run, maybe a Tee Shirt, with "appropriate graphics".

Is anyone else interested in participating or helping to organize something like this? Does anyone have any ideas how to arrange the proposed run?

This is a direct quote from the email from Finishline that started me thinking-

"A way to distress and enjoy God's glory. Riding in the cobras was like a natural cleanse for all the toxins we take in. The speed, sounds, smells, and fresh air just do something to you. I think doctors should prescribe cobra rides to their patients!!!"

I hope this idea doesn't fall flat on it face, I think it does have merit. I hope some of you agree.

Dale McBain
SPF469

it sounds great....except for the part of someone else's child in the car.

i tend to shy away from putting anyone but my own child in the passenger seat who is under 18...

Dale McBain · #3 (**permalink**) 09-25-2013, 10:53 AM

Your concerns are valid. They could be addressed with appropriate waivers, doctor approvals and may be an event insurance policy. This would lead to finding event sponsors. This all would fall under the heading of logistics to make this happen. So consider your concerns to be on the list of problems to be solved.
Dale

UrQ · #4 (**permalink**) 09-25-2013, 04:25 PM

So we do this once a year at the race track in Portland during a lunch break, we give rides to the patients of the Doernbecher Children's Hospital, there are other car besides Cobras but the Cobra's are the popular ones. We also give rides to people that donate to the Doernbecher Children's Hospital. We are all covered under the waiver that each rider has to sign.

tcrist · #5 (**permalink**) 09-25-2013, 05:51 PM

In the NORCAL area they have a thing where the group gets together and everyone brings toys, stuffed animals, ECT and goes to one of the local hospitals. They give them the gifts, get the ones that can outside and give them rides in the parking lot.

Makes the children very happy for at least a while anyway. They have been doing that for a few years now.

Something to think about.

BruceSnyder · #6 (**permalink**) 09-25-2013, 05:57 PM

We've also had similar rides at the Northwest Historics at Pacific Raceway.

Bruce

Blue Cobra · #7 (**permalink**) 09-26-2013, 09:46 AM

Great idea Dale, sign me up. Fred's point regarding our liability is certainly valid, especially when we are giving rides on public streets where in my estimation a Cobra (and almost any pre-70's sports cars) is as exposed to getting run over as much as riding a motorcycle. My personal reflection/vision prior to jumping into the Cobra drivers seat is the fact that James Dean was a great driver and September 30th 1955 was legally going just 55 MPH in his Porsche 550 Spyder when the Ford land-yacht turned in front of him..... So we must make sure to be covered legally no matter if we plan to drive like Columbo (Peter Faulk) in a 1959 Peugeot convertible.

GREAT IDEA and count us in!

Kev and Di

Jake · #8 (**permalink**) 09-27-2013, 11:12 AM

Great idea. Maybe even a few laps at the new Shelton track? Depending on dates I would love to participate.

Jake

UrQ · #9 (**permalink**) 09-27-2013, 01:54 PM

I have reached out to NASA NW Director (Andy Tencati) as a venue to see if he would consider doing this at one of the NASA events in 2014. I'm sure there are a lot of things to consider when putting on an event like this.

Dale McBain · #10 (**permalink**) 10-08-2013, 12:46 PM

Is anyone interested in helping to organize this endeavor?

Dale
SPF469

Blue Cobra · #11 (**permalink**) 10-11-2013, 08:21 AM

I'm willing to commit my time into helping this cause. I've never done more than give all the kids in my neighborhood rides... so I do not really know where to start something like this. Suggestions?

Dale McBain · #12 (**permalink**) 10-11-2013, 09:27 AM

OK, now that we have what appears to be a core group of interested parties, here is what I think (I hope) is probably the next step that is to contact the public relation department at a Children's Hospital. After doing a quick internet search it look's like that would be Seattle Children's Hospital. Anyone else have any other recommendations?

My thought was to stage a short run (say 60 minutes). The genesis of this idea is mainly because of something Jake said. I am paraphrasing, "where ever Cobra's go it is always a parade". If we do it on the street, maybe some of you in law enforcement community, could arrange for an escort. Or maybe people feel a race track would be a better venue, since it is more controlled. Advice??

Please advise your input, it is needed to help keep this ball rolling.

Dale McBain
SPF469

Blue Cobra · #13 (**permalink**) 10-11-2013, 10:38 AM

Starting with Children's Hospital P/R in Seattle seems appropriate. I would assume that the medical condition of the children may dictate their ability to participate and the distance/time they can be without medical assistance, and the staff would be best suited to determine which children could be participants. It also may be that this is offer may be deemed inappropriate, but we won't know without diligence in asking.

I like the idea of a closed circuit ride from a safety and our liability perspective. But these children may or may not have access to transportation, and may not have the ability to go far from their medical environment.

Bottom line for me, I'm flexible and willing to take pretty much any route that works for the children and meets their parents consent criteria, of course makes certain they have fun without sacrificing their needs.

Kevin