Western States Cobra Bash 2008 - Main Thread

[MFE III]

To Duane and the army of volunteers: Many thanks for an absolutely great event! All the planning, time and attention to detail was evident - everything seemingly went off without a hitch.
Micki and I enjoyed meeting so many great people and as newbies, we certainly hope the event will continue.
Long Live WSCB!!!!!
Matt

[gt350pilot]

I wanted to thank all of those that participated in the track day. The other instructors and I were blown away by the improvement shown through the day. It was apparent that much effort was put in to not only learn the instruction material prior to the event but to the car preperation as well.

Most of our time was spent with those with the least track experience and the amount of speed that groups 1a and 1b were showing by the end of day was impressive. I put over 200 miles on my Saleen for the day so witnessed on the track the growth in confidence shown by you all. Driving a these kinds of cars at these kinds of speeds is not an easy task. Short wheelbases, high horsepower and small tires makes for a car that can very easily bite the driver. Everybody stepped up to the plate and did a great job taming these beasts.

I am sure other instructors will post as well but I wanted to thank you all personally. All of the drivers that participated deserve a big round of applause. I truly enjoyed being out on the track with you all and especially speaking with you during and after the event. Hopefully some kind of track day will take place in the future and I will gladly get out there again.

Don

[Lesher]

Duane and Crew, thank you all so much. This weekend was incredible and we are so glad to have been a part of it.

Thank You!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[jmarsey]

Hi to All WSCB-Track Day Folks and Attendees,

Please give yourselves a big hand and congratulations! Myself, the entire Track Day Team, and Reno Fernley were truly honored facilitating your event. Absolute great job as participants, drivers, and working together in your run groups. You were on schedule and on the line! Your “control”, flagger at start/finish, and all corner workers were very impressed with you guys. Unless you were there this year, it is hard to describe the “magic” we experienced at Track Day!

FYI:
WSCB has birthed 2 separate and independent events: “CH1”, which is a get-together & cruise, and “Cobra Roundup” which will be a track day. We are already down the road and development is in progress! Stay Tuned!

That’s about all I can say at this time but both Duane and I are very excited to explore and develop what is now beyond WSCB. (A necessary and needed transition for expansion, refinement and more FUN.)

Thank you for your continued support and incredible enthusiasm as we lay plans for the future!

Once again, Great Job Everyone!... And when I said “we are a family”, I meant it!

Talk soon,
John Marsey
WSCB-Track Day Director (signing off)

Ps, whoever takes on The Bash and wherever it takes place, keep us in mind as your Huckleberry for Track Day!

[Igofastr]

Great!! You guys did a fantastic job getting us around the track safely, and I can't wait to get out again. The driver's meetings were informative and fun. The debriefings were also well done.

I will certainly plan on attending any future events you all are associated with, and do wonder where else you would suggest I look for open track days ...NASA, Norcal SAAC, etc? I think I may be hooked.

[Thieleng]

Duane, thank you so much for the great event again. This was the best organized event that I have been to in a long time, the day at the track was thoroughly enjoyable and the attention given to the drivers by the instructors was awesome! The people were all great and the cars were the best respresentative of the marque I have ever seen. Eventhough I only live 30 miles away we stayed at the Nugget just so we could participate in the activities. I am back at work and totally exhausted by the activities, I am looking forward to next year and cannot wait to go back, wherever it might be. Thanks again to everyone.

[Jamo]

Best line from the entire Bash (IMHO) was from Eric at the Drivers' Meeting the night before the track day...

"Remember, nothing you do tomorrow will add any value to your car."

Sage words.

[Ibr8k4vetts]

Originally Posted by Jamo

Best line from the entire Bash (IMHO) was from Eric at the Drivers' Meeting the night before the track day...

"Remember, nothing you do tomorrow will add any value to your car."

Sage words.

I was thinking the same thing as I was sliding in the dirt.

[ByronRACE]

I saw that slide. I was sitting in the bleachers with dad, saw it come around, and held my breath. That sir, was dicey! I'm glad you (and car?) are ok. That looked like it could have had a far worse ending.

Byron

[Ibr8k4vetts]

Originally Posted by ByronRACE

I saw that slide. I was sitting in the bleachers with dad, saw it come around, and held my breath. That sir, was dicey! I'm glad you (and car?) are ok. That looked like it could have had a far worse ending.

Byron

All ok, just lost a little paint and a little pride

[jmarsey]

Originally Posted by Howard Jones

Just let me know what you need me to do John. I'm all in. Hook, line and sinker.

Howard

Thank You Howard!

It’s good to know I can count on you as we get our plans more developed. You were a big help to me personally and I enjoyed your company.

Talk soon, John

Originally Posted by Pete C

John,

I thanked Duane but neglected to acknowledge you, Eric and Karen. It was a well-run event and it was clear that whatever you guys were doing during the downloads was paying dividends on the track. The level of competence, especially in the novice groups, increased astronomically by days end and exceeded that of last year by a significant margin. If you need my help next year I am more than willing to participate!

Cheers, Pete C

Thank you Pete!

I too was so impressed with 1A&B by the day’s end. What I got to experience was the blend of talent from instructors on track and those in download. The progression of groups driving the line correctly and their awareness on grid and on track was quite obvious to me. Yes, a beautiful thing.

I want to thank you for letting me have my way this year. All of you were on-board from day one and your commitment and follow-through was, and is, impressive.

I am very excited about the future of track day and look forward to discussing plans for 2009, and beyond, at our next instructor meeting!

Thanks again Pete and hope to see you soon,

John

ps, will let Karen & Eric know your appreciation.

[Bxx1]

Originally Posted by Jamo

Best line from the entire Bash (IMHO) was from Eric at the Drivers' Meeting the night before the track day...

"Remember, nothing you do tomorrow will add any value to your car."

Sage words.

Yes, I totally agree, words to live by....

[davids]

I had a great time at the 2008 Cobra Bash....All the people that I met were great and had all of the class in the world and great looking cars too.....Dave Shulak

[decooney]

Originally Posted by davids

I had a great time at the 2008 Cobra Bash....All the people that I met were great and had all of the class in the world and great looking cars too.....Dave Shulak

Hi David,
We were honored to have you at the Bash and grateful that your doctor let you attend with all of us. I know it was a big thing to tackle for you to be there. You did it! You showed all of us (and others) about what it means to "make it to the Bash". I saw you on the Saturday drive too.

Your determination to rise above the hurdles and all that you have been through to make it there was a true inspiration to me and Bob, and others at WSCB. We were fortunate to be able to meet you and have you there, so THANK YOU David. Truly awesome and inspirational. It's people such as yourself that remind us why we did the bash in the first place.

You are true GLADIATOR sir!

[jmarsey]

Track Day Team,

I want to thank and acknowledge All Track Day Instructors for your efforts, dedication, skill, patients with me, and for pulling off a truly amazing Track Day! During the event I did not drive, although badly wanted to. I did not want to loose focus on the schedule, energy, flow, and minutia that was happening minute by minute. I spent much of my time with Terry on the start/finish tower observing, listening, and making decisions. But the reality was, the event ran itself like a Swiss watch. Yes, we had a few issues but got right back on schedule.

What was happening on the course and in the downloads came together like one smooth progression of driver-improvement & awareness throughout the day. You guys, instructors, were hailed with appreciation and thanks by the course workers, and many of the attendees who approached me later in the day, Sunday, and currently by email. All of you worked with your groups and it showed, especially 1A&B. You were the backbone the event and you drove your asses off helping and supporting your students.

What more can be said for the Driver’s Meeting Thursday night? A stellar performance by Eric & Karen. It just doesn’t get any better than these two!

Our grid marshals were awesome all day! Never missing a beat while standing in the hot sun on pre-grid and the hot-lane. You kept us on the minute all day long! Great Job!

I also want to thank those of you who jumped in and helped with Tech on Thursday. We got a jump on tech this year and the drivers who were prepared greatly helped the process go smoothly.

I am honored to work with such a talented and dedicated group of individuals and looking forward to our next event. Bravo!!!

Driving Instructors:
Gary C.
Gary B.
Don F.
Dave A.
David A.
Gordon G.
Brian L.
Pete C.
Rick A.
Karen S.
Eric W.

Group Leaders:
Eric W.
Karen S.
Gary B.

Grid Marshals:
Dick S.
Andy S.
Mike K.
Lowell F.

Tech Inspectors:
Morgan L.
Howard J.
Andy S.
Eric W.

If I forgot someone, like DUANE who got in someone's face and made massive amounts of drinking water available immediately, please just slap me!

What a day people, you should feel proud!

Hang Loose (Shaka), John

[tmareina]

Duane and John,

You both did an awsome job of planning, coordinating and putting together a great staff and event this year...each year seemed to outdo the previous. I think I can say for us all that we truly appreciate the work you put in to make each event as enjoyable as it could possibly be for each and every one of us who attend. Words can hardly say exactly what we feel. Thank you all.

I will send you both an email with my thoughts, as you requested, for next year and you have my offer of any help, within my power, I can give.

Tom

[decooney]

Tom,
Thanks, and I heard ya loud and clear at the Bash too as we were all departing. I am planning on getting together a subteam of people for CH1, and you are on that list along with a few others who left notes in my car as we departed Sunday morning.

As I check out base locations this weekend for the CH1 prototype, there is some background discussion going on with other group events who meet, and one other near the coast in Cobras, to see if we can merge three into one to come up with something different and else to do. Gotta keep it spicy and fresh, and never stale. I'll be asking for your help on that too along with others. Email coming soon after next week

[Jamo]

Duane...willing to help on CH1...I'm on the road all the time and know more than a few Central Coast routes/places to stay. Let me know.

[SF_SN888KE]

Duane - I'm willing to help too.
John - I'm not licensed as driver/insturctor, but willing to help ... carry water, staging?

[jmarsey]

Thank you SF/Ron, I appreciate your support and will put you on the list. We are currently in the concept stage of planning 2009 & 2010. I’m hoping to go public with our plans by end of June. We have a few pivotal meetings in the meantime that will help inform our decisions. All I can say at this point is that we are thinking big.

Hope your car ran well and it was good to see you at the Bash!

Talk soon, John