[Double Venom]

Page 2

Some of you will immediately notice a very, very involved company not listed. FFR. I’m not supposed to say anything, but I feel it is absolutely necessary to try and explain, not only for David Smith, owner of FFR but for me as well.

A little needed history lesson needed here since we have so many new people in our family. My wife and I started the Fling in a much simpler format and certainly a different name roughly 30 years ago. A simple picnic, called a “picnic” of all things for our own customers and their family’s that we build cars for over the years. Then the Christmas of 1999 a simple gift of chocolate chip cookies being sent to Dr. Semko and wife Sue, really got things rolling! Dr.“D” was the start of something that no one could have predicted. A challenge was thrown down for the finest chocolate cuisine available. An eat-off was at hand and the “Double Venom Spring Fling” was born. Fast-forward a year. The Fling grew wings. My wife and I simply could not afford to feed and entertain the 30 plus Cobras expected to attend the first DVSF. Within days of this shaping up, many companies that I had dealt with over the years called us and donated money and just neat stuff for us to give away. In fact we had too much money now! What to do? Couldn’t give the money back, couldn’t and didn’t want to keep it. I was told to keep it for next year’s event. Hell there was never supposed to be a next year’s event! I went to the Cobra forums and asked if anyone had a special charity or fundraiser we should support. That is when I found out about Jenny. Now I had known Dave Smith for years. We competed against each other not only for sales, but on the racetrack as well. I had no idea about Jenny. I didn’t even know he had a daughter let alone one with this terrible disease!

At this point picking a fight was easy. One of our own had this disease and we as a family could help, and we will and we have!

The point is, Dave is absolutely terrified that people, especially the unknowing will accuse him of using Jenny to further his business. I have tried to tell Dave that this is silly. FFR is it’s own entity. Jenny’s condition has nothing to do with that company. To no avail, David has refused to send the company display to the Fling. He states there are always plenty of FFR cobras to be seen and ride in. Please trust me that David is very, very involved with the Fling and IS and HAS always been a supporter of the Fling!

My disclaimer if you will. Almost every one of you knows I started “Classics by Elite, Inc.” many years ago. I have never been accused, at least that I know of, of using the Fling to benefit my business. This is why you will rarely if ever see me using my business anywhere regarding the Fling. The touchiest part is my deep involvement with “Classic Roadster’s”. I let Don Scott and Jay Kowalik handle all of that now. You will, as mentioned earlier see “CR’s” represented, you will NOT see “Classics by Elite, Inc. represented.

On with the show!


Shell Valley, with Dana and crew will be setting up with their cars. Dana has also donated the coolest items for our dinner Friday night. Absolutely everyone needs these! I’m not gonna’ tell you what it/they are right now; you’ll just have to wait until Friday night! (I’ve got to get me some of these!)

Bob Callio, of Mid States will be here once again. Bob is one of the great guys in this business. Don’t hesitate to ask him anything you want about the beautiful cobra he builds.

Don Scott, Classic Roadsters II, will be here representing his new company. (Before you ask, yes I am associated with Don and proud to say for almost fifteen years now.) Don will be honored to tell you about the huge upgrades he, and tongue in cheek, others built into the new C.R.’s II Cobra.

Remember those awesome Cobras from “Shamrock” last year? They brought four to the DVSF III and rumor has it they sold all four before leaving! John and Randy Crawford will certainly be back showing their wares.

Moving on… a couple of really neat surprises this year. Ready? How about…drum roll please-

BACKDRAFT! Yes, Backdraft is truly coming in force. Race versions, street versions, and enough cars to make you drool! I can’t wait to see these! Two Semis full to be exact. This should be really interesting.

I hate clichés as much as anybody, but if it fits, it fits.
Last but not least, the guy we all know as David and family. David was well represented at last years Fling by his brother and of course one of his “Michael DiAngelo’s” cobras of the cobra world. If you haven’t figured it out yet, I’m talking about “The” Jenny Cobra of last year!

David Kirkham & family will be at DVSF IV! At least part of the family anyway. Now you can personally thank them for the wonderful support of “our“ Fling.

I know you are saying, OK, that was great, but that was last year, what are you doing for the DVSF and CF this year? How about displaying and showing off their new “kit”!
The one that is a special combination of fiberglass and aluminum! This has raised more eyebrows in the Cobra world than has ever been seen before! A “Kirkham” modernized (to say the least) frame, to specially molded bodies, with aluminum doors, hood, and trunk. I suspect this will be the Cinderella of the DVSF IV.

Get in line at the Fling to see all these wonderful displays, meet the supporters of your Fling, and thank them for their support. “WE” could not do this without them.

DV… “WE ARE FAMILY”