Once again, Saturday morning looked rough for us. But, unlike Friday, when the weather looked so bad, Saturday morning's problem was all our fault... Well, ours and my ol' friend Pepe Lopez's ...
Seems the margarita machine had no recollection of what time it was Friday night, and what time we had to be at the Speedway on Saturday morning...!
Dean Lampley's lovely wife was my passenger Saturday morning for our drive down to the speedway. We all thought we left in plenty of time to get there early enough to be in the first 25-30 Cobras in line....WRONG! We were almost "Tail End Charly"...we were way back around by the old truck scales when we finally got parked...over 3/4 of the way to the rear of the pack when we pulled out. I don't know the exact number of Cobras there, but there were more there than I think I've ever seen. It was truly a spectacle to behold! We pulled out of the Speedway precisely at 0900, when the State Police car led us out. Outstanding organization by the OCC boys...no doubt.
We pulled into London about 25 minutes later after the short drive into town. All along the route, people had come out of their houses and businesses and waved to the Cobra motorcade...we honked, threw them some pipes, and waved back. Smiles everywhere...nice folks...!
Parking along Main Street right in front of the Courthouse was easy...once again, excellent organizational effort by the OCC folks, the London Police Department, and all involved. Once parked, I had a chance to walk up and down the street to see some of the Cobras there...and there were some very nice cars on display. I'll tell ya...if you ever think you're interested in either buying a turnkey Cobra, or building a kit, there was one of pretty much every manufacturer represented there on Main Street. It was outstanding....
At lunchtime, we all took a break and watched the presentation of the Harley-Davidson Police motorcycle to the London Police Department. Their Chief of Police and the town's Safety Director (the Chief's boss) both addressed the assembled group and truly seemd grateful for the thoughtfullness of those involved in the purchase, repainting, and presentation of the bike. It was apparent that all involved with the City of London's administration wanted to maintain the ongoing relationship with the Cobra Club. The Chief spoke of the calibre and integrity of the Cobra-philes he had met just that morning, and had nothing but nice things to say about us all. It was very nice to hear his words and recognize he meant it from his heart, and these were not just some speechwriter's words...they came straight from his heart.
Following the presentation, it was time to get back to the burnouts! I didn't make a run this year, but from what I watched, there was no shortage of those who wanted to take folks for a ride down the main drag, burnin' rubber and raisin' hell the whole way. Craigy Aylsworth took it all with a 107, as best I can recollect, with Keith Craft taking second with a 106. There were several others who ran in excess of 100 mph this year! Once again, very well organized, and expertly administered by OCC and London Police representatives. We departed about 3:30 for the ride back to the hotel. And, true to form, the Margarita machine was soon humming right along...dispensing cup after cup of "...that frozen concoction that helps me hang on!" as Jimmy Buffet called it.
We continued to "hang on" until time for Saturday's dinner at the "Big Top", which featured fish-n-chips or barbeque pork by "Old Bag o' Nails" catering. Good food, but damn....they need more'n one check out person! (You listenin' Rick...?) After dinner was the auction and drawing for the Cobra. Other threads have documented all this, so I won't recap this piece of the event. I hate I got outbid for that 50 year old bottle of Scotch. It was bottled in 1968, and it was 12 year old Scotch when it was bottled...you do the math! Donated by Jay Nordstrom, it brought about $400 for Cystic Fibrosis. I can't remember who bought it, but my advice to the guy is that you'd be a fool to open it...save it! In 10 years it'll be worth 10 times what you paid for it!
Later on, back at "Margarita Central", we got a chance to meet the lucky guy who won the raffle Cobra. Again, others have documented who won the car...but Pepe helped me to forget his name. He drank a couple of margaritas with us as we welcomed him into the fraternity. Needless to say, he was more'n a little stoked! Good for him!
Turned in late again...or was it early...? Hell, guess it depends on which side of midnight you're on, huh?
Oh...and I forgot about the tequilla run we had to make Friday afternoon. HA! Imagine
that.... 