Snakes to the Lake--Thank you

sambrozy · #1 (**permalink**) 09-29-2003, 10:29 AM

This was our first time we drove to the lake and Renee and I had a great time. We are looking forward to next year.

Thank you again for a fun event.

Stan and Renee

decooney · #2 (**permalink**) 09-29-2003, 10:57 AM

We enjoyed our first Snakes to the Lake trip too. It was nice meeting everyone, enjoying and seeing the variety of FFR cars, SPFs, ERAs, Uniques, Classic Roadsters & more. A great group of fun spirited people... People from San Diego, Washington, all parts of California to Tahoe. Nice mix of cars and people.

Congrats to the NorCal FFROG owners group for putting on such a nice event for everyone!

Getting Back Home ????:
I hope everyone made it back home okay?. I know of at least one failed wheel bearing and another group that was down coming home on the side of the road (Hwy 88) with the rear of the car jacked up in the dirt. We wanted to stop and there was no room to pull off... Looked like Mike/MQNSTER's #24 Arntz car. Appeared to be 5/6 other cars helping plus someone with a trailer there...

Mike/ Ron,
you guys okay and home safely now?

Chuck R · #3 (**permalink**) 09-29-2003, 12:59 PM

We had a hard time leaving Lake Tahoe, sure is a beautiful area. We just had to make a quick trip around the lake Sunday morning before heading back to Vegas. Here is a few photo's. Thanks everyone for a great weekend

Snakes to the Lake 2003

Monster · #4 (**permalink**) 09-29-2003, 01:28 PM

A couple of things before I give the details of our mishap……
THANKS to Press & Jennifer Lannom for a great weekend

AND a special thanks to:
Barry & Cindy Mattingly
Andy Biddle & Sylvia D'Anna
Al & Cec Solomko
Dave & Mary Borden

Now for the story (a tribute to the type of folks that we have in our Cobra Community)

We were winding our way home on Hwy.88 after a great time again at Snakes to the Lake 2003, for those of you not familiar with this route , it's a beautiful, mostly 2 lane road from the Sierras to the foothills with spectacular views and scenery. We were positioned toward the back of a group of about 20 Cobras that was briskly winding our way home when a pickup truck decided to jump out into traffic (slowly) as we were passing a side road intersection. Well , he did this in front of me and we were going between 45-50mph in 3rd. I down shifted into 2nd to help slow us and when I did the torque stressed the "dog-bone" of our Jag IRS and cleanly broke it where it was welded to the ends. This caused the left rear to drop nearly to the ground and I was able to bring the car to a safe stop in a matter of about 40ft. Andy and Sylvia got a first hand view of this, since they were directly behind us with the Solomko's behind them. All stopped and then a quick look told us that the car was not movable. A local resident literally came out of the woods and offered use of his phone (we were outside of cell service), we found that the nearest town was about 30mi. and that's when Barry and Cindy came to the rescue. They had trailer up their car up to Snakes from So.Cal and were on their way back home when we gave them a call for help. Though they had plans for a stay at a hotel on their planned route back home they changed their plans and came to our aid (though we had just met). They brought their rig to the scene, unloaded their car and with the aid of all plus the dolly that the tow truck driver had (CHP had them come to get the car away from traffic) we were able to get the car onto the trailer. Now what to do? Knowing that the Borden's lived in the area, once we got to an area with cell service ,I gave Dave Borden a call and told him the situation (again I have only briefly met Dave a few times) though he had plans that evening (it was about 2PM at this point) but he gave me directions and said to bring it over and we'd see what we could do. We were about an hour away, Barry had me drive his Excursion with the trailer (again we had just met and he's giving me his vehicle to drive), Barry & Cindy drove their Cobra, Andy & Sylvia in theirs and Al & Cecilia bringing up the rear. We made it up the Borden's at about 3:30, we re re-assessed the situation and Dave determined that we could re-construct the broken dog-bone with a sleeve. We got Barry and Cindy back on the road and then Dave, Andy and myself started to work. Mary offered her hospitality as we disassembled the rear suspension for repair. At 7PM the repairs were completed, Dave was off to his appointment (close to on time) and we said our good-bye's to Mary and were back on the road.

There's a lot more to our cars than fiberglass and steel, and we found that in the people who own them.

Again, thank you all,
Mike and Marv Viramontes (The "monster's)

BTW: Al did take photo's at the scene, so I'm sure well see the details. Also, by some quirk of luck the car also escaped WITHOUT a scratch and what's even more amazing all of the help came from FFR owners and we don't even own a FFR, it's an Arntz/Butler. Hope this proves that we are all Cobra owners despite the manufacturer

decooney · #5 (**permalink**) 09-29-2003, 03:53 PM

Wow Mike, glad to hear nobody was injured and you all are safe now! Sorry to hear about the mishap, but it sounds like you were in good hands, surrounded by great people.

Right before we left I was talking with Barry about "Trailers" and how its always good to have one around in a pack of Cobras. See Ya next time.

bwana50 · #6 (**permalink**) 09-29-2003, 08:18 PM

Nice to hear good things like that.

sambrozy · #7 (**permalink**) 09-30-2003, 11:08 AM

Mike,

I sorry to read about your experience. My car fortunately died in our driveway. More money to fund our mechanics pension plans.

Stan

Mr. Potato Head · #8 (**permalink**) 10-01-2003, 06:41 PM

WOW! What a great Snakes to the Lake....the best yet, they just seem to get better every year.

A huge THANK YOU to Press and Jennifer Lannom who made all the arrangements for all the events, hotel and cruise....I don't think anyone can do it any better next year. There's a challenge.

Aa special thanks to "Monster" Mike for the website... it sure makes it easy for everyone.

Can't wait 'til next year.

Thanks everyone,

"Mr. Potato Head"

Randy Rosenberg · #9 (**permalink**) 10-01-2003, 08:51 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by sambrozy

Mike,

I sorry to read about your experience. My car fortunately died in our driveway. More money to fund our mechanics pension plans.

Stan

Stan??? What happened???

BlackBDR · #10 (**permalink**) 10-02-2003, 08:43 PM

To all - It was great meeting all of you - you're definitely a fun group. "Snakes at the Lake" is on our calendar for next year!

Chuck and Penny - Chuck we just saw you on "Car Crazy". It's the Ford 100th anniversary show. Just after showing the new GT-40's (which are incredible) Barry Meguiar is interviewing John Coletti and there you are in the background - can't miss that hat.

Roy and Tina - Hope your wheel bearing got in and you got home OK

Mike and Mary - I'm glad you guys are OK and had such wonderful support to get back on the road. (great job on the website)

Press and Jennifer - Thanks again for a great job

65 Blur · #11 (**permalink**) 10-04-2003, 10:42 AM

Tina and I had a wonderful time! I had been telling her what my impression of this group was, and this weekend confirmed that you all are top drawer...a definite annual event for us.

Mike, so glad you made it home after losing the rear...thank God you were already slowed before it let loose.

Our adventure was a bit mellower. One of our Jag wheel bearings let loose Saturday on the way back from the trip around the lake. We lucked out finding a shop (TiresPlus) that would be open Sunday, and willing to give repairs on a fairly complicated assembly a try. The Napa in town had the needed bearing sets and we threw it together with the used oil seals and no change to the shims by 1:00pm. I knew it was not 100% right, but it did get us home...bearly. I started hearing it at about 30 miles from home, so this time I will get it done right.

Duane, thanks for your advice...it was very helpful.

John & Lee, very nice to meet you and hope to see you next year...I will e-mail you our address.

Later,