24 heurs du Willis report

Engineer Ed · #1 (**permalink**) 07-01-2004, 07:45 PM

24 Heurs Du Willis ‘04 Report

First off, the DSCC wants to extend a huge thanks to Johan for inviting us up to celebrate Willis's birthday.
We are very privileged to be in the company of the talented drivers and crew that welcomed us to this event.

All the drivers that attended thankfully returned in one piece, but unfortunately we cannot say the same about one of our cars.
Terry Lee was very lucky to walk away from a very scary incident that sent his Cobra rolling into the tree line.
Who cares if I got scolded for short pitting and running across the track to the aid of my pal! I’d do it all over again to help out my friends….. Terry, I luv ya man!

Guys, something like this only makes us realize how dangerous this sport is and how important it is that we protect ourselves at all times.

My hats off to Terry for motoring that big block 427 around me (even if it was only for a short period of time). I’m just sorry it was so costly.

Terry; just remember, “slow and smooth”…. Save the hard and fast for the bedroom!
PS, Carol told me to say that

Again, I am very thankful that the outcome was only a smashed windshield, broken fiberglass, shaky nerves and a scuffed paint job.

Jim Pomroy was all smiles as he spanked our butts with his newly acquired Z06 Vette.
Don’t let him lie to you, he was only able to get around me once….
I am still amazed that the engineers at Chevy were able to make a car go that fast. Even one that Pomroy is driving…. Amazing

There were two “Not-Races” held during the three-day torture fest.
Johan won the first “Competition liscenced driver” not-race held on Tuesday afternoon, and Spiderman drove his yellow pinto mobile to the checkered flag against us in the second not-race held on Wednesday.
It was really cool to participate in a 7-lap (not)race to the checkered flag.
I’m still smiling two days later!

#97 finally ran well and did not overheat or have oil pressure problems.
3 days of beating on her and she survived... I'm looking forward to Gainesville in the fall.
Terry, we pitched in and have 6 rolls of 100mph tape.
No excuses for missing the October track date!

All in all, it was an incredible experience that we will not soon forget.
Hoping to be invited back next year…

ED

terry lee · #2 (**permalink**) 07-02-2004, 08:27 AM

We made it home at 11:00 pm last nite, by way of Jacksonville, Tallahassee, and then on back south to the WPB area. The Cobra is already in New Orleans, as Doug Reed sent one of his guys to meet us in Tallahassee to pick up the car (in the trailer, grill and all) and take it back there for some minor "plastic surgery." The cooking grill has been enrolled in one of the New Orleans Cooking Schools for some extended gourmet tailgate party training.

I just want to say A BIG "THANK YOU" to Ed and everyone else at the track for their concerns and efforts in a time of REAL NEED! Carol says thanks to all of our friends, both old and new, for their support towards her when no one knew how I was for what seemed like hours when in fact, it was just a few minutes; scary none the less. I will write a short novel on Terry's adventures at Roebling Road and post here later for all of Club Cobra to read as there are some lessons to be learned from my experience, but for now just wanted to say "THANKS AGAIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! "

Ed, you are a true friend!
I owe you one!

TL

CobraDan · #3 (**permalink**) 07-02-2004, 08:51 AM

Ed,
I sent you an email for some new Cobra manufacturers that might join us at Reptile Roundup in November. I spoke to them at DVSFIV last week when I was in London Ohio.
Terry,
I’m really sorry to hear you rolled your SPF, but I’m glad you did not get hurt.
Jim,
Next year when you purchase a new C6, 2005 Z06 you will find it a lot faster as the standard C6, 2005 will have the same horsepower as the C5, 2004 Z06. If Ed thinks you were fast, wait until next season.
Johan,
I also want to thank you for inviting up the Florida guys to your event, now get the Georgia guys to make a trip to the Deep South Cobra Clubs fourth annual meeting and the third annual Reptile Roundup, November 11-14, 2004.

Dan

Engineer Ed · #4 (**permalink**) 07-02-2004, 08:51 AM

Terry,
You owe me nothing at all. I'll take a beer though if it will make you feel better!
I did what anyone would have done.
That's what Friends are for.

I just hope the accident wasn't my fault.
I was pushing you pretty good before the spin and I still feel guilty about the whole thing.
I'm just glad when I got to the car that there was no fire and you were OK.

Hopefully the SPF guys can get her back on the road soon.
A very well built car considering she rolled and only broke the windshield and minor body damage.

Ed

RD31 · #5 (**permalink**) 07-02-2004, 01:19 PM

A big thanks to Johan! I learned more in three days than I have learned since I started driving on a track. This event made memories to last a lifetime. Oh yea, the bartender says he's primed and ready for next year.

Robert

aumoore · #6 (**permalink**) 07-02-2004, 05:27 PM

Here is one cool picture. You may have to right click and then select show picture

Hint: I am the one leaning against the Cobra with Bo Jackson's number on it. Ok to make Johan happy Hershal Walkers number as well.

aumoore · #7 (**permalink**) 07-02-2004, 05:35 PM

Johan at speed

I have the urge to buy a walkman right now?????

Gatorac · #8 (**permalink**) 07-02-2004, 07:07 PM

A great time with some great people. The off track events were as much fun as driving.

Johan,
My wife and I appreciate your hospitality. Thank you.

mrsnook1 · #9 (**permalink**) 07-03-2004, 08:44 PM

Many Thanks to Johan for the warm welcome and a super event,thank you also for a great party.

Paul & Darlene Liparoto

mrsnook1 · #10 (**permalink**) 07-03-2004, 08:59 PM

Terry & Carol Lee,a big Thank You for a great Cobra tail gate party in the parking lot of the Hotel,good food,good music,good friends and Booze!Also thank you to all that helped with food and cooking,we had a great time!

Paul & Darlene Liparoto

ToyCollector · #11 (**permalink**) 07-03-2004, 09:08 PM

Johan and DSCC members who were there,

A big thank you to Johan for an event even better than last year's. The minor tweaks to last year's event made it an awesome fun time for all I think. Was happy to actually have a bed and room I could get some sleep in

.

Great time and a great host. Will post more tomorrow when I am rested. Had an unexpected 2 hour detour today.

aumoore · #12 (**permalink**) 07-03-2004, 09:56 PM

Johan
Thanks to you and your lovely wife for all the great hospitality at your beach home. The ride in the #94 car was the highlight of my trip

Terry "Flipper" Lee
Thanks for the BBQ chicken and the ride on the pocket bike as it made me feel like a child again. Hope that the Cobra comes out better than before.

Robert
Thanks for bringing your wife and family. Your wife is one sweet woman and your son makes a pretty good bar tender.

Paul
I guess living in the south has taken the edge off being a yankee. You are one cool dude. Your wife made my wife feel at home.

Jim
As always you have raised the bar for us cobra guys to try and beat you. I need to figure out how to get a few more HP and get the tire pressure right so I can put that plastic chevy in its place. PS I need money for new aluminum heads so for a small donation I will keep the pictures of your Z06 with the orange and white "Seat Covers" off the internet.

Tommy
Who blew the tag off your Cobra?

Ed
What can I say it would not be the same without you there competing with Jim and myself. Just don't push us old men so hard we drive off the track.

David and Bryan
You guys were very fast for a couple of rookies.

Tom Jones
Get that drag race motor detuned and maybe you will quit breaking it. It was fast when it ran right.

Spydee
Anyone can turn fast laps in that underpowered Lola. Get that 911 out on the track so we can actually see you and maybe have a chance.

Jerry
You were pretty fast on those street tires. You have a beautiful car.

ToyCollector · #13 (**permalink**) 07-04-2004, 05:50 PM

Please tell me some of you guys and gals have some more pics to post. I broke a pin in my camera where the memory card goes in, so I am totally pictureless. I would be happy to post any pics for those that have them and need help. Anyone get pics of the Kendall Pontiac?

cobramandave · #14 (**permalink**) 07-04-2004, 07:45 PM

Johan,

Thank you for a great three days. Your hospitality can not be measured. My Wife and Daughter and I had a great time. My daughter has waited two years to ride with me on a track . I thank you for giving her this opportunity, She had a big simle on her face every time we pulled into the pits.

I hope you and your family have a great 4th of july .

David,

May you and your family have a great 4th of july holiday.

Johan · #15 (**permalink**) 07-05-2004, 07:13 AM

Thanks for all the kind replies. We had fun. I have some video of the races, and if anybody has any great footage, let me have it and I'll add it to mine so we can make a tape.
Ruble , your car looked great, sorry I did not have time to drive it.
Terry, glad you emerged physically un-scathed, if not financially. Your car did not seem too damaged , minor cosmetics really. Lucky.
I think everyone improved their driving skill over the three days, while enjoying social gatherings whether in the paddoock, the motel parking lot, or aroung the BBQ grill, and it is nice to meet new folks with similar interests.
Thanks to those that donated to Colbi's go-kart racing. The total after matching by Johan Motorsports was over 2000.00, plenty to keep her going.
I want to thank my family for their efforts in advance of and during the event, and thanks to the Craces and Gengs for being of extra help.
Thanks for coming !

Dave Crace · #16 (**permalink**) 07-05-2004, 08:37 AM

Johan,
Thanks again for having us down. A great week spent enjoying time with family and friends plus the added benefit of driving our cars on the track. What a great vacation!

It was fun watching the Cobra's run and seeing all the DSCC guys again. I'm glad Terry is OK after his detour thru the woods.

If anyone has a picture of Johan's 800 hp grill, post it. That sucker cooked enough food for 60 people in about 1 hour....

DC

terry lee · #17 (**permalink**) 07-05-2004, 08:47 AM

Johan,
Least we forget Catherine and of course Willis;

THANK YOU for a wonderful time! As you stated, both at the track and the social event at your wonderful house. Your bar area gave me some really good ideas for the basment area of our new NC mountain house (if I can ever figure out how to afford it). Loved the landscape art, almost had some of my own, but it appears that the damage can be repaired without doing a front clip.

Catherine, you are truely a "WINNER" to put up with all these really strange people, and do it with such charm and grace! The food was excellant, and it even worked with my diet! Thanks to Daisey too, for her help with the food prep both nights.

Willis, thanks for sharing your Dad with us on your special day. I'm sure when you get alittle older you will spend more time out at the track, and maybe dad will even take you for some "slow rides" around the course.

Johan, feel free to call me about your plans and ideas regarding the track, should anything materialize. I have time on my side to do some land planning, etc. so as to put together a package. Carol and I will be going back and forth to Cashiers, NC quite a bit in the future, so we can meet at anytime to discuss in either Hilton Head, or Atlanta, or any spot in between.

We do have video of both the "on course" and "off course" excursion of yours truely. We even have video of me passing Spiderman, and of course the coveted "setup and pass" of Ed coming out of turn 8 and down the straight. I had the "in-car," and Carol was videoing from the infield and timing stand. I need to figure out how to merge the tape and disk versions together. We also need to "edit out" some of "My Cheerleader's" comments. When figured out, I will send you a copy. Just give me some time.

TL

(Flipper/Rollo/Spin Doctor) Take your pick

jmille · #18 (**permalink**) 07-05-2004, 12:00 PM

Johan,

Your hospitlity both on and off the track are second to none. Pam and I had a wonderful week and hope you enjoyed it as much as we did.

Hope to see you next year, and even sooner at a future HSR event.

Jerry and Pam Miller

Johan · #19 (**permalink**) 07-05-2004, 05:59 PM

Thanks everyone....
Hey Terry, can I have your old windshield for my yard art ? If it can't be re-used ?
I hope you did not do it just to add to the artwork, but don't throw anything away. DC had a door.....HHmmmmm.

Agingracefully · #20 (**permalink**) 07-05-2004, 06:55 PM

Johan-

I just put Adam on a plane back to the west coast and he wanted me to be sure to add his thanks to you, Catherine and Willis for allowing him to be part of this years bash. Great party!

Cobra Clubbers-

While we are currently cobra-less, it didn't keep us from admiring all the beautiful reptiles and basking in the glorious noise they made. I always come away from track events with an appreciation of just how diverse yet compatible a bunch of folks seem to gather and have a great time with one another. We all certainly can commiserate with each other on the cost of tires and keeping these things running even if our rides are very different.

TC

I had a great time with your family, Anne promises that she will attend any future event. I don't know if you and Johan are aware of it or not, but true "cup" cars are rear engined german things. Just thought you'd like to know.

All-

Beware the new hOOSIER so-4'S. The blowout we experienced on the 944 at 125 could have been ugly and I am hearing LOTS of similar tales from owners of these tires. While not all sizes are experiencing problems, we saw self-destruct on 245/45's and 285/30's within 3 heat cycles!

Rick and Adam Brownyard