California weekends

[Gfaules]

I don't care what anyone says, spending a weekend at any California race track is what little boys dreams and fantasies are made up of. I probably out date many of you here but I can tell you about so many races I have watched at many of the greatest tracks in the world. There are some awesome tracks all over the country but still to this day you will surely agree when you close your eyes and think of exciting racing you must be thinking of places like Laguna Seca, Sears Point and Riverside and other California tracks where racing almost seems as if it was invented and if it wasn't it sure did some growing up here at the very least. Then you start remembering many of the greats who race here and for the most part, if you can think of anyone driver who was ever worth his salt or for that mater fast and famous, they ran the circuits here.

 

I watched all kinds, Dick Smothers, Phil Hill, Carroll Shelby, Gurney, and hundreds more in cars like Chaparrals, Cobras, McLarens, Porsches and hundreds others as well as the Can Am and Trans Am series. But if you asked me what group stands out the most without a doubt it had to be B-production cars including Mustangs, Shelbys, Cougars racing with Camaros, Corvettes, not to mention the Trans Am cars.

 

I spent this weekend at Sears Point (Infineon) and some of the best entertainment is watching the gang of CMC. Man, when you hang around the paddock all weekend it's so relaxing but man, when you hear the CMC take the green flag the ground rumbles, windows shake and women and kids run for cover. Personally I like to rush up on the hill and watch them from turn 2 and the majority of them slid around the berm two wide hell bent for leather and no contact. I can't begin to tell you what an awesome group of guys and gals these people are and even when I walk around them in their pits, they laugh, they help each other out and then threaten to go out and kick each other's ass on the track. Some times they do and sometimes they don't but regardless they never leave without making you want to come back for more. I sure would like to see this group run in the San Jose Grand Prix. People would eat them up.

[pederb]

You should have come by the AI gang and said hello

[Gfaules]

You should have come by the AI gang and said hello

 

I rode in on a bicycle a few times and even watched some of your races from inside the garage where you guys pitted. Then I hung around a while and BS' d with Dave Brown and checked out how his hand caused him to be trapped in the car after his crash in the FF until the safety crew could free him. The last thing I wanted to do was bother anyone when they were getting their cars ready. However, I am going to keep an eye open next times for some of that barbeque that was going on over there.

 

I was just getting ready tpo stop in when a car (not CMC) spun right between the saftey trucks during a yellow flag in between 9 & 10 and came within inches of a safty worker!!! So I left to watch my son deal with that issue.

[tacovini]

Alright Gary...

 

1) I'll agree with you on the California tracks...tons of history and lineage. Definately no arguments there.

 

2) However...You do know that all the great drivers come from Texas, don't you? Carrol Shelby, Jim Hall, AJ Foyt, etc. (Not to mention the current crop of AI/CMC drivers.) Texas drivers are what kids dream to grow up and be.

 

3) I'll agree with you on your observations of the CMC gang, but you can't leave out the AI group. AI/CMC is hooked at the hip and here in Texas, it's all the same great racing in the pits and in the paddock! I'm sure if you visited with Peder and the boyz, you would have seen that.

 

4) Now...regarding this "Grand Prix" you speak of, given #2 above...wouldn't AI/CMC at the Grand Prix of Houston be a much better attraction for all to see!?!?!?!

[Gfaules]

Alright Gary...

 

1) I'll agree with you on the California tracks...tons of history and lineage. Definately no arguments there.

 

2) However...You do know that all the great drivers come from Texas, don't you? Carrol Shelby, Jim Hall, AJ Foyt, etc. (Not to mention the current crop of AI/CMC drivers.) Texas drivers are what kids dream to grow up and be.

 

3) I'll agree with you on your observations of the CMC gang, but you can't leave out the AI group. AI/CMC is hooked at the hip and here in Texas, it's all the same great racing in the pits and in the paddock! I'm sure if you visited with Peder and the boyz, you would have seen that.

 

4) Now...regarding this "Grand Prix" you speak of, given #2 above...wouldn't AI/CMC at the Grand Prix of Houston be a much better attraction for all to see!?!?!?!

 

OK you big trouble-maker you. (LOL) If you reread what I wrote you will see I gave mention to the great one himself (Carroll Shelby) and a few others. Now if you would have asked what the greatest driver of all time from Oregon had for breakfast I would have said, "Well, this morning I had ham and eggs." But what you so cleverly forgot to mention was who got tossed out of California. By the way, how do you like it down there?

 

With regards to the AI guys, I must apologize and explain myself... When I mention the CMC crowd I am including the AI and the AIX gang as well. I'm still trying to figure out where my GT 350 R Model is going to fit in once I get back from Mexico. The trouble is, I am not even looking at the NASA rule book so it will fit at a later date simply because there are several rules that conflict with the rules of The La Carrera Panamericana. I am sure it could run in the Unlimited class with respect to the NASA Endurance Series but even that seems like I'm giving away too much. The bottom line is I will stay focused on making a good appearance in Mexico and worry about changes when I get back.

 

Now getting back to the Grand Prix... Even better would be seeing a bunch of Corvettes trying to keep up with the Mustangs at ALL the Grand Prixs. Yes, even deep in the heart of Texas but first of all we will have to teach all the Texans how to pronounce Prix.

 

How cool would it be to watch you Southern Boyz run against the West coast? We miss you out here Bud.

[tacovini]

Hey...no problem, I know how all you Prix are.

 

-=- T

[nape]

Now getting back to the Grand Prix... Even better would be seeing a bunch of Corvettes trying to keep up with the Mustangs at ALL the Grand Prixs.

 

Now I get it, you were making a joke.

[Tony G]

Thanks Gary for the nice comments on the entire group.

I have to say though that this was one of the best weekends we have had ( and I know I said that 3 weels ago at Buttonwillow),but the people in this series are what makes it so damn good and IS the main reason why we just keep growing every year.

Hey turning 1:53's isn't bad either for bang for the buck issue too!

Anyway, Todd is just jealous that we have 73 degree weather with 10% humidity ( come on now Todd you know what I mean).....Your still a Calif boy in my book and so is Al...no matter what you say.

Having Dave Schotz with a huge smile on his face this weekend was also nice to see.

Tony Guaglione

CMC National Director

[Gfaules]

Thanks Gary for the nice comments on the entire group.

I have to say though that this was one of the best weekends we have had ( and I know I said that 3 weels ago at Buttonwillow),but the people in this series are what makes it so damn good and IS the main reason why we just keep growing every year.

Hey turning 1:53's isn't bad either for bang for the buck issue too!

Anyway, Todd is just jealous that we have 73 degree weather with 10% humidity ( come on now Todd you know what I mean).....Your still a Calif boy in my book and so is Al...no matter what you say.

Having Dave Schotz with a huge smile on his face this weekend was also nice to see.

Tony Guaglione

CMC National Director

 

You're welcome Tony but beleive me, the pleasure is all mine. The only thing that could make that series better is some fist fights like they have in Texas and from what I hear the men down there are pretty wild too. LOL.