FLING PICTURES

[gasman]

I couldn't go to the Fling. Clay called me on the cell so that I could hear the craziness happenings on Main street Saturday. I'm dying to see pictures of the madness they are talking about over on the other site. Anybody got pictures?

Steve Foushee
Unique #4279389

[clayfoushee]

Steve,

Just got back and unloaded the car and trailer, and I'm too tired to post pictures tonight. Unfortunately, I didn't get any pictures of the drag racing madness, but got a few of the cars queued up and in town. I'm not a very diligent photographer, because I hate carrying a camera around, but will post what I have. We had 22 cars from our Capital Area Cobra Club, and I'm sure they will also post pictures on our club forum. I'll post a link to those when they appear. There will also be many posted on CC I suspect.

It was an awesome time, and I've never seen so many Cobras together, and so many people beating up their equipment. BTW, Bittentoo, and I hung out together most of the time, and he made some pretty impressive runs up Main Street. That "little old stock 351 Cleveland" is quite a sleeper. During the Poker Run on Friday, he also ran behind me, and 2 other more impressive 427 SO's in a Shelby and an ERA and hung just fine. I wonder what's really in that motor:D

Also met Turnpikeboy and his lovely wife.....very nice people!

More later.......

Clay

'98 Unique #9299, 427FE side oiler, top-loader (close), 3.31 rear

Annapolis, MD

[gasman]

Clay, that titanium GT-40 with black stipes you saw drag racing on main street was BT Snake aka Hershel Boyd from Phoenix AZ. Real nice guy, I've talked to him a few times on the CC. Go to his home page, great pictures.

Did they call off the drag racing after the near accident?

Glad you had a good time and are home safe with the car in bed.

Steve Foushee
Unique #4279389

[clayfoushee]

For the benefit of others, while I was on the cell with Steve, a purple Factory 5 lost control after the burnout and headed straight toward the crowd to the left. He managed to get it stopped about 2 ft. from the curb as people were diving to get out of the way. He claimed later, his carpeting got hung up with the go pedal, but he never made another run[B)].

Yeah, they kept the racing going, and there were a couple of other close calls. Cars ran alone, BUT they didn't have Jersey barriers or anything other than yellow "crime scene" tape. The large crowds insisted on gathering about 10-30 yds. past the start line, just about exactly where you'd expect someone to lose control after a burnout. And, that's exactly what happened about 3 times. The police kept shooing people away, but they came again and London's finest weren't very diligent about shooing them again. In addition, houses were about 20 ft. from the curb.

Yikes.....but it was fun to watch. Just glad no one got hurt. I know a lot of clutches and rear-ends are going to need attention soon. Heard (and smelled) a lot of slipping clutches, and rev limiters kicking in:D

I'll try to get the pictures up, but I have to process them first in Photoshop If I don't have time today, I'm leaving on a business trip tonight for a few days.

Clay

'98 Unique #9299, 427FE side oiler, top-loader (close), 3.31 rear

Annapolis, MD

[ralphscott]

Thank goodness no one got hurt! Perhaps it is a lesson learned and they will have better control in the future.
Look forward to the pics Clay! Sounds like a huge event hope to go some day. I don't know how Kelly has his set up but the 351C was destined for NASCAR. If anybody is inerested I have one on a stand in my basement plus a set of 4CV heads. I also have a C6 Auto Trans with a small block configuration.

Ralph

[clayfoushee]

The Cobra guru himself, Computerworks (Ron) has posted an amazing collection over on CC. There's a great one of Bittentoo burning out on the strip.

This is a must see!

www.clubcobra.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=55074

Clay

'98 Unique #9299, 427FE side oiler, top-loader (close), 3.31 rear

Annapolis, MD

[ralphscott]

Thanks for the link Clay, there is indeed bunch of great photos. Looked like great weather and a great time!

Ralph

[Brent]

Glad all went well and mother nature cooperated.

That looks like a blast! Maybe next year ?

Brent

[clayfoushee]

Weather was perfect!!! Mid-70's, actually 50's in the morning, and skies brilliant blue with puffy clouds. Only rain we saw was a little shower Thursday night after most had arrived, but at that point, no one should have been driving:D

Clay

'98 Unique #9299, 427FE side oiler, top-loader (close), 3.31 rear

Annapolis, MD

[jhaynie]

That is alot of cars. Must have been alot of fun.

John

Unique 289FIA #9367
351W Fuel Injected

[gasman]

Looks like Bitten came close to pulling the tires off the ground. Very impressive! [8D]

Steve Foushee
Unique #4279389

[casaleenie]

Clay,

The near misses have been discussed for the past two years and nothing has changed.. It's just a matter of time before someone gets killed and then the Fling is over for good..
I had to leave Columbus early on Saturday mornning to get to Chicago.
I can't believe that I didn't look you guys up.. I didn't bring my car due to mechanical problems but I had every intention of looking you up.. I don't mind getting older, it's the older and stupid and I can't stand..

Next year... I've got some pics to post tomorrow...
Regards,
al

AL

[clayfoushee]

Al,

I didn't think you were even there....sorry I didn't get the chance to meet you.

I thoroughly enjoyed all the fun, and the runs were amazing. DV and Rick Dorman did a hell of a job, and the cause was so worthy.

However, it would be SOOOOOOOOOOOO EASY to haul in some Jersey barriers for the first 100 yards or so. Heck, a decent contractor would probably even donate them.

Don't want to be labeled one of those PC a$$holes, but I guess I've been in the aviation safety business way too long I guess, I want the Cobra thing to live foreover, and for selfish reasons, I want to continue to put it on the street with full insurance coverage. One of the close calls I saw with my brother on the phone scared the living daylights out of me. I talked to someone later standing by his wife, who said she was screaming and hysterical.

We opined that poor guy would either have a "For Sale" sign on his car soon, or may be facing divorce court.

Clay

'98 Unique #9299, 427FE side oiler, top-loader (close), 3.31 rear

Annapolis, MD

[gasman]

Clay, Man do I totally agree. You have to be proactive with these things to keep the cause alive. If you noticed the danger, others did too. I'd contact Ed with suggestions to make next years event safe considering your observations. The alternative is someone having to deal with a tragedy, which is unacceptable.

Steve Foushee
Unique #4279389

[rdorman]

Ahhhhhh shucks Clay! Thanks!

Yep, you better watch out for those Clevelands. And who says they have no bottom end!

I to really wish that they would set up the concrete barriers, down the whole length. I don't want to see the rides end and I don't want to see any one get hurt. Hopefully they will be able to pull that off next year.

Had a great time. Staying at the hotels really worked out for me. I got to spend a lot more face time with the folks I only know through the internet.

Lots of great stories to come.

Rick

[eliminator]

I guess were going to have to send our own, (Site) photographer since you guy's dont know how to post pictures. Maybe you do, but just don't want to be seen doing something!!!![}:)] I suggest you all buy digital camera's and learn how to shoot and post:D.

Rick
#4279405

[Silk]

Still unwinding from the Fling - what a great time! Good to meet Kelly and see Rick again (Rick - really enjoyed the Poker Run - thanks for all the work setting it up). Truth be told, both these gentlemen worked very hard every single evening to make sure the hotel parking lot was safe for children and the alcohol fit to drink. :D Here are a couple more pics showing some of the, um, "lighter" sides of the festivities. More pics if you're interested on the CACC web site at: http://www.capitalareacobraclub.com/phpBB2/modules.php?set_albumName=album174&op=modload&name=gallery&file=index&include=view_album.php

http://www.capitalareacobraclub.com/albums/album174/Spring_Fling_IV_005.sized.jpg
http://www.capitalareacobraclub.com/albums/album176/DVSF_IV_045.sized.jpg
http://www.capitalareacobraclub.com/albums/album176/DVSF_IV_051.sized.jpg
http://www.capitalareacobraclub.com/albums/album174/Spring_Fling_IV_022.sized.jpg
http://www.capitalareacobraclub.com/albums/album176/DVSF_IV_032.sized.jpg




Gary
Unique FIA 351W

[rdorman]

Thanks a bunch Gary. Heck the CACC guys ALMOST make me want to move to the area! Good time! TO good of a time on Saturday night. It is all a fog!
Rick

[clayfoushee]

Hey Bagley,

It would be much easier if you would just go to the Fling and see it for yourself:D.

While I was too busy having fun to be bothering with a camera, I did shoot a dozen or so, and I do know how to post pictures;). However, the ones Computerworks posted on CC (scroll up to the link I attached near the top), were far better than any I had. They would have been redundant. He had more shots of my car than I did[8D].

Clay

'98 Unique #9299, 427FE side oiler, top-loader (close), 3.31 rear

Annapolis, MD

[eliminator]

I think we will try to make the trip next year, new tow vehicle in use by then[^].
Guess I will have to go just to take the pictures:D
Looks like alot of cars, what was the total this year?

Rick
#4279405

[clayfoushee]

Rick,

I heard 307 or about 10 more than last year. It's still growing, and you really can't miss it again!

There are tons of pictures on CC, and I posted Computerworks' thread on CC above, and if you want to see the CACC shots, go to the link Silk posted above.

Just trying to save Patrick the trouble of finding more storage room on that server, so posting the link was more economical.

Clay

'98 Unique #9299, 427FE side oiler, top-loader (close), 3.31 rear

Annapolis, MD

[clayfoushee]

There are about 150 or so pics in this link.

www.capitalareacobraclub.com/phpBB2/modules.php?set_albumName=album177&op=modload&name=gallery&file=index&include=view_album.php

Clay

'98 Unique #9299, 427FE side oiler, top-loader (close), 3.31 rear

Annapolis, MD

[bittentoo]

Hey everyone! Just got home 3:30 pm central time and I'm pooped[xx(] Will chat later. As for the ol' clev, can't give all of my sectets away:D

[TurnpikeBoy]

Aw, c'mon, Rick, DRIVE that beast to the Fling! Don't need no steenkin tow vehicle!

And, Clay - stop disparaging our reputations - my wife and I are only nice to Cobra people :D.

Just liked the event so much we didn't leave Columbus until Tuesday morning - wife wound up in the hospital Sat. nite with what eventually was determined (by Dr. at home - not in the hospital) to be food poisoning. Put her on a Continental flight back to Newark, NJ and hauled gluteus maximus back to PA. by meself. If you choose to get sick at next year's Fling, DO NOT go to Doctors Hospital West..total morons :(.

Anyway. Drove LittleRed a total of 1,253 miles, averaged almost 18 mpg at steady 85 mph, used about 1/4 qt. of oil, killed about 10,000 bugs on the windshield, and STILL cannot get the grin offa my face thinking about the whole thing :D:D.



Yeehah

[clayfoushee]

Sorry Roger, no offense intended to you and your wife:D. If you two can hold your own in the late night Cross Country courtyard with the CACC/Texas/Gashole crowd, you can hold your own in any crowd [8D].

Loved your car! Hope your wife is feeling OK now, and food poisoning stuff can be nasty.

Clay

'98 Unique #9299, 427FE side oiler, top-loader (close), 3.31 rear

Annapolis, MD

[TurnpikeBoy]

[V]<img src=images/icon_speech_yeah.gif border=0 width=29 height=15 alt=Insert Speech Icon: Yeah!>, she's still feeling it this morning. The expression "writhing in agony" absolutely describes how she was Sat. nite - even their strongest narcotic worked only partially. Short-term lousy, long-term O.K.

And - we're (originally) from Jersey, for cryinoutloud. Keep up?? - - keepin up is for the weak. Only the STRONG survive here - and since passing the half-century mark we've only gotten stronger. C'mon up here, boy, and we'll SHOW ya how to step off the edge :D[:P]

Yeehah

[clayfoushee]

Hey Pal....I didn't say "keep up" .....I think it was "hold your own.":D.

Yeah, I know about those "Gardenstaters." Steve's and my parents moved to NJ in 1975 after Dad was transferred to NYC. My Mom taught high school in the Trenton Public "School" System for 26 yrs. They just escaped back to NC after being held for 28 yrs. My Dad seems permanently scarred by the experience[xx(]. My Mom is recovering[8D].

Clay

'98 Unique #9299, 427FE side oiler, top-loader (close), 3.31 rear

Annapolis, MD

[TurnpikeBoy]

<img src=images/icon_speech_ok.gif border=0 width=17 height=15 alt=Insert Speech Icon: OK>, you're right, you did say "hold your own". Awright, I stand corrected. [B)] But looikin forward to partying again with that CACC/Texas/Gashole crew anytime :D :D.

Trenton, eh? I will pray for their souls. Not the end of the universe but you can sure see it from there. They really do eat their dead in that town. [xx(]

Yeehah