Sonoma Historics 2014

[oldtransamdriver]

So who which forum members went to the race?  According to the results posted 13 T/A cars were dnf which sounds very high.  The Gurney Cuda was badly crashed.

Robert

[Jon Mello]

I was there and saw Chad (OCTARD), Mike (Cuda48) and Robert (SixteenGrandSedan#56). Mike Eddy debuted his Falcon for the first time and it was really well done. Besides the crash of Craig Jackson's Cuda, something happened to the #72 Camaro (blown motor maybe?) as they loaded it up on a flatbed truck and took it away. I didn't see body damage but it was maybe 100 yards away when I saw them doing that.

[cuda48]

Ditto...talked with the usual suspects including Jon.  I know the Posey Challenger cracked a cylinder head.  One of the Mustangs had clutch issues.  They were missing a bunch of cars at this event.  Mr. Edelbrock was busy recovering from surgery so they were absent.  A bunch of the cars have been changing hands recently too.

Mike

[Jon Mello]

I believe I heard that Vic Edelbrock had back surgery and so did Ron Tribble, so he wasn't there either. There have usually been vendors there selling books, art, memorabilia, etc and I didn't see any of them there this year. I'm not sure why. They were charging money to park in the garages and they were 3/4 empty.

[cuda48]

Jon,
I had a little chat with the track manager and asked him why things looked so empty.  He stated a bunch of folks pulled out at the last minute.  I was wondering what happened to the Wine Tent and he stated it wasn't worth all the trouble.  I told him the wives were not going to come because of it...not sure he really grasped the impact of that fact.  I too noticed the lack of vendors. I hope they get this straightened out as next year can expect even less.  I know the track has applied for permits to have all kinds of other non-motorsports related events there (concerts etc...) in an effort to generate more $.  Doesn't sound good.
Mike

[Jon Mello]

Mike, hopefully things get better next time around. This was an event I have always enjoyed in the past.

Jimmy Huston has posted his photos from that weekend on the HTA website... http://www.historictransam.com/racephotos/2014Sonoma-1.html

[cuda48]

Was up at Canepa's over the Holiday.  They are working on Craig Jackson's Javelin and building some fresh headers.  I got the scoop on the Gurney Cuda incident.  The front pads were replaced and it seems the manufacturer couldn't match them identically so the locating tabs were welded on.  Needless to say some broke off ejecting a pad from the caliper and this resulted into a hard turn into a wall.

Mike

[Jon Mello]

Mike, thanks for the scoop on what happened with the Cuda. It's going to take some serious money to make the necessary repairs but I don't think that will be a problem.

[oldtransamdriver]

Lots of pics from Sonoma now on the Historic Trans Am (schedule) site.

Robert Barg

[naparsei]

I broke my motor on the test day just prior to the event - cam cracked, and the distributor wouldn't turn. Painful not to race as Sonoma is one of my favorite tracks. #87 Petersen Camaro. My car was there, just not running.
A

[OG69Z]

Sorry to hear of your engine problem.  Hopefully the broken cam shut things down before catastrophic damage  to the block could occur.  Apparently no oil under the tires......that's a good thing!
Keep us updated on the fix.
Robert

[dannystarr]

I get tickets to this event most years for free from friends. I live down the road a piece and have spent many hours out there over the years getting some good sunburn. Was going thru health issues this year so did not make it out. Watched the Javelin win last year like he does every year. Used to go out as a kid and run on the motocross track and a guy would come out on the track with a little ford ranger chasing us off. We would go around a couple corners, then raise the yellow caution tape and hit the track. Fun watching him bounce that truck all to hell and back trying to catch us. Over the years I have had some hot laps in a Sunbeam Tiger, 427 Cobra, '69 Boss 302 and the like. Ironically no Camaro runs. I was a Mustang kid, but always admired the '69 Camaro. Had a chance to buy a Gold '69 Z28 for $1,500. My Dad had the owner take him for a ride. When they got back, my Dad said no way is that going to be your first car. Settled on a nice '65 Mustang Fastback... but I digress.... Danny

[Jon Mello]

Nice story Danny. Thanks. I was looking at buying a '66 GTO with a 455 in it as my first car. My dad didn't like the car and told me "Why don't you get something cool like a Z/28?" How could I disappoint him? 

[69Z28-RS]

Nice story Danny. Thanks. I was looking at buying a '66 GTO with a 455 in it as my first car. My dad didn't like the car and told me "Why don't you get something cool like a Z/28?" How could I disappoint him? 

As usual.. Dads lead their sons in the best direction for them....

[Jon Mello]

Well, there's no doubt that's how they feel about it.  I do, however, like how this particular situation worked out for me.