A couple weekends ago we took our twin boys to college for their freshman year. Brad is at Baldwin Wallace in Berea, Ohio for music, and Steve is at the College of Creative Studies in Detroit for Entertainment Art. Yes, my straight "A" students decided to go into music and art. While I may have preferred they do something else, I come from a family of artists and musicians, so it's not surprising.
Anyway, we took Brad to school on Thursday the 22nd. Then took Steve on Sunday. We then travelled to Sandusky and went to Cedar Point on Monday. I may be getting a little old for roller coasters, but I would recommend to everyone here that you once in your life experience the Maverick and the Top Thrill Dragster. Just stunning.
On Tuesday we headed to Put-In Bay, on South Bass Island in Ohio. Another place I highly recommend.
Tuesday-Thursday was the Put-In-Bay Road Race Reunion. Back in the 50's they raced on the streets of PIB. A couple years ago they revived the racing, but now it is at the airport. A really cool part of it is that the race cars drive around on the streets all week, street legal or not. Tuesday night there was a parade of vintage race and street cars, Wednesday was race day, and there was a car show on Thursday.
Here's a video I took of part of one race. It was with my iPad, so I apologize in advance.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SGBRide1EvM
All the cars in the video are real. No replicas here.
That week also coincided with the 200th anniversary of Commodore Perry's victory in the Battle of Lake Erie. To celebrate, there was a gathering of large period ships come in. It was really something to see. We only got to see some of them as we left on Thursday.
I have pictures of the race cars and ships on another computer that I'll post later. All in all it was a nice distraction from the chaos that has been our life recently.
I tried to get up to PIB for the Road Race but it did not work out. Maybe next year.
It was a great time. There were incredible cars driving around the entire time, including a Jag XKSS, a Porsche spyder and some really cool Morgans. But there were also a bunch of MG's, Triumphs, Turners, Morgan trikes, and a lot of more grass roots cars. And the event was VERY grass roots. I'm hoping to not only be there next year, but enter the race.
Here is some coverage of the War of 1812, Battle of Lake Erie reenactment from the local newspaper.
http://www.sanduskyregister.com/article/battle-lake-erie-bicentennial/4506291
Was a very busy weekend around the area.
I personally did not make it over for the races but did see fleets of marque cars traveling down the local roads just the other day. They were likely leaving the event.
In reply to JohnRW1621:
Thanks for posting that link as I hadn't seen it.
Seeing the cars driving around the island was as cool or cooler than the races themselves. I don't have video of that, but many pictures I'll post tonight or tomorrow. You should try to make it next year.
bravenrace wrote:
It was a great time. There were incredible cars driving around the entire time, including a Jag XKSS, a Porsche spyder and some really cool Morgans. But there were also a bunch of MG's, Triumphs, Turners, Morgan trikes, and a lot of more grass roots cars. And the event was VERY grass roots. I'm hoping to not only be there next year, but enter the race.
Put-In-Bay road race reunion was an AWESOME event. This was our second year going, and is on the must do every year list. My nephew was runing his classic mini in the exhibition group. This group is open to anyone with a vintage car, and a helmet. Seeing all those Morgan three wheelers was way cool, both on the track and going down the road. I really liked the ones with the Matchless bike engines hanging out front! The parades and car show, most especially the racer party at Joe's Bar on Wednesday night were just outstanding. Definately an event that should be attended , and maybe even a Magazine story?! Will definately be back next year and hopefully running the Lotus Elan.
Paul
the maverick hurts. did you ride the gatekeeper? that's on the list for later in the year, i'll probably go out there 2 or 3 more times.
dragster from the fenced in area in between the towers is awesome, and the hydraulics inside the control building are amazing. the violence with which the launch drum stops spinning is crazy.
Yeah, I didn't know they made so many variations of those Morgan trikes!
I think there was only one mini racing in that class, which would mean that your nephew was piloting that tan mini that was tromping on pretty much everyone else? Then he took it and drove it around the island like he just took it out of the garage! Impressive! I was actually trying to catch up with him to tell him so, but never found him.
patgizz wrote:
the maverick hurts. did you ride the gatekeeper? that's on the list for later in the year, i'll probably go out there 2 or 3 more times.
dragster from the fenced in area in between the towers is awesome, and the hydraulics inside the control building are amazing. the violence with which the launch drum stops spinning is crazy.
The maverick hurts? Waddya mean, you're still young!! Don't go on the mean streak then!!
Yeah we did the gatekeeper. It was kind of lame really, but probably worth going on if the line isn't too long.
IIRC, the dragster does 120mph in 3 seconds. Fast for sure, but only less than half as fast as the real deal.
Still, I'm pretty sure that's the fastest my body has ever accelerated, although my buddy's blown big block chevelle felt pretty close!!!!
Why wasn't this posted before dammit, I want to do this next year.
bravenrace wrote:
I think there was only one mini racing in that class, which would mean that your nephew was piloting that tan mini that was tromping on pretty much everyone else? Then he took it and drove it around the island like he just took it out of the garage! Impressive! I was actually trying to catch up with him to tell him so, but never found him.
That's him! That's a really fun little car, and he drives it very well. Can't wait till next year.
I think there should be a GRM meetup at Put-In-Bay next year, then a follow up roller coaster party after the race stuff is over!
Top Thrill dragster is in my top 3 favorite coasters of all time!
Paul
I have said for a long time, Put-In-Bay has more classic cars per capita than any other place/city.
The secret to this statement is "per capita" as in less than 500 people live there year round, but the thing to do as a summer home owner is to get an older car and leave it on the island so that when you return for the weekends, your car is there.
As such, every Sunday afternoon at 2:00, there is a car parade through the island.
Here is a typical Sunday Parade
Here's more: http://www.putinbaycarparade.com/index.php
On an Island with less that a dozen miles of roads, it is the perfect place for a old car. You can drive it every weekend and still never really put any miles on it. Being pretty much a "summer place" you never have to worry about road salt. Roger Parker, and the boys at Parker's Garage right on the island are pretty versed at working on these old cars.
Speaking of winter, a long gone tradition on the island was to drive across the ice in the winter months as a way to cross the 5 miles needed to get to the mainland. The "island cars" would be "lightened" by taking off as much body as possible. The doors would typically be removed so that escape (if falling through the ice) would be easier.
In this video you see some old video of racing of these vintage cars:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aq6OdYzrIGA
did you happen to stop by the winery out on the island? i enjoyed their wine and the patio was not too bad either
aussiesmg wrote:
Why wasn't this posted before dammit, I want to do this next year.
I posted in in the Ohio thread.
paulmpetrun wrote:
bravenrace wrote:
I think there was only one mini racing in that class, which would mean that your nephew was piloting that tan mini that was tromping on pretty much everyone else? Then he took it and drove it around the island like he just took it out of the garage! Impressive! I was actually trying to catch up with him to tell him so, but never found him.
That's him! That's a really fun little car, and he drives it very well. Can't wait till next year.
I think there should be a GRM meetup at Put-In-Bay next year, then a follow up roller coaster party after the race stuff is over! Top Thrill dragster is in my top 3 favorite coasters of all time!
Paul
I'll agree that he drives it very well! In one race he seemed to be toying with the 914. He would slow down until the guy got close to him or passes him, and then he'd take off and leave him in the dust. It was fun to watch!
I also agree about a PIB meetup next year. This was one of the funniest events I've attended. Only thing that could make it better is if I was racing instead of watching. I'm going to lobby them to allow me to run my mustang or CRX (now old enough to run historic plates!) in the exhibition class. If not, I'm at least going to drive one of them there instead of the CRV I was in this year.
In reply to CarKid1989:
We've been to it in the past, but didn't have time for it on this trip.
Yeah he was having fun with John in the 914. They put on a great show for everyone. Really fun to watch! A GRM meetup should definately happen next year. I would call Jack Woehrle 803-463-5388 about running one of your cars. He is the event founder and has the say so as to who runs or not. Unfortunately he wouldn't let my dad run his 85' rx7(also wearing antique plates) this past year. Said it was to new for what they wanted. But its worth a call. I wouldn't email as its to easy for him to just type no, and leave it at that. Call and make a case for yourself. Lots of fun either way!
Paul
In reply to paulmpetrun:
It looked like so much fun, I'd be tempted to go buy a car that was legal just so I could run! Do you know what their requirements are as far as a racing license? I'm a little fuzzy on who the sanctioning body is.
Crap- so I missed this?!
I was discussing this event a few weeks ago at a VSCDA race at Grattan. I was talking to one of the organizers, his name is Manley. He was supposed to have his Lotus there. Let me send some messages and I will get an email address for you.
This weekend I missed the big car show in Frankenmuth, the one in Dearborn and this event in OH. Crap.
bravenrace wrote:
In reply to paulmpetrun:
It looked like so much fun, I'd be tempted to go buy a car that was legal just so I could run! Do you know what their requirements are as far as a racing license? I'm a little fuzzy on who the sanctioning body is.
bravenrace wrote:
In reply to paulmpetrun:
It looked like so much fun, I'd be tempted to go buy a car that was legal just so I could run! Do you know what their requirements are as far as a racing license? I'm a little fuzzy on who the sanctioning body is.
I don't know there exact requirements. When I looked at there registration form, it just asked if you had a current vintage license, who it was, and for a current medical. I don't know if any of the major sanctioning bodies actually represent it either. Alot of the racers were VRG guys. And the main tech inspector was recommending to a few others to go to a VRG school and "you'd be set to race"! Thats my plan to next year. Hit up a VRG school at pittrace(beaverun) and get ready to go. My nephew was telling me that PIBRoadRace has a decently active facebook page. I'm not a phacetuber so I don't know personally, but may be a great way to get some quick concise info.
Good luck
Paul
In reply to paulmpetrun:
If you are serious about the pittrace school, let me know when it gets closer, as I may do it also.
bravenrace wrote:
In reply to paulmpetrun:
If you are serious about the pittrace school, let me know when it gets closer, as I may do it also.
I will let you know indeed. Those pics are fantastic! Keep e'm coming.
Paul
