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> 1-8-01 > > There I was, last Thursday, minding my own business, scanning the message > headers on the SSOA message board, when one caught my eye. "SLP AT THE > MOVIES - ATTN ALL Las Vegas Area Folks!." Well, I live in North San Diego > County, so I'm sort of in the Las Vegas area, so I read the message. It said > that SpeedVision was doing a profile of SLP and the SLP folks needed a bunch of > SS's and Firehawks for a backdrop for the taping which would take place at the > Bragg-Smith Advanced Driving School and at the Race Rock Restaurant in > downtown Las Vegas. "This sounds interesting," I said to myself. All I have > to do is get off work early Friday and cruise up to Las Vegas. I can stay > with my Aunt Sylvia, who lives in Las Vegas and works in the convention > industry, and avoid the very tight room situation. The Consumer Electronics > Show opened Saturday and the town was very crowded. > > While driving to Las Vegas, I was caught in a light rain storm so my car was > very water spotted. Luckily, I brought my cleaning supplies with me. So > at 7:30 in the morning, I was washing my car in front of my Aunt's house. > Did you know that Z7 does not dissolve well in 33 degree water? > > About an hour later, I was on my way to Pahrump and the Bragg - Smith school. > As I pulled in and parked, Reg Harris walked up and introduced himself. I > was shaking inside from the excitement of actually being there and meeting > people I had only read about. The school is situated in an isolated but > picturesque region of the high desert. The air was crisp and clean. The > mountains formed a perfect backdrop for the track, situated behind the > buildings of the school. Eventually, three other SS owners arrived, Cody > Kraus with his girl friend Jennifer from New Mexico in his white SS, Tate Mock > along with his girl friend Amy and his Mom, Donna in his '99 pewter SS, and Joel > Maguire and his wife in their '97 25th Anniversary LT4 SS from Las Vegas. > > I walked around, checking out the great cars. There was an Indy 500 pace car > Corvette fitted out with camera equipment on the front bumper and in the > cabin. This particular car had all of the Indy 500 decals custom painted and > looked like a million bucks. The hood was open, showing off the chrome > plated SC plumbing. There was a row of about a dozen SS's along the rear > of the paved area. Eight or ten (I didn't actually count) Corvettes, half > of them Z06's, were lined up in front of the buildings. A class of students > was there for the driving school. I overheard that they were a group of > TV production undergrads from UCLA. One of their group had hit it big on > the lottery and was treating his whole group to the driving class, and they > were capturing the whole thing on tape. > > After about a half hour, Reg walked up to me and asked why I was not driving. > "Well, no one invited me, and I don't know my way around." So he says, "OK. > Hop in." We get into one of the school's SS's and proceed around the track. > I was a bit nervous on the first couple of turns, but I figured out pretty > fast that Reg knew what he was doing, and just held on for the ride. This > track is set up for learning how to control a high performance vehicle at > the limits. The first few curves are fairly gentle, then a few S-curves, then > a sharp hair-pin leading to a long straightaway. At the end of the straight is > a 90 degree right turn leading to the starting line. > > Now that I knew the track, It was my turn. I got into my car and drove two > laps. I took it fairly easy on the first lap, but got on it pretty good on > the second. I can see why you would not want to use your own car for the > driving course. The tire squeal and four wheel drifts are very rough on > the very expensive tires. While driving the course, I didn't look at the > speedometer, so I don't know how fast I was going, except on the straight I > got up to about 90 MPH before slowing for the last turn. I took most of the > track in third gear. I would find out later that second gear is much more fun. > > I parked to take a break and noticed that Scott Settlemire was giving rides to > folks around the track. He seemed to be getting a special thrill from scaring > the ladies. When it was my turn I eagerly jumped in. Now Reg > went around the track pretty quick, but Scott is a MANIAC behind the wheel. > He drove almost the whole course in second gear, at near the red line, except > at the straightaway, where he shifted into third. While driving the track > he explained about the strategically placed orange cones. These are the > targets for setting up your position on the track for your entry into the > next curve. "Aim for the cones, not the road," he said. Wow. What a trip! > > Bobby Moore, the owner of the Race Rock was also giving rides, so I went around > the track with him. He treated me to the sensation of spinning out in an SS > on the hairpin just before the straight. > > I saw my first, in-the-flesh, Firehawk there, a 10th Anniversary Edition. > A very beautiful car. A Firebird the way it was meant to be. > > I spoke with Todd, the producer for SpeedVision. It turns out that he is > also the producer for "American Muscle Car" shown on Thursday evenings on > SpeedVision. I said, "Wow, that's one of my favorite shows, I watch it every > week!" He seemed pleased with my remarks about the show. I asked him why > they had never done a show about the modern SS, he said, "We're doing that > today." Wow! Very cool! (Please excuse the repeated exclamation, but I was > constantly "wowed" that day.) > > By this time it was getting near noon, so Reg went into town to get lunch for > the "customer" group and the video production team. > > Todd asked that all the owners' SS's be parked in a semi-circle to form a > back drop for his interview of Scott. This was late morning, and it was > starting to get a bit warm. The shine on Scott's forehead was not good for > the taping, so a call went out for makeup. Neither Scott nor the video > crew had a kit, but Tate's Mom, Donna, came through. She stepped right up > and made Scott look good for the camera, no mean feat. I was standing about > 15 feet away, listening to the interview. By this time, the driving school > group was back out on the track and listening became difficult. Besides, Reg > was back from town with lunch, so I, along with the other SS owners walked > back to the class building and ate. > > After lunch, everyone walked back out to where the cars were parked and Todd > interviewed each of us, asking us why we bought our cars, where we bought > them, and how we liked them. > > One of the tricks the driving students were learning that afternoon was how > to do doughnuts on the pavement. Most folks have done doughnuts on dirt, > snow, or wet pavement. But on dry pavement, this is a very noisy and smoky > activity requiring a great amount of skill and, apparently, practice. I > commented to the owner of the school that they must have quite a tire bill. > He replied that they get them from Goodyear for free in exchange for their > endorsement. I offered my endorsement for a set of tires, but he just smiled. > > Later in the afternoon, Todd mounted a camera in the back of Reg's loaner > Blazer and asked that all of the owners parade around the track for pictures. > Reg, Scott, Bobby, and even Todd got behind the wheel in order to have as > many SS's as possible in the group for the video camera. It was quite a > scene. > > By this time, it was getting late. The video taping was taking longer than > anticipated. We were supposed to head back to Las Vegas and the Race Rock for > dinner at 3:00, but it was now a bit after 4. So The owner's group decided > to head out and meet the rest of the crew at the Race Rock at 5:30. > > Highway 160 between Pahrump and Las Vegas is a lightly traveled and well made > highway, about one third two lanes and two thirds four lane divided highway > with long straights and gentle, banked curves, just right for a bit of fast > cruising. Joel took the lead in his 30th Anniversary LT4 SS, the other three > of us behind, me last. At first there were four SS's in a row, but soon there > were only three. It seems Joel likes stretching the legs of his car from > time to time, and he was gone. The rest of us cruised back to Las Vegas at a > leisurely low triple digit pace. I'm sure the guy driving the Porche we passed > was wondering why three Camaros were in such a hurry. > > Cody and I followed Tate since Las Vegas is Tate's home town. After a bit of > cruising around looking for the special entrance to the Race Rock, we pulled > into the multi-story parking facility behind the restaurant. We walked in > and checked out the place. If any reader is ever in Downtown Las Vegas, you > simply must go the the Race Rock. On display, hanging from the walls and > ceilings are about 50 or so real race cars that have been donated to the > restaurant. This place is a veritable museum of racing. One one wall are > thirteen (IIRC) Winston Cup cars. There are many cars used in movies and > several one of a kind prototypes. The restaurant is on two floors, and next > to the escalator are two top fuel rails, mounted nose down, wheel to wheel, on > a spindle, slowly rotating. In the back room is a display of over 100 racing > fire suits, actually worn by drivers in races. > > By this time, the production crew had started to arrive and we found out where > the special entrance for the front pad was, so Cody, Tate, and I drove our > cars down and parked in front of the Race Rock's front door. The Firehawk and > a couple of the cars from the school formed a line of shiny new SLP F-bodies > across the front of the Race Rock. More taping then went on, more interviews > of Jim, Reg, Scott, Bobby, and the owners' group. > > A little later, while I was sitting at a table with Cody, Tate, and their lady > friends, Reg walks up and asks if we have any plans for later in the evening. > Cody had to get started back to New Mexico, and Tate had to get to his > "surprise" birthday party (it was his B-day!), but I had nothing planned. It > turned out that Reg had a few extra tickets to the show he was going to and > wondered if anyone was interested in going. After thinking about it for at > least one second, I said, "Sure! But what about parking?" He said I could > ride with him and leave my car at the Race Rock and he'd drop me off after > the show. Wow! Joel and his wife also attended. > > The show was Danny Gans at the Mirage. There is a special theater > there built just for him. Mr. Gans is an impressionist who does well known > entertainers. The man is very talented, seeming to turn into the personality > he is imitating. It was a truly great show. > > I finally arrived back at my Aunt's house about 10:30 and was totally exhausted. > I had never experienced a day like this. I want to extend my gratitude to > Reg Harris, Jim Ferron, Scott Settlemire, Bobby Moore, the operators of the > Bragg - Smith Advanced Driving School, the Chevrolet Division of General > Motors, the staff of the Race Rock Restaurant, and Danny Gans for one of the > most memorable days of my life. Thanks, folks, and the next time you do one > of these events, let me know. I'll be there!
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That is great that you got to meet everyone.....It'll be something you'll never forget. There are some great people out there associated with the cars we have a passion for. Thanks for sharing your experience. I can't wait to see your pictures!!!
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Wow, Steve that is a great story. I felt like I was there with you. Very well done. Now you have a sense of shy I get so excited about these events. The Bragg-Smith school was great when we attended last Nov. Reg was there along with Ed Hamburger, Scott and many other folks. It was a great time. This sounds like it was really a good time. I am now sitting here crying because I couldn't be there with you!!
Thanks again, that was very well written. I don't mean grammatically. I know the WOW feeling and you had several doses. Good to see you are still able to speak!
Posts: 5946 | From: Litchfield, NH, USA | Registered: Feb 2000
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Oh, by the way. Just one question. Was the Race Rock car that was there a black SS?? There was one there in Nov and it was amazingly fast!!
One last comment. My wife Grace got to take a ride around with Scott in a Z06 and when she got out, she said, ok, you can buy one, now I know why you want one. I just need to tlearn how to drive. Hey Terri or Art, when are we going back to Bragg-Smith?? I'm ready now.
Posts: 5946 | From: Litchfield, NH, USA | Registered: Feb 2000
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quote:Originally posted by DanA_F99_1977: Hey Terri or Art, when are we going back to Bragg-Smith?? I'm ready now.
We HAVE to get our garage built this year....we won't have playing money until after it's paid off in a year or two.
Teri
Posts: 7198 | From: Near Portland, Oregon, USA | Registered: Feb 2000
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Joey Red
You want me to take care of these guys for you?
Member # 550
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quote:Originally posted by DanA_F99_1977: Oh, by the way. Just one question. Was the Race Rock car that was there a black SS?? There was one there in Nov and it was amazingly fast!!
One last comment. My wife Grace got to take a ride around with Scott in a Z06 and when she got out, she said, ok, you can buy one, now I know why you want one. I just need to tlearn how to drive. Hey Terri or Art, when are we going back to Bragg-Smith?? I'm ready now.
Whenever it is I'm there. My friend Brett and I are planning on attending the school later this year. One more thing, I feel left out now that there was a spin and I wasn't riding shotgun.
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That's great Joe. I know you would love it!! You are going to Lime Rock this year, right?!!
Posts: 5946 | From: Litchfield, NH, USA | Registered: Feb 2000
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Awesome, Steve, well written story. Glad you could make it to represent the San Diego group! Posts: 547 | From: Poway, Ca | Registered: Feb 2000
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Man that sounds like you had a really great time!!! Quote from Dan... "...Hey Terri or Art, when are we going back to Bragg-Smith?? I'm ready now." Now Dan...you are really going to have to work on your spelling....it's TERI!
------------------ Amy F00-1724 2000 SS Navy Blue Metallic/ Black Top, Ebony Leather, ASR, SLP Floor Mats, car cover, dash plaque and Key fobs BMR STB, SLP SS Chrome 10 spokes with SS Centercap, Carbon Fiber Whisper Lid, SLP SS Grille, Camaro SS Fuel Rail Covers and PerfeXshine Tulsa Firebird and Camaro Club Member: http://www.lt1.net/tfcc/ COFBA Member: http://www.cofba.com SSOA Founding Member: http://www.ssoa.net
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Great report Steve .... I was able to picture most everything you described. Tim and I checked out Race Rock and the Fremont Street Experience the Sunday night after the school and Super Chevy Show.
Plans are brewing for a return visit to Bragg-Smith that we hope to make a real SSOA family event, details will, as always, be here first
Posts: 4222 | From: Winnipeg MB CA | Registered: Feb 2000
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quote:Originally posted by amy00ss: Man that sounds like you had a really great time!!! Quote from Dan... "...Hey Terri or Art, when are we going back to Bragg-Smith?? I'm ready now." Now Dan...you are really going to have to work on your spelling....it's TERI!
Geez, I did it again. Art just corrected me on that. I am sorry TERI, maybe I'll just call you HTWLSS.
Posts: 5946 | From: Litchfield, NH, USA | Registered: Feb 2000
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WOW!! for those of us that were there this past November you captured the essence of the place. It is a blast. It was made special by the appearance of Scott, Reg, Ed etc.
Dan, lets start planning, Teri, Art, - what about the pool guy? anyone here from him?
quote:Originally posted by Hawkeye: WOW!! for those of us that were there this past November you captured the essence of the place. It is a blast. It was made special by the appearance of Scott, Reg, Ed etc.
Dan, lets start planning, Teri, Art, - what about the pool guy? anyone here from him?
Wasn't his name Jeff? I didn't get his card but he has mine but he never sent me any email. He is a good guy. It would be fun to get him back there too! Let's start planning. October sounds good to me. I bet I can get a few from the East Coast Camaro Club or the Conn F-Bodies guys to join us this time.
Posts: 5946 | From: Litchfield, NH, USA | Registered: Feb 2000
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Great report Steve...it's for events like this and the camaraderie of great people that we live for as f-body owners. Really hope that this is the year more of us are able to get involved with what makes our hobby just that much more special...
quote:Originally posted by DanA_F99_1977: Wasn't his name Jeff? I didn't get his card but he has mine but he never sent me any email. He is a good guy. It would be fun to get him back there too! Let's start planning. October sounds good to me. I bet I can get a few from the East Coast Camaro Club or the Conn F-Bodies guys to join us this time.
Jeff Gilbert M98-0721: gilbee4@earthlink.net
I have his phone # and address in the SSOA database.
Teri
Posts: 7198 | From: Near Portland, Oregon, USA | Registered: Feb 2000
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Joey Red
You want me to take care of these guys for you?
Member # 550
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quote:Originally posted by DanA_F99_1977: That's great Joe. I know you would love it!! You are going to Lime Rock this year, right?!!
You betcha!!I don't plan on missing it, unless it rains. It was an absolute blast last year. Hopefully more will join us this year especially some Firehawks. We have to share some fun with our Pontiac brothers.
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Art, remember, it will be round two for the SSOA members that went to Bragg-Smith in November. If any members would like to attend round two with us, they will probably need to attend round one first. Steve (I was actually allowed to use the computer for this one!! See, Teri really DOES have a hubby!!)
Posts: 7198 | From: Near Portland, Oregon, USA | Registered: Feb 2000
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Steve, thanx for that great report on a great time. Fond memories, for sure. And what stories to tell. Tate, Thanx for the pics. Great show,
Posts: 1446 | From: Germantown, MD USA | Registered: Feb 2000
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First post on this board usually on LS1 and SLP so be nice This was really a great trip we had a lot of fun meeting fellow SS owners. As soon as we got home we broke out the video and dubbed it to a normal tape (Steven, Tate and Scott, a copy will be out to you soon) It was awesome to see what these cars are capable of the high speed turns and getting whipped around at 90-100 as if I were a rag doll in the hands of a little kid (thanks Bobby) I had no idea these cars can handle the way they do at those speeds and feeling the G's pushing and pulling you every way just makes me want to go back and race around a bit more... After this trip and all the fun associated with it just makes everyday work and junk all the more mundane.
------------------ Cody :) -2000 Camaro SS #2616 M6 !CAGS -2000 Grand Prix GTP -86 IROC 400 cid -96 Chevy c/k 1500 X-cab Z71 -94 ZX9R superbike
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Man, I just keep getting more and more jealous. Thanks for the pics, they are great. I can't wait to hear when it will be on. Posts: 5946 | From: Litchfield, NH, USA | Registered: Feb 2000
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