BOISE WET FEST 2003

by Janet Miller

Once again Corvettes of Southeast Idaho took the Participation Trophy at the Boise Vette Fest. Those that attended from our club were: Bill and Dana Madsen , Wayne and Pam Valentine, Russ and Michelle Michaelson, Tommy Taylor, Frank and Barbara Bell, Matt Jones, Bruce and Connie Barton, Thor Miller, and Sam and myself.

Some of us caravanned over on Thursday morning. The first sign of trouble came from the rear of the “Shadow” driven by Bobby and Trisa Miller. Black smoke was puffing out the back. When we stopped at Twin Falls for lunch, all the guys gave an opinion. All the oil levels were up so we decided to eat lunch and check it when we came out. We ate at Shari’s and the food was excellent. The manager went out and looked at the cars several times and then he offered

us free pie. He told us that he really appreciated us all stopping and that we should stop in again.

There was just a little dribble on the ground under the “Shadow” so we decided to hit the road. Soon the little black puff of smoke became a great big puff of smoke. Thor was following Bobby and got a fine film of oil all over the front of his car. Anyone unfortunate enough to be behind Bobby got the same. We kept looking for the black flag to make him come into the pits.

We broke off from the caravan when we got to Boise and went to our oldest son’s house and jacked up the car. We saw a lot of oil and called the Chevrolet dealership and took it in. They said it was the front transmission seal and that it would take two or three days to get it fixed. Sam questioned the mechanic and he said he didn’t like Corvettes. Sam immediately had him lower it down off the rack and we drove off to the tire store where they pulled five nails out of the right front tire. Then we took it back to our son’s house and got a truck and trailer lined up to come and get it.

It was getting late now so we hurried to the Vette Fest Headquarters at the Doubletree Riverside to pick up our registration packet. We mentioned our troubles to Bobby Peterson of Fairly Reliable Bob’s and he told Sam about Economy Transmission. Economy Transmission is a big sponsor of the Vette Fest. We went on with most of the group to La Tapatia for a great Mexican meal and the company was even better. It was pretty late when we got back to the Red Lion Parkcenter Suites where most of us stayed. It was a great place. The hotel had water hoses for us to use and they had a big area of the parking lot roped off with a sign, Corvette Parking.

Sam called the owner of Economy Transmission at home to see if he would help us. He said that his shop was really busy but when he found out it was a Corvette here for the Vette Fest he said to bring it right over. We said that it was too late and we didn’t want to impose on him. He said he would call his secretary and that if we had it there by 8 a.m. he would put two guys right on it. When we arrived the next morning, they were expecting us and went right to work on it. Just four hours later we were back on the road. Dan Todd, the owner, has a really nice Z06 with a blower on it. Everyone at Economy Transmission was very friendly and knowledgeable. We highly recommend them to any one of you.

The Auto Cross went smoothly and was lots of fun. All who ran the course did really well. There were some exciting spin outs and some slide offs that made it great fun to watch.

Those who went on the Road Tour had a fine time in spite of the freshly chipped road. Valley Vettes changed the course because they oiled the original route -- then the road crew chipped the new course the night before so we ended up driving on a chipped road as a surprise. The Road Tour ended up at Firebird Raceway where the drags were held.

The drag racing was really interesting this year. Some of our group was among the first to race. Bruce and Russ both went way over the hundred mile an hour mark. Wayne was right on there heels just under a hundred. If he hadn’t been dragging his foot he would have made it.

At my first attempt at drag racing I made it through inspection and all the way up to within three cars of the starting line when it cut loose raining and blowing. They turned us all around and sent us back to the pit area. We all tried to wait it out in our cars but it was too hot and humid. We ran up to the grandstands to wait. Boy, was I ever soaking wet. Next the raceway lost power and it continued to rain. Finally the weather cleared and they dried the track but still had no power. The racetrack officials called a driver’s meeting and decided to do it the old fashion way, one on one with a flag starter and two flagmen at the end for only an eighth of a mile (just like street racing).

Racing resumed and Wayne was matched against Thor. Wayne caught Thor napping at the flag and jumped him off the line. Thor pulled him and took the flag first even though he missed a shift. We decided that we wanted to go to dinner so we met Bill and Dana Madsen and their son at Murphy’s for a great meal and a good time. The rest stayed and raced until 11 p.m. We heard that there was a new “King of the Hill” at the drags.

The next morning was the Show and Shine so we got up early to wash our cars. Then we dried them off and dried them off and dried them off again -- it rained and rained again. We went to the park and dried them several times more. When the sun finally came out it was hot and humid. We had a great time visiting back and forth with old and new friends. There were lots of great cars and Dick Guldstrand was there admiring all of them. There were two ZR1’s (the Red Baron and the Green Hornet) sporting Dick Guldstrand’s autograph. There is a chance that Dick’s signature is also on “UNEED12”. Tommy tried his best to make his key open the door of the new 50th Anniversary car that was given away Saturday afternoon, but the door just would not open.

The food was great at the Bar-B-Q Saturday evening at the park -- BUT, you guessed it, it RAINED. This time the wind blew so hard that large limbs were breaking out of the trees and falling all around us. Everybody ran to their cars and tried to get them moved away from the trees. Lightning was flashing and it was raining hard. You should have seen how fast some people put the tops back on their cars. One lucky person did not have his top and he was trying to hold a blanket over his car while the wind tried to blow it off. As far as we know, there were no injuries to people or cars.

The people doing the motorcycle escort for the parade were soaked. They finally called for a vehicle. Some diehards went on the cruise but most of us went to the Doubletree Riverside for the dance. The cruise ended at the dance and some rain-soaked Vetters arrived happy but wet. The dance was really fun. We had lots snacks, a live band, and raffle tickets. They had 50 pictures all around the room of Corvettes for every year. Fiftieth Anniversary decorations were everywhere. There were Idaho Vette license plates from every year on the tables around the room. Some of them disappeared. We danced and had a good time.

Sunday morning we had brunch at the Doubletree banquet room with five Corvettes parked near the tables. Dick Guldstrand spoke and had us all in stitches. Dick said that the statisticians said that if you took all the Corvettes that were ever made and lined them up end to end that 90% would pull out to pass.

The Corvettes of Southeast Idaho was outstanding. We represented our club very well in all events. Russ and Michelle Michaelson took a trophy in their class in the Auto Cross with their yellow 2003 Z06 and Bruce Barton also took a trophy in the Auto Cross in his class with his red 1994 ZR1. In the Show and Shine, Bill and Dana Madsen took a trophy in their class with their black 2002 roadster, Wayne and Pam Valentine took a trophy in their class with their silver 2002 coupe, Sam and myself took a trophy in our class with our silver 1981 coupe, Thor took a trophy in his ZR1 class with his green 1991 and Bruce and Connie Barton also took a trophy in the ZR1 class with their red 1994.

Now we come to Bruce and the drag strip. Bruce took the trophy in the men’s class in drag racing and won overall “King of the Hill” as they call it at the drags. The Red Baron was an Ace that day. He shut down all the others. Last, but not least, the Shadow took the Hard Luck trophy! Our club members came home with 11 trophies in all. That’s quite a haul for Southeast Idaho. Thanks Valley Vettes for a Great show.

Did You Know

by Egon

If you own a C-4 and if your passenger feels like she is sitting in a hole, and if you are under 5'8" and would like to sit up in the world like the driver, I have a thought.

Connie now sits up where she can watch my driving.

I removed the seat cushion -- it is held on by a clip in the front. Under it, you will find four METRIC bolts holding the seat in place. Remove them, decide how much you want to raise the seat (I did ours about 1-1/2 inches), and use flat washers between the seat and the floor.

You will have to go to some place like ACE Hardware and get longer seat bolts, equal to the amount you raised the seat. (This will set you back about $1.00.) Reinstall the seat, replace the cushion, and WHAM, your co-driver can now see the world.

I’m not sure how the C-5 seat mounts, so if you are one of the elite C-5 owners, you will just have to check it out.

Ron, Peggy says, "Do ours".

Rexburg 4^th of July Parade

by Janet Miller

Corvettes of Southeast Idaho had a good showing at the Rexburg parade. Eighteen cars, the most ever, came for the 4^th of July parade. The Club’s new red trailer lead the Vettes down Main Street, Rexburg. Marilyn Monroe even got out of her pink Caddy convertible and posed for pictures with the Corvettes.

After the parade we all went to Sonic’s in Rexburg for treats. Thanks to all who took the time to come to the parade.

P.S. Marilyn Monroe AKA Susie.

August Birthdays

Brian Novak	1
Jeff Zollinger	3
Brian Forman	6
Lori Walsh	11
Fred Hughes	13
Ron Bone	19
David Wood	20
Randy Wagner	25
Ben Sanchez	27

FOR SALE

1998 Indy Pace Car

See at:

http://myweb.thump.net/629819/saac.htm