Hail from
The Chief
By Lynn McKinlay
I would like to thank all those who made this a wonderful day -- Wayne for
making the arrangements, Farrell for the road trips and the gavial, Rick
for the cleaning session next month, and Lori for the flowers for our valentine
sweethearts. I also want to thank all the past officers for their advice
and direction. I hope I did not overlook anyone.
March meeting agenda to include:
Sponsors,
Ideas for increased attendance at Wild West Vette Fest,
Other - call and let me know.
I am excited about the turnout at North's today.
What a great and wonderful group of Corvette lovers. I have noticed over
the past three years that the love of the auto is not the only driving force
behind this group. Everyone is fun to be with and around. An example of that
are the families and seniors who had Christmas because of this club.
We have prospects of increasing our sponsors and the amount they will contribute
to the good cause. I am sure we will have to guarantee shopping at their
business. I cannot think of anyone wanting to take their net profits and
give it to their competition. That is not good business. I am glad we advocate
taking care of our sponsors. This is one of the topics that came up in the
executive session after the meeting. If you are aware of it you can be prepared
to contribute to the decision making process next month.
The other topic for next month is the Wild West Vette Fest in August
in West Yellowstone. This is one of the best car shows I have been to in
the past three years. A great job has and is being done.
I will have a business story to tell. If you have any ideas about the show,
be prepared make your suggestions. You can also volunteer to help. Betty
and I did last year. It was a fun and exciting time. The committee consists
of club members that like to have a good time and get the job done for a
wonderful Wild West Vette Fest. Some leg work and extra time will
be required on your part, but the rewards for your service are will worth
the effort given. The rewards of service are the happy faces and seeing people
having a good time.
The time and location for the next meeting are in the calendar and Betty's
meeting minutes of this publication.
It is a great honor to be of service to you.
This old bald eagle is through for the month.
"Choose a job you like and you will never have to work a day in your life."
Socrates
Thank you.
.
Chains and Anti-Lock Brakes
Submitted by Frank Smith
Tire chains are supposed to be essential winter safety equipment,
but there's a big unknown about their use.
Neither automakers nor government safety regulators have examined
whether the chains are compatible with modern anti-lock braking systems.
Moreover, experts disagree about proper driving practices on snow and ice
when using the chains on vehicles equipped with anti-lock brakes.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration can offer little help.
It does not set standards for tire chains and has not done any testing on
them, according to an agency spokesman. The NHTSA Web site makes no mention
of chains. Tire chains get little attention from automakers and government
safety regulators, despite the fact that police and highway patrol agencies
around the nation consider them essential safety equipment in heavy snow
and icy conditions.
Tire chains are intended to improve traction, enabling vehicles to climb
steep grades, to handle turns and, most important, to stop on roads blanketed
in slippery ice and snow. Few motorists would think twice about slapping
a set of chains on a car or truck equipped with an anti-lock braking system,
or ABS -- especially with a burly highway patrol officer standing at the
side of the road in blowing snow and insisting that chains are a condition
of further travel.
But one of the nation's largest chain makers says they may disable anti-lock
brakes. "ABS really becomes incapacitated when the tire chains are on because
the computers that control the system don't pick up the correct sensing,"
said Rick Schmunck, president of Quality Tire Chain Corp. of Hillsboro, Ore.
He recommends that drivers manually pump the brakes when stopping in snow.
Schmunck said that when the chains dig in, snow builds up in front of the
chains. Only by manually pumping the brakes can that buildup be released.
That contradicts the advice from automakers and brake manufacturers: Never
pump the brake pedal on cars equipped with ABS, because the system does it
better. Anti-lock systems modulate the pressure on a brake 15 to 25 times
per second, vastly faster than humans can do it. "The tire chain is only
as good as the person who is behind the wheel," Schmunck said. Automakers
and brake system manufacturers are not sure what to make of that. Some see
merit in his analysis, but others are hesitant to change their recommendation
that motorists should never pump anti-lock brakes.
Experts at Robert Bosch Corp., a major ABS supplier, recommend that, even
with chains, motorists apply steady, firm pressure. They said ABS works well
with chains. But Bob Lange, General Motors' executive director for safety
integration, says "the application of a chain would change the nature of
the tire patch on the roadway." North Hollywood brake mechanic and author
Karen Valenti agrees that tire chains could affect ABS performance. "Chains
take the tire off the ground," she said. But Sam Memmolo, a spokesman for
the ABS industry, said his faith in ABS is unshaken -- with or without tire
chains. Memmolo is not a huge fan of chains in the first place.
CORSA Offers Deals
Good news from CORSA Performance! Based on input from CORSA C5 muffler system
customers, and especially from those with a CORSA Pace Car system, we
are pleased to officially announce the release of our Crossover Pipe
for fifth generation Corvettes. Our Crossover Pipe is the solution
for improved exhaust flow, smoothing out the LS1 engine pulses for better
throttle response and a general improvement in overall engine performance.
It is the perfect compliment to CORSA's Pace Car Edition muffler system.
For a limited time we are offering FREE freight on all CORSA Crossover
Pipe orders, and if three or more club members purchase a CORSA C5 and/or
C4 muffler system, we'll ship them FREE providing they are all shipped together
and to one location.
You can reach us at 800.486.0999, by e-mail at:
sales@corsaperf.com, or visit our
Crossover Pipe Internet Web page at:
www.corsaperf.com/crossover.htm
There you will find more information including fully illustrated step-by-step
installation instructions and online ordering options.
Here's more information on our new C5 Crossover Pipe.
The CORSA
X-Style Crossover
Pipe Solution
Automakers and performance enthusiasts have been installing balance tubes
in dual exhaust systems for years. Tests have shown that balancing the
backpressure between the independent exhaust branches increases power and
reduces resonance. When Chevrolet introduced the C5 Corvette they installed
a simple "H"-pipe balance tube. It was roughly two inches in diameter and
provided adequate flow between the 2-1/2-inch catalytic converter pipes.
For reasons unknown, a running change was made to the "H"-pipe sometime in
model year '97. The change resulted in using a smaller connecting passage
of approximately 5/8-inches, thus rendering the "H"-pipe ineffective. From
that change forward, C5's have had the smaller balance connection that
contributes to a popping exhaust sound on deceleration and a gurgling or
"motorboat" sound at idle.
From a pure performance standpoint the "H"-pipe has some shortcomings. It
is fairly restrictive because it is placed 90-degrees to the path of exhaust
flow and any crossover gases must turn a 90-degree corner. For several years
performance enthusiasts have been upgrading their dual exhaust systems with
a more advanced setup with the crossover, or X-style.
CORSA Performance, makers of the World's best-selling
C5 Corvette exhaust system, featuring its patented "Power-Pulse RSC" technology,
has focused its attention on developing the ultimate C5 crossover pipe. This
design, based on sound engineering principles, provides improved, balanced
side-to-side exhaust flow for increased power and eliminates the exhaust
"idle burble" and popping on deceleration in most fifth generation Corvettes.
CORSA's X-style Crossover Pipe improves exhaust flow, at the same
time smoothing out the LS1 engine pulses for better throttle response and
a cleaner sound.
CORSA's full-length, 2-1/2-inch X-style Crossover Pipe is designed
to bolt on after the catalytic converter, and mounts to the muffler over-the-axle
pipe flange. No welding is required and just basic hand tools are used in
its installation. (A chain-style pipe cutter is recommended for ease of
installation.) Made in the USA, CORSA's Crossover Pipe is "guaranteed
for as long as you own your C5."
Chain-style pipe cutters are available at hardware and auto part stores as
well as online through The Tool Shack at:
www.mytoolstore.com/kd/kdspec03.html
- or by calling the Tool Shack at: 800.347.5096
Minutes from the February
Meeting
By Betty McKinlay
The club met at North's Chuck Wagon in Idaho Falls on February 11 for brunch.
. There were 46 members in attendance.
Club President Lynn McKinlay brought the meeting to order by using the new
gavel made by Farrell Davidson. Thank you, Farrell. First on the agenda was
the voting on the logo. Darlene Davidson submitted the winning logo. It was,
as Dennis Fikstad said, Totally Smashing". We want to thank all of you who
submitted logos this year. All were outstanding.
Farrell Davidson had some humorous stories he shared with us. Farrell discussed
some road trips; some are part day to 3-4 day events. No dates have been
set at this time. Thanks Farrell for all the work you do to put these exciting
and fun trips together.
Debbie Morris reminded us of dues that need to be paid. You can get your
dues into Debbie. If you didn't get a nametag, get your name to Debbie. We
need volunteers to help with the quilt, pins, and dash plaque. Debbie mentioned
that the Wild West Vette Fest Committee will meet at
Denny's on February 15 at 7:00 p.m.
Thanks to Lori and Tim Walsh, each of us sweethearts got a flower from the
Club.
Rick Stiles and Wayne Valentine told about the Meguiar reps coming March
17 from 10:00 to 12:00 to Taylor Chevrolet in Rexburg. There will be a show
and tell on how to clean and polish your car. Wayne told a good joke and
if you come on the 17th of March, maybe he will tell it again.
New members to the Club were introduced. We would like to give them a big
welcome.
Next meeting will be at Me N 'Stan's in Rexburg
on March 17th at 7:00 p.m. the same day as the car clean and polish.
The Executive Committee met for a minute afterwards.
ANNOUNCEMENT, ANNOUNCEMENT, IT IS RUMORED THAT BILL WATERS MAY BE
ENGAGED. Don't tell anyone.
Dues Due
By Debbie Morris
The 2001 dues are due. This will be the last newsletter you will receive
until your dues are paid.
Please start rounding up your door prises for Wild West Vette Fest 2001.
We would like enough so that our club members can receive one also. Otherwise
we will have door prizes for the guests only. Please bring them in! If you
think you know of a business or car lover who would like to be a sponsor,
please let us know so we can get a letter to them.
Wild West Vette Fest 2001 Committee:
Chairpersons: Richard and Debbie Morris
Co-chairpersons: Rich and Linda Moore
Driving Event: Mike and Wand Pincock
Entertainment: Egon and Connie Lamprecht
Food: Wayne and Pam Valentine
Hat Pins and Dash Plaques: Todd and Pam Packer
Judging: Bill and Carol Merrell
Parade: Marv and Mary Kay Bennett
Parking: Marv and Mary Kay Bennett
Poker Run: Ron and Peggy Bone
Quilt: Wand Pincock
Registration: Dick and Trish Bargman
Sponsors: Sam and Janet Miller upper valley. Randy and Joyce Wagner lower valley
T Shirts: Brian and Bev Novak
Trophies: Bill and Carol Merrell
Sponsors: M&M Apartments
Western Bank
Monte Wight Chevrolet
If you are employed by one of the sponsors, please express our appreciation
for the support.
Thanks,
Debbie
Calendar of Events for 2001
March
17 Clean and Shine -- Taylor Chevrolet 10:00 a.m. -- Rick and Wayne will have a Meguiar's representative there.
Monthly Meeting -- Me and Stans -- 7:00 P.M.
April
5 Scotty's
19 ??
May
Scotty's
??
?? Road Cleanup
June
Scotty's
21 ??
July
Scotty's
19 ??
August
Scotty's
16 ??
?? Wild West Vette Fest -- West Yellowstone Montana
September
Scotty's
20 ??
October
November
December Christmas Party -- Election of new officers
I am in need of corrections and additions to this calendar so we can all
know of the events for the year. Fred and Wanda, I would like the dates of
the show in Nevada please.
Farrell will have the dates and locations of the road run when he has time
to go though the feedback he received.
MARCH Birthdays
| Mary Kay Bennett | 5 |
| Mike Pincock | 9 |
| Farrell Davidson | 12 |
| Dick Bargman | 16 |
| Ren Bishop | 16 |
| Ted Hill | 18 |
| Terry Armstrong | 23 |
| Dennis Fikstad | 28 |
| Patricia Staffon | 29 |
Sam and Janet Miller
By Trish Bargman
We are talking founding members here. They, along with Ben and Claudia Sanchez,
got this club on its feet and going. When they joined the club, it was called
the Eagle Rock Corvette Club. The club had an image problem, so Sam, Janet,
Ben, and Claudia broke away, changed the name and cleaned up the club's act.
Sam has been the vice president, two years in a row, and Janet has been the
secretary. When they look back on the years, they are happy to see the club
go from its early struggling baby steps to the friendly, generous, mature
adult it is today.
Sam and Janet have a 1981 silver metal flake coupe. This is not their first
Corvette, but to Janet it is the most special. Sam presented it to Janet
on their silver anniversary (March 6, 1988). Sam took it to the bank where
Janet was working and then had her go out to the parking lot. It was love
at first sight. When Sam went to pick up the car he almost didn't get to
take it. You see it was sprinkling and to that point the car had never seen
the rain!
Their first Corvette was a sandalwood, four speed, 396 cubic inch convertible
with a white top and luggage rack. They thought that as a newly married,
responsible young couple, they should tone it down so they sold the Corvette
and bought a 396 Impala Super Sport. Well it made sense at the time.
Sam and Janet have been in Idaho for 20 years. They moved from Southern
California to give their three sons a better environment to grow up in. Scott
is married, has one son and lives in Boise. Thor is a member of the club
and has a '92 black rose coupe. Bib is married with one son and lives in
Archer. They are a very close family and enjoy spending as much time together
as they can.
Their Corvette is a beautiful car. Sam as the 'caretaker' of the car takes
great pride in the care he gives it. He has been known to put the car up
on jacks and clean the underneath with steel wool and water in the Spring.
The wheels have come off and come in the house to be polished. (Has that
never happened at your house?) The love, pride, and care they have given
their car shows in the many awards it has received over
the years.
Janet has really gotten into genealogy lately and loves doing the research
on her computer. One of Janet's great loves is dancing. As a teenager growing
up in Illinois she performed with the Grand Old Opry dancers. She had a dance
studio at her home and taought dance for many years after coming to Rexburg.
Janet is very good with makeup and has helped several girls in their uest
for Junior Miss.
Sam likes to be out doors, and likes hunting, fishing, and training his black
labs. He has some pheasants, but I think its just because he likes them,
not to train the dogs with.
One of Sam's best memories of the club occurred several years ago when he
had back surgery and members of the club got together and parked their cars
in the parking lot of the hospital where he could see them. The Corvettes
displayed a big banner telling him to get well soon. There was even one crazy
lady that almost got thrown out of the hospital. Something about a balloon/glove
and an old man Well I guess you had to be there.
Sam and Janet both say the best part of the club is the people and good times
they have had, and plan to have in the future. What is a perfect day? Sunshine,
Corvettes, smooth roads, and a delicious meal shared with great friends.
It doesn't get much better than that.
Snake River Corvette Club's
Border Run 2001
June 8 and 9
The event will be held in Jackpot at Cactus Pete's.
Entry fee of $40 before May 15 ($50 after that). Entry fee includes: dash
plaque and the Show 'N Shine Saturday afternoon. One name will be drawn from
Corvette owners, "not" including SRC members, for a $500 cash prize.
Slot tournament for all interested during the Show 'N Shine for a $5 fee
per person. You may enter as often as you want. Cactus Pete's will award
prizes at the award get-together.
Raffle tickets on five Quillows (pillow quilts) made by Judy Montgomery,
Veda Galpen, and Colleen Utley.
Many more raffle items available.
For more information contact Dave Montgomery
Vette72@micron.net
Or visit the SRC web site at
www.srcorvettes.freeservers.com