Yes, it was a bad day for the T/A once again. Rovic called me on the cell phone when they reached K-W, they were ahead of schedule. We moved as quick as we could to get to the 401. We saw the convoy cruising past just as we reached the cutoff. We ran pretty hard to catch up, which we did. We also had slow cars in the left lane(Gawd I hate that). Anyhow, we were at the tail end of the convoy with some 4thgens. We decided to catch up to the rest of the 3rd gens. No hotdogging involved. I was in the left lane passing some cars when I looked in my rear view mirror and saw to my surprise, white smoke pouring out the back of my car. I looked at the shoulder to my left, and knew that I couldn't go there. I looked to my right, and everyone had backed off allowing me to get to the shoulder. I pulled it over and hit the brakes. The car was redlining on the temp guage, I needed to get this car shut down asap.Just after the car came to a stop, Kevin V pulled over to help and didn't see that I had stopped. He ended up hitting me. His car slid under the back of mine. Bad break for both of us. Believe me, I feel bad for the both of us. Anyhow, Rovic called me and told me to try and get to the service center just down the road, which we did. I truly appreciate all the help, concern and support that Kevin and I got from all those there.I just wanted to set the record straight.
Oh yeah, it was the "T" from the flush kit on the heater hose that broke. After my friend drove me to CT in Ingersol, we were back on the road by 11:15 and proceeded to Sparta. It was great meeting everyone and the racing was pretty good,too. I didn't want to wreck anything else so I decided not to run the car. Exhaust was hanging and leaking , not sure where yet. I attached a couple of pics.

 

And another...

 

and last one.

 

Oh man that sucks but its not as bad as someone made it sound in another post... Is it just the bumper skin and exhaust hangers/muffler? Youve been getting the sh!tty end of the luck stick lately . hope you can get everything fixed up easy.
greg

 

It looks that way, I won't know exactly what is damaged until I get it on a hoist. Hopefully it won't be too serious.

 

That's pretty much how I remember it happening as well. As soon as I saw the black 3rd gen TA pouring out white smoke, I figured it was Kev's car, based on what happend at dyno day. I figured it would just be a hose, and knowing that I brought all my tools with me, I would be able to help Kevin out. I followed Kevin's car all the way over to the shoulder, and I thought I had enough room to stop. I was able to watch his car on the highway, but as soon as his car got on the shoulder, it became obscured in the steam. When I saw his car in front of me I stood on the brakes ( I was already hard on the brakes though), but there wasn't enough room. If we had 5 more feet between our cars, we would have been ok.

My car doesn't concern me too much, I'm more concerned with seeing getting Kevin's fixed.

My car isn't too bad. I washed off the nose of the car today, and I think most of sratches on the nose can be buffed out. The headlight pocket will need to be painted, and the very front edge of the nose is pushed down a bit. That can be easily fixed as well.

In the end, it was a bad day for both of us. But no one was hurt, and the cars can be fixed to see another day.

 

Sorry to here of your troubles guys. Good thing you are both O.K and like you said the cars are fixable. I had a similar situation at a dragstrip a few years ago. One of those same flushing T's. The cap split in half, letting the anti-freeze shot out like a power sprayer. Again that really sucks! I guess it is to be known to others. Don't use these flushing T's on your cars... they are S&$t waiting to happen.

 

KevinV do you think you could tell the tfbm guys the real story?

 

what for??They can believe whatever they want..

Daz

 

Because of that incident and a couple more incidents we have a bad reputation now. If anyone wants to know about the other incidents pm me

 

Reputation to whom?Why should we give a rat's *** what those guys think??We dont need theyre approval...Youre worried about the reputation you explain it to them..Im starting to think that youre more concerned about this club than this board I hope Im wrong

Daz

 

hes not saying kiss their *** till they forgive us or anything like that. They set up the st. thomas event and set up many events like it and it would make things easier for people on this board to go in masses if they didnt think we cant drive or something. If the roles were switched I would think they would try and clear things up with us too.
greg

 

I'll post on the tfbm board today on the true events, the story that I heard wasn't a good one, its not a matter of reputation, more a matter of truth and I think that it would be best for the tfbm crew and the thirdgen crew if we cleared this up.

 

i agree with Daz, the rich LS1 boys can think what they want. for me i wish they werent there, they just limit the number of runs we can take. we dont need them to setup events for us. and what are these other incidents?

 

If the roles were reversed,WE'RE not gonna think that every 4thgen is an ex Mustang owner who knows jack shirt about cars and drives like a moron ..It sure didnt make it easier for us in St.thomas..Its not any easier than going to Cayuga late on import day..

Daz

 

True the board doesnt need them to set up events for us but so far no one has taken the iniative to rent a track anything like that. But to be honest I doubt they think to much of it, just some gossip this gossip that. Its probly just something getting blown out of proportion anyway...

 

From what I've read on the tfbm board, it looks like it was already known about what really happened, not to worry really I guess. just a thing blown out of proportion lol...

 

Hi Kev. I'm glad your car's not damaged all that badly. I don't know if you do your own body work or not, but if you don't I have a shop I would highly recommend. It's Acme Autobody on Bridgeport Rd right by Lancaster. They're in behind the little Tim Hortons there. Bob's a man of few words, but he's very particular about the work he does and you can't beat his prices. He painted my car last year. I am extremely pleased with his work and his attitude.

Your luck has got to turn around bud! Take care!
Tracey

 

And as for renting the track, that's something Craig and I have looked into before at the Grand Bend Motorplex. I used to work there, so it's a home base of sorts for me. We have enough people here on this board that we can organize our own events no problem. And from what I've seen having met a few of you, we're more than oragnized enough and enthusiastic enough to set up our own events. Tracey

 

there ya go..You dont really need to rent a track anyway..

Daz

 

yeah chances are renting the track would cost more person than it would for each of us to just show up and pay like we did yesterday

 

The cost per person of renting the track depends upon how many people you can get to commit to it. I'd have to check their site again to see if they have a max number of people allowed to run in a day and, if so, what that number is. Or, as has already been said, we can continue to show up for TnT's and not have to resnt the track at all. I haven't gone to the TFB site though. Is it really looking that bad?

 

Nope to tell you the truth they never really said anything on the mailing list about us causing **** or anything. Just convoy problems in general like everyone following to close, braking that goes down the line. Just something taken a bit to seriously I now realize...
I was thinking of renting a track so we dont have to worry about some idiots showing up or not getting many runs etc. But I dont know about tracks around there are they empty during the day? I dont know about other people but personally if I drive a few to several hours out to a track and take the whole day off, I really dont care about spending 10-30 extra bucks to have the track to ourselves... A dyno in Ottawa costs 80 bucks for 3 runs anyway...

 

Hey all, thanks for your responses. The only ones that I feel I owe an explaination to,is you. When I pulled into the service center, and I saw everyone waiting for us, I was really proud to be a member here. It's a good feeling to know that when adversity happens, that there is people out there that care. I was ready to throw in the towel for the day. I was going to get CAA and have them tow the car home. It was your words of encouragement and concern that persuaded me to rethink what I was going to do. I also brought out my friends, especially the ones with the '95 TA, to experience what I experience when I go to these events. I owed it to them, also. They absolutely loved the track. My friend said to let him know when the track events start for next year, as he will definitely be in. He has been driving f-bodies his whole life and has never even considered what his cars could be capable of. Anyhow, thanks again.
Kevin

 

Guys, just so you know, TFbM didn't rent the track at Sparta. It was just one of our club events held on a test & tune day. However, the F-Body eliminations was open to anybody with an F-Body. The track wouldn't have it any other way. It's happened before where someone not even in our club, from the States no less, has walked away with all the marbles. Hey, this time I got eliminated in my first first run by the white IROC (not IROCKER) because I was running inconsistently and really screwed up on my dial-in. (He was actually a pretty smart racer and almost made it to the final, so he likely would have beat me anyway.)

As for the blown hose incident, I missed that because I get on the 401 the exit after the service centre between Woodstock and Ingeroll. I could barely pick anything up on the FRS, so I figured the other guys were either ahead of me or behind me. Turns out they were behind. There were all kinds of stories flying around at the track. Anyway, Paul straightened the story out on the TFbM mail list, so all's cool.

And as for the kamikazi convoy passing maneuvers on the 2-lane going down to Sparta, that has to be pretty bone-headed, especially since you still end up waiting for the gate to open when you get there. We discovered early on that the best way to convoy is to have FRS radios so everyone knows what everyone else is doing.

Anyway, next time any of you are out at a TFbM drag day, come over and say hi. We actually have more 3rd genners in our group now than we ever did and even the 4th genners are really good guys (even Murky, the guy with the navy blue metallic SS, license plate SSIZZL ).

 

just keep away from murky on a day when his times suck.

 

Yeah, I remember you. I was video taping the races, and when I saw a yellow Camaro, I stupidly almost thought it was Mr Jordan. Yeah,yeah, I can tell the difference between a Camaro and a TA I was looking through a lense when I saw you.
Anyhow, I am glad that the TFBM has been enlightened by Paul. I know alot of you feel that we don't need to explain ourselves to them, but this board has some class, atleast I like to think so. I guess it goes back to the Respect thread. We love our cars, and so do they, and they are all f-bodies. Some day I will buy a 4thgen, I love the look of them. The power they have is something that we are willing on spending thousands of dollars on to get our cars to even compare. I still love my car, and I wouldn't get rid of it.
BTW welcome to our board, OLDYELLR.

 

OLDYELLR we ran a few times at the last couples of tfbm events before I sold the Trans Am remember the black and gold thirdgen with the flames and bad times?

 

Hi Kevin,
I was around on thirdgen.org before the Ontario board started, but as you can see, I don't post a lot. I visit here once in a while, but I've spent more time on the thirdgen tech boards. Not too crazy about web boards unless I'm after some specific info. They can get darn addictive and time consuming.

 

Sure do. I remember your car.

 

OLDYELLR,

i saw your car at the track, i really like the black GTA wheels with yellow paint, not to mention the dual snorkel air cleaner under the hood.

 

I have to agree with Kevin here, the only people I feel I owe an explanation to are the thirdgen guys. I believe the TFBM guys should know what really happened, just so the truth is known and no rumors are allowed to start or continue.

I think it’s important to have a good relationship with the TFBM guys. They are after all, f-body enthusiasts like us thirdgen folk. They do have a much more structured group than we do, and that gives them the ability to do better long term planning for events through out the year. They also put on some events that would be hard for other clubs to pull off, only because of the system they have in place. This can be a benefit to us, if they allow us to participate in their events.

I also believe that we have a large enough of a community here on thirdgen, that we do not need to "ride in on the coat tails" of TFBM to have an event. We've had events in the past with out any TFBM involvement (by this I mean TFBM executive involvement, not TFBM membership involvement) that were very successful. I don't see why we would have a problem with more of these events in the future. Just as long as no one is in front of me if we have to make a sudden stop, everything should be cool

 

Hey oldyellr.. nice seeing on the board again.. we met a few wednesday's ago at Hooter's on the tfbm night, you got a great car, saw you run a couple of times.

See I told ya the board has gone nuts in the last few months, really coming alive and taking a life of its own.

I can picture it now... thirdgen meetings.. thirdgen sponsored events.. thirdgen competitions... thirdgen shows...

whoa.. I'm dreaming there.. but we all do have a good time together, I just wish I could make grand bend, but I pushed my luck with dyno day and track day for days off...

 

You aren't talking about me by any chance for the kamikaze stuff are you? I'd be the one in the Blue 92 Z28 who went from the back of the line to the front of the line. If so, just so you know, I wasn't trying to get in infront of anybody or anything. It's just I got held back at the service station and my buddy was lost and needed my help getting in, and he was the 3rd car up front in the black 90 IROC.

 

Man you could buy a mint 91-92 SD L98 for 10 grand and be running a LS1s times for well under 20, half the cost of a new LS1... hell for around 20 you could find a sturdy 91-92 and put a 502 ramjet in it .
I think a better way to put it is the power they make stock is amazing. The ETs of stock or slightly modded LS1s I think is still amazing people somewhat... even 6 years after its release.
greg

 

Or you can spend $8k and get a bike that runs 11.0's stock and laugh at them all.

 

Wow.. lots of replies in this thread...

Just wanted to say sorry bout your cars Kevin's.... I kinda feel your pain Kev, my cooling system gave me a ****load of trouble all in one month... its almost to the point where I want to put the car away for winter early, because things aren't going good. Oh well... life goes on eh

 

I wouldn't know. That's just something I heard a couple of the 4th gen guys say. I got there a bit earlier, before the main convoy.

 

I wouldnt doubt it if it was you..You were driving 60 km/h in the pits..Pretty stupid if you ask me

Daz

 

I've got a couple comments here now that I've got a chance to read through all the posts:

Daz: You are a good guy but I think these comments are harsh..."Reputation to whom?Why should we give a rat's *** what those guys think??We dont need theyre approval"...I give a rat's ***, as do many others here. It's not a matter of approval, it's a matter of respect. The club helped to organize the event that the thirdgen.org'ers piggy backed off of. If it wasn't for them we would have had a drag day unless we did the organizing ourselves. If you don't like it than don't come next time. This is not what I want, as you've got a quick car and are one of the few 3rd Gens that can give the 4th Gens a run for the money.

darbleinad: Unfortunately I don't think I got to meet you at the track, but I'm sure you a good guy as well. But this comment..."the rich LS1 boys can think what they want."...is totally unnecessary and ignorant to say the least. Most of the LT1/LS1 club members are far from rich and have worked hard to be able to afford their cars. And this comment..."for me i wish they werent there, they just limit the number of runs we can take. we dont need them to setup events for us."...Ummm, perhaps you don't realize but this WAS the TFbM's drag day!!! It was NOT an Ontario Region Thirdgen.org day! If you don't like it, why don't you take the initiative and setup a drag day for the 3rd Gen guys?!? I don't think you have a right to complain here.

The TFbM club has a code of conduct for both events and stuff like convoys. It's in place for a reason...both the safety of everyone and the liability of the club. Next time anybody wishes to convoy with the TFbM group, I will post the code ahead of time for all to read over. If you chose not to follow it, then that's your choice...just make your own convoy, there's nothing wrong with that.

 

the thing about our drag day is that we really did organize it ourselves, we just used the same day as the TFBM, cause hughes set that date. we organized everything else for ourselves and seeing as it was a still an open day at the track, we didnt need the tfbm for anything. we could have gone any other day and done the same thing we did on saturday. it really doesnt take much to setup on of these when tracks have test and tune days.....set a date and pick a track well in advance and there you go. i realize the tfbm organized this event for their club, and that they have many very nice vehicles in the club, but i dont feel i was riding on their coat tails at all. i payed my 30 bucks, so i have as much right to be on the track as them. hell i go to that track like 3 times a month...its only 45 minutes away.

 

also i hope once i get my car all tuned, that i can give some 4th gens (at least some slower LT1s) a run for their money. so maybe it is a good idea to have drag events with the tfbm. hheheeh. nothing would please me more to beat a few $30 000 4th gens with my beatup, ridicously high milage 84. i can just imagine the look on their faces.

 

Well, I'm not rich, but I do drive a 4th gen Camaro. I think we all need to make an effort to get along. If the FBody is to be preserved, and ever make a comeback, we have to get along with groups like TFBM..and they have to respect us. Goes both ways, but now isnt' the time to start a war.

Driving a v6, I know all about getting looked down on by the bigger newer SS' but what i've come to realize in the last few months is that there are far more people out there who are very decent and genuine and respect me just as much as they do a 10sec SS.

If we treat them with respect and not flame them for being rich guys who buy their 1/4 mile times, and get to know them so they can see we're just as much an enthusiast as they... the respect will be reciprocated no?

Anyways, just my thoughts. I wish I could have been there to see all the fbodies in one place.

 

Good morning, gents. I've met most of you, when Mark introduced us, at Westona and 7. It was good to see some more 3rd gens out at the events.

It was also my understanding that you were invited to join us, and attached to the convoy to do such.

I cannot comment or pass judgement on the events, but want to share my thoughts with you in brotherhood of f-body.

Here is my perspective, and I trust you can understand our perceptions of the events, since we didn't know you and you joined the convoy.

#1) Third gen f-bodies enter the 401. Welcome to the convoy!
#2) Some members get on the FRS, and tell us, who are these 3rd gens cutting people off, and running through traffic, dangerously? There were a few people on the FRS, who asked who the 3rd gens were, who were driving with the cars, then all of a sudden they all took off, going in and out of traffic.
#3) F-body rear-ended? WTF? What happened? Somebody tell us if everybody is okay. 3rd gen F-bodies join up, and do not introduce themselves to the club, and show with wrecked cars.
#4) Some chatter about who was passing cars on the convoy driving to St.Thomas, coming to Sparta, cutting in front of other convoy drivers. Who was that? I was in the front.

I cannot speak for the club, however, I'm sure you can appreciate how some of the members felt, and then seeing the statement "who gives a rats ***" etc... does imply that you didn't car about the convoy or the event you were invited to AND joined.

Maybe some clarification is in order here.

In brotherhood,

 

i agree that we should get along, and there is no doubt that 4th gens are amazing and beautiful cars, but what bugged me was the way Hughes was running around the track and on here saying our reputation was ruined and all this and he was getting all worked up that we have to explain ourselves to the tfbm liek they are our mothers or something. it was just annoying how he thought the tfbm is so much better than us.

 

Is that based on perception or fact?

How would you feel if I made a perception about third gen owners and posted it?

I can appreciate how you would feel. You may be out of line on this. I hope this doesn't reflect the general attitude of this board.

 

thats exactly how I felt..No one can judge anybody on what happened..I didnt say we should separate ourselves to the other club..BUT I dont think we have to explain ourselves to ANYONE..Respect goes both ways..We dont judge them and we dont expect to be judged just the same...I still dont give a rat's *** what anybody think cause I know the idiots who drove(drives) like a moron doesnt represent in the group..You guys know who Im talking about..And if they want to know who the moron(s)is they can always ask..

Daz

 

i wasnt in the convoy cause i live near london, so i cant say anything about what happened there. however, i was not invited by the tfbm to join the event. the test and tune was open to everyone and i choose to go, as did other people on this board. this is what was bothering me, the way the tfbm thinks they let us be there. that is false. however, if people from our board were joining the tfbm convoy, they should have followed the rules/behaved themselves, as the convoy was a tfbm "event". seeing as i was not in the convoy, i cant say what happened and whether or not people were driving erratically.

 

IROCKER AND DR.ZED very well said.. I don't know what's been in the air lately, maybe the thought of storage for the winter or something... Daz is a well renouned sh*t disturber.. take with a grain of salt.. Like I said to him at the meet " what's wrong you haven't been sh*it disturbing lately" and I do recall his words were " well the meet was coming up and all" hahaha everybody stop the bullsh*t it doesn't matter... or our next meet will be WHO'S IN FOR A ROSHAMBO CONTEST.... hahahaha everyone get along...

 

darbleinad: Fair enough...I guess my point was that it was scheduled on St. Thomas's website as the "TFbM and T&T Drag Day" so nobody has a right to complain that they were cutting in on the number of runs that you were able to get. I got in about 6 runs and other much more than I so I don't think it really hindered anybody. And lastly, if you can tune your car to beat up on some of the 4th Gens, then go for it...all the power (no pun intended) to ya! Oh and BTW...$30G's mayber for a brand new one...but you can easily pick up a 99 Z28 for less than $20Gs.

Daz: You know who the idiots are...but the TFbM members whom have never seen any of you guys before aren't able to distinguish who is who and that's where the generalizations come into play. And no you don't have to explain yourself...just ignore the idiots and they will eventually stand out to all that don't know them.