CobraRGuy
Member
Hi All,
I just wanted everyone to know about this killer Ford event coming up. I've been to SAAC-43 and SAAC-46. For their fiftieth anniversary they're bring it back to Sonoma. It's their favorite track. They're going all out. This will be EPIC. People bring cars from all over the world to these SAAC national events. I was the paddock marshal for SAAC-46, so I attended all of the planning meetings. When someone asked why a guy was bringing his car all the way from Australia, the answer was "Because he's never driven Sonoma before". Must be nice. This event is in August and it will clearly sell out within the next few weeks.
I've attached a picture I took in the NASCAR garages at SAAC-46. When I snapped this picture I heard a voice behind me calling my name. I turned around and it was Rick Kopec, President Emeritus of national SAAC. He said "You know that picture you just took" Yeah... "That's what 25 million dollars worth of Shelbys looks like". The other picture is a Daytona Coupe. Not one of the original six, but a real 1970 Shelby. That's worth close to ten million. The guy had it entered into the vintage race. Since I was the paddock marshal I could go just about anywhere I wanted. I was standing next to the track steward right up against the K-wall watching the qualifying. That Daytona Coupe was the fastest car out there. Absolutely WICKED sounding HiPo 289. That's pretty ballsy pushing a car that valuable to its limits. One wrong move could mean a very expensive repair, if even possible.
Anyway, registration is through motorsportreg.com. Search for SAAC-50.
SAAC-43 had Pete Brock, the designer of the Daytona Coupe, as one of the guest speakers. He spoke about how Shelby wanted to defeat Ferrari for the World Manufacturer Championship over in Europe himself with no help from Ford. They built six of those coupes and shipped them to Italy. Shelby defeated Ferrari the first year. The automotive press was in denial. "Ferrari had some bad luck and Shelby didn't", "Next year Ferrari will wipe the track with Shelby". Shelby told Pete "I guess I'd better do it again". After winning three years in a row, Shelby told Pete "I think I've proven my point. I can beat Ferrari". They shipped all six back to the US. Shelby told Pete "Sell 'em. Just get what you can for 'em". Pete told us "I has having a hard time getting five grand for them". You should have heard the GROANS. A guy up front said "OMG, five grand for a Daytona Coupe" Pete said this in front of a SEA of Shelby fanatics, many of whom are very wealthy, and these people know full well what one of those is worth now. The last one sold was around twenty years ago. I believe it went for $17 million. Pete said "Hey, back then they were just used race cars". Pretty damn cool.
SAAC-46 had Peter Miles, the son of Ken Miles (Ford V. Ferrari). That was very interesting. Hollywood definitely took some liberties.
Anyway, those are just SMALL samples of what SAAC-43 and SAAC-46 were like. SAAC-50 will be way over the top. They're going ALL OUT for their 50th. If there's any way you can make it, DO IT! Fly here if you have to. You will not be sorry. For Ford fans this is a once in a lifetime event. I registered a few days ago. There's no way I'm going to miss this.
CobraRGuy
I just wanted everyone to know about this killer Ford event coming up. I've been to SAAC-43 and SAAC-46. For their fiftieth anniversary they're bring it back to Sonoma. It's their favorite track. They're going all out. This will be EPIC. People bring cars from all over the world to these SAAC national events. I was the paddock marshal for SAAC-46, so I attended all of the planning meetings. When someone asked why a guy was bringing his car all the way from Australia, the answer was "Because he's never driven Sonoma before". Must be nice. This event is in August and it will clearly sell out within the next few weeks.
I've attached a picture I took in the NASCAR garages at SAAC-46. When I snapped this picture I heard a voice behind me calling my name. I turned around and it was Rick Kopec, President Emeritus of national SAAC. He said "You know that picture you just took" Yeah... "That's what 25 million dollars worth of Shelbys looks like". The other picture is a Daytona Coupe. Not one of the original six, but a real 1970 Shelby. That's worth close to ten million. The guy had it entered into the vintage race. Since I was the paddock marshal I could go just about anywhere I wanted. I was standing next to the track steward right up against the K-wall watching the qualifying. That Daytona Coupe was the fastest car out there. Absolutely WICKED sounding HiPo 289. That's pretty ballsy pushing a car that valuable to its limits. One wrong move could mean a very expensive repair, if even possible.
Anyway, registration is through motorsportreg.com. Search for SAAC-50.
SAAC-43 had Pete Brock, the designer of the Daytona Coupe, as one of the guest speakers. He spoke about how Shelby wanted to defeat Ferrari for the World Manufacturer Championship over in Europe himself with no help from Ford. They built six of those coupes and shipped them to Italy. Shelby defeated Ferrari the first year. The automotive press was in denial. "Ferrari had some bad luck and Shelby didn't", "Next year Ferrari will wipe the track with Shelby". Shelby told Pete "I guess I'd better do it again". After winning three years in a row, Shelby told Pete "I think I've proven my point. I can beat Ferrari". They shipped all six back to the US. Shelby told Pete "Sell 'em. Just get what you can for 'em". Pete told us "I has having a hard time getting five grand for them". You should have heard the GROANS. A guy up front said "OMG, five grand for a Daytona Coupe" Pete said this in front of a SEA of Shelby fanatics, many of whom are very wealthy, and these people know full well what one of those is worth now. The last one sold was around twenty years ago. I believe it went for $17 million. Pete said "Hey, back then they were just used race cars". Pretty damn cool.
SAAC-46 had Peter Miles, the son of Ken Miles (Ford V. Ferrari). That was very interesting. Hollywood definitely took some liberties.
Anyway, those are just SMALL samples of what SAAC-43 and SAAC-46 were like. SAAC-50 will be way over the top. They're going ALL OUT for their 50th. If there's any way you can make it, DO IT! Fly here if you have to. You will not be sorry. For Ford fans this is a once in a lifetime event. I registered a few days ago. There's no way I'm going to miss this.
CobraRGuy
