The Vapor Trail October 2016

Transcription

1 The Vapor Trail October 2016 Vapor Trail Vettes, P.O. Box 5241, Santa Maria, CA Presidents Message By Gale Haugen Larry has been working very hard collecting nominations for the 2017 E-Board, verifying if members want to accept the nominations and putting out the ballot. Please take a minute to vote and return to Larry as soon as you receive your ballot. Larry will be announcing the 2017 board members at the November 3rd monthly meeting. As a reminder your annual VTV membership dues are late after November 1st. If you do plan on renewing please do so as soon as possible. Renewal for a single member is $25, renewal for a couple is $35. Add $10 if this is your first time becoming a member. Do you ever wonder who hauls the VTV trailer to and from our autocross events, unloads and reloads the contents depending on what event we are using the trailer for, takes care of the trash we accumulate, builds the racks, hooks, dividers inside the trailer and maintains the exterior of the trailer? That would be our member Barry Fitzjarrell. I just want to thank you Barry for going the extra mile for the club. You are appreciated. I cannot overlook the great job Judy does also. If anyone has seen the mess inside the trailer after the annual event if it scary. Things never end up in the correct containers. We would have no idea what or where things are at the next annual event if it wasn t for Judy. The last couple of years she has taken inventory of each item after the annual event, washed the table clothes, repacked everything and made an inventory list for each container. You are awesome, Judy. Thank you for all you do for the club. Jeff Palmer, how kind of you to take Chuck up in your plane to take photos to the Alan Hancock Academy track. You Rock! Have a great Halloween and be safe. Until next Month Save the Wave, Gale Inside this Issue Presidents Message 1 Meeting Minutes 2-3 Members Out & About 3 Interview with Mary Carson 4 Tech Corner 5 Autocross Venue 6 Members Business Cards 7 For Sale 8-12 VTV Sponsors 13 Calendar of Events October 01 Hector Paz November 02 Nicole White 18 Renee Dobyns 19 Craig Cumberland Board Members President Gale Haugen Vice President Clay Beck Treasurer Hector Paz Secretary Judy Fitzjarrell NCCC Governor: Bill Santmyer Newsletter Gale Haugen Sunshine Dude Gerry White Web Master Chuck Robertson

2 October VTV Meeting Minutes By Judy Fitzjarrell The VTV meeting at the La Botte Italian Restaurant in Lompoc was called to order at 6:35 pm by Gale Haugen. In attendance were: Hector Paz and Gale Haugen; Clay Beck; Barry and Judy Fitzjarrell; Cliff & Bev Erickson; Chuck Robertson; Jeff and Holly Palmer; Dave Schultz and Jan Webb; Bruce Potter; Mike Williamson; and Doug Nicoll. Ben Knittle joined the meeting as a guest. Gale wished happy birthday to the October and November VTV members: Hector (10-01); Nicole (11-02); Renee (11-18); and Craig (11-23). June Minutes The September minutes were motioned for approval by Doug and seconded by Chuck. The minutes were approved as written by all present. Business Gale Haugen. Gale discussed the problems we are having trying to have autocrosses at the Santa Maria Airport. Due to all the surrounding areas being affected by large fires has caused the Airport to cancel the autocross as they have to give the Fire Air Support the area for refueling, etc. Even if there is no demand for the Fire Air Support, the airplanes and helicopter stay at the airport until reassigned to another area. Gale talked with Bee Jay who is on the Allan Hancock s Board regarding the possibility to host autocross at the Allan Hancock Public Safety Training Complex in Lompoc. Today, Gale, Hector and Clay went to the Allan Hancock Public Safety Training Complex and took a tour of their training area. They discussed cost and that would be determined by the Board and others on Tuesday. Porsche Club also took a tour earlier and seemed interested in using the complex too. The price that Allan Hancock was suggesting was $1, per autocross. Right now we pay the Santa Maria Airport $ plus the portable johns are $ so it would cost more but we would not have cancellation and we could have visitors. Once the fee is determined, we would have to get together and work out how we want to handle this issue. Gale also reminded all members that the NCCC membership dues are due November 1, Renewal fees are $25.00 for the first member and $35.00 if it is a member with significant other. Judy will all members a reminder. October VTV Meeting Minutes By Judy Fitzjarrell Treasurer s Report Hector Paz. Hector reviewed the September income and expenses with the group. The income came in from the Annual Event - $4, and Autocross - $ Expense were the monthly website - $12.95; Autocross - $ for refunds; Annual Blast expenses were $2,694.65; and $10.00 for TSA Badges. Hector reviewed the income and expenses for the Annual Event and we are $2, in the black! Another very successful Annual Event. Judy motioned to approve the Treasurer s Report and Clay seconded the motion. All members approved the budget. Vice President s Report Clay Beck. Clay handed out the Autocross Working Assignments and we reviewed the assignments and who would commit to the assignment. Clay updated the members regarding upcoming events: October 22 nd VTV Autocross at the Santa Maria Airport November 3 rd VTV Meeting at Coco s in Pismo Beach. November 9 th Vettes for Vets Car Show at the Veteran s Clinic in Santa Maria from 10:30 AM to 1:30 PM. Contact Michelle if you plan to attend. December 3 rd Porsche Autocross at the Santa Maria Airport NCCC Governors No Governors present at the meeting. Around the Table Gale introduced Ben Knittle to the Group. Ben and his wife were transferred to Vandenberg recently with his Red 2007 Z06. He is interested in autocross and came to the meeting to meet other Corvette owners. Jeff Volunteered to do a fly over Allan Hancock College if anyone was interested in taking some pictures. Holly - She is enjoying the w arm w eather for Corvette rides. Barry Barry is donating to VTV the Rolling Thunder game that he built for this year s Annual Event. Doug He thought the Blast went great and loved the food. 2

3 October VTV Meeting Minutes By Judy Fitzjarrell Chuck Chuck thanked the group for all their work for putting on the Annual Event. Bev Their grandson placed 2 nd in a cross country run. Also, Cliff was in the Letterman event and they had a great time. Mike He stated that he got a big Jeep now. Hector In regards to the Lompoc autocrosses, if we raise the driver s fees by $15, we would break even. Gale Thanked all the members for their time and work they did for the Annual Blast. She heard lots of very positive comments about the event. 50/50 Drawing of $35.00 w as w on by Clay. Name Tag Drawing of $5.00 w as w on by Gil but he was not present, therefore, it will be added to next month s drawing. Door Prize Drawing w as w on by Chuck. Meeting w as adjourned at 7:50 P M. Reminder November VTV Monthly Meeting will be at Coco s in Pismo Beach at 6:30 pm. Minutes submitted by: Judy Fitzjarrell, VTV Secretary. Jim Carson ~ Winner at Los Alamos Valley Old Days Member, Jim Carson attended the Los Alamos car show on September 23rd. The NRA had a display of 25 guns and was selling raffle tickets for a chance to pick a gun of your choice if you had the winning ticket. Being a retired police officer Jim was very interested and bought a raffle ticket. As the time was nearing for the lucky ticket to be announced Jim walked over to the gun display and heard the official leaving a message on Jim s home phone that he had won. Jim selected a 45 caliber compact semi automatic handgun valued around $450. Congratulations Jim! Best Couples Costume Winners By Cliff Erickson At the Western Legands Round Up in Kanab, Ut Cliff and Bev Erickson won the best couples costume. The event goes on for three days. Kanab, UT has had over 200 westerns made in the area, also many commercials, none westerns, and television series. The first western was made in1924, a silent movie. Some of the TV series made in the Kanab area are: Lassie, Death Valley Days, Route 66, F Troop, Grizzly Adams, Gunsmoke, Boots and Saddles, Six Million Dollar Man, Have Gun Will Travel, and Planet of the Apes. This years Celebraties were: Johnny Crawford, Lana Wood, William Wellman Jr., Clint Walker, Ed Faulkner, Roberta Shore, Neil Summers, Cheryl Rogers Barnett, Wyatt McCreak, Don Collier, Darby Hinton, Barry Corbin, and Rudy Ramos. Concert performances by: Bill Anderson, and Mickey Gilley. Beverly was sang to by Bill Anderson when he sang his song Still, he also kissed Bev. Kanab also has a walk of fame of actors who have made movies or TV series is the area. Congratulations Cliff & Bev. Great costumes. 3

4 Interview with Mary Carson By Gale Haugen VTV Member, Mary Carson, has a hidden talent many of our members are not aware of. Mary paints beautiful scenes using water color or oil. Every year while attending Mid-State Fair Hector & I search for Mary s painting. I asked Mary to share how she got started in her passion to paint, what subjects she enjoys painting and who inspired her. She also gave me permission to include pictures of her paintings taken at this years Mid-Sate Fair and one she donated. Mary s response follows: I really got interested in art when I was in high school and college and took art classes. But, I put that interest aside when I had a career as a police/fire dispatcher for 26 years with the cities of Burbank and then Newport Beach. When I retired and we moved up to the central coast in 2002, I found an oil painting class that got me started again. It wasn't until 2007 that I first entered an oil painting into the California Mid- State Fair, but I was very pleased that I placed first with a blue ribbon in my category. Of course, I planned a painting for each year after that for the excitement it gave me. I found a water color class at Cuesta College and learned how to use that medium. Since, then, I've taken a few more classes. Then, I was off and running entering one water color and one oil painting each year. I have won first, second or third, and even honorable mention every year since I started. This year, my oil painting won a second place and my water color, which was done with the theme of the fair, took a third place. The theme was "The Adventure Continues!". Both my mother and her brother were artists, and even though neither one mentored me, I think it's where that talent came from. My mom loved to draw portraits of Hollywood stars that she would copy from fan magazines. I have a few of her drawings which include Clark Gable, Ruby Keeler, and Bing Crosby. I personally like doing landscapes, barns, chickens, cowboys, and seascapes. I paint every Monday at the Woman's Club of Arroyo Grande. There, my friends & fellow artists critique each other's paintings and get encouragement. Now, they all enter their paintings into the fair each year with me! One thing that does inspire me is being here on the central coast where there are so many subjects that are ideal to paint. Interview with Mary Carson By Gale Haugen!st Place winner at CA Mid-State Fair nd Place winner at CA Mid-State Fair Blast Silent Auction Item donated by Mary Sold for $100 4

5 Tech Corner ~ Flushing The Clutch Hydraulic System Fluid in C5-C6 Corvettes By Mike Williamson Until I heard two club members discussing this subject, I was blissfully unaware that there is an issue. Even my car s owner s booklet is misleading, pretty much saying to keep the clutch master cylinder topped up and otherwise to forget it. However, there is MUCH more to the story. The dirty little secret is that C5 and C6 Vettes with manual transmissions have the clutch slave cylinder hidden INSIDE THE BELL HOUSING!! The slave is completely inaccessible for any kind of service without massive disassembly of the drive train. My giant GM service manual doesn t even mention a bleeding procedure for the clutch actuation system. Getting to the slave requires nearly the same amount of disassembly as a clutch replacement. The exhaust system, transaxle and rear suspension subframe assembly, and the torque tube rigidly connecting the engine to the transaxle all have to come out before the bell housing can be removed and the slave accessed. Do everything you can to keep your clutch actuation system in tip-top shape. The alternative is megaexpensive. In these cars the slave is not the same type of unit we are used to seeing. Instead it s a complicated, cylindrical unit, with a cylindrical piston that pushes the clutch release bearing and spring concentrically. Compared to the oldfashioned clutch release strategy we all are used to seeing, it s much more complicated on the C5/ C6 and I m sure MUCH more expensive. It seems that something about this design also allows clutch dust to get past the seals and into the hydraulic system, making it essential to regularly flush the clutch hydraulic system - despite the service manual s silence on this point. Fortunately, the clutch actuation system can be flushed easily at the clutch master cylinder, which may be accessed easily at the top of the engine compartment, right next to the brake master cylinder. Here is the process: Cover your fender and other nearby painted surfaces with something impervious to brake fluid. To extract and add fluid to the clutch master cylinder reservoir, do yourself a favor and buy a FloTool MixMizer plastic syringe. Tech Corner ~ Flushing The Clutch Hydraulic System Fluid in C5-C6 Corvettes By Mike Williamson See the picture I have included. I found mine at the A.G. Walmart for $3.37. This big plastic syringe is made for measuring two-cycle oil to add to gasoline for two-cycle engines. If you can t find the syringe near you, I m sure it s available online. DON T try using a turkey baster. I did, and it is useless. The brake fluid has such a low viscosity that it simply runs back out of the baster faster than you can move, making the baster method unusable. The syringe is WAY better. Also, DO use the 4 poly tube that comes with the syringe (it s inside the syringe body when you buy it). Just slide the tube over the syringe s snout. A note about the syringe: It works stiffly because the piston makes a tight seal inside the syringe s body. Make sure you grip the syringe s body and operating ring securely, and move the piston smoothly and slowly. You don t want to spray brake fluid around. Have a couple of plastic cups handy. I used one to hold the dirty fluid I sucked out of the master cylinder. Put a half inch or so of clean brake fluid in the bottom, and be sure to submerge the syringe s tube in the fluid before expelling the dirty fluid from the syringe. The syringe wants to make a spray - not good. A second cup is useful to hold under the wet syringe as you move it from place to place. You don t want to drip brake fluid on your paint. Opening your clutch master cylinder will be a revelation. My fluid was like chocolate syrup. After sucking out the fluid, I found the floor of the reservoir to be covered with a layer of clay-like debris. Fortunately, the discharge tube mouth in the floor is raised, so there is no danger of knocking debris down the hole. I used a bunch of Q-tips to gently muck out the reservoir, one bit of debris at a time. When I had removed 99% of the muck, I used a clean paper towel to get things 100% clean. Fill the reservoir to the upper line using clean fluid and replace the cap. A note on the fluid before we continue: My owner booklet specified some special GM clutch fluid for US cars, and DOT 4 for Canadian vehicles. I went to Auto Zone and their database specified DOT 3 for my 2007 Z06. I used DOT 3 and I m sure it will be just fine. Next, WASH ALL THE BRAKE FLUID OFF YOUR HANDS BEFORE TOUCHING ANYTHING ON YOUR CAR, sit in the driver s seat, and pump the clutch pedal 40 times. 5

6 Tech Corner ~ Flushing The Clutch Hydraulic System Fluid in C5-C6 Corvettes By Mike Williamson Open the master cylinder cap and behold the dirty fluid! I was skeptical about this pedalpumping process being effective, but it REALLY works. Apparently actuating the pedal creates a lot of mixing in the fluid, allowing you to get it really clean by doing multiple flushes. Suck out the dirty fluid again. Re-fill the reservoir and pump the pedal 40 more times. Repeat as many times as necessary until you get clean fluid after pumping the pedal. I had to do six flush cycles I think. Clean up any brake fluid dripped in the engine compartment. After you are completely finished cleaning up your tools and such, and have WASHED YOUR HANDS, remove the fender protection you put on the car in Step 1. I put the dirty fluid back in the brake fluid container with the remainder of the clean fluid. Once the container has been opened, the fluid should be disposed of anyway. Make sure to dispose of the brake fluid at a hazardous waste collection facility. Flush your system at every oil change or even more frequently. Monitor fluid cleanliness regularly. October 22, 2016 Autocross/Future Events After two previous cancellations by the Santa Maria Airport District Vapor Trail Vettes were able to run their last autocross for the year on Saturday October 22nd. We had great driver participation, the weather was perfect, we had very few hiccups and the drivers got 10 runs in during the day. What more can we ask for? Well, maybe no future cancellations. The cancellations have been a setback for Vapor Trail Vettes. This is the first year we were unable to offer three $500 scholarships to AHC students taking automotive classes. With each cancellation we also had drivers dropping out and requesting refunds. We were not sure how many drivers we would end up with when we were finally able to get back on the track. The e-board is working to find another location to hold autocross events. We reached out to the Lompoc Alan Hancock Academy track coordinator and met with him on October 6th. He took Hector, Gale and Clay on a tour of the track and paddock area. At the time of the meeting the Academy had not officially established a cost to use the track. They have since notified us that the cost would be $1,302 per day and could increase the more linear feet we use. Of course we have major concerns with the cost. The track is also limited to the number of track layouts that could be used. During this break from autocrossing we will continue to work with parties to get the costs down. We have scheduled next years autocross events at the airport to ensure we are on their calendar. I would like to thank Bee Jay for getting us in touch with the person in charge at the Academy. We also want to thank Jeff Palmer for flying Chuck Robertson over the academy track to take pictures. This is one of the pictures Chuck took. 6

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9 For Sale I am Marty Flaagan, the original owner of this rare 1982 Silver Green Corvette, purchased off the showroom floor in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Feb Still have the original vehicle registration, owner s manual and warranty book. Traded the car in 1985 and amazingly was able to find it and get it back in was the last year of this classic Stingray body style and only 723 were made with Silver Green interior/exterior. It only has 24,500 Original Miles! I have too many Car Show trophies and awards over the last 25 years here in California to list but received the prestigious NCRS Top Flight Award in This car is original and unrestored, always garaged and covered. It is an excellent candidate for Bloomington Gold, Survivor and Benchmark Certifications if you wish to pursue them. More photos and information available upon request. Price: $30,000 (or best offer) Contact: mflaagan9708@roadrunner.com Phone Contact:

10 For Sale See details on next page. 10

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12 1996 Chevy Corvette Convertible - $15,700 -Excellent condition -Garage kept -New tires -New soft top -New radiator, radiator hoses, spark plugs, water pump, heads and head gaskets in last 300 miles ($5k in receipts) -87k original miles -Automatic trans -Arctic white on light beige leather -Electronic air conditioning -Bose sound system -6 way power driver's seat -Selective real time damping -Leather adjustable sport bucket seats -Performance axle ratio -Clean title -Clean history This is my cousin's car and she has babied it! She loves the car, but just bought a new car so time for this one to go. This Corvette is loaded and in beautiful condition. Tyler Davis mtylerdavis1@gmail.com 12

13 Vapor Trail Vettes Sponsors Where we Meet our Customers by Accident! 13

14 2016 CALENDAR OF EVENTS NCCC, VTV & LOCAL EVENTS Day Date Event Location Sponsor Comments Monthly 2016 Every Saturday N/A Pismo Derelicts Car Meet Every Sunday N/A Orcutt Derelicts Car Meet OSH Parking Lot Oak Park Blvd. Golden Donuts Shopping Center Clark & Bradley 8am-10am 8am-10am 1st Thursday of the Month Every Saturday & Sunday of each Month N/A VTV General Meeting Santa Maria & 5-Cities VTV 6:30pm N/A VTV Social Events To Be Announced VTV October 2016 Saturday- Sunday 1-2 Monarch Dunes Fall Automotive Car Show/ Concours Monarch Dunes Golf Course Holly McGinty at Thursday 6 Vapor Trail Vettes General Meeting No Speaker Santa Maria VTV Meeting starts at 6:30pm Saturday 15 Pismo Beach Clam Festival Pismo Beach Chamber of Commerce Corvettes in Parade Saturday 22 Autocross Santa Maria Airport VTV Two Sanctioned Events November 2016 Thursday 3 Vapor Trail Vettes General Meeting Coco s Bakery Restaurant, Cities Dr, Pismo Beach VTV Meeting starts at 6:30pm Wednesday 9 Veteran s Day BBQ/ Show Cars Santa Maria VA Clinic, 1550 E. Main St., Santa Maria Vets Arrive 11am stay until 1:30pm Friday 11 DE Buttonwillow Buttonwillow Porsche Club Saturday 12 Porsche Autocross Santa Maria Airport Porsche Club Saturday- Sunday Sheraton Westport Plaza St. Louis, MO NCCC Allen Morris December 2016 Saturday 10 VTV Christmas Party Santa Maria Inn Polo Room VTV 14

15 2017 CALENDAR OF EVENTS NCCC, VTV & LOCAL EVENTS Day Date Event Location Sponsor Comments January 2017 Saturday 14 VTV Mystery Fun Run Meeting TBD VTV Saturday 21 West Coast Regional Governors Meeting Marie Calender s, San Juan Capistrano Allen Morris (929) Meeting starts at 1pm. Come early for lunch. Sunday Saturday 29-4 Corvette Pirates 6 day cruise Mexican Riviera Laurie Schwab (602) February 2017 Thursday 2 VTV Monthly Meeting TBD VTV Meetings start at 6:30 Saturday- Sunday National Governors Meeting Sheraton Westport, St. Louis, MO March 2017 NCCC Thursday 2 VTV Monthly Meeting TBD VTV Meetings start at 6:30 April 2017 Saturday 1 VTV Autocross - 2 Sanctioned Events Santa Maria Airport VTV Register at Motorsportreg.com Thursday 6 VTV Monthly Meeting TBD VTV Meetings start at 6:30 May 2017 Thursday 4 VTV Monthly Meeting TBD VTV Meetings start at 6:30 Saturday- Sunday 5-6 National Governors Meeting Sheraton Westport, St. Louis, MO NCCC Saturday 17 West Coast Regional Governors Meeting TBD Allen Morris (929) Meeting starts at 1pm. Come early for lunch. Sunday 21 40th annual Plastic Fantastic all Corvette Car Show Embarcadero Marina Park, San Diego North County Corvette Club Firiday- Sunday West Coast Kustoms 35th Annual Cruisin Nationals Santa Maria Fairpark 15

16 2017 CALENDAR OF EVENTS NCCC, VTV & LOCAL EVENTS Day Date Event Location Sponsor Comments June 2017 Thursday 1 VTV Monthly Meeting TBD VTV Meetings start at 6:30 Sunday 4 People s choice Car Show Huntington Beach OC Vettes You must register with the Huntington Beach Concours Saturday 10 VTV Autocross - 2 Sanctioned Events Santa Maria Airport VTV Register at Motorsportreg.com Friday- Sunday st Annual Classic Car Show Pismo Beach July 2017 Saturday 1 4th of July BBQ 119 Vista Del Mar Ave, Shell Beach VTV Members Gale & Hector August 2017 Saturday 5 VTV Autocross - 2 Sanctioned Events Sunday 20 Pebble Beach Concours De Elegance The Lodge at Pebble Santa Maria Airport VTV Register at Motorsportreg.com Sunday- Friday th annual NCCC National Convention Bowling Green, KY NCCC 2017 NCCC Convention Website September 2017 Saturday- Sunday 8-9 National Governors Meeting Sheraton Westport, St. Louis, MO NCCC Saturday 16 West Coast Regional Governors Meeting Marie Calender s, Mariposa Rd. Victorville Allen Morris (929) Meeting starts at 1pm. Come early for lunch. Saturday 23 18th Annual Cruisin for a Cure Orange County Fairgrounds, Costa mesa Friday Saturday th Annual Corvette Blast Santa Maria VTV 16

17 2017 CALENDAR OF EVENTS NCCC, VTV & LOCAL EVENTS Day Date Event Location Sponsor Comments October 2017 Saturday 14 VTV Autocross - 2 Sanctioned Events Santa Maria Airport VTV Register at Motorsportreg.com November 2017 Saturday- Sunday National Governors Meeting Sheraton Westport, St. Louis, MO NCCC December 2017 TBD TBD VTV Christmas Dinner/Gift Exchange TBD VTV 17