GR-RRR 8 R Wichita GTO Club s Monthly Publication October 2012 Even though the Uprising was rained out, it was still a success. The people that turned out on the rain date seemed to be having fun and it was a beautiful day! The traction on the track was great and, as far as I know, everyone was pleased with their times. I hope everyone that made it out had as much fun as I did!
The 23rd Pontiac Uprising is now history except for a few road blocks that crept up, but it was a good event. The first road block was when we started to set up Friday afternoon about 3:00 the banquet room was about 15 feet by 15 feet, big enough for about 10 people. I had setup the arrangements for the hotel last November when it was managed by a Caucasian female and she gave us the big banquet room with a block of 30 rooms set aside. About two months ago, a foreign fellow calls me and said he was good with the contract that I had set up earlier. We talked and it seemed everything was as it was the year before. When we get there and I find out we now have a postage stamp for a room, I m fit to be tied. He then tells me that to have a full size banquet room, we would owe him $600. With that I said we would have our event in the driveway before I would spend that much money. So I quickly called over to the Best Western Airport Inn and, Tracy, the lady there said they had a room that would handle 60 people and could have it ready by 6:00 P.M., and with that I was sold. So one of the employee s was nice and Barb sent out people to the Best Western up the street four blocks. Barb was very helpful, unlike her employer. Joe Stout was a great speaker and most everyone was tickled how well the event went and everyone went home with a door prize. Saturday looked great in the morning but by 11:00 a.m. it started spitting rain, which brought the racing to a stand still. We finished judging the show cars and the awards were handed out while we were deciding what to do. It was decided to postpone till Sunday at 10:00 a.m. Get a couple time trials and start eliminations. So Sunday was a gorgeous day and the races were run with everyone really happy about how fast they went and how good the traction was on the track. We last about 7 cars in the racing and very few show cars came back to spectate on Sunday. All and all the event should have made some money even though we paid 1.5 hours for wait time that wasn t getting racing done. So our track rental cost added about $750 more than I might have if we didn t have to come back the next day. Sharon made the fastest pass ever in the Warrior with a 9.89 at 135 mph. See you soon, Tom
Sharon Wilhite The club meeting was held on September 26th at the home of Cap and Robin Proffitt with 20 members present. Les Linn reported $226.31 check had been paid to Postal Pre-sort for mailing flyers. Don Duryea announced that Joe Stout had happily agreed to speak at the Friday night meeting for the Uprising. Les Linn informed club members that there is only one member in the club who is still the owner of a 67 GTO convertible that he bought in 1967, Ron Hund. Robin Proffitt reported getting a message from club member Gary Walsh, who is deployed in Afghanistan. Gary reads our newsletter and can t wait to get back to his own car. President, Tom Wilhite, relates sponsorship for the Uprising is about the same as last year. Tom said Snap-On wants 100 Uprising t- shirts with Snap-On on the sleeve and will pay for our cost for them. Les Linn asked for items for the Silent Auction. Tom reported that anyone may run time only s but only until the races begin. Les will talk to Dan and Rita Jones about the Young Marines helping with breakfast at the Uprising. The Poker Run is going to be October 22nd and the club members will meet at the Beacon restaurant at 8:00 am to kick it off. Members will leave by 8:50 am and head to Sam Nance s home for a tour of their historical home, Dodge House built in 1887. Bill Burton of Winfield, Kansas is in charge of the Poker Run. The winner will receive $300. GTOAA past National event shirts are available for $15 Cap and Robin and Les Linn will be attending the event in Pontiac, Illinois on September 28-29th.
Had a great turn out for the show. Our club won the Club Trophy for most cars. Hey, anytime we can beat the Marauders this close to their home turf, you know we done good. Tom said Bumper to Bumper was very happy, and since they are a great backer for our Uprising, that s why we wanted to make a good showing. Art did a good job talking it up at the last meeting. Had Art s 64, my 64, Sharon s 64, Tom s 65 convertible and hardtop, John s 65, Bill s 65, Tom and Sharon s 57, 58, and 59, Eric s 05, and Tim s Gasser. Brian Eppler had an 06 GTO and was talking about joining the club. Wayne Costello had a nice 79 Trans Am and Ralph Hoffman in his 66 GTO. Man, the weather was perfect. Nice parking area with plenty of shade trees around and the food was good. You all may want to put this one of your list for next year. Got to say, seeing two new Pontiacs at Gary s meeting was pretty cool. Dan & Rita in their cute Vibe and Don and Janice in a still new G-8. Hey, at 4,000 miles it isn t even broke in yet. They may not be making Pontiacs anymore but we are still buying them anyway! Did want to update you on one date change. The October Poker Run will be Saturday, October 20th not the 21st. Only one rule for the run, you have to drive a Pontiac!! Bill is working hard on all the stops. Hope you are planning on it. It was a great time last year. After breakfast at the Beacon, the first stop will be Sam and Jean s house. You won t want to miss stepping back in time to see one of the first houses put up in Wichita. SEE YOU AT THE UPRISING! ~~Les