Garry Bopp
09-06-2012, 12:23 PM
Plan “A” on Friday was to arrive at the track at Laguna Seca nice and early to avoid the crowds. Didn’t quite work out that way as the “Princess” (recently completed race coupe #28) wasn’t behaving! The brakes again locked up so Rick Anderson administered some roadside adjustments and the coupe was good to go again. That lasted for a little over a mile when the Princess shut down and refused to run. Diagnosis was a dead battery. The alternator was removed and taken to NAPA for testing and found to be inop. No replacement alternator was available so “race track improvisation” was the order of the day. An Optima Marine battery was sourced along with a set of jumper cables. The new battery was placed on the passenger side floor and the jumper cables run through the firewall to the existing battery and we were finally on the road again. Good news … there was no waiting line to get into the track. We all parked in the “Cobra Corral” along with many other coupes/Cobra roadsters/Shelby Mustangs ... major eye candy! The alternator was then taken to a local rebuilder and was repaired same day. I’ve heard stories of the famous “corkscrew” at Laguna Seca. Little did I know that to view the track at the corkscrew involved climbing a really large hill. Ok, good exercise! We watched the afternoon Cobra practice session from the corkscrew hill and it was really amazing to watch these drivers running those priceless cars “flat out” on the track. Even more amazing is that one of the Cobras racing was one of the 6 original coupes! The entire pit area was just a wonderful place to stroll through. Historic race cars of all classes and ages were there to be enjoyed. All in all, a most enjoyable day at the track. Evening festivities took place at the pool back at the “Coupe Group Motel.” Wine magically appeared from the nearby Whole Foods and pizza from the nearby California Pizza Kitchen. Good food, great company, lots of stories, lots of laughter. End of day 3.
Saturday we did arrive at the track early. So early that the gates weren’t even open yet! The gates opened promptly at 7:00am and once again, we gathered at the “Cobra Corral” to park with the other coupes. At 9:15, we had a group photo-op with Peter Brock. He kindly offered some of his time to spend with the FFR crowd. Gayle Brock was the “official photographer” for our photo session. Many thanks, Gayle! Next up were “Parade Laps.” A chance to get on the famous Laguna Seca track along with other Cobras, 170 to be exact! What a wonderful sight to follow all those beautiful cars around the track. Really felt like a rock star doing those laps. An experience to treasure! The feature “Cobra Race” was held at 1:00 pm and once again, our group climbed the hill to view the race from the “corkscrew.” The first and second place Cobras were really fighting each other for the lead with several lead changes. Sadly, on one lap, the coupe was no longer running. A brake problem put the beautiful #9 coupe into the wall around turn 5. The driver was not injured but the coupe took some substantial damage. Wandered through the pits again, drooling over the race cars. Back at the hotel, we all gathered at the pool again. More wine appeared to complement the food from PF Chang. Lots more stories and laughter, even a lovely lady seen smoking a cigar … won’t mention her name. End of Day 4.
http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r102/theboppshop/Monterey%20Historics%20Friday%20and%20Saturday/112.jpg
http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r102/theboppshop/Monterey%20Historics%20Friday%20and%20Saturday/099.jpg
http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r102/theboppshop/Monterey%20Historics%20Friday%20and%20Saturday/103.jpg
http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r102/theboppshop/Monterey%20Historics%20Friday%20and%20Saturday/115.jpg
http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r102/theboppshop/Monterey%20Historics%20Friday%20and%20Saturday/118.jpg
http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r102/theboppshop/Monterey%20Historics%20Friday%20and%20Saturday/121.jpg
http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r102/theboppshop/Monterey%20Historics%20Friday%20and%20Saturday/110.jpg
Saturday we did arrive at the track early. So early that the gates weren’t even open yet! The gates opened promptly at 7:00am and once again, we gathered at the “Cobra Corral” to park with the other coupes. At 9:15, we had a group photo-op with Peter Brock. He kindly offered some of his time to spend with the FFR crowd. Gayle Brock was the “official photographer” for our photo session. Many thanks, Gayle! Next up were “Parade Laps.” A chance to get on the famous Laguna Seca track along with other Cobras, 170 to be exact! What a wonderful sight to follow all those beautiful cars around the track. Really felt like a rock star doing those laps. An experience to treasure! The feature “Cobra Race” was held at 1:00 pm and once again, our group climbed the hill to view the race from the “corkscrew.” The first and second place Cobras were really fighting each other for the lead with several lead changes. Sadly, on one lap, the coupe was no longer running. A brake problem put the beautiful #9 coupe into the wall around turn 5. The driver was not injured but the coupe took some substantial damage. Wandered through the pits again, drooling over the race cars. Back at the hotel, we all gathered at the pool again. More wine appeared to complement the food from PF Chang. Lots more stories and laughter, even a lovely lady seen smoking a cigar … won’t mention her name. End of Day 4.
http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r102/theboppshop/Monterey%20Historics%20Friday%20and%20Saturday/112.jpg
http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r102/theboppshop/Monterey%20Historics%20Friday%20and%20Saturday/099.jpg
http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r102/theboppshop/Monterey%20Historics%20Friday%20and%20Saturday/103.jpg
http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r102/theboppshop/Monterey%20Historics%20Friday%20and%20Saturday/115.jpg
http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r102/theboppshop/Monterey%20Historics%20Friday%20and%20Saturday/118.jpg
http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r102/theboppshop/Monterey%20Historics%20Friday%20and%20Saturday/121.jpg
http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r102/theboppshop/Monterey%20Historics%20Friday%20and%20Saturday/110.jpg