AHA Knotts Show April '05

Hey Spydy Guys, Speedy Guy, Here.

In talking to Dave Martin at the AHA, he mentioned that since there such an impressive turn-out of Porsches at the Knott show this year, he was considering splitting the Porsche class up into two separate classes, (1) Spyders and (2) Speedsters. I told him it sounded like a good idea, but that I would get a collective opinion from those of us planning on attending in '05.

Let me know what you think and I will pass the word on to Dave at AHA.

Thanks,

Mike McSween
'04 JPS Custom Speedster
Calabasas, CA

I think that's a great idea! There were someting like 60 spyders and speedsters and they all went into one class. There were 100 solid of the Cobras, but they are broken into multiple classes - like 5 or 6 classes something like that.

Pretty neat that you are already thinking about Knotts. My children and I were just talking about it a few days ago. They (and I) DEFINATELY want to go again!

angela - medford oregon

What would be the purpose of splitting them out? To spread out more awards? Personally, if that is it, it doesn't make sense to me.

My opinion.

Regards,
Mike

Mike,
I think it's so the 356s have a chance at getting an award. : )

AHA! That must be it Murph!

No worries, as that joke was at my expense, I'll expense it...

Hey, Mike. I think what Dave Martin was trying for was a little equal treatment. As Angela noted, 100 Cobras and something like 5 or 6 classes.

I'm happy to pass along any 'opposed' comments, as well.

Kevin & Mike, you guys going to be there in April?

MM

Mike,

That was a chauvinistic remark from someone that won a trophy from us Speedster guys, didn't ever hear a word of thanks from any of you guys. LOL.

Bruce

Bruce,

I am pretty sure that I sent a thank you all because I truly did appreciate it. However, if I was remiss in doing so it must have been because I was still in disbelief. If I failed to, then I do apologize and I will do it again publically on this here forum - Thank you (sincerely). Please ban me from any future potential award winner pool because I truly do not deserve it. There are much much finer cars out there.

Now back to the topic at hand. Please educate this simpleton - me - did the spyders take away from the speedster awards? I just think that the cars should be pooled together.

Kind Regards,
Mike

Mike,

No, the Spyders did not take away from the Speedsters. John Leader and myself set up two classes for both our cars and bought trophies for both. This over and above the AHA trophies. I think the thrust of the 05 show will be to have the AHA award the trophies and since they want to split the classes, fine with us. I believe it would give both our classes a better chance to take home some hardware. I think the Speedster group will forgo buying our own trophies in 05 except maybe for Long Distance and maybe a hardluck or Spirit award as we did last year. I think having the AHA buy and award the trophies this year is fair and eqitable as John and I came out of Knotts in 04 in the red.
We charged no additional fee to cover the trophies and other stuff as the AHA fee was high enough.

All this is conjecture at this point because there are two new volunteers running the show. Mike and Paul have the reins and are taking suggestions, hence his post to you guys. I still think it is neat to have both groups represented and the 550's made a nice showing in 04 so hopefully it will let the show grow. I think Paul and Mike will do some things in 05 that will make for a better representation of both groups.

Hope there are no hard feelings but think we all will gain from a common front in 05. And the 356 guys truly admire the 550's, we were all thrilled with the nice 550 showing in 04, lets build on it.

Regards, Bruce

Hey Mike M.,
Seriously, two classes sounds like a good idea.
I believe the cars are different enough to warrant separate judging.

Thanks, Kevin.

Yeah, I really see the AHA wanting to add another Porsche class as one; their acknowledgement that our participation is appreciated and is of benefit to the event, and two; that Knotts is becoming less of a Cobra event and more fully representative of the participants.

I'm looking forward to it.

MM

Bruce - you guys did a nice job last year - that is for sure. You havemy support for whatever decision you make on the event - I appreciate you all putting in the effort.

You see how stupid I am, I didn't realize how it was set up to begin with - HA!

Unfortunately, I will probably be trucking my Spyder up north before then and won't bring it to the show...although I kinda thought their parking lot could use more oil!

Regards,
Mike

Mike,

That now means there will be 3 Spyders in Southern Oregon, out number the Speedies!

Bruce

Mike,
If indeed you make the move up here to the good country (So. Oregon)and you want to go to Knott's with your spyder, I may be able to obtain a trailer that will haul all.

As far as awards go, as I stated before, I would like to see the classes a little more divided. But I wasn't necessarily thinking of along spyder/speedster lines. I was actually thinking we should have owner built, pro-built, restored (more than 10 years old) cars with most miles that sort of thing.

Be creative.
angela

As Paul Harford and I prepare event logistics, arrangements, and frivolities, etc., we want to start collecting committements from folks planning to attend the event. This list of those attending will go on the soon-to-be revealed SOC Knotts '05 web page. Our goal this year is 100 Porsches. With over 10K "owners" members registered to date, 100 cars seems like a drop in the bucket.

In addition, if you attended the show in April, we'd like you to post a recall of a memorable moment. We will transfer these directly to the main SOC event site, hopefully, to inspire those on the fence about taking to the road in the interest kitcar appreciation.

Thanks in advance for your enthusiam and participation.

Mike McSween