Variety Children's Charity Presented with BCCC Donations

Our Annual Variety show taping was at the Global TV studios Saturday Jan 28.  A dozen club members braved the rain to arrive at 9am for coffee and some Timbits as the crew got the cameras ready.  With just one 'take' we had handed over our $1500 cheque with smiles all around.  Bob Leong and Dan Ward captured it all on video for posterity.  The group then proceeded to the ABC restaurant on Boundary Road for brunch where Eggs Benedict was a popular choice! 

Look for our 30 seconds of fame when the Telethon is broadcast on Global on Feb 11th and 12th!

Robin Nordman

Oldest but not Slowest

After something like 4 years and 40,000 brake jobs, I finally found myself back on the track.  (Well, ok, it's not really a track, it's more a course, but when I brag to my buddies, it's a track!)  What am I talking about?  Auto-crossing, of course!

The BCCC arranged another slalom at the Driver Training Center in Pitt Meadows on Saturday, attracting not only Corvettes but a number of Subarus, a couple of Porsches, a Fiero or two, an S2000, and a Beemer.  The drivers appeared to be a mix of BCCCers and UBC car clubbers.  I'm not sure where the two drivers driving the propane 'vette came from - other than Victoria - but boy were they fast!  At the time I left, I think that their car, with an approximate 40 second lap time, was the fastest of all the cars.  And I think the S2000 was second fastest!

Actually this was my second autocross in four years, the first coming at Pemberton during the fantastic Thunder in the Mountains.  I loved it, and after the nerves calmed down a bit, I think I - and the car - performed pretty damned well.

There were less nerves this time as I headed out on to the admittedly tight track - that's what every, even the Subaru drivers, were saying: the course was tight.  And it was, especially the two right-hand turns that formed the apex of the far part of the course.  However, despite some serious close calls, I never did peg off that end cone.  Other cones - well they weren't so lucky.

Despite the squealing, the occasional side-ways sliding, and the almost complete wipeout of the stop box, I did manage to improve my times every run in the morning.  Granted, I'm sure it wasn't as pretty as the Porsche GT3 on slicks - man that was a beautiful car to watch - or even as fast as the 1975 Porsche, but my runs weren't the slowest of the combatants and I know I kicked some C4 butt - and maybe even some offshore butt too!

Please forgive my ugly competitiveness!

Unfortunately, my day did end early, as I lost my clutch on the way to Subway!  Or at least, I noticed it during the lunch break.  Rather than do more damage, I retired my ride, watched another set of runs (when Vic made the course a little less tight), then limped home.  Despite the setback, I am very glad I came out.  It makes me want to (fix my clutch, yes, but also) upgrade the suspension and steering, and get some better tires (not slicks - that'll put me way out of contention).

When does next season start?

Pemberton Autocross

August 21, 2011

21 intrepid Corvette drivers, along with 2 Subaru and 2 Porsche drivers enjoyed the autocross challenge at Pemberton airport.  Through the efforts of club volunteers nine runs were taken through the day.  Paul McAlduff of Tireland, along with Toyo sponsorship, supplied trophies and prizes to the group.  Winners included Suzette Keller and Sylvia Rouse in the hotly contested ladies classes.  Gord Westren in his race prepared 85 red Corvette was the fast time of the day, followed closely by John Annon.  Trophy winner in Class 3 was Jim Burt, with Joseph Pelle second.  Class 4 honors were taken by Blair Degenstein, Class 5 by Dan Mouldey, Class 6 by Vic Nightscales, SS by Chris King in his ZR1, and Race Class by Gord Westren.

Thanks to Rosalie Sinden, Susan and Don Williams, Marie Wheway and Stewart Heyes for making the event run, and allowing all the drivers a fun time.

- Vic

Sunshine, Roaring Engines, Squealing Tires and Big, Wide Smiles

36 drivers enjoyed the slalom challenge at the Pitt Meadows Driving Centre on a sunny Saturday.  In addition to Corvettes, we had Porsche’s, Fiero’s, etc., even a Lotus Elan which was sporting a set of large slick tires.  Some of our dedicated non competing club members worked to make this event a fun and safe exercise for all attending.   Marie Wheway and Rosalie Sinden coordinated the timing process.  John Jenson, Al Frost, Gary Clarke, Lew Berry, Wayne Pelletier provided invaluable assistance to make the event a smooth and fun process for participants. 

Believe it or not, the fastest time was set by the propane powered Corvette of Jim Sandwith from Victoria.  And there were lots of other fast Corvettes, represented by our members Paul McAlduff, Nigel Wheway, Patrick Tran, David Mitten, Ken Butcher, Bill Powell, Giff Robb, Blair Degenstein, Marj Bowen, and of course myself, Vic Nightscales.  We had some first time competitors, and it is amazing to watch their smiles broaden and they discover the wonder of their cars.  Paul McAlduff of Tireland was kind enough to provide a few prizes at the end of the day, and that capped off a wonderful event.  Next events are August 21 at Pemberton and August 27 at Pitt Meadows, and we need all members to help us make these a success.  

- by Vic

Gotta Love the Waterfront Show 'n' Shine!

It's not your standard show, simply because of the setting. There's no asphalt, there's no mall, there's no nearby road with traffic whizzing by.

Instead, there's green grass, blue water, amazing skyline; and for those so inclined, Elvis singing at the next door Quay.

And of course beautiful cars and amazing people - which is the only constant at all of our shows.

Waterfront was another massive success, with dozens of cars (I don't have the official count, but I'd guess 70 or so) parked out in front of the water in the beautiful weather.

Yes, you heard that right - beautiful weather! It seems a rarity these days.

Sue and Don and their troupe of dedicated volunteers once again did a great job organizing the event, with Sue (probably) doing all the work and Don arranging for the sun. Our thanks goes out to them!

Don (or Sue, probably) will give us an update, including the list of winners for 2011. All I know is that my LT-1 came in second, once again beat out by Marj's 70 big block. I'm just glad that Ray and Meredith arrived late in their 69 convertible (and it's red, no less), else I don't think I'd have gotten my grubby little paws on one of those snazzy plaques.

I Fly For Pie

Patrick and John apparently like pies.

On June 26, these two led 25 cars from Coquitlam to Chilliwack for some apparently excellent pie.  The 31 BCCC members and their 15 guests, met at the A&W in Coquitlam - with a stop at Timmy's in Langley - for a cruise to the I Fly For Pie event at the Chilliwack Airport Coffee Shop.  Amazingly, even the weather co-operated.

Tim tells me that the portions were huge, and that he saw a few members waddle out of the coffee shop.  Hey, those are his words, not mine!

Gail and Lew went along - and I can't imagine either of them waddling - and took numerous photos, which can be found in Gail's I Fly For Pie gallery.

Thanks again to Patrick and John for organizing this fun event!

BCCC Supports the Next Generation of Car Nut

Lew & I had the pleasure of going to BCIT Thursday June 23^rd to present the recipients Patrick Spavor & Victor Nissen the BCCC award for Automotive Studies from 2010 / 2011.

These two students are from the automotive refinishing class and were very appreciative of our donation along with Jay Notay, Dean for the School of Transportation, Steve Perry, Associate Dean & Mark Deroche, Instructor of the Auto Collision & Refinishing.

The school has a Corvette body which they paint yearly as the students go through their course.

We have been invited to visit the Automotive school sometime in September at a date to be arranged.  They would like to see us show up in our Corvettes; it will, however, be during working hours.  I will keep you posted when we get a time & date.

Nigel

Sunny Day for Preston's?

We woke Sunday morning to a sunny day with a few white, fluffy clouds. A perfect car show day! By 8 AM we had a line up of approximately 20 Corvettes waiting for the lot to open - it was a sign of what was to come for the day.

There were 83 Corvettes registered - 38 were non-BCCC cars - with another dozen that came but didn't register. What a great turnout!

The BBQ was also very successful, thanks to Beve and husband John. Many thanks to all the volunteers that helped out. We would not have been able to pull this off without their help.

Class	Number of Cars	First Place	Second Place
A - 1953-1962	8	Lorne Embree	Al Frost
B - 1963-1967	12	Greg Ballantyne	Jim Peterson
C - 1968-1972	8	Gillian Heyes	Marj Bowen
D - 1973-1977	6	Larry Knibb	Greg Lehner
E - 1978-1982	1	Lenny Marriot
F - 1984-1990	9	Roy Drewitt	Wayne Mercer
G - 1991-1996	5	John Jensen	Ross Smith
H - 1997-2004	15	Dan Mouldey	Seann Tanner
I - 2005-2010	20	B. Hoschka	B. Hoschka
Best in Show		Lorne Embree(?)
Preston's Choice		Lorne Embree(?)

Judy and Dave

Biggest Preston's Ever!

Eighty-three cars registered and another dozen or so just hangin' out. That was the awesome turn-out to the annual Preston's Show and Shine. I'm thinking the weather might of had something to do with it, as we finally enjoyed our first consecutive days of sunshine this spring.

And there were some fabulous cars out on the lot or in the show room, including a '57 Fuelie and 2010 ZR1! That's probably the only time I'll come within drooling distance of that particular car!

Congrats to everyone who put on the show - Dave and Judy; thanks to their helpers and to Preston's; and thanks to everyone who showed up and showed off!

Back at Tradex!

We forgot to mention - we were back at the Tradex Classic Car Show this year!  Better late than never, I guess, but in all honesty I don't remember all the details of the show, so I can't really say much about it.

Dan Ward organized our participation in the event and got a lot of help from a lot of people - John MacLean, Al Frost, Nigel Wheway, Al Mandleman, Don Williams, Lew and Gail Berry..... and I know there were a lot of volunteers helping man the booth over the weekend, but I am not sure who those wonderful people were. 

We had four cars at the show, belonging to me.... oh, and to Nigel, Don, and Al; we tried to represent as many generations as we could but we were only allowed four cars total, so we only got the C1s, C3s, C4s, and C5s represented.  Maybe next year the Tradex people will allow us a bigger display.

Check out the gallery for additional photos.

Sun, Speed and Smiles

32 drivers enjoyed the challenge of a slalom event at the Pitt Meadows Driving Centre on a sunny Saturday.  In addition to Corvettes, we had Porsche’s, Miata’s, Volkswagen’s, and even a Ford Focus which was sporting a large set of slick tires.  Some of our dedicated club members worked to make this event a fun and safe exercise for all attending.   Leslie Shelby, Gillian Heyes, Sue Williams, and Rosalie Sinden coordinated the timing process.  Brad Shelby did a tech inspection to ensure all cars were safe, and Don Williams, Ted Taylor and Stewart Heyes coordinated incoming traffic and parking arrangements.  There were a variety of other tasks that were handled by all in attendance  in order to smoothly move the event along.

Believe it or not, the fastest time was set by a Miata (slicks and modified suspension components help).  But there were lots of fast Corvettes, represented by our members Krista McAlduff, Paul McAlduff, Nigel Wheway, Patrick Tran, Brad Shelby, Ed Painter, David Mitten, Ken Butcher, Blair Degenstein, Marj Bowen, and of course myself, Vic Nightscales.  Next event is July 30 at Pitt Meadows, and I would like to see all members bring their Corvettes and experience the real thrill of Corvette ownership.  

- Vic