27-29 May 2011

How about 15 original cobras in a SAAC under shade trees and blue skies at Virginia International Raceway?  SAAC 36 played out on the long course at VIR this past weekend. We could have driven a titanium stake in the ground near the front corner of Jerry Joyner's driver and it would have been the pivot point for the Shelby universe. We lost count of total cobras but we did find piles of originals. And friendly folks. Dick Smith's wife was there with his #198 (see photos), Olthoff Racing was there with FIA cars, with GT40s and J-cars. There were tons of blue on while GT350s, and Holman Moody cars, track cars for the vintage races and concours cars for the tightest judging on the planet. Shelby brought a new 545 hp GT350 and Joyner promptly talked himself into track time. He was impressed. In this case I think he should have followed the 007 advice and gone for stirred. Shaken-he-was as I extracted him the passenger seat after three laps.

Lots of folks mentioned that they knew people in the Kentucky Cobra Club. We were welcomed and respected. We were too busy to miss you much but Jerry and I did lift a mug to salute you in the evening. Don't make us do it again SAAC 37, the next edition, should go onto your bucket list. 

 

Jerry Joyner

 

Vince Lubbers