GM Proving Grounds Event (9/15)
Thanks to club member Dan Wilson, the AZ-D (and two Corvette clubs) were invited to the General Motors Proving Grounds in Mesa. GM will be closing this facility very soon, so this was truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for most of the attendees. In fact, AZ-D had three members drive out from California just for this event! The event started early in the morning with a near-record number of DeLoreans arriving outside the Proving Grounds to meet up with a plethora of Corvettes and their owners.
All of the vehicles entered the property, one by one, and we started the day with some official photography done by the GM photographer. After this, all 30+ vehicles in attendance followed the lead GM car to the oval race track and also to the straight-away, so that we could get a feel for what the GM employees do everyday. This was followed by a phenomenal driving demonstration that featured four newer Corvettes and some very skilled GM drivers!
After the official GM part of the event was over, we all met at Hooters in East Mesa for lunch. The event was a great success, and many souvenirs were purchased!
Cruisin' For a Cure (9/22)
By Chris Mack
Since 2004, Don, Dan, and Nancy of DeLorean Motor Company California have been involved with Cruisin’ For a Cure in Costa Mesa known as the “World’s Largest Single Day Car Show” and this year was no exception. In fact, this year they displayed the DeLoreans in a covered area and the best part, we got to park our DeLoreans the night before which sure beat getting up at 4 a.m. as we did in previous years. There were 11 DeLoreans this year, eight of which were stainless (1 BTTF DMC), and three painted. The newest DeLorean owner at the event was Lauren who had recently purchased a beautiful candy apple red DeLorean with grey interior and automatic transmission (VIN 4321). Cameron Dingler even came to the event with “Karma” all the way from Las Vegas. Tyler Sparling from San Diego brought his DeLorean, which he did a stainless steel frame up restoration on, in fact Tyler has the only DeLorean in California with a stainless steel frame. The Stage 3 prototype was on display from DMC Houston. From what I understand the engine in the car is a supercharged stage 2 engine.
Ben, Charlie, Misty, and Johnny came out from Arizona to attend the event. The open house the day before was good. There was good food and plenty of DeLorean owners to socialize with. I got a look at Danny Botkin’s new DeLorean to be converted to a Back to the Future replica that has a Chevy Vortec V6 in it (currently removed though). The DeLorean is a black interior 5 speed with the gas flap hood (Aug 81 build). After the open house we drove our DeLoreans to the Orange County Fairgrounds to park them for the night and then headed to dinner at TGI Friday’s.
The day of the event started off rather wet. It poured the night before and I was glad that I got to park my DeLorean in a covered area. For once I spent my day enjoying the car show, looking at the exhibits and cars on display and socialized with other DeLorean owners rather than standing next to my car all day. I had a great time, although the day went by rather quickly. I thoroughly enjoyed myself and I am sure the other DeLorean owners did as well. Special thanks to Don, Dan, and Nancy, and Steve Wynne of DeLorean Motor Company for helping with such a great event.
AZ-D Went to Vegas! (9/29)
We had an incredible turnout for our big DCS planning meeting in Vegas. From Arizona we had Richard Federico, John Spangler, Daniel Fox, Johnny Sawyer, Dan Wilson, Christian & Melanie Jarzab, and of course Randal Brown. From both sides of the States we had two Kens, Ken Montgomery from CA and Ken Koncelik (of DCS fame), and from Las Vegas we had Cameron Dingler and special local guest Robin McNeil. The meeting went well but the rest of the trip was amazing. Everyone had a safe trip there and back, and we all enjoyed Vegas in our own ways. Daniel and John even left their mark (in Sharpie, you sicko's) on the wall of the Shelby factory after a tour. The breakfast buffet in the Palace Station was to die for, and as a special treat we went to Robin's house and he showed us his 2 DeLoreans he's got tucked away there. DCS Vegas is in good hands!
AZ-D Mega-Weekend (10/27)
October 27th was a very busy weekend for AZ-D'ers. In total we had 5 "events" with members present showing their cars and promoting the club and positive DeLorean enthusiasm.
1. Irish Festival (by Randal "Doc" Brown)
I can talk to the Irish Festival - it was a great day ... Steve Mayo & I had the cars positioned in the shade and across from the libations tent ($4.00 Guinness & Harp beers) the cars were very well received and the typical comments and questions were answered. We were even invited to another Irish event taking place July 19 & 20 2008 in Flagstaff ... More forthcoming on this! The food was excellent (corned beef with all the fixings, meat pies & libations) the folks in costumes (thinking we need a line of AZ-D kilts!) and the friendly crowd (yup a few did sneak a sit while we were answering questions) a good time was had by all!
2. Tucson Car Show (by John Spangler)
Tucson Car Show was awesome! They filled their 500 (yes 500) car limit on the huge field with 20 categories of cars ranging from 1920s to a gaggle of corvettes and brand new cars and everything in between. Highlights were the 1955 Mercedes Gullwing, a whole row of Panteras, an Isetta, and just so many cool cars to name. Kelly McGinnis and I had our 2 "as different as they could be" DeLoreans next to each other, his is a black interior auto w/gasflap and textured pontoon, and mine is gray/5sp/hood grooves. We made sort of a DeLorean door tunnel people walked under to look inside. TONS of questions and passers-by!! Kelly observed that most people would walk by a car (say, a Viper nearby) and point, comment and walk on. People were doing donuts around our cars constantly. Not a single person even looked like they were going to try to hop in, and I got a number of actual intelligent questions, along with the usual stuff. Unfortunately we may have split the vote so neither of us won anything, but we had a great time spreading the word and truth of the DeLorean gospel!
3. Luke Air Force Base Car Show (by Bob Patz)
A somewhat last-minute car show attendee, there was a 100-car limit at the show. Bob posted this about his experience: As some of you know, I don't brag, but since I was asked, I placed 1st in the import class at the Luke AFB car show. The plaque is classy, wood carved. The car was very well received with an excellent showing of cars, I was parked next to, two Vipers. A hamburger, pop and chips were also included along with two T-shirts and a mug.
4. Saturday/Sunday Golden Corral in Casa Grande
Also known as GC in CG, there were 2 day back to back dinners at the infamous Golden Corral buffet in Casa Grande with Daniel Fox and Dan Wilson, Doug Beck (new non-owner member, BTTF enthusiast) Tom Spearman (new owner of the Time Machine) and had the car on display two nights in a row. It attracted visitors and gawkers from as far away as the freeway. Golden Corral 2 nights in a row is quite the feat but Daniel is a trained professional.
5. Bethany Church 30th Anniversary Event (by Sean Hagan)
I brought my father in law who was visiting from Minnesota and we arrived at 9am, and they had a place set aside for me to park right in front of the main sanctuary. I had many questions about the car - esp why it was painted and how. Cleared up a few misconceptions about JZD and the car as well. The event lasted until about 12:30 where they fed me. I only had one unauthorized sitter in the car who asked me "can i see how those doors close" to which I answered yes, and next thing I knew, he was sitting in my car closing my door. The highlight of the event (for me) was a guy with downs syndrome who kept posing for pics by the car for his mom to take. He must have posed about four seperate times, and just kept coming back to look. I let him sit in the driver's seat for a fifth pose, and he was happy as a clam.
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