Cinco De Mayo at Trimble Park FL VCOA Meet Report

Posted on May 19, 2012 by CliveAlive

If you want to celebrate Cinco de Mayo, just have a Florida VCOA meet in Mt. Dora at Trimble Park.

The weather was perfect, Volvos were many and very nice, food was great, old and new friends were everywhere. We had over 50 Volvos from all points of Florida.

The oldest Volvo driven to the event was John Patrick in his beautiful 1962 1800.

People’s choice for rear wheel drive was Joe Veglucci in his 1963 PV544. The votes were between three cars, Jerry Sira, in his 1967 122 and Charlie Pardee in his 1963 high modified 544 and Joe.

The FWD/AWD people’s choice award went to Roberto Luciano in his 1998 Green S70.

The longest distance award went to Matt Grayson after Tricia Rose, for the second time, passed on this award. The difference was about 5 miles.

 

Sponsors help make an event when they donate items to be given away and this year we had some very nice prizes. FCP Groton gave 3 $50 gift certificates and Rock Auto gave a $25 gift certificate. Erie Volvo, Roger Patrico and Bill and Tricia Rose, from Auto Clinic of Naples, helped again.

Chris Short and Kathy Smith handled the registration and everything went as planned. Gay Montgomery sold 50/50 drawing tickets where Bob Haire collected $70.

If you didn’t see the poster that Chris Smith came up for Cinco de Mayo, check out www.flvcoa.org  that Jeannine and Clive Dowdell generates with a lot of pictures of the event.

The VCOA chapter for South Florida along with Roger Patrico is planning on another Volvo meet in Ft. Myers on November 3rd so plan ahead and attend. More to come at a later time.

One other item is when we founded the Florida VCOA chapter we needed ten signatures to form the club and here we are 24 years later, four of the originals were at the event, Charlie Pardee, Chris Short, Louis Bouchelle and myself, Dave Montgomery and all are very involved with the club. Chris and Charlie were having Volvo meets in central Florida prior to 1988.

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K-PAX Volvo S60s Finish 1-2 in Pirelli World Challenge

Posted on May 12, 2012 by CliveAlive

MONTEREY, CALIF. (May 11, 2012) – “The drought is over!” said K-PAX Racing Team Owner Jim Haughey after his pair of Volvo S60s driven by Randy Pobst and Alex Figge finished 1-2 in the GT Class of today’s Pirelli World Challenge race at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca.

It marked the first win by the K-PAX Volvo S60 since last summer at Mid-Ohio and it was the team’s first 1-2 finish since the next-to-last race of the 2010 season at Virginia International Raceway. Since the K-PAX Volvo S60 began competing in the GT Class of the series in 2009, it has gone to victory lane 10 times, more than any other manufacturer besides Porsche (13 wins).

Pobst started from the pole – the 37th of his GT career – and led all 28 laps. Figge qualified fourth but started third because a competitor failed post-qualifying inspection. Figge battled Cadillac’s Andy Pilgrim through the first two turns but emerged in second place behind his teammate. They stayed that way the entire race.

“I’m over the moon,” Pobst said. “It was all about balance for my car. When it’s balanced, it needs very little steering input. Today, it never felt like I was working hard to make the car go where I wanted it to go. The K-PAX team had it dialed in all week.”

“After struggling with various issues in previous races, this was a great result,” Figge said. “It was nice to be spending time making the car go faster rather than trying to fix the car. The crew worked really hard and had things under control. Then, it was just a matter of me putting in consistent laps.”

With his win, Pobst moved up to third place in the drivers’ championship with 502 points. He trails Johnny O’Connell (573) and Andy Pilgrim (559). Figge moved up to sixth with 389 points.

Volvo remains in third place in the manufacturers’ championship race with 25 points, but has closed the gap with Cadillac (37 points) and Porsche (33 points).

The next two races of the Pirelli World Challenge are June 3-4 at the Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix.

For more information on K-PAX Racing visit: www.kpaxracing.com

For live streaming of the race go to: http://www.world-challengetv.com

For more information on World-Challenge visit: www.world-challenge.com

K-PAX Racing Media
mediainfo@kpaxracing.com

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K-PAX Racing brings home Volvo’s first win in the US Touring Car Championship

Posted on March 18, 2012 by CliveAlive

Infineon Raceway, Sonoma, California. (March 11, 2012) – The USTCC (United States Touring Car Championship) had its inaugural round of the 2012 championship at Infineon Raceway in Sonoma, California this weekend.

K-PAX Racing was represented by Robert Thorne driving the #80 K-PAX Racing C30 GT-R for the very first time. Friday was spent primarily getting accustomed to the new car as well as working on set-up in order to optimize the car to the standardized series tire.

“We came here this weekend with the car setup according to how we had run it in the World Challenge series last year, but we quickly learned that the tires used in the USTCC required a very different setup in order to create a well-balanced car”, commented Team Manager, Bob Raub.

Qualifying results on Saturday showed that the team and driver Robert Thorne quickly had come to terms with the new cars setup, clinching pole position in the 20-minute session.

The 2-hour endurance race on Sunday provided a great deal of challenging conditions throughout the race, including several full-course yellows, rain showers, plenty of traffic and, due to the length of the race, pit stops for fuel.

The standing-start format of the race allowed the, second position, all-wheel drive Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution get the jump on the C30, however, on lap 10 Robert Thorne was able to reclaim the top spot and after that never looked back.

At the checkered flag the #80 C30 crossed the line 1 minute and 43 seconds ahead of the second place Mazda 3. A big part of the large margin of victory had to do with the fact that the Volvo only had to stop for fuel once whereas most of the top competitors had to come in for fuel twice, proving that the C30 GT-R is not only fast but fuel-efficient as well.

After the race Robert Thorne had the following to say: “The C30 ran great today. We were able to really dial it in on Friday and Saturday allowing us to manage tire wear and the overall balance of the car all through the race. This being my first race with this car and this series my main goal was to simply keep it on the track. This win wouldn’t have been possible without the help from my sponsors at the Autoparts Warehouse, the crew at K-PAX Racing and Volvo for providing me with such a great racecar”.

Robert Thorne and the #80 K-PAX Racing C30 GT-R will be back racing in the USTCC at Thunderhill Raceway in May.

For more information on K-PAX Racing, visit www.kpaxracing.com

For more information on Autoparts Warehouse, visit www.EAPW.com

For more information on USTCC, visit www.ustcc.com

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“Volvos at Sebring”, February 11 & 12, 2012

Posted on February 25, 2012 by CliveAlive

Sebring International Raceway, Sebring, Florida

14 members and their Volvos and numerous guests of the SW FL Chapter of VCOA, the Florida Volvo Community on line forum and the Central Florida Chapter of VSA attended the event hosted by the Central Florida Region of S.C.C.A. during its SARRC/Regional/Vintage Cabin Fever Cure race weekend featuring the Historical Nordic Camaro US Race 2012 group tour of the USA. The weather was cold and windy but that did not deter attendees from having a great time.

The event featured a weekend of racing, parade laps on the track Saturday at lunchtime, door prizes and trophies in several Volvo car categories sponsored by Bill Rose of the Auto Clinic of Naples, Inc. The trophies, designed and produced by Tucker Alford of Venwood Awards in Engelwood, FL., featured a track map of Sebring International Raceway in addition to VCOA and CFR SCCA logos.

Rich Nelson won the People’s Choice-Vintage trophy with his 1970 P1800E, Ralph Porzio won the People’s Choice-RWD trophy with his 1984 242, Jaime Seda won both People’s Choice-FWD and Golden Rod (for technical innovation) trophies with his two tone 1995 850 Turbo wagon and Robert Cardwell won the Daily Driver trophy with his 1998 S70T5.

Attendees on both days went home with a bevy of door prizes thanks to Max Rossi of FCP parts in Connecticut, Ryan Rutherford of Coast Volvo parts department in Sarasota, FL., Jack of Erie Vo Vo, Inc. used parts in Whitesboro, NY., Marty Cook of Raxles, Inc., axle rebuilder in Gainesville, FL., Robert ‘Lucky’ Arnold of ARD tuning in Oregon, Sue Blasko of The Tire Rack in South Bend, IN., Tim Suddard of Classic Motorsports magazine in Ormond Bch, FL., Tricia Rose of Auto Clinic of Naples, Inc. Volvo repair and service in Naples, FL., and Darran Gunn, corner worker, of CFR SCCA for providing the ‘Prancing Moose’ decals.

Special thanks go to Dennis Joyce of SW FL VCOA and Chief Steward of the CFR SCCA weekend for inviting us to the event and arranging for the on track parade laps in addition to providing Volvo, USA and Swedish flags as well as blue and yellow finger banners to cordon off the Volvo car corral.

A very special thanks and a Happy 60th Birthday go to CFR SCCA’s Pace Car driver, Jack Ragaglia, who was kind enough to pace the on track parade laps during lunchtime on Saturday – a surprise that was enjoyed by all the attendees. Very special thanks to CFR SCCA’s Tucker Alford for photographing the on track parade laps. We also thank Bob Hess and Charlie Leonard of CFR SCCA for securing the Volvo car corral area on Thursday night, and Deanna Harry and her ladies at CFR SCCA event Registration for handling the additional registration work load.

We also thank the Volvo clubs volunteers who worked the event for their assistance in making the event a success (except for the weather which no one could control). They were Robert and Ana Maria Cardwell of FVC for internet advertising, acquisition of door prizes, trophy ballot tabulation and trophy winner announcing, Jaime Seda of FVC for announcing the door prize winners, Susie Joyce of CFR SCCA and SW FL VCOA for being our Volvo club Registrar, Clive and Jeannine Dowdell of FL VCOA for internet services, website posting and the official trophy winner photographer, and Tricia Rose of SW FL VCOA and CFR SCCA for being the Event Coordinator, arranging for trophy production and sponsorship, acquisition of door prizes and marking off the Volvo car corral.

A highlight of the weekend was meeting and watching the Historical Nordic Camaro US Race 2012 featuring Camaro Cup race car drivers from Sweden, Norway, Finland and Denmark. The group had 17 cars and drivers imported for the event in addition to a full complement of technicians and crew members who kept the cars running all weekend. Many Swedes, Finns, Danes and Norwegians were also on hand as spectators.

Jan Magnussen in the number 23 Camaro was the man to beat all weekend winning both the Saturday and Sunday races. His fastest lap time on the weekend was a 2:10.708. Second fastest lap time on the weekend was set by Dennis Lind in the #16 Camaro with a 2:11.708 during the Saturday race. Jari Nurminen in the #30 Camaro finished in 2nd place during the Saturday race with a 2:14.389 followed in 3rd place by Fredrik Ros in the #47 Camaro with a 2:14.055. Frederik Ros placed 2nd again in the Sunday race with a 2:13.159 with Martin Hansen in the #67 Camaro placing 3rd with a 2:12.279.

Bill Rose of ACN Volvosports was also on hand racing his 1973 Volvo 1800ES in F Production with CFR SCCA. He would place 4th in FP and 10th overall in the group of 49 cars in the Sunday morning race with a fastest time of 2:40.504 behind the 1st place Mazda Miata of Paul Kullman, 2nd place VW Cabriolet of A J Hulse and the 3rd place VW Scirocco of Jeff Stein. Bill placed 3rd in class and 10th overall in the group of 38 cars during the Sunday afternoon race in the Volvo with a fast lap time of 2:38.803 behind 1st place Mazda Miata of Paul Kullman and 2nd place VW Scirocco of Jeff Stein.

The next Volvo club event in Florida, Cinco de Mayo, will be held on Saturday, May 5th at Trimble Park, Mt Dora, FL. from Noon until 3pm and is being hosted by Dave Montgomery, President of FL VCOA and his crew. The event will also serve as the official Spring meets for CFL VSA and FVC. For more details visit our website at www.flvcoa.org or our blog at www.flvcoablog.org. We look forward to seeing all Florida and Georgia Volvo enthusiasts for a day of fun, trophies, and prizes.

Submitted by:
Tricia Rose, Event Coordinator, SW FL VCOA
FVC, CFL VSA, and CFR SCCA member

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2012 Sebring Meet Photos

Posted on February 18, 2012 by CliveAlive

Volvos on the Sebring Long Course

The 2012 Sebring Meet photos have now been posted.  Click here and here.  The Meet Report is coming soon. Also see previous meet photos here. Remember to use the Slideshow option for best viewing.  Thanks for looking.

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Florida Cinco de Mayo Spring Meet

Posted on February 4, 2012 by CliveAlive

Artwork by Chris G Smith

Saturday, May 05, 2012, 12:00pm – 3:00pm

It’s time for all Volvo’s of Florida and South Georgia to meet and see the changes to various Volvos and to see any new additions plus meet new people. We will have door prizes and raffle tickets. Trophys for various catagories. Bring lunch and lawn chairs. Great location on the point of Lake Dora at Trimble Park, Pavilion # 1.

All Volvo’s are welcome.

Location : Trimble Park in Mt. Dora. 5802 Trimble Park Rd., Mt. Dora.  32757

Contact : Dave Montgomery at 904-742-8228.  d.w.montgomery@comcast.net

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Spring Meet — Cinco de Mayo — Mt Dora.

Posted on January 22, 2012 by CliveAlive

The spring Volvo meet will be on Cinco de Mayo in Trimble Park in Mt. Dora.  Located at 5802 Trimble Park Rd., Mt. Dora.  32757.  From noon to 3 p.m.

I have reserved pavilion #1 for May 5th. There will be more information about the meet coming soon.  Plaque and trophy will be presented along with raffle and door prizes.

All Volvo’s are welcome.

Thanks,

Dave

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SW FL VCOA, Florida Volvo Community & Central Florida Region Sports Car Club of America present the first Florida Volvo event of 2012

Posted on January 10, 2012 by CliveAlive

FL VCOA Meet Sebring 2004

February 11(&12) at Sebring International Raceway, Sebring, Florida.

Gates open at 8am and ALL PARTICIPANTS MUST ARRIVE AT THE TRACK AND GO THROUGH C.F.R. S.C.C.A. REGISTRATION BEFORE 10:30am ON SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 11. ABSOLUTELY NO EXCEPTIONS!!! Late arrivals will be denied paddock access.

All participants are asked to arrive early and will be required to sign track and S.C.C.A. event waivers to gain entry to the paddock. Track passes will be good for both days. CHILDREN UNDER THE AGE OF 18 MUST HAVE MINOR WAIVERS COMPLETED BY BOTH PARENTS. To obtain a minor waiver please visit www.scca.com, click on “downloads”, then click on “Minor Release and Waiver” under the Insurance Forms tab to download the form. Participants who did not register on Saturday may attend on Sunday but MUST GO THROUGH C.F.R. S.C.C.A. BEFORE 10am. Again, late arrivals will be denied paddock access. ALL PARTICPANTS MUST REGISTER IN PERSON EITHER ON SATURDAY OR SUNDAY.

All model Volvos are invited to attend this Regional/South Atlantic Road Racing Championship/Vintage race weekend. The event will feature door prizes, trophies in multiple categories, and a limited number of rides in the CFR SCCA Pace Car. Entry to the event is $5.00 per person. A limited number of rides will be available in the pace car for $10 per person, 2 people per ride. There will be 4 opportunities to ride in the pace car on Saturday, and 12 opportunities beginning at 8am on Sunday. Proceeds from the pace car rides will benefit the CFR SCCA Corner Worker fund.

Rules & Regulations:
1) Tent camping will be allowed on Saturday night. Absolutely no tent stakes to be driven into the concrete or asphalt.
2) All persons must sign waivers to gain entry to the track paddock.
3) No alcohol allowed until all racing activities have ceased for the day.
4) Non SCCA members are NOT allowed in “hot” areas (pit road and the pre-race grid). All participants will be in the “racing paddock” and will have all access except to aforementioned hot areas.
5) Pets are NOT permitted on Sebring International Raceway premises.
6) All participants must obey the instruction of Sebring Raceway and CFR SCCA personnel.
7) Roller blades, roller skates and skate boards are NOT permitted.
8) Obey posted paddock and track facility speed limits.
9) Event participant passes must be kept on your person at all times.
10) Children must be accompanied by an adult at all times.

Things to bring:
1) Coolers with beverages.
2) Picnic lunch. BBQ grills are permitted. Open fires are prohibited. Food is available at the Snack Shack on site for breakfast and lunch. There are also restaurants at the Chateau Elan Hotel & Conference Center located trackside and at the airport terminal.
3) Hats, sun block, umbrellas, rain gear.
4) Lawn chairs, tents, sleeping bags, misc. camping gear.
5) EAR PLUGS ARE HIGHLY RECOMMENDED…ESPECIALLY FOR CHILDREN. The Sebring gift shop should be open if you need to purchase ear plugs at the track.

A special race group comprised of Swedish racing drivers will be featured. The Swedish contingent will be racing new Camaros with bodies fitted that emulate 1969 Camaros. SW FL VCOA member Bill Rose will campaign his 1973 Volvo 1800ES FP race car in the production group. Other Volvo race cars that are currently SCCA eligible with properly licensed race drivers are invited to attend and must register on the DLB racing site to participate in their respective class.

PLEASE RSVP TO TRICIA ROSE, EVENT COORDINATOR AT acnvolvo@embarqmail.com IF YOU PLAN TO ATTEND SO THAT WE CAN DETERMINE THE AMOUNT OF SPACE REQUIRED FOR THE VOLVO CAR CORRAL. IF YOU PLAN TO ARRIVE ON SUNDAY PLEASE SEND RSVP and INCLUDE A LIST OF NAMES OF ALL PEOPLE IN YOUR PARTY. A list of Sunday arrivals will be left with the C.F.R. S.C.C.A. registrar.

To learn more about the Central Florida Region SCCA please visit www.cfrscca.org

To learn more about the Volvo Club of America, Florida Chapters please visit www.flvcoa.org

To learn more about the Florida Volvo Community please visit www.floridavolvocommunity.net

Local hotels:
Kenilworth Lodge                                 Holiday Inn Express & Suites-Sebring
Inn on the Lakes                                    Economy Inn of Sebring
Chateau Elan Hotel & Conference Center (located trackside)
Residence Inn-Sebring                       La Quinta Inn & Suites-Sebring

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VSA at the St Petersburg Yacht Club

Posted on November 20, 2011 by CliveAlive

Four Volvo’s and their VSA member owners turned out for the St Pete Yacht Club show last week. Fantastic weather and some great cars in a nice setting made for a very enjoyable afternoon.

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Invitation to VSA Fall Meet

Posted on October 29, 2011 by CliveAlive

Many of our members are also members of Volvo Sports America and/or have vehicles that are pre-1979.

We have just been invited by John Martin, the Chapter Coordinator Central Florida VSA to attend their next meet at the St. Petersburg Yacht Club Vintage Motor Classic on Sunday November 13th, 2011.

It is a classic car show sponsored by the Yacht Club, open to cars 1979 or older and is open to vehicles in various conditions, including daily drivers, not just pristine #1 or #2 condition models (I am glad of that – says John). The cost is $25 per vehicle, with discounts if you are registering multiple vehicles. Details are available at the following website: www.spyc.org. From the home page, click on SPYC Events, then Vintage Motor Classic – Information. This site has information regarding the event, as well as an online registration form.

Please e-mail John if you are going so a meeting point can be arranged so as to roll in together and so be able to park all together on the field. E-mail John at:
jcmartinab(At symbol here)tampabay.rr.com

If you are a VSA member, but not a Central Florida chapter member, let John know and you can sign up for free at the event. If you are a classic Volvo owner and would like to become a Volvo Sports America member, John will have applications available at the event.

If your vehicles are younger and ineligible for the show (like mine) it should still be a good event and well worth going to see.

Hope to see you there.

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