FL VCOA Members Experience Naughty Volvo Drive Event

Posted on December 19, 2010 by CliveAlive

 

 

Volvo S60 Drive Event -- Hallandale Beach FL -- 10-2-10 021

Hallandale, Florida.  On Saturday, October 2nd   seven members of FL VCOA made the drive to Gulfstream Park in Hallandale, Florida to participate in the Naughty S60 Drive event.  The event was the first in the series to allow participants to actually drive the all new 300 hp Volvo S60 T6 AWD featuring City Safety, Pedestrian Detection System, Corner Traction Control and Advanced Stability Control on specially designed test tracks.

Michael Cohen attended with his wire wheeled 1964 1800S, Clive and Jeannine Dowdell with their 1985 245DL, Dennis and Susie Joyce in their 1995 854 and Bill and Tricia Rose in Eli Swetland’s  newly restored 1972 1800ES.

The event began with a presentation in the air conditioned tent during which a complete description of the all new S60 T6 AWD features were fully explained.  After the presentation participants hit the track and test drove the FWD Audi A4, the RWD BMW 335i and the Naughty AWD S60.  Everyone except Tricia (took out seven cones with the Audi on the first run) made it through without hitting any cones or the faux deer.  For two hours we had the opportunity to drive the course in all the cars as many times as we wanted.  We were all grinning from ear to ear.  “This event was a total blast!  I highly recommend Volvo enthusiasts participate when the tour comes to their area” said Tricia Rose.

After practice on the first course we were off to the “hot lap” course in which everyone competed for an Apple IPad.  Whoever posted the fastest lap time by the end of the weekend was the winner.  Sorry to say, our group did not do the fastest lap, but Clive was fastest with a 33.70, Bill with a 36, Tricia with a 38.8, Jeannine with a 39.53 and Dennis with a 40.8.  Jeannine Dowdell said of the City Safety and Pedestrian Detection system “City Safety was interesting and the rear camera was really cool.  The BMW was luggy and the S60 was the best.  This was my first timed trials and it was a blast.”

Volvo S60 Drive Event -- Hallandale Beach FL -- 10-2-10 042

 

We had so much fun we decided to plan the next FL VCOA event to be held on March 5, 2010 at Philippe Park in Safety Harbor.  Details can be viewed at www.flvcoa.org or email webmaster@flvcoa.org  The event will be a family picnic day at a great park with lots of shade and water views of Tampa Bay.

Article submitted by Tricia Rose. Auto Clinic of Naples.

A few photos of the event can be found on the website on the News & Events page .

 

Posted in Florida Volvo Club of America, Volvo Meet News | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Bill Rose Second in SCCA FP Regional Championship

Posted on October 30, 2010 by CliveAlive

Bill Rose, Team ACN Volvo Sports, competed in the final weekend, October 16-17, of the Central Florida Region Sports Car Club of America’s (CFR SCCA)  2010 race season at the 1.7 mile Sebring Club Road Course in his 1973 1800ES in the FP class.

Despite a broken left rear shock, Bill qualified on the inside pole next to a 2004 Mazda MX5 driven by Chris Marchand, competing in the STU class, with a time of 1:21.333, just 0:37 s off the overall group pole position in a field 37 cars strong. In SCCA several classes race at the same time.

During Saturday’s 30 minute race, the Volvo served as the meat in a Mazda sandwich, starting between Marchand’s MX5 and Earl Clement’s 2007 Mazda MX5 (SSB class), followed by David Smith’s 1998 Mazda RX7  (EP class). Bill got a great start and maintained his first place FP position and second place group position. By lap three, he was able to make the pass on Marchand exiting the Esses to gain the overall lead. Halfway through lap 22, Smith passed the Volvo in the Hair Pin turn. Bill and Smith swapped position several times throughout the remainder of the race, with Smith edging out the group win.

Sunday morning, Bill again started on the inside pole. The start was similar to the day before, but Bill was not able to make the pass on Marchand this time. With half the race to go, Smith was able to pass both Bill and Marchand to take the group and EP win, with Marchand and Bill taking the wins in STU and FP, respectively.

The race weekend was the finale in the CFR SCCA Regional Points Championship for 2010. With 13 teams competing in the region in the FP class, Bill Rose finished in second place for the season, with three wins and one second place. Co-driver Tricia Rose took two wins, one second place, and one third place placing fourth overall. The team was DNF-free for the season. Together, the two drivers had a points total of 85.

Perry Young in a 1990 Mazda Miata Roadster won the championship with 62 points, followed by Bill Rose 45 points, Jeffrey Stein in third place with 42 points in his 1978 Scirocco, and Tricia Rose in fourth place with 40 points.

Team ACN Volvo Sports would like to thank their sponsors and crew.

Sponsors: Auto Clinic of Naples, Inc., Steve & Judy Alander of Generation Gap, “Smitty” (Tricia’s Dad and Mom, Francis and Erika Smith), Dolly’s Produce Patch, and Hoosier Tire Distributor Appalachian Racing Tires.

Crew and fans: Rodney & Sue Dykes, Carey Adkinson, Justin Schere, Dennis & Susie Joyce, and Darren Gunn.

Article provided by Tricia Rose, ACN Volvo Sports, Auto Clinic of Naples

Posted in Florida Volvo Club of America, Volvo Race Results, Volvo Race Results | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Florida Volvo Enthusiasts

Posted on October 24, 2010 by CliveAlive

Activity on the Volvo front seems to be  increasing and the Florida Volvo Club of  America Chapter is planning a big spring meet March 5, 2011 at Philippe Park in Safety Harbor, Fl.

We are also hearing via the website that other Florida Volvo owners are looking for more meets.  so we decided to expand the website and create this blog in the hopes that the search engines will give us more exposure and help more Volvo enthusiasts find us.

Please bear with us while we get the blog fully operational.  You’ll be able to leave comments and share other Volvo news.

More coming soon!

Posted in Florida Volvo Club of America | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment