Reflections from da boss

[Gregg]

As most of you know (those who follow the boring and self-serving posts of your editor), I took the pilgramage trip to the Monterey Historics at the Laguna Seca track in Montrery, California.

I have always dreamed about going to this race.

I have tried to do it numerous times.

I was actually supposed to meet and interview Carroll Shelby back in 2001 at the Historics, but as you may remember, my life changed on August 10, 2001 (just picture in your mind 3-5 seconds of tires screeching).

So, Monterey has always been on the "what if" portion of both of my remaining brain cells.

A few weeks ago, I called Bill Bauer, yes, that Bill, who makes those fantastic IMSA Mustang and Jaguar resin kits from BHP Enterprises. Well, he asked if I was going to go the Historics, and I had to tell him, at that time, No. I wish I could, but the cards on the table were not saying it was okay to go.

So what's a modeler to do, right?

I rearranged the cards, of course.

I checked my Northwest miles, found a flight, and said, WTF!!!!!

Yes, that stands for We Travel Firstclass...... yeah, right (I was able to purchase my upgrades though)

Anyway, I checked with the boss, and she said, and I quote "hhhhmmmmppphhhh". Yes, that's with three extra m's.

So, it was set.

I called John Oszajca (I love being able to type his last name with no backspacing now), and was able to fly him from Vegas to San Fran at almost the same time.

In hindsight, I think we both had the exact same flights from the NNL West back in Feb/March!

Anyway, with John coming in from Vegas, me from Hawaii, all that was left was a place to crash

Stan Pinnick was only a phone call away, and he was gracious enough to bride his wife, Dorothy, so that John and I had a place to crash Saturday night.

Well, to put a long story short, Monterey was a blast.

I have over, wait, hold on.....880 photos from the track, not counting the 70+ of cars just in the parking areas!!!!!

there was a DB6 next to a new DB9, I needed new shorts before I even entered the gates!

And on the way, get this: A Vernon, 430, and 599, flying UP 101 on the way to the track!!!!!

I am the only one in the car who saw it, so it's my word against Stan and John's.

But then, sitting up on the hill by the Corkscrew, yes, that Corkscrew I know by heart in PS3 GT4, there drives in a Bugattie Vernon into the paddock.

Must be Jay Leno, I say to myself, although by then, I'm not even listening.

The whole day is still a blur.

I haven't been able to go through all the pics and post the best ones yet

Seeing two McLaren's kiss each other on the Corkscrew was something else though.

Too bad they weren't at full speed, I mean, it's a good thing they there weren't at full speed

I know I have the Blog set up for these kind of notes, thoughts, and ramblings, but the way the board is set up, it seems that everyone looks for "View New Posts" first, or always.

The Blog section is great, but it has to be incorporated into the site easier.

That's more work, and that's a four letter word.

Well, that's all for now, yes, I pau....

I will get the mag caught up in a few weeks.

I will be on the mainland from like October 3 -19

I will be at Puerto Rico, office (Denver), Toledo, Chicago (iHobby), and then back home.

Harry, you have been a God Send!

Thank You!!!!

Darryl, keep on kicken' my okole

Dave P., don't stop yelling at me.

Paul, parden my misteaks.

Bill, thank you for being there

Larry G, thank you, thank you, thank you, you are a true friend

Tim A., keep on Truckin'

Dennis, you are my proudest catch

Tim B., thank thank thank you, First On Race Day!!!! (see you in few weeks)

Wayne, from day one, you have been there, Mahalo Nui Loa!!!! (third door on the left, right?)

Alex, your work inspires everyone, especially me.

David T., your work amazes me, THANK YOU!, and sorry for making you work so hard.

Mike Whatshisname...... sorry, forgot what I was going to say.....

Ariel, I owe you tons, or at least Jersey Pounds

I know I am forgetting a few, it's late, I'm doing this on the fly

There are so many others who have made this mag, and me, what it is, and I am, today.

I can go back to Roy Sorenson, Mike Carroll, Don Farhni, and the unsung heroes of the years gone by.

But that's about it for now.

I need to get some Kleenex.....

And some more JD...

Thank you, all my friends, family, supporters, believers, and everyone who takes the time to read, and I hope enjoy, my baby.

Thanks for the past ten years, and the next ten years ahead. I am here to stay, and I hope you stay here too!

[randx0]

sounds like a trip worth taking!and thank you for the last ten years keep up the great work !

[Gregg]

Thanks, Randy

It will get only better

There is a fine line now between the printed magazine and the online instant versions

I hope that it can be covered in such a way as to make everyone happy, well, almost everyone....

[E St. Kruiser50]

sounds like a trip worth taking!and thank you for the last ten years keep up the great work !

I agree

Thanks for making all this possible for us - Dave

[Clay]

Could we see the pictures?

[mikelo]

Sounds like a great trip. Glad you made it.

So can we see the pics or are you going to make us go by ourselves?

Mike

[george 53]

Thanks Gregg, It's nice to hear stuff "from the heart".WoW, 10 years? I still got Issue #1 and it sure doesn't seem like 10 years(probly does to you, eh?) Well not to worry, cause I do got the feelin we'll ALL be here to enjoy the fruits of your labor,for another 10, unless of course some of us hafta go Home, but then again, it just wouldn't BE Heaven without MCM!,now wouldit? Hope too meet you in Toledo!

[Harry P.]

Are we looking at next issue's "Editor's Corner" here?

[Raul_Perez]

TEN YEARS!!! Do you mean that I've still got about 2 years of late, back issues waiting to get to me in the mail?!

Just kidding...I really don't mind that you're behind in getting the mag out on time.

Each issue is GREAT and I can hardly wait for the next one to pop up in the mailbox!

I'd rather have a late magazine from an editor that takes his time to talk to the folks at the events over a timely magazine from a company who's photographer makes you feel like you're wasting his time by being in the same vacinity as he is...

Keep up the GREAT work and I'm glad that you had a good time at Monterey!!

By the way...a friend of mine just got back from the Concours d'Elegance at Pebble Beach. GM brought out and displayed 12 of the historic concept cars from Autorama!! Now seeing them would have made me to need a clean pair of Depends.

Later,

[Brendan]

If you're going to be in the Bay Area the weekend of the 19th of Oct., there's the ALMS Race at Laguna Seca. Let me know. Great to hear that you had fun at the Monterey Historics. There's always some great cars to see there.

[Dave in Seattle]

WOW!!!! You actually saw a Vernon!!! Whatinhell is a Vernon????

I'm thinking you might have seen a Bugatti Veyron that your spellchecker decided it was smarter about.....

Best Regards,

Dave

[62SS]

Glad to hear that you had a good time Gregg, You sure deserve it!!!

I would also like to thank you for the great magazine and this wonderful board.

Although I'm sort of new here, I really like this board and all of the great people I have met on here.

Its only been a couple of months but I already feel like I'm part of the "family" here.

Thanks again for all you do!!!

Ed

[Ariel]

I love you to man . Somebody get me a tissue.