November 2006 - Corvette Club of Texas

The Corvetter
Corvette Club OF Texas
Volume 58 Issue 11 - November 2006
Corvette Club of Texas
PO Box 36022 - Dallas TX, 75235-1002
www.corvettecluboftexas.org
Sponsored by Friendly Chevrolet
2754 N. Stemmons Fry - Dallas TX, 75207
November 2006
The Corvetter
Meeting Information
Corvette Club of Texas (CCT)
Monthly Membership
Meeting
Held every third Friday of
the month, at 7:30 p.m. at
Friendly Chevrolet, 2754 North
Stemmons Freeway, Dallas. All
members, visitors and Corvette
owners are Welcome.
Following each CCT monthly
membership meeting, a CCT
after club social event is hosted
by a CCT Member, starting at
approximately 8:30 p.m.
Monthly Board Meeting
Held on the Monday before the
third Friday of the month at
7:30 p.m. at Friendly Chevrolet.
All members are invited to
attend.
From the Editor
The October Membership Meeting was an interesting
one for the Wagner family. After the meeting, heading
to the restaurant, I entered the expressway and started
accelerating to speed. As I was about to merge in
something appeared right in front of me. It was the same
color as the road and, in the darkness, I didn’t see it
until it was no more than 10 feet away. I still don’t know
what it was but I think it was part of a truck tire. In any
event I ran over it with my left side tire. Terrible noises
came from underneath the car and then an ominous
hissing sound. I pulled over but couldn’t see much and
no liquids were dripping out so we continued on. It
drove OK at least.
Our Friendly Rep!
Next day I got a look at the damage... The left side air
dam was ripped off, the valence piece that the air dam
attaches to was missing, 6 inches of the inner fender was
shredded off causing the fender to be very loose and,
worst, a mounting point for the front facia was cracked.
Bottom line? Extimated $1750 (so far). $1200 of that the
new fascia and painting. Expensive dinner...
In addition to his regular work
schedule, Gary is always at the
dealership during our monthly
Friday night membership meeting.
Also, you can e-mail Gary at:
[email protected]
Friendly Chevrolet’s representative
to the Corvette Club of Texas is
Gary Kubiak. When you need to
replace your Corvette with a new
C6 be sure and give Gary a call at
214-920-1950.
Also don’t forget to contact Gary
when you are upgrading the family
car for a new one!
The hissing sound? It must have been the tire, or
whatever, trapped under the car and dragging on the
road because after we stopped and went on it was gone.
Joe Wagner
2006 OFFICERS, BOARD AND STAFF
On the Cover: Unusual view of a
C5. The observant will find one
flaw...
The Corvetter
Volume 58 Issue 11
President
Mitch Factor
817-329-0693
[email protected]
Vice President
Paul Wolter
817-478-6096
[email protected]
Treasurer
Mel Roggenbuck
817-571-0284
[email protected]
Secretary
Jeanette Bradley
214-348-0775
[email protected]
NCCC Governor
Joann Powdrill
972-625-6479
[email protected]
BOARD MEMBERS
Bob Mischel
Term ends 01-2007
972-596-2984
[email protected]
The Corvetter, the official newsletter
of the Corvette Club of Texas (CCT),
is published monthly by The Corvette
Club of Texas P.O. Box 36022, Dallas,
Texas 75235-1022 for the exclusive use
of its members and invited guests. Initial
distribution is done electronically by email. A small number of paper copies are
delivered via First Class mail or by hand
when necessary. The newsletter is also
available on the CCT web site: www.
corvettecluboftexas.org Subscriptions to
The Corvetter are free to CCT members.
Ken Bradley
Term ends 06-2007
214-348-0775
[email protected]
Russell Brundrett
Term ends 08-2007
972-263-9047
[email protected]
Barry Marsh
Term ends 03-2008
817-268-0388
[email protected]
James Powdrill
Term ends 06-2008
972-625-6479
[email protected]
817-478-6096
[email protected]
Club Merchandise
Mary Wolter
817-478-6096
[email protected]
© 2006 Corvette Club of Texas. All
rights reserved. Reprints of original
material are available on a per article
basis only with written permission of
a CCT officer, the author or the Editor.
Previously copyrighted material if any
retains the original author’s copyright.
Membership
Mary Wolter
817-478-6096
[email protected]
Property
Mary Wolter
817-478-6096
[email protected]
Historian
Ken Bradley
214-348-0775
[email protected]
Newsletter
Joe Wagner
817-282-1355
[email protected]
Photographer
Charles Whitaker
972-239-0485
[email protected]
Please send all submissions via email to the editor at [email protected].
All submissions become intellectual
property of The Corvetter.
Raffle
Paulette Wagner
817-282-1355
[email protected]
Webmaster
Joe Wagner
817-282-1355
[email protected]
NCM Ambassador
Bob Stephens
972-235-9813
[email protected]
STAFF CHAIRPERSONS
Activities
TBA
Charities Coordinator
Mary Wolter
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November 2006
The Corvetter
President’s Prerogative Nov. 2006
Thank you to ALL who came out to participate and give your
support to insure that our CCT 2006 Roundup was a very
successful and fun event. I appreciate all of you! A special
thanks to Paul and Mary Wolter for the time and effort they
contributed to coordinate all the aspects of making such an
event happen!
2007 Treasurer. Kudos and Thanks to Patti Bertwell!!! She has
volunteered to be the Activities Chairperson. This means that
although she will head up this important function for CCT, she
will need your help and input to keep our activities fresh, fun,
and “happening.” Let’s not leave Patti to do it all.
•
Paul and Mary Wolter
Looks like another year is fast drawing to a close. We have
had several people in the club. as well as their family members,
that have had some serious health issues this year. I pray for
the continued recovery of each one and trust that the next
year holds nothing but great health and lots of driving fun and
camaraderie for all of us.
•
James and JoAnn Powdrill
Thank you for your continued support.
•
Russell and Kathy Brundrett
•
Mel Roggenbuck
•
Norm Worley
•
Marvin and Donna Snyder,
•
Barry and Annette Marsh
•
Keith Amendson
•
Chuck Kraut
•
Charles Whitaker
•
Ken and Jeanette Bradley
Special thanks and a word of appreciation go out to all those
who helped with our event this year:
Mitch Factor President, CCT
…and remember to
Governor’s Report
The NCCC racing season is winding down with the final event
being the last week-end in October.
It’s election time for the club’s 2007 officers and although I
was not able to attend the October membership meeting, I
understand that a motion was made to keep, as many of the
present officers in place and that there was some discussion
on this. JoAnn Powdrill has agreed to accept the Governor’s
position for 2007. Janette Bradley is hoping that someone will
step up and volunteer to relieve her of the Secretary’s position.
Janette has been so gracious to accept this position for CCT
how many times??? It’s time for someone else to help out in
this capacity! Carol Factor has accepted the nomination for
CCT needs to start thinking about making our bid for the
weekend we would like to have our event next year. There are
already 6 events on the calendar.
THANKS!! To all the workers at our recent NCCC event in
Sherman it was a success thanks to YOU! Out of 17 NCCC
clubs in the Southwest region CCT is # 13.
Joann
2006 AFTER CLUB MEETING DRIVE & EAT - SIGN UP
Month
Host
January
February
Ken & Jeanette Bradley
Mitch & Carol Factor
March
TBA
April
Barry and Annette Marsh
May
James & Joanne Powdrill
June
TBA
July
TBA
August
Barry and Annette Marsh
September
Paulette Wagner
October
Carol Factor
November
Ben & Billie Loflin
December
See you at the CCT Christmas Party!
TROPHY CASE @ FRIENDLY CHEVROLET MAINTENANCE - SIGN UP
Quarter
Maintainer
January—March
TBA
April - June
July - September
October –December
Mary & Paul Wolter
Joe & Paulette Wagner
Mary & Paul Wolter
3
November 2006
The Corvetter
CORVETTE CLUB OF TEXAS, INC.
OCTOBER 20, 2006, MEMBERSHIP MEETING
FRIENDLY CHEVROLET, STEMMONS FREEWAY, DALLAS
Paul Wolter called the meeting to order at 7:30 PM in the absence of Mitch Factor. The October Board minutes were read and
approved with one exception by Paul. He said the “novice” driver should be the “non-novice” driver in the protest lodged during
the Round-Up Autocross held last weekend. The September business meeting minutes were approved as printed in the newsletter.
Mel’s mom had taken a turn for the worse and he could not be here tonight, but gave the treasurer’s report to Paul, which included
the autocross figures that he had received so far. The split in profit for the autocross has not been made yet to North Texas Vettes
because all the expenses have not been received.
Joann, the NCCC Governor, said that the membership dues to NCCC are due and everyone should send their membership to Mary
Wolter as soon as possible. Mary Wolter said that CCT and NCCC dues should be paid by November 1st so the NCCC dues can be
sent in before the deadline. If you cannot give her the money tonight, please mail your renewals to Mary.
Activities:
•
Paul Wolter discussed the annual Cowtown Corvette Show in Fort Worth, Saturday, October 28th. We usually attend and meet
at Paul and Mary’s house about 9:00 AM to caravan to the show.
•
Saturday, December 9th, will be the CCT Christmas Party at the TMS Club House. See the flyer in the newsletter for details.
•
Paul discussed the Round-Up Autocross and recognized all the corner workers, tech inspection, staging, starters, timing helpers,
registration, hospitality workers and last but not least, the photographer for their diligence in helping to make the autocross a
success, despite the weather. Everyone was given a bottle of Meguires Cleaner, plus some cloths for applying the magic stuff.
The following people were recognized: Ken and Jeanette Bradley; Annette and Barry Marsh and Annette’s cousin; James and
Joann Powdrill; Norm Worley; Charles and Jean Whitaker; Russell and Kathy Brundrett; Mary Wolter; and Mel Rogenbuck.
•
Paul explained the protest lodged during the 5th autocross on Saturday and said that he had responded and sent the paperwork to
the appropriate people in NCCC as specified in the bylaws. We should have an answer soon.
•
Ken said he had a good response from people wanting to go on the 4th of July trip in 2007 to Angel Fire, New Mexico, and he
would start putting together a schedule of fun events for the week.
Paul said we need to elect a new NCCC Governor. Bob Micshel nominated Joann.
We also need to elect new officers for the coming year. Nominations can be made tonight and also during the November meeting,
with voting in December for January installation. We also need an activities director. After some discussion, Pattie Bertwell
volunteered for Activities Director. Thank you Pattie!
Mel sent word that he could not accept the responsibility of treasurer this coming year because of the failing health of his mother.
Jeanette was nominated for secretary again and accepted, but would be willing to let someone else take over to get more participation
from other club members. Carol Factor was nominated for treasurer and accepted.
Mary Wolter explained the Gill Children’s Charities and said the list of children would be ready about the first week in November.
These are families who fall in the “crack” for charity but they do not make enough money to furnish their children gifts for
Christmas. We will have between 12 to 15 families, who have several children. We ask that each member who would like to
participate, pick out a child to furnish gifts to and bring them to our Christmas Party on December 9th with the child’s name and
family number on each wrapped gift. The child’s Christmas wishes and clothing sizes will be on the list (don’t forget underwear and
socks). This is a sure way to know that your gifts go directly to a needy child without all the red tape expenses.
Paulette Wagner conducted the raffle. Everyone was invited to caravan to Olive Garden on Northwest Highway, arranged by Carol
Factor.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:45 PM.
Respectfully submitted, Jeanette Bradley, Secretary
4
November 2006
The Corvetter
Upcoming CCT Events
CCT & NTV CHRISTMAS
PARTY
DATE:
Saturday, 9 December 2006
TIME:
7:00 P.M.
PLACE: Texas Motor Speedway Club House
Please bring a dish or dishes to share and BYOB
(if you want hard alcoholic beverages).
The club will furnish the meat and drinks.
Chinese gift exchange ($20 minimum cost per
person), will follow the dinner.
If you have adopted a Gill’s Children Child, please
bring all of their gifts.
We will also have KARAOKE BY RONNIE WALKER
RSVP
Paul and Mary Wolter at
[email protected]
or 817-478-6096
by December 6th if you plan to
attend this years party.
5
November 2006
The Corvetter
if your e-brake lever is between 45 degrees and 55 degrees. If
your e-brake is out further than that the e-brake will not auto
adjust.
AUTOADJUST feature: Roll the car backwards on a hill, or
in reverse @ 5 mph, and pull up on the e brake lever. This will
slam your car to an abrupt stop. The engagement of the shoes to
the drum while the car is moving backwards will cause the shoe
assembly to flex. It is the flex that causes the blade to click the
adjusting star one click.
C5 Parking Brake Adjustment
by: Bill Matera (via CorvetteForum)
I posted this fix several years ago, but
it was lost in the software upgrade.
When my C5 was new the e-brake
barely worked. I took it to the dealer,
and was told that brakes are a wear
item and that I would have to pay for
new shoes. The car had less than 1000 miles on it. The e-brake
only engages when the car is stopped so how could they be
worn? Anyway I decided to take a look and see if I could do
anything. I was not crazy about the dealer touching my car
anyway. OK. Here we go. The e-brake works similar to the ebrake on most cars with rear drum brakes. With that in mind:
Do this three or four times and it will expand your shoes. You
can not over tighten these shoes. If it needs two clicks to get
to max and you do four clicks, it will only adjust the star two
clicks.
Also remember to use Loctite on the brackets and caliper bolts.
Jack up the rear of the car.
Remove the wheels.
Not So Corvette News
Then remove the bolts for the calipers.
November, 2006
Then remove the calipers and pads.
Have a self-contained RV? Did you know that Sam Walton,
founder of Wal-Mart also had one? You can enjoy free parking
at any Wal-Mart lot where it’s permitted. The advantages:
they’re usually easy to find, many sell diesel fuel, convenience,
security (usually with security cameras), and the lots are welllit. You can restock your supplies while you’re there. The online
RV Bookstore (www.rvbookstore.com) sells a book that lists
all of the Wal-Marts and includes the ones where RV parking is
NOT allowed. Current price - $19.83. (Source: Dallas Morning
News)
You will see the caliper bracket. It has two bolts that hold this to
the brake backing plate. The bolts are very very tight but they
will come off; ( They are 125 ft. pounds with Loctite).
Once the bracket is off you can remove the rotor. (Make sure the
e-brake is not engaged ).
Next you will see how the system works. It has a set of shoe
brakes and the rotor has an internal drum. In the last few years
I have found that many, many C5s come from the factory with
poorly adjusted e-brakes.
One couple has traveled all over the United States, starting in
1970 in a Chevrolet Suburban, checking out food in restaurants
and truck stops along the way. Jane and Michael Stern have
written books about their experiences. “Roadfood,” their first
book, was published in 1978 and recently their 31st book, “Two
for the Road,” was released. Check out their website www.
roadfood.com
Now locate the star adjuster.
Turn it out to make the shoes grow in diameter. (Mine were out
33 clicks). I did ten clicks at a time and then slid the rotor back
on. I did three sets of ten before I could feel any drag. I then
clicked five more and could not get the rotor on. I then backed
off two clicks and got the rotor on. It was tight when I started
it on the shoes but when I finally seated it it was perfect. I then
did the other side. It was out exactly the same amount. I then put
everything back.
A young woman is the creative force behind the Pontiac Solstice
and the Saturn Skye. Vicki Vlachakis, from Pasadena CA, fell
in love with automotive design at the Art Center College of
Design in that city. After studying at the school’s Switzerland
campus she interned with Audi in Germany. She joined GM’s
advance design studio in California in 2000 and worked on the
team that developed the Solstice. Her focus was the interior.
The car debuted as a concept car in 2002 and appeared in
car showrooms late in 2005. The Skye followed in 2006 and
sold out for the calendar year. Not bad for a 34 year-old! See
her picture and read a short article about her at http://www.
successmagazine.com/article.php?article_id=11
Now for the test. When I engaged the e-brake it locked up the
brakes at a point about 45 degrees. 90 degrees being straight up.
The lock up was so positive. I knew I did it right.
Next to check the release. I took the car to a hill. Set the e-brake
car in neutral and it stayed there . Then to check on the release.
I slowly disengaged the e-brake and found that the shoes were
totally retracted after only an inch of lever release.
After this fix I could stop the car using only the e-brake with the
car doing ten miles an hour.
The e-brake also has an auto adjust feature but it will only work
6
November 2006
The Corvetter
CCT Annual Roundup Pictures
All pictures by Charles Whitaker
7
The Corvetter
CCT Annual Roundup Pictures (Cont.)
8
November 2006
The Corvetter
CCT Annual Roundup Pictures (Cont.)
November 2006
Many, Many MANY more pictures on the CCT web site!
9
November 2006
The Corvetter
2006 Event Calendar
Before attending any event listed in this calendar please double check with the organizers for any last minute
changes. CCT is not responsible for the accuracy of any listing except of CCT organized events. For NCCC events
November
4
Cruise (every
1st Saturday)
Extreme Corvettes Cruise Night 5 – 9 PM
Ezs Brick Oven, NW corner 190 & Coit, Plano see
www.extremecorvettes.com for more info
4
Cruise (every
1st Saturday)
North Texas Mustang Club Cruise 5:00 – 8:30
PM
Cracker Barrel, 35E @ Fox Avenue Exit, 889 South
Stemmons Freeway, West Side Frontage Rd, ,
Lewisville
4
Show (every 1st Hooter’s Car Show
Saturday)
1711 Cross Roads Dr. Grapevine. Call Roger 214908-2924 for info
5
Autocross
Rapide Sports Car Club Mineral Wells
Airpark. autocross.com/er
5/19
Show (every 1st Hot Rods & Hoggs Car Show
& 3rd Sunday)
Cruiser’s location at 2750 Preston Rd @ Hwy 121
across from the Stone Brier Mall in Frisco
10-11
Meeting
NCCC National Meeting
Sheraton Westport, St. Louis, MO
11
Show
1st Annual Cruising Parker Square for
Cystic Fibrosis Entry $20 donation to the CF
Foundation
Parker Square at 800 Main Street, Flower Mound
Steve Durbin 214-529-0479
11
Show (every
2nd Saturday)
The Camaro and Firebird Car Club registration Chuck’s Lewisville location, 2267 I-35, north of
5-7 PM, awards 8:30PM
Vista Ridge Mall, $10 entry fee
11
Cruise (every
2nd Saturday)
Late Great Chevy Club Cruise - 1955-1972
Chevys, but all cars welcome. 4:30pm
registration (April-Oct.)
Rick’s Famous BBQ on the northwest corner of
Old Denton Road and the President George Bush
Turnpike Call Richard (817) 690-1334, Email:
[email protected]
12/24
Show (every
2nd Sunday &
4th Friday)
Cruisers Club of Cedar Hill Car Show
Cruiser’s location at 2750 Preston Rd @ Hwy 121
across from the Stone Brier Mall in Frisco
Challenge Cup Autocross Monthly Feb. to Nov. Equipe
13
Meeting
CCT Board Meeting
Friendly Chevrolet
17
Meeting
CCT Membership Meeting
Friendly Chevrolet
18
Drive/Show
(every 3rd
Saturday)
Christian Classic Cruisers car show. (Mar. Oct.)
Birdville ISD Athletic facility located at the corner
of Mid-Cities Blvd. and Precinct Line Rd
18-19
Race
Texas Shootout Regional Race. SCCA
Texas World Speedway
23
Holiday
Happy Thansgiving
24
Deadline
Last day to submit articles and pictures to Send to [email protected]
December Newsletter
25
Show every 4th Gasoline Alley Car Shows
Sunday
T.G.I. FRIDAY’S Location at Beltline and the Toll
Road call Jeff @ (972)-289-4360
December
2-3
Race School
Super School - SCCA
Motorsports Ranch, Cresson
9
Party
CCT Christmas Party (See Flyer)
Fort Worth, TX. (Texas Motor Speedway)
10
November 2006
The Corvetter
2007 Event Calendar
April
26-28
Gathering
C5/C6 Bash
National Corvette Museum
3-5
Gathering
ZR-1/C4 Gathering
National Corvette Museum
24-26
Gathering
Corvette Forum Cruise-In
National Corvette Museum
Cruise
Mediterranean/Europe Cruise
Sponsored by National Corvette Museum
Anniversary Celebration/ Hall of Fame
National Corvette Museum
Pace Car Reunion
National Corvette Museum
May
June
18-30
August
30- Sep 2
Gathering
September
27-29
Gathering
October
11-13
Gathering
Classic Corvette Extravaganza
National Corvette Museum
25-27
Gathering
Z06 Fest
National Corvette Museum
C6Rs at Road America
Rumor has it that Chevrolete will drop out of ALMS next year because
of all the restrictions.
11