The 2nd Annual SCC/Stack Performance Cruise!
Banning- Eighteen SoCal Challengers gathered on June 26th, 2010 for a fun-filled cruise adventure sponsored by Stack Performance of Anaheim, Ca. Members travelled 110 miles on a pre-determined route that took them through the San Jacinto mountains at elevations over 6000 feet, high plains, and desert terrain ending finally in Pioneertown in the Yucca Valley. Lunch was handled by Islands Restaurant of Palm Desert. SCC Members had the rest of the day in Pioneertown to enjoy the attractions and scenery.
I met Ryan and Garber at Stack Performance at 6:30a.m. We wanted to get to the IHOP by 7:30 so we could have breakfast there. It was great to see Cheryl there, too. I hadn’t seen her at an event since the LX Festival. As she quickly slammed the rest of her coffee, we hopped on the 91 and headed for Banning. Other than the semi truck that wanted to be in my lane with me at the same time on the 10 Freeway we made it to Banning without a hitch. Isreal was already there with his new sharp red R/T. He had recently replaced his black R/T with this one as his former Challenger had numerous electrical and driveline issues. We were glad his dealership took care of him and replaced his car. Chris and Mellow pulled up right behind us too and we walked in to IHOP together. This IHOP was very clean and the food was surprisingly good. I remember when IHOP restaurants were dirty and the food was nasty. They’ve definitely cleaned up their act; at least this one anyways. Members started arriving one by one. I was surprised by Metal’s appearance. He hadn’t signed up but showed up and we dug it. We hadn’t seen him in a while. We all had a great chat with breakfast and got ready to cruise.
At 9:30 I did my usual pre-meet to discuss the cruise. I had broken the route into four legs and I provided maps for everyone so they wouldn’t get lost. It’s a two lane road most of the way. For starters, were going to climb San Jacinto Mountain and go through Idylwild. The views of the opposing San Gorgonio Mountains as we climbed were spectacular. Before you know it, you’re at 6,000 ft plus elevation. The CHP officer wasn’t sitting at the lone stop sign in Idylwild so it didn’t take us two years to all get through that stop sign. We continued through Idylwild and down the other side of the San Jacinto Mountains where we dead-ended at the 74 Pines to Palms Highway. We made a left and headed East towards our first stop, the Lake Hemet Market. When we got there I started looking at who was there and I noticed people were missing. G2 pulled up right at that moment and told me that five or six cars had turned two driveways earlier into the campground. I asked Greg, ”Why?”. He replied, “I don’t know”. Hmmm, I was back in my car to go find my flock who had lost their way. As I was winding my way down the road towards the campground, the five or so lost cars passed me going the other way. I swung a U-turn and the chase was on. Luckily they waited for me at the 74 Highway and I led them to the market which was less than a quarter of a mile away. We got some great pictures of the cars there with the mountains as a backdrop. It’s a beautiful high plain location. A Forest Ranger drove around the parking lot over and over ogling our cars. I think he did like five laps. I got a kick out of that.
After leaving the market we headed for our next stop where we would have lunch, Palm Desert. The next forty or so miles we transitioned from high plain to desert. As we descended into Palm Desert we arrived at Island’s Restaurant for lunch. It was 95 degrees plus already at noon. I had a great lunch with Ryan, Cheryl, and Dave, as well as Sam and his son Nick. Eddie threw some paper at me over the divider and I thought it was James so I threw paper at him. Ah, the joys of juvenility…Loved it! After chow it was time to leave and go to get gas and onto Pioneertown.
As we made it to the gas stop, the temperature climbed to 101 degrees. It was hot! I didn’t plan this route for later in the summer for that very reason. Marcello had gotten caught up in the soccer games at Island’s and he came out to an empty parking lot. I got him caught up and to the gas stop where we filled up and started our last leg to the Yucca Valley.
The last leg of the trip takes you by the huge wind catchers outside of Palm Springs. You don’t realize how big the blades on those things are until you’re close to them. They are really impressive close up. As we headed North along the 62 Highway we climbed the big hill into Yucca Valley. I called Yucca Valley Dodge/Chrysler from the car and told them the SoCal Challenger Car Club was going to be driving by on our way to Pioneertown with 18-19 Challengers in a big ‘ole line. I received the surprisingly luke-warm response of “oh, ok”. Luckily, two salespeople were standing out there when we went by and we all honked at them and waved. That was really cool they came out. Pioneertown was just a few miles past that point.
Once in Pioneertown Members had the opportunity to watch the Wild West Show and see the scenery. Pioneertown as originally built as a movie set for westerns in the 40’s. Afterwards, people stayed and it became a town. The old staff and crew quarters were still there and it’s now a motel. An old sound stage is still there as well as the bowling alley that was built for the crews in 1949. It’s one of the oldest working bowling alleys in the United States. Stepping in there is like stepping back in time with the open ball returns and super old pinball machines. All the lanes had ashtrays built onto the seats, too. Definitely a different time back then. There was a cabinet with old steam powered toys, too. I hadn’t seen those in many, many years.
All in all, we went over 110 miles. I hoped people liked the route and had a good time. I already have ideas for my next one in mind. Stay tuned!
...we hopped on the 91 and headed for Banning. - Deuce
The 2010 B&M Hurst American Muscle Car Challenge!
Fontana- Twelve SCC Members travelled to Cal Speedway for the B&M Hurst American Muscle Car Challenge on May 17th, 2010. A total of fourteen Challengers were present along with eighteen Camaros, seven Mustangs, and three Pontiac G8’s. Participants were grouped by make and were given track time on the infield course in thirty-minute intervals. All drivers were accompanied in-car at all times by instructors from Driving Concepts. Participants learned high performance driving techniques delivered in track time and classroom instruction. B&M also provided a Hawaiian barbecue lunch for drivers and instructors. SCC Member Brian S was awarded the Most Improved Driver Award by Driving Concepts at the closing of the event.
I remember leaving my home in Huntington Beach that morning excited to be able to get some track time for my Challenger at a great price. Because of B&M and their sponsors, we got a great discount for our day at Cal Speedway. Not five minutes away from my home and my phone alerts me of a text message. Dan leaves a message, ”So what about this rain?” “What are your plans?”. I didn’t understand the message so I called him. He replied that it’s raining where he is. Like RAINING. I replied, ”It’s not raining here”. “I’m going out there”. Since I left earlier than everyone else, I gave the scouting report as I travelled out there. At the Speedway, it was a moderate drizzle and windy but the track day was still on.
All of us were able to park in the pit crew bays that the race cars get to use. B&M separated our cars by make. Camaros, Challengers, Mustangs, and a couple of Pontiac G8’s for good measure. We all made our way into the classroom where Carl from Driving Concepts introduced himself and his fellow instructors for the event. Car also introduced a special guest for us as well. Mr. Ian James had stopped by to hang out with us. He races in the Continental GT class. And he drives a Challenger! My kind of guy. The pedigree from Driving Concepts I had experienced before... Lots of drivers with pro experience and success. The rules and regs were covered and we were assigned instructors for the day. The different makes of cars would be separated on the track and go individually with Camaros being first. We were up second followed by the Mustangs and the G8’s.
You first few laps are driven by your instructor driving your car. He shows you the track, talks your way through it, and gives you the best line to follow. After that, it’s your turn. The instructor sits shotgun and talks through a headset at you as you drive. If you aren’t familiar with the track, there are several laps of simply learning the course. Some of the infield course is simply marked off with cones which can be confusing at higher speeds until you learn the track. This fades quickly though after a few laps. After that, it simply building your technique and keeping things smooth. This was my fourth track day and I knew for some SCC Members it was their first. It was great to see them learn and improve so quickly throughout the day.
After each thirty minute session, you went back to the classroom for a debrief to discuss what you experienced on the course. We also were allowed to be taken out by the instructors in their cars. Fun! If you thought you were being pretty badass in your car the ride with the instructor wiped that out real quick. They were blindingly fast. That was a kick. Ian also took participants out in their personal vehicles if they wished.
I remember being really impressed with some of the Member’s driving that day. Karl was doing really well out there. So were Dan and Marcello. Bill and I had a great time the very last session of the day staying neck and neck with each other for the whole thirty minute session. I went over and thanked him for that after we got back to the bays. That was a blast!
Our last classroom session was for awards for each make of car present that day. Brian received the Most Improved Driver Award for the Challenger group. Go Brian! I saw lots of teeth that day, from smiling members. I think everyone enjoyed themselves and learned valuable driving skills that will help them in their everyday driving. I’d like to thank B&M Hurst and Driving Concepts, as well as all of the sponsors for putting on such a first class and safe event. We can’t wait for the next one!
They were blindingly fast. That was a kick. - Deuce
