To any car enthusiast, there's nothing quite like the sound of a healthy V-8 as it roars to life through a set of side pipes, making you turn around quickly to check and see just where it might be coming from. Imagine then, just how it must have sounded when the largest grouping of snakes in recent memory (over 300!) made their way into Central Ohio for what has to be considered the biggest gathering of Cobra's in the country.
Like clockwork, the ultimate gathering of the faithful pulled into historic London, Ohio, for the fourth year in a row to honor one of the most celebrated automotive designs in history while also making a difference for charity. Welcome to the Double Venom Spring Fling, an event that at times defies description since it's not you typical car show; in fact, it's not a car show at all!
The Fling was the brainstorm of Classics by Elite founder Ed "DV" Combs to bring together both Cobra owners and fans of the car to allow them to spend three days of driving, exhibiting, and sharing with the public their enthusiasm and knowledge for the make. This year a newly added poker run was a perfect chance for owners to break up into groups and take a 120-mile tour that offered roughly three-and-a-half hours of drive time through the central Ohio countryside. Depending on which route you took, you were able to stop at Der Dutchman (a quaint Amish and Mennonite restaurant), The Bogey Inn restaurant and pub (with a history that goes back to the 1800s), Champs restaurant and bar, and JEG's High Performance Center. After the run, it was time to head over to the family picnic that had endless wicked, tasty, catered barbecue to feast on and plenty of live music to get the crowd going as they wound down the day.
On Saturday all car owners met up to prepare for their police-escorted drive into downtown for the Parade of Snakes. Car owners were not only greeted by a Strawberry Festival, but with an array of vendors and manufacturers including Superformance, Premier, Shamrock, Backdraft, Power Performance, Shell Valley, Mid-States, and Classic Roadsters II. It got even better when you heard the revs and burning tires as the 1/8th mile-drags had started. Buying tickets also meant benefiting Cystic Fibrosis Research, a worthy cause and, as participants screamed through the traps at over 90 mph, the local police cheered you on. Cool!
For the final day of the Fling, a 9 a.m. call to the Speedway Terminal had everyone back in line for a cruise to Deer Creek State Park, which also carved through miles upon miles of superb farmland. Once again a free barbecue helped expand the waistlines of all car owners. All weekend long the gang from Pro-Tune had their Dynapack 3500 going full-tilt and when it was all over, Wade and Beth Chamberlain's FFR roadster from Warrington, Virginia, had the highest pull of the event with a scorching 446 hp screaming from the axles of their Vortech-urged 306-inch Ford mill.
As the day wound down, it was time to select the raffle winner of Ed Comb's personal Double Venom, Viper V-10-powered roadster. Chuck Siefke of New Carlisle, Ohio, was the lucky winner, and he even got a personal call from Ed announcing his win while he was away in England on business! Through the dedication of Ed Combs, his family, friends, car owners, and sponsors, the Fling was able to raise $12,000 this year for Cystic Fibrosis Research in the name of Team Jenny. If you're looking for a great show, you should put this event on your must-do list and make it a point to take in the charm of the Double Venom Spring Fling next year. Check out more at www.dvsf.com.