If you're going to test kit cars, you should hire KIT CAR's co-workers to organize the event. Never before have we had to attend so many meetings. We were beginning to think that maybe the KIT CAR Performance Day wasn't worth all the effort it entailed to pull it off. We planned and strategized, going over and over the same list of to-dos once KIT CAR Publisher Tim Foss came up with the idea. Led by KIT CAR's Associate Publisher, Angela Schoof, who doubled as the Performance Day director of festivities, several colleagues visited the El Toro Marine Base in El Toro, California, where we'd be testing those replicar manufacturers against the clock, gravity, skill, luck, and the whims of Mother Nature. Another colleague, Nick Licata, met with AMCI, the venue's overseers for new car testing. Another co-worker, Yasmin Fajatin, made sure we'd have a cool logo, event T-shirts emblazoned with said logo, and participant Performance Day license plates complete with the iconic KIT CAR Performance Day 2007 image. She also orchestrated renting tables, chairs, EZ-Ups, and a visit from a Carl's Jr. catering truck at lunchtime.
Editorial Director Brian Brennan made sure that the KIT CAR editorial staff of one, yours truly, wasn't the only person taking photos. There were so many editorial types at El Toro on the day of the test, it was as if we were all covering some huge automotive event, not a kit car event. Also, Nick Licata and Jason Scudellari, who have the most experience running the testing equipment did so with consummate skill.
To the amazement of none, the testing day was a huge success, and a great deal of fun. Everyone we invited raved about the results. Brenda Frias helped recruit the participants. All the companies asked to be part of the next event, the planning of which is already in the beginning stages.
Mike Bell of Sandy, UT, seemed...
Mike Bell of Sandy, UT, seemed to handle the skidpad course swell in his 427ci Ford big-block V-8 Sideoiler-powered Shell Valley Cobra 427 SC, regardless of whether he went clockwise or counterclockwise.
The first ever KIT CAR Performance Day consisted of four different timed tests. In the morning, we ran the cars through a 420-foot slalom that had cones spaced 70 feet apart. Each driver had five runs to reach their best mph result. For valid skidpad results, each contestant ran their car clockwise, then counterclockwise. Adding the two times and deriving an average of the two assured an accurate g-force figure for each car.
In the afternoon, the 12 cars had three runs at achieving their fastest 0-60 mph time. They then had two attempts at braking from 60-0 mph. When all the testing was complete, all the manufacturers said they'd like to participate in the second KIT CAR Performance Day.
KIT CAR wishes to thank the following manufacturers (in alphabetical order) for being part of this event: Backdraft Racing, Cobras 'N' Vettes, Factory Five Racing, Midstates Classic Cars, Shell Valley, Thunder Ranch, Stuttgart Spyders, and Vintage Spyders. We imagine every company will be back next time, and we hope to see some new manufacturers that couldn't be part of the first event.
With FFR Engineer Jim Schenck...
With FFR Engineer Jim Schenck behind the wheel, the Corvette LS7-powered Factory Five Racing GTM performed admirably in the slalom.
Look for the test results in feature articles for each manufacturer's vehicle tested in this and upcoming issues of KIT CAR. Also, be sure to check out www.kitcarmag.com for expanded coverage of the KIT CAR Performance Day.
(Editor's note: We should take the time to thank all of those who helped make this event the success that it was: Publisher Ed Zinke, Associate Publisher John Barkley, Events Manager Michelle Turczyn, Managing Editor Krystal Garza, Web Producer Ed Kimball, Advertising Sales Rep Patrick Walsh, Advertising Sales Rep David Stoker, Advertising Sales Rep Janeen Webb, Advertising Sales Rep John Whatley, and Advertising Sales Rep Bill Middaugh.)
 Owner of Vintage Spyders in...  Owner of Vintage Spyders in Stanton, CA, the manufacturers of the 550 and 550-S, Greg Leach had never driven a skidpad course before. He did better going clockwise than counterclockwise, as you can see from the photo of him in a 210hp Subaru-powered 550-S Spyder. To his credit, Greg has a big old grin on his face. |  Jim Schenck, lead engineer...  Jim Schenck, lead engineer and accomplished driver at Factory Five Racing, did better in successive runs. He's piloting Jesper Ingerslev's FFR Mk III roadster, which is mentioned in the "Texas Venom" article in this very issue. |  Even when you're shooting...  Even when you're shooting action shots all day, sometimes the best photos are posed. Associate Editor of Custom Classic Trucks, Dakota Wentz, captured Steve and Angela Lane's Thunder Ranch 550A-6 Spyder in the early morning overcast light, just right. The Lanes live in Medford, OR. |
 Here's proof positive that...  Here's proof positive that different kit car manufacturers can get along amicably, especially when they're all lined up and ready to get a Carl's Jr.-catered lunch of gourmet burgers or chicken, fries, and a soda. It was an all-you-can-eat affair. Yummy! |  Not only is Reg Dodd the owner...  Not only is Reg Dodd the owner of Backdraft Racing, a Cobra replica manufacturer in Boynton Beach, FL, and South Africa, he's also an accomplished racecar driver. He made it to 60 mph in less time than it takes to read this sentence. |  Veteran Porsche sports car...  Veteran Porsche sports car racer, designer, and replicar business owner Tom McBurnie, chief designer and owner of Thunder Ranch in El Cajon, CA, seemingly goes straight through the slalom course with swift dispatch in one of his 356 Speedsters. |
 The '66 Cobray-C3 entry from...  The '66 Cobray-C3 entry from Cobras 'N Vettes performed well in the acceleration test. A Chevy small-block V-8 powers the car, which has a C3 Corvette ('68-82) chassis. |  After the lunch siesta, manufacturers'...  After the lunch siesta, manufacturers' cars were rested sufficiently to run the afternoon tests, the 0-60 mph, and the braking from 60-0 mph. Midstates Classic 427 SC roadster owner Wayne Wells of Lemoore, CA, had his black beauty lined up first. |  In his maroon big-block Chevy-powered...  In his maroon big-block Chevy-powered Midstates Classic Cobra 427 SC, Owner Dean Hornbacker went most rapidly 'round the skidpad. He was all in focus, while all else was a blur. |