The 2007 Western Sates Cobra Bash - Biggest Bash Ever

For the third year in a row, the Western States Cobra Bash (WSCB) was a blast. Sticking to the original theme, this year's gathering consisted of owners and their Cobras, Daytona Coupes, and GT40s arriving in Reno-Sparks, Nevada, from all over the U.S.A., with visitors inside and outside the U.S. There were some nice originals and many replicas on hand. Our three-day plan started with arrivals and a welcoming, a track day on Friday, the drive through Tahoe and Squaw Valley on Saturday morning, and culminated with a public car show in the afternoon. We could not have been more pleased with the excitement and enthusiasm of all the participants and attendees. At the core of the WSCB is the idea of getting together, just relaxing, and having some good old fun. For some, it's the anticipation, planning, and traveling in caravans of Cobras from different U.S. regional clubs. For others, it's all about preparing the cars and being finished in time for the WSCB as a great season-opener and launch of the summer. The gods were upon us, because the weather for our third year topped the previous two years.

Before getting into the details, let it be known ... A big thank you goes out to ERA Automobiles, Superformance, Dynamic Motorsports, Shelby Enterprises, Kirkham Motorsports, and a host of specialty vendors for their support, participation, and helpful car displays. These vendors attracted visitors and potential car and parts buyers from around the world interested in seeing some of the finest Cobra, GT40, and Daytona Coupe replicas, as well as premium aftermarket components, all in one location. The WSCB was never really intended to be a big sales event, but the vendors have had so much fun each year that they keep coming back for more. Their presence enhances the overall look and feel of the WSCB, and benefits attendees who haven't purchased a GT40, Cobra, or Daytona Coupe replica yet.

For 2007, the track day kicked off an absolutely superb WSCB as the event organizers fine-tuned the instruction and track component by reviewing last year's feedback. They decided to further personalize the track instruction program by bringing it in-house and handed over the reins to the good ol' boys from the Northern California River City Shelby Club (RCSC). The RCSC developed the instruction and driving program. Many of these guys are repeat WSCB participants who live, breathe, build, race, and drive Cobras, among many other types of race cars and events. When they took a look at who regularly attended each year, it made perfect sense to leverage these veterans. What made it even better is these guys all know each other very well, work together as a great team, and fully understand what the WSCB is all about, starting with the people, having fun, and safety.

Lance Stander of Superformance was kind enough to bring Carroll Shelby's own #98 Superformance Daytona Coupe. Rich Mason brought the original #98 Flip Top 427 Cobra along with Gordon Gumbel's #52 USRRC Cobra. This made for a really nice exhibit in the Superformance and Shelby display in the upper corral area. In addition, other specialists and builders, such as GT Auto, Ken's Custom Auto Body, FE Specialties, Speed Freaks Industries, and Operations Plus/SWB Studios, had some of their goods on display. Vendors, specialists, and builder-owners all hung out together enjoying the weather, activities, and great cars. For a Cobra-phile, there was no other place to be than at the WSCB in May 2007!

Handing out awards for the nicest cars would be really tough since all the cars are awesome, and many are beyond superb. It's really difficult to decide which one is better than the next. Many are so unique and fun in their own special way. After the event organizers put their brains together, they solved this challenge with the foundation of the WSCB's principles. They selected 10 cars that met the standards of two combined categories to become a winner. The two categories were: 1) Well-built cars inside and out with attention to detail, and 2) Very obvious evidence of use, fun, and, most importantly, being driven. The second parameter made some of the judges get on the ground in front of the cars to count the number of rock chips about the nose. If we were at a draw between two cars in one area, the winner was chosen with the most chips below the headlights-no further questions, easy answer. We snuck around and dropped off trophies inside the cars when the owners weren't looking without explaining the award parameters to anyone. All the recipients knew later on is that a trophy mysteriously appeared in their cars at some point during the car show.

There is one little story we'd like to share as an example of people and cars. The owner and car that topped it off for us this year by far was Alan DeClue's CAV GT40 of Oakley, California. When we opened the door to put the trophy in Alan's car, we found cookies and munchies inside the door pockets and inspiring bits of evidence of pure fun and enjoyment. We think this is what it's all about, not just shiny paint and high-dollar engines. Earlier in the day, we noticed Alan actually had his 90-year-young grandmother walking around the corral to see the cars. Is this a car enthusiast or what? We also learned late Saturday evening that Alan and his fianc, Valerie, came to the WSCB and were getting married that same weekend. Saturday evening, we discovered that Alan had apparently spent a good part of the track day helping another driver fix his broken GT40. Alan missed most of his own track time. Valerie, we think you deserve the award as much as your new husband. We hope you and Alan share great memories of your wedding weekend at the WSCB.

In closing, we're very happy to report that after all our expenses were paid, we were still able to contribute to the Best Friends Animal Society. See www.BestFriends.org for more information. The remaining proceeds were donated to Best Friends toward the completion of our large cat rehabilitation and education facility/program. Best Friends is doing everything they can for them. And for you racers, check this out. We wanted to make sure you were aware of their partnership program at Best Friends. It's called "Racing Laps for Best Friends" (see www.racinglapsforbest-friends.com) with Indy Pro Series driver Andrew Prendeville. There are several opportunities to engage racing fans while supporting the work of Best Friends.

Thanks to all for your support this year, and special thanks go out to Duane Cooney, the RCSC, and the WSCB staff. We're already working feverishly on WSCB 2008. Check the Web site in January 2008 for other updates at www.WesternStatesCobra-Bash.com. You'll find expanded coverage at www.kitcarmag.com.