What happens when 283 Cobra lovers get together for a cruise down the Ohio countryside and a three-day party...all for charity? It is a funfest that raises $105,257 for Cystic Fibrosis Research.
All told, 283 Cobras attended, along with two GT40s, an S1, a Noble M12, a Mustang GT350, and a BMW. Members of the Great Lakes Cobras Club, Capital Area Cobra Club, Northeast Ohio Kit Car Club, and Ohio Valley Kit Car Club made themselves known with their support of the event, and at least seven clubs had members in attendance. All on hand, it seemed, were there to help, as the event brings out the best in people.
The event began with a cruise to the Ohio State University campus in Columbus, for a day of autocrossing and camaraderie. The Buckeyes NEVER saw that many Snakes on campus before, and when the day ended, Bill Peirce had blazed to the quickest time in the autocross, with KIT CAR Editor Mike Blake along for the ride, in 28.4 seconds. Peirce said the extra weight was a help for his FFR, as "the line is the thing, and the added weight actually helped the handling." Good thing he didn't call it "dead weight." David McIlvanie came in Second with his light-primer-blue FFR in 28.6 and Wayne Presley managed a Third and fourth in two non-Cobras, flying around the course in 28.8 seconds in the 1G Racing Noble M12 and running 29-flat in his own CAV GT40.
The next day saw a regional country cruise down I-70, I-270, and I-71, where the 25-dozen cars descended on London, Ohio, home of the Strawberry Festival. With help from the City of London Police and Fire Departments, the enthusiasts were treated to wall-to-wall Cobras on display, drag burn-outs, food, fun, and charity.
The final day was filled with more cruising, a silent auction of memorabilia, and even more fun. A stop at the Madison County Airport provided food, merriment, dragstrip runs, more autocrossing, and a rare Cobra treat--a concert by the Rip Chords, the group who sang "Hey Little Cobra" in 1964. (Editor's note: In 1964, Cashbox reported that "Hey Little Cobra" was Number 2 with a bullet, as Number 1 was "I Want To Hold Your Hand" and Number 3 was "She Loves You," both by The Beatles.)
When it was over, the event, a brainchild of Classics By Elite founder Ed Combs, had raised $105,257, aided by attendance fees, 309 Cobra ride-alongs at $10 per ride, $2,955 from the live auction, and $1,122 from the silent auction. The big fund-raiser, in addition to participation fees, came from the Cobra giveaway. Kirkham Motorsports of Provo, Utah, manufacturers of classy and classic brushed aluminum-bodied Cobra 427s and 289s, donated a shiny, new 289FIA, and the event organizers sold 108 tickets at $50 apiece to raise $44,000 for the charity.
Bob Sutton, who drove his Millennium Yellow B&B Cobra from Wheaton, Illinois, purchased a ticket and about an hour later was driving home in his new Kirkham. It was that easy, all for a charitable $50 donation.
The attendees came from 45 states, Canada, the UK, and Australia to raise funds for Team Jenny, a group that honors Jenny Smith, daughter of FFR leader Dave Smith. Jenny is afflicted with Cystic Fibrosis, and she is so endearing that a group of Cobra guys, led by Combs, decided to just do something nice for someone. Actually, it is for everyone affected by the crippling lung disease, and the Combs-created event is now in its third year. Combs named it Double Venom Spring Fling after the Double Venom Cobra he builds, combining the bite of the Cobra with the venom of a Viper V-12 engine.
Combs has indicated that the '04 event will take place the weekend of June 25-27, and if you are charitable or just a Cobra lover, you'll enjoy the fun, the friendship, the charming community of London, Ohio, and three days of kit car enjoyment by attending the Double Venom Spring Fling 4 (DVSF4). For more information contact Ed Combs at Classics By Elite, 3212 Old Columbus Rd., Dept. KC, London, OH 43140, (740) 852-5280, www.cobras.com, or Kristy Bradstock at the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Central Ohio Chapter, 960 Kingsmill Pkwy., Suite 101, Dept. KC, Columbus, OH 43229, (614) 846-2440, www.cff.org. See the cars, the folks, and the fun. DVSF4 is a can't-miss event. KC
 On the highway to London,...  On the highway to London, nearly 300 Cobras stretched out single file on the first cruise of DVSF3. |
 From high atop the London,...  From high atop the London, Ohio, Fire Department's cherry picker, 90 feet above the street, it was a Cobra festival a far as the eye could see. |
 Are you catching the theme?...  Are you catching the theme? Here on the Ohio State University campus Buckeyes and Snakes were the order of the day. |
 Henry Renaud's FFR Cobra won...  Henry Renaud's FFR Cobra won the KIT CAR Magazine Editor's Choice Car of the Show trophy. The Marlborough, MA, resident has a 430hp 391 Ford engine under hood and a stunning House of Kolor Galaxy Gray paintjob with Orion Silver ghost flames. You'll be seeing more of this car in a future issue. |
 David McIlvanie brought his...  David McIlvanie brought his light-blue-primer FFR '65 roadster to the event. His 17-day build finished with the installation of a 229hp Ford 302 powerplant. |
 Bill Peirce visited from Sugarland,...  Bill Peirce visited from Sugarland, TX, in his FFR No. 3035. With a stock 275hp, 302ci Mustang engine, Peirce, with KIT CAR Editor Mike Blake as co-pilot, blazed to the fastest autocross heat of 28.4 seconds. |
 Proving that Cobras aren't...  Proving that Cobras aren't the only cars on site, Wayne Presley took his CAV GT40 out and smoked the autocross. He has a Ford 342 under hood that produces 320 hp. |
 Bill Striegel drove up from...  Bill Striegel drove up from Moro, IL, in his '86 NAF Cobra. Striegel revs up with a Ford 428 engine that pops out 350 hp and has reached a top speed of 155 mph. |
 1G Racing's Ron and Dean Rosen...  1G Racing's Ron and Dean Rosen brought the new Noble M12 supercar to the fray from Ross, OH. The car wowed them on the autocross. |
 Ben Ramsey's FFR was driven...  Ben Ramsey's FFR was driven from Lynchburg, VA. In London, he burned a few dragstrip laps, taking passengers along for charity donations. |
 Ron Barsamian sold his Butler...  Ron Barsamian sold his Butler Cobra and bought a Kirkham. This brushed aluminum 289 FIA is Kirkham No. 184, and it features ghost competition stripes and a 450hp, 482ci Shelby aluminum block engine. |
 Steve Brown's FFR is painted...  Steve Brown's FFR is painted a striking House of Kolors Organic Green and Pagan Gold. This head-turner made the short trip from Amherst, OH. This light, 2,164-pound Snake is propelled by a 550hp 351 Windsor that has been stroked to 408 ci. |
 Gary Hughes and Elizabeth...  Gary Hughes and Elizabeth Schill enjoy their Unique Cobra, which came all the way from Fairfax Station, VA. The Viking Blue Snake houses a 380hp 351 Windsor mill. |