EMvette

I think it belongs to an older guy named Steve something? He ran SCCA AutoX with us for a season back when we were still running at Cooper Stadium. It had Lingenfelter engine mods too. Not much of a driver, but what a great car. BeerMan

All, City Council President Andy Ginther announced his support of the rezoning petition for the Cooper Park Complex today. It was first stated in an interview on WHOK and he then held a press conference at Cooper Stadium. This is obviously a big step forward for the project. Thank you to all of you who helped pass the word about this project. Check out the story here: http://www2.nbc4i.com/news/2011/jun/23/council-president-backs-cooper-park-racetrack-ar-559843/ Please tell as many people as possible to visit the facebook page for Cooper Park and post a “Thank You” to President Ginther. We need to keep our momentum going and let City Council know that their willingness to support the project is appreciated by many, many people. This is good news, very good news. But it is only one council person of 7 and the vote is Monday. We need to keep the fire burning and make sure that council is still getting messages from those that support this project. Please use your social media now (Facebook, Twitter, other forums) to help spread this word and continue to encourage those phone calls and emails. We are getting close, very close. Thanks, BeerMan

Ok, I don't know where to find ALL of the current Emails. But you can go to http://www.coopertalk.com & click on "How else can you help?" Bruno has Email addresses on there for council before some of the new members were seated this year. Make sure you don't send a note to someone who's not there anymore. A couple things to keep in mind: 1/ I can't tell you who's votes we are still working on, so I would send lettlers to all of the current councilmen. (And always be sure to copy council president Andrew Ginther on all correspondence.) 2/ (I probably don't need to say this to you guys, but figure I should play it safe.) If you send Emails, be sure to be positive in your comments. Personal attacks or slams on our opponents will work against us big time. Be sure to take the high road. There were a few opponents last night who hurt their cases with their condescending attitude to council. Later, BeerMan

I will try to post them on here after I get some rest. Thanks for all the support guys (and Gals). It didn't seem to go well tonight, but hang in there. The problem with this format was that the opposition was allowed to make up any lie they wanted with impunity. Remember the guy near the end that claimed that Arshot basically hosed the city after getting a 10 year tax abatement on the 5/3 building? Mr Schottenstein seemed especially upset at that comment because he never asked for 1 penny of abatements on that building. The opponents also said it was shameful for Mr Schottenstein to dangle jobs in front of the people in a neighborhood like Franklinton. The opponents of this project are the ones who should be ashamed of themselves. I bet they all have good jobs, while the people in Franklinton are starving. City Council votes on Monday. Until then, we can help by continuing to flood city hall with letters, phone calls, and Emails. The Arshot people will be working to point out the lies of this evening with the council members. Thanks Again, BeerMan

Already answered, but yes, kids are ok. My 10 yr old daughter typically goes with me to these things, but is going to miss tonight. Just be sure to prepare them for a long meeting. I would be surprised if it is less than 3hr. Also, be sure to remind people you know that city council expects the audience to be orderly and polite. If we make too much noise (even if it is just clapping after a speaker) they may clear the chamber. So let's be sure to take the high road tonight. We have experienced quite a bit of rude behavior from track opponents in the past, so let's be sure not respond to their tactics. We can just get even by winning the war. I will have two people outside city hall to give people directions and a FOR Cooper Park shirt. Look for them when you get there. See Y'all tonight. BeerMan

I just got out of a meeting that covered this stuff. The best guess is that the meeting will go 3+ hours. So if you can't make it at 5:30, please come late. We will have free "For Cooper Park" shirts for supporters that show up. One of our people should be at city hall to greet you when you get there & show you how to get to council chambers. I just found out that the "free" parking lot only holds about 30 cars, so here are a few options: 1/ We will have a bus (of the school variety) running a route through Franklinton picking up people from 4pm-6pm. The best way to catch this bus is to park at either Tommy's Diner on Broad St. or Franklin Plaza at Broad & I-70. (Look for the person with the Cooper Park sign.) 2/ Use carpools to save space. 3/ You can park in the LeVeque Tower parking garage. You would have to pay for parking, but I'm told it's the best option. If you get on the bus, we will have free refreshments & possibly some sandwiches. Please use this service if you can. Let's do it guys. BeerMan

Tomorrow's the big day for the big city council meeting to discuss approving the Cooper Park project. I was confronted by one of the opponents yesterday who claimed their side is going to show up in force tomorrow. He did everything except claim they were going to give us the beatdown of the century. (Pretty bold for a 65 year old man from German Village) Listen guys, this meeting is a BIG deal. City council wants to see if there is support for the project. Do whatever you can to be there, and show the city that local auto enthuiasts support this project. Better yet, grab a neighbor and/or friend & bring them with you. If you don't know where to go or how to get there give me a call at 614-578-1215. If you can't make it for the 5:30 beginning, come down late anyway. We can't let our dream of a fun new racing facility get defeated by a bunch of tree huggers from GV. Special meeting - 5:30pm Columbus City Council 90 W. Broad Street - 2nd floor Columbus, OH 43215 Free parking available after 5pm. See you there. BeerMan

The new Cooper Park website just went online. Go to: http://www.cooperparkcomplex.com There is a place to click where you can have a letter automatically generated & sent to the Mayor and City Council voicing your support. It only takes a few seconds. Please do it today. Tell your friends. Shoot a note out on you facebook. Time is very short. Thanks, BeerMan

Hey Guys, I hope you have been trying to follow the approval process for the new Cooper Park Complex at the old Cooper Stadium. If not, go to this website: http://www.coopertalk.com There is a very important Columbus City Council meeting coming up on Tuesday, June 21st, where they are going to hear input from the community before they make their final decision the next week. If we get enough supporters to show up, it is almost guaranteed to get the 'thumbs up'. If you are a fan (or participant) of Drifting, AutoX, Circle Track, or car shows, Cooper Park Complex will have a direct positive impact on your activities. If you want to help make CPC a reality, we can really use your support now. Please look at the information on the above website. If you can attend the public meeting, it will be greatly appreciated. If not, please take the time to call Mayor Coleman's office: 614-645-7671 and City Council: 614-645-7830 to voice your support. We are told that council will be keeping a close eye on calls of support that come from the community prior to their meeting. Thanks, BeerMan

I noticed. Dang, now I'll have to quit CR. BeerMan

Uhh.... that's a Yugo.

I have friends that run with the Miata club & have watched some of their events. They look like fun, but our car is a tad big to run on the BMC courses. You should give us a try sometime. SCCA is definitely a different animal. Later, BeerMan

We need that much tire to get the power to the ground. You know the routine: More motor requires more tire, which allows more motor, which requires more tire. Rinse - repeat. Obviously the wheel bearings hate it. So do the rear suspension bushings. We have tons of action shots with the rear wheels pointed all kinds of funky directions. This winter we're doing all new wheel bearings, and replacing all of the control arms & connecting rods with heim joints. Hopefully that will help keep things under control. Later, BeerMan

Go to http://www.ovr-scca.org Look up "Autocross" for info. Or contact me through the MB. I'm responsible to make sure Newbees have fun. I like to think I'm pretty successful at that. Later, BeerMan

Yeah, there's a story, but it's too obvious for me to share on here. I'll leave it to one of the other insiders hear to explain. Later, BeerMan