Crazy Hawaiian Races his GT 350 at Tracks all over the Continental US !!!!!!!!!!!

[Bill Pemberton]

Sold my white GT 350 as I decided to get back into door to door racing , and admit the song of the flat plane crank is still implanted in my brain ( what glorious music ). Similar to your case , my wife told me I could get my GT 350 as long as it wasn't blue or red ( have two blue cars now and have had quite a few red in the past) , so with that okay she got ordered, ha. She saw a ruby red Mustang later and said I should have gotten that color and of course I had to remind her of her comment. Great color and definitely one of my favorites! Hope the rumors of a possible race track being built on the Big Island come to fruition as what a perfect place for track events and a Racing/Driving School -- perfect weather all year long, what could be better? My wife and I drove the entire island when we went in 2017 and there are some great areas to stretch the 350's legs! You will enjoy this site and we look forward to hearing from you , Bob and others who live in Paradise!

 

[Kona Bob]

Paniolo. Who knew? The stuff you learn on this site is pretty damn good, everything from language to pizza making. And stuff about cars too.....

[Aloha JDee,
I see you are one of our Canadian Brothers. I am returning to Florida July 30 to pick up my car and head up to Maine. I am scheduled for VIR, Pittsburg and Watkins Glen. I have been told I should try to do Mosport and Calabogie when I get to upstate New York they are just a few hours (5) North. Any feedback on which one you prefer or are both good??

 

[JDee]

They are very different tracks, I like Calabogie but it has a lot of technical elements to it (21 corners on the long track if I remember correctly) and you will find it difficult to learn unless you can get sim time before you go.

Mont Tremblant is also a good choice, another track with a GP history behind it and a nice combination of technical and power elements and set in a very beautiful part of the country, terrain wise.

But I would for sure pick Mosport as a must run track, it is easier to learn and it is an adrenalin junkies' dream track with huge history behind it. I'm heading there Monday for a track day.

Do 'em all if you have time, but I suspect you don't. Mosport and WG both were GP tracks in the same era, it would be a great combination to run them both. I have lists of all the track days at those 3 tracks if you want to PM me with a rough time frame you're looking at I can let you know what's available and who to contact.

 

[Bill Pemberton]

Heck , let us all know, you never know what crazy TMO from the States might wander up North to beat the heat - or just wants some fresh Molson?

 

[JDee]

Heck , let us all know, you never know what crazy TMO from the States might wander up North to beat the heat - or just wants some fresh Molson?

Molson and Labatts both make pretty ordinary stuff these days. Better to try some of the really great craft beers we've got going on up here now. Wish we could get Yuengling up here, damn I miss that stuff, back in my sailing days we used to shoot, well, glide across the river to Cape Vincent, Clayton or A. Bay NY and load up.

This summer track days at Mosport from a variety of groups are:
July - 15, 16, 17, 19, 22, 25, 30, 31.
August - 14, 15, 19, 20
There are a fair number in Sept/Oct as well. PM me and I can give details on registering and so forth. Cost ranges from $389 to $650 for essentially the same product.

Mont Tremblant - has less frequent events, the Jim Russell school there has some lapping days on their website. One Ontario based group Infinite Motorsports is running an event July 31, Aug 1 and 2 that includes a group drive starting around Toronto, accommodation, meals and a track day. It's a nice drive up there but back roads in Quebec tend to be teeth rattlers as I found out on my trip up there two weeks ago.

Calabogie has an almost weekly sked of events that experienced drivers can take part in. They also have a fleet of rental caged S197s and instructors always available, it's such a long track the guidance is quite useful. They also have a couple of race series that are sort of racing and sort of lapping, passing rules involve point bys and similar lapping day things but they do treat it as a competition and have a championship. No idea how they referee that, must be fun.

There's also a few track days at Shannonville every month, about an hour east of Mosport, really cheap like 200 Canuck bucks including lunch. Another technical track, has no elevation changes at all, it's been around a long time and is showing its age but still can be good fun and very useful for testing setup changes. And there about 40 pot shops in the immediate vicinity....if that's something you do. Me, not so much.

I live about midway between Mosport and Shannonville, almost nirvana for a track rat.

 

[Bill Pemberton]

Sept. 12-15 , racemph.com, " Mustang Roundup," as I mentioned ,Bob, you gotta get this on your list. Now that you are a TMO Trackraticus you won't find another event where you can meet so many of us, actually run against similar competition instead of a bunch of Hondas, Camaros, Porsches, etc. and we even have trophies available -- for quite a few classes to make it fair for all?

Plus, a ton of folks would love to meet you and what better place -- even a decent drive for you relatives in Colorado if they wanted to come?

 

[GranTouring]

Hey everyone - we got the distinct pleasure to meet Kona Bob and do an interview with him this weekend at PittRACE. You can check out the article written by one of our Region Chiefs John R and his S550 Ecoboost track rat via this link: https://www.gtmotorsports.org/?p=9544
We appreciate you stopping by, and if you've crossed paths with Bob, please leave a comment! we also started an instagram hashtag for bob - so post pixs here if you met him - https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/konabts550/

 

[JeffV8]

I just got back from Pitt Race from Track night and saw this. I forgot all about Kona Bob being at the track on the 10th. Would have been great to meet him.

 

[VoodooBoss]

Nice article!

 

[Bill Pemberton]

I posted this thread after meeting Kona Bob and suggested he join in with his fellow track rats here on TMO. Great guy and many have had the opportunity to meet him and share his dream along the way, but your article has set the new standard - absolutely phenomenal and we all appreciate the effort. Especially important are the comments on the building of a track on the big Island , as this is one that could be used year round with the constant temperatures, unlike 90% of the courses around the World. I sent some notes to friends at Ford and FCA and unfortunately have not gotten a solid response, but I have a feeling some visionary will see your superb article and jump on the bandwagon. I am not a fan of the Ford Performance Racing School moving to Charlotte, as a Roval is not my idea of a safe venue for new drivers or instructions. We can all imagine the beauty of a track experience in Hawaii , and an open , challenging track would bring students , drivers , and more to one of the most beautiful spots on Earth. I will keep dropping the idea with folks I have been lucky to meet with over 30 total years in the Automotive Business , and I thank you for getting the info out there in a much better format than anyone so far!!!

 

[TymeSlayer]

So happy for Bob and his adventures in his GT350. This is a beautiful case where action speaks louder than words. And aside from his personal aspirations, he's a genuine good guy too!

 

[Kona Bob]

They are very different tracks, I like Calabogie but it has a lot of technical elements to it (21 corners on the long track if I remember correctly) an

I posted this thread after meeting Kona Bob and suggested he join in with his fellow track rats here on TMO. Great guy and many have had the opportunity to meet him and share his dream along the way, but your article has set the new standard - absolutely phenomenal and we all appreciate the effort. Especially important are the comments on the building of a track on the big Island , as this is one that could be used year round with the constant temperatures, unlike 90% of the courses around the World. I sent some notes to friends at Ford and FCA and unfortunately have not gotten a solid response, but I have a feeling some visionary will see your superb article and jump on the bandwagon. I am not a fan of the Ford Performance Racing School moving to Charlotte, as a Roval is not my idea of a safe venue for new drivers or instructions. We can all imagine the beauty of a track experience in Hawaii , and an open , challenging track would bring students , drivers , and more to one of the most beautiful spots on Earth. I will keep dropping the idea with folks I have been lucky to meet with over 30 total years in the Automotive Business , and I thank you for getting the info out there in a much better format than anyone so far!!!

d you will find it difficult to learn unless you can get sim time before you go.

Mont Tremblant is also a good choice, another track with a GP history behind it and a nice combination of technical and power elements and set in a very beautiful part of the country, terrain wise.

But I would for sure pick Mosport as a must run track, it is easier to learn and it is an adrenalin junkies' dream track with huge history behind it. I'm heading there Monday for a track day.

Do 'em all if you have time, but I suspect you don't. Mosport and WG both were GP tracks in the same era, it would be a great combination to run them both. I have lists of all the track days at those 3 tracks if you want to PM me with a rough time frame you're looking at I can let you know what's available and who to contact.

 

[Bill Pemberton]

Looks like Kona Bob is going to boogie up to Calabogie quite soon? JDee , time to get the Molson, Moosehead , or maybe the Crown Royal ready for your esteemed guest from the Islands, ha!

 

[Kona Bob]

Hello Fellow Addicts,
Time to catch up here. I got back to my car in St. Petersburg Florida on July 30th and drove up to Friendship, Maine (Central Maine on the Coast) and spent a fantastic week with friends right on the water, hanging out, sailing, clamming, touring and eating Lobster until it upset my digestive track! Onward to Pittsburg International Race Complex. What a hidden gem!!! I ran with Hooked on Driving NE. I had the pleasure of meeting the Franchise Owner Mike Arrigo and his wonderful wife Mona. Their Operations Manager is Jay Tepper who together as a team have many many years of Road Course event history on the Eastern Seaboard. The team is a wealth of knowledge for tracks on the East Coast. They ran a great event with catered lunches and dinner on the grill with lubrication Saturday night.
The track is fast, technical and forgiving in the beautiful countryside of NW Pennsylvania. The property is owned by a husband and wife who 's passion is racing their two race prepped Vipers. The Complex has been completely upgraded as well as the track being enlarged to 3.2 miles of perfect new pavement with lots of grip. They have new garages available for a reasonable price. Theyb also host a multitude of events on the weekends with Karting and large SCCA rally course group.
At the event I met Eric and John from Gran Touring Motorsports a racing enthusiasts business/organization who operate on the Eastern Seaboard and sometimes venturing west of the Mississippi. Eric and John Instruct for HOD and are very good at helping us improve our skills. Check out their website for support at gtmotorsports.org for help with all aspects of our passion.
All in all it was a perfect weekend with perfect weather and a good group of competent competitive drivers in 4 run groups at a great facility. I highly recommend this track if you can get it on your schedule.
After the event I stopped by Kenny Ross Ford South where I had arranged thru their staff, Joe Aubley in Parts and Rick in Service to have new Rotors and Pads installed and an all around multipoint inspection by their very competent Technician Danny Walsh who is their GT350 Specialist. He had the car all day and was amazed at how good the car is holding up after over 4,000 track miles!!! She's still tight! ( They allowed me to be with him under the car which made me feel confident that everything was good. I highly recommend them for Ford Service in Pittsburg.
Right now I am at VIR where I will run with NASA this weekend. I arrived on Wednesday and was lucky enough to get one of the Pit Lane rooms on the finish straightaway with the garages underneath the rooms and when I woke up Wednesday morning there was about 25 trailers with multiple IMSA Prototype and GT cars testing and tuning for 2 days. It was fantastic, met some of the IMSA drivers and Owners. Nothing better than rumbling V8's warming up under your room as a wake up call!
Good luck to everyone running this weekend. I am off the Canada to run at Calabogie next Thursday and Friday. and then Lime Rock the following Monday.
Thanks for all the support and awesome comments.
Aloha

 

[JDee]

Looks like Kona Bob is going to boogie up to Calabogie quite soon? JDee , time to get the Molson, Moosehead , or maybe the Crown Royal ready for your esteemed guest from the Islands, ha!

Yes, have been in contact with him, gave him some dates at Mosport the week he wanted there's 3 groups running events so I'm sure he'll have no problem getting in. Once he has his plans finalized I'm hoping to be able to connect with him. My neighbour, another track rat with a new 911 for the road and a 2018 Civic Type R track toy, would like to meet him as well.

 

[Kona Bob]

Yes, have been in contact with him, gave him some dates at Mosport the week he wanted there's 3 groups running events so I'm sure he'll have no problem getting in. Once he has his plans finalized I'm hoping to be able to connect with him. My neighbour, another track rat with a new 911 for the road and a 2018 Civic Type R track toy, would like to meet him as well.

JDee
I am stuck in Pittsburgh. Transmission failure. Been going around with the Dealer and he wants 2-3 weeks to remove tear down and asses before ordering a new trans so about an hour ago I laid out about $8,000.00 to get a new trans here and installed along with new clutch assembly. I will be here until Wednesday.

 

[302BOB]

Bad news for sure but at least there's some light at the end of the tunnel.....,,,,Keep rockin Kona Bob!!!!!!!!!!

 

[JeffV8]

JDee
I am stuck in Pittsburgh. Transmission failure. Been going around with the Dealer and he wants 2-3 weeks to remove tear down and asses before ordering a new trans so about an hour ago I laid out about $8,000.00 to get a new trans here and installed along with new clutch assembly. I will be here until Wednesday.

Where are you staying in Pittsburgh?

 

[JeffV8]

Kona Bob about a 3 hour drive Ben Calimer Transmisions seems to be the go to guy for Ford transmissions

 

[JDee]

JDee
I am stuck in Pittsburgh. Transmission failure. Been going around with the Dealer and he wants 2-3 weeks to remove tear down and asses before ordering a new trans so about an hour ago I laid out about $8,000.00 to get a new trans here and installed along with new clutch assembly. I will be here until Wednesday.

So you won't make Aug 22-23 at 'bogie? Bummer. Don't forget in that list of dates I sent you they are also running Sept. 14-15 at 'bogie and that might tie in better for you with hitting Mosport and Shannonville if you so desire.