- Thread starter
- #161
Bill Pemberton
0ld Ford Automotive Racing Terror
I know I already wished you Mele Kalikimaka , but figured I better follow ByronJ's lead also and wish you a Happy Chaka Khan!
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Aloha from Kona TMO Brotherhood. I hope everyone had a great Holiday Season. I am here in Kona enjoying our winter season, 84 in the day and a chilly 67-69 at night! I was sent a link on Thursday to an article written about my adventure by Ford. I will attach it here:
https://performance.ford.com/enthusiasts/newsroom/2020/01/kona-bob.html
The article was written by Matt Stone a writer for Ford who I met with in October for about 3 hours and told him about the adventure. He nailed it, I am impressed with his accuracy, kudos to Matt.
I returned to Buttonwillow Raceway two weeks ago for the annual University of VARA (Vintage Auto Racing Association) HPDE school. I have been 12 times in the last 13 years bringing first timers from Hawaii. You bring your own car (can be a rental car muscle car, BMW, Mini Cooper etc, that is what the Hawaiians do) and participate in two full days of track time, classroom instruction, skid pad, slalom course, braking exercises, a cocktail and food social Saturday night and 6+ - 20 minute sessions on Saturday and Sunday all for &450.00!!!! I highly recommend this event for your first time drivers and then intermediate thru advance drivers. Usually in January. Check out VARAracing.com, University of VARA.
I have been appointed the Vice President of the Hawaii Racing Association here on the Big Island and we have started our meetings with the County of Hawaii. The feedback and support by the County officials for the Kona Motorsports Park has been overwhelmingly positive. We are in the process of getting the first 250 acres dedicated to the Kona Motorsports Park, I am in touch with a few investors and entities that are interested in the development of the Park. It will have a 3 mile road course with elevation changes and about 13-15 turns. A motocross track, oval dirt track, 1/4 mile dragstrip and a Karting Facility. Also buildings and garages as the Park evolves. This is a separate endeavor from the other group some of you have mentioned on Oahu who has just started on their plan. We will be interacting with them I am sure. If any TMO members come to Kona, look me up and we can check out the spot. We are looking at a 5+year timeline since everything happens really slooooow in Hawaii. We will need all the support we can get.
Thank you again for all the positive, funny and kind comments in all of the posts.
Live the passion, get to the track whenever you can and enjoy the Sport.
Stay safe.
Regards
Bob