Wow, what can I say....I believe my trip has finally began to sink in. So now I feel the need to reflect back on everything I experienced, which feels like a lifetime condensed into 4 days, and without further adieu, I give you my personal top 10 highlights....
1. Finally placing faces with the names, meeting some of the best (and the best) friend(s) I have had over the last 4 years, but whom I have never met in person, until now. The internet is truly wonderous in that regard, if you can get past the overwhelming availability and ease of access to porn, it has been a tool of connecting so many of us, initially through our cars, and far beyond that, our interests, things that humor and upset us, things we like and dislike and so much more. Scott, Brent, Jody, Stuart, Jim, Steve, Charley, Bill, Johnny, Pascuel, Dennis etc etc...I will never look at this board or the posts within it same way again....ever.
2. The generosity of the Sandlin family, for going above and beyond what ANY of us would have ever expected. Steve, for bearing the financial burden of the event, and even coming up with items for raffle, and ensuring that everyone who came left with at least a T-shirt. Also, for taking the time to bring in "ringers", as if the amazing cars in Steve's collection weren't enough, Cheezoom, Whatthehay, The 55 Nomad Corvette, The Blown Willys, and for letting us all revel in the sound of a Sonny Leonard 704 inch motor...wow. I also want to acknowledge Jason Sandlin, Steve's son, who spent 2 very longs days turning a warehouse into a "Rod Shop" that made every one of us proud. I would guess that the looks of amazement and the perma-grins on the faces of the guests pretty much let Steve and his family know how much everyone appreciated the effort. Thanks, and Steve, that offer stands whenever you can make it.
3. Finally getting to meet Charley Lillard in person....the only words that come to mind are "F%^& Him"...
4. Face planting in the chair...we all know the story....
5. Stuart Adams, who's name in Japanese apparently translates to "Fook Yoo", Oh wait, that was the elevator ladies name, yours was "Fook Mi" My God, if there were ever 2 people with the same twisted sense of humor....it's us. I also want to thank Stuart for graciously shuttling us around multiple times, playing taxi driver, except in this case, the taxi had 479hp and wore an AMG badge. "E55, when you absolutely, positively have to get to the Spearmint Rhino in a hurry"...Lots of nice "eyes" indeed, Pullstarter says: "I give you $2 dollar to loooook at da......."
6. My top five SEMA cars of choice: The Alan Johnson 'Cuda, The Ring Bros Mustang, The Motion Camaro, The Black and Orange M6, and the Strope Charger....
7. The guys at Marquez Design. Thanks for the hospitality at your booth, it was appreciated The bitchin' new interior and billet components...Clean, functional, high quality, fantastic design, and affordable. Better start thinking about buying a bigger building fellas.....
8. Standing next to James Hetfield, shaking hands with "Goldberg", seeing Joel Rosen in person, and hooking up with Jessica Simpson at the Hard Rock... well three of the four are true, you guess which ones.....
9. Getting an impromptu picture taken wearing a 2005 San Antonio Spurs NBA Championship ring, Thanks Larry, you are a class act all the way, and good luck this season.
10. Coming in the door after being gone for four days and having my kids scream "Daddy!" and run up and hug me....priceless.
Thank for letting me part of this tremendous group, ....You guys are the best.
In the immortal words of Forrest Gump:
"...thats all I got to say 'bout that".
Brian Hobaugh SCCA National Tour June 2014
First Hemi 'Cuda Convertible Ever Built
Short clips: Goodguys Pleasanton autocross and pit videos
My Top Ten List from SEMA 2005
The incredible whirlwind of activity...
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