An "Event"-ful Summer

A lot has happened in the two months since I last sat down to scratch down my thoughts for this missive. Regular readers will remember that about the time the last issue came out, ACES was about to get a little exposure on TNN's Motor Trend TV Magazine. Unfortunately, many members didn't get the word about the segment because of the July 4th mail delay. There's still hope! We've now got a date for the re-run; it's October 6 at 11:30am & 11pm EST. Be sure to check your local listings for air times, however, "just in case."

Cruisin' and related summertime activities have also been part of everyone's agenda lately. I'm hearing quite a bit about Chevelle Club-sponsored events from some of the ACES associate clubs. In fact, this issue contains coverage of the Midwest Chevelle Regionals, hosted by the Wichita Area Chevelle Owners (WACO). Next issue, you'll see coverage of the Maryland Chevelle Club's 9th Annual Mid-Atlantic Chevelle Show & Swap Meet, as well as Super Chevy Indy and the Chevy High Performance Thunder Cruise/ACES Non-Nationals.

After attending both Super Chevy Indy and the Thunder Cruise, I have to tell ya, ACES members are THE BEST!!! I met at least 50 ACES members while hangin' out with the Chevelles in Indy, and almost every one of them was wearing their ACES Charter Member T-shirt, while their Chevelles proudly flew the club colors on their front bumpers. My '66 SS396 convertible and I both felt right at home among all the other Chevelles and their owners. Rain on Sunday shortened the event somewhat, and by 2pm I'd had enough and headed back south on I-65 towards Nashville. If I missed seeing ya because of the rain, I apologize and hope that our paths will cross sometime soon. Bad weather not withstanding, I managed to shoot a couple of features that you'll see in future issues of CHEVELLE WORLD. And, besides meeting many ACES members, I also managed to visit with industry leaders Roger Ausley, John Chambers, Alan Colvin, and Steve Drueck.

The following week, I was supposed to make the trek to Super Chevy Maple Grove, but an ignition problem that developed on the way home from Indy proved difficult to diagnose, and kept me away. Having to work during the week (rather than spending time tinkering with Chevelles) really blows, sometimes! By the time I got the problem sorted out on Friday night, it was too late to try and drive 15 hours to try make the Maple Grove show. Again, I apologize if I missed meeting any ACES members, but sometimes things are just out of my control. I did get Ol' Yeller back on the road in time for the Thunder Cruise, however. And even if I didn't, I probably could have hitch-hiked to Bowling Green, as it's only a little over an hour north of Nashville.

Picture-perfect weather and an enthusiastic group of ACES members showed up for the Thunder Cruise/ACES Non-Nationals; at final count, we had 39 names on the sign-in roster. Jim Curinka drove his '69 SS396 all the way down from north of Chicago, while Chuck Criner brought his incredible 16,000 mile, all-original '66 SS396 from Virginia to be a part of the gathering. Billy Joe Lambert came up from Alabama for a visit with us, but the hero of the weekend (at least in my book) has to be Pete Zerillo from Eastpointe, Michigan.

"HAVING TO WORK DURING THE WEEK (RATHER THAN SPENDING TIME TINKERING WITH CHEVELLES) REALLY BLOWS, SOMETIMES!

Pete drove down on Friday to try get as much from the weekend as possible. But no sooner had he arrived than he had to be taken to the hospital and treated for a sudden and intense infection. He missed Saturday's activities as they performed tests and treated his infection, but was out of the hospital by about 8pm Saturday night. Before doing anything else, guess what his first move was? You got it! He asked fellow ACES member and long-time friend Doug Carter, to take him to the Beech Bend Raceway so he could see a little of the event before going to bed that night. A special thanks also goes to Doug for helping Pete get around Saturday night, and especially to Doug's wife, Joyce, for staying close to the hospital with Pete on Saturday while the rest of us were enjoying ourselves at Beech Bend. But then, like I said near the start of this column, ACES members are THE BEST.

But not only are the members THE BEST, but their Chevelles are THE BEST, too! We're gonna give you an inside scoop on the coverage of next month's 9th Annual Mid-Atlantic Chevelle Show: Ed Pienta of Wilkes-Barre, PA took home the People's Choice award as well as First Place in the Mild Modified category with his beautiful, black '67 Super Sport, while John Haislip of Glen Burnie, MD took the prestigious Best of Show trophy and First Place in the '64-7 Original Restored class. Accolades to both of you on your accomplishments! To do so well at an all Chevelle show speaks highly of your abilities and the quality of your cars.

Man, I can't believe it! I could keep on ramblin', but I'm outta space, so I'm outta here. Y'all take care!!!

Chuck

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