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Car Forum / Ferrari Cars / October 2006Paging Mr. Borland...
Mr. Borland, please pick up the white courtesy phone. Or send me an e-mail, 'cause I'm not sure if you've gotten a couple that I sent to you recently. I want to see if you're coming to Mid-Ohio. C. > Mr. Borland, please pick up the white courtesy phone. > [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > > C. Aaaargh! My gmail has been getting bombed with messages from somewhere with a kanji-type alphabet so I've been lax about checking it. I bet the emails got lost amidst the garbage or timed out of my inbox between times that I checked it. If you sent it to my other address I dunno what happened. Coming to Mid-Ohio when? For the NASA championships, the Superbikes...? I went to the vintage races and the earlier bike event two weeks prior, so I suspect I'll be going to the other stuff too. I'll send you a heads up email from my other address (that I use more often) and see when you're coming so I can make sure I'm going to be there. I mean, if a lady drives all the way across the country expecting to see you, the least you can do is show up... :-) -Matt- "Did I mention there were 4 Ferraris at the vintage races? 2 TRs and 2 430s..?" > Aaaargh! My gmail has been getting bombed with messages from somewhere > with a kanji-type alphabet That's called spam, Mr. Phelps. You ... filter it out. Or switch to Gmail, which makes the process much easier. Please step away from the tape machine. This message will self-destruct in five seconds. I now see the Gmail address and feel unease and discomfort that you waste its purpose and versatility on a usenet identity. Gmail offended. Use Gmail for your real, important emails, Grasshopper. Save the POP and IMAP bullshit for spam deposits, libel/slander exercises, and usenet. OE or even Firefox/Thunderbird are a waste of time; configure once with bullshit identity info and consign to weekly checks only. Unease and discomfort may come from undercooked pork chop dinner, yes. But the spirit of true defense of an email superstar platform remain straight up. I walk with Jin and Mugen on this one. >>Mr. Borland, please pick up the white courtesy phone. >> [quoted text clipped - 21 lines] > -Matt- "Did I mention there were 4 Ferraris at the vintage races? 2 TRs > and 2 430s..?" > I now see the Gmail address and feel unease and discomfort that you > waste its purpose and versatility on a usenet identity. Gmail offended. [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > But the spirit of true defense of an email superstar platform remain > straight up. I walk with Jin and Mugen on this one. You are absolutely killing me here... I have to save this one. -Matt- "Mugen? Honda's old racing parts division?" > You are absolutely killing me here... I have to save this one. Many thanks. > -Matt- "Mugen? Honda's old racing parts division?" Samurai Champloo. Cartoons not just for kids anymore. <<Coming to Mid-Ohio when? For the NASA championships, the Superbikes...?>> The NASA Championships it is! This is the event we've been planning for all year. (My medical issues put everything else on hold.) My Crew Chief just finished rebuilding one of his old race cars and loaded it onto the trailer with my Mustang and one of dad's Morgans and headed cross country. Dad and I will be racing against each other in SU and my Crew Chief is going to win the AIX race. But first, dad is going to race his T33 at the Glen. <<I mean, if a lady drives all the way across the country expecting to see you, the least you can do is show up... :-)>> A gentleman through and through! <<-Matt- "Did I mention there were 4 Ferraris at the vintage races? 2 TRs and 2 430s..?">> Wow. So if it's more than 15 mins old, it's *vintage*? C. > <<Coming to Mid-Ohio when? For the NASA championships, the > Superbikes...?>> [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > Crew Chief is going to win the AIX race. But first, dad is going to > race his T33 at the Glen. Which old race car, and is he bringing the swoopy, cross-eyed Morgan or one of the more traditionals? > <<I mean, if a lady drives all the way across the country expecting to > see you, the least you can do is show up... :-)>> > > A gentleman through and through! I've had lessons. It's been a long road... :) > <<-Matt- "Did I mention there were 4 Ferraris at the vintage races? 2 > TRs and 2 430s..?">> > > Wow. So if it's more than 15 mins old, it's *vintage*? > > C. They were in the parking areas. There still wasn't a single Ferrari in the paddock. The classes were arranged weird too. This year the Trans-Am style cars (99% 1st gen Camaros) were run at the same time as the little sports cars like Alfa GTVs, 911s, Lotus Cortinas, etc. and a game little VW Beetle that was lapped by the leader on lap 3, at an apparent 40+ sec per lap disadvantage. Luckily the Beetle was painted pylon orange so the mobile chicane was easily spotted. I left after that because all the cars I wanted to see had run together. I missed out on the Corvettes, open wheelers, and prototypes, but there were very few prototypes there this year so I skipped 'em. There was a Porsche 907 there, but I doubt it was going to do more than a short parade lap, as it was pristine. Ferrari count was one Rosso Corsa 430 Spider 6 speed, with a friendly owner who happily answered my questions as I crawled all around his car, one black 430 hardtop with F1 trans and a vanity plate that read "F1 CHAMP", one yellow Testarossa, and a red '86 (IIRC) Testarossa with an owner who basically stood near it most of the day with it all opened up inviting onlookers to sit in it if they wanted to. This last car was showing some definite wear and had about 29k on it, but it was definitely cool to plop down into the seat and imagine piloting the car regardless. The car drew a crowd and he was pretty much continuously saying "you can sit in it if you want, go ahead and sit in it, you're welcome, yes your son can sit in it, you're welcome, thanks, yes it's a lot of fun, go ahead and sit in it if you want, you're welcome..." I was surprised at how well the ergonomics fit me, and the period floormats with the inch-deep pile and huge cavallinos look less tacky in person than they do in pictures. If the 80's taught us anything though, it was that leather panels on dashes shrink and warp over time. It was interesting to look in the engine bay and see there's no need for an inspection cover since the clutch disk is visible through openings in the bellhousing. It was a cool day all around. -Matt- "..." <<Which old race car, and is he bringing the swoopy, cross-eyed Morgan or one of the more traditionals?>> Dad's racing one of his Morgan Aero 8 GT(R)s (the cross eyed cars) and my Crew Chief is racing his newly rebuilt SN95 Mustang. Check your e-mail for pics. <<I've had lessons. It's been a long road... :)>> Your wife is such a patient woman. <<They were in the parking areas. There still wasn't a single Ferrari in the paddock. >> Bummer there were no racing Ferraris, but any Ferrari sighting is a good thing. <<The classes were arranged weird too. This year the Trans-Am style cars (99% 1st gen Camaros) were run at the same time as the little sports cars like Alfa GTVs, 911s, Lotus Cortinas, etc. and a game little VW Beetle that was lapped by the leader on lap 3, at an apparent 40+ sec per lap disadvantage. Luckily the Beetle was painted pylon orange so the mobile chicane was easily spotted.>> There is some controversy over the groups designated for the NASA Championships. For instance, there are 62 cars in the AI/AIX/CMC group and there could be a good, 20 second difference in lap times between the AIX cars and CMC. And unfortunately this appears to be the most testosterone driven group of drivers in the series. Some of those guys are taking the idea of a "National Championship" entirely too seriously. << a red '86 (IIRC) Testarossa with an owner who basically stood near it most of the day with it all opened up inviting onlookers to sit in it if they wanted to. This last car was showing some definite wear and had about 29k on it, but it was definitely cool to plop down into the seat and imagine piloting the car regardless. The car drew a crowd and he was pretty much continuously saying "you can sit in it if you want, go ahead and sit in it, you're welcome, yes your son can sit in it, you're welcome, thanks, yes it's a lot of fun, go ahead and sit in it if you want, you're welcome...">> Heh. It may be vain and shallow, but I admit, it's fun to have people drooling over my car. As long as they don't actually drool on it. Did I mention that my Mondial was on display at the LA Convention center recently? It was funny how many people were shocked to hear that she's a mature, 22 yr old. I got lots of compliments on the condition of the paint. (original) Dad won't let just anyone climb into his cars, but if you look like you're under the age of ten, he'll not only strap you into his 512, you'll get a Tiger Racing pin to take home as a souvenir. For a guy who's been known to endorse the "children should be seen and not heard" credo, he's really big on making kids happy at the race track. << I was surprised at how well the ergonomics fit me>> Have you sat in a Boxer? The difference is pretty amazing. << If the 80's taught us anything though, it was that leather panels on dashes shrink and warp over time.>> Hasn't this been a significant problem with the TRs in particular? C. > <<Which old race car, and is he bringing the swoopy, cross-eyed Morgan > or one of the more traditionals?>> > > Dad's racing one of his Morgan Aero 8 GT(R)s (the cross eyed cars) and > my Crew Chief is racing his newly rebuilt SN95 Mustang. Check your > e-mail for pics. Me checky and no see-ee... > <<I've had lessons. It's been a long road... :)>> > > Your wife is such a patient woman. Indeed. > <<They were in the parking areas. There still wasn't a single Ferrari > in the paddock. >> > > Bummer there were no racing Ferraris, but any Ferrari sighting is a > good thing. Ditto. > << a red '86 (IIRC) Testarossa with an owner who basically stood near > it most of the day with it all opened up inviting onlookers to sit in [quoted text clipped - 12 lines] > a mature, 22 yr old. I got lots of compliments on the condition of the > paint. (original) I suspect I would act similarly to the guy with the TR, as it just sounds fun to introduce people to the Ferrari experience by letting them sit in your car and take pictures. It's funny, with all the driving my employer and I do in all his different cars, the one that has garnered the most thumbs-ups on the road is his '00 Nagaro Blue Audi S4 with Stoptech brakes. I don't know if people see those huge calipers and realize it's been to the track a time or two, or if the color (never garaged and still gorgeous) is just that striking. The Cayman S and the 993 Carrera 4 get half as many waves and thumbs-ups on the road as that S4 that now has about 134k on it. The funny thing is we have just as much fun driving his old model 80 Quattro (formerly mine, and before that his again) or his Coupe Quattro, or his 1 of 3 in the US 968 Sport, or his recently acquired Allroad (which can absolutely fly in the rain). All those unique and different cars are pleasureable in their own right, despite some of them being underpowered by modern standards and lacking in flash. Yes, I envy his collection at times... Of course, I had plenty of fun in my hideous '68 Dodge 3/4 ton pickup as well so I guess if a vehicle has a likeable character then it makes sense that one would enjoy it immensely despite it's weaknesses on paper. > Dad won't let just anyone climb into his cars, but if you look like > you're under the age of ten, he'll not only strap you into his 512, > you'll get a Tiger Racing pin to take home as a souvenir. For a guy > who's been known to endorse the "children should be seen and not heard" > credo, he's really big on making kids happy at the race track. According to T308 I look twelve. Do I get a pin? > << I was surprised at how well the ergonomics fit me>> > > Have you sat in a Boxer? The difference is pretty amazing. Never sat in a Boxer. Ohhh how I want to though... That is still the sexiest Ferrari to me. > << If the 80's taught us anything though, it was that leather panels on > dashes shrink and warp over time.>> > > Hasn't this been a significant problem with the TRs in particular? I think so... -Matt- "..." <<Me checky and no see-ee...>> Oops! Sent it to the original address where all things seem to disappear. Resent to correct address. <<It's funny, with all the driving my employer and I do in all his different cars, the one that has garnered the most thumbs-ups on the road is his '00 Nagaro Blue Audi S4 with Stoptech brakes. I don't know if people see those huge calipers and realize it's been to the track a time or two, or if the color (never garaged and still gorgeous) is just that striking. The Cayman S and the 993 Carrera 4 get half as many waves and thumbs-ups on the road as that S4 that now has about 134k on it.>> Could be the stereoptype of Porsche owners that keeps people from expressing their interest in those cars on the road. The Audi is the more accessible car and so the driver may be seen the same way. Everyone knows how snotty Porsche owners are. Nobody wants to pump their egos. Tell your boss I said "Hi". BTW, have I mentioned that my folks just bought an '07 RS4? Came as quite the shock. Nothing but BMWs since I was 7 yrs old and now all of a sudden there's an Audi in the stable? <<According to T308 I look twelve. Do I get a pin?>> I'll make sure you do! <<Never sat in a Boxer. Ohhh how I want to though... That is still the sexiest Ferrari to me.>> Indeed! I've never gotten over dad buying a TR instead of the Boxer. The pain of it has followed me since I was a child... C. > BTW, have I mentioned that my folks just bought an '07 RS4? Came as > quite the shock. Particulalrly since the last time I looked, this is '06. Marketing... -Paul (who shouldn't be here until next week... sadly, that is another story.) <<Particulalrly since the last time I looked, this is '06. Marketing...>> Isn't that how most companies do it? Half year releases are the exception, aren't they? I suppose the question is, why do they do it that way? << -Paul (who shouldn't be here until next week... sadly, that is another story.)>> Bad news? Business or automotive? C. > << -Paul > (who shouldn't be here until next week... sadly, that is another > story.)>> > > Bad news? Business or automotive? Not really bad news, just a royal pain; a very large (for us anyway) business opportunity came up mid way through our tour. I was needed to do a presentation in South Africa. So we had to abandon the holiday. Of course we were on the Cote D'Azur at the time - the furthest point in France from England... Anyhoooooo, we had to drive straight across the country to Calais and the tunnel then home. I then had one day to prepare, flew to Jo'burg on to Pretoria, did the presentation then flew straight home (I never knew it was possible to do a 'day trip' to South Africa...). We won't know if we'll win the business until October. ...so, we never got to the Alps <sigh>... -Paul (...but there are worse things.) > <<Me checky and no see-ee...>> > > Oops! Sent it to the original address where all things seem to > disappear. Resent to correct address. Got it and made fun of the car already... Senor Crewchief is gonna backhand me... > BTW, have I mentioned that my folks just bought an '07 RS4? Came as > quite the shock. Nothing but BMWs since I was 7 yrs old and now all of > a sudden there's an Audi in the stable? They have excellent taste, but we already knew that... Well, Countach's notwithstanding... That RS4 initially seemed too expensive to me, then the more I read and the more I compared specs, it impressed me all to hell. > <<According to T308 I look twelve. Do I get a pin?>> > > I'll make sure you do! Shweet! > <<Never sat in a Boxer. Ohhh how I want to though... That is still the > sexiest Ferrari to me.>> > > Indeed! I've never gotten over dad buying a TR instead of the Boxer. > The pain of it has followed me since I was a child... I know, as you've mentioned it several times since I've known you. I can't blame you a bit. Boxer vs TR. Hmmmm... In his defense this was when the TR had first arrived on our shores so it was the hot new car. In Forza (I think?) awhile back there was a guy with a Daytona that drives it a lot and he bought it when the 308 was the hot new car. He asked the salesman which he would buy and the guy pointed at the Daytona and said "they don't make 'em like THAT anymore!" Imagine buying a 308 (fiberglass though) and all these years later realizing you passed up a Daytona for it. Not that there's anything wrong with a 308, but it's a friggin' DAYTONA! -Matt- "..." <<Got it and made fun of the car already... Senor Crewchief is gonna backhand me...>> Jest all you like. The man will drive that pretty, purple car in circles around you. I figure any of the guys he's racing against who make fun of it will only have to look at the a.s end for a few seconds at a time anyway. Sheesh. It's not like it's pink or anything. <<They have excellent taste, but we already knew that... Well, Countach's notwithstanding...>> Who knew that my mother had the same taste in cars as 14 yr old boys do? <<That RS4 initially seemed too expensive to me, then the more I read and the more I compared specs, it impressed me all to hell.>> I still think it's ridiculously expensive. <<I know, as you've mentioned it several times since I've known you. >> These things haunt one! Of course, now that there are hand controls available again, I can get me a Boxer... Well, that and 80 grand will get me one. <<In his defense...>> Save the sucking up for when he's around! << this was when the TR had first arrived on our shores so it was the hot new car. >> It wasn't even here yet. He was the second one to import the car grey market before it was available Stateside. <<Not that there's anything wrong with a 308, but it's a friggin' DAYTONA! >> Heh. That's one I'll have to buy when I'm rich and not so famous. C. > <<That RS4 initially seemed too expensive to me, then the more I read > and the more I compared specs, it impressed me all to hell.>> > > I still think it's ridiculously expensive. Damn Euro/Dollar ratio. T308 (Who's shocked that Tiger's family has joined the Auto Union club. Welcome!) <<(Who's shocked that Tiger's family has joined the Auto Union club. Welcome!)>> Mom's even planning on running the car at an Audi owner's club day at Road America. I just saw the car a couple of days ago. WAY better looking in person than online. Nice charcoal grey colour and I'm always a sucker for carbon fibre trim! C. > <<(Who's shocked that Tiger's family has joined the Auto Union club. > Welcome!)>> [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > > C. The Audi Club puts on a good event. They hosted the event where I drove a 924S (they let non-Audis run as long as you're a member) at Mid-Ohio. They're pretty laid back but provide plenty of safety and a friendly atmosphere without as much testosterone as some of the PCA events. The level of vehicle driven there has escalated quickly over the years though. A few years ago there were some track savvy types with big brakes and slicks, but now they seem to be much more common and the old ur-Quattros and similar are all packing full suspension upgrades, 20V turbo swaps, etc. No stock 10V cars running these events anymore... -Matt- "..but then, I'll just be telling you this tomorrow in person anyway." << "..but then, I'll just be telling you this tomorrow in person anyway.">> Never enough time to get it all in! Great seeing you again though. Next time get a babysitter for your clumsy dog and bring the Giggler. C. > BTW, have I mentioned that my folks just bought an '07 RS4? Came as > quite the shock. Nothing but BMWs since I was 7 yrs old and now all of > a sudden there's an Audi in the stable? A doctor friened of mine in San Antonio just took delivery of his RS4 -0 being an Audi fanatic he loves it of course. Says he hasn't lost a road race yet ....
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