Tag: sebring raceway

The SVRA Show Was BIG FUN!

Published on by corvettes

Greetings Cruisers! By all accounts, last weekend’s SVRA Show was a big success. According to show organizer Toni Strollo, there were 253 cars for the Hagerty Car Show and 136 Corvettes at the Corvette Invasion “Corvette Corral”.

The Corvette folks were not able to get out on the track at 6 pm because there was a serious wreck at the hairpin corner. One of the race cars crunched into the wall and it took over two hours to clean things up.

On Sunday a group of cruisers spent some quality time at Pete’s RV. Pete’s RV spot was halfway down the straight-away to goes into that tight hairpin right turn. Yes, the one that cars often crunch into! The view was great. The lunch menu included big FAT bratwurst, hot dog rolls, baked beans, macaroni salad, potato salad, fruit, and lots of “cold barley soup”! (beer). Continue reading “The SVRA Show Was BIG FUN!” →

Cars, Coffee, Crafts, & Dogs at the Devane Park Circle in Lake Placid

Published on by corvettes

Slide Show Below!

Greetings Cruisers! A big “THANKS!” to the fifteen Cruisers that answered to last-minute call to come and hang out at the Lake Placid Arts & Crafts Show Country Fair in beautiful downtown Lake Placid at Devane Park. The weather cooperated with us and it was a great day for a Country Fair and Cars & Coffee. Honestly, we didn’t know what to expect, but everyone had a delightful time.

But the Star Car of the event was Dick & Marilyn Roddie’s 1931 V-12 Cadillac Phaeton. I think more pictures were taken of the ’31 Caddy than even Jack Murphy’s brand-new 2023 Corvette Convertible!

For many of the attendees, it was the first time they’d ever seen a top-of-the-line 1930s luxury car, let alone one with a V-12 engine! I was talking with one teenage fellow that was pie-eyed looking at the engine and said to him, “That’s a V-12 engine.” He said, “What’s that?” I responded, “Twelve cylinders.” He said, “What’s that?”

Obviously, he was not a car guy but seemed to like what he saw. Continue reading “Cars, Coffee, Crafts, & Dogs at the Devane Park Circle in Lake Placid” →

Last Minute Car & Bike Show at the Devane Park Circle in Lake Placid

Published on by corvettes

THIS JUST IN!!!

Greetings Cruisers! Please pardon this last-minute announcement, but we just learned about this late today (Friday) around 4:45. Saturday and Sunday there the Lake Placid Arts & Crafts Show Country Fair in Devane Park, the roundabout where we have the Caladium Festival Car & Bike Show.

For “whatever” reason the turnout of crafters was light this year, meaning that there will be a lot of open, unused space in the park. The Lake Placid Chamber of Commerce asked board member, Pete Richie if we could put together an informal Car & Bike Show.

So, here’s the deal.

We will set up our tent and music in the park early Saturday morning. We’re not sure “where”, as this has not been planned for. You’ll have to look for our Lake Country Cruisers tent and banner. There will be no entry fee, no door prizes, and no Cruiser of the Month.

But, there will be a food truck at the event.

This is just a Cars & Coffee event.

The weather will be in the 60s and partly cloudy Saturday morning. So, bring a jacket, your chairs, a breakfast sandwich, and coffee. We’ll hang out for a few hours and bench race! – Scott, Pete, & Ron

PS – Our next Lake Country Cruisers Car & Bike Show will be next Saturday, February 11 at the American Legion, on Rt. 27 in Lake Placid.

This will also be our FIRST EVER Swap Meet, so we’ll be starting the show at 9 am and running until 2 pm. If you would like to clear the car clutter in your garage and unload some old car stuff, the 10′ x 10′ space is $15 and the 10′ x 15′ space is $20. You can pay at the entrance.

Our COLDEST Show Ever!

Published on by corvettes

Slide Show Below!

Greetings Cruisers! It wasn’t “cool” last Saturday, it was COLD! But that didn’t keep around 75 hardy souls from coming out for a car and bike show.

All of Florida was experiencing a cold snap, but when Russ Ryan and I arrived at the American Legion at 8:15, it was 38 degrees according to the Legion’s electric sign out front. Plus, we had a 15-mph northern breeze for a wind chill of around 27 degrees! Yes, there are many colder places, but when you’re used to 80-degree weather, a 27-degree wind shill will shiver yer timbers!

The official car count was 34 cars, plus around 10 that didn’t register. We’re sure that if the weather had been warmer, we would have had at least 75 cars. Interestingly, we had seven old-style hot rods, which are always fun to see.

But despite being all bundled up, everyone had a good time. We’ve never seen so many sweatshirts, coats, and jackets at one of our shows. And a big THANKS to Russ Ryan, Bob Wolf, and Paul Fry for the help last Saturday!

Our Door Prize winners included Marvin Garwood, Mel King, Leonard Miller, Herbert Conley, and Billy Stewart.

Our Cruiser of the Month was Keith Lang and his silver 2017 Corvette convertible. And Lloyd Hill was our lucky 50/50 winner and took home $100 cash! Gary Burdell was our 50/50 Runner-Up and took home gift cards!

And

We want to thank everyone for coming out to play in the cold. Hopefully, our February show will have more typical, delightful Florida winter weather.

(Click any of the Slide Show images below to make them big) Continue reading “Our COLDEST Show Ever!” →

The Amazing History of Hot Rods

Published on by corvettes

Hot Rod History Viedo Below

Greetings Cruisers! It’s hard to believe that “hot rods” date back to the early 1930s. Yes, nearly 100 years ago! Back then, they were called “Jalopies” or “Buggies”. And I’m sure that many were called “Junkers” by the adults back then.

Building Hot Rods

Hot rods were built in backyards and garages using parts found in junk yards. The used-up and not-so-old junkers were typically stripped of their fenders, running boards, and hoods – to save weight. Those old flathead Ford four-bangers were “hopped up” for more horsepower. And of course, the mufflers had to go. “Must have lots of noise!”

According to the story, the term, “hot rod” came from all the horsepower enhancements. Those connecting rods could get pretty hot (not that regular rods didn’t!) and if the engine was run too hard, a “hot connecting rod” might go through the engine block! Hence, “Hot Rods”.

In the earliest days, the cars weren’t pretty because they were built on a shoestring with found used parts from the junkyard. Looking back, you can clearly see that the first wave of Hot Rods is what inspired the modern Rat Rods. Hot Rods didn’t become “pretty” until the 1950s with the Custom Car Craze that started the whole “Car Show” concept. Continue reading “The Amazing History of Hot Rods” →

Next Cruisers Show BACK at the American Legion!

Published on by corvettes

Greetings Cruisers!

Just a brief reminder that our next Lake Country Cruisers Car & Bike Show will be back at the Lake Placid American Legion, this Saturday, January 14, 2023.

The Car & Bike Show will start at 10 am and run to 2 pm.

We will have Door Prizes; 50/50; a 50/50 runner-up gift certificate to one of our Lake Placid restaurant sponsors; and “Cruiser of the Month”; and “Bike of the Month” license plate awards! Rock’n Roll music, good cheer, and comradery will be the order of the day.

The American Legion’s “Mess Hall” kitchen with be serving up “American food” for lunch; hot dogs, burgers, cheeseburgers, fries, and onion rings. Often the Lady’s Auxiliary has cookies, brownies, and cakes.

Lake Country Cruisers Car & Bike Shows are family-friendly

So being a car buddy, bring the kids, and the grand kiddos. We love seeing young car guys and gals. And, we’re Dog Friendly, too. Just keep Fido on a leash and clean up after him. (dogs LOVE car shows!)February Swap Meet Show!

Our February Car & Bike Show Swap Meet will be held on February 11 from 9 am to 2 pm. Yes, we’re starting an hour earlier. This show will be our first Swap Meet, so if you have car or bike parts you no longer want, reserve a space, and let us help clear out your garage a little. For full information, CLICK HERE.

SVRA is Coming to Town! Continue reading “Next Cruisers Show BACK at the American Legion!” →

Don’t Miss the $20 Discount on the Feb 2023 SVRA Tickets!

Published on by corvettes

Hey Cruisers! The SVRA SpeedTour will be coming to Sebring International Raceway on February 23-26, 2023.

Just a quick reminder that the SVRA’s $20 ticket discount runs out after December 31. The discount takes the cost down to just $30 for ONE car and TWO people!

Call Toni Strollo at 863-698-8620 to buy your tickets. Tickets are ONLY available by phone.

After December 31, 2022 tickets are $50, and available ONLY by phone. Call Toni Strollo at 863-698-8620 to buy your tickets. The ticket price is $50 for ONE car and TWO people.

SVRA is Old-Style Sports Car Racing

The vintage racing is big fun to watch and the infield car show is always excellent. You’ll see ALL KINDS of cars and race cars. And at 12 noon you’ll be able to take your car out on the track for a lap or two “cruise”!

Cruisers, we will gather at the Moose Lodge, on Rt. 98, a few miles from the track at 8:15 AM. Whoever has gathered there by 8:30 AM, we will all go to the track TOGETHER so that we can all park in the same place in the parking field. Continue reading “Don’t Miss the $20 Discount on the Feb 2023 SVRA Tickets!” →