Pictures were taken at some of the events during the past years. Some events have slideshows and video's.

Wow, what a fantastic weekend!  Where do I start?  First and foremost, thanks to the Indiana Region of the Shelby American Automotive Club for hosting another spectacular weekend event - the 30th Anniversary to be exact.  If any of you want to see how a car club can come together and volunteer their time as a class act, then you should really get to the Spring Fling next year to see for yourself.  Many thanks to the Abe Martin Lodge and all the park staff for making Brown County State Park what it is - and has been for many years - the best state park in Indiana and one of the best in the Midwest!  And of course thanks to all of you SCOA members and Saleen owners alike who made it to the show - it was probably the largest gathering of Saleens that the Midwest has ever seen!

 

The big event kicked off on Friday morning with the ever popular Pony Trails.  Nearly 150 cars in all headed north on SR 135 to the little town of Bargersville, IN where we cut across SR-144.  From there we picked up SR 37 in Waverly, IN where we headed south down the famous stretch of highway from the movie Breaking Away (remember the bicycle following the tractor trailer at 60 mph?)  About 45 miles later we strolled into downtown Bloomington where the Courtyard By Mariott was kind enough to have the majority of their lot reserved for us.  Everyone went their separate ways for lunch and to tour the downtown streets.  However the Pony Trail wasn't without incident this year - a Fang Twin Turbo fell victim to a blown turbine and went up in smoke while trying to DOWN shift at 120mph?!  Of course by the time story made it around, he was actually doing over 400mph ;-)  After lunch the four SCOA members took a scenic tour through the Indiana University campus where we ended up at Showalter Fountain - the center of campus - for a great photo opp! 

 

Friday evening we had nearly 30 people gather for our first SCOA cookout at the Fling - and its a good thing we planned it as our usual dining place for Friday evening had closed!  It was a great time, and I really enjoyed playing "Grill Master" for everyone.  Thanks to Marc Allen for providing his supercharged Weber grill - it was so nice I tried to buy it from him!  After dinner it was into the Abe Martin Lodge for the Friday Welcome Bash.  This was a great time to relax, share stories, play the trading cards, and this year draw your poker cards.  I thought I was looking good with my 10/J/Q/K draw, but Mark Sweet jinxed me by saying the community card would be a 3 - and sure enough it was!  After the bash closed it was back to the SCOA cabins to hang out, and of course pop a top on some choice beverages!

 

Saturday morning we headed down to the show site, and man was the SAAC in for a suprise - over 100 cars registered on site for nearly 300 cars in the park!  The Shelby cars were the dominate pony with about 25 vintage models, and nearly a dozen new GT 500's and Shelby GT's.  But the Saleen cars were an obvious threat to the Shelby's this year with 30 cars of our own!  Once again the Fox body's dominated with 20 cars, and we even had a new S-331 SC Sport Truck.  I'm disappointed that I am still the only S-197 body in attendance - come on guys, help me out!  But what made it even more special for the SCOA - the "Saleen Row" was the first thing you saw as you entered the show site!  And at the Banquet Saturday evening we were given a nice ovation for our display, and for nearly knocking the Michiana Mustangs off their Club Participation thrown - we missed it by two members.

 

Sunday mornings Road Ralleye set off on some excellent back-country (but safe) roads for about 65 miles.  We headed out of the park and made a loop around Pikes Peak, then up and around Sweetwater Lake.  From there it was through the woods of Peoga and back down into Nashville.  While it was fun being a passenger in Tony Brodzeller's car (he really likes the country roads!!) it made me wish I was behind the wheel of my own car, or better yet on my old Honda VFR 750F.  What a blast!  We were rewarded with a 3rd place finish, just behind Stu & Patti Akers and the Saleen Class winner Tony, Susie & Jessica Davis.

 

From there we headed home after a long but enjoyable weekend.  Mother nature cooperated with clear skies and pleasant temps (during the day at least!) the entire time.  We were in great company - not just the SCOA, but several regional clubs alike.  And of course being in the company of nearly 300 VERY fine Mustangs of all varieties.  It was another successful event for sure, and I have been fortunate to attend three in a row with fantastic weather.  My wife and I (as usual) are already looking forward to it next year.  For those of you that missed it, I highly recommend you put this event on your calendar next year (weekend before Memorial Day) as I promise you won't be disappointed.  Watch out Michiana Mustangs, the SCOA is coming after that Club Participation Award in 2008!

 

If I don't see you at event soon, I'll see you in Marietta for the SCOA Nationals in July!

 

Jason Smith,  SCOA - Director - Central Region

 

• SCOA Central Region at Skillman Ford

With the summer car show season beginning to wind down here in the midwest, mother-nature provided a fantastic weekend for the Skillman Performance Ford & Southside Mustangs "All Ford Mustang" Show. Nearly 90 Mustangs were shown, and 15 of those were Saleens - not a bad turnout! Many thanks to all the SCOA members that helped fill up the "Saleen Corral" Nearly all the body styles were accounted for; including a very fine example from 1985, several nice fox-bodys, a few new edge SN-95's and 4 of the newer S-197 bodies - and even a rare Saleen Ranger that changed hands on Saturday as it gets ready for a major restoration. We successfully recruited a new member, as well as signed on the dealership as a club sponsor! If you have any doubts about weather you should make it to this show next year, here are plenty of pictures to help you decide! Click Here

The first Shelby GT-500 sold in Indiana was also in attendance, as well as a Skillman built Shelby GT-500 replica. But the highlight of the show came around 4pm when Ray Skillman arrived and opened the museum for all the participants and spectators to enjoy. Words cannot describe this experience! Picture over 100 cars (all of Barrett Jackson caliber) strategically parked in a meticulously decorated, 40,000 sq ft facility - and then realize you aren't dreaming! I was able to take plenty of pictures, but unfortunately I failed to realize my lense was in "close-up" mode. The pictures are a tad blurry, but it will definitely help you understand that this is an experience you must add to your "to-do list" the next time you are in Indianapolis! Click here

Following the show several of the Southside Mustang & SCOA members cruised over to The Suds in downtown Greenwood to hang out with all the car junkies before we called it a night. No matter if you are into Fords, Chevys, Mopars, Trucks, Bikes, Street Rods and more, The Suds is the place to be on Saturday evening.

Once again this event was a success! Thanks again to all that attended. Keep spreading the word about the SCOA - it really is all about Saleens, Friendships & Fun! Events like these will only get bigger and better. In closing out my second season with this club (and less than 6 months as a Director), I can honestly say Tracy & I have met some of the finest people, and I already look forward to the Spring Fling next May to kick it all off again!

 

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• Indianapolis Mustang and All Ford Show  

  

  It was great to get together again and chat about Saleens.  Based on the turnout and the success of the SCOA  cookout & cruise-in, hosted by the Central Region, I would like to go ahead and plan to do the same thing next year!  Hopefully we'll be able to attract a few new members by then and get an even bigger turnout!

   
  The Show was held at the Indianapolis Motorspeedway Museum parking lot. 210 cars were registered for the event. Best Overall Mustang was won by a 2004 Yellow Saleen Speedster from Danville Il.

  For those of you that missed it, we have some pretty exciting news!  The Regional Sales Manager for Saleen was at the show with a few cars, including the new S331-SC Super Truck, and one of those incredible super cars known as the S7 in Metallic Yellow Chrome - what a sight!  Charlie and I talked with him, and based on our discussions with Collins Ford of Louisville and Skillman Ford of Greenwood he was already aware of our Regional Show next month!  It sounds like we have him talked into sponsoring the show as well as coming over (from Cincinnati) with the same display on August 12th!  We'll keep our fingers crossed.

   
  Ray Skillman was also there with a new S-281 SC w/Scenic Roof, as well as their first S-281 Extreme (also w/scenic roof) just off the truck.  This is a CONSERVATIVE 550hp beast, and we're trying to get them to come down for the show in conjunction with Jeff from Saleen!   More Photos Slide Show 

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•  Shelby Show

• Friday  Pony Trail, heading out on an overcast morning, didn't seem to slow anyone down. 100+ vehicles lined up, had their photo taken and off to Salem In via a long and windy road. Arriving in Salem, at the Town Square, the local police had traffic under control as we started to maneuver our cars into spaces blocked off for us. Then it was lunch - some had a littler better time than others at this break, but before you knew it, the Salem Mayor was talking about her first car - a Mustang, and the great times she had with it and in it. Shortly after that, we headed off to the Salem Speedway for a parade lap and photos then back on the road to Brown County State Park. The SCOA Central Region hosted a dinner at a local restaurant, then we all went to the Shelby Club Welcome Bash.

• Saturday the show - over 200 vehicles including 24 Saleens were registered. Again the FoxBody Saleens made up most of the group, but there were (8) 94 & up. A new record. The Awards banquet, great as always, with SCOA Members taking high honors in the Saleen Classes. Charlie &  Sandy, Jason & Tracy, Stu & Patti, Joel, Gary and Joe & Bev received awards.

• Sunday - The Road Rallye - I didn't get to attend, but from my sources , the KING of the Road Rallye was toppled by a virtual unknown Saleen driver.

SLIDE SHOW

• CENTRAL REGION SCOA September INDY EVENT - There were 8 from the SCOA and 12 total Saleens -  with an entire corner of the lot devoted to the Saleens.  Glenn was there with his Extreme Rainbow 2005, but I failed to get a picture of it.  

   

  The highlight of the "Saleen Corner" was another fine display put on by Stu Akers and Marc Allen.  We were treated to the first ever side by side display of 1986-29R and 1986-19R. Click on the photo for a slide show or here for the story.

• The SCOA 2005 NATIONALS were held in Jeffersonville and hosted by the Central Region SCOA. It was something to see, to say the least. The complete story will be in SCOA PoweRRR magazine and a couple of others, here we are just hitting the highlights and a PHOTO Slide show extraordinaire. Click on the photo for all of the info.

• September in the Park at Carrolton KY started on Friday with a Pony Trail featuring (3) laps at Kentucky Motorspeedway, a picnic at a park on the river and a car show and banquet on Sat. Awards were on Sunday. There were (4) Saleens at the event.

   

  

   

• Mustang Club of America held the Grand National Event in Springfield IL

• Central Region SCOA at Saleen appearance - Steve Saleen visited a local car dealer and we were there for autographs and support.

  

• 2nd Annual Saleen Fest Midwest - Jeffersonville In  A 3day event - BBQ, Car Show, go-karts, Road Rallye, and See Ya farewell cookout

• 27th Annual Shelby Spring Fling - Nashville Indiana & SCOA Central Region Breakfast 

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• 20th Anniversary of Saleen - Nashville Speedway

Over 90 Saleens lined up for the photo - 

Click on the picture for a Slide Show

More photos added 4/23

• SCOA Mid-Atlantic Region "Turkey Trot"