2008 Redline Rendezvous
July 11 to 13, 2008
Mosport International Raceway - Driver Development Track, Bowmanville, Ontario
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The Canadian Pylon (Coneus orangeous can-eh-dian) serves Canadians as the beacon of hazards both on our roads and on our tracks. Their unmistakable shape and distinctive colour point the way for motorists to follow. On the weekend of July 11th, a flock of Canadian Pylons pointed the way to the 8th Annual SVTOA Redline Rendezvous On Track Performance Driving School.
For 2008, the Canadian Pylons pointed us to the Mosport Driver Development Track (DDT), which is home to a 1.5-mile (2.4 km) track and quarter-mile skid pad – all designed to enhance the skills of the driver. The DDT is part of the Mosport International Raceway – Canada’s largest motorsports complex. You can also find a 4 km road course, a half-mile, paved oval, and a 1.4 km go-karting track. For the history buffs out there, the DDT was home to our 2002 SVTOA Redline Rendezvous.
The weekend got off to a hot and humid start (your typical Southern Ontario summer weekend). First to arrive was SVTOA Lead Instructor, Jeff Lacina (fresh from Pearson International Airport). Participants from Canada and the United States began rolling into the parking lot of our host hotel, the Clarington Howard Johnson in Bowmanville. Our Canadian Regional Director, Laura Carbis, (formerly Querin) greeted our participants and guests, while taking care of their event registration.
The Canadian Pylons watched as our participants visited Chief Tech Inspector Lou Viveiros at our Tech Inspection Station. Once our participants received their dots of approval, it was time for the Canadian Pylons to lead us for a cruise through downtown Bowmanville to our Meet ‘N Greet session at the local Kelsey’s restaurant. At Kelsey’s, our participants had a chance to introduce themselves and get to know all the organizers, sponsors and fellow participants of the event. It wasn’t long before the Canadian Pylons signalled to us that it was time for bed, as they knew the next 48 hours would be very demanding for our participants. So, it was back to the Clarington Howard Johnson for a good night’s sleep.
To test our participants’ awareness for the day, the Canadian Pylons heralded a dense fog for early Saturday morning. Our participants took up the challenge by first stopping at any gas station carrying fuel with 91-or greater octane rating. With full tanks of gas and a quick bite from the hotel continental breakfast, we caravanned through the foggy county roads of Durham county. It wasn’t long before the DDT was filled with many Ford performance vehicles, including Shelby GT500’s, SVT Cobras, SVT Contours, SVT Foci, performance Mazdas, and even some stray Ferraris.
At 8am sharp, SVTOA Lead Instructor Jeff Lacina and SVTOA Canadian Regional Director Laura Carbis called drivers to ground school. Drivers were given a detailed itinerary of the entire event, and they were briefed on the rules and procedures in place for the weekend. Jeff also reminded drivers to keep hydrated during the event, since the day is filled with a lot of mental and physical exertion, as well as being in the day’s sun, heat and humidity. Once ground school ended, our drivers then assembled for some quick orientation laps around the first track configuration determined by Jeff and the local flock of Canadian Pylons.
Shortly thereafter, the whirring of overhead camshafts, the rumbles of V8 engines and whines of superchargers filled the air as our advanced drivers took to the track. That was just enough to call on the sun to burn off the dense fog called upon by the Canadian Pylons. Meanwhile, the novice drivers learned more about vehicle balance, dynamics, and control in the on-site classroom. To reinforce the classroom training, it was time for the novice drivers to strap on their helmets and head out onto the track with our team of volunteer instructors across North America.
The full strengths of the sun, heat and humidity weren’t known until the injury of a Canadian Pylon by a rogue Mustang (its body and handling characteristics suggested it was from New York State). Everyone paused briefly to mourn the injury, but then many also took the time to realize that their driving and concentration were slowly being affected. It was time to re-focus on the key concepts of performance driving, and head back onto the track for more learning.
The wave of the checker flag was made, and it was time to break for lunch. Everyone took this opportunity to replenish their fluids and nutrients lost throughout the morning. Some took the time to share their experiences with fellow participants, while others continued the learning with a debriefing session with their instructor.
After lunch, it was time for our traditional Saturday group photo. Then, our drivers hopped into their cars with their friends and family in attendance for some parade laps around the track. Our Grand Marshall for the parade was SVTOA’s very own Lead Instructor, Jeff Lacina, in a 2008 Mustang GT in Black Clearcoat, The parade laps gave our participants a way to share the On Track experience with their friends and family. After some more sunscreen and replenishing of fluids, our participants donned their helmets once again for an afternoon of heated track sessions. Little did they know that Jeff herded the Canadian Pylons into a different formation, creating another track configuration for our participants to manoeuvre.
It was soon time to call it the day and the Canadian Pylons guided us back to the Clarington Howard Johnson for our Saturday night banquet. Guests began assembling in the banquet room making new fast friends and catching up with old time pals. One look at all the raffle prizes ready to be won and many began stocking up on all available raffle tickets. Our caterers, Lyle Trepanier, cooked up gigantic portions of Cajun chicken, and served them up with a great variety of side dishes from roasted potatoes, to pasta and salads. To finish off the meal, slices of homemade pie stuffed our bellies to reward our participants and guests for a great day.
Jeff Lacina then spoke briefly about the latest SVTOA news and urged all our participants to continue supporting SVTOA and the On Track program. Jeff also took the time to bring up the plight of the Canadian Pylon, which included an appearance by one of the injured beings. Jeff reminded that the Canadian Pylon is there to help us (from showing the hazards of the track, and guiding us for optimum braking, shifting, steering points), and that we should do our best to preserve their lives while on the track.
The raffle ticket draw box made its appearance, and our participants began reaching into their pockets and purses for their tickets. One by one, tickets were drawn and many of our guests walked home with prizes provided by our event sponsors from hats to Havoline oil and Ford Racing gear. The luckiest member of the evening was Dennis Cordiero, who walked away with a trunkload of prizes in his brand-new Mustang Bullitt. SVTOA-Toronto’s Chapter Director, Iain Reid risked his $5 in our framed poster giveaway. His luck paid off with a professionally framed, limited-edition, print showing the lineage of the 2003 Ford SVT Mustang Cobra. The tough task for all our winners begins in figuring out where to place their brand new possessions.
After all the festivities, the evening ended early enough for people to return to their rooms for some well-deserved rest and another day of intense learning.
The Sunday morning was not as foggy as the day before, but no one knew what the Canadian Pylons had up their sleeves after one of their comrades were injured the day before. As many began trickling into the DDT complex, the Canadian Pylons called on the raindrops of retribution to start falling from above. Once again, Jeff Lacina and Laura Carbis assembled the Sunday drivers for ground school before another action-packed day. Drivers were warned to brave another hot (and now wet) day while pushing their bodies and minds to the limit. Once ground school ended, everyone came out looking at a very wet, ominous track. Not to worry, as everyone hopped into their vehicles for some parade laps to dry out the track. A few parade laps around the track stirred the track dry while clearing the rain-filled skies. Then, it was time for the learning to continue. It did not take long to see the weekend’s learning had taken hold, as some our drivers were able to adapt to the changing track conditions and configurations in such a short period of time.
The Canadian Pylons knew we couldn’t be beat by the wet track and the increasing temperatures. By noon, the skies had cleared and a hot, humid summer day greeted our participants. After some lunchtime parade laps, it was time for everyone to get in as much track time before it was time to go home.
The sun began to set slowly, and the heat and humidity began to wear our drivers down. Looking at the clock, we realized the Rendezvous was about to end. It was time to pack up our vehicles and the Canadian Pylons pointed the way home.
As with any On Track experience, we hope the skills learned from our events will make it easier to deal with the stresses and hazards associated with everyday driving. Also, the friends and experiences made during this weekend will last in the hearts and minds of everyone involved. Most of all, we hope everyone had some plain ol’ fashioned fun!
The SVTOA Canadian Region would like to thank all the participants for coming out to our event. We would also like to give special thanks to all the volunteers and sponsors who helped make this event possible:
- Jeff Lacina, Lead Track Instructor, and his entire team of volunteer instructors (John Venditti, Joe Quaranto, Andy Quaranto, Brad Hall, Fernando DaSilva, Ed Nicholson, and Dave Jacques)
- Ted Hogan and his staff at Dixie Ford Sales, our premier event sponsor, SVTOA-Toronto Dealer Sponsor, and a huge supporter of the SVT ownership experience and SVTOA
- Our prize sponsors: Ford Racing, Jiffy Lube (QLO Management Inc) , Karbelt Speed & Custom (Pickering), Monroe Auto, NAPA-Pineridge Auto (Richard Osbourne - Oshawa), PartSource (Bryan Armstrong - Oshawa), SVTOA National, and Texaco/Havoline
- The staff at the Mosport International Raceway
- Lyle Trepanier, our banquet caterers
- All the Track marshals for braving the heat and humidity
- The staff at the Clarington Howard Johnson for our accommodation needs
- Nikki Pett from Sigma Promotions for our commemorative shirts
- Colormark Ltd. for our vehicle numbers
- All our trackside photographers
- SVTOA-Toronto chapter member Nigel Grinsteed for all his efforts in recruiting prize sponsors and event awareness in the Durham region
- All our spouses, children and friends who lent a helping hand during our event; and
- Last, but certainly not least, all the organizers of the SVTOA Canadian Regional On Track Planning Committee for their efforts in putting together another successful Redline Rendezvous.
The SVTOA Redline Rendezvous is always open to anyone who wants to drive safe, and have fun. As many can attest to the event, it is a great way to see the limits of both driver and vehicle, and learn the skills that make you a better driver on our roads. Plus, it’s also a great way to get to know more about the Canadian Pylon and see them in their trackside habitat (hopefully we won’t disturb them the next time we meet). Look for registration information regarding our 2009 SVTOA Redline Rendezvous in the coming months on our website: www.svtoaontrack.ca
Drive safe, and have fun!