Old crow, Bonneville, and beyond. Trip of a lifetime.

First of all, I'm not sure how I lucked into such a great bunch of friends, but 'm pretty sure it it involved the magic of the HAMB.

I tried to piggyback a trip to Bonneville and Indy (US Nationals) together, and it really turned out to be far more than I ever could have hoped for. I got to Bonneville on Wednesday. Wish I would have been there a day or two earlier, but no such luck with the schedule I was on. Next year I tell you. Next year!!!

Bonnie in the morning just can't be beat.

 

Lucky Burton and Bobby Green from Old Crow got me to the salt last year for the first time, and now I'm hooked. It's all their fault. Guilty. Guilty, Guilty. This year was payback time, so I single handedly got them into the record books......again. Yeah right. I "helped". Pretty much by selling their shirts, and stuffing my face with mexican food at the truck stop. They won't let me anywhere near the car. Hanging with them, Max and Max (from H&H flatheads), Drew, Carol, Crow, Betty, the hoochie from Discovery Channel and Kiwi Kev was absolutely awesome. Kevin and I were like little girls every time we got a good shot, and would compare photographic insight.....(or lack there of) on a pretty consistent basis.

 

Ooooops. Forgot Bobby's beefcake shot after his 3rd record.

 

I think it's safe to say that the biggest highlight for everyone was meeting Bill Burke. I think Bobby and Lucky were even happier with that than having the fastest 4 banger (on gas) on the planet. The downside was no pics of lil old me or Kev because were were snappin pics. Bill is quite possibly the coolest old dude on earth. So down to earth, and constantly cracking jokes. My favorite shot of them is the one with "old crow" in the fore ground. They say the camera adds 10 lbs, but looking at Lucky, I think it's more. He's one hot piece of ***, and in no way reflected accurately in this photo.

 

I met Pete, who built this crazy coupe. Here are a couple snaps. If you get a chance, you should probably ask him about the buffet at the nugget. I know he really enjoys talking about it......and the aftermath. Great meeting him, and his buddies. One of which was Tony from Mag-neto magazine. How cool is that? Wish I would have been able to pick his brain about the mag, but I guess it will have to wait. He puts out a top notch zine, so I urge you all to support it.

 

Then there's the rolling bones. WOW!!!!!!!!!!! Killer cars. Killer stance. Killer chops, and at***ude and details galore. Here are a couple pics.

 

From Speedweek, I flew to Indianapolis for the drag races, and had a few days to kill. So I went to Dave Martinez' shop, and he put me to work......ALL DAY!!!!!!! Slave labor. I had a blast though, and it was probably one of my favorite days. No pics however, as I was knee deep in seat springs and rotted cushions.

Then I drove to glorious Terra Haute Indiana to see the infamous Johnny Sparkle. He has quite a sprawling estate. Tucked in the garage however, is a *****in little Stude powered sedan he's working on. It's going to kick *** when he's done for sure. After that, he's got another little somethin' somethin' up his sleeve.

 

Sparkle and I drove to Plowboys in the middle of Illinois. We met up at Scooters for some delicious burgers, then all over town looking at cars. To see what he builds, out in the middle of corn and soy bean fields is astonishing. I'd like to say he's a hoarder, but somehow the ***le doesn't fit, as I know he'll put it all to good use. It was another great day, but long.

 

We went back to Johnny's, then I headed for home. I guess it was about 1am, and dark as ****. All I wanted to do was get home, because i had another big drive set for the morning. That's when Johnny Law turned on his lights and got me for speeding. I was in my brothers car and didn't know where all his paperwork was. I got a ticket, but the cop must have chatted with me for almost 20 minutes. Definitely nicer than some of the law out in Cali. He even dropped the MPH on the ticket so it wouldn't show on my record in 6 months.

here are a couple more pics at Plowboys friends shops..............

 

It's Wednesday now, and I'm headed 4 hours north to see Zenor. I had met him before, but what a cool dude, with a cool house, cool family and an amazing car. I can't believe I had never even seen a photo of it. If you haven't, you will soon, and I'm not talking about a couple of mine.

 

Mike took me to a couple shops. I was hoping to meet Django, but he wasn't in. Instead, we chatted with Kevin Tully for quite a while. I was expecting a small shop, but they were packed to the gills with cool projects. I can't wait to see the evolution of those things, and eventually cross paths with Chad in the future. Then it was off to Andy Diddio's. Yet another cool cat. Tons of projects, and an unbelievable talent. The A coupe has a great story behind it (but sad). Hopefully he'll pop on here and tell a little about it. I hope to work with him on something in the next couple of years. He treated us to dinner, and quite possibly the best onion rings I've ever had. Yummeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!!!

Seats in the coupe are by dave martinez.

 

Sounds like one wicked trip. Great shots as usual!

 

Heading back from there in the wee hours of the morning ****ed. No tickets, but I had to pull into a rest stop for some much needed shut eye at about 2:30am. The rest of that day I was useless, and just recharged my batteries. I stopped by a small gathering at a couple of shops that night, but was still home fairly early in comparison to the rest of the trip.

Friday I went to the first day of the US Nationals. I met up with James Day, who drove a fuel flopper earlier in the year, and now drives the newest rendition of the "Holy Toledo" fuel jeep. Its aerodynamics are similar to a brick, but it still went 217mph a couple weeks back in Boise. Also stopped by to see Hillary, Jim O, and the rest of the Kalitta's. Scott's funny car was back out for the first time, so it was really a big deal for them. I always appreciate their hospitality.

Skipped the drags on Sat, and left at 6am with my brothers girlfriend for the 5 hour drive to Michigan. My brother does the suspension on Gil De Ferran's factory sponsored Acura prototype car in the ALMS series. Next year they are jumping cl***es to P1, and will be running the 24 hrs of le mans.....a**** others. Something tells me I will be going to europe for the first time. Not exactly HAMB material, but what the hell.

I'm more motivated to get **** done now than I ever have. A HUGE thanks to everyone who took a little time out to shoot the breeze. Next beer's on me.

 

Hey Coby, how come on my camera when I take a good picture there are 20 bad ones before the next good one and when I looked in your camera you didn't seem to have that problem? AWESOME SHOTS. LOVE YOUR STYLE!

 

Road Apple, I think you have something stuck in your eye....looks like a piece of talent or something....

 

your photos are amazing. thanks for sharing them.

 

awesome shots man.

 

Good eye through the lens!

 

I'll echo the guy above, "awesome shots man." Thanks for sharing!

 

I need a new set of the "Church" shirts....seems all of them have welding worm holes in them. My favorite is the "Funny Cartel" one, as evidenced by the icky yellow hue it has found itself smeared with. You still sellin' the shirts, Bubba?

 

Beautiful shots Coby. Your overt talent is not wasted.

 

bobby needs a bigger hat.

 

Great story and shots Coby!

 

Coby, great stuff as always. Come east in the spring, we'll play in the mud.

 

Coby, you are UltraRuler. Hope to see you in Cali soon.

 

Always love to see your POV, Coby. The pics by themselves speak volumes, but the flavor text added is a real treat.

 

I was bummed Coby when Kevin said you were there. I had no idea. I would have made sure to have been there! Maybe next time.

Did you take any photos at our place?

 

Great pics, bro. You were missed at the Primer Nats.

 

Missed seeing you at Bonneville. Can't wait to the the Bonneville edition of the mag, sure to be spectacular!

Next time you are in Ohio you have to stop by and visit!

 

Yeah, Zenor got it right....Coby you now have to change your Hamb name to " UltraRuler "
Thanks for hanging with us Coby It wouldn't be the same out in Bonneville without you.......Lucky