Motor Sports Racers Honored at Napa Auto Parts Banquet

Ernie Serfas (on left) and Rick Romans (on right) were the Big Bear Racers of the Year. Ken Myers, sponsor of the award is in the center with the Napa Cup.

Big Bear, Ca, January 12, 2012, 5:00pm -

The Big Bear Valley is home to motor sports racers in a variety of disciplines, from desert racing to short track, dirt and asphalt racing, motorcycles, junior dragsters, and even go kart racing.  This week motor sports racers were honored at the Napa Auto Parts Racer of the Year dinner and banquet. Over 50 people were in attendance to recognize   racers of the year Ernie Serfas, and Rick Romans who both took the championships in their respective classes.  Serfas races 1450 trucks, and Romans races class 1 unlimited, both with Mojave Off Road Racing Enthusiasts, down in the Johnson Valley area.  The youngest racer in attendance was seven year old Austin Edwards, who is following his father Tony’s footsteps into the racing arena.  Austin has been racing go karts since he was five years old, and next year Austin will be of age to start competing in Bandoleros, which is a vehicle with a high performance small engine, and helps transition youngsters from go kart to a full size car.  Other local race champions include Cliff and Jim Conklin, Johnny Russo, and Sean Walters.  The Mojave off-road racing will start up for 2012 on January 21^st, with other forms of racing to follow. 

Rod Riders Classic Car Club Show

September 3, 2011
8:00 am	to	3:00 pm

Corvette Fall Meet at Big Bear City Airport

Big Bear, Ca, August 26, 2011, 1:00pm - Corvette enthusiasts will be happy to know that this Saturday there will be a Fall Meet of the National Corvette Restorers Society.  The event will take place at the Big Bear City Airport from 9am to 2pm.  There will be approximately 25 classic Corvettes on display for public viewing at the airport including a special classic 1953 model.  The event will also be a competition for those showcasing their cars.  There will be four teams judging cars for their exterior, interior, mechanics and undercarriage.  The National Corvette Restorers Society is dedicated to the restoration, preservation, history and enjoyment of Corvettes made from model year 1953 to 1996.  The public is invited to come view the Corvettes at no charge.

Big Bear Rolls with Monterey Peninsula Auto Week

 

The Concourse Italiano was well attended and the presentation and setting at the Laguna Seca Golf Ranch was better than any previous year. 

The cars were the best collection of Italian cars found anywhere perhaps outside Italy.  Besides such names as Ferrari, Lamborghini and Maserati one of the brand marks that attracted a lot of attention was the Fiat Abarth of Sam Cabiglio of Big Bear City.   Sam, who is a renowned sports car collector, exotic car dealer and Porsche expert along with his son Gianni spent most of the day delightfully describing their small Italian gem.  

If the day was not long enough, later that afternoon Sam was called upon to help verify the authenticity of the serial number of a very rare and valuable 1973 Porsche 911 Carrera RS.  This perticular RS serial number was questioned in an on-line chat room prior to it’s possible sale at the RM auction.  High drama is created when hundreds of thousands of dollars are hanging on such verifications.  In a weird twist a very similar 911 RS was being auctioned the next night at Russo and Steele and then with several helpers in tow, Cabiglio was able to get access and compare the serial numbers appearances.  As the VIN chatter reached a high pitch more questions were raised than could be answered that night. With so much on the line for buyers and sellers, the Carrera RS was pulled from the RM auction line at the last possible moment.  Even reality TV is not as real as this episode, talk about drama. 

Sports car racing in Pebble Beach is what originally ignited the Concours de Elegance 61 years ago.   The Rolex Motorsports Reunion at Mazda Raceway offered but perhaps some of the greatest excitement over the weekend for Big Bear resident Tom Sakai driving his Sunbeam Tiger.  

With great delight Tom described his classic Tiger overtaking the more powerful 427 Shelby Cobra in two races that day.  Tom’s ability to mix it up with more powerful cars in the leading group demonstrated his commitment to the sport of vintage auto racing.  What makes this type of racing so thrilling for race fans is that famous racecars and drivers are very approachable at this particular vintage race.  The cork screw and Laguna Seca’s natural setting makes this race track special for all sports car fans who are allowed to wander the race paddock and rub elbows with the people and machines who made history on the track.  

During all the excitement of the week many auto manufactures use the concentration of to auto enthusiasts to reveal new concept cars such as the Cadillac CELS a convertible with design elements from perhaps a classic Chris Craft.  Infinity’s 4-door concept had what could be best described as elements derived from a falcon bird of prey.  These and other concepts are all beautiful examples demonstrating the future of the auto industry. 

Almost as entertaining as any other auto event for the week are the auctions.  As mentioned earlier, the quality of the cars listed for auction brings millions of dollars every evening as rare and beautiful cars change hands.  For example, a car owned by car racer and actor Steve McQueen, a Porsche 911s made famous by it’s past owner as well as having a leading roll in the opening of the 1971 McQueen movie Le Mans was up for auction.  

The hammer price reached an astounding 1.3 million dollars.  A phone bidder topped several bidders in the room including Estonia Ruf of Ruf Porsche manufacturing fame.  Not to be out done, the Russo and Steele auction, which spills out into the streets of downtown Monterey, was in it’s entirety some of the best entertainment and was by far the most popular auction for downtown spectators.  The storybook growth of David Gooding and his auction at the equestrian center at Pebble Beach is legendary.  The quality and as such the prices seen at his auctions are without doubt exceptional.  David’s relationships in the classic car industry and his extensive knowledge combines for two nights of well attended auctions that need to be seen to be believed.  Friday’s record results for Gooding was highlighted with a Ferrari Testa Rosa 250 when spirited bidding climbed through the roof garnering over 16 million dollars as the hammer fell.  That one car sale produced in more money in a singular auction lot than many other classic car auctions sell in an entire day.  

The Gooding and Company auction also helped with the sale of rock singer Sheryl Crow’s  personal 1959 Mercedes-Benz 190 SL Roadster to benefit the community of Joplin, following a devastating tornado that swept through this southwest Missouri city earlier this summer. It was an exciting opportunity for both car collectors and Sheryl Crow fans.  

The auction followed an appearance by Sheryl Crow with Jay Leno at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance.  The final price was a generous $143,000.00 and all going to a good cause. 

It is hard to put into words and harder to keep up with even a fraction of the happenings on the Monterey Peninsula during the week leading up to the Concours de Elegance on Sunday. 

Thousands flock from all corners of the earth to show and view the best cars on the planet.  Every year is special as it takes at least 10 years to have a car re-invited to be shown again.  If you love cars, art and the outdoor beauty of the 18^th green at Pebble Beach then every August you must make plans view these very special cars.   This year not only restored cars are winners but there is a very popular preservation class that shows off the cars in their original state with all the age spots in place.  The best of show went to the streamline and rarely seen 1934 Vosin C-25 owned by Peter and Merle Mullin of Los Angeles.  Vosin originally an aircraft manufacturer built cars after World War I and its aviation roots are easily recognized even to the untrained eye. 

 This week in the Monterey Peninsula attracts the best and the most beautiful of the automotive world and without doubt should be experienced by anyone who appreciates the art of the automobile, a road trip on Highway 1 through Big Sur and the beauty of the California coast.

600 Cars Show off in the Big Bear “Fun Run”

Big Bear, Ca, August 15, 2011 -

August has so far been an outstanding month for events in the Big Bear Valley with thousands of people attending signature events such as the Big Bear Air Fair, and the Big Bear Lake Antique Car Club Fun Run.  This past weekend the fun run attracted more than 5,000 people to the Village of Big Bear Lake to see nearly 500 antique cars from roadsters, hot rods, classics and antiques, line the streets of the village, and make their way around the lake.  Over 2,000 people ventured over to the Renaissance Faire in Fawnskin for Elizabethan era entertainment.  If you missed the Renaissance Faire last weekend, you are in luck as it will continue this weekend in Fawnskin, with a special sword fighting demonstration added to the list of entertianment for Sunday.  Over at the Big Bear City Airport 79 kids participated in the Young Eagles program, and all children were taken on plane rides in small 2 and 4 seater planes.  For the active crowd over 40 people participated in the Butler Peak hike, part of the Seven Summits hike series.  The August fun will continue this weekend with the Cowboy Gathering at the Performing Arts Center, and Art on the Lake at the Marina Resort.  For more information on upcoming events visit EventsInBigBear.com or BigBearNews.com and visit our event calendar. 

Big Bear Lake Antique Car Club Fun Run Sure To Please!

Big Bear Lake Antique Car Club Fun Run This Weekend!

Big Bear, Ca, August 11, 2011, 3:00pm - The 22^nd annual Antique Car Club’s Fun Run will take place this Friday August 12th through Sunday August 14th. The Fun Run is a weekend full of activities, with a car show featuring nearly 500 cars including roadsters, classics, antiques and hot rods, lining the streets of Big Bear Village.  On Saturday afternoon at 3:45pm choose your spot around the lake for viewing the classic automobiles that will begin the “Fun Run” at the west end of Village Drive heading west along Hwy 18/Big Bear Blvd to the Big Bear Dam through Fawnskin and the North Shore crossing back to the boulevard at Stanfield Cut-off.  There will be a large raffle for a fully prepared, custom built, small block Chevy engine, with tickets only $5 each.  Proceeds from the Big Bear Lake Antique Car Club “Fun Run” are donated to local Big Bear charities.

Big Bear Lake Antique Car Club Fun Run

August 13, 2011

August 14, 2011

The Antique Car Club’s Fun Run takes place Friday August 12th through Sunday August 14th. The Fun Run features a car show with nearly 500 cars – roadsters, classics, antiques and hot rods, lining the streets of Big Bear Village. Vendors, a Fun Run drive around the lake at the end of day on Saturday, and of course the Sunday awards ceremonies. Too much fun, with something for everyone. For more information call, 909-866-3938 or visit website.

Website: www.antiquecarclub.org

Big Bear Choppers Ride The Mountain

June 11, 2011

This is the biggest bike event on the mountain! Motorcycle Riders from all over the Country will be converging on the mountain as the Big Bear Choppers “Ride the Mountain” Bike Show, Concert and Poker Run returns to Snow Summit on Saturday June 11th. Starts with Poker Run at 7:00 AM at the Big Bear Choppers factory at 41922 Fox Farm Road ($35 per poker hand) and the main event at Snow Summit starts at 10 AM. $10 general admission and $20 if you plan to enter your bike into competition.

 For more information please go to website or call Big Bear Choppers at (909) 878-4340.

Gear Up For Motorcycle Safety Month

Big Bear, CA, May 3, 2011, noon – Gas prices and temperatures are climbing, and more motorcyclists are riding the roads.  The California Highway Patrol is reminding drivers and riders to safely share the road.  The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says approximately 80% of reported motorcycle crashes result in injury or death, while the figure for cars is about 20%.  Robert Gladden of the Motorcycle Safety Foundation says, “In addition to wearing the proper safety gear, especially a helmet that is certified….to meet Department of Transportation specifications, riders are encouraged to enroll in a training course.”  The California  Motorcyclist Safety Program offers basic rider courses in Hesperia and Colton, as well as other locations in the Inland Empire.  Registration is available by calling 877-RIDE-411 or online at ca-msp.org.  CHP Commissioner Joe Farrow says, “All motorists are reminded to be extra alert when on the road to help keep everyone safe.”  During May’s Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month, Cal Trans will be displaying this message on highway signs:  Share the Road, Look Twice for Motorcyclists.

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