January Caddy Corner news

Presidents letter for January 2011

Happy New Year everyone! On New Year’s Day a song came to mind, one that Nina Simone once made famous in 1965 and many others have recorded since.

Birds flyin' high you know how I feel
Sun in the sky you know how I feel
Breeze driftin' on by you know how I feel
Its a new dawn, its a new day, its a new life for me
yeah, its a new dawn its a new day its a new life for me ooooooooh
AND I'M FEELING GOOD

It is a new year and I hope we are all looking forward to a bright outlook with positive changes. We certainly have seen many positive changes since 1965 but just remember it is a new dawn, a new day… I hope we are all feeling good.

Here in Florida we surely can see the birds flyin high and the sun in the sky. In our Cadillac & LaSalle Club we look for ways to get out in our cars and enjoy the sun and sky. We will be planning a variety of events in many corners of our beautiful state that we hope our members will want to mark their calendars and join in the fun.

We hope you will want to watch your mail box for the most up to date news from your monthly Caddy Corner newsletter as we try to bring news of events coming and our plans for our Grand National in June of 2012.

Here is something new for 2011 that you might want to check out…

The Florida Suncoast Region Cadillac & LaSalle Club is trying to keep up with the latest in technology. A blogspot has been created for our members and friends to enjoy. Check it out at... http://cadillacfloridasuncoastregion.blogspot.com/ It is a hope that we can keep our members and friends informed of what is happening in the Florida Suncoast Region in multiple formats. As time goes by this blog may become a good resource and a great way to stay connected Activities Director's Corner Hello again! Our region closed out the year with our Holiday Party at the home of Tony and Mam Cefaratti in Wesley Chapel on December 18.  The Cefarattis opened their home to many members and friends, and there was plenty of food to keep everyone happy. Many members brought their "Pride and Joys", including Paul Simcock, with his brand new 2011 Cadillac CTS Coupe. Paul's car was the catalyst for an impromptu discussion of Cadillacs of today, compared to Cadillacs of the past. After the party, a few members accepted Rich and Marge Fedor's invitation to stop by to see Rich's collection of cars, both full size and models. Since the Fedors live just around the corner, it was a quick trip to the Fedor estate.  Among the collection, Rich has a 1960 Eldorado Seville which is in the process of being fully restored. To show his spirit of bipartisanship, Rich also has a 1958 Lincoln Continental convertible. One of his more unusual cars is a 1984 Fiero Indy Pace Car, which he has owned since new. The 1984 Pontiac Fiero is among the most unique cars ever to pace the Indy 500. It is the only mid-engine car ever to pace the 500, as well as the shortest car to ever hold the honor. It is also one of very few 4-cylinder cars to pace at Indy. Rich finished the tour showing us his 600+ model cars!  Yes 600+! Rich has most of them displayed in individual cases, in one room. It’s quite the impressive display to see. Sadly, due to future commitments, this will be the last year that the Cefarattis will be able to host the annual Holiday Party.  While we will miss going to the Cefaratti’s for the Holiday, I am happy to report that George and Ruth Meyer, stepped up to the plate to volunteer to have the party at their home next year.  The Meyers have already hosted a couple of events for the region, and they have always been very successful.  A big thank-you to both the Cefarattis and the Meyers!  Sunday, January 30, 2011 from 8 AM to 3 PM is the date and time of the Annual Devereaux-Kaiser Collector Car Meet. Over 1500 vehicles, vintage 1986 and older, from all over Florida and neighboring states will be on display.  There is no entry fee for cars and no judging.  The public is welcome to this FREE event.We invite you to escape, if only for a short while,to a time when things seemed simpler.  Take a stroll down memory lane and view cars that are truly works of art.  This is the largest show of its kind in Florida. We usually get a good turn out from our Region, and at the end of the show get-together at a nearby restaurant for dinner.  This is a great opportunity for members close to the Sarasota area that sometimes can't attend the other events throughout the year to get together with other members.  If you plan on attending, look for other members wearing the club badges and introduce yourself.  In the year to come, the region is going to "take the show on the road" and hold an overnight event in Palm Beach for the Barrett-Jackson Auction. The auction will be held at the Americraft Expo Center at the South Florida Fairgrounds. The club will be maintaining a booth at the event, and hopefully we can have many members from the Palm Beach area stop by and say hello.  If you have never been to a classic car auction, I can guarantee you that they are really great events to attend even if you don't have a car to place on the auction block or want to do any bidding.  They are car shows and car flea markets all wrapped into one venue. Make plans now to attend and circle April 8th & 9th on your calendar. There will be more information as the event draws closer. . 2011 Regional Activities Schedule JAN     30, Sun, Devereaux/Kaiser Show, Sarasota Square Mall, Sarasota FL FEB     26, Sat, NPD Museum Tour, Ocala FL, 2pm-3:30 pm MAR   19, Sat, Muscle Car Museum, Punta Gorda FL tentative APR     2, Sat, Club General Meeting, Po Folks Restaurant, St Petersburg FL APR    8&9, Fri & Sat, Booth at Barrett-Jackson Auction, Palm Beach FL MAY   21, Sat, Bok Tower and Gardens, Lake Wales FL tentative JUN     TBA JUL     TBA    AUG    TBA SEP     TBA OCT    TBA NOV 20, Sun, Annual Fall Picnic, Philippe Park, Safety Harbor FL, 11 am DEC 17, Sat, Annual Holiday Party, Haines City FL, noon

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to one and all

Cadillac will be back in the racing scene in St Petersburg

Here is some interesting news from the racing scene...

“We are excited with how our 2011 calendar is coming together,” Scott Bove, Director of Operations, WC Vision said. “We’ve listened to what our fans, competitors and partners want. World Challenge presents Sports Car Wars at top courses and road racing events across the continent. Our skilled drivers get to test their mettle at the most challenging circuits and our fans get to see their favorites battle it out at these top venues in door-to-door, 50-minute sprints to the finish – a trademark of our series.”
World Challenge is North America's top production car-based racing championship. Divided into three separate categories (World Challenge GT, World Challenge GTS, and World Challenge Touring Car), each race features a thrilling standing start, adrenaline filled door-to-door action and world class drivers. World Challenge features cars from the world's most popular manufacturers – race-prepped versions of the cars driven on the streets. Sanctioned by SCCA Pro Racing, World Challenge races at North America's premier road and temporary street courses. For more information about World Challenge, visit www.world-challenge.com.


2011 World Challenge Schedule of Events

March 25 – 27, Rounds 1 & 2
Streets of St. Petersburg (with IRL)*
St. Petersburg, Fla.
April 15 – 17, Round 3
Streets of Long Beach (with IRL/ALMS)
Long Beach, Calif.

April 29 – May 1, Round 4
Miller Motorsports Park (co-headliner, NASCAR West)
Tooele, Utah

May 20 – 22, Rounds 5 & 6
Mosport International Raceway (World Challenge Headliner)*
Bowmanville, Ontario, Canada
 
August 5 – 7, Rounds 7 & 8
Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course (with IRL/ALMS)*
Lexington, Ohio

August 26 – 28, Rounds 9 & 10
Infineon Raceway (with IRL)*
Sonoma, Calif.
This is from the World Challenge web site

Now here is more to the story. Cadillac will be there !

Sure enough, The Crest is headed back to the race track, this time with its menacing CTS-V Coupe. Cadillac last took to the field of battle in 2007, when it campaigned in the Sports Car Club of America World Challenge, and according to General Motors, the company will once again race in that series with a two-car team next season. Pratt & Miller, the shop responsible for the wicked American Le Mans Series Chevrolet Corvettes we all know and love, has been tasked with developing the racier version of the CTS-V Coupe. While the cars are largely production-based in the World Challenge GT class, some of the vehicle's systems will need to be upgraded to meet SCCA specifications.

The two CTS-V Coupe race cars will compete for the first time on March 25 in St. Petersburg, Florida with Johnny O'Connel and Andy Pilgram behind the wheel. Fortunately, we don't have to wait that long to see these machine in the metal. Cadillac is planning to show the vehicle off at the Detroit Auto Show in January. Hit the jump for the full press release.

 

 

Presidents Letter for December 2010

Presidents Letter for December 2010

Recently it was noticed what a diverse membership we enjoy in our Cadillac & LaSalle Club. Members include backgrounds in all religions including multiple forms of Christian, Jewish and even Buddhist. At this time of year all of these religions share similarities as they reflect on the highest ideals of their faiths and each seem to include the lighting of lights and candles in remembrance of the importance of the symbolism of light. Light is probably the greatest metaphor and symbol that we have. Our religions are saturated with the poetry of light symbolism.  In many, light reminds us of the enlightenment of our hearts and minds, may we all reflect in our hearts the great blessings of this season and also share in the love and lessons of our faiths. “Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be. And whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace in your soul.”Desiderata.

Like shining lights, thoughts of special people brighten the season and warm our hearts. The special people that I hold in my heart are those that have been met through the Cadillac & LaSalle Club.  I can’t thank the members more for their support of me and our club. Thank you all from the bottom of my heart. My all of you enjoy the light and warmth of the joyous season and may we look forward to a great New Year in 2011.

We are at a close of another great year in the Florida Suncoast Region. Over the year we have explored different parts of our state and enjoyed events and meetings that bring our members together at car shows, picnics and exploring Florida sights. In January we went to the Devereaux show in Sarasota, Cruise-in at Winter Garden, Car Show on St Pete Pier, Veterans Car Show at Bay Pines, Train Ride and Picnic in Parrish, Weekend in St Augustine, Fantasy of Flight in Polk City, Caravan to Grand National in Kansas City, Dinner at Resort at Little Harbor, Ruskin. Picnic and boat ride at the Meyer’s on the lake at Haines City, USF Homecoming Parade in Tampa, Lake Mirror Classic in Lakeland, Annual Club Picnic at Philippe Park, Safety Harbor and our Holiday Party at the home of Tony Cefaratti .  Next year we will be enjoying more events like these so keep in touch. Read your Caddy Corner newsletter every month for the latest in the regions news.

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Watch this Blog for news of an upcoming car show at a new venue in Tampa Florida hosted by the Florida Suncoast Region
There will be trophies, prizes, at a great eatery with discounts to participants and possibly entertainment provided. Our location is in a large well lighted parking lot. Location is easy to get to from Tampa, Clearwater and I-275
More info to come...

This event is tentatively schedules for the 12th of February 

December Holida Party

Join the Suncoast Region as we celebrate the Holidays on Saturday, December 18!

Tony and Mam Cefaratti hosted our annual Holiday Party at their beautiful home 

Tony and Mam always have a wonderful spread for us all…treats included Tony’s special lasagna among other culinary delights.

There is ample parking for all Cadillacs!

 

Here are some photos from the party

 

Presidents Letter for November 2010

Presidents Letter for November 2010

November is a wonderful month in our great state of Florida. The weather cools off and our snowbird friends return. It is the month that is noted for Thanksgiving which we celebrate this year on the 25^th. We all have personal reasons to give thanks. Hopefully this Thanksgiving season will bring your family and friends together in the finest spirit of this season.

Floridians are not opposed to a good controversy, and our recent election is proof of that. As many already know from reading my other articles, St. Augustine Florida is noted as “Our Nations First City”. What may be more controversial to our Northern friends is that St. Augustine is less known as the location of the first Thanksgiving which took place over 50 years before the one we all traditionally celebrate that occurred at Plymouth Rock! The real first Thanksgiving was held at a grassy spot on the Matanzas River at what is now the city of St. Augustine where Spanish Admiral Pedro Menendez de Aviles came ashore on September 8, 1565. At this spot he along with500 soldiers, 200 sailors, 100 civilian families and artisans, and the Timucuan Indians who occupied the village of Seloy, gathered at a makeshift altar and said the first Christian Mass in what is now the United States. Afterward, this is the spot where they held the first Thanksgiving feast. The Timucuans brought oysters and giant clams. The Spaniards carried from their ships garbanzo beans, olive oil, bread, pork and wine.

The Florida Suncoast Region is proceeding with its plans for the first Cadillac & LaSalle Club Grand National in Florida in 2012. Unlike the primitive conditions the Spanish endured in 16^th century Florida, we will enjoy the luxury of the Marriott Renaissance Hotel at World Golf Village. Located just off of I-95 at St. Augustine, we can enjoy modern comforts and may also explore the history of this area that goes back 447 years (by 2012) to the eventful landing of Admiral Pedro Menendez de Aviles.

If you would like to read more about this first Thanksgiving you may enjoy reading an article from the Pittsburg Post Gazette. http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09326/1014871-37.stm or Google “Florida First Thanksgiving”

Don’t forget to mark your calendar to our Florida Suncoast Annual Picnic in the park which is our region’s Thanksgiving to our members and friends.

Florida Suncoast Region is planning 2012 Grand National

Grand National Meeting Notes                  November 6, 2010

We held a GN planning meeting on November 6. We were lucky to have Joe and Linda Pinson attending from the east coast. They’ll be running the car show and can help with a number of other tasks as well.

We focused on three issues. The first was a review of the contact with the hotel, which has now been signed. We’re guaranteeing the hotel 749 room nights over four days as well as $30,000 in total food and beverage sales. If these goals aren’t met, we’ll owe them only lost profit not gross receipts.

The second major issue was a preliminary budget discussion. We looked at our sources of revenue and expenses. A major effort will be made to enlist well-known national sponsors whose business involves the hobby. CLC already has a relationship with Haggerty Insurance and has just negotiated an arrangement with Barrett-Jackson.

The third major issue discussed was establishment of a presence on the internet. We’ll expand our Facebook page and are looking at website design.

It was noted that the new CLC coordinator for GN’s is Marsha Redman, who was the meet chairman for this year’s GN in Kansas City. She and Mike Book, CLC office manager and meet chairman for next year’s GN in Columbus have already been contacted for information that will help us make realistic projections.

Remember we’ll need volunteers for a lot of individual tasks. Don’t be afraid to step up…we’ll guide you to make each job easy.                      Len Berman, GN 2012 Chairman