zr-1's + cigars....

[Kevin]

I know some of you are thinking "how the hell do these go together"....others know exactly how these go together. For the new owners in our group there was a great member of our clan by the name of Doug Johnson (see my sig). Doug was an avid ZR-1er and and avid cigar smoker. On saturday I fired up the ZR-1 for her first real drive of the year ~50 miles...not a real long drive but a good shake down run, nice mix of highway and two lane roads....anyway I digress...I took the ZR-1 to a local cigar shop for a podcast that we do from time to time. As part of the show we have a "smoke one for" and this is dedicated to anyone who we think is worthy of having a fine cigar smoked for them.
We decided to have the show outside and we were sitting right next to the car. So as I sat there I started thinking about who should be the smoke one for of this show if the host didn't have anyone. As it turns out he didn't have anyone in mind so I asked the host if I could do one and he said yes. So to make a long story a little shorter. I got on mic and told about doug and what he meant to both of the hobbies, cigars and ZR-1s.


Just a little story from this weekend. I thought some of you guys, epically the old guard, would get a kick out of it. For anyone who is looking for more a direct ZR-1 link here....I ran the car hard and my secondary actuators are finally starting to operate normally, they've been sticking on me but I find a good flogging will help set everything right....though I'm still having a voltage problem when I'm stuck in any kind of traffic.

here is a picture of his memorial brick at the entrance to the NCM...that was rough day for anyone who was there. I'm going to say that was a rough weekend in general. I think that was the weekend that Curtis lost his zr-1

http://www.corvettemuseum.com/gathering/2002/images/fri-18.jpg

second pic:
http://www.corvettemuseum.com/gathering/2002/images/fri-20.jpg

[bobbyhi]

Great tribute, Kevin:handshak:

[ZRWON]

I know some of you are thinking "how the hell do these go together"....others know exactly how these go together. For the new owners in our group there was a great member of our clan by the name of Doug Johnson (see my sig). Doug was an avid ZR-1er and and avid cigar smoker. On saturday I fired up the ZR-1 for her first real drive of the year ~50 miles...not a real long drive but a good shake down run, nice mix of highway and two lane roads....anyway I digress...I took the ZR-1 to a local cigar shop for a podcast that we do from time to time. As part of the show we have a "smoke one for" and this is dedicated to anyone who we think is worthy of having a fine cigar smoked for them.
We decided to have the show outside and we were sitting right next to the car. So as I sat there I started thinking about who should be the smoke one for of this show if the host didn't have anyone. As it turns out he didn't have anyone in mind so I asked the host if I could do one and he said yes. So to make a long story a little shorter. I got on mic and told about doug and what he meant to both of the hobbies, cigars and ZR-1s.


Just a little story from this weekend. I thought some of you guys, epically the old guard, would get a kick out of it. For anyone who is looking for more a direct ZR-1 link here....I ran the car hard and my secondary actuators are finally starting to operate normally, they've been sticking on me but I find a good flogging will help set everything right....though I'm still having a voltage problem when I'm stuck in any kind of traffic.

here is a picture of his memorial brick at the entrance to the NCM...that was rough day for anyone who was there. I'm going to say that was a rough weekend in general. I think that was the weekend that Curtis lost his zr-1

http://www.corvettemuseum.com/gathering/2002/images/fri-18.jpg

second pic:
http://www.corvettemuseum.com/gathering/2002/images/fri-20.jpg

KEVIN...THANKS FOR THE WONDERFUL POST and trip down memory lane!!!
When I got Doug's wonderful BEAST2 in Nov 2003, with a lot of help from Jim Van Dorn, I also got a message with it from Jim ie, "Have fun with the Beast II Bill. And if you ever happen to be driving that thing and you think you smell the faint aroma of a fine $3 cigar…..well…..turn on the power key and nail the gas for me just one time will ya?"
Every now and then I think I still get a faint aroma of cigar smoke and the cigar stories just keep coming. Here's a picture from a car show a couple years ago after some one presented me with a cigar.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v346/zrwon/BillBEAST2.jpg :cheers:

[Kevin]

KEVIN...THANKS FOR THE WONDERFUL POST and trip down memory lane!!!
When I got Doug's wonderful BEAST2 in Nov 2003, with a lot of help from Jim Van Dorn, I also got a message with it from Jim ie, "Have fun with the Beast II Bill. And if you ever happen to be driving that thing and you think you smell the faint aroma of a fine $3 cigar…..well…..turn on the power key and nail the gas for me just one time will ya?"
Every now and then I think I still get a faint aroma of cigar smoke and the cigar stories just keep coming. Here's a picture from a car show a couple years ago after some one presented me with a cigar.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v346/zrwon/BillBEAST2.jpg :cheers:

correct me if I'm wrong but when you got the car didn't you have to strip the interior twice to get the majority of the smell of cigar? I remember hearing that story somewhere but that could just be internet foklore. I actually told the story of the "smell cigar smoke and hammer the car" on the podcast. I'm glad you enjoyed the post I was hoping you'd read it and get a kick out of it. If you remember, what did Doug smoke? I'd like to keep a few in the humidor at home as a tribute to him. You are very lucky to have that car, I'd love to have a piece of zr-1 history like that.

[ZRWON]

correct me if I'm wrong but when you got the car didn't you have to strip the interior twice to get the majority of the smell of cigar? I remember hearing that story somewhere but that could just be internet foklore. I actually told the story of the "smell cigar smoke and hammer the car" on the podcast. I'm glad you enjoyed the post I was hoping you'd read it and get a kick out of it. If you remember, what did Doug smoke? I'd like to keep a few in the humidor at home as a tribute to him. You are very lucky to have that car, I'd love to have a piece of zr-1 history like that.
Kevin, I got the same question about the condition of BEAST from Phil Rickard, now President/Owner of Dynotech Engineering, Inc. and
a former engine builder/crew member of the now defunct Pirate Racing Team headed up by Jim Van Dorn. Phil said BEAST always looked pristine on the outside but was filthy inside. Doug smoked all the time and never could drive, smoke and hit the ashtray. He said I should pull the tray out and I could see the ashes under the console. Here's a qoute from an email Phil, a non smoker, sent me in 2004 with his word picture of what traveling with Doug was like, "I'm sure you can imagine, I have a LOT of stories to tell about the road trips to a racing event, traveling with Doug all through Canada going to a race in his Ford van with the windows rolled up the whole way while he toked on that stinky old cigar of his....etc, etc, etc! :-P"'
JVD got the car back from Donna, Doug's widow, for a 3rd rebuild in 2003 because of the problems with a guy that took it to sell for her and disappeared until they found it in his back yard. JVD did much more than just repair the damage the thief had done...he made the BEAST like new again before he finally shipped to me. There were no hints anywhere that it had ever been abused or smoked in.
Back in the early nineties my son was going into Canada to get "some good Cuban cigars". Doug gave me the name of the ones he felt were good and my son did buy some but he no longer smokes them and neither of us were able to remember the names. If you ever get a chance ask JVD; he might remember the brand

[Z Factor]

Very nice story, thanks. :cool:

:cheers:

[Kevin]

I emailed Jim and linked him to this thread so lets hope he stops in and shares some stories of Doug with us.

[ZRWON]

I emailed Jim and linked him to this thread so lets hope he stops in and shares some stories of Doug with us.
Kevin, There are 3 bricks in memory of Doug at the Corvette Museum...wish they had all been placed in a single grouping.
I've been going to get you this picture of the old VETTE CHAT's memorial brick for Doug but I seem to always forget to post it.
Vette Chat was a very active group that still chats on occasions,
but faded somewhat from the scene with introduction of the Corvette Forum and Doug's untimely death.
http://chat.ky.net/corvette/

...for your memories...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v346/zrwon/DOUGVETTECHAT.jpg

[WB9MCW]

Great stories guys -- nice to remember the "people" who loved the car! After all it is indeed the "people" that make the car what it is --like Dave M the "DAD" of the car and and ZR-1 MoM and no doubt Cigar Doug. We the people make the legend endure.

[Kevin]

these stories need to be told and retold so the, as I call them, new guard owners will know how we started and where we came from so they will always know where these cars are headed. High RPM, high speed fun.

[Paul Workman]

Oh, damn! I'm getting all choked up...And I never met the man! Very nice tribute, Kevin.

P.

[tomtom72]

Hey Kev & ZRWON thanks for the history lesson!

Too bad I came late & I've no idea of the story of the beginning and the people who kept it alive. I'll just say a "thank you" to all of those people!:worship:

:thumbsup:

[ZRWON]

Hey Kev & ZRWON thanks for the history lesson!

Too bad I came late & I've no idea of the story of the beginning and the people who kept it alive. I'll just say a "thank you" to all of those people!
:worship: :thumbsup:

In case you've never seen this gem by Hib Halverson, one of my favorite VETTE/car journalists who has published stories about VETTES for many publications for years, here's my favorite...almost makes me feel like I was at Fort Stockton every time I read it.
http://www.zr1netregistry.com/endurance_epic.htm

Also in "Jim's Blog" every so often he drifts back in time with some of his great stories of interesting ZR-1 & Pirate Racing things that pop out of his memory bank.
http://www.automastersofbg.com/
http://www.zr1netregistry.com/ZR1_racingpictures.htm

And of course another of my favorites includes anything that Dick Guldstrand talks about is really a trip back to the early days of Corvettes especially this May 24, 2008, interview with Dick by Dave McLellan http://corvettechief.com/

Enjoy :thumbsup: