August 2003, Volume 6, Issue 7

General Meeting-August 5th, 2003
The Sgt. At Arms, Frank Brown, introduced President Theo Bechtel who called the meeting to order at 7:00pm.

Guests:
Don York drives a '99 Silver Trans Am. He attended our Trans A Rama this year and took the 1st place trophy for Light Modified 4th Generation.

Gary and Michelle Richiusa joined us from Gardnerville, Nevada. They were joined by their daughter. They have a an '88 Notch-back bright red Trans Am. Thank you for coming such a great distance to be with us. We would also like to say "Welcome to our Club". Gary and Michelle plan to be our newest Club members.

For the benefit of the guests and new members, Theo asked that we go around the room and introduce ourselves and tell what our cars are.

Robert Scott was also a guest this evening. No car, but a very good Sacramento Photographer and friend of J.O. He is offering to provide portrait grade photos of Club Members and their cars in studio surroundings at reduced rates. He also has suggested that he would be able to provide the Club with a fund raising opportunity by extending his services to other clubs and organizations that are referred by the Club. His wedding and individual portfolios were viewed.

The motion to accept the minutes as printed in the July Trans Script was made by Frank Brown, seconded by Dennis Trimble. Motion carried.

J.O. gave the Treasurer's report.

Old Business: Past Events;

Trans A Rama:
We had 23 cars make the cruise from the hotel to Jasper's Burgers in Rocklin. Because Jaspers is just a very short distance from the hotel, the cruise took the scenic route into the country and back through Auburn. As the cars pulled into the lot at Jasper's they were parked and the dust rags and cleaners came out and once again the cars were clean and shinny for the evenings car show. Winners were: 1st Gen, Dennis Trimble with his '68 Teal Blue Firebird; 2nd Gen, Richard Fernandez with his '76 Black & Gold "Bandit" TA; 3rd Gen, a tie between Frank Brown's '86 TA Convertible and Dave Gershon's '89 Indy Pace Car; 4th Gen, Leo Brown's 2002 WS6 Burnt Orange TA.

Dennis gave us a report on the Saturday car show. We had a very warm day but we also had a breeze most of the day and that helped some. We had 36 cars for the car show. Because of the shortage of judges, Dennis talked his relatives who were visiting, into helping with the judging.

Mopar / Trans Am Night at the Drags:
Terry reported that she, Dennis and Les were there to support our Club. Terry said there were seven more Mopars than our Trans Ams and we got our butts beat!!

Garlic Festival:
Only two cars showed up for this event and they decided to cancel.

New Business:

Up coming events:
Leo had copies of upcoming car shows for those who might be interested. Hangtown car show will be held on August 31st . This is headed up by Butch Gardner who is on the radio in Auburn and is also in charge of Auto Rama at Cal Expo.

Hot August Nights:
Those who would like to make this run to Reno meet at Levitz at 8am, leave at 8:30am. We are not participating in this event but we make very good spectators. Gary and Michelle wanted to know where they could meet up with the group. They didn't feel like driving all the way from Gardnerville, Nevada to meet at Levitz and then drive to Reno!!

Kragen Car Show: August 16th.
This event is held in Roseville on Harding Blvd., in front of the Treasurer Trove. It runs from 3:30pm to 7pm. Our cars are all parked in a very visible area. We seem to get a lot of attention.

River Cats: August 23rd.
Meet at Woody's on Watt Avenue, just south of El Camino, at 5pm. Dinner at Woody's and then off to the ball field. Game starts at 7:05pm. The Cats are looking into having a Hot August Nite event. They would like to have cars from a local car club. Two for circling the field and one to display outside the stadium. Leo is looking into it.

Movie / Pizza: Sept. 7th.
More at the next meeting.

Marine World: Sept. 13th.
More at the next meeting.

First Vacaville Car Show: Sept 20th.
It is sponsored by the Fire Hawk Club and the Pontiac dealership that was in Fairfield. They have moved to Vacaville and are holding their first one there. Our Club has supported this event in the past and would like to have a good turn out again for this one. They have good door prizes and lots of them. They support our Club car shows and we should support theirs also.

Keith reminded us of the Jim Boy's Taco car show every Saturday night in Rocklin. He would like to see more support for this from our Club. They would like to see more Trans Ams. It starts about 5pm and is located on Horseshoe Bar Rd.

Towe Museum:
We are now members of this establish-ment and can visit as often as we like with no charge. Be sure you have your Trans Am Club card with you. The Trans A Rama shirts are on sale for $7.50 if anyone would like to purchase any. We have almost all sizes.

Leo announced that Jaime and Carmen have volunteered to serve on the Activities Committee with him. Thanks to both of you as this is a very busy committee.

With no further business the meeting was adjourned at 8:10pm.

Respectfully submitted Irene Raff, Secretary .



The Starting Line.
In my ongoing attempt to recognize members of our Club, it occurred to me that the next person I should write about is Dave Gershon. Dave and I don't always see eye to eye but I respect his opinion and as far as the Club goes, he always puts the Clubs best interest to the forefront!

Dave joined the Club in February 1986 and has been as asset to the Club since joining! There is no one in the Club that has more knowledge of the Firebird than Dave and certainly no one that owns more! Dave's current Aviary contains a 1974 455 SD Trans Am in restoration, a 1979 10th Anniversary TA, an award winning 1989 GTA / Flame Red and an award winning 1989 20th Anniversary TA.

Dave also brings a wonderful family with him to the Club! These include his lovely wife Paula, daughter Natalie, and son Paul. Natalie is a sweet young girl, active in sports and I don't think there is a member in this Club that does not love Paul, a friendly, kind-hearted boy who enjoys being around people. As far as it looks now, Paul will be the next generation Firebird enthusiast!

Dave can be counted on when a Club member is in need and I have experienced this at first hand as I still have his cherry picker (a tool used to remove engines) in my garage, from removing my engine and transmission when my car spun a bearing! It was also Dave that helped Keith tow his car home when his timing chain went out. We all tease Dave about towing his cars to events but I know both Keith and myself are grateful that he has access to one!

Dave's knowledge of the Firebird is extensive and what he doesn't know, he has plenty of connections to find the answer! He has introduced us to such people as Reg Harris from SLP that built the Firehawk and George Scala, a well-known authority and author of Firebird History! Dave used his computer expertise and Firebird knowledge well when he served as principal speaker for the Trans A Rama XV banquet!

Dave has held, I believe, just about every officer position in the Club with the exception of Treasurer but is probably best known for being Major Events Director and putting on some of the best Trans A Ramas! Dave has a passion for competition which can be seen in his love of auto crossing, which he has always tried to incorporate into Trans A Rama! Dave introduced me to auto crossing at Trans a Rama 12, the last to be held in Reno, and it was a blast! Even now, after stepping down as Major Events Director, he supports the Club by being one of the Members at Large and has just recently volunteered to be our delegate to the Association of California Car Clubs, an organization set on preserving the rights of automobile enthusiasts. I fully support him in this position !!! Thank You DAVE !!!

Until next month, Theo.


Trans A Rama Results.
The results are posted elsewhere on the TACA Website.

Club Sponsors.

We, the members of The Trans Am Club of America, Golden State Chapter extends our gratitude to the following sponsors for their financial and logistical support for Trans-A-Rama XV and their encouragement of the Club in general.

RELIABLE PONTIAC CADILLAC
CALIFORNIA GENERAL TIRE
KRAGEN'S - ROSEVILLE
MAGUIRE'S
MORLAS BUILDING AND ELECTRIC
JERRY'S PAINT and SUPPLY
DENNY'S DINER - ROSEVILLE
SCREAMINGBANSHEE.COM
ALL AWARDS
ZINFANDEL GRILLE
ROCKLIN PARK HOTEL
DIECAST CITY REPLICAS
LES SCHWAB
LEO BROWN