JULY2003

Are you a “joiner”?

I guess if you are reading this then you must be, at least you joined this club. But are you a true joiner? By this I mean that in whatever venture you do, you join a club, organization or a support group for it. You just can’t function without one. We all know them.

Personally, I am not. I am more of a loner when it comes to that stuff. They are great for making contacts and getting valuable information and, by not joining, I miss out on a fair amount of good stuff.

One of the groups (in fact the only group) that I belong to is CORSA. Been a member for eons. Yeah, once in a while my membership lapsed but, oh well. I’m not one of the most organized people you have probably met in your life. But the Corvair is a neat and relatively inexpensive car (as far as collector cars go) to own and repair. Yes, I know the prices have been climbing, but it isn’t much more expensive that repairing a modern car, that is provided you do your own work (but then doesn’t everybody? ). I guess I’m fairly committed to this auto (I’ve had one or another for nearly thirty years). I don’t see me moving on to another type (unless it is a ‘vette…a CHEVETTE that is). I have too much invested into it and I know all the idiosyncrasies about them. I’ve had friends who purchased some real cool cars over the years only to get burned by these “bondo” specials mainly because they knew nothing about the car they were buying. It seems too risky for me to move on at this stage of the game. Maybe that is where a lot of you are too.

Any way, CORSA is a great organization, well worth actively supporting and full of good information and good people. Another great one is the NECC (North East Corsa Council). I’ve know of this for years, always putting on the Lime Rock event for the last 30 years. It is a GREAT group of people dedicated to putting Corvairs on the track and in shows. The NECC is actually a group of CORSA clubs (CDCC is one of them). It pulls volunteers from these clubs (and other individuals) to put on events each year. This year’s events were at Pocono raceway in May, an abbreviated event at Lime Rock and a wonderful event, the racers reunion, on July 14. Just before the national convention. Kevin and I went down to Summit Point Raceway in the northeast tip of West Virginia just to help out, take pictures for the CORSA Communique, meet old friends, make new ones and, generally, have a good time. The ride was nice, the weather beautiful and the event was great. You should really plan to attend one of the events, even participate. It is truly a blast to take your car out on a real race track. I guarantee it will be an experience you will never forget.

Well that’s my tale for now, Have a great summer and, as I heard someone tell me at Summit Point, “keep the sticky side down”

Ray

	JULY 2003
	July, 2003 Volume XV, Number VI
	A Word From The President
	This month I have to start off with the bad news that Harold Magida has passed away on May 25th. Hal was a good friend to the Capital District Corvair club. He was always trying to help us find a way to be a better organization. Hal the Capital District Corvair club is a better club thanks to you. I and, I am sure, all the members will miss you. This month is the CORSA Convention, and I know that a good number of the members are going. On Thursday or early Friday we will need to look each other up, so that Cindy can get the tickets for all that are going to the banquet, so that we can all be at the same table. For those of you that may be going to Carlisle a little early, remember that NECC has Time Trials at Summit on Monday July 14th, the day before the convention starts. Bruce Carlton will be there and maybe you could cheer him on, or take a shot at a couple of hot laps yourself. Check the NECC web site for the latest info. I won’t be leaving for Carlisle until Tuesday morning, so I expect to be at Guptils on Monday evening. Hope that all who can make this cruse will try and get out. This months meeting will be one week late ( July, 27th ) at Peter and Carol Callesano’s home. It will be a picnic and pool party, as well as a meeting. The meeting in August is at PJ’s on rt.9 Saratoga Springs. This will be on a Wednesday ( Aug, 13th ) with a rain date Thursday ( Aug. 14th ). Again we have to thank Peter Callesano for making all the arrangements. If you can check our web site you will find more info on all the upcoming events. Before I close for this month, I have to tell you I found out myself that a corvair can break a fan belt, with no warning ( good thing I had a spare ). Well that’s it from here, until I see you all again remember, “Keep the shiny side up”. Dates to remember: July 6 Car Show at Hillcrest, Pittsfield, MA July 13-14 NECC Corvairs at the Summit July 14 Guptil’s July 15-19 CORSA International Convention, Carlisle, PA July 27 CDCC Meeting and Summer Picnic at Callesano’s home, Wilton, NY Aug 11 Guptil’s Aug 13 CDCC Meeting at PJ’s Saratoga Springs, NY
	Harold
	*From the editor's desk....*
	Are you a “joiner”? I guess if you are reading this then you must be, at least you joined this club. But are you a true joiner? By this I mean that in whatever venture you do, you join a club, organization or a support group for it. You just can’t function without one. We all know them. Personally, I am not. I am more of a loner when it comes to that stuff. They are great for making contacts and getting valuable information and, by not joining, I miss out on a fair amount of good stuff. One of the groups (in fact the only group) that I belong to is CORSA. Been a member for eons. Yeah, once in a while my membership lapsed but, oh well. I’m not one of the most organized people you have probably met in your life. But the Corvair is a neat and relatively inexpensive car (as far as collector cars go) to own and repair. Yes, I know the prices have been climbing, but it isn’t much more expensive that repairing a modern car, that is provided you do your own work (but then doesn’t everybody? ). I guess I’m fairly committed to this auto (I’ve had one or another for nearly thirty years). I don’t see me moving on to another type (unless it is a ‘vette…a CHEVETTE that is). I have too much invested into it and I know all the idiosyncrasies about them. I’ve had friends who purchased some real cool cars over the years only to get burned by these “bondo” specials mainly because they knew nothing about the car they were buying. It seems too risky for me to move on at this stage of the game. Maybe that is where a lot of you are too. Any way, CORSA is a great organization, well worth actively supporting and full of good information and good people. Another great one is the NECC (North East Corsa Council). I’ve know of this for years, always putting on the Lime Rock event for the last 30 years. It is a GREAT group of people dedicated to putting Corvairs on the track and in shows. The NECC is actually a group of CORSA clubs (CDCC is one of them). It pulls volunteers from these clubs (and other individuals) to put on events each year. This year’s events were at Pocono raceway in May, an abbreviated event at Lime Rock and a wonderful event, the racers reunion, on July 14. Just before the national convention. Kevin and I went down to Summit Point Raceway in the northeast tip of West Virginia just to help out, take pictures for the CORSA Communique, meet old friends, make new ones and, generally, have a good time. The ride was nice, the weather beautiful and the event was great. You should really plan to attend one of the events, even participate. It is truly a blast to take your car out on a real race track. I guarantee it will be an experience you will never forget. Well that’s my tale for now, Have a great summer and, as I heard someone tell me at Summit Point, “keep the sticky side down” Ray