Nuevo "Colorado Grand" for Exotics? | FerrariChat
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Nuevo "Colorado Grand" for Exotics?

Discussion in 'Rocky Mountain' started by Anderson, Jun 22, 2006.

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  1. Anderson

    Anderson Karting

    Nov 6, 2004
    51
    Colorado
    Full Name:
    David Anderson
    #1 Anderson, Jun 22, 2006
    The Colorado Grand has been a success story for many years now. Great fun, great weather (usually), benefits a worthy charity, etc., etc. However, the Colorado Grand admits (roughly) pre-1960 cars -- essentially those with drum brakes. The newest cars are nearly 50 years old! Somewhat newer cars run the Grand only if owned by a board member -- not sure how they justify that?

    As the years pass, I wonder if it is not time to consider an "updated" version of the Colorado Grand; this might allow 1961-1980 cars of distinction. Cars in this category are already some 25-35 years old! Entry requirements would have to be considered carefully to admit cars that are in some way special and/or rare. Alternatively, the event could be all Italian -- "The Italian Grand in Colorado"! A small board of directors could try to sort out the field -- the first year would obviously be a prototype event. To see a worthy field, cars and their owners could come from anywhere, not just Colorado. The event could be 3 or 4 or 5 days? The route could be similar to those used for the Colorado Grand -- Colorado's spectacular high country roads. Such an event would probably require some cooperation with the State Patrol, etc? It would be nice if such an event would benefit a charity.

    Has this subject been aired on this site in the past? Clearly, it would take a lot to get something like this off the ground and might require some sponsorships, etc. Anyway, after seeing the cars in last year's CG, I really started to think an updated version, featuring much newer cars, might be a hit. What are your thoughts?

    Thanks,

    Anderson
     
  2. davehelms

    davehelms F1 Rookie

    Jan 3, 2004
    4,629
    Full Name:
    Dave Helms
    #2 davehelms, Jun 23, 2006
    Has this subject been aired on this site in the past? Clearly, it would take a lot to get something like this off the ground and might require some sponsorships, etc. Anyway, after seeing the cars in last year's CG, I really started to think an updated version, featuring much newer cars, might be a hit. What are your thoughts?

    Thanks,

    Anderson[/QUOTE]


    We (fca members and Scuderia Rampante) have discussed this many times and have started plans for this type of event. To say it is difficult, time consuming and expensive is a huge under statement.
    Having worked the Grand (as well as 2 FCA Challange Rallies) for a number of years I can tell you the effort by the board members to put this event on is monumental. The Grand employees are up at 5AM and to bed well after mid night and are working strong every min of that time. This is after months of pre event planning, effort and money being delt out like a card game.
    After all of the effort and money is spent you can at best hope to make 60% of the event goers feel like they got their moneys worth. That leaves 30-40% of the folks feeling like they have change coming in one respect or another (re, Leslie's last Vegas event). Leslie had countless hours and dollars invested with the help of folks from all over the country. Some had fun, some didnt. Hell, to some the coffee was too hot and the road too straight, to some it was a real hoot. Hard game to get into with little to no return on investment. To appriciate the event one has to look at every aspect from both a partisipents view as well as an event organizers view to see the problems and the highlights. For anyone that thinks it is quick and easy one only has to talk with Pete Taylor (who took the FFFT to a new event high), Chris Parr with his event in Ak in Sept or Zahir and his Canadian Rockies event.
    Those are the problem areas but if it comes off well it can be extremely rewarding for all involved. Even the State Patrol officers put in requests to be involved in the Grand years ahead of time as they enjoy it as much as the car owners do and they have a VERY tough job.
    Short answer, YES, there is a place for this type of event. Our planning file for this is quite thick!

    Dave
     
  3. Boxer12

    Boxer12 Formula 3

    Jun 1, 2003
    1,672
    #3 Boxer12, Jun 23, 2006
    Just curious, but what is a 1970-80 'car of distinction'? Have you thought about that?
     
  4. clandestine

    clandestine Karting
    Silver Subscribed

    Apr 26, 2004
    96
    San Diego, CA
    #4 clandestine, Jun 23, 2006
    Trans Am w/ the chicken on the hood. Duhhh.
     
  5. abarthracer

    abarthracer Formula Junior

    Dec 6, 2003
    373
    Falmouth, Cape Cod
    Full Name:
    david S.
    #5 abarthracer, Jun 24, 2006
    Dave,
    I lived in Boulder for years and was freinds with Tom Ellis, Jim (Buggati's), Bob Sutherland, etc. I now live on east coast but still have the Abarth that I bought in Fort Collins and would love to support an event like this. I am sure once the word was spread that something like this was happening, you would have loads of interest. I for one will monitor what is happening and participate in any way to help this happen. Thanks for your work.
    David Svarczkopf
     
  6. Boxer12

    Boxer12 Formula 3

    Jun 1, 2003
    1,672
    #6 Boxer12, Jun 24, 2006
    Smokey and the Bandit! How could I forget that!!! Geeesh
     

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