Thank you all for supporting the 2012 Motor State Challenge

Hello Everyone,
I trust you all made it home safe and sound and the trips back were uneventful in a good way.
I want to thank you all for supporting the 4^th Annual 2012 Motor State Challenge. If you all had as much fun as we did - I’m sure you still have a big grin on your face. What a fantastic turnout and we finally dodged some of the crazy weather issues we’ve had in past years. Aside from the high temperatures, I don’t think we could have ordered better weather. Looks like our final car count for the weekend was 108 – WOW!

I’d like to once again thank all the sponsors who help support the Motor State Challenge and for making time in their hectic summer schedules to attend and participate. They design and build some of the best parts and equipment in the world for your vintage and late model hot rods and it’s always exciting to have them participate with their company test vehicles. Tell them how much you appreciate them supporting our hobby/industry whenever you have the chance. Those personal testimonies and words of gratitude mean a lot to them.
Special thanks to my good Friends Bill Howell and Brian Finch for all their help and support and for supplying the AWESOME timing system we now use at GingerMan Raceway. I know Jeff Luckritz and the rest of the SCCA group were thrilled with it since it freed them up to concentrate on getting everyone as many sessions as possible. Speaking of our South Bend Regional SCCA Group…..what a bunch of great people! I cannot thank them all enough for what they do to make the Motor State Challenge run as smooth and seamless as it does every year. They are all just genuine car people who love to be around racing and people who enjoy having fun with their cars. Thank You! Thank You! Thank You! SBR-SCCA!!!!

I must also give tremendous thanks to the Lane family and our dedicated staff for doing whatever it takes to make sure everyone in attendance has a great time.

Lane Automotive/Motor State Distributing/Allstar Performance Products has made a commitment to support and help develop the Pro-Touring market. Since we attended our first RTTH’s event in 2008, we knew this was something we wanted to be a part of. Great people who enjoy their cars and friendships are wonderful things and we are proud to be a part of it.
To all of you that came out to participate or just hang out for the weekend THANK YOU! This event would not be possible without all your long nights in the garage getting your hot rod built and ready or helping your friends and family get their hot rods ready for competition. I can’t think of any other group of people that work harder and longer than racers, car builders and hot rodders. It’s a good thing we all love what we do because it can be grueling and exhausting many times….but I can’t think of anything else I’d rather do.
We hope you all had a great time at the 4^th Annual Motor State Challenge and we’ll start getting plans together for next year as soon as possible.

Our talented staff of in-house photographers spent the entire weekend shooting pictures at each of the events. They’re loading galleries of shots on the Motor State web site which can be viewed by following this link http://www.motorstate.com/msChallenge.htm/ and then clicking the photo galleries added link at the top of the page. They will also be downloading all the photos to a Flickr page where you will be able to download any image you would like. We will give you that link on the web site as soon as it is ready – stay tuned!

I don’t mean to ramble on here but I also want to congratulate all the Champions and Award Winners. We were honored to be able to present the first Todd Gartshore (Memorial) Spirit Award to Donny and Angela Freise. Todd was a long-time friend and colleague and this award is very special to all of us who knew him. He was a tremendous soul and we will never forget him.

Feel free to call or drop me an email if you have any comments or suggestions regarding the Motor State Challenge. We are always looking to improve on what we do and your feedback is important to us.
Thank you all again for making the 2012 Motor State Challenge the amazing event it was.

Sincerely,
Scott Wahlstrom

Thank YOU! For putting together such a great event.

I will certainly second the appreciation for South Bend SCCA. To get that many people through an autocross that fast was impressive to say the least and the melding of rookies and pros on the road course was about as seamless as it could have possibly been.

The Todd Gartshore Spirit Award may well be the most meaningful thing we ever take home from an event, ever.....we are very happy with that.

Scott, you guy's did it again,another homerun in my book! I would like to thank you, all your people behind the scene,Bill,Brian,the SCCA guy's, and all the venders who save our butts all weekend! This group of people we run with across the country are the most helpful, coolest,regular people with the most bad ass rides and I am honered to to be a part of them! Kenny Jr. put 2300 miles on his camaro this week and I'm pretty sure he's hooked and will be back next year! I'm real tired from this great weekend but still can't stop smiling! Thanks again!!!

Scott...Thank You!!! For a great event....In addition to all the previously mentioned people who made this an outstanding event and wonderful experience...I would like to thank the local Sheriff's dept. for an outstanding job on the best cruise I've been on....Their escort was top notch, the way they raced those bikes past over 100 cars to block the next intersection...not to mention the danger of the oncoming traffic....I for one was impressed...

This was my first Motorstate Challenge and I will be back next year.... Had a great time...Thanks Again...


Donny and Angela...Congratulations on the Spirit Award....You guys certainly deserve it !!!

What can I say Scott, I've been to all 4 Motorstate Challenge's, and am amazed how they just keep getting better. I can't imagine what a logistical nightmare it must be to put this all together, can't thank you enough for the hospitality and overall first class nature of the event. Hope everyone does remember the sponsors who support our events, and help to make it all possible. Truely an awesome time, thanks again. Ron

Scott, Wanted to let you and anyone interested know I drove straight thru back home yesterday. 15 hours @ 80 MPH, 1025 miles. The Elky was flawless getting me back to NC. It is a little battered from the ball joint failure but could be way worst. I really appreciate all the help I recieved and that was offered to get the car put back together. Scott R and his Dad are really great folks. Jumped right in to first get me away from the track so the run groups could get back underway and then helped getting the car fixed. I had numerous folks come by to offer assistance. We really are blessed with a great group of people in the Pro Touring community. Anyway, just wanted people to know I made it home on a wing and a prayer. Now I have two weeks to repair and improve my car before the SORC. Thanks to all involved in putting together this years MSC. I will be back.
Mike Holleman

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Originally Posted by lotarust

Kenny Jr. put 2300 miles on his camaro this week and I'm pretty sure he's hooked and will be back next year! I'm real tired from this great weekend but still can't stop smiling! Thanks again!!!

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Awesome! Sofaking awesome!!

Scott another smash hit my man,, congrats to a job well done yet again buddy.....

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Originally Posted by lotarust

Scott, you guy's did it again,another homerun in my book! I would like to thank you, all your people behind the scene,Bill,Brian,the SCCA guy's, and all the venders who save our butts all weekend! This group of people we run with across the country are the most helpful, coolest,regular people with the most bad ass rides and I am honered to to be a part of them! Kenny Jr. put 2300 miles on his camaro this week and I'm pretty sure he's hooked and will be back next year! I'm real tired from this great weekend but still can't stop smiling! Thanks again!!!

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I do believe that would qualify as a couple of new Rat Pack members with 2,300 miles under their belt Bill.....

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Originally Posted by lotarust

Kenny Jr. put 2300 miles on his camaro this week and I'm pretty sure he's hooked and will be back next year! I'm real tired from this great weekend but still can't stop smiling! Thanks again!!!

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Kenny,
It was great to see you here with the boys this year. I think we all agree it does our hearts good to see the younger kids getting into our hobby/industry and taking an interest. It looked like Kenny Jr. had a great time with his Camaro and I was thrilled Joe awarded him the brake package from Wilwood. Also loved the fact that you beat on that rental car over the weekend since your Mustang is down for repairs right now. Glad to hear you guys made it back alright. Give us a call when you're ready to order those parts.

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Originally Posted by rivs68

I would like to thank the local Sheriff's dept. for an outstanding job on the best cruise I've been on....Their escort was top notch, the way they raced those bikes past over 100 cars to block the next intersection...not to mention the danger of the oncoming traffic....I for one was impressed...

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Steve, you're right!!!! - sorry I forgot to call those guys out on my post. They are an awesome group of riders and all around great guys. They love leading the cruise as much as we love going on it. Glad you had a good time at your first MSC. Hopefully we'll see you back for more of them in the future.

Ron,
I'm so happy you received the OUSCI invite at our event and it was especially cool that Jimi was here to present it to you personally. You have not only supported our event since the beginning but the entire hobby in general. Your documented build of the Mustang is still something I look at often (when I need motavation to keep my butt working on a project...haha!) and refer others to view it too. http://mysite.verizon.net/ls6ron/id6.html You are well deserving of the invite and I can't wait to see the Stang ripping around the track at Spring Mountain this November. Congrats again my brother!

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Originally Posted by Mike Holleman

Scott, Wanted to let you and anyone interested know I drove straight thru back home yesterday. 15 hours @ 80 MPH, 1025 miles. The Elky was flawless getting me back to NC. It is a little battered from the ball joint failure but could be way worst. Mike Holleman

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Hi Mike,
So glad to hear you made it back home with no issues. Good seeing you again this year.

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Originally Posted by dontlifttoshift

Awesome! Sofaking awesome!!

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Donny, I see you have been hanging around Michael Manning....lol

Albert,
Got your message yesterday. Glad to hear the trip home was good.
Always enjoy having you here my friend. Sorry I didn't get to spend anytime at the hotel this year hanging out. Preparing for the next days event kept me busy every night. Look forward to seeing you soon buddy! I still need a ride in the BA Trans-AM.

As a first timer at any event like this I just "stuck my toe in the water" this year. Everyone I met was friendly and encouraging. The cruise was unreal... the most fun I've ever had cruising with a bunch of hot rodders. The Sheriffs department made the event a blast. I had a colleague from England with me and he was amazed at how friendly everyone was. I am planning for next years event and will be prepared to take part in the whole weekend. Thanks to all the staff who busted their butts so we could have fun.

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Originally Posted by Mike Holleman

Scott, Wanted to let you and anyone interested know I drove straight thru back home yesterday. 15 hours @ 80 MPH, 1025 miles. The Elky was flawless getting me back to NC. It is a little battered from the ball joint failure but could be way worst. I really appreciate all the help I recieved and that was offered to get the car put back together. Scott R and his Dad are really great folks. Jumped right in to first get me away from the track so the run groups could get back underway and then helped getting the car fixed. I had numerous folks come by to offer assistance. We really are blessed with a great group of people in the Pro Touring community. Anyway, just wanted people to know I made it home on a wing and a prayer. Now I have two weeks to repair and improve my car before the SORC. Thanks to all involved in putting together this years MSC. I will be back.
Mike Holleman

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I'm glad to hear that was the extent of your damage. Good you made it home safely. I definitely enjoyed watching all the cars run and can't wait to participate.

Scott,
Thanks! It was my 3rd MSC and I had a blast. You guys put on a fantastic event, top notch. Everything ran so smoothly, I don't know how you did it. All I can say is "thank you". Great people, great cars and a great time had by all. The only way it could get better is if I could just get Danny Popp or Brian Fitch to teach me how to drive.

Scott,

The event was awesome. Thank you and the crew at Lane for hosting it. Here a some videos of the LPE and Raymond's Performance Camaro's in action.

Danny Popp on the AC course.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qmrxx0yMG30

Danny Popp at Gingerman.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a5tOctt8UPs

TJ Bain on the AC course.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tsoJQVARi90

TJ Bain at Gingerman

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aTVS03rGncQ

Im late; as usual. But doesnt mean Im any less thankful for the awesome event! Many have spoken and pics and video are around. Great event! Thanks again! Yes cruise: awesome, location and assistance! Road course: 1st time, awesome! Autocross, awesome! Venue tour / facilities (Lane), awesome! Ok see why I wasnt going to list stuff? I sound like I should have a surf board and say DUDE. LOL :6gears: