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SCCC First Year
A ONE YEAR STATEMENT from the Southern California Camaro Connection, that the CHEVROLET CAMARO is still alive and kicking! "Old CHEVY's NEVER DIE...they just become more wicked!"Celebrating our first year at the Miller Lite "Big 10" Challenge Irwindale, California When the last Bright Rally Red Camaro Z28 rolled off the St. Therese, Quebec, Canada, production line on August 27, 2002. It prompted Southern California Camaro owner's to hear the call, and the need to form an organization which would preserve the heritage of a great American icon. Chartered August 31, 2002, the Southern California Camaro Connection (SCCC) celebrates ONE YEAR of this dedication. On Saturday, August 23, 2003, the SCCC returned to its original meeting place at Denny's Diner in Sun Valley, California, to celebrate their success, and prove the enthusiasm still lives. Come join us, for a brief look at this historical celebration, as the Southern California Camaro Connection rocks its one-year anniversary at Irwindale Speedway and the Miller Lite "Big 10" Challenge, including network coverage from Fox Sports Net West 2. |
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On October 28, 2002, the SCCC received a letter from the Chevrolet Licensing Division. It stated,"As an automobile club, GM appreciates your support and commitment to their vehicles. It is individuals such as you that help keep the important nostalgia and heritage alive." With this, the Southern California Camaro Connection obtained written permission from General Motors to use the "bowtie" and CAMARO font on their logo. One year later, the red, white, and blue SCCC logo with a first and fourth generation Camaro in the background became the official limited edition logo for the one-year anniversary. A red bow tie was also added above the letters "SCCC." SCCC Apparel Operations Director, Allyn Arps, was the creator of this design. |
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| August 23, 2003 - 12:30 p.m. we return to Denny's Diner in Sun Valley, California. That was then ... THIS IS NOW! The lower photo shows the original ten members of the newly formed Southern California Camaro Connection. One year later, the upper photo shows the awesome growth of the SCCC which boasted twenty-eight members after one year of operation. |
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2:30 p.m. - After a "good grub," members enjoy a short "bull" session. Notice the "mods" have become more progressive, compared to the earlier photo above. The Southern California Camaro Connection allows its members a Camaro forum, like no other. Members can exchange and receive all the latest modification information from those "who know thy Camaro." There's no coincidence in this photo, that all the Camaros are looking their best. Each member dedicated her or his self to "car show" readiness, for the openining ceremonies of the Miller Lite "Big 10" Challenge. |
| 3:30 p.m. - The SCCC arrives at Irwindale Speedway. The Southern California Camaro Connection members enjoyed a freeway cruise, from Sun Valley to Irwindale via the 5, 134, 210, and finally exiting the Live Oak Avenue offramp from the 605. SCCC members were greeted by event organizers, who directed the car club to the chalet area of the stadium. The main gate to the public would open at 4:00 p.m., so SCCC members had half-an-hour to dust down their cars. |
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The Southern California Camaro Connection banner proudly makes its very first appearance. "Hey what's a car club without its banner?" Keeping this "must have" question in mind. SCCC members approved the use of their monthly dues for the purchase of a new Southern California Camaro Connection banner. What a beauty!! It definitely iced the professional car club look to the SCCC. The new banner was designed by SCCC Logo Operations Director, Robert Betancourt, and with a generous, and most appreciated contribution, Robert's uncle provided the printing and manufacturing. The young lady with a big smile, is Maria Perez, SCCC Meeting Operations Director, who makes sure there is always a SCCC event scheduled for each month. Her 2001 Navy Blue Metallic Chevrolet Camaro SS M6 #514 bears the infamous plate, "BADFNSS." |
| 4:00 p.m. - Gates Open!! and the SCCC is on display until 6:30 p.m. SCCC Operations Directors discussed the best layout for display. Members cars were organized by the right-hand corner of each car, in a straight line. The cleanest looking engines (which proved to be the LS1's) were open for display. Lucky for us, the pop-up tent was provided by SCCC guest, Harry Joe of Ventura, California, who also provided a base hangout with his Ford F-350 diesel pick up truck. Did I mention his truck sports a Gail Banks Turbo system? |
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6:45 p.m. - SHOWTIME!!! Opening ceremonies are set for 7:00 p.m. At 6:45 p.m., event organizers closed the chalet area to the public, and the Southern California Camaro Connection gave an awesome show with sixteen Camaros firing up their engines. It definitely turned some heads. The Official Irwindale Speedway Pace Car, met members at the pit gate, where the SCCC moved into line formation. Following the pace car first, shown in the middle of the photo, is "Blaze One", SCCC Group Operations Director. |
| 7:00 p.m. - The announcer begins to welcome race fans, and the Pace Car starts for the track. Leading the Southern California Camaro Connection to the one-half mile oval track was a convertible Mustang GT, the Official Irwindale Speedway Pace Car. What a classic scenario once again. Ford vs Chevy. Oh well, we'll let the blue-oval horse lead us this time, driven by the NASCAR Pace Car Official, with the traditional gorgeous trophy lady as passenger. Only a gentlemen, like John "The Tower" Moss, of Chevrolet Special Vehicles Division, would allow a move like that. Call it psycho-ing out the opponent, a move Moss frequently uses on John "The Quip" Coletti, of Ford Special Vehicles Division. |
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The Southern California Camaro Connection enters the track, and the announcer reads a brief history of the SCCC (written by SCCC Logo Operations Director, Robert Betancourt). At the far end of the track, the Southern California Camaro Connection enters turns 3 and 4. Ever drive your Camaro on a NASCAR high-bank curve? It re-defines high speed handling. You definitely get the feeling that your Camaro can easily stay in the turn at 120 m.p.h. The above photo shows SCCC members enjoying the Miller Lite "Big 10" Challenge event. The organizers at Irwindale Speedway provided the Southern California Camaro Connection members with thirty grand-stand seats. We're talking PRIMO location, being right in the center of the track, and midway from the field and press box. |
| Entering "Turn 4" and approaching the Flag Tower. Following the Pace Car through "Turn 4" are three of the five Southern California Camaro Connection Operations Directors. The 2000 Light Pewter Metallic Camaro Z28 A4 is "Blaze One", SCCC Group Operations Director, followed by Jose Zelaya, SCCC Financial Operations Director in the 2002 Onyx Black Camaro Z28 M6, with White 35th Anniversary striping. Third in line with the 1998 custom painted Black over Red Camaro SS A4 is SCCC Apparel Operations Director, Allyn Arps. Following the Operations Directors, are SCCC Members, Craig Ansman in his 2002 Onyx Black Camaro SS A4 with Z06 rims, and Alfonso Ortiz sporting a 1998 Sebring Silver Metallic Camaro Z28 M6 with a Spin Tech exhaust. |
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SCCC members through "Turn 4" with the Logo and Meeting Operations Directors. The first Camaro through "Turn 4" is Alfonso Ortiz, followed by SCCC Member, Joshua Harris, in his 2002 Artic White with Black racing stripes Camaro Z28 M6. Third in line, and probably the only Camaro around with everything in the catalog, is SCCC Logo Operations Director, Robert Betancourt, with his awesome 2001 Light Pewter Metallic Camaro Z28 M6, complete with Kook's Headers, and Torque Thruster II rims. Following Robert, is new SCCC member, Doug Newman in "Superman1," a 1999 Navy Blue Metallic Camaro Z28 A4. Picking up the rear, is the infamous "BADFNSS", owned by SCCC Meeting Operations Director, Maria Perez. "BADFNSS" is a 2001 Navy Blue Metallic Camaro SS M6 #514. |
| Southern California Camaro Connection members strutting a "Tour De Force." Sixteen Southern California Camaro Connection members made the Miller Lite "Big 10" Challenge. Shown to the right, is a montage of SCCC members putting on a show for race fans. |
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Saturday, August 23, 2003 - A day to remember... Driving on a real NASCAR oval track, yup!! It's something you'll never forget. Not to mention, being on TV, getting new T-shirts, showing off your new banner, and spending a day with your CAMARO buddies. Before we say good-bye, there's a special group of guys who think the "ragtop" look is definitelty "IN!" We'll let them close out the SCCC First Year. SS/Z ya in Year Two... |
| The SCCC Convertible Members would like to "Thank You" for stopping by our SCCC First Year Page. The "ragtops," they're a special breed. In the upper left hand photo is SCCC Member, Oscar Vargas and his 2000 Light Pewter Metallic Camaro SS convertible M6. In the middle photo, leading the convertible team is SCCC Member, Hector Cortez, and his 1999 30th Anniversary of Indy, Hugger Orange with White Striping Camaro SS Convertible M6. Second in line, is SCCC Member, Ed Reid, and his 1996 custom Charocoal paint Camaro Z28 Convertible A4. He is followed by Oscar Vargas. No other car like the Convertible, reflects the spirit of the open road. And what better way to enjoy this spirit, than in a CAMARO. |
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