Hisserman
Enthusiast
A gang from the Motor City Viper Owners chapter of VCA journeyed up to Escanaba, MI for the annual Krusin Klassics Car Show last weekend. It was the 10th annual year that we've been represented, and we had a blast!
Those of us from the lower end of the state crossed that great Mackinaw Bridge span to join our Upper Peninsula brothers and sisters.
Our caravan up was full of good weather and fun cruising . . .
Groups of cars began to gather at our trusty host hotel Friday afternoon, scattered among other classic and specialty cars arriving in town for the big car show.
After everyone arrived, we cruised over to Riverside Dodge, who always host us with grilled cheeseburgers, brats, and all the trimmings and hospitality of a UP barbeque.
Every year Viper fans come to view our collection of cars.
After enjoying ourselves at Riverside, we cruised over to Ludington Park on the shores of Lake Michigan to que up for the big Krusin Klassics parade. There were over two thousand cars in the parade this year, which proceeded from the park through downtown Escanaba and the adjacent town of Gladstone. Our dozen Vipers were a big hit in the parade, generating lots of revved engines and comments.
After the parade we returned to the Fairgrounds for more food, music and beverages . . .
It's amazing how that Snakeskin Green can lead to a unique level of bonding!
At the end of a long fun day we contributed to that event that brings tears to the eyes of every gas station owner in America -- the clustering of the Vipers!
Early the next morning we returned to the Fairgrounds to claim a prime spot at the car show.
While the morning was still cool we sent our stongest competitors to enter the dyno contest. The show has a portable Dyno Jet dynometer and offers trophys to the highest horsepower cars in various classes. Steve and Sue Nelson's 2001 ACR Bumblebee lead the charge . . .
With a Roe supercharger, Belanger headers, lightweight flywheel, etc., etc., the Bumblebee set the bar at 593 hp and 636 ft. lbs. of torque!
Talk about a car that will launch -- this yellow monster generates 600 ft. lbs. of torque at 2,500 RPM!!
"Doc" Ray Clark took second place with his 2008 ACR at 571 hp.
Once the business of establishing the supremacy of the Vipers was finished, we enjoyed the rest of the car show. There were cars of every type on display.
After lunch we cruised out to the DeYoung Family Zoo, an amazing collection of animals to be found in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Buddy and Carrie DeYoung run this outstanding facility with the help of an all volunteer staff. They have an extensive collection of animals spread over their 40 acre compound.
The arrival of the Vipers is a looked-for annual event.
A unique experience at the zoo this year was the opportunity to really put the "snake" into our Viper pictures. Here's Sue with the Bumblebee and her new friend . . .
Bob and Frank followed suit . . .
Every year we make a donation from the members of the MCVO club to help the inspiring work at this zoo. It brings a smile to everyone's face! (Note our special Krusin Klassics event shirts!)
[Due to the limitation of the number of pictures that can be added to one post, this thread is continued in another post called "Escanaba continued . . ." -- look for the end of the story!]
Those of us from the lower end of the state crossed that great Mackinaw Bridge span to join our Upper Peninsula brothers and sisters.
Our caravan up was full of good weather and fun cruising . . .
Groups of cars began to gather at our trusty host hotel Friday afternoon, scattered among other classic and specialty cars arriving in town for the big car show.
After everyone arrived, we cruised over to Riverside Dodge, who always host us with grilled cheeseburgers, brats, and all the trimmings and hospitality of a UP barbeque.
Every year Viper fans come to view our collection of cars.
After enjoying ourselves at Riverside, we cruised over to Ludington Park on the shores of Lake Michigan to que up for the big Krusin Klassics parade. There were over two thousand cars in the parade this year, which proceeded from the park through downtown Escanaba and the adjacent town of Gladstone. Our dozen Vipers were a big hit in the parade, generating lots of revved engines and comments.
After the parade we returned to the Fairgrounds for more food, music and beverages . . .
It's amazing how that Snakeskin Green can lead to a unique level of bonding!
At the end of a long fun day we contributed to that event that brings tears to the eyes of every gas station owner in America -- the clustering of the Vipers!
Early the next morning we returned to the Fairgrounds to claim a prime spot at the car show.
While the morning was still cool we sent our stongest competitors to enter the dyno contest. The show has a portable Dyno Jet dynometer and offers trophys to the highest horsepower cars in various classes. Steve and Sue Nelson's 2001 ACR Bumblebee lead the charge . . .
With a Roe supercharger, Belanger headers, lightweight flywheel, etc., etc., the Bumblebee set the bar at 593 hp and 636 ft. lbs. of torque!
Talk about a car that will launch -- this yellow monster generates 600 ft. lbs. of torque at 2,500 RPM!!
"Doc" Ray Clark took second place with his 2008 ACR at 571 hp.
Once the business of establishing the supremacy of the Vipers was finished, we enjoyed the rest of the car show. There were cars of every type on display.
After lunch we cruised out to the DeYoung Family Zoo, an amazing collection of animals to be found in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Buddy and Carrie DeYoung run this outstanding facility with the help of an all volunteer staff. They have an extensive collection of animals spread over their 40 acre compound.
The arrival of the Vipers is a looked-for annual event.
A unique experience at the zoo this year was the opportunity to really put the "snake" into our Viper pictures. Here's Sue with the Bumblebee and her new friend . . .
Bob and Frank followed suit . . .
Every year we make a donation from the members of the MCVO club to help the inspiring work at this zoo. It brings a smile to everyone's face! (Note our special Krusin Klassics event shirts!)
[Due to the limitation of the number of pictures that can be added to one post, this thread is continued in another post called "Escanaba continued . . ." -- look for the end of the story!]
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