Parts and Things - Team 37 Race Team
Team 37 is a group of Friends that have traveled together through out the years. While we just like to have fun because of the hard economic times we have decided to make a trip with a purpose. We are doing the HILL CLIMB FOR HUNGER. at the Newport Hill Climb Oct. 2nd - 4th, 2009 in Newport, Indiana
Countdown til the 2010 Newport Antique Auto Hill Climb
October
If all goes well we will be reporting to you from the Hill Climb at Newport. There should be daily updates with pictures so stay tuned we'll be back....
Friday October 2nd
Today is the day I have been waiting for all summer, we are heading to Newport for the Hill climb. The guys decided that because of my age and arthritis it wasn't a good idea to drive me 200 plus miles to Newport so they loaded me on a trailer. About 7:30 am we headed to the Park and Ride to meet up with Mr. O (formally Mr. T, we'll explain later) and Dale. Head'm up and move'm out wait wrong movie. Anyway off we go headed for Newport. I was fine I was on the trailer just sitting back and watching the scenery. Seems we had to stop every 30 miles or so and add oil to the SOB (Son if Blue). So add that to the normal driving time and it took us to 2:30 pm to get to the motel in Rockville. Not to mention the time we spent in the rest area with Denny and Mr. O trying to get people to sign my body.
Got to Rockville and checked in the motel and the guys unloaded me off the trailer and we all headed to Newport which is about 20 miles from here. So that it wouldn't take the rest of the afternoon to get to Newport the guys left SOB at the motel. Checked in at the registration office in Newport and looked around for a little while. It's now time for supper so off they headed to Hillside or someplace like that but on the way we got to make a run at the Hill, boy that was FUN. Of course the guys had to take a run up the hill with their hot rods too.
On the way back from Newport I started feeling a little funky. When you let off my gas I was shaking like you wouldn't believe. The 2 mechanics went to the show so I don't know for sure what is wrong with me. Guess they will look at me in the morning.
Saturday October 3rd
Where is everyone? I thought they were going to get up early and fix me so I can go to the Hill Climb, I need to go and practice!
Finally after they fed their faces they came and looked at me. A little trans oil was added to my transmission and after several test drives it was determined that I was fit for hill climbing. I was not real comfortable with their decision so I loaded myself on the trailer and told them to take me to Newport.
When we got to Newport and got me unloaded for some unknown reason they took me over and parked me with the show cars. What the heck I came here to race not sit around all day with these show offs. Finally we went over and got into line so I could practice for Sunday's big race. Well with all the horsing around I finally got to take a crack at the hill after lunch. Mr. O was at the helm for this first run and he felt the need for a copilot so Chris went with him. It took me a little over 37 seconds to top the hill but I know I can do better if I had a better driver. He shifted me to early and then lifted before we were at the finish line, what's with that?
This time we went and got right back in line so I could try again. When I made my 1st run Bob got the mike and told the folks what I was all about and that all the monies that were collected at Newport would stay in Newport and be given to the Newport food pantry. So people started looking me up and I was again collecting more signatures. It was getting late and I wasn't sure if I was going to get another run or not but just a couple of minutes before the 4:30 closing time I got to make one more run with Kirk at the wheel. He powered me up the hill with precision making all the shifts at the right time and not getting off my throttle until we were well past the finish line. I'm just sorry that our time of 40 seconds did not reflect this. The crew chief decided that my carb needed adjusting, yea right I was choking on all the extra gas all the way up the hill. With all the black smoke it was a little embarassing to say the least.
Well tomorrow is the big day, I might get one more practice run if they get me there in time and I will only have one chance to make my mark on the hill. Got to go rest up now talk to ya tomorrow.
Sunday October 4th
WOW what a day this turned out to be. The guys left me at Newport yesterday so I wouldn't have to make the trip and I could sleep in. They showed up around 8:45 am and checked me over to see if I was ready for the big climb today. We went up to the staging area to see if I could get one more practice run in before the Hil Climb started. Just under the wire I got to make another practice run, I don't recall off hand what my time was but 40 plus seconds comes to mind. Went back to staging to wait our turn for the official run. The fellers ask how I felt on that run, I replied lean me out some your trying to dump more gas into me than I can swallow and advance my timming some, so they did.
Okay it's our turn the starter waves us into the starting box. The starter give me and Kirk some last minute instructions and points over to the starting tree red bulb lights, the 2 yellows light in order then the Green and off we go. Kirk has be reved a little and dumps my clutch on the green. Winds me out to just over 3,000 rpms and slips my tranny into second gear. Up comes the tach again and when it reaches 3 grand again he drops me into 3rd gear. Man what a rush as we fly up the hill. Okay we we't really flying but at my age it doesn't take much to get me excited. The other times up the hill I was a huff'n and a puff'n when I reached the top this time I felt really good and my time slip showed it. We crossed the finish line in 37.53 seconds my best time of the weekend.
You knnow the coolest part of this whole thing is that I have around 2200 names and well wishes written all over my body and they all got to go up the hill with me. I felt like I had my own cheering section on board, I could hear their words of encouragement the whole way up.
You know the Newport Hill Climb was neat and all and I really had a great time and got to meet a lot of nice people. I'm really proud of myself that at my age I was still able to compete in a sporting event like this for us old folks heck there were competors there that were old when I was born. What really makes me proud is the fact that I was able to collect $2,000 plus dollars for the local food pantries in Fenton and High Ridge but while I was in Newport I was able to collect $375.30 for the food pantry in Newport
A BIG THANKS to everyone from myself and Team 37
On behalf of Team 37 who made this all possible I would like to personally thank everone who supported this endevor. When this project was just getting started it was you all that believed in me and signed your name or wrote your well wishes on me. So it is you that the fine car loving people out there that's giving this money to help feed the hungry and you should all feel proud' as we do. We couldn't have done it without your help
Thanks everyone for your help and support
Don't know what is in store for me next but I do know "I feel good"
Final Thoughts from Cast & Crew
I had a pile of scrap (well actually a 37 Chevrolet) and a wild idea. That is are far as it would have went if I did not have a great bunch of friends. The heap was pulled in around March 1 & the story which is well documented began. The mission was the hill climb, but I think that the real goal was raising money for the food pantries. I do not really know when it happened but the MISSION was now to raise money & the hill climb was just the end of the story. Five couples started and many great friends jumped in to offer their talents. Bob Hayes and Bob Ingram are both great pitch men and special thanks to our sales mentor Mark Aubuchon. Everyone of the group has great talents & we brought every one’s talent together to make it happen.
The signature race car was simply novel way for people to step up and donate to the cause. While we provided the car it was the generous donations of many, many people that made this happen. We talked to people about cars and heard funny stories from people and some sad stories also. I especially enjoyed all the parents that let the young children sign, the pictures are great. We had a great time at Newport & $375.00 been collected. We round that up to match our time of 37.53 seconds $375.30 was given to the area food pantries. I have encouraged all of the team & wives to add a line to end the story. In the end I would like to say a Big THANK YOU to my friends & their great wives that made it happen, but the biggest thanks to all the generous people that donated to make this possible. If any one want to drop me an e-mail I can be reached at oldtin48@yahoo.com or tpetrovic@mofb.com End of story. BUT WE’LL BE BACK !!!!!
Terry (Mr. T) Car owner
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Well its over, Team 37 successfuly made it to the Newport Hill Climb. Who knew when this all started close to a year ago, that we would have so much fun and find out how generous the people that signed the race car could be. For something that started out with the idea to go to the Hill Climb with our hot rods it sure did turn into something special. Everyone got on a roll. I came up with the trip idea, Terry came up with race car idea and the idea of signing the car to raise funds for the food pantry. Then Al said we needed a web site. A team logo was worked on by several of us and perfected by Don Pfitzinger. Kirk jumped in with mechanical help and became our star driver. Shawn ODonnell brought his photo skills to the project. Dale was the one who came up with the great team shirts and hats and his mechanical skills. Micheal Jobst was there to help when needed. The wives, best of all, put up with all of this stuff and fed us when needed and helped raise the donations. Once it was up and running and we were ready to get some signatures, Memories Car Club, of which we are members, allowed us to use the monthly cruise to get started raising money. From that point on some others really helped out. Bob Ingram became a great spokesman for the cause. then Bob Hayes was a top notch booking person to set up other cruises that we would go to. Then came Mark Aubuchen and showed us that everyone wants to give, you just need to let them know they do. Well in the end we had a great time even when things did not go they way we would like. Friends like Hoot and Butch Lindsey came to the rescue one trip that did not go as planned, but it just added to the story. Also the people that put in generous donations, when all we were asking for was a dollar. In the end we have been able to donate just shy of $2500 to Food Pantries in the St. Louis area and in Newport IN. only because of everyone's dollars that they gave. Team 37 would like to thank everyone who got into the spirit of The Hill Climb For Hunger Race Car idea. Also we thank the Newport Lions Club who put on the race and welcomed our idea and really talked us up every time we ran the hill. If you have not been to the Climb you are missing a great car event. Try to make it some time.
Thanks again to everyone. most of all my great teammates
Dennis O'Donnell
Murphy Flats Garage.
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I watched the 37 Chevy come alive. Even though I missed car shows and picnics my heart was there. I am pleased to say I went to the Hill Climb in Newport, IN. and shared in the excitement of watching the car go up the hill. God Bless the whole team.
It was a glorious road trip!
Jackie :)
Thursday October 15th
The guys all gathered this afternoon and much to my surprize we got to go for a ride. I thought my days were over but boy was I wrong. They let me go with them to present a check for $1,000 to the St. Anthony's Food Pantry in High Ridge. This made me feel good!
Wednesday October 28th
We still had a check to deliver to the Cedar Hill Peace Pantry so a couple of the guys came by and all piled in and off we headed to Cedar Hill. The 1st stop was for gas even though Mr. T tried to say I had enough, but Denny and Big Al kept on him until he finally stopped and filled me up. It was nice to be able to get out of the driveway and stretch my legs. After about a 20 minute drive we arrived at the food pantry in Cedar Hill.
Mrs. Stretch the director of the Peace Pantry came out and talked to us and was just amazed at all the signatures that I had all over me. Mr T & Denny presented Mrs. Stretch & Ms Mattingly a check for $1032.
They all went inside and talked some more and left me all alone out in the parking lot. I thought that was rude but I guess I wouldn't have fit in the building anyway. After a few, the guys returned and off we headed to Murphy, well not quite. Mr. T had driven me down and was going to be my pilot on the return trip. Well Mr. T couldn't find my keys. Thinking he wasn't the problem he kept accusing Denny and Big Al of hiding them on him. They all looked eveywhere for the keys including going through Mr. T's pockets several times, well his jacket pockets no one wanted to check any of his other pockets. After maybe 15 or 20 minutes of looking for the keys Big Al took a pocket knife and turned on my switch and started me up.
Back to Murphy Flats we headed with a stop at Bob Ingram's so he could show us to a friend. Did I mention that he followed us to Cedar Hill and was in on the whole key deal? We all talked to Bob's buddy for a few and then it was time to go. The key deal had been discussed and several people told stories of them misplacing their keys. As we were getting ready to load up and head to Denny's Bob says we should hold Mr. T by his ankles and shake the keys out of him. You could just see the light come on in Mr. T's head. He had on a pair of carpenter pants you know the ones with the little ruler pocket on the leg. Mr. T feels in that pocket and guess what? If you guessed the keys you would be right, he had the keys all the time. I will bet my bottom dollar that at the next car club meeting his name will be thrown in the hat for the "Dumb Award".
It's been a fun summer and I feel real good that I with the help of everyone involved was able to raise almost $2500 for the food pantries both here and in Newport. Now I'm headed to Mr. T's kingdom to spend the winter inside out of the weather. Be sure to look for me at the 1st Memories cruise in April. I will be there so that I can personally say "Thank You" to everyone that made this possible. In the meantime Happy Thanksgiving & Merry Christmas to ya all!
