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Volume 1 Number 4/Volume 2 Number 1
Fall 2001 and Winter 2002

By Don Mallinson, President

9-11

This tragic event has shaped us in so many ways, but one of the best things we can do is go on with our lives.  This came home to me when the weekend after 9-11 I attended an all Ford Show in my home town.  We had a short memorial service.  Some people talked about the events of 9-11, but most preferred to just get away for at least a few hours from the horror and enjoy the car show.  Several SHO's from central Illinois and as far away as Indiana and Iowa attended.  Everyone had a good time, and money was collected for the victims of the disaster.

I do believe the best way to prove the terrorists wrong is to live our own personal lives with dignity and daring.  Make America work, and keep it working!

On a Personal Note

Many of you already know what happened to me this fall, but many don't, so bear with me while I go over it quickly.

I had hip replacement surgery Oct 29.  Two weeks later while recovering, I got an infection and was back in the hospital for another surgery and that set me back almost a month on the recovery scale.  Due to my own lack of planning, I did not get the fall issue of the magazine put to bed before the surgery (that was my target, and I missed by a mile.)  After the surgery, my brain had a harder time recovering than my body.  I found I could not concentrate and so the magazine got later and later.  I missed the Christmas deadline I really wanted to hit, but right now, we are just about ready to get the magazine to the printer, so we will have it in your hands sometime in January.

One friend suggested it might have been fun for me to write the various articles and editorials while still under the influence of all the drugs and pain, but I resisted that urge.  It was enough to know that my own wife didn't recognize me for a while!

Thanks to everyone that sent their wishes and prayers.  And thanks for understanding while the magazine got delayed.

What we are doing is basically skipping an issue, but this next one will be marked as both Fall 2001 and Winter 2002, so you know why there is an issue missing in coming years and you count issues per year.   This issue won't be a "double" issue, but it will be one you enjoy I hope.

Since we are skipping an issue, everyone that has a renewal date AFTER the Fall issue will get an extra issue added to your membership so you will still get four issues per year paid for membership.  Those that have renewal dates of FA-4-2001EXP on their labels will get their fourth issue and then you must renew.  So check your Summer issue now, and if it says FA-4-2001EXP, then please send in your renewal check or call with a credit card.  Otherwise we will have to send out renewal notices and every one of those costs extra.  The fewer we have to send out, the more money we can put back into the magazine and the conventions.

Speaking of Conventions!
SHO's EAST! is coming.  The 10th Annual SHO National Convention.

Set aside July 22-25 for SHO's East.  The historic TENTH Annual SHO National Convention!  We have had so much fun over the years, and this one will be our best yet!

We will not only go to a world famous road course for some "driver training" and laps, but we will go DRAG RACING again after a two year break.  Summit Point race track is a super fun course that will challenge you and your SHO, but if you have never done a track event, please sign up for this one.  We will have a touring class where anyone that can drive on the street can have more fun than you can imagine, while not having to worry about opposing traffic, or police.  Same thing for the drags at scenic Mason-Dixon dragway.  In a neat valley, this 1/4 mile track has some good track food, and lots of room to go racing.  Again, if you have never had your SHO at a drag strip, the price is cheap and the fun is safe.  Go only as fast as you want, but you will kick yourself if you don't participate.  Of course not everyone will race, so we invite any that are not racing to come and watch for free.

And how about our host hotel?  The Hampton Inn has a great breakfast (NOT just continental!) included in the great low $79 rate we negotiated.  Your co-hosts, the MASHOC and LSHOC clubs on the East coast have put together some great drives for you to enjoy in the countryside.  Did you think the entire East coast was just congested city?  Think again.  When I went to help set up things this fall, I found lots of beautiful open country, nice smooth roads and lots of curves.  We have put together some great drives for you to take.  And remember this is some of the most historical country in the U.S.A.  Civil War battlefields, the oldest homes in the country and much more await you, along with old world charm and hospitality.

The Red Cross Charity Auction continues this year with a small twist.  This year we are asking EVERY car/family or individual attending (if two unrelated people share a car, we count that as two individuals.  If a family of four share a car, we count that as one, if a family of four share two cars, we count that as one) to donate ONE item that they LOVE to the charity event.  This can be almost anything. It need not be of great monetary value, but it should be something that will be of great interest to the SHO lover or a car fanatic.  Art, car parts, signed items, models, magazines...whatever.  Bring it with you (protect fragile items with proper packaging) and turn it in at registration at the hotel.  Then we will offer it either in the silent auction or the live auction for the Red Cross National Disaster Relief Fund.  This fund keeps all money in the United States and is the main fund used to help people with the 9-11 disaster.  (By the way, I don't think we need to worry because a few people complained when the Red Cross wanted to spread funds out, they changed their mind, and it all would have gone to the U.S.A. anyway).\

When your item comes up for bid, you can either let someone else love your contribution, or you can buy it back!  Devious isn't it?  

Other things planned include a Tech Session with Kevin Mahoney of Protech Automotive.  The SHO guru for the East Coast.  So bring your toughest SHO tech problems and we can probably get you a solution on the spot.

Watch SHOclub.com and your next magazine for the registration form.  Get it in right away, especially if you want in for the Summit Point track session.  We will limit the entries to make sure everyone  gets plenty of track time.

Fall 2001/Winter 2002 issue:

We have some interesting dyno runs from that land speed record car of Ransom Holbrook.  Look out for the V8 Chronicles and how you can computerize your SHO.  Check out the classifieds and TSB's along with tech hints and Dear Doug.  There is a special commentary from Doug Lewis on the V8 cam failure situation, you don't want to miss it if you have a 96-99 SHO.  Lots more, in the issue you have so patiently waited for!

Welcome 2002

I look forward to 2002.  SHO Club starts its second year.  We have our 10th anniversary National Convention, and not only can we enjoy driving one of the best sport sedans ever made, but we can do it in a free country where there is still room to get out and enjoy life.

Thanks everyone for making SHO Club possible, and have a happy and healthy New Year!

Don Mallinson, President
SHO Club