2002 British V8 Conversion Convention - Grand Rapids, Michigan

as published in British V8 Newsletter, Volume X Issue 3, September 2002

by: Dan Masters

Dateline Grand Rapids, August 16 - 18, 2002: Hordes of crazed auto-enthusiasts descended upon this western Michigan city for a weekend of fun and frolic. Local residents, seeing the "toy" cars with big motors, locked up their children and hid behind closed doors, frightened by the noise these small cars made. Well, not really, but there was a "horde" of enthusiasts participating in the 5th annual V8 convention. If you weren't there, you should have been, and you missed a rollicking good time. Approximately 69 attendees, in 22 BritishV8 conversions, were in attendance at this British V8 convention.

Activities consisted of track time at the Gratten race track, an autocross, a shop tour of Fast Cars, Inc., tech sessions, vendor displays, a weigh-in, an awards dinner, lots and lots of bench racing, more than just a little BS slinging, and a few late night "light-'em-up" sessions in the parking lot.

One of the great things about the V8 meets is the complete lack of egos - just a bunch of friends gathering for a good time, and to share hints and kinks. Competition is very low keyed and friendly and every one is more than willing to help a fellow "V-eighter" in need.

Martyn Harvey has done an excellent job of writing about the event in his Canadian Corner column, so I'll just let the pictures and the autocross and weigh-in data speak for themselves here.

Sponsored by this newsletter, the sixth annual British V8 Convention was held in Grand Rapids, MI. Approximately 69 attendees and 22 British V8 conversions participated. Festivities included track time at Gratten race track, an autocross, a shop tour of Fast Cars, Inc., tech sessions, vendor displays, a weigh in, and a plethora of social activities.

Please support the sponsoring companies who make BritishV8 possible, including:

Ted Lathrop of Fast Cars Inc. specializes in suspension and chassis modifications for British sports cars.

Attendees, and Their Cars

	OWNER	From	Year / Model	Engine	Weight (pounds)	Best Auto-X Time (seconds)
1	David Bash	St Charles, MO				27:87
2	Steve Carrick	Middleville, MI	74 MGB	Ford 302	2300
3	Carl Floyd	Kingsport, TN	79 MGB	Buick 215	2290	26:16
4	Max Fulton	Chapel Hill, NC	MGB	(stock)	2240	27:38
5	Martyn Harvey	Waterloo, ONT	79 MGB LE	Rover V8	2420	28:34
6	Andy Knaut	Grand Rapids, MI	79 MGB	Rover 3.5	2220	27:53
7	Ted Lathrop	Wayland, MI	76 TR6	Chevy 350	2400
8	Mike Moor	Angola, IN	73 MGB	Buick 300	2370	27:03
9	Jim Orr	Hobart, IN	71 MGB	Buick 215	2230
10	Jack Renaud	Dearborn, MI	80 MGB	Rover 3.5	2320
11	Robert Samyn	Essexville MI	59 MGA Coupe	Chevy V8	2370
12	Joe Schafer	Mt Pleasant, MI	71 MGB		2240	28:46
13	Paul Schils	Fredonia, WI	73 MGB-GT	Buick 215	2380
14	Kurt Schley	Madison, OH	73 MGB	Olds 215	2310	26:88
15	Peter Smith	Sault St Marie, ONT	76 MGB	Rover 3.5	2440	28:22
16	Pete Stroble	Beavercreek, OH	73 MGB-GT	Chevy V6	2120
17	Jim Stuart	Montgomery Village, MD	66 MGB	Buick 215	2410
18	Al Wulf	Wheat Ridge, CO	67 MGB	Buick 215	2150	32:28
19	Bill Yobi	Canfield, OH	79 MGB	Olds 215	2340	27:03

On Track at Gratten Raceway!


No pace car! Go as fast as you can. Unlike most track events, this track allowed each driver to go at his own pace, even if it meant an occasional off-track excursion (and there were a few). It must be against the law to have this much fun.		Getting ready for some serious track time. Dump all that dead weight and dangerous projectiles! (That's Bill Yobi's car in the foreground, and Steve Carrick's car beyond it.)

Touring "Fast Cars, Inc."


One high point of the meet was the tour of Fast Cars Inc.		Ted Lathrop explained the intricacies of narrowing an axle.

While "Mr" Fast Cars was giving a shop tour, "Mrs" Fast Cars was giving the ladies a tour of her garden.