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Goodbye Cal Clubbers!
Posted: Sat Jun 14, 2008 8:10 pm
by James Wilson
Just wanted to say Goodbye to everyone, tomorrow (Sunday) is my last autocross in CA, bringing the whole family up. We are shoving off for our new life in Houston, Texas on June 26th, just a little over a week away. I've had a lot of fun the last 8 years racing with you guys, learned a LOT about driving and competition. Cal Club is a good group of folks with some of the best racers in the country, and it's been a pleasure. Be sure to stop by and say "Hi" tomorrow, I'll be driving Tyson Newman's Mazda3 in SK2 first thing in the morning, or look for a black Escort GT with a pink baby seat in it
Cheers,
James
Re: Goodbye Cal Clubbers!
Posted: Sat Jun 14, 2008 10:22 pm
by Michael Palero
James Wilson wrote:Just wanted to say Goodbye to everyone, tomorrow (Sunday) is my last autocross in CA, bringing the whole family up. We are shoving off for our new life in Houston, Texas on June 26th, just a little over a week away. I've had a lot of fun the last 8 years racing with you guys, learned a LOT about driving and competition. Cal Club is a good group of folks with some of the best racers in the country, and it's been a pleasure. Be sure to stop by and say "Hi" tomorrow, I'll be driving Tyson Newman's Mazda3 in SK2 first thing in the morning, or look for a black Escort GT with a pink baby seat in it
Cheers,
James
Good riddance!
j/p!
I'm going to miss you.
Don't worry, I'll try to continue your legacy of driving POS cars in HS with the 90 Quattro
I know it's a genuine POS because I couldn't stop laughing while driving it, I couldn't stop laughing while riding along in it, and Patty couldn't stop laughing at it.
Re: Goodbye Cal Clubbers!
Posted: Sun Jun 15, 2008 7:20 pm
by Ken Lord
James
Sorry I missed you today. I saw you as I was driving by to grid and when I finished working you were gone. You are a great competitor in cars that shouldn't do as well as they do. That is driver skill. Good luck in Texas.
Ken
Re: Goodbye Cal Clubbers!
Posted: Sun Jun 15, 2008 7:37 pm
by Will Kalman
Well, that was an interesting goodbye event from my perspective. You kill me in SK2, then take an Escort GT out on fun runs!
Good luck in Texas!
Re: Goodbye Cal Clubbers!
Posted: Sun Jun 15, 2008 9:30 pm
by David Crozier
Good luck to you and your family James. Thanks for all your insight and words of encouragement over the years.
Re: Goodbye Cal Clubbers!
Posted: Sun Jun 15, 2008 9:40 pm
by James Wilson
Will Kalman wrote:Well, that was an interesting goodbye event from my perspective. You kill me in SK2, then take an Escort GT out on fun runs!
Good luck in Texas!
Call it a Tribute, your impressive natural driving talent (when you first started autocrossing) was an inspiration, and really made me focus far less on "the car" or "the setup" and just plain going faster...thanks for that, Will! The Escort was very fun, and just a few tenths off of the Mazda3....might have to spring for a set of Tokico HP's and really go fer it hehe.
PS-- the A/C crapped out right as we left the Speedway, SOOOO HOT the whole drive back with the baby + wife, bad idea...need to take a look at the setup, A/C was rediculously cold before, maybe a blown fuse or relay, though the glovebox manual shows none??
Re: Goodbye Cal Clubbers!
Posted: Sun Jun 15, 2008 9:43 pm
by Michael Palero
Will Kalman wrote:Well, that was an interesting goodbye event from my perspective. You kill me in SK2, then take an Escort GT out on fun runs!
ouch!
Re: Goodbye Cal Clubbers!
Posted: Sun Jun 15, 2008 11:56 pm
by Mako Koiwai
Incredible Driving Until the End. 2nd in SK2 ... with ... where did that thing come from! And yes ... he kept the pink baby seat in the back seat!

Re: Goodbye Cal Clubbers!
Posted: Mon Jun 16, 2008 7:18 am
by George Schilling
Hey James, don't forget about us. Check in from time to time and let us know how you and your family are doing. Good luck in Texas.
Re: Goodbye Cal Clubbers!
Posted: Mon Jun 16, 2008 7:41 am
by Bob Beamesderfer
James,
Good luck and have a safe trip east.
Re: Goodbye Cal Clubbers!
Posted: Mon Jun 16, 2008 8:17 am
by James Wilson
Mako Koiwai wrote:Incredible Driving Until the End. 2nd in SK2 ... with ... where did that thing come from! And yes ... he kept the pink baby seat in the back seat!

Haha thanks Mako for the photo....I was actually driving Tyson's Mazda3 in Sk2 for maybe a 1st place (reviewing cone audits), so big thanks to MR. NEWMAN for the use of the Mazda! Funny thing, the Escort was nearly as fast!!
Re: Goodbye Cal Clubbers!
Posted: Mon Jun 16, 2008 3:08 pm
by Renee Angel
James:
It has been a pleasure having you compete in our events and getting to know you. You are an asset to this organization and a DAMN good driver as well. I have enjoyed your friendship and good luck to you in Texas. Just make sure your IQ stays the same
Again - good luck to you and you will be missed.
Renee
Re: Goodbye Cal Clubbers!
Posted: Mon Jun 16, 2008 4:18 pm
by Mike Simanyi
James,
We'll miss you and Allison. Best of luck to you all in Texas! (Watch out for those pesky autox locals... ;) )
Mike
Re: Goodbye Cal Clubbers!
Posted: Mon Jun 16, 2008 4:23 pm
by Steve Coe
James,
Who's going to buy me lunch now?
Steve Coe
Re: Goodbye Cal Clubbers!
Posted: Mon Jun 16, 2008 5:03 pm
by Michael Palero
Steve Coe wrote:James,
Who's going to buy me lunch now?
Steve Coe
Speaking of lunch, who's going to fetch YOU lunch now that I'm not your co-driver? ;)
Re: Goodbye Cal Clubbers!
Posted: Mon Jun 16, 2008 5:17 pm
by Pete Loney
Best of Luck James, your presence and first class sportsmanship will be missed.
Re: Goodbye Cal Clubbers!
Posted: Mon Jun 16, 2008 7:58 pm
by Reijo Silvennoinen
Good luck with your future endeavors! Lots of autocross in Texas so not a problem in that regard, I'm sure!
Reijo
Re: Goodbye Cal Clubbers!
Posted: Tue Jun 17, 2008 4:50 pm
by Bob Pl
All the best James!

Re: Goodbye Cal Clubbers!
Posted: Sun Jun 22, 2008 5:26 pm
by James Wilson
Thanks for the kind words everyone! We are shoving off first thing in the morning on this Thursday, if you are in San Diego any time before then, come by and say hello...or goodbye!
Re: Goodbye Cal Clubbers!
Posted: Mon Jun 30, 2008 7:14 am
by James Wilson
After 4 days on the road, we made it to Houston! We are staying at the Days Inn West until we can find a home to rent, it's going to be a crazy next couple of days!
I shot a lot of video and pictures from the road-- a big brush fire, about 600 miles of electrical/sand and heavy thunderstorms (not at all like the ones in CA!), lots of cops, and STUPID grammar issues with billboard signs! I'll post some up tonight

Re: Goodbye Cal Clubbers!
Posted: Mon Jun 30, 2008 6:17 pm
by Morgan Trotter
good job making it there. Im glad the cars and trucks all worked well enough to make the trip.
Did the cats make it or did you have to set them free in New Mexico? Find a place in the Ghetto, show them how we roll in san diego.
Re: Goodbye Cal Clubbers!
Posted: Mon Jun 30, 2008 6:50 pm
by James Wilson
Morgan Trotter wrote:good job making it there. Im glad the cars and trucks all worked well enough to make the trip.
Did the cats make it or did you have to set them free in New Mexico? Find a place in the Ghetto, show them how we roll in San Diego.
Haha cats and dog are here in the hotel ("the new house...many rooms!"), all is well.
The Saab blew up today while we were with the Realtor--- power steering pump failure, small engine fire, but everything is okay. $300 I did not want to spend, but the local autocrossers recommended a good independent Euro shop, and they are having a pump Next Day Aired from California (irony?). I am just glad it did not fail on the way out.
So we unloaded the Escort (and its contents into the hotel room) and drove it around tonight. Pick up the Saab tomorrow, and finish up with our application process on a very nice little place in Houston, giant back yard but only a 1-car garage (the other side is a converted office...my new office!).
So we went to the Academy Sports Store tonight to stay cool.....SO MUCH GREAT FISHING AND HUNTING STUFF...why the heck don't we have those out in CA??
Re: Goodbye Cal Clubbers!
Posted: Mon Jun 30, 2008 7:10 pm
by James Wilson
New Thread: "Photos from the road".
Re: Goodbye Cal Clubbers!
Posted: Tue Jul 01, 2008 8:06 am
by Morgan Trotter
because we have "BASSPRO SHOPS" even better!
Re: Goodbye Cal Clubbers!
Posted: Tue Jul 01, 2008 8:36 am
by Bob Beamesderfer
Morgan Trotter wrote:because we have "BASSPRO SHOPS" even better!
There's a Bass Pro Shop along the 15 in Upland.