2000 ISOA Event Articles

Last updated December 9, 2000

Here's a Quick Index of articles on some of the things we've done in 2000...

2000 ISOA Chili Party & Movie Night

March 18, 2000

This year's Chili Party started out quite early, with Jeff Rust and Karen Reilly patiently waiting for us in their TR6 when we got home late from lunch. They helped us with the last-minute preparations, and before we knew it, the doorbell was ringing and the house started to fill up. By the end of the night, there were 29 people from ISOA and 19 from British Boots and Bonnets, the all-British club in Rockford.

As we started in on the huge spread of munchies including veggies, shrimp, fruit, chip and dip, brownies, etc. we began to select the "appropriate" movie. We began with "Rendezvous", which is a nine-minute unedited trip through the streets of Paris at maximum speed in a Ferrari. I lost count of the number of blown red lights and narrowly missed collisions with birds, cars and the occasional garbage truck as the driver pursued his quest to get to his destination on time. This was followed by the film on La Carrera Panamericana that inspired Mark and Lorrie-Ann Fisher to enter the 1996 race in their 1954 Lincoln Capri. Vintage racing in Mexico was followed by vintage automotive mayhem in Europe as we watched The Italian Job destroy an Aston Martin, two Jaguar E-Types, five Mini-Coopers, and countless police cars.

After the second movie, the chili pots were ready for sampling. Just about everyone lined up to sample the ten varieties of chili. The cooks were doing everything they could to influence voters, ranging from the hard sell - "Vote for #1 - it's the best I've had", to subtle comments written on the identification tag - "Pot #7 - makes you horny". We didn't get the chance to sample another version of Bill Pyle's "IL 59 & 64 Road Kill Chili" from last year, although the Mueller's black chili (secret ingredient: chocolate) and Jeff and Karen's Jamaican chili helped to add a few new flavors we hadn't tasted before.

After all the votes were counted, Jeff Plummer of BBB had the most popular chili. By popular request, here are the ingredients:
1 lb ground pork
1 to 1-1/4 lb ground round
2-15 oz cans kidney beans
2 large cans diced tomatoes
1 small can green chilis
1-1/2 tablespoons chili powder
1 tablespoon sugar
3/4 tablespoon salt
3-4 onions (approximately 4 cups)
1-15 oz. can tomato sauce

We topped off the night with another movie on ghost sightings in Chicagoland. We must be getting older, since things wrapped up the earliest in our five-year history of this event. The festivities were pretty much complete by 9:30pm. Thanks to everyone who came - we had a great time!

Ann and Tim Buja

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Our Triumph Vacation
and
Trip to the 2000 Roadster Factory Summer Party

August 6-13, 2000

Next year our major Triumph trip will be out west, so we decided not to attend VTR 2000 in Portland, Oregon, but head east to The Roadster Factory Summer Party. Megan spends one week each summer with the grandparents so we can take a trip by ourselves. We decided camping would be our sleeping accommodations for the entire week. After several years of tent camping and knowing Megan enjoys camping as much as we do, we bit the bullet earlier this spring and bought a lightweight camper trailer to pull behind our Triumph. As things would have it, delivery was a lot longer than expected but we did manage to take delivery just before our trip. After several late nights of packing the camper and trial runs at set-up and tear-down, we were ready to go.

Our trip started by attending the August ISOA meeting and then continued to Fort Wayne, Indiana. The weather was not cooperating as we seemed to follow the storms the entire trip. The storms that wreaked havoc in Illinois seemed to do even more damage in Indiana, as Chesterton was completely blacked out when we drove through. The rest of the journey to Fort Wayne was uneventful. We spent a quiet Monday with Ann's family, then set out on Tuesday morning for Ohio.

We had driven through Ohio on US 30 so many times before that we decided to try a new route with different sights along the way. Our first stop was at the Piatt Castles and Ohio Caverns south of Bellfontaine. The Tripmaker software we used to plan our route had a big write-up on the twin Piatt castles, but the hype didn't quite match reality.

A few miles further south brought us to the Ohio Caverns, which Ann had visited as a youngster. We took an hour-long guided tour through the caverns, which were at a comfortable 54 degrees - a nice change from the warm and humid weather outside. One thing we didn't know was the difference between a cave and a cavern. Caves have a natural opening to the outside world, while the entrance to a cavern is excavated. Some of the passages in the cavern were quite small, and Tim almost hit his head on one of the stalactites. Oops! It was just as impressive as an adult as it was as a kid.

After leaving the Ohio Caverns, we headed east to Delaware State Park, north of Delaware, Ohio. Our plans were to "go with the flow" and hope we could find a campsite for the next few nights. We made the right decision to use the Ohio State Parks. This is an outstanding facility, with both electric and non-electric campsites available alongside a large lake. There were five camping areas, each with about five groups of 10 campsites laid out in spokes around a central laundry, toilet and shower building. Since we were there on a Tuesday night, the place was deserted, with only five sites occupied in our area. Needless to say, it was very quiet and peaceful.

The next day, we headed for Dresden, Ohio. If you don't know, Dresden was the original home of the Longaberger Basket company, so we decided to see what was there. As we headed south out of Newark on OH 16, we encountered their new corporate headquarters - a seven story building in the shape of one their Market baskets, complete with folded handles and a brass nametag. Of course, we just had to take a picture. The grounds were neatly landscaped with a white rail fence surrounding the property. Each fence section was trimmed with red, white and blue bunting. As we kept drove we kept seeing miles and miles of this same style of fence, along with signs inviting us to stop in at The Longaberger Homestead. Since the weather was starting to deteriorate, we took the bait and pulled in. We were pulling the camper trailer behind the TR8, so we were directed toward the bus parking area instead of the regular (Great America sized) parking lot. We aren't big into Longaberger baskets, but if you were, this place would be heaven. Even the restroom trashcans were wooden baskets! After just a couple of minutes in the showcase room, Ann had had enough, so we decided to go for the factory tour. The tour is set up as a 1/4 mile walk along a mezzanine above the factory floor, where you can see the hundreds of basketmakers at work. Of course, the tour dumps you out into a gift shop, where you could buy anything imaginable related to their baskets - but no baskets. If you wanted one, you were given the name and phone number of your local home sales representative. The tour continued onto another building that housed the staining, Quality Control, training, and distribution departments. After we got done with this, the weather started to clear up so we decided to get back on the road again.

We stopped for lunch in Dresden, then found ourselves on a perfect Triumph road. Hilly, twisty, and best of all, smooth! We spent about 30 minutes enjoying ourselves on OH-208 before we got back on US 40 and I-70.

Our next stop was at Barkcamp State Park just west of Wheeling, West Virginia. This site wasn't quite as nice as Delaware State Park, but it was just as deserted. The next morning, we got back on I-70 and headed east. Tim's parents were driving out from Philadelphia and were planning on meeting us at their hotel in Indiana at 3pm. After a couple of missed turns that gave us the opportunity to see all the sights of downtown Indiana, we met them at 3:30 and headed for The Roadster Factory to set up camp. Much to our surprise, our new lightweight camper trailer became the center of attention. Before we could get completely unpacked, people can over asking all sorts of questions about the camper. Ann had brought some brochures along from the manufacturer to hand out. By the next evening we had at least 20 couples "check out" our camper - so we had to keep the beds made at all times! We took off to an early dinner at a small pub/restaurant with Tim's parents, because they we leaving early the next morning. After returning, we discovered we were camping next to the noisiest people at camp, the Baltimore MG club, who would provide many hours of entertainment day and night throughout the entire weekend.

The events for the next day included drag racing at Keystone Raceway Park and a TSD Rallye. Ann didn't care to drag race and we learned long ago never to run a TSD rallye with your spouse, so Tim went to the drag races to spectate. The spirit of competition and some gentle arm-twisting from the ISOA contingent there (Pat Lobdell, Ryals Cheek, and Jerry & Sandy Hurst) got Tim out on the track for a few runs. In the time trials with ISOA members, Tim beat Ryals, and Ryals beat Pat. Pat's TR4 had previously won its class, but since it wasn't running well he decided to retire early.

Unlike earlier years, there was no drive-in movie scheduled. We decided to go out for dinner, then go to the drive-in afterward. Pat and Marilyn had found a local restaurant called the Ironwood Grill that had rooftop seating, so we gathered everyone together for a unique night out. Jerry & Sandy Hurst, Tim Mantel, Ryals Cheek, Pat Lobdell, Marilyn Muniz, along with Bob & Sue Lee of Minnesota Triumphs joined us in the 20 minute drive from Armagh to Indiana. Along the way, we encountered Grant & Cheryl Buss and Gary & Wendy Wallan from the Toronto Triumph Club. We persuaded them (Ann shouting at them at the traffic light) to join us and we were soon at the restaurant.

Seating a group of 14 is always a challenge, but the waitstaff bent over backwards to accommodate us. They told us that a table for eight was almost ready, and that another group at an adjacent table should be just about ready to leave. Most of us were seated immediately, and the waitstaff brought additional chairs for those who were standing. Ryals found himself invited to sit with the group at the adjacent table, and became so engaged in conversation with the ladies in that group that they never left! It was at this point that Ryals was awarded the nickname "Prowler" since "Stalker" had already been taken (ask Ryals for the details). We moved to another set of tables that could seat all of us together, and enjoyed the next couple of hours of food, drink, and conversation. We never made it to the drive-in movie - somehow "X-Men" didn't seem that appealing...

An ISOA night out just isn't complete without ice cream, and we certainly didn't miss our chance to partake in a cone or even a Turtle Sundae. As we were leaving, we noticed that Pat's headlights weren't working, so we had a late night repair session in the parking lot. A clip jumper took the place of a defective headlight switch and worked well enough to get Pat and Marilyn back to their hotel.

The Baltimore MG club furnished entertainment both at bedtime and again the next morning, when we were awakened to the sounds of Spam, egg, sausage and Spam cooking on the grill. They just couldn't stop talking about Spam! Wouldn't Mike Konopka be proud?

The agenda for the day was for an autocross and TSD rallye starting in the morning, followed by a funkhana and mountain road tour in the afternoon, and a pig roast that night. We drove down to the autocross site, where the first run group was already underway. We got the TR8 teched and waited our turn in the second run group. Cars were sent through the course by car number, with co-drivers of the same car having numbers 10 apart to give them a chance to get lined up properly. The course started out with a three-cone direction optional slalom, followed by two laps around a skid pad, a tight Chicago box, then two more gates to the finish. As usual, the women tended to have quiet runs with little tire noise, and the men were more aggressive with lots of tire noise. Results were posted at the course, but we'll have to wait for the printed results to see who got the best times since we didn't get a look at them there. One interesting sight was the 1997 MGF running through the autocross. It had been shipped over from England by a young British couple who were taking it on a three-month driving tour across the US.

We got tired of standing out in the sun on hot blacktop after our autocross runs, so we decided to get some lunch and then head back to TRF for the mountain road tour. Ann stayed back at the TRF grounds, while Tool Man and Gizmo went out in the TR8 for the tour. Picture about 100 cars lined up for a fast forty mile tour through the mountains roads - and not a fuddy-duddy in the bunch. We really had to "press on" to keep up with the people in front of us, since there were so many turns, hills and corners that we'd be lost with no idea on how to get back if we didn't. A full set of directions was provided in the program book, but that had conveniently been left behind in our tent...

After the mountain tour, it was time to get ready for the "Hawaiian Luau" back on the TRF grounds. The luau was being held down in the valley next to the pond. Everyone who had joined us for dinner the night before was there, along with Joe Byers, the Briegels, Erik Quackenbush, Ken Crowley, Mark Moore, and Ryals' new friend Darlene. After we stuffed ourselves with roast pork, rice, beans and corn on the cob, the bonfire was lit, and then the fireworks began. It was spectacular to be so close to the fireworks, just ask Marilyn! We walked back (well, Jerry got a golf cart ride) to the top of the hill where all the cars were parked.

Last day of the event, of course, was the car show. This was held on the streets of downtown Indiana. Plans were to meet the ISOA members at the show since we were all staying at different locations. We packed the camper, washed the car and headed for downtown. After parking the TR8 in its designated spot, we met up with Mike Sedlak from the club. The weather was great that day! We walked the streets meeting fellow club members, meeting in person the people we keep in touch with over the internet and meeting other Triumph club members we've met over the past 12 years since purchasing our first Triumph. We decided to head for Fort Wayne, Indiana, just before the awards. That way we could take our time and get to see Megan that night.

Monday we headed home after visiting with Ann's family. As we were travelling on IN 49 just before crossing over I-80/90, Ann hears familiar voices on the CB. Could it be possible to be on the same channel and meet en route with no prior planning? Yes, it was Pat Lodbell, Marilyn Muniz and Tim Mantel heading home from The Roadster Factory also. What a great trip with great friends. We can't wait until next year's club trip to Breckenridge, Colorado for VTR 2001!!! 

Triumph show attendance:
GT6                5
Herald             1
Italia             1
Spitfire - early   3
Spitfire - late   17
Sports 6           1
Stag               5
TR2/3              8
TR250              9
TR3A/B            12
TR4               13
TR4A               6
TR6 - early       34
TR6 late          27
TR7 - convertible  3
TR7 - coupe        3
TR8 - convertible 18
TR8 - coupe        5

Ann and Tim Buja

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Roadster Factory Party
or
How to go through
7 states in 11 Days

August, 2000

After driving our newly purchased Triumph (in November), we discovered we needed to put in a new clutch. We thought that changing it before the Roadster Party would be a good idea. We started to disassemble and after we got it out, Jerry discovered a few problems. The tapered pin had broken off and we couldn’t get the cross shaft out. Called everyone that was kinda close with no answer from anyone. So we just sawed it in half and ordered a new one from TRF. A few cuss words were spoken when putting everything back together. I think it took us two weeks with waiting for parts and living a little in between. Now I think were ready for the trip.

We started out on Wednesday. The plan was for us to go to Shipshewana Indiana to look for an oak table. Spent all day there but hadn’t made a decision yet. Traveled on the next day, Thursday along Lake Erie, but didn’t see much water. We wanted to eat by the lake so we searched for a lakeside restaurant. Should have passed up the one we ate at since the food wasn’t all that good.

Took our time driving on Friday and arrived in Indiana PA around 1:00. Tried to find the Bujas but no luck so we headed to the drag strip. Gizmo, Power Bulge, Tool Man and Back Door Man were already there. I decided I’d give it a go, but they lost my first two times so I had to run by myself to get a time. Had never done it before so my reaction time wasn’t very good. But it was fun so look out next year.

On Saturday was the autocross. They started out a little late, but they were very well organized. They gave you a number and you had to run in numerical order or your run didn’t count. I improved my times each run but not good enough to get a trophy. If I’d only had a few more runs.

The gymkhana was in the same parking lot so we thought we would give it a try. We were sent out as a British butler (Jeeves) and a French maid (Antoinette). Jerry had to wear a bow tie and I wore a lace apron, what a picture that was. We had to maneuver through a course carrying champagne glasses and hors d'oeuvres and other such things.

It was getting pretty hot so we headed back to Roadster. We were looking for a place to have lunch when we came across a bunch of local kids in Armagh having a car wash. One young man was having his car washed and made a comment that he didn’t want any girls to wash his car. So we said that we only wanted girls to wash ours. It turns out that they were having a charity car wash for a little girl who had some medical problems and big expenses. I’m glad we stopped, as they didn’t do such a bad job either.

Jerry did do a little parts shopping at Roadster before the Hawaiian luau. But before that they had the mountain tour. All the cars lined up and we headed out. Smell those fumes, you can always tell it’s a British car.

Saturday night’s Hawaiian luau was down by Charles' pond down a very steep hill. Unfortunately there was a big cloud burst just before we went. The ground was a little wet for us sitting on blankets, which made it a little uncomfortable - not to mention wet backsides. Five pigs were roasted and five pigs were eaten. Charles made his grand entrance riding on a jeep with his hand on a machine gun that was mounted on the back. He made a short speech and they gave out awards and had some hula contests. The evening ended with a fantastic fireworks display. Charles did good on that one.

Sunday we washed the car again to get it ready for show. Had a good breakfast with Pat & Marilyn and headed for the show. After going up & down the street looking at all the cars and voting, Marilyn and I decided to go to the Jimmy Stewart museum. I always like his movies. Had lunch with the Indiana crew and were ready for awards. The Bujas were the only ones to win.

We noticed while listening to the awards our tire was low. After the show we went to put air in and found it was leaking by the valve stem. Trunk removal time to get to the spare. I think I heard a few cuss words. Pat, Marilyn and Tim saw us and stopped to see if everything was ok. Jerry had it under control. They headed for home and we had another 6 days of vacation. We headed for West Virginia and stayed in Morgantown Sunday night.

Monday we needed to find a place to get the tire fixed. Found one and it didn’t take long to get it repaired. Had read in a brochure about a "must see" covered bridge. Yeah right, should have skipped that one. We drove through West Virginia on lots of curvy and hilly roads. Pretty countryside, I bet it’s beautiful in the fall.

Tuesday we visited friends in Kingsport Tennessee and continued on to Pigeon Forge. They were going to meet us there the next day for some "crap" shopping as Jerry calls it. Got up that morning to find another low tire. Searched for a place that would have a tube. Now this was cutting into my shopping time. Actually it didn’t take long because I think they took us ahead of some other people waiting there. I guess it was because of the car (TR6). Luckily my friend was coming back to Illinois in September to haul all my crap for me. It reached a 100 that day and boy does that air conditioning work great!

On Thursday we went and visited another friend in Cookesville Tennessee. Then we headed back to Illinois that night. Got as far as Elizabethtown Kentucky. Next day we stopped in Nappanee Indiana for a further search of Amish oak furniture. Ended up back in Shipshewana and ordered what we had seen on the way out. Four more hours and we’ll be home.

Sandy Hurst

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