events
the 2002 Wine Tour
2012 Saturday January 14, 2012
- 9:00 start in San Jose-
"We are Many, We are SAAB around the Bay": Circling the Bay in support of Saab
- The club is looking to gather to support for SAAB in the spirit of the
2010 convoy (see below). SAVE THE DATE. This will definitely be a
drive around the bay, with stops at as many Saab dealers and shops
that have been supportive to the club over the years and are open on
that Saturday. There are not to many dealerships left: we will begin
in San Jose with a gather time of 9:00 AM at the Swedish Auto Factory
near Santa Clara U. Check their web for a map
http://www.swedishautofactory.com/ or see the link to the route
below. SAF has been a continual supporter of the club and is an
independent shop for Saabs and Volvos. We will end at Walnut
Creek at Dirito Saab. Dirito will supply a grill if you bring
grillables. This is a bring your own lunch as we are unsure of our
timing and the speed of the drive (probably pretty slow). We are also hoping to attract media - if anyone has a
connection let us know at President Roger.
And then there is social media - please take lots of cell phone
pictures and post on your favorite network. Let's see if we can go
viral. This should be a slow speed drive where attendees can join or
drop out at various locations along the route (as your communication
and driving skills allow :) Rain or shine. Saab REPLAY in Berkeley
1014 Carleton, 94710 will also sponsor a ride starting a 9AM from the
store and will meet us at Dirito. JOIN IN one way or the other!
Rallye ‘Round the Bay
Bay Area Saab Club SaabsUnitedSaturday, January 14, 2012
9:00 AMMeet at the Swedish Auto Factory!
1170 Martin Ave, Santa Clara, CA 9505011:15 AM
Meet at Dirito Brothers Walnut Creek Saab
2031 N. Broadway Walnut Creek, CA 94596Convoy Route Information:
http://goo.gl/VnZ2DLadies and gentlemen, start your engines. A group of Saab enthusiasts have joined forces and brought this website online. In the spirit of the original Dutch Saab Support Convoy, which was organised in 2010 by Eric van Nimwegen, Sidney Polak, Lindy Dragstra, Stephan Lampe and Roger van Keulen, the 14th and 15th of January 2012 will see meetings worldwide to support Saab. Not being in the form of a convoy, but a real meeting where those who support the Saab brand can meet and chat. Give it a local flavour if you can and reach out to the press in your area or country. Please use the menu above to browse through the site. Should you be organising an event in your country on this date, then please contact us so that we can show your information on your country page!
This initiative is supported by Saabs United, SAABforum.nl as well as Saab Club Nederland.
2011
- Saturday OCTOBER 1 - WALNUT CREEK /
DIRITO SAAB - 9AM TO LATE
AFTERNOON
What an overflow event we had, filling up the parking lot with Saabs of all sorts, sizes, and ages: We had a hotrod racer from Pearce, a stroker sonett (that stayed to be on display in the Dirito showroom), and most models represented. Lunch was provided by Saabs United.
The SaabsUnited Oktoberfest, which is taking place on October 1, 2011 is quickly becoming an international event. Dirito Brothers Walnut Creek Saab has agreed to host the SaabsUnited Octoberfest for the San Francisco Bay Area! http://www.saabsunited.com/2011/08/saabsunited-octoberfest-in-san-francisco-bay-area.html. This will be apart of the same Octoberfest that will be taking place in Trollhättan, Sweden. We will have video streaming setup between the San Francisco Bay Area and Sweden, so that everyone will be apart of the festivities.Brand new 9-3s, 9-5s and 9-4x’s will be available for test-drives. Food will be sponsored by SaabsUnited!
9:00 AM – 3:00 PM a live video feed will be setup between Sweden and the San Francisco Bay. The event will tentatively take place from 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
CLICK on Dirito's link above for directions. Dirito last hosted the club in 2003 (see past pictures from the home page on this site). They are providing a parking area for the club to display our cars, pop the hoods, and talk Saab. Please RSVP President Roger so we can offer a head count for food. I hope to see you there.
- The weather is finally turning nice and everyone is thinking about driving with our tops down, windows open, and enjoying the experience. The Club does not have any 2011 events scheduled. 2010 was also a slow year with low turn outs to events. While those of us who show up have a great time, there appears not to be a lot of inertia to gather for a weekend event. There is cause to celebrate with SAAB still in business and putting out new models. If there is anyone wanting to put together a drive or a swap or a meet with a theme (or not), I will help and participate. I have heard from members who want a V4 and stroker meeting, and others who just want to get together. Contact me and I can help make that happen President Roger.
2010 ...past events are chronicled further down on this page
-
JUNE 12 - 10 AM- THE SAAB CLUB RALLYE Page Mill/280 Park'n'Ride lot. Drivers' mtg at 09:45a, first car off at 10:01am.
Here are the results of the Rallye below. What a lot of fun!!! We also had some members that showed up but did not time. Rallyemeister Don is talking about brushing off the Bay Area Bridges Rallye (using the timing of the bridge receipts) that is an all night affair (to avoid traffic) and was a big hit for those that dont need sleep...
JimF at the final checkin point
Ralleymiester Don and his
tally teamCar # Driver Navigator SAAB ideal 1 Jim Fairchild [solo] gold 9-5 2 Scott Paterson Deena Caughlin orange Sonett III 4 Linda Schanfein Juli Stewart white 900T conv 5 Ed Wormuth Elise Wormuth gold 9-3 conv 6 Angela Roger red 9-5 7 Geno A Robert M black 9-5 15 Amad Demetrious Yuka Ishimura black 9000T 
GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS 
Welcome to BASC’s first road rallye of 2010. Your rallyemaster for today's event is Don Young. This rallye is a non-trap time-speed-distance (TSD) event and is geared toward novice participants with:
- supplemental information enclosed within square brackets ([ ])
- on-course markers (OCM) to provide reassurance to the rallyists that they are, indeed, on-course.
The objective of a TSD rallye is to follow the directed course at the specified speeds and arrive at Checkpoints at the precise ideal time calculated by the rallyemaster; arrival early or late to the Checkpoints will warrant penalty points based on the absolute deviation between actual and ideal times.
CLUES/SIGNS Referenced signs in the Route Instructions will be enclosed by quotes. No distinction will be made between signs quoted in full or in part. Multiple signs on the same support will be considered as one sign. Nouns in underlined upper case letters (e.g. CAR, WHALE) refer to signs with graphic representations of the specified object(s). All signs may be found on either side of the route; there will be no 'look-back' clues (unless, of course, you have inadvertently passed them and have turned around!).
MILEAGE & ROADS Today's course was measured with a 2006 SAAB 9-3 2.0T SportCombi with an automatic transmission and Nokian Z tires (235/45ZR17) with 5mm of tread and inflated to 36 psi (cold). Distances to turns were measured to the apices (apexes) of the turns; distances to clues were measured to the leading edges of the clues. All rallye roads are paved and public; driveways and parking lot entrances do not exist as Opportunities.
ROUTE INSTRUCTIONS Route Instructions shall be executed in ascending numerical order at the first opportunity satisfying all criteria of the instruction. Each instruction must be fully executed before considering the next. With the exception of speed changes (CAST) and as specified in Special Instructions, each route instruction is independent of preceding or subsequent route instructions. Parenthetical or bracketed comments are provided as helpful information but are not essential for completion of the rallye. Route instructions that contain the conjunction "or" should be executed at the first opportunity satisfying either portion of the instruction. Upon execution of the appropriate portion, the remaining "half" of the instruction is cancelled. In some instances, both "halves" may direct the same action at the same place; never will they direct conflicting actions at the same place. There are no deliberate misspellings in any instructions.
TIMING
- The official rallye time is displayed on the rallyemaster’s iPhone
- Cars are released from the start at 10:00am plus the car number (e.g., Car #3 is off at 10:03am)
- Times entered into the timelog must be in “clock time” PDT, not elapsed time.
- At one point during the rallye there will be a “transit stage” during which timing is turned off. The start of the transit stage marks the end of the preceding timed leg; the end of the transit stage marks the start of the next timed leg.
DEFINITIONS
AFTER beyond
AT within the vicinity of
BEAR a turn in the appropriate direction from 0 to 89 degrees
CAST commence/continue/change average speed to
CREEPING approaching within sight of a checkpoint at a speed of less than 10 mph
L a left turn from 0 to 179 degrees
LIGHT an official multi-color traffic control device at an intersection; multiple lights at an intersection are counted only once.
OPPORTUNITIES a place at which the specified action can be performed in accordance to these General Instructions
R a right turn from 0 to 179 degrees
STOP an official red octagonal sign requiring your vehicle to stop or the equivalent written on the road surface.
T an intersection resembling the letter T as approached from the base. It is not possible to go straight at a T.
ZEBRA a pedestrian crosswalk with stripes painted in a specified color (yellow or white)
PRIORITIES Course-following priorities for today's events are as follows:
1. Special instructions
2. Route instructions with mileage
3. Route instructions without mileage
4. Put onto a road by name or number: When put onto a route by name or number, continue on that route until directed to leave it by subsequent instruction.
5. R at T
6. Straight as possible
CHECKPOINTS For today’s event, all checkpoints (except the last) will be Do-It-Yourself (DIY) checkpoints. These DIY checkpoints will be identified in the Route Instructions and are INSTANTANEOUS – that is, the end of one leg and the start of the next leg occur as you pass the landmark. DO NOT STOP AT THE DIY CHECKPOINT. Your estimate of the ideal in-time on the DIY leg serves as your out-time for the next leg. Secure the DIY Time Log in a safe place and submit it to the workers at the final checkpoint.
ENTER THE FINAL CHECKPOINT AT A SAFE AND PRUDENT SPEED -- THERE MAY BE CONGESTION IN THE FORM OF VEHICLES AND PEDESTRIANS. The final manned checkpoint will be identified with an orange cone and an appropriate sign ( Ö. and the word “BASC”). Do not stop at the checkpoint sign as there may be other cars seeking to enter the checkpoint immediately behind you. Drive past the checkpoint marker, pulling over where it is safe. The team’s navigator should report in at the checkpoint, submit the DIY Time Log, and pick up driving directions to the lunch location.
SCORING (not all apply at today’s event)
1 point for each hundredth of a minute early or late at a checkpoint
100 points for insistent creeping within sight of a checkpoint after receiving the appropriate signal to cease
250 points for entering a checkpoint from the wrong direction
500 points for arriving at a checkpoint more than 5 minutes and less than 20 minutes early or late
750 points for missing a checkpoint or arriving more than 20 minutes early or late
- MARCH 20 - SATURDAY 10 AM CLUB PLANNING MEETING AND CAR SHOW at the Swedish Auto Factory / Santa Clara
We will kick off the season with a get together at the www.swedishautofactory.com an independent Saab and Volvo repair shop. While I am hoping to assign (or have volunteers) for club events, don't be bashful about showing up. On the other hand, if you ever wanted to become more active with club activities, NOW IS THE TIME. I hope that this year we will have a number of club drives - maybe a rallye - some swap meets and whatever else is an interest of a sponsoring member. What about a dealership show - are any left??? Bring parts to swap, stories to share. Bring your own LUNCH. Be prepared to pop your hood and view all the mods and tech upgrades other members have installed. Have a tech session with one of the SAF experts. Take a tour of Paul's ever changing vintage Saab collection (both inside and out). COME HAVE SOME WINTER FUN... Everyone is welcome - my presidential agenda is to leave with a schedule for the season.
-
I'm organizing the "2010 Vintage Volvo Challenge at Sears Point April 9,10,11th. We also have a Saab or two in the race. Do you think you could spread the word to the Saab guys who might want to come and spectate? We will have a Car Corral and a lot of the Volvo Clubs are coming. Saabs would be more than welcome to race, or just show the cars. contact Alan Berry alanb@alanberrydesign.com
- 2010 SAAB Convention Information:
The SAAB CLUB OF NORTH AMERICA presents the 28th Annual
SAAB OWNERS CONVENTION 2010
As SOC10 planning continues, information on reservation and hotel
accommodations will be added at:
http://www.saabconvention.com
Saturday, June 21, 1980 was the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.It was also the date of the inaugural “Longest Day at Nelson Ledges” 24 hour race. The country was still in the throes of its second oil crisis, brought about by the Iranian Revolution and subsequent Iran Iraq war. The sports cars of the day included the Porsche 924, Mazda RX7, and BMW 320, but at the end of the Longest Day, a Saab 900 Turbo was at the head of the pack. The Saab Club of North America will celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Longest Day at Nelson Ledges victory by holding its annual Owners’ Convention in Aurora, Ohio from July 22-25th, 2010. The festivities will commence with an optional Track Day at Nelson Ledges Road Course on Thursday, July 22, where attendees will have the opportunity to drive the very course where Saab’s turbocharged 900 showed its stuff to the country. The remainder of the Convention will be centered at the Bertram Inn and Conference Center in Aurora, Ohio, just a half hour’s drive from the track. The kick-off event will be: the optional Sponsor’s Appreciation Dinner held Thursday evening, followed by; technical and historical seminars on Friday and Saturday, Friday and Saturday banquets, the Concours and Group Photo, and Sunday Morning Saab Roundtable and Charity Auction. Self directed Scenic Drives through the surrounding area, including the Cuyahoga Valley National Park will be available to allow participants a view of Northeast Ohio’s most scenic venues.
The 2010 Convention will be the first convention held since Saab’s reorganization under the Koenigsegg Group and the establishment of Saab’s new marketing and support subsidiary, Saab Cars of North America. The new 9-5 will be introduced and available for purchase by then, and the 9-4X will be ready to launch. It will be an exciting time to celebrate Saab’s past and look forward to its future. Please join us.
2009
This summer passed without the club having any events. We will have a planning committee meeting this winter to guarantee that we have events for the next season. I encourage everyone with an interest to keep the get togethers happening to attend or to indicate a willingness to participate. I will keep the web going regardless of what does or does not get scheduled, but let's have some fun with our SAABs. Feel free to contact me with any interests you have to participate at President Roger.
JUNE 27, 2009 THUNDERHILL
The Saab Club has often been welcome and represented
with the Volvos at Thunderhill. The Golden Gate Chapter Volvo Club has
rented the Thunderhill Raceway Park for 50 participants to enjoy driving
their vehicles at speed in a closed course, controlled environment with
emphasis on improving your driving ability and understanding the
handling characteristics of your vehicle. Pricing for this event is as
follows:
JUNE 17, 2009
The first would be continuing to sell Saabs under the new ownership. The second would occur if GM can't close a deal on Saab. The dealerships would then follow an orderly wind down and GM would offer a payout. "There's no guarantee all dealers will go forward because the new company might say, 'I see you have 220 dealerships, and we only need x number,'" said Steve Shannon, executive director of product and marketing for Cadillac, Hummer and Saab. "It says you might continue to be a Saab dealer and adopted by the new owner."
Shannon says the importance of the U.S. dealer network has been recognized by interested investors from the beginning and "the number of Saab dealerships in the U.S., at least at first glace, seems reasonable." GM is close to selling Saab to Swedish luxury sports carmaker Koenigsegg, Reuters reported last week. Shannon declined to comment on that report or on whether Koenigsegg was an interested party. Saab said today it is likely to announce its new owner this week and that three-quarters of its creditors had agreed to a proposed write-down of the money-losing brand's debt. A Saab spokeswoman said an announcement should come soon. "I think that during this week, chances are good. It could be anytime now," the spokeswoman, Gunilla Gustavs, said.
Saab sought protection from creditors in Sweden in February. It has been granted an extension of its business reorganization until Aug. 20 to restructure and find a new owner. Shannon said Saab has a "short list of three potential investors." He said if GM sells Saab, the U.S. arm would be a distribution network and likely remain located in Detroit initially. Shannon said if dealerships opt to not sign the GM agreement, they would not be eligible for wind-down payments if GM can't sell Saab.
The rains, such that they are,
have come and the Saab Club is "shut down for the winter". President
Cliff has retired and President Roger is busy arranging a schedule that
we will publish before the spring, so you can calendar future events. If
you are a new member (or an old member with a new email), feel free to
contact
President Roger with your email
for updates. If you have any interest in helping coordinate or develop a
meet please also call.
2008 Past events
- BLACKHAWK MUSEUM TOUR and Drive - (SEPTEMBER 13 10AM) . Former President Doug has graciously offered to lead another tour of this amazing museum for a special guided club tour. If you've never been, or if you have, this is the best way to see and hear about the cars http://www.blackhawkauto.org/index.html . Here is the address: Blackhawk Automotive Museum 3700 Blackhawk Plaza Circle, Danville CA 94506 (925) 736-2277. This is a rain or shine event good for the whole family (but watch out for shopping at the mall afterwards). If your Saab does NOT leak fluids (you know - that black wet stuff under the car on the driveway) you can park and EXHIBIT your car on the PLAZA. There is room for about 10 or 12 cars. The rest of us will meet and park in the parking lot. We will have a guided tour at about 10:30 with lunch on-your-own at a local destination that will include an interesting drive through the hills. We have arranged for a wine tasting. ($5.00 fee, refunded if wine is purchased ) at the Big White House at 6500 Greenville Road, Livermore. There are several more within 1 -2 miles from there. BWH has picnic tables but there sell no food. (Bring your own Cheese and Bread or a more substantial LUNCH ) I told BWH around 2:30. In essence, we go out Camino Tassajara toward Pleasanton, left on Valley, left on Stanley to Livermore, right on 1st street to (becomes ) TESLA, right on Greenville Rd. to Winery. 24 Miles. There is an alternative route but I have not scoped it out. It might be more rural and fun. Those leaving from there can take Greenville Road to Highway 580 and hit the freeway East or West. We have also invited the Sacramento Volvo CLub to attend and they can scoot home on 5 after lunch...
Blackhawk 2004
- SANTA CRUZ MOUNTAIN WINE TOUR - (OCTOBER 2008 TBA).
The annual Saab Club
Santa Cruz Mtn wine tour is always a lot of fun and well attended by Saab
owners from far and wide. The tour is set up for folks who both do and
don’t drink (like your presidents) with the emphasis on driving and seeing
the best in the bay with other Saab companions. Once again it is time to
grab your walkie talkies and see if we can navigate the twisty back roads
without losing any cars. Each year we increase coordination efforts to
stay together and each year it’s the back of the line, or the middle of
the line that takes a turn or not and ends up somewhere else. And this is
before the wine tasting. The good news is that we have always all ended up
back together.
-
CITY OF MOUNTAIN VIEW/THURSDAY NIGHT LIVE BLOCK PARTY - (AUGUST 7 - THURSDAY EVENING 4PM TO 9). The club has been invited to show our cars on Castro Street in the middle of the City's Party. We will need to gather BEFORE they close off the street at 4:30. Check out the party at http://www.mountainviewdowntown.com/events.html . There will be music, food, kid's activities, other clubs, and lots to do.
- DUBLIN SAAB (Saturday July 19TH) - 11AM. We met at Dublin Saab
last year and had a great time. The dealership was beautiful and they put on a fine meet
for us. We had 22 people show up with 13 cars. Food, tempura shrimp,
tereyaki steak, sushi, and the beverages. They did a short presentation
about biodisel and ethanol fuel for the future. Dublin SAAB said they
would like to have us back! So here we go: -)
-
2400 John Monego CT
Dublin, CA
94568
(925)
416-6400. This is a brand new
dealership with a sparkling new showroom, and they have graciously
offered to host the club. Our host for this event is Val Dosanjh. Test
driving of new models will be available as well as lunch and
refreshments. The event begins at 11am and ends at 2pm. As usual, we ask
that your please rsvp if you plan to attend the event and how many people
will be in your party. If you require a vegetarian lunch let us know.
Please rsvp before the 19th to rwapner@earthlink.net .
There will still be plenty of time to pop the hoods and exchange parts.
- SACRAMENTO SAABERS ( SUNDAY - JULY 20 9:30 AM). The Sacramento Volvo club is inviting any local Saabers to join in a Swedish take over of the Towe Museum. (Did you know Model A Fords can use Volvo 4 speeds?). Contact the president at sacvolvoclub@sbcglobal.net or 916-421-5184.
- 2007
- SANTA CRUZ MTN WINE TOUR 2007 (SATURDAY - OCTOBER 13 ) 10:30 AM
- MEET AT FOOTHILL COLLEGE PARKING LOT ONE -
The annual Saab Club
Santa Cruz Mtn wine tour is always a lot of fun and well attended by Saab
owners from far and wide. The tour is set up for folks who both do and
don’t drink (like your presidents) with the emphasis on driving and seeing
the best in the bay with other Saab companions. Once again it is time to
grab your walkie talkies and see if we can navigate the twisty back roads
without losing any cars. Each year we increase coordination efforts to
stay together and each year it’s the back of the line, or the middle of
the line that takes a turn or not and ends up somewhere else. And this is
before the wine tasting. The good news is that we have always all ended up
back together. This year, the roads will be more challenging than ever:
President Roger is still stuck in the Saab ad campaign “find your own
road” era and has a beautiful route planned. This is a bring your own
lunch event and a fun drive for the whole family (or in the case of my 2
seater sonett, my daughter is all that will fit). Also bring binoculars, 2
way radios, and a designated driver...
- VOLVO CLUB TRACK DAY (NOVEMBER 27) - VCOA has just added a Thunderhill Track Day to our schedule. Monday November 26th 2007 - $120 for VCOA Members, $150 For Non Members: Limited to 50 cars. Please reply if interested with the following information:
- DUBLIN SAAB (SEPTEMBER 15TH) - 11AM
-
-
2400 John Monego CT
Dublin, CA
94568
(925)
416-6400. The dealership was beautiful and they put on a fine meet
for us. We had 22 people show up with 13 cars. Food, tempura shrimp,
tereyaki steak, sushi, and the beverages. They did a short presentation
about biodisel and ethanol fuel for the future. I talked a little bit
about the past events and the upcoming wine tour and drive. Great weather.
We wrapped up about 2:30pm. Dublin SAAB said they would like to have us
back!
Our next scheduled club meet will be Saturday September 15th, 2007
at SAAB of Dublin. This is a brand new
dealership with a sparkling new showroom, and they have graciously
offered to host the club. Our host for this event is Val Dosanjh. Test
driving of new 2007 models will be available as well as lunch and
refreshments. The event begins at 11am and ends at 2pm. As usual, we ask
that your please rsvp if you plan to attend the event and how many people
will be in your party. If you require a vegetarian lunch let us know.
Please rsvp before the 15th to <cliff-at-gene.com> or <rwapner-at-earthlink.net>.
There will still be plenty of time to pop the hoods and exchange parts.2006
- BLACKHAWK MUSEUM TOUR - (MAY - SUNDAY THE 20TH 10 AM). Former President Doug (who
is just itching to take his restored stroker Sonett II on a drive) will lead a tour of this
amazing museum for a special guided club tour. If you've never been, or if
you have, this is the best way to see and hear about the cars
http://www.blackhawkauto.org/index.html .
Here is
the address:
Blackhawk
Automotive Museum 3700 Blackhawk
Plaza Circle,
Danville
CA 94506 (925) 736-2277.
This is a rain or shine event good for the whole family (but
watch out for shopping at the mall afterwards). If your Saab does NOT leak
fluids (you know - that black wet stuff under the car on the driveway) you
can park and EXHIBIT your car on the PLAZA. There is room for about 10 or
12 cars. The rest of us will meet and park in the parking lot. We will
have a guided tour at about 10:30 with lunch on-your-own with everyone
afterwards at one of the many mall eateries.
Blackhawk 2004
-
The 2007 Saab Owners Convention will boast vehicles from Saab's Heritage Collection and feature the unveiling of a 2008 production car. Pictured is a 1967 Saab hanging it out in a factory photophoto courtesy Saab
The 2007 Saab Owners Convention is now officially on the calendar. From August 23-26, Saab enthusiasts from all over North America, will gather in Southeastern Michigan, and the Great Lakes Saab Club will play host. This is the 25th annual convention, and it promises to be a not-to-be-missed affair. For one thing, this will be the first time the convention has been held in Michigan; for another, Saab USA has promised to send vehicles from its remarkable Saab Heritage Collection. There’s still more: Saab has announced that it will unveil a 2008 production vehicle at the event. This year marks the 60th anniversary of Saab as an automobile manufacturer, so the club and the company are pulling out all the stops on this one. We’ve had a chance to see vehicles from the Heritage Collection up close and personal (you can expect to see them in the pages of Hemmings Sports & Exotic Car in the not-too-distant future), and we can tell you that these alone would make the trip worthwhile. Whether it’s the little Sonett, the turbolicious SPG or the rally champion 96 that floats your boat, you should seriously consider joining your fellow Saabers in Troy this summer.
Learn more, and watch for the beginning of online registration, at www.saabconvention.org. - THUNDERHILL RACING (APRIL 30) - The Volvo Club is hosting Track Day at Thunderhill Raceway on Monday April 30. You can check out the track at www.thunderhill.com They are limiting the number of cars to 50 to ensure everyone has sufficient track time and maintain non crowded conditions. Pricing is $170 for VCOA members, $195 for non members. They already have 25 members signed up - Saab Club members have participated in the past and had great fun AND there will be Saabs running again this year too. There is no racing, just a chance to drive your car fast on the track under safe, controlled conditions. Instructors will be available. Lunch will be included. If you are interested please contact the Volvo president at Lee@vcoa.org or call me at 415-455-9192 so that he can give you the details, answer questions and hold a spot for you.
- MARCH MEET - (MARCH 10TH ) - 10 AM to about 3 PM - At the Swedish
Car Factory, Santa Clara. Welcome to 2007. For those of you
following President Roger's tribulations (no that is not the name of a new
Saab model but it could be), I just clamped the CV boots on the sonett and
took a test drive to the golf course following a tranny swap. No grinding,
whining, slipping, humming, or any of those heart-warming transmission
thingys that are all too familiar to Saab owners. I am finally ready to do
a drive with 50 other Saab owners behind me with tools in their cars...
President Cliff is also back in the show with a bunch of fresh gas for
2007. While we had hoped to combine the trionic tuning with a Meet at the
same time, the tuning only occurs during the week... Bring parts to swap,
stories to share. Bring LUNCH. Be prepared to pop your hood and view all the mods and
tech upgrades other members have installed. Have a tech session with one
of the SAF experts. Take a tour of Paul's ever changing vintage Saab
collection (both inside and out). COME HAVE SOME WINTER FUN...
- MARCH, TRIONIC TUNING - (MARCH 6 / 7 / 8 ) - At the
Swedish Car Factory, Santa Clara. For owners with gizmos under
your hoods, there are ample opportunities for tweaking your ride.
Automotion will set up at SAF and will do things to your car that you
can't
with SQR software programming to do Trionic performance upgrades.
Programming of Trionic 5, Trionic 7, and now Trionic 8 Saab Vehicles is
available in many different stages of performance. Tuning prices will be
as normal from their website, but they will require a $200 deposit before
hand that will be applied to the cost of the tune. So the price is the
same you will just have to front the deposit, to avoid too many people
from signing up then backing out last minute. We already have about 4 club
members signed up. Contact Automotion directly to make an appointment by
using this link
http://www.automotion-saabvolvo.com/motorsports/index.html
about them coming out here . Then show up to the meet and
show us what they did.
Mappningsprogrammet som vi på SQR
använder, för att få en så exakt mappning av bilarna som det är
möjligt.
THIS LOOKS LIKE IT FOR
2006!!!!! The rains are upon us and while we traditionally
garage up for the winter, we have not yet done our traditional Santa Cruz
Mountains caravan. This has mostly been due to my driving sonett (and all my
other Saabs for that matter) being somewhat disabled. While I had written
earlier in the summer that I was about to pull the V4 to switch out the
tranny, all that happened was I got to prep the car in the sun. I just
pulled the engine/tranny today during a break in the showers and will see
how long it takes for me to reinstall one of my replacement units. I can’t
think of a better way to test out the new tranny than on a drive with a line
of Saabs behind me. I’ll send out another email and keep the web updated for
trip dates. Otherwise, have a great holiday season and stay dry!!!
It looks like I need to work on posting the engine-out photos: the engine is in, the CVs are in place, but the new tranny isn't seated yet... more grimy fingers another day. While I was hoping other club members would get inspired to sponsor get togethers, no one has stepped forward. It would be fantastic if someone would get inspired and pull together a meet or drive. My plan is to put together a list of dates and activities for the Spring so we have events we can plan ahead for. My best to all of you enthusiasts out there. Roger Wapner
SEPTEMBER 9TH - SEE PRESIDENT ROGER SWAP OUT A V4 TRANNY (SEE BELOW). GET DIRTY OR NOT AS YOU CHOSE IN THE SANTA CRUZ MOUNTAINS.
Our Last Event
This is Roger Wapner, one of your presidents of the Bay Area Saab Club with
a mid season report. We had a great time at the July meet at the Alameda
Naval Base. The club won an award
(see the foto above – the piston in back of me is the award and I am giving
Ken an award for his restored convertible in the foto below - you might
think the award is just a hub cap but there was a great deal of creativity
among the participating clubs for designing awards) for the
most members present, which was pretty strange being surrounded by all those
Chevys and Fords. The car I liked best there was a 63 Avanti R4, but I think
that was because I had just been to the Factory in South Bend in June. There
were lots of vendors and I scored a 1959 magazine called Small Cars with a
picture of a new Saab on the cover.
My Sob Story
Earlier this month my sonett started acting strange as I was using it for
daily commuter while my wife stole my commute car. Her Honda had been
broadsided by a teen going through a stop sign and is in the shop. Although
my drivetrain was engaged, the sonett acted like the freewheel was
activated. For you 3 digit owners, all the V4 Saabs had freewheel
transmissions (like the lockout hubs on a 4x4) that would put the engine in
neutral when you let off the gas. The freewheel ratchets are famous for
exploding and are not the strongest part of the tranny. I made it, under
power, to Saab-O-Rama in Santa Cruz, where Dan Joel gave me shelter despite
having no available slots for the sonett. He runs a great independent shop,
although he’d rather work on the later model Saabs. Bottom line is it
appears I need to swap in one of my spare trannies. Thus, my sonett gets in
line with my 95 and 96 (both need clutches) for needing the engine pulled.
Which leads me to our Next Event Update.
The Next Club
Event - SEPTEMBER 9TH
No one has come forward with suggesting or leading a trip, rallye, or event
this year. President Cliff has to sit out this season and is unavailable to
participate. While we will have meets (see the web at
www.bayareasaabclub.com ) later in the season, I personally would like
to drive a Saab there. Which means I am delaying an event for August. It
occurs to me that we might want to do a shop session on how to swap out V4
transmissions. My wife will allow me to spend a day in the garage if I can
call it a club meet… While only so many hands can get dirty at once, there
is an opportunity for a crowd to observe, kibbitz, and otherwise get in the
way. I will be starting as the sun comes up (or probably 8AM) and will offer
some refreshments but Bring Your Own if you have special tastes. Email me
for directions at President Roger
.
- JULY 16TH SUNDAY, AT 9:30 Alameda Point. The Saab Club will
participate in the All Clubs First Annual Show and Shine. Please RSVP to
President Roger so we can give
an accurate count of cars. We must be in position by 10 AM. There will be
a $12 charge per car. This will be fun!
- SHOW MEET AT ONE OF OUR LOCAL SHOPS - To Be Announced for August - These are always a good turn out event to look at each other's cars and talk Saab.
- JUNKYARD TOUR - (Some Saturday in August) - At this point the event is sooner - stay tuned. President Roger's commute truck is in constant need of stuff so it is time to hit the pick and pulls. The problem has been I've been sneaking off to the yards after work with only the hand tattoo for my wife to discover where I've been. This event works best for the 900 and 9000 owners as the yards typically have lots of untouched 1983 - 1996 Saabs. However, we have found 2 V4's this summer... This event was alot of fun last year. Bring your own tools and everyone will help with spotting and pulling parts. Lunch will be from the tacomobile typically parked in front of the yards. We will start at 9:30 at the Fremont yard http://www.picknpull.com/Locations/California/Oakland/oakland.html and make a caravan to San Jose. You DO NOT have to get dirty to enjoy this and it can be fun to just walk around with the club. No under 18 year olds and you must wear closed toe shoes to get in.
- SANTA CRUZ MTN WINE TOUR 2006 - Late Fall - see past events below for all the fun we have on this. Our Club's favorite event!!!
- SAAB USA AT SF FLEET WEEK - To be announced. This should pretty exciting. Stay tuned to this site for updates.
- Stick a Club flyer under a windshield. Have you seen a (parked) Saab you think should be part of the club? Click on the link to go to a printable flyer to carry around in glovebox with information about the club.
- We are always looking for trip leaders, ralley leaders, tour guides, swap meet sponsors, and Saab owners interested in looking at each others' cars. Other 2004 events can still be planned. Start thinking about the Summer. We have had very few on-the-road trips and seem to be not seeing vintage Saabs at the outings. Should we hold a special meet just for strokers and freewheeling cars? Email us.
- The connection between the SCNA (Saab Club of North America) and BASC has been formalized. We are now a SCNA chapter at www.saabclub.com . SCNA publishes NINES magazine, which is included with an individual SCNA membership. Please support this organization.
