Pebble Beach Car Week
This is a short story about how three completely different car guys shared a most memorable car week.
Preface: The following recollections are as factual as recent memory is possible and any omissions or inaccuracies are unintended.
Chapter one - Day 1
A mild mannered Retirement system IT guy, a Queens based commercial roofing contractor, and a tea-totling dentist from NH head off to California for what is anticipated to be a car event that will meld their interests. The IT guy leaves Boston having pulled an all nighter the night before and is kept awake for a second night in a row by his roommate, the dentist's snoring (Editor’s note - My wife snores, your sound is akin to an AC unit with a bearing problem crossed with a train whistle). The next morning the duo retrieves their cars from a transporter and head north from LA to Monterey. They are joined on this drive by four fellow enthusiasts (Wayne, Chris O., Peter S, and Kevin L) and somewhat astonishingly, complete the trip without receiving any tickets which included speeds above 100 mph. TodB seriously considers driving back to LA to drive up with the next group but has a cocktail instead. It was an epic drive and a good day 1.
Chapter two – And we’re bonding
The first meeting of "the 3 amigos" is at the house they're renting through VBRO. It's a laid back kind of place owned by a single, fellow car guy who seems to float through life with little effort and even less urgency. There’s a 3 bay metal fabrication shop on premise but not a lot of recent work takes place there. There is mention of a girlfriend in Monterey with a 5 bedroom house. Riiiiiight, got it. Well done Dr. Love.
It’s a 3 bedroom house with an awesome master suite. TodB tells the Dentist he can have it due to Mrs. Dentist arriving on Wednesday as TodB is still not over the snoring incident. Take the suite, Doc, get as far away from me as possible. The house is CA single car guy filthy. There’s a full PA system along with guitars on the wall and a set of bongos. Outside is what could be a great pool/entertaining area but its gone by – too much time in Monterey I guess. The pool water is clear but the auto vacuum, now suspended in the water, last worked in 1997. The water is clear but it ain’t clean if you know what I mean. Kinda like the hot tub - we decide it needs draining before going in. The good news is that the house is up a twisty road, 4 miles from the track and 10 from Monterey - perfectly located. We couldn’t be happier.
The third fellow arrives, a commercial roofer from Queens. He and TodB spend exactly one day together each year at some car event and have since 2000. They know each other, but they don’t. He’s a witty guy, quick on his feet and has a comeback for every situation. He’s done the initial shopping ahead of time and arrives with gin (two kinds),vodka, beer, vermouth, wine, limes, nuts, chips and hummus. And cigarettes. There was supposed to be an Aussie race driver joining them but he backed out for business reasons. The Aussie was also supposed to be the spark of the group so there's a little trepidation about just how boring the remaining trio will be.
Chapter three – I’m the luckiest man in the Galaxy"
It soon becomes apparent though that the week is shaping up to be OK as the opportunities for fun keep escalating. The tea-toting dentist had predicted as much, per his claim that "he is the luckiest man in the Galaxy", much to the original chagrin of his roommates. The Carmel Concours was a picture perfect day with fabulous cars, people, conversations, and laughs. That night, a fabulous BBQ is hosted and shared with our other East Coast friends under the watchful eye of Tod B and a homemade Ceaser salad dressing from Mike B which was to die for. It turns out that the Corral market on the way to the track has serious steaks. Seriously serious steaks. And New York can cook.
This is a short story about how three completely different car guys shared a most memorable car week.
Preface: The following recollections are as factual as recent memory is possible and any omissions or inaccuracies are unintended.
Chapter one - Day 1
A mild mannered Retirement system IT guy, a Queens based commercial roofing contractor, and a tea-totling dentist from NH head off to California for what is anticipated to be a car event that will meld their interests. The IT guy leaves Boston having pulled an all nighter the night before and is kept awake for a second night in a row by his roommate, the dentist's snoring (Editor’s note - My wife snores, your sound is akin to an AC unit with a bearing problem crossed with a train whistle). The next morning the duo retrieves their cars from a transporter and head north from LA to Monterey. They are joined on this drive by four fellow enthusiasts (Wayne, Chris O., Peter S, and Kevin L) and somewhat astonishingly, complete the trip without receiving any tickets which included speeds above 100 mph. TodB seriously considers driving back to LA to drive up with the next group but has a cocktail instead. It was an epic drive and a good day 1.
Chapter two – And we’re bonding
The first meeting of "the 3 amigos" is at the house they're renting through VBRO. It's a laid back kind of place owned by a single, fellow car guy who seems to float through life with little effort and even less urgency. There’s a 3 bay metal fabrication shop on premise but not a lot of recent work takes place there. There is mention of a girlfriend in Monterey with a 5 bedroom house. Riiiiiight, got it. Well done Dr. Love.
It’s a 3 bedroom house with an awesome master suite. TodB tells the Dentist he can have it due to Mrs. Dentist arriving on Wednesday as TodB is still not over the snoring incident. Take the suite, Doc, get as far away from me as possible. The house is CA single car guy filthy. There’s a full PA system along with guitars on the wall and a set of bongos. Outside is what could be a great pool/entertaining area but its gone by – too much time in Monterey I guess. The pool water is clear but the auto vacuum, now suspended in the water, last worked in 1997. The water is clear but it ain’t clean if you know what I mean. Kinda like the hot tub - we decide it needs draining before going in. The good news is that the house is up a twisty road, 4 miles from the track and 10 from Monterey - perfectly located. We couldn’t be happier.
The third fellow arrives, a commercial roofer from Queens. He and TodB spend exactly one day together each year at some car event and have since 2000. They know each other, but they don’t. He’s a witty guy, quick on his feet and has a comeback for every situation. He’s done the initial shopping ahead of time and arrives with gin (two kinds),vodka, beer, vermouth, wine, limes, nuts, chips and hummus. And cigarettes. There was supposed to be an Aussie race driver joining them but he backed out for business reasons. The Aussie was also supposed to be the spark of the group so there's a little trepidation about just how boring the remaining trio will be.
Chapter three – I’m the luckiest man in the Galaxy"
It soon becomes apparent though that the week is shaping up to be OK as the opportunities for fun keep escalating. The tea-toting dentist had predicted as much, per his claim that "he is the luckiest man in the Galaxy", much to the original chagrin of his roommates. The Carmel Concours was a picture perfect day with fabulous cars, people, conversations, and laughs. That night, a fabulous BBQ is hosted and shared with our other East Coast friends under the watchful eye of Tod B and a homemade Ceaser salad dressing from Mike B which was to die for. It turns out that the Corral market on the way to the track has serious steaks. Seriously serious steaks. And New York can cook.
