Hi everyone. I am the one who has the most thanks to give. My first Columbus event, and it was epic. The organization was precise, the comraderie overflowing, and the weather was perfect.
I had the brake line failure. Stewart followed me back to the parking lot, then drove me in his beautiful S4 over to the HorsePower Barn. The cars were absolutely amazing. The 914-6 prototype called “The Mule” along with so many other breathtaking cars.
Back in the parking lot, a plan was being hatched to repair the brake line and get me back on the road. I was in good hands(Hans??) The next morning a Napa run was done, in Luc’s Maserati, with Shawn and Bertrand, and we realized that the rear seat is nicer than the 928 rear seat. Some hard line was bought, along with tools and couplers, and we drove back to the parking lot in luxury.
Back in the parking lot, we sought shelter under a tree, and coined ourselves the real Shade Tree Mechanic’s. Shawn had a hydraulic jack in his car that he quickly offered to get, Doug of Columbus brought us a pressure bleeder and flare wrenches, and we set about repairing the line. Everyone had an opinion how to repair it, and Bertrand, Luc and Shawn just dove in to do it.
The repair went well, the brakes were bled, then tested in the parking lot with 30 onlookers. The shade tree was popular, and the party was started. My pedal came back properly, but just a tad soft, but good enough to get me to Tennessee, my next destination, where I have a mechanic buddy, who helped me bleed the brakes again, and the pedal is now hard, and the ABS works properly.
So many people to thank for all the input and ideas, and the guys who got dirty for me, Shawn, Bertrand, Luc. Eric said if things don’t work, we could trailer my car to a hydraulic shop, with Mick’s truck(trailer) and he would loan me his cabin for the time needed. Thanks Eric, you are a special guy, along with all the organizers of this special event. For everyone who chipped in and helped out, sincere thanks from the bottom of my heart, and a big shout out to Ed and Ann, who finished off my night with some Famous Grouse, listening to some great rock and roll music.
Thanks to Super Dave, Wayne,Stewart, Ed, Jeff, Adam,Shawn for all the input and to finding a solution in the parking lot
Cheers Don
P.S. The surprise of the night. Winning the trophy no one wants to win. The car most likely not to start. They changed the word to”stop”. It was the cherry on the sundae.