Camaros Rule At Supercar Reunion XII

Camaros Rule Supercar Reunion Xii Nickey Camaros

Yenko's, COPO's, ZL1's, Nickey's, Berger's, Harrell-Gibbs', And Motion Performance Product's; Take Your Pick!

From the February, 2010 issue of Camaro Performers

By Bob McClung

Photography by Bob McClung

Camaros Rule Supercar Reunion Xii Yenko Camaro Burnout

Once again, the Alton, Missouri-based Yenko Sportscar Club, or sYc, brought its traveling acceleration show and shine event to St. Louis Gateway International Raceway (GIR) and nearby Gateway Center (Collinsville, Illinois) Labor Day weekend for the twelfth edition of the club's highly acclaimed "Supercar Reunion." Routinely accompanying Don Yenko's finest were representations of COPO, ZL1, Nickey Chevrolet, Berger Chevrolet, Fred Gibb, Dick Harrell, and Motion Performance products. Over 100 strong this year, and get this: They do it for the fun of it! No trophies. No pain-in-the-ass car show judges, and no points system! To put it plainly, the sYc's philosophy is just stand on the gas, and enjoy the ride!

Of course, Chevrolet's Camaro continues to be "top dog" at every Supercar Reunion, particularly this year when event title sponsor, Nickey Chicago, led by Nickey CEO Stefano Bimby, rolled up with no less than a half dozen 2010 Stage I, Stage II, and Stage III Nickey Camaro's, including the very first LS7, 427 Stage III Nickey. During Friday's drag race session, initial shakedown runs were made. However, GIR's famed "bite" caused problems with the shifter rods and synchro's on the factory Tremec TR 6060's transmissions. Best time for the Bimbi-driven Nickey 427 was a 12.57 e.t. at 112.50 mph. Bimbi says Nickey and Chicago's RAM Automotive are currently developing a new dual-disc high-performance clutch for these cars, and FLP is in the process of working on a blueprinted 6000-series Tremec, which will be able to handle these 707hp monsters and help them realize their true 10-second quarter-mile potentials.

When it came to classic Camaro's, Ken Barnhart and his '69 ZL1 Camaro, which normally runs in NHRA's SS/B class, recorded a best of 10.30 e.t. at 131.72 mph to set low elapsed time and top speed of the meet. Other standouts included the '69 Yenko/SC 427 Camaros of Pete Gerling and Dru Diesner who thrilled the crowd with their side-by-side burnouts, respectively recording a best of 11.09 e.t. at 125.19 mph, to an 11.54 e.t. at 121.04 mph. Then there was teenager Caleb Arone driving the ex-Byrned Brothers '69 427 COPO Camaro who went 11.51 e.t. at 116.37 mph. Rob Clary, driving the world's quickest and fastest pure stock '69 Yenko 427 Camaro posted a 12.00 e.t. at 116.52 mph.

Friday afternoon's concourse move at Gateway Center was traditionally followed by Friday evening's banquet. Originally scheduled to speak at the dinner was former Yenko Sportscars Inc. executive secretary and eccentric champion race car driver, Donna Mae Mims, but after feeling ill, cancelled at the last minute. Later on, sYc members learned that Mims had a stroke earlier that afternoon at her Bridgeville, Pennsylvania home. We are saddened to report that she has since died. From the staff at Camaro Performers magazine, our sincerest condolences go out to her family and friends.

Camaro Performers magazine contributing editor Bob McClurg stepped in and read excerpts from his new Car Tech Inc. book titled, "Yenko! The Man, The Machines, The Legend!" The evening's activities came to a close with an sYc memorabilia auction. Proceeds were donated to a local charity.