03-12-2018, 09:16 PM
Wow. It's hard to digest everything that was seen and experienced over the last few days but I'll try my best to put it into words. To start things off I'll share how this whole adventure even came to be. It all started with MAAP that just recently was founded as a non-profit partnered with JMU and run by Cole Scrograhm. The whole point of MAAP (Madison Automotive Apprentice Program) is to teach students the basics of how cars work, but more importantly to get students connected with those in the fields of the automotive industry they want to work in, and to give them the skills to manage and lead teams rather than simply be the mechanic at the dealer. I started off with MAAP by hand building from the ground up an air-cooled Porsche 356 engine back in August, and since then have seen the shop grow, even seeing Dr. Rose (As in the former president of JMU) have his 997's IMS bearing replaced as he watched with us and answered our eager questions.
So fast forward this was the first big trip Cole had planned and gave out the opportunity for three students to accompany him on the trip. We had four students looking to fill these seats, and when it came down to it, Stephen actually stepped back to allow the rest of us to go, I still cannot express my gratitude for this. It ended up being David, Plaugs, and I who made the 13 hour roadtrip down to Amelia Island in Florida, and then back again to Virginia the last day of spring break.
We started off the trip with a first for me, running out of gas and having to wait on the side of the road. Luckily this happened not even five minutes after leaving my house thanks to David's keen eye on the gas gauge as he tried to show the power of the C63 AMG we were taking down
So I gave my dad a call and had him meet us on route 7 with a gas canister so we could limp to the nearest gas station. OKAY, now we were off, leaving at 9pm or so with an expected time of arrival at 11:30am in Florida.
After getting to Florida, we got our nice clothes on and headed to the RM Sotherby's auction site at the Ritz in order to meet the people running the operation, and who'd we be working with the following day. After meeting we were able to look around at all the amazing cars and memorabilia they had up for sale. It was surreal to say the least, first the room FULL of yellow 993 Porsche's, Diablo's, 1900 era Rolls Royces, and more. Then walking outside it only got better with a Lamborghini LM-002, 488 Speciale, 90's Aston Martins, and so many more. I have an album of 300+ pictures I'll link to at the bottom because there are so many cars I had never seen before, and so many I didn't even take pictures of that hopefully David and Plaugs can fill in the gaps for me.
Anyways, the next morning we woke up bright and early to meet with Collin, as he had two cars he wanted US to present for him at the PCA event. I chose to drive #71 production 1993 RS America and let me tell you is this a cool car. I drove it from the transporter, onto the golf course (which is such a weird feeling), and into it's spot so I could warm up and meet some people around me before presenting the car to the judges. After winning 2nd place
I used the rest of my time to look around on the golf course that was filled to the brim with Porsche's of all era's, from 930 Turbo's, to 918's, prototypes, and even some Boxsters for me.
Afterward is where Joesph and David will have to fill in because I got some nasty stomach bug and had to sleep out the opportunity to drive some crazy cool cars for the Sotherby's auction.
But the next day I was able to attend the Concours de'Elegance which was almost too much to appreciate everything that was there. From old classic racecars, to the G-Wagon that hasn't even premiered yet, to F1 cars, and even the new Mercedes Project One. We were able to meet with more people that could help further our careers and other schools who have similar programs, as well see some crazy costumes people were wearing to accompany the era of the cars they were driving. This was one of those places that you can't ever spend too much time at, and simply can't see everything there is to see in detail, but I tried my best and will let my camera do most of the explaining.
Anyways, I know this isn't a great write up but I just thought I'd try and share my experience with everyone here, and show what opportunities MAAP has created for current and future students in the automotive field. Onto the pictures that everyone actually cares about!
https://flic.kr/s/aHskxqQwcN
So fast forward this was the first big trip Cole had planned and gave out the opportunity for three students to accompany him on the trip. We had four students looking to fill these seats, and when it came down to it, Stephen actually stepped back to allow the rest of us to go, I still cannot express my gratitude for this. It ended up being David, Plaugs, and I who made the 13 hour roadtrip down to Amelia Island in Florida, and then back again to Virginia the last day of spring break.
We started off the trip with a first for me, running out of gas and having to wait on the side of the road. Luckily this happened not even five minutes after leaving my house thanks to David's keen eye on the gas gauge as he tried to show the power of the C63 AMG we were taking down
So I gave my dad a call and had him meet us on route 7 with a gas canister so we could limp to the nearest gas station. OKAY, now we were off, leaving at 9pm or so with an expected time of arrival at 11:30am in Florida.After getting to Florida, we got our nice clothes on and headed to the RM Sotherby's auction site at the Ritz in order to meet the people running the operation, and who'd we be working with the following day. After meeting we were able to look around at all the amazing cars and memorabilia they had up for sale. It was surreal to say the least, first the room FULL of yellow 993 Porsche's, Diablo's, 1900 era Rolls Royces, and more. Then walking outside it only got better with a Lamborghini LM-002, 488 Speciale, 90's Aston Martins, and so many more. I have an album of 300+ pictures I'll link to at the bottom because there are so many cars I had never seen before, and so many I didn't even take pictures of that hopefully David and Plaugs can fill in the gaps for me.
Anyways, the next morning we woke up bright and early to meet with Collin, as he had two cars he wanted US to present for him at the PCA event. I chose to drive #71 production 1993 RS America and let me tell you is this a cool car. I drove it from the transporter, onto the golf course (which is such a weird feeling), and into it's spot so I could warm up and meet some people around me before presenting the car to the judges. After winning 2nd place
I used the rest of my time to look around on the golf course that was filled to the brim with Porsche's of all era's, from 930 Turbo's, to 918's, prototypes, and even some Boxsters for me. Afterward is where Joesph and David will have to fill in because I got some nasty stomach bug and had to sleep out the opportunity to drive some crazy cool cars for the Sotherby's auction.
But the next day I was able to attend the Concours de'Elegance which was almost too much to appreciate everything that was there. From old classic racecars, to the G-Wagon that hasn't even premiered yet, to F1 cars, and even the new Mercedes Project One. We were able to meet with more people that could help further our careers and other schools who have similar programs, as well see some crazy costumes people were wearing to accompany the era of the cars they were driving. This was one of those places that you can't ever spend too much time at, and simply can't see everything there is to see in detail, but I tried my best and will let my camera do most of the explaining.
Anyways, I know this isn't a great write up but I just thought I'd try and share my experience with everyone here, and show what opportunities MAAP has created for current and future students in the automotive field. Onto the pictures that everyone actually cares about!
https://flic.kr/s/aHskxqQwcN
Current:
13' E92 M3 Comp | 05' Yahama R6 | 95' E36 M3
Past:
14' BMW 335xi GT | 06' Porsche Boxster S | 15' Jeep Grand Cherokee | 84' BMW 733i | 85' Honda Shadow VT700 | 06' Acura TL
The race cars that are there are absolutely phenomenal and color me jealous!
adface:
