Hey MSMC'ers!

On Wed September 7th starting at 11:30 the "Lunch Bunch" is honoring Motorcycle Hall of Fame inductee and two time USAC Auto Racing Champion Joe Leonard. Joe is a local hero and will be the special guest.

Joe won the AMA National Championship in 1954, 1956 and 1957 with a 3rd place in 1955. In nine years, Joe had 27 AMA Grand National wins on road races (Daytona 200 twice), mile dirt tracks and steeplechase events.

Joe moved to Auto Racing in the 1960's and raced for AJ Foyt driving the famous Lotus Turbine "Wedge" Car in the 1968 Indy 500, leading the race often until a clogged fuel injector sidelined him with just nine laps to go. Joe was the USAC National Champion in 1971 and 1972.

Lunch Bunch is held monthly at the Basque Cultural Center (599 Railroad Avenue, South San Francisco) Arrive at 11:30 with lunch at 12:15. (Anticipate a long lunch...) Costs for the meal will be divided-up there so bring cash.

It is mandatory that you RSVP with me before 9-01 in order to attend as this will be a full event and space is limited.

Cheers,

Scott McC

Scott,

This sounds like an incredible event, and I'd love to be able to go! Unfortunately I'm trapped in Orange County until the end of time (at least during the week), and won't be able to make this one. I would have loved to hear more about the turbine car and whatever else Joe had to share. Have fun, and I hope some folks are able to attend!

- Alex

Scott,

Thanks for the invitation but will be on the Italy trip on the 7th. I'm curious about the "Lunch Bunch". Who is this group? :confused:

Brian

I'll take good notes! :)

The Lunch Bunch was (I think) first started in the late 1960's by Sid Colberg, (now 88+) probably in association with the CSRG Vintage Racing Club. Sid is a world class auto collector/racer/team owner/auto art collector, original investor in Laguna Seca (or was it Sears Point?), was on the first Board of the CSRG in 1971 and a Charter Member (1983) of the Candy Store. (Sid and I have vintage raced and rallyed together since the mid 1980's) A true San Francisco institution (his brother owns "Tommy's Joint" on Van Ness) Sid is a world renown auto historian famous for riding around major Concours' in a golf cart with a Bull Horn giving histories on all the entries to the public.

In the early 1990's, Sid thought it would be fun to "restart" the Lunch Bunch (ended over a decade earlier) through the Candy Store. His goal, as always, was to have lunch with friends and talk about cars. The Lunch Bunch, while still associated with the Candy Store, has since taken a life of its own and Sid still attends as many as he can.

I have had the pleasure to know Sid and his wife Alice for over 20 years and consider it an honor to suggest to the MSMC this event.

Cheers,

Scott McC

Scott, it sounds like an amazing opportunity, thanks for sharing it with us. I can't make it, (it would be a looooong lunch from Palo Alto) but definitely appreciate the consideration.

Scott, I would love to go...is it a members only invite?
Joseph

"Of course you're invited Joseph!! " :woot

To all,

So far, I've got Annie, Joseph and ME... Three Total. (Figure $40-$50 each max as a guess. Less if no wine at your table... I need the final number by this Wed-Thurs. Any more??)

FYI, Bobby Unser is planned for this fall for dinner/presentation/conversation at the Candy Store and Malcom Smith is tenative this fall dinner/presentation/conversation/ride as well. Details to follow if interested...


Cheers,

Scott McC

Thanks for the really generous offer Scott - really wish I could make it but will be out of town on a ride.

Thanks Bill,

Too bad you can't make it. I have found that these particular events are special not only for the topic, but due to the age of the Guest. (Usually it's a HUGE EFFORT to get the older Special Guest, to be "willing" to be honored and unfortunately it's sometimes their last public appearance, as they would really rather just stay home...)

Regarding your "generous" mention, I do not mean these occasional updates/invitations to be generous.... I just consider the MSMC to be a bunch of Great People that may appreciate these somewhat esoteric events and that our attendance would be not only FUN but perhaps allow the opportunity to meet other interesting individuals.

Besides, ANY opportunity to participate with ANY fellow MSMC'ers in ANY event is an opportunity to get to know each other better... :thumbup

Cheers,

Scott McC

big thanks to Scott for extending the invite, a good lunch , tasty wine and great stories
Bikes and particularlt interesting Joe's interactions with men he knew and worked for...maybe they sound familiar?
Foyt, Granitelli, Unser,
a well rounded man with great perspective,
he even talked about his 2 Daytona wins back in the day on sand, on a Harley!
in a sort of sympatico I had to ride mine today, Scott didn't seem to mind, today that is,
seriously thanks Scott, and you all should try to frequent these lunches they are fun!

Joseph

Ah shucks

:clapping FYI, Joseph knows his "Stuff" and it was an honor to have such an enthusiast participate! (I won't mention your "special" autographed helmet signed by Giacomo Agostini among several others you wanted autographed by Joe Leonard ... but you were too shy to bring...."You should have brought that LID TO LUNCH Joseph!")

Well, lunch was fantastic and went too long (as usual) followed by a visit to a local Doble Steam Car storage/restoration (3 of 15 existing worldwide). Unfortunately Joseph had to leave prior to that additional distraction as Lunch Bunch can be an all-afternoon event sometimes...

FYI, It "might" be possible to have Joe Leonard participate in a MSMC dinner in association with the "Vintage Motorcycle Racing Organization" should we want to put the effort into that type of event. I would be happy to lead the charge... but only if people want to attend as he is WORLD CLASS and deserves our participation.

Thanks again to Joseph for attending and thanks for not mentioning I drove a DIESEL SUV to the Lunch!! :eek: (WELL AT LEAST IT'S NOT A HARLEY!!!)

Cheers

Scott McC

Well, it sounds like I missed a great lunch! Would have loved to have gone... but I have a very special "patient" that needs attention right now :). Count me in for next time!

I'm sorry you couldn't make the lunch Annie, but considering the circumstances.... (I hope you're recovering quickly Alex!)

Next time, if Alex is behaving, you should both come!