Florida Corvette Club Inc. - The Most Active Club In Florida

Corvettes In Paradise
Islamorda, Florida
11/3/01

Photos and Report by Jim Bott

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We left Denny's in Winter Garden at 7:00 Friday morning with 8 cars and headed to the FL. Turnpike. We had the Stanley's, Bacica's, Bott's, Hoolihan's, Ingrassia's, Jessing's, Malizia's, and Souza's. We started out and hit rain after 20 minutes of driving. As we approached Ft. Lauderdale there was an accident just in front of us. We where looking at the damage and not the road we missed our exit and ended up on I-95. No problem, we exited to get fuel and got back on the turnpike. We missed another sign and ended up back on 95. By this time we had lost each other and had 4 different groups. We all got together finally in Florida City and had a great lunch. Off again to our final destination. We arrived at the Holiday Isle about 2:00.

Let the party begin. We went to the Jessing's room where they hung a giant banner to let us know where party central was. After a few drinks by all and and a few more by Elaine Stanley we headed to dinner. After a good dinner and a few more drinks by Elaine it was off to the Tiki Bar. With more drinks we hooked up with other clubs and some of us danced while the others talked and enjoyed themselves. We hoped the weather would hold out for the show in the morning. We woke to a lot of wind and no rain in sight. At the show there was about 200 cars in a lot of different categories. After a lot of cleaning the Judging began. We had 7 cars enter from FCC.

The Hoolihan's took first in 97-01 wash and show, the Malizia's took first in 84-96 custom, the Jessing's took first in the display category and won by a land slide. The Ingrassia's got an Honorable Mention in wash and show 97-01, the Bott's got an Honorable Mention in wash and show 68-82. The Stanley's received a perfect score without a single point from either of the Judges to win first in the custom class for 97-01. Over all FCC cars received 6 awards out of 7 cars entered. GREAT JOB TO ALL.

After the show we where advised to leave the island while we could. A mandatory evacuation order was issued and we were on the road. With 5 cars together all was well till Ft. Lauderdale when we all got separated again at the same place. The road split and half went one way and the other half went the other. It took time, but we found each other. In Vero we ate pizza that was out of this world and Ray Ingrassia got us a deal on rooms in a near by Hotel. We checked in and partied on the boardwalk till about 11:30. In the morning after breakfast we caravanned home safe and sound.