[sYc]

Jamie, thanks for the nice post.

It all started with a conversation between myself and Brian Henderson at the Camaro Nats in Pigeon Forge, maybe 1997, where I was showing our recently restored ’69 Yenko Camaro and Brian was there with Kory Smith’s ’68 Yenko Camaro. I was a newbie to the hobby and was quizzing Brian about where all of the supercars were, as only 3-4 at the Nats. Brian said most owners of supercars had tired of how the hobby had moved away from original musclecars, thus were staying at home. Because Brian and I were both there with Yenkos, the idea was to do a Yenko Reunion.

I contacted John Connelly with the Yenko estate to get the Yenko family’s approval, made a trip to Hendersonville, TN to visit with Cliff Ernst about hosting the event, as he owned 25-30 Yenkos at the time, as well as a Holiday Inn. He agreed, and while there, the idea to go to a local drag strip was launched.

I did not want the reunion to be just another “car show”, but more like the larger ones, with a banquet, with special speakers and guests. No judging, instead each participant receiving a simple trophy.

With a time and place set, the next concern was how to publicize the event. That is where Rob came in. He created Yenko.net and was its webmaster until Charlie took over.

As word spread about the event, I got a call from owners of other non-Yenko supercar owners, who asked to be included. Thus, the Yenko Reunion became the Supercar Reunion. John Connelly arranged for Hope Yenko, Donna Mae Mims and Ed Lowther to attend and he also set up a auction of Yenko memorabilia. To say SCR1 was a success would be a huge understatement.

Because of the success of SCR1, it was decided to do another, and another, to where we are today and SCR20.

We had no idea how much buzz SCR1 would create within the musclecar hobby. TV coverage from My Classic Car, big spread in Super Chevy and other mags, all over the internet, the new found interest in the supercars was unbelievable.

In the beginning one could join the club and receive a newsletter. This soon became too big of a job, with the club’s fast paced growth. Through the years, there have been reunion diecast models, various t-shirts, caps, jackets and various decals (thanks to the late Steve Sandlin) and other collectibles.

To have watched how collectible the cars became, the steep rise in their value, the many shows featuring “supercar” themes and exhibits, mind boggling to say the least.

But the best part, at least for me, of course the many, many rare supercars I have got to see up close and personal, many on the drag strip, but most importantly, the many friendships I have been able to create. I am proud to say several of my closest friends were made through the SYC and SCR.