My Stampede story by Richard Metcalfe & The RYSCAR
From the time that we inherited RYSCAR in 1988, I became a total Pinto enthusiast,
babied the 73 Runabout, showed it at local car shows in Northern Ontario and Michigan
and used it as a summer driver.
Two years ago, when first I saw, through the Pinto Car Club of America, that a "Pinto Stampede" to Carlisle PA was in the infancy of being planned, I decided right then to be a part of it. Being the "Lone Pinto" up here in Northern Ontario I would have the opportunity to see other Pintos and meet other Pinto owners and attend the Holy Grail of car shows in Carlisle. Being retired I had all the time needed to plan and take part. I wanted to be there to celebrate the 40th Anniversary of the Pinto and be a part of history in the making.
From that moment I became involved in finding out all I could about the Pinto Stampede and in making plans. Having a two year lead gave me the flexibility to change our plans and customize our trip. I think that this feature was a most important one for all who participated because it afforded each one of us in the Stampede to enjoy a totally unique and at the same time joint group experience. Unfortunately, during the last week, my wife was unable to go but encouraged me to take part. Without her support this adventure would never have happened.
We looked at this event as an "experience of a lifetime" an opportunity that I may never get to have again. I was not disappointed! It was ALL that I expected and so much more.
My original plans were to meet up with the Stampede near Dayton, OH on day 4 and planned accordingly. However when I received a call from Dave Kawa inviting me to join in the Memorial Day Parade in Monona, Wisconsin my plans changed.
Now I had the opportunity to start "my Stampede" leaving Sault Ste. Marie on May 29th, the same day as the Stamped left from Denver. It also meant that I would meet up with several other Pinto owners and Stampeders in a mini-stampede to Indianapolis. I would not miss lapping the INDY 500! It meant adding 3 days more and another 1500 miles of being part of the venture.
Little did I know what lay ahead - the friendships that would be made and the adventures that would become memories forever.
Meeting Dave & Donna, Cookieboy, Jim & Darlene and others in Madison and being in the Parade set the tone for what lay ahead. I became part of the Stampede, a unique camaraderie. The parade, the hospitality, the mini- stampede with Mark & Karen Goodman and others joining in along the way.. The dream was becoming reality!
In the planning stages I contacted Norm Bagi (Boss Pinto) who I nick-named "Trail Boss" to get information and to see what I could do to help.
His hard work and untiring efforts made it happen. I was also impressed with his flexibility and allowing the rest of us to make this "our" trip.
Having a service project in the "Wounded Warriors Project" was a unifying factor and gave us all, even me, the lone Canadian, a heightened sense of purpose beyond "a drive and sightseeing." I enjoyed doing my part in selling tickets for the Ted Nugent guitar raffle here, on the road, and at Carlisle. Meeting the Wounded Warriors Foundation reps. at the Flight 93 crash site and the young men in Carlisle gave us all, I'm sure, that sense of pride and being part of a most worthwhile and necessary organization.
Initially I was not sure that RYSCAR would be up for a trip of this length so I packed accordingly with a spare rad, (I really didn't trust the repaired one I was running), light bulbs, plugs, points, condenser, front brake pads, fan belt, and trusty tool kit. To my delight none were needed and RYSCAR ran smoothly all the way there and home adding some 3,235 miles to the odometer.
The drive (stampede) was a thrill to have a line of Pintos in front of and behind me was totally unreal. Every time we added more in along the stops... meeting new people, checking out more Pintos just enhanced and compounded the excitement.
The motels were excellent along the way and welcomed rest stops to get together and talk.. what else.. PINTOS!
The INDY stop was a bit of a let down.. both in what had been planned there and at the Track itself, however, it was an adventure that non of us had or are likely to have again. Whenever we watch a NASCAR race from INDY we can point and say "I DROVE THERE!" Thanks Norm for making it happen in spite of all the "red tape," expenses and set backs.
With small gas tanks, stopping for gas frequently was a pain BUT it gave us a chance to stretch, hit the washrooms and TALK PINTOS! Each stop was like a mini car show with lots of comments and questions from others along the way.
Minor mishaps were handled quickly and effectively. It was good to have the security of back up and the flexibility to learn from handling them. Safety was always number one!
We will always remember the GOOD, any BAD, well that was part of the experience. Days were long and some locations dragged but all in all, I for one, had a blast!
Along with some 600 pictures, I will take away many special and memorable moments.
The most touching moment for me was at the Memorial for the Crash Site of Flight 93. I, along with most others there, remember the event as one of those defining moments in life when the world just stops and you put yourself in a time capsule. I didn't realize that it would affect me so much, just like the assassination of President Kennedy.. I know where I was, what I was doing and that weekend is etched in my memory.. it was a world event and as a Canadian and I’m sure people from other countries just became part of the moment.. never to be forgotten.
I was pleased that I could do a little to help out in donating the watch for a raffle that Jim held so effectively. The generosity of the Stampeders was overwhelming and I think we ALL were so overcome by emotion and the realization of what had taken place there and what it meant to each us.. well I still choke up as I write this. The $500.00 was sent to the Memorial foundation.
On a lighter note.. just being at Carlisle, being greeted with such enthusiasm, having the Pintos appreciated and somewhat revered and respected was thrilling.
As we filled up the Stampede Corral and as each new arrival joined the ranks, pride grew. 40 years.. models from 1971-80.. no two the same. Where would we have ever seen that had it not been for the Pinto Stampede?
Every moment was special.. seeing the cars.. seeing Carlisle, the Parade, meeting so many wonderful Pinto owners, enthusiasts and people who just wanted to talk about Pintos.
Winning the "Piston Trophy" for Best Hatch was an honor and a thrill.. also for my 3 year old grandson who is so into CARS and now ranks me up there with Lightning McQueen for winning "The Piston Cup." He will be the next generation to own RYSCAR. The long distance award will look great also on the trophy shelf. THANKS!
I was especially taken by how the whole crew "adopted Becky" and "mother hened" her. She was truly a special gal and it was so gratifying to see her get her awards. I had the opportunity of going down to Gettysburg with her after the show and she is one of those people you won't forget. Thanks to everybody for making the experience the time of her life also.
I would like to have a list of names addresses and e-mail numbers for all who took part so that I can keep in touch. I'm sure others will also. It is good to get new Facebook friends and share pictures that way. It's still lonely to have the only Pinto up here in the north.
To sum this all up..
PINTO PEOPLE ARE SPECIAL PEOPLE.
PINTO STAMPEDE PEOPLE ARE THE MOST SPECIAL OF THEM ALL.
THE PINTO STAMPEDE RANKS AS ONE OF THE BEST EVENTS OF MY LIFE.
THE PINTO STAMPEDE WAS A TREMENDOUS SUCCESS.
COUNT ME IN FOR THE NEXT ONE.
A TREMENDOUS THANK YOU FOR MAKING IT ALL HAPPEN!
Richard & the RYSCAR
"Click Here" and return to stories from a road well traveled
Two years ago, when first I saw, through the Pinto Car Club of America, that a "Pinto Stampede" to Carlisle PA was in the infancy of being planned, I decided right then to be a part of it. Being the "Lone Pinto" up here in Northern Ontario I would have the opportunity to see other Pintos and meet other Pinto owners and attend the Holy Grail of car shows in Carlisle. Being retired I had all the time needed to plan and take part. I wanted to be there to celebrate the 40th Anniversary of the Pinto and be a part of history in the making.
From that moment I became involved in finding out all I could about the Pinto Stampede and in making plans. Having a two year lead gave me the flexibility to change our plans and customize our trip. I think that this feature was a most important one for all who participated because it afforded each one of us in the Stampede to enjoy a totally unique and at the same time joint group experience. Unfortunately, during the last week, my wife was unable to go but encouraged me to take part. Without her support this adventure would never have happened.
We looked at this event as an "experience of a lifetime" an opportunity that I may never get to have again. I was not disappointed! It was ALL that I expected and so much more.
My original plans were to meet up with the Stampede near Dayton, OH on day 4 and planned accordingly. However when I received a call from Dave Kawa inviting me to join in the Memorial Day Parade in Monona, Wisconsin my plans changed.
Now I had the opportunity to start "my Stampede" leaving Sault Ste. Marie on May 29th, the same day as the Stamped left from Denver. It also meant that I would meet up with several other Pinto owners and Stampeders in a mini-stampede to Indianapolis. I would not miss lapping the INDY 500! It meant adding 3 days more and another 1500 miles of being part of the venture.
Little did I know what lay ahead - the friendships that would be made and the adventures that would become memories forever.
Meeting Dave & Donna, Cookieboy, Jim & Darlene and others in Madison and being in the Parade set the tone for what lay ahead. I became part of the Stampede, a unique camaraderie. The parade, the hospitality, the mini- stampede with Mark & Karen Goodman and others joining in along the way.. The dream was becoming reality!
In the planning stages I contacted Norm Bagi (Boss Pinto) who I nick-named "Trail Boss" to get information and to see what I could do to help.
His hard work and untiring efforts made it happen. I was also impressed with his flexibility and allowing the rest of us to make this "our" trip.
Having a service project in the "Wounded Warriors Project" was a unifying factor and gave us all, even me, the lone Canadian, a heightened sense of purpose beyond "a drive and sightseeing." I enjoyed doing my part in selling tickets for the Ted Nugent guitar raffle here, on the road, and at Carlisle. Meeting the Wounded Warriors Foundation reps. at the Flight 93 crash site and the young men in Carlisle gave us all, I'm sure, that sense of pride and being part of a most worthwhile and necessary organization.
Initially I was not sure that RYSCAR would be up for a trip of this length so I packed accordingly with a spare rad, (I really didn't trust the repaired one I was running), light bulbs, plugs, points, condenser, front brake pads, fan belt, and trusty tool kit. To my delight none were needed and RYSCAR ran smoothly all the way there and home adding some 3,235 miles to the odometer.
The drive (stampede) was a thrill to have a line of Pintos in front of and behind me was totally unreal. Every time we added more in along the stops... meeting new people, checking out more Pintos just enhanced and compounded the excitement.
The motels were excellent along the way and welcomed rest stops to get together and talk.. what else.. PINTOS!
The INDY stop was a bit of a let down.. both in what had been planned there and at the Track itself, however, it was an adventure that non of us had or are likely to have again. Whenever we watch a NASCAR race from INDY we can point and say "I DROVE THERE!" Thanks Norm for making it happen in spite of all the "red tape," expenses and set backs.
With small gas tanks, stopping for gas frequently was a pain BUT it gave us a chance to stretch, hit the washrooms and TALK PINTOS! Each stop was like a mini car show with lots of comments and questions from others along the way.
Minor mishaps were handled quickly and effectively. It was good to have the security of back up and the flexibility to learn from handling them. Safety was always number one!
We will always remember the GOOD, any BAD, well that was part of the experience. Days were long and some locations dragged but all in all, I for one, had a blast!
Along with some 600 pictures, I will take away many special and memorable moments.
The most touching moment for me was at the Memorial for the Crash Site of Flight 93. I, along with most others there, remember the event as one of those defining moments in life when the world just stops and you put yourself in a time capsule. I didn't realize that it would affect me so much, just like the assassination of President Kennedy.. I know where I was, what I was doing and that weekend is etched in my memory.. it was a world event and as a Canadian and I’m sure people from other countries just became part of the moment.. never to be forgotten.
I was pleased that I could do a little to help out in donating the watch for a raffle that Jim held so effectively. The generosity of the Stampeders was overwhelming and I think we ALL were so overcome by emotion and the realization of what had taken place there and what it meant to each us.. well I still choke up as I write this. The $500.00 was sent to the Memorial foundation.
On a lighter note.. just being at Carlisle, being greeted with such enthusiasm, having the Pintos appreciated and somewhat revered and respected was thrilling.
As we filled up the Stampede Corral and as each new arrival joined the ranks, pride grew. 40 years.. models from 1971-80.. no two the same. Where would we have ever seen that had it not been for the Pinto Stampede?
Every moment was special.. seeing the cars.. seeing Carlisle, the Parade, meeting so many wonderful Pinto owners, enthusiasts and people who just wanted to talk about Pintos.
Winning the "Piston Trophy" for Best Hatch was an honor and a thrill.. also for my 3 year old grandson who is so into CARS and now ranks me up there with Lightning McQueen for winning "The Piston Cup." He will be the next generation to own RYSCAR. The long distance award will look great also on the trophy shelf. THANKS!
I was especially taken by how the whole crew "adopted Becky" and "mother hened" her. She was truly a special gal and it was so gratifying to see her get her awards. I had the opportunity of going down to Gettysburg with her after the show and she is one of those people you won't forget. Thanks to everybody for making the experience the time of her life also.
I would like to have a list of names addresses and e-mail numbers for all who took part so that I can keep in touch. I'm sure others will also. It is good to get new Facebook friends and share pictures that way. It's still lonely to have the only Pinto up here in the north.
To sum this all up..
PINTO PEOPLE ARE SPECIAL PEOPLE.
PINTO STAMPEDE PEOPLE ARE THE MOST SPECIAL OF THEM ALL.
THE PINTO STAMPEDE RANKS AS ONE OF THE BEST EVENTS OF MY LIFE.
THE PINTO STAMPEDE WAS A TREMENDOUS SUCCESS.
COUNT ME IN FOR THE NEXT ONE.
A TREMENDOUS THANK YOU FOR MAKING IT ALL HAPPEN!
Richard & the RYSCAR
