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914World.com _ 914World Garage _ Live chat with 914/6 GT racer Ralph Meaney!
Posted by: McMark Feb 25 2007, 04:31 PM
Welcomes Daytona Winning Driver "Ralph Meaney"
*Copyright Armando Serrano
914World.com is proud to announce an exclusive online chat with Daytona winning driver "Ralph Meaney" and current car owner "Steve Limbert".
What Day?: Sunday, March 11th
What Time?: 8:00PM EST - 5:00PM PST
What Is It?: A live online chat with one of the top Porsche drivers of his time.
About the technology: ParaChat is the official "InVision" (our BBS software) chat server. It will allow us to set-up a live chat with notable figures in our realm. The live chat will be set-up in a thread. You will need your user name and password to access the thread and the chat, even if you are already signed in.
More about the technology: IMPORTANT - We will NOT implement live chat as a regular feature on this site. There are many, MANY reasons for this. Most importantly, cost (we do not wish to be a subscription based site), the ability to archive helpful tips and data, and, SEO optimization. PLEASE DO NOT ASK (or we'll have you shot).
Now, on with the show; In 1970 Meaney Racing won The 24 Hours of Daytona for the GT2 class in a 911S. However, the 914-6/GT number 19 (shown here) is Meaney Racings most well known car, described as "Europe's Fastest GT" by the German press. This car has an extensive race history in Europe and the United States. This is the 914 that literally won the 1970 FIA World Championship for Porsche!
*Copyright Armando Serrano
Steve Limbert, current car owner, and owner of Aircooled Racing, will also be on-hand, joining us to talk about this very car and his latest project to reproduce the #18 car (the sister car) that Ralph had back in the day.
Ever wonder what it was like to drive a real 914-6/GT at a real track? Make sure you set the date and time to be here to talk to Ralph Meaney. We don't want you to miss this exciting exclusive event.
http://www.meaneyracing.com/index.htm
http://www.aircooledracing.com/
http://www.pbase.com/9146gt
Posted by: SirAndy Feb 25 2007, 05:01 PM
that is soooo schweet!
Andy
Posted by: Lawrence Feb 25 2007, 05:06 PM
Mr. Meaney is a true icon in 914 history... this is going to be great! 
-Rusty 
Posted by: Andyrew Feb 25 2007, 05:10 PM
Sweeeeet!!!!
Posted by: Eric_Shea Feb 25 2007, 05:14 PM
Pay homage to Jeff Hines. 
Posted by: 94teen6 Feb 25 2007, 06:34 PM
Nice!!!
This is going to be so cool...
Posted by: Scott Carlberg Feb 25 2007, 07:00 PM
Nice job setting this up Boys! 
Posted by: rick 918-S Feb 25 2007, 07:44 PM
Posted by: TimT Feb 25 2007, 07:57 PM
I think we took the original aluminum cage out of that car and replaced it with a steel cage in 1998 or 1999. The original cage was removed very cleanly, and preserved, and returned to the owner.
A fellow here in NY owned either that car or one of the others that were raced at LeMans.
as an aside which site will this chat originate from? world or club?
Posted by: sixnotfour Feb 25 2007, 08:02 PM
Posted by: McMark Feb 25 2007, 08:06 PM
This is a 914World exclusive. 
Posted by: TimT Feb 25 2007, 08:11 PM
Yea and this "chat" is being pushed on 914club
I almost have the title for my 914 clear so I can sell it..
Posted by: McMark Feb 25 2007, 08:18 PM
Yea and this "chat" is being pushed on 914club
That was an accident.
Miscommunication with Ralph's 'computer person'.
Posted by: sixnotfour Feb 25 2007, 08:24 PM
Ralph's son spreadin the word of the world to the .com.
Posted by: boxstr Feb 25 2007, 08:28 PM
And the 914nation.
Posted by: Matt Romanowski Feb 25 2007, 08:56 PM
I think we took the original aluminum cage out of that car and replaced it with a steel cage in 1998 or 1999. The original cage was removed very cleanly, and preserved, and returned to the owner.
A fellow here in NY owned either that car or one of the others that were raced at LeMans.
as an aside which site will this chat originate from? world or club?
Tim - This is the car that Ed owned.
Posted by: rdauenhauer Feb 25 2007, 10:24 PM
Hows this gonna work?
Posted by: Rob Ways Feb 25 2007, 11:15 PM
Way cool. Nice work !!!
Posted by: DEC Feb 26 2007, 02:09 AM
This should be nailed
Posted by: SirAndy Feb 26 2007, 03:38 PM
Hows this gonna work?
we'll setup a page here that runs the invision chat applet (java-applet).
anybody will be able to log in with their username and password and chat away.
Andy
Posted by: anderssj Feb 27 2007, 09:11 PM
I think we took the original aluminum cage out of that car and replaced it with a steel cage in 1998 or 1999. The original cage was removed very cleanly, and preserved, and returned to the owner.
A fellow here in NY owned either that car or one of the others that were raced at LeMans.
as an aside which site will this chat originate from? world or club?
Tim - This is the car that Ed owned.
Matt - This was Ed Mettelman's (sp?) car? Didn't it used to be at his shop in VA Beach (Race Prep?)
Does Ralph still have a shop in the Pacific NW? IIRC, he was in Redmond/Kirkland area in the early 80s . . . .
Posted by: McMark Feb 27 2007, 09:44 PM
He appears to. http://www.meaneyracing.com/
Posted by: mrgreenjeans Feb 27 2007, 11:22 PM
Welcomes Daytona Winning Driver "Ralph Meaney"
*Copyright Armando Serrano
914World.com is proud to announce an exclusive online chat with Daytona winning driver "Ralph Meaney" and current car owner "Steve Limbert".
What Day?: Sunday, March 11th
What Time?: 8:00PM EST - 5:00PM PST
What Is It?: A live online chat with one of the top Porsche drivers of his time.
About the technology: ParaChat is the official "InVision" (our BBS software) chat server. It will allow us to set-up a live chat with notable figures in our realm. The live chat will be set-up in a thread. You will need your user name and password to access the thread and the chat, even if you are already signed in.
More about the technology: IMPORTANT - We will NOT implement live chat as a regular feature on this site. There are many, MANY reasons for this. Most importantly, cost (we do not wish to be a subscription based site), the ability to archive helpful tips and data, and, SEO optimization. PLEASE DO NOT ASK (or we'll have you shot).
Now, on with the show; In 1970 Meaney Racing won The 24 Hours of Daytona for the GT2 class in a 911S. However, the 914-6/GT number 19 (shown here) is Meaney Racings most well known car, described as "Europe's Fastest GT" by the German press. This car has an extensive race history in Europe and the United States. This is the 914 that literally won the 1970 FIA World Championship for Porsche!
*Copyright Armando Serrano
Steve Limbert, current car owner, and owner of Aircooled Racing, will also be on-hand, joining us to talk about this very car and his latest project to reproduce the #18 car (the sister car) that Ralph had back in the day.
Ever wonder what it was like to drive a real 914-6/GT at a real track? Make sure you set the date and time to be here to talk to Ralph Meaney. We don't want you to miss this exciting exclusive event.
http://www.meaneyracing.com/index.htm
http://www.aircooledracing.com/
http://www.pbase.com/9146gt
What a deal........this is too good!!!! You have done us all a great service in rigging this up. We will be watching and getting a word in now and then.....hopefully !
Posted by: Matt Romanowski Feb 28 2007, 07:31 AM
I think we took the original aluminum cage out of that car and replaced it with a steel cage in 1998 or 1999. The original cage was removed very cleanly, and preserved, and returned to the owner.
A fellow here in NY owned either that car or one of the others that were raced at LeMans.
as an aside which site will this chat originate from? world or club?
Tim - This is the car that Ed owned.
Matt - This was Ed Mettelman's (sp?) car? Didn't it used to be at his shop in VA Beach (Race Prep?)
Does Ralph still have a shop in the Pacific NW? IIRC, he was in Redmond/Kirkland area in the early 80s . . . .
I don't know where Ed stored it, but he is the one who bought it from Patrick. I believe the current owner bought it from Ed. There may have been another owner in there somewhere, but I don't think so. The car has great history and was the best restoration on a racing 914 up to the point it was done. The Lufthansa car done by Mark Allin that was done 3-4 years ago is also amazing and probably a little more over the top than this car. Either way, this is a great thing for club members.
Posted by: Eric_Shea Feb 28 2007, 08:37 AM
We're going to test run the chat applet this Sunday, March 4th at 8:00 PM Eastern - 5:00PM Pacific (same time as the real deal but one week early).
This will give everyone a chance to make sure their computer is up to speed with security settings, ParaChat and Java. You'll want to make sure you have Java loaded on your machine.
In the test session we'll cover how to change your fonts and how to make the chat screen "float" independently of the thread.
Warning: This may be a bit premature but, you can not post to the thread or refresh the thread while your chatting. It will toss you and you'll have to log back into chat. Simply log into chat (you'll need your user name and password), and enjoy.
Posted by: seanery Feb 28 2007, 08:49 AM
We've been playing with this "in the back room" and it's gonna work great!
But, like Eric says, Make sure that Java is installed first.
Posted by: Eric_Shea Feb 28 2007, 09:34 AM
I think Steve bought it from Patrick Scalli. I saw it in 98 at the historics when Scalli owned it. I thought Scalli was the one who commissioned the restoration
Anyone remember the Excellence article on that? There was some interesting stuff in that article. Pete weigh in here with a year and month so I don't have to wade through all my back issues
Posted by: smg914 Feb 28 2007, 10:46 AM
My records show the following owners:
Pat Scalli from PA then Ed Mettelman from NY then Steve Lambert from PA
Posted by: Eric_Shea Feb 28 2007, 11:10 AM
Well... there ya go then!
Posted by: horizontally-opposed Feb 28 2007, 05:39 PM
Anyone remember the Excellence article on that? There was some interesting stuff in that article. Pete weigh in here with a year and month so I don't have to wade through all my back issues
That's be Issue #135/February, 2005.
I'm sure Meaney's name appears elsewhere deep in the anals of Excellence, but I don't have the time to search through an estimated 25,000-30,000+ pages. But you *might* want to check out Issue #70/June, 1997, too...
EDIT: Scratch that. All you need is Issue #135. T'was a different GT...
pete
Posted by: Eric_Shea Feb 28 2007, 05:51 PM
Thanks!
Posted by: Foster Mar 1 2007, 08:22 PM
Because, for the life of me, I cannot understand why this event isn't nailed and/or listed on the home page and news page.
Posted by: SirAndy Mar 1 2007, 08:38 PM
Because, for the life of me, I cannot understand why this event isn't nailed and/or listed on the home page and news page.
Posted by: Eric_Shea Mar 9 2007, 12:18 PM
Coming this weekend!
Posted by: mikez Mar 9 2007, 12:44 PM
Wonder what kinda wax he uses?
Posted by: Lawrence Mar 10 2007, 05:58 PM
This is gonna be tomorrow! 
Posted by: Eric_Shea Mar 10 2007, 08:48 PM
I spoke with Jeff Hines today (Jeff will be hosting the chat with Ralph at his abode). After last Sunday's trial run, we all had concerns about the limitations of chat and the pitfalls associated with 200 people asking questions and one guy typing long-winded responses.
There is technology in place to have a heavily moderated chat. This would mean only questions approved by a moderator would get through. Some felt this would essentially dampen the spirit of the club. We want everyone to be able to participate. We're going to "wing it" but we'll all have to be conscious of the limitations of the technology and the person at the other end of the keyboard.
I wanted to take this opportunity to clarify the overall theme and methods involved.
1. "Be cool my people" (in my best Conan O'Brien voice) - This should be a relaxed event. It's the first of its kind in our circles and it should be great but, if there are technical problems or if every single question doesn't get answered... let it ride. Everyone will be doing their best.
2. Keep it real. Keep it relevant. - There are plenty of things to talk about but wax probably isn't one of them. You'll be chatting with a Daytona winning race car driver. You'll be chatting with an original 914-6/GT pilot. You'll be talking with the current owner of the #19 car Steve Limbert who is in the upper echelon for modern race prep with his shop Air Cooled Racing. Think now of things you've always wanted to ask these people.
3. Be respectful of others in the chat. Do something stupid and you'll get whacked from the chat. I think we'll be fine with this group but... just in case you're thinking about taking your wienie pills before the chat, don't. There are no stupid questions, some might not get answered but there are no stupid questions, don't pretend you know everything there is to know about racing 914's.
4. Allow for breaks in the action. – We may need to take some question breaks so the guest can catch up. Be cognizant of the tempo of the chat. If we ask for a break, “TAKE A BREAK” from the questions.
5. Have fun. - Again, I want to reiterate; relax, enjoy, if we get a hick-up, laugh it off and dig back in. Your hosts have gone to great measures to bring you something cool and meaningful.
See you tomorrow.
Posted by: Lawrence Mar 11 2007, 06:31 AM
Posted by: Brew Mar 11 2007, 07:26 AM
So where is it?
Posted by: mikez Mar 11 2007, 08:45 AM
Whut kinda tires are best?????
Posted by: Gint Mar 11 2007, 09:36 AM
So where is it?
Right here, 6:00 p.m. Mountain time tonight.
Posted by: GWN7 Mar 11 2007, 10:22 AM
I'm going to try and get off work early so I can be there to see Z ask the wax question. 
Posted by: So.Cal.914 Mar 11 2007, 04:08 PM
So "Whats the differance between a Porsche and a Porcupine?" would not
be a proper Q? Got it.
Posted by: rdauenhauer Mar 11 2007, 05:49 PM
Where can you aquire the chat applett?
Posted by: Aaron Cox Mar 11 2007, 05:52 PM
it loads inside a thread window. if you have java, you are good to go.
we had a test session last sunday....
Posted by: SirAndy Mar 11 2007, 05:54 PM
here is the thread ... we're ON !!!
http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?showtopic=68880
Andy
Posted by: iamchappy Mar 11 2007, 08:11 PM
Wow, thanks to all that made this possible, what a great time, thanks Ralph....
Posted by: Bleyseng Mar 11 2007, 08:15 PM
Talk about a time warp, took me back to my chatting on AOL days....
Posted by: balljoint Mar 11 2007, 08:22 PM
Thanks guys. Great idea and it came off very nicely. 
Posted by: davep Mar 11 2007, 08:25 PM
Twas great. Thanks guys.
Posted by: So.Cal.914 Mar 11 2007, 08:27 PM
Thanks you guys that was cool.
Posted by: rick 918-S Mar 11 2007, 08:44 PM
Family emergency. Just got home! had to miss it! 
Posted by: mikez Mar 11 2007, 08:48 PM
I gots to ask my wax question...then I had to go to dinner for a B-Ball banquet for the kids.....
Posted by: Ralph M. Mar 11 2007, 09:35 PM
waxonwaxoff
Attached image(s)
Posted by: Ralph M. Mar 11 2007, 09:36 PM
#1 daytona
Attached image(s)
Posted by: Ralph M. Mar 11 2007, 09:37 PM
livin it
Attached image(s)
Posted by: Ralph M. Mar 11 2007, 09:39 PM
go
Attached image(s)
Posted by: sixnotfour Mar 11 2007, 09:42 PM
Thanks Ralph
Thanks to my support group of Chris Williams and Rich Dauenhauer
Posted by: sixnotfour Mar 11 2007, 09:43 PM
Thanks Ralph , for sharing your photo's and newspaper clippings and factory comunications.......
Fun Stuff
Attached image(s)
Posted by: So.Cal.914 Mar 11 2007, 09:44 PM
Thanks again Ralph...
Posted by: effutuo101 Mar 11 2007, 10:18 PM
I hope everything is ok with the Family Rick.
Thanks again to Ralph for letting us see and hear about the history of our cars.
Posted by: KELTY360 Mar 11 2007, 10:29 PM
Man, that was off the charts! Loved the story about the F-car losing his bodywork. He lapped Peter Gregg 3 times in 8 hours? Gregg was driving a 911, right?
My favorite quote was, "I could pull a 427 cobra". Wouldn't you love to see that video?
Thanks to all who put this together...it was landmark stuff. Wonder if there's any chance of puget sound teeners getting a tour of his shop?
Posted by: effutuo101 Mar 11 2007, 10:32 PM
Interesting links:
http://www.classicscars.com/wspr/results/wscc/ms1970.html
http://www.classicscars.com/wspr/results/imsa/imsa1971.html
http://www.meaneyracing.com/
http://www.racingsportscars.com/photo/Sebring-1971-03-20-photo.html
http://www.stazak.com/914/gt/index.html
Posted by: effutuo101 Mar 11 2007, 10:39 PM
I couldn't type fast enough to catch the emotion or passion in his voice. It was really amazing to hear the story. Trully a "no shit and there I was" moment. Can you imagine driving along at 160 + mph haveing a F-car pass you slowly on the outside, then cut down in front of you and having the body work come off the car?
Holy crap! I need that picture. there has got to be one out there somewhere. I like the picture of the 916 with the guy standing in the back ground. look closely and tell me what he is doing standing there with his legs apart... 
Posted by: rick 918-S Mar 11 2007, 10:54 PM
I hope everything is ok with the Family Rick.
Thanks again to Ralph for letting us see and hear about the history of our cars.
Nothing like it sounds. My youngest son (the 12th grade musician
) needed his van serviced. He's only here on weekends. He had to leave early this morning to go back to the Metro where he attends school during the week. He is in a new traveling band headquartered near his school and they had a photo shoot planned today for a CD cover and band practice. So we gave him our car to drive to the Metro. After the weekend repair shop finished we had to deliver his van 180 miles away. He has a gig in Chicago next weekend so we needed to trade vehicles today. So the short story is he made it to band practice, the van got badly needed service, the exchange was made. He's ready to haul band equipment to Chacago next weekend and I got to miss the chat... Somehow that seems one sided.... Parenting can be taxing!
Posted by: sixnotfour Mar 11 2007, 10:58 PM
Glad all is good Rick
is this the exploding ferrari daytona 71
Attached image(s)
Posted by: So.Cal.914 Mar 12 2007, 12:34 AM
With all the 100 mph tape on it, it sure could be.
Posted by: Gustl Mar 12 2007, 01:46 AM
livin it
due to the time gap I wasn't able to join the chat
does anybody have some info on this car?
VIN?
history?
where is it now?
Gustl
Posted by: Dave_Darling Mar 12 2007, 06:24 AM
Any chance of a transcript getting posted? I showed up late and had to bail early...
--DD
Posted by: Aaron Cox Mar 12 2007, 08:32 AM
Any chance of a transcript getting posted? I showed up late and had to bail early...
--DD
yep! we are working on it. 42 pages of 'log's need to be cleaned up.
Posted by: Dave_Darling Mar 12 2007, 09:11 AM
Schweet!! Thanks!
--DD
Posted by: Eric_Shea Mar 12 2007, 10:00 AM
If anyone has't backtracked in this thread to see Ralph's pictures... do so. They are priceless.
Thanks again Ralph, last night was great.
Posted by: Bleyseng Mar 12 2007, 11:43 AM
livin it
due to the time gap I wasn't able to join the chat
does anybody have some info on this car?
VIN?
history?
where is it now?
GustlI think he said it was a 914/4 he converted to a 6GT.
Posted by: ejm Mar 12 2007, 12:11 PM
If anyone has't backtracked in this thread to see Ralph's pictures... do so. They are priceless.
No doubt the best first posts anyone has made here Posted by: effutuo101 Mar 12 2007, 02:17 PM
Aaron, thank you. like I said, typing when so many quesitons coming in was difficult. you will have to put together answers with the questions. If you need any help call me at 425.328.5788 and I should be able to fill in most of the gaps.
Chris
Posted by: Rleog Mar 12 2007, 05:04 PM
Thanks for a great time, Ralph. It's refreshing to review how competitive the 914 was. Hearing your comments about being six seconds a lap faster than the Cobras, and of having the Penske 512 come apart at 150+ in front of you....whew!
It makes all of us proud to have such a heritage in the 914.
Earlier in this thread is a shot from the Daytona infield. Likely it's Donohue in the 512, two cars behind you. I prefer to think you went around him in the infield!!!
Thanks a bunch.
Posted by: Eric_Shea Mar 12 2007, 08:08 PM
OK... was I the only one "floored" to find out a SWB 911 won GT2 (by 2 hours) in 1970??? 
I see the pics now... there's the t-bar hole. Wow.
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