Club History
Even though the chapter will be celebrating its third anniversary come March 2008, a lot has gone on in the few years that we have been recognized as a chapter of the National SDAC.
Summer, 2004: Talks begin on turbododge.com pertaining to gathering enthusiasts from the greater Pittsburgh region to discuss a club. Efforts fall short due to lack of turn outs.
October, 2004: Despite the unsuccessful meets planned in previous months, individuals continue to pursue the idea of a formal car club representing Shelby Dodge enthusiasts from the area by scheduling a formal meet-up on October 31, 2004 at Pittsburgh Raceway Park for a Halloween themed night of Test 'n Tune drag racing. Again, expectations are not met as rain cancels the drag racing. About a dozen enthusiasts follow through with the plans to meet and socializing takes place at a King's Restaurant near Delmont, PA. Looking back, the core group of the SWPA-SDAC was formed here.
Winter, 2004-2005: Talks about a club continue amongst those who met on October 31 as they plan on holding another meet-up at the beginning of the year to seek out whether or not more interested individuals can be drawn to the cause. It is decided that the World of Wheels event, being held at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh, is the best candidate for the meet. Plans are underway to organize the meet, gather as many individuals as possible who would be interested to attend, and finally, consider what material would be best to cover at the meet and discuss with those who attend. The proposition to SDAC National headquarters of the possibility of a chapter being established to represent the Pittsburgh region is made and approved for further review after attendance numbers are totaled.
February, 2005: Nearly two dozen individuals meet on the blistering cold day that the World of Wheels event is held. Most of those in attendance also attended the meeting on October 31, 2004, but a few new faces do surface - the beginning to a steady flow of enthusiasts from the area expressing their interest in an SDAC chapter being recognized in Pittsburgh. Those in attendance enjoyed the sights and sounds of a number of hooked up rides (no TM's unfortunately), and the socializing that took place. Socialization continues at Hooter's Restaurant in Station Square. The foundation of the SWPA-SDAC is constructed. The purpose of the meeting, to gather those who wwould be interested in represention of a Pittsburgh area SDAC chapter are willing to make the extra effort to do whatever it takes. All of those individuals who attended the meet are motivated to take on the challenge. Contact is made with Barry Goodall to further update him on events taking place, and the '10-4' is given to continue taking strides towards the accumulation of enough individuals on a routine basis - the guideline most needed to be filled, since other cities across the nation had strived for a chapter, but fell short due to the letdown of member support and attendance.
March 19, 2005: Due to the high success rate of the previous month's meet, we decide to schedule another meet a month later in hopes that momentum would carry over and another large gathering could take place - and it did! Meeting at the home of Heath Farquhar, a little more than two dozen individuals all packed into his living room as we talked doing whatever possible in order to make Pittsburgh home to an SDAC chapter. Individuals come prepared with a prototype logo made to serve as an identifying symbol of our efforts and hopes (which is the logo that represents us to this day). The atmosphere changes from preliminary discussions compared to the previous month, to that of an actual car club, as most individuals are acquainted with each other and ALL are up to speed on the cause of why they are there, which is evidently displayed through the contributions, suggestions, and feedback they all brought into the meeting. Reports are sent to Barry Goodall stating that attendance rate was maintained and the group of individuals are charging full steam ahead to achieve the goal of being recognized as an official SDAC chapter.
April, 2005: History within the Shelby Dodge community was made on April 18, 2005, as the SWPA-SDAC: 'The Steel City' chapter became officially established and recognized as the newest representation of Shelby Dodge enthusiasts in and around the Pittsburgh region. Since the chapter would cover areas of Pennsylvania North and South of Pittsburgh, it is decided that, in fairness to all of those who joined efforts for the establishment of a formal SDAC chapter, meetings take place North and South of Pittsburgh every other time. This was an interesting development, as it displayed how whether or not a meeting was held North or South of Pittsburgh, it drew the same, steady, average attendance we had seen over the last two months. This meet sealed the deal, so to speak, as everyone's efforts helped achieve a goal that seemed dismal at the start.
June, 2005: New SWPA-SDAC members Billy Lofink, Patrick Lofink, Brandon Hill, Rob Auther, and future member Bill Gallagher, make their way out to Ohio for SDAC-15 to represent the Steel City Chapter at its first eligible national convention.
July, 2005: Members of the SWPA-SDAC make their first apperance at Chryslers at Carlisle as a chapter. Their monthly meeting is held at the SDAC National tent while enthusiasts from a number of different affiliations venture over to listen in on the newest chapter on the block.
December 2005: Upon its creation, www.turbo-mopar.com becomes the new, official web forum of the SWPA-SDAC and National SDAC, where members can gather to discuss interests, events, and SDAC related stories.
September, 2006: The Steel City Chapter members team up with The Buckeye Chapter and its members to hold their first annual Brady's Run Cookout on September 23, 2006. The event goes over so well, even despite a dreary and rainy day which scared away a handful of RSVPer's that the event is booked again for the following year!
January, 2007: The Steel City Chapter, having not even been two full years in existence, is chosen as the host to SDAC-17! This opportunity was looked at as a great honor and a task members were ready to commit to. The planning team of Billy & Patrick Lofink, Heath Farquhar, Bill Gallagher, Tim Kisielnicki, and Rick Mihalanic begins to assemble ideas for the event.
June 23-26, 2007: SDAC-17 is held in New Stanton, PA. Festivities go very well and overall appeal is that the convention was one of the best ever! The Steel City Chapter and its' members are the recipients of the Larry Cox Memorial Award for their planning, coordinating, and execution of the event. Six members of the SWPA-SDAC place in the car show, with Rick Mihalinac taking Best of Show!
October, 2007: The SWPA-SDAC crew is finally able to participate in the Ghouls, Goblins, and Gearheads event at PRP! The weather was frigid, and the track was reduced to 1/8th mile, but the persistence finally paid off! It was a great night of racing that was well worth the three year wait. Third time is a charm!
January, 2008: A feature on Turbo-Mopar is created that allows for officers of the SDAC chapters to create a group for their respective chapter. The SWPA-SDAC social group is created and all current members are invited to join. This feature allows members to have the chapter they belong to listed in their profiles, and also creates an opportunity for club-specific matters to be discussed.
June, 2008: Nearly a dozen members of the Steel City Chapter travel to Detroit, MI to participate in SDAC-18. Three members walk away with awards. Dan Franzetta took first place in the 4-door L-body class and Jay Jordan matching the first place glory in the Rampage class. Billy Lofink received second place in the 2-door L-body class.
July, 2008: The Steel City Chapter holds their annual meeting at Carlisle's Chrysler Nationals. Awesome attendance on the part of our members. Taking awards back to Pittsburgh were Chris Ellis (Second Place in FWD 1974-1989) and Dan Franzetta (Second Place in Young Gunz judged competition). Congratulations! Uncle Denny and the SV-TD SDAC Chapter hold their annual Carlisle Bash which turned out to be a huge success.
