As you all may know- Deaf Volks Club has been heavily involved with The Shasta Snow Trip, an annual off road expedition rallying through the Mendocino backwoods up to the Mount Shasta base. To learn more about this trip, please check out Shasta Snow Trip website.
But wait, there's more... here's the exciting part! Shasta Snow Trip which will be happening NEXT WEEK, starting on 30th of January and ending on 3rd of February.
Do you recall the flags we just posted earlier? One belongs to Catalonia and other one belongs to Finland. Whats so special about the countries? They host one of hard core Deaf Volks members we have- and we are proud to welcome them onboard this exciting expedition, our posse of six split window VW buses officially named Deaf Volks International Rally Team
Representing Finland for Team Deaf Volks is our one and only
Jonas Torboli!
Jonas fell in love with VW's when he was in United States studying at Gallaudet University in Washington DC. He spotted a Ruby Red VW Bug while cycling on his regular route to the university and one day his bicycle was stolen. Jonas decided to check the guy if he was willing to sell the bug, and the owner agreed. Jonas travelled all over America in this Ruby Red VW bug, as far to California and back. This went on for five years until he fell in love with a Finnish woman, sadly he had to sell the bug and packed his bags for Finland.
Once arriving in Finland, his love affair with VW's wasn't over- he became one of most active Deaf Volks member in Finland among few others. His first VW there was a 1970 Pritschenwagen, since then he has collected and sold various types of VW's including Syncros, T1 T2 buses along with some bugs and currently working on a nice original Anthracite Grey Ghia.
Representing Catalonia for Team Deaf Volks is our one and only Germinal Freixanet Alier, also known as Germi Volks in the VW community. As you may know, Catalonia is still fighting for its independence from Spain.
He was born and raised in Barcelona where he grew up in love with Mini Coopers until he bought a 1974 Morris Mini Cooper when he was 17 years old. Germi went to many Mini Cooper meetings and fell in love the vintage automobile scene. He originally started with collecting and building 1/24 model cars and grew to owning a Mini Cooper before biting the "bug." Germi decided to hunt for a bus, and it took him two years to find his Dove Blue Double Cab which he slammed on Porsche Fuchs and added accessories. Check this BLING out!
Germi is heavily involved with the VW scene in Catalonia and can be seen having fun in his Double Cab. Recently, Jonas went to visit Germi to join him at one of biggest VW events in Andorra, which is nestled in Pyrenees mountains bordered by Spain and France. They had a blast, and this is where they hatched a plan by Jonas, to come to California for the Shasta Snow Trip. Then.... there was Green Light!
After they already booked the tickets and anticipating the grueling challenges of this extreme backwoods adventure in a split window bus... hey, but what bus? Through Deaf Volks connections in California, we were fortunate to have Robert Skinner from Skinner Classics in Vacaville to loan a 1957 Dove Blue Kombi from his personal collection. We are grateful for his willingness to provide us the opportunity, this is where dreams happen but actually this is where the fun begins!!!
The 1957 Dove Blue Kombi, Deaf Volks International Rally Team vehicle #6
In the next blog, we will highlight some of activities to date such as preparations and wrench-fests. Also we will feature the rest of Deaf Volks International Rally Team vehicles. This year there are approximately 30- 35 buses attending and we are proud to be the largest contingent with 6 buses representing Team Deaf Volks!
We want to send deep appreciation to the VW community that has embraced Deaf Volks Club, and welcomed us as part of the family by offering support in any way they could... They include Kombi Haus, Nor Cal Relics, Old Volks Club and Skinner Classics to name a few.
SHASTA SNOW TRIP IS COMING UP!!!!!!
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I'm excited to have International Deaf Volks Rally Team come to Northern California from around the globe for the 13th annual Mt. Shasta Snow Trip! This year should be about the sixth or seventh year Deaf Volks has added it's enthusiasm, support and color to the SST. I want you all to know how appreciative I am of your years of support and dedication to this exciting adventure. Pack the gear and be ready for anything, I'll be watching from Kandahar.
ReplyDeleteBrian Piercy
Brian, thanks for the kind words. We have to thank YOU for coming up with this concept and inspiring many of us to challenge, push the limits of ourselves and the bus. You will be missed this year, most definitely!
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