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Northern California CHP Academy Tour, Brunch, and Cruise
March 16, 2002

Contributed by Phil & Jane Horvath

11 Prowlers with their drivers, spouses, friends, or arriving alone were treated to an amazing driving exhibition as the music from Top Gun was playing in the background. The precision was that of the Blue Angles in cars. From high speed driving touching bumper to bumper in two groups of 3 side by side, 165 MPH capable Camaro's performing 360's at 70+ MPH and completing them just before a tight left corner, to the Camaro's passing each other at 100+ MPH, this was a very impressive exhibition of the talent of the driving instructors from the CPH Academy. If you like the smell of rubber this was the place to be as the 6 vehicles went drifting around the 2 ½ mile course, 4 Crown Vic's and 2 Camaro's. These instructors came, some with their family and friends, on their own time to put this exhibition on for us. A special thanks goes to Manny and Alice Padilla for arranging this special day, the driving instructors, and Warren who runs the CHP Academy. Next time you consider trying to outrun the CHP, one of these or a past instructor might be behind the wheel as they rotate every 4 years, your odds are not very good. Manny and Alice thank you again for arranging this day, the goodie bags, and the Prowler Artwork in front of the CHP Academy sign.

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1   Gary Myers and Jane Horvath in front of the CHP Academy Sign	2   Wendell Chute and Shirley Roth drove through 2" of falling Snow to attend, you can see what is left of the snow	3   Inside the campus the CHP Memorial of all the fallen officers since the organization began in 1929. The cadets polish the nameplates every Wednesday as a reminder this is not where they want their names to appear	4   Our cars lined up in front of the viewing stands by the 2 ½ mile high speed course	5   With the Camaro's leading the cars following are touching bumpers at 65+ MPH	6   The smoke in the background is what all the cars were doing at all the corners - drifting
7   The Crown Vic's 70+ MPH bumper to bumper	8   At the other end of this split the cars will swap position	9   This is the other end and I still can't figure out how cars 1 and 2 got to be following	10   The car is just starting a 360	11   Another car halfway around doing his 360	12   What you can't see is a Camaro heading the opposite direction at 100+ MPH
13   A Camaro drifting one last time before ending his run lining up with his team to head as a group to the reviewing stand	14   Here the cars are getting ready to head to the reviewing stand	15   Group picture of us with the Driving Instructors and Academy Chief	16   Roy Olcott and Bob Page checking out one of the Crown Vic's	17   Here we are with a pursuit Camaro	18   Linda Johnson with our Host Warren from the CHP Academy
19   Shirley Phillips thinking this might be the way to travel	20   Here is the staff that came in on their day off to entertain us - thanks again	21   1922 Hupmobile	22   1930 Ford Model "A"	23   1934 Harley Davidson	24   Uniform of the past for the state police they were incorporated in the CHP in 1995
25   Some restraints from the past	26   Memorabilia from the CHiP's TV Show	27   The group at Woody's alongside the Sacramento River	28   Here we are ready to leave - where did that 500 SL come from