Another Year For Dan "The Man" Cox. 40 is the magic number for March!

If it's March, you must be turning 40! A bunch of the "40 something" crowd came to celebrate Dan Cox turning 40, and they did so in full party mode! About 70 or 80 of Dan's friends and family came to AREA 51 to make sure that Dan wouldn't forget this birthday, and I think they succeeded. Victor and "Tacos La Paloma" put on a Mexican fiesta, the music was rockin', and it was a full throttle party all night. Before cutting the cake, Dan addressed the many who came to support him with a very moving, but humorous, speech. Then it was back to the floor for more great music and dancing. Happy Birthday, Dan. We hope you had as much fun as we did!


....all's quiet, but not for long



"Tacos La Paloma".....the best.

....they didn't look this innocent on the dance floor!

Dan with his wife, Lauri, and one of the many

photo ops during the night.

The dance floor rocked all night.

I don't think this is their first group picture....

Dan getting ready to address friends and family...

....great words, Dan.

And of course, Dan thanked his wife, Lauri!!!

A lot of stories behind those signatures!

Johnnie Walker turns 40! No, not the Scotch!

Our good friend, Johnnie Walker, turned forty this past March and decided he needed to throw himself a party. So AREA 51 got the call and it was "10-4, JW, let's roll code 3." John is a police officer and we always enjoy having law enforcement in the house, especially when they are friends of ours. A group of John's friends and co-workers came and supported John in a variety of ways, the best being the presentation of his very own "Johnnie's Walker." Man, with a name like that, the fun and pun's are endless! It was a great night of sharing stories about John and some of his many adventures in law enforcement and the security field. Needless to say, AREA 51 was safe that night! Erica Nocita's "Bitchin' Kitchin'" did the catering and the food was awesome. No one left hungry, that's for sure! Happy Birthday John! See you at 50?


Ready to party....

Erica prepared an awesome deli spread for all

to enjoy. The pasta salad was to die for!

....a "Hulk" to be?

Johnnie using his "walker"...We have to admit,

this thing was awesome!

Kristy and Erica...."Do you guys live here?"

Rob and Cathy enjoying a moment...

John addressing his guests...a very special time.

Mayflower Elementary School "Fun"raiser a huge success!! Over 175 attend evening of food, fun and fundraising.

You wouldn't have known that we are in the midst of "trying economic times" by the turn out for the 3rd Annual Mayflower Elementary School Fundraiser. Not only did the parents and friends of Mayflower turn out in huge numbers, but the money raised exceeded last year's totals by 15%!! The committee, once again, did a fantastic job of putting together a wide variety of silent and live auction items along with some kickin' raffle prizes (including a flat screen TV), great food and of course, fabulous fellowship. More than 175 people enjoyed a wonderful evening thanks to the very hard work of the Mayflower PTA parents. Great job, guys!



Homer watching over some of the many silent
auction items waiting to be placed on tables.

The girls got quite a work out on Friday getting
ready for Saturday night.

It was a long day on Friday....but now it was

time to party!

Every good committee has to sample the food

before the guests arrive!

Check out this one-off poodle skirt and jacket

for a little 50's girl.....How cool is that!!

....last minute adjustments.

Work! Work! Work! It's a tough job but someone

has to do it!!!

AJ, Kristy and Erica made sure that all the parent's

needs were met at "The Hoister Bar" and on the

patio. Great job, kids!!

Jeanette Scott greeting guests as they arrived.

Some happy bidders taking a break at

"The Hoister Bar"

The reaction time simulator....it's all about being

on time!

Green! Left lane first....Winner!

"The Hulk" watched over things and also promoted

the school's "Fund a Need" program

....and a good time was had by all!

GNP/BG Oil Cobalt ready for 2009 season.

With all the extra curricular activities going on the past few months we were beginning to wonder if we are ever going to get back to the track. It was time to freshin' things up a bit in the Cobalt which meant new engine and trans. Unbelievably, we ran two full seasons on one motor. When GM sent the new engine to us they also included the pistons, rings, and bearings from the old engine for us to check out. They looked brand new! What a testimony to the GM tech guys and engine builders back in Michigan, but also to BG Oil and PetroSpecs. We run their products exclusively in our Cobalt and our other race cars, and that is why. Thanks BG for a great product!

Pato has all the cars ready to rock and roll with the exception of Pete's 67 turbo'd Bug. We're waiting on a few parts but it should be back together soon. We plan on testing in the next couple of weeks at Irwindale to make sure all systems are go before we hit it hard this year. We'll be posting our schedule in the next week or two; hope to see you at the track.

Just about back together...a new bullet.

Pato's custom designed oil cooler...and it works!

"I wonder where this goes?"

SURPRISE! Frank Marrone turns 50!

It was party time, Italian style, when the Marrone gang invaded AREA 51 for Frank Marrone's surprise 50th birthday Party. About 90 of Frank's closest friends and family tried to wait patiently for Frank to arrive but were pretty "amped up" by the time Frank's brother, Ben and a couple of friends, got him to AREA 51. They were about 20 minutes late, but the surprise went off without a hitch. Brother Frank was stunned as everyone descended on the birthday boy for hugs and kisses. Pepper's Mexican Restaurant catered the event and did an awesome job as usual with a fiesta package fit for a king, or a 50th birthday boy! "The Hoister Bar" was rockin' as was the entertainment for the evening, "Flirt", one of the best bands we've ever had play at AREA 51. You can visit their web site at www.flirtrock.com . It's always great having the Marrone family in the house and this time was no exception. Happy Birthday Frank!


How would you like to have this gang comin' at ya'?

The anticipation was almost too much to handle!

The Birthday Boy! "What is going on?"

Frank addressing his friends and family...and

then it was time to party!

No one went home hungry. What a spread!!

Thanks, Peppers!!

AJ workin' his magic at "The Hoister Bar."

...a picture is worth a thousand words...