Meet - Darren5.0L MC Admin

[Darren5.0L]

As many of you may not know me, I feel as an Admin here at MC, it is my duty to share my “Mustang Biography”

Darren5.0L at SVTOA Track Day 2005


Darren (5.0L) Lynch’s affair with the Ford Mustang began in 2001.
A maroon, seven-hundred-dollar ‘84 2.3L Mustang coupe was the icebreaker. It was a valuable lesson in “you-get-what-you-pay-for” but it also developed mechanical skills with it’s frequent breakdowns and often undeserved repairs. Two short years with the ’84 coupe seen a full brake job, tires, shocks, an engine replacement, a clutch, wiring issues, a transmission and 25,000km’s of rain, snow and shine.

After accepting a posting to Wainwright, Alberta in winter of 2003, the search for a proper V8 Mustang began. With only the criteria of; ’64-73 & 79-95 V8 with a 5 speed. The hunt came to close when an August over the phone tirekicking session suddenly panned out. At 9pm on a Sunday evening no less…

An eager sales rep from West Side Mitsubishi in Edmonton offered to deliver the 1995 Mustang GTS, (suspected a typo on the “S” designation) to Wainwright for a test drive.
Assured that this was a no-strings attached offer, the car arrived on schedule that Saturday.
After a seemingly blistering run to 180 km/h (bone stock with 2.73:1 gears) the papers were signed and the sales rep, hopped a bus back to Edmonton.

That September, the car and owner were permanently posted to 1 PPCLI in Edmonton Alberta. The car enjoyed it’s stock trim for some time, until summer of ’04 seen a Cervini’s Stalker hood, a set of Flowmaster mufflers and a Superchip. Nothing spectacular, but a start. Membership with the Wolfpack Car Club in Edmonton, allowed many automotive social opportunities, and to see what the new city had to offer.

In February of ’05, a membership application to the Special Vehicle Team Owners Association (SVTOA) was approved and a whole new facet of Ford enthusiasts were found. The next year seen trips to the ¼ mile, lapping at Stratotech raceway park, plenty more modifications, employment as the club Videographer, and later a forum Moderator.

A Combat Tour to Afghanistan put the Mustang into storage for almost the entire driving season of 2006, with less than 5,000km’s clocked. A mid-tour leave period found the Green GTS hooliganizing Spruce Meadows, Miette Hotsprings, and another SVTOA Track Day at Stratotech.

During the summer months of the Afghan tour a “casting call” from Shakes at Mustang Canada granted the opportunity to get in on the ground floor of a new exciting Mustang Club. The site had it’s first overseas moderator, for 30 minutes a day at best.

Returning to Canada in the Fall of 06 allowed for one more good cruise to Radium BC with the SVTOA. Money saved during the tour, neatly found it’s way to Kenne Bell superchargers in California, and a build plan was born.

A full year and a half of stockpiling parts, while being active in the Mustang community were crowned with a staffing role in the SVTOA’s 5th annual Track Day, and a first appearance at Street Machine Weekend in Lethbridge AB.

In the Fall of 2007 the ’84 coupe found it’s last home, rusting quietly in the woods of Upper Clements, Nova Scotia.

I currently reside in Bon Accord, Alberta with my wife Stephanie and enjoy sharing and expanding my Mustang knowledge, learned both firsthand and from those more experienced. There is always something going on, feel free to give me a shout.

As an MC Admin, it is my responsibility to do my best in ensuring all members have an enjoyable experience here, and if there are any concerns, my “virtual” door is always open.

[smellslikewetdog]

Now THATS an introduction!Great job Darren.Im also proud of all our military for doing an important job overseas as well.You can certainly hold your head up high.I can also say your brief Mustang history was a nice touch too.When you and your wife are ever in this neck of the woods ,let me know,I owe you a beer or two. Patrick

[Arbour88]

Nice introduction Darren!

Glad you made it back from your tour intact.

You military boys and girls are awesome and don't get the credit you deserve!

Let me apologize now for the following:

My golfing buddies 25 year old son Mark just came back from his 2nd tour, unfortunately was not so lucky and was the victim of an IED attack on his tank. He was the driver and the IED went off beneath his feet. Sadly the damage sustained from the shockwave could not be repaired and he had to have both legs amputated below the knees. He is now back in Calgary with his wife and 18 month old daughter. The other 2 occupants of the tank escaped unscathed.

It's unfortunate that the press focuses their effort on fatalities, because seldom do we hear about the life altering injuries that affect our military personel and their families such as Mark's.

Again, sorry for highjacking this thread, but I think we as Canadians need to know that you boys and girls are putting a lot more of yourselves at risk than we are led to believe.

Back to the topic.

Your car story is perfect.

Keep on moderating.

John

[Darren5.0L]

Thank you for the supportive comments, I know exactly what you guys mean about about media coverage.

Some of the guys from Gibson's might recognise a name Robert Costall, him and I were shoulder to shoulder when he was killed in a firefight, I was shot in the leg and two others injured as well. But that and my other experiences not suited for online discussion, catch me in person some day and I'd tell you everything you'd ever care not to know about that place.

/ End Hijack

Thanks again guys it is appreciated.

[GT4MT]

+1 ......nice job all around Darren. I've always said there are great enthusiasts here....this is yet another reason WHY I say that so much.

[BLOWNFOX]

Nice introduction. Where is Bon Accord? I'm thinking it a little north of Edmonton, but i'm not sure.lol

[Darren5.0L]

BA is 22 km's North of Edmonton, on Hwy 28, makes a nice morning commute.

[RD2008]

Nice to meet you Darren. Our military from what I have seen is the highest trained force in the world. Keep up the good work and thank you.

[shakes]

And that is exactly why Darren is admin on the site... his passion for stangs and the all around effort and thought he puts into each post and thread.

Big thanks from me bud.
Sean