Pg. 48 CSRG - Victory Lane

CSRG David Love Memorial Races
Sonoma Raceway, CA
April 10-12, 2015
– story by Brian F. Rose
48
June 2015
• Victory Lane
#22 Tom Price, 1958 Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa;
#15 Spencer Trenery, 1961 Ferrari 250 TR61.
– photo by Peter Darnall
www.victorylane.com
Victory Lane
• June 2015
49
photo by Jerry Imboden
#35 Jonathan Burke, 1973 Brabham BT40; #58 Ethan Shippert, Lotus
69 Formula Atlantic; #37 Nick Colonna, 1969 McLarean M8C; #70
Robert Baker, 1977 Ralt RT1.
CSRG’s David Love Vintage Memorial
Races bring together a diverse group of race
cars for three days of racing at the historic
Sonoma Raceway, where the twists and
turns provide many challenges for drivers,
and reward spectators with exciting racing
throughout the weekend.
The paddock bristled with energy all
weekend long as drivers prepared their cars
for the races, with everything from minor
adjustments to major rebuilds taking place.
A minor shunt could mean anything from
a minor tweak to pulling an all-nighter. In
between prepping the cars, people were taking
the time to visit fellow racers. Teamwork and
before in Automobile Quarterly, but here it
was in the metal.
Wine Country Motorsports hosted book
signing of The Road To Monaco by Formula
1 race driver Howden Ganley, who was lively
and in good humor. Ganley talked at length
about his racing experiences with people, all
of whom were thrilled to meet a Formula 1
driver. Several cars were on the track for the
Mechanics Picinic during the lunch break,
as race drivers took mechanics and crew
members out to give them a feel for both the
car and the track. One such car was the late
David Love’s 1961 Ferrari Testa Rossa, driven
by Tom Price and hosting a lucky passenger.
group 4: Michael Malone, 1966 Elva
Mk8 SR, led the race from flag to flag.
Robert Davis, 1963 Lotus 23B, moved into
second place on Lap 3 in hopes of challenging
Malone for first place, but over the next 9 laps,
Malone would continue to increase his lead.
By the end, Malone and Davis were separated
from the rest of the field by a considerable
margin. Michael Summers, 1962 Lotus 23B,
Tom Tuttle, 1961 Huffaker Genie, and Mac
McGarry, 1965 Genie Mk 10, raced for third
place, pacing one-another from From Lap 5
onward. Summer wound up finishing in third,
followed by Tuttle and then McGarry.
Group 1/2: This was the last of the
morning races and was the largest field of
the day, with 43 cars in all. Kevin Shirley,
driving a 1962 Turner 11, was the one to
watch. Starting in the fifth position, Shirley
worked his way swiftly through traffic to take
over first place on Lap 2. From then on, it was
Shirley’s race, building a considerable lead by
the end in his victory. Dennis Racine, 1966
Mini Cooper S, and William Carson’s 1967
MG Midget contended for second. Racine
cameraderie prevailed throughout the day. If
a one didn’t have crescent wrench or rubber
mallet, a fellow racer was sure to loan one.
A variety of race cars were on hand in
the paddock to hold one’s attention. Some
people spent the day admiring the
open wheel cars, while others were
fond of the British sports cars from
the 1950s. Car owners were happy
to chat with spectators and answer
whatever questions they had. More
than one child was given a chance
to sit in their favorite car.
It’s fun the paddocks. You never
know what sort of interesting cars
photo by Jerry Imboden
you will see. Two
cars, in particular, #27 Chris Locke, Lotus 27.
caught my eye. I
turned a corner and there moved into second on Lap 4 and held it from
was Ned Spieker’s red there, with Carson close behind. Alec Hugo’s
1961 Ferrari 250 GT SWB, 1962 Porsche 356 B finished in fourth, while
glistening in the morning Mark Colbert’s Alfa Romeo GTA came in
sun, with the hood off for fifth. A yellow flag midway through the race
all to admire the engine. shortened the race to nine laps.
Group 5: In the first of the afternoon
Another favorite was a
rare, red and white, 1955 races, Chris Locke’s 1963 Lotus 27 Formula
Boano-bodied Abarth 207 Jr. and Danny Baker’s Lotus 27 Formula Jr.
A. I did a double take challenged each other for the lead. Locke lead
photo by Jerry Imboden
when I saw it. I had seen for the first two laps, and then it was Baker in
#88 Thomas Claridge, 1953 Kurtis 500-S 22.
the images of the car Laps 3 and 4. Baker’s time of 1:49.868 in Lap
50
June 2015
• Victory Lane
2 was the fastest of the race. But luck was not
on Baker’s side. He was building a large lead
when mechanical problems forced him out of
the race on Lap 5. Locke reclaimed first and
then built a large lead over the rest of field
by race’s end. Marty Benck, 1962 Lotus 22,
ran solidly, moved into second place on Lap
6 and finished there. He was followed close
behind by Don Pepperdene’s 1970 Leach in
third, the two of them having pulled away
from the rest of field. Vern Neff’s 1960 Lotus
18 Formula Jr. finished in fourth, followed by
Jay McEnroe’s1967 Beach Mk 5C.
GROUP 3: Group 3 was a race full of
suprises. Fred Della Noce’s drove a fast race.
His Ginetta G12 started from the back of the
grid, but he was up to the third spot by Lap 2.
On Lap 7, Della Noce moved into the second
position when Paul Quackenbush’s 1963
Lotus S-7 dropped out. To see Quackenbush
running in second, only to drop out, was a
photo by Peter Darnall
#19 Nick Colonna, 1963 Jaguar Low Drag Coupe; #8 Jeffrey O’Neill,
1960 Maserati Tipo 61 Birdcage
Tom Price drove David Love’s 1958 Ferrari wound up finished in fourth place, while
250 Testa Rossa to a 15th-place finish.
Allen Nicholas, 1978 March 78B, started in the
GROUP 6: Steve Torp, 1966 Brabham seventh spot and wound up finishing fifth.
BT 21C, took the lead on the opening lap
GROUP 8: John Goodman’s 1987 Pontiac
and would go on to win the race, but his Fiero was in charge of this race from the
victory was by no means assured. beginning, Holding onto the lead from
Polesitter Paul Richins, 1967 flag to flag. Matt Parent’s1988 Oldsmobile
Brabham BT21C, regained the Cutlass NASCAR tried to stayed close behind
lead from Torp on Lap 3, but Torp Goodman for most of the race, Goodman open
stayed behind and then passed the gap between himself and Parent on Lap
Richins, moving back in to first 10 and then ran away from the field in the
place, on Lap 7. Richin wound up last two laps. Parent, meanwhile, built a large
finishing a close second, and was lead over the 3rd-place finisher Jon Norman,
always looking for the chance to Alfa Romeo GTV, by the time the race was
get the lead back until the end. over. Norman held that third spot from Lap 2
The two of them had opened a onwards. Chris Kattchee, Alfa Romeo Giulia
large lead over the rest of the field TI, finshed in fourth, while Gary Cook’s
by the time the race was over. Datsun 240Z came in fifth.
photo by Jerry Imboden
Martin Lauber, 1971 Titan Mk
The Group 8 race closed the event, and
#101 Fred Cziska, 1972 Shadow Mk III;
6A, Jim Catchet, 1968 Chevron conclued another successful race weekend.
#34 Dean Meiling, Chevron B-19.
B10, and Adom Moutafion’s CSRG did an amazing job of bringing rare and
1967 Merlyn Mk 11A competed historic cars to the event. My trip up to Sonoma
surprise to everyone. Now gunning for the for third place, keeping close together and Raceway had been easy that morning – with
top spot, Della Noce made his move on the distancing themselves from the others. Lauber no traffic on 19th Avenue in San Francisco,
Lap 10, overtaking Marc Nichols’1964 Lotus finished in third, followed by Catchet in fourth it took me an unheard-of 15 minutes to get
7 and then building a large lead over the rest place and Moutafion in fifth.
through the city – but I was not so lucky going
of the field from there for a well-deserved
GROUP 7: Ethan Shippert’s Lotus 69 set the back. It did, however, give me plenty of time
victory. Nichols finished in second place. pace for the first half of the race. He established to think about the races and the cars on my way
Matt Parent’s 1969 Corvette started in 13th, a large lead in the first few laps of the race, home. I wondered when I would get to see that
moved up to sixth on Lap 2, passed two cars but the lead was not to last. Danny Baker, Abarth again.
on Lap 5 lap to take over fourth, then moved 1979 Ralt RT1, starting in
into third on Lap 8, which he held from there. the eighth spot but moved
Robert Davis’1965 Lotus 7 finished fourth. swiftly through traffic,
Followed by Michael Reischl’s 1967 Porsche overtaking 1976 Dalmo
911s in fifth.
de Vasconcelos’ Ralt RT1
GROUP 9: Greg Meyer, 1962 Dailu Mk2, to move into second place
lead the race from flag to flag. Edward Nigro’s on Lap 4. Baker held off de
1960 Lola Mk 1 stayed close to Meyer for Vasconcelos’ bid to retake
the first few laps, but Meyer pulled away second while the two of
the field on Lap 4, and during Lap 5 Meyer them began steadly closing
was working his way through traffic, passing the gap on Shippert. On
several drivers. Nigro ran a steady race Lap 9, Baker finally caught
and finished second, while Thor Johnson’s Shippert and overtook him
1959 Lotus 17 finished third ahead of Nick for first place, holding onto
Colonna’s 1963 Jaguar Low Drag Coupe. the lead until the end, with
Jeffery O’Neill’s 1960 Maserati Tipo 61 Shippert finishing close
photo by Jerry Imboden
Birdcage came in fifth. Of special note were a behind in second and de
couple of Ferraris – Spencer Trenery 1962 250 Vasconcelos third. Robert #41 Greg Meyer, 1962 Dailu Mk 2; #2 Edward
TR61 Rep/Rosso Corsa finished in 11th. while Baker, 1977 Ralt RT1, Nigro, 1960 Lola Mk 1.
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Victory Lane
• June 2015
51
photo by Jerry Imboden
#80 Malcolm Cox, 1960 MGA; #32 Gordon England, 1965 Sunbeam Tiger; #61
Larry Savio, 1965 Corvette.
group 4
PL DRIVER/CAR
1 M. Malone/Elva Mk 8 SR 1:51.100
2 R. Davis/Lotus 23B
3 M. Summers/Lotus 23B
4 T. Tuttle/Genie Huffaker
5 M. McGarry/Genie Mk 10
6 N. Spieker/Lotus 23B
7 M. Callaham/Lotus 23B
8 L. Osborn/Genie Mk 5
photo by Brian F. Rose
#491 Alec Hugo,
Porsche 356B.
group 1/2
PL GRP DRIVER/CAR
1 2 K. Shirley/1962 Turner 1:59.269
2 2 D. Racine/Mini Cooper S
3 2 W. Carson/MG Midget
1 1 A. Hugo/Porsche 356B 2:01.015
4 2 M. Colbert/Alfa Romeo GTA
5 2 K. Pieri/Elva Courier
6 2 D. Racine/1960 Mini Cooper
7 2 J. Hill/Alfa Romeo Giulia Sprint V
2 1 D. Cox/MGA
8 2 B. Greenman/MG Midget
9 2 C. Turvey/63 Elva Courier Mk 3
10 2 E. Lauber/Alfa Romeo Giulia Super
3 1 P. Hung/Alfa Romeo GT 1300 Junior
11 2 D. Buchanan/Alfa Romeo Spider
12 2 E. Hugo/Porsche 356B
13 2 R. Carlile/TVR Vixen S2
14 2 M. Zubko/Porsche 356
4 1 G. Oliveria/Alfa Giulietta Sprint
5 1 D. Hogye/Triumph TR3A
15 2 P. Perry/Saab Sonett
16 2 R. Miller/Alfa Romeo Sprint GT
17 2 D. Farmer/Alfa Romeo Giulio Super
18 2 J. Rossi/Porsche 356C
19 2 P. Trenholme/Porsche 356 C
6 1 T. D’Amore/Alfa Giulietta Spider
7 1 S. Chamberlin/Alfa Giulia Sprint
20 2 H. Mishal/Austin Mini Cooper S
21 2 D. Pelton/Elva Courier Mk l
22 2 R. Lindell/Alfa Sprint Speciale
23 2 K. Krause/Turner Mk III
8 1 B. Albright/Alfa Romeo Sprint
24 2 J. Perkins/Alfa Romeo GTA
25 2 A. Watry/Alfa Romeo Giulia Super
9 1 P. Frame/Porsche 356A Coupe
10 1 D. Adair/59 Lotus Elite
26 2 M. Hugo/Porsche 356C
27 2 S. Brown/MGB GT
28 2 N. Martin/Mini Cooper S
29 2 M. Green/MGB GT
30 2 C. Torp/2 Porsche 356 B
31 2 N. Price/Alfa Romeo GTA 1600
11 1 B. Roth/Genie Mk IV SR
12 1 D. Nelson/Triumph TR2
group 5
PL DRIVER/CAR
1 C. Locke/Lotus 27 FJr 1:52.878
2 M. Benck/Lotus 22
3 D. Pepperdene/Leech Mk 1
4 V. Neff/Lotus 18 FJr.
5 J. McEnroe/Beach Mk 5C FV
6 B. Young/Beach Mk 2 FV
7 R. Taylor/Auto Dynamics Mk IV FV
8 R. Stoker/62 Lotus 22 FJr.
9 D. Baker/Lotus 27 FJr.
10 M. Sange/BMC Huffaker FJr.
group 3
PL DRIVER/CAR
1 F. Della Noce/Ginetta G12 1:51.300
2 M. Nichols/Lotus 7
J.R. and Eileen Mitchell’s
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www.gmtracing.com
(203) 270-8441 • 16 Commerce Rd Newton, CT 06470
52
June 2015
• Victory Lane
3 M. Parent/Corvette
4 R. Davis/Lotus Super 7
5 M. Reischl/Porsche 911S
6 P. Costin/Porsche 911
7 L. Savio/Corvette
photo by Jerry Imboden
#11 Greg Vroman,
1969 Brabham BT29.
8 E. Matsuishi/65 Porsche 911
9 R. Orme/Corvette
10 M. Cox/MGA
11 K. Adair/59 Austin Healey 3000S
12 G. Black/Austin Healey 3000
13 P. Quackenbush/Lotus S-7
14 R. Webster/Corvette
group 9
PL DRIVER/CAR
1 G. Meyer/Dailu Mk 2 Roadster
1:56.145
2 E. Nigro/Lola Mark 1
3 T. Johnson/Lotus 17
4 N. Colonna/Jaguar Low Drag Coupe
5 J. O’Neill/Maserati Birdcage
6 T. Claridge/Kurtis 500S-22
7 D. Olson/50 Jaguar JK120
8 B. Miller/58 Lotus 11
9 J. Hurabiell/Lotus 11
10 N. Spieker/Maserati 200 SI
11 S. Trenery/Ferrari 250 TR61 Rep
12 R. Hill/56 Lotus 11 Club
13 P. Adams/Elva Mk 6
14 T. Price/Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa
15 J. Alder/Jaguar XK 120 OTS
16 R. Uzes/Corvette
17 L. Mapstead/Jaguar XK120
18 T. Barnes/Jaguar XK 120
19 T. Thinesen/Elva Mk 6
20 S. Kupferman/V.A.Y. Special
21 R. Davis/Abarth 207A
group 6
PL DRIVER/CAR
1 S. Torp/Brabham BT 18 1:44.517
2 P. Richins/Brabham BT 21C (FB)
3 M. Lauber/71 Titan Mk 6A
4 J. Catchet/68 Chevron B10
5 A. Moutafian/Merlyn Mk 11A
6 E. Sidebotham/Winkelman WDF1
7 L. de Bretteville/Palliser-Winkelmann
WDB2
8 D. Meiling/Brabham BT21-A
9 M. Roth/Winkleman WF1
10 R. Forbes/Brabham BT21
11 E. Lauber/Titan Mk 5 FF
12 K. Joerger/Caldwell D9b
13 G. England/68 Titan FB
14 M. Wirrick/Lola T204
15 T. Schnurbusch/Brabham BT-21 B
16 J. Wilson/71 Winkelman WDF 3
group 7
PL DRIVER/CAR
1 D. Baker/Ralt RTl Formula Atl
1:34.442
2 E. Shippert/Lotus 69 F-Atlantic
3 D. de Vasconcelos/Ralt RTl
4 R. Baker/Ralt RTl
5 A. Nicholas/March 78B
6 D. Meiling/Chevron B-19
7 A. Hebert/Chevron B-39
8 E. Haga/Lola T330
9 N. Colonna/McLaren M8C
10 J. Anderson/March 76B
11 D. Rugh/Raft RT5
photo by Jerry Imboden
#138 Tim Barnes,
1951 Jaguar XK120.
group 8
PL DRIVER/CAR
1 J. Goodman/Pontiac Fiero 1:51.621
2 M. Parent/Oldsmobile Cutlass
NASCAR
3 J. Norman/Alfa Romeo GTV
4 C. Kattchee/Alfa Romeo Giulia TI
5 G. Cook/1:58.370 8 Datsun 240z
6 J. Long/Ford Falcon Sprint
7 M. Baker/Porsche 914/6
8 A. Hugo/BMW 2002A
photo to Alexandre Reginster
photo to Richard Wyman
Keeble & Shuchat
Photo Contest
A total of 27 photographers took their best shots at Sonoma Raceway
during CSRG’s David Love Memorial Races, part of a contest presented
by Victory Lane Magazine, Keeble & Shuchat, and Canon. Victory Lane
would like to congratulate the Editor’s Choice winners, whose work
appears in this month’s issue, and thank all of those who entered.
photo to Tom Corcero
photo to Warren Miller
www.victorylane.com
photo to Jerry Wachtel
Victory Lane
• June 2015
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