SVRA US Vintage Grand Prix

#10 Mayo Smith, 1966 Shelby GT350; #696 Michael Origer, 1969 Corvette; #77 Richard Payne, 1970
Corvette.
SVRA U.S. Vintage Grand Prix
Watkins Glen International, NY
September 4-8, 2013
– story by John R. Wright
– photos by John Avery
more than adequately filled by Lynn St. James, 1964 B. Gary Allen, another Canadian,
herself a racer of note.
finished on the podium in third in his 1974
Practice started in earnest on the Thursday MGB. Dawn Myers, 1961 MGA Mk II had a
with one group which I will mention, Group great qualifying run and started third on the
3-4 containing an interesting selection of grid but retired mid-race. Michael Patton,
The featured marque this year at the U.S. sports cars like the Alfa Romeo Spider driving a 1965 MGB, started mid-pack, but
Vintage Grand Prix was the Mini and a of Kristine Lay here all the way from
veritable plethora of the little roller skates Denver Colorado. She turned a best time
showed up to harass and discombulate of 2:36.709 seconds and was fastest of
race cars of much higher displacement. A the group filled with MGBs, a lone Ford
contrasting feature was the roaring Historic Escort and a Devin Jaguar. Qualifying day
Trans-Am group.
on Friday was the day people got down to
In addition there was a tasty selection of business and times went down and down
very interesting and historic cars from an and down. Positions were set and boasting
ex-Tazio Nuvolari Alfa from the 1930s to a rights would have to wait until race day.
formidable Porsche 917 and a Ferrari 312
There were so many races and so many
formerly driven by Brian Redford.
interesting dices that the reader and the
The Grand Marshal was to be the famous participants will forgive me if I hit only
Denise McCluggage, but she was unable to as many highlights as space will allow.
attend because of health issues. Her place was I will say that some red flags marred the #229 Dave Margoles, 1971 Porsche
weekend, but it was 914/6; #18 Allen Noveck, 1992
fortunate there were Porsche 964.
minimal negative
outcomes.
lost many positions on the first lap. What
Racing started early ever was wrong was soon righted as he
on Saturday at 8:00 a.m. gathered it up and worked his way through
It was going to be a full the pack back to a thirteen place finish. A
day of Sprint races for all very fun run to watch.
of the groups.
The first two places in the KEENAN
The premier event MOTORS CLASSIC ENDURO were taken
S a t u r d a y Wa s t h e by Porsches, with first going to Frank Beck
COLLIER CUP race in his 1972 Porsche 914/6 while Jim Hamblin
for MGs. The race was took second in his 1969 Porsche 911. Mike
won by Canadian Jeff Zappa drove carefully and well to take third
Devine in his 1967 in his beautiful 1966 Ford GT40, a classic
MGB roadster. Bill example of the breed.
#98 Gary Moore, 1965 Shelby GT350; #57 Tom
Shields tried hard, but
Those were the highlight races of Saturday
Gallagher, 1963 Corvette; #91 Andre Ahrle, 1965
finished a scant 2.903 but there was more to follow on Sunday and
Cobra
seconds back in his the Sunday drizzle made things interesting
54
November 2013
• Victory Lane
Porsche, along with and forth on the huge steering wheel, use the
a couple of Alfas. outside brake handle and imagine what it must
A 1 9 7 3 P o r s c h e have felt like to race these cars as new.
911 crossed under
The KEENAN MOTORS HISTORIC
the checkered flag ENDURO was led flag-to-flag by Travis
first in the hands Engen, behind the wheel of his 2005 Audi
of Todd Treffert. R8 LMP. Brad Bloom started second in his
Treffert was clearly 2006 Porsche 997 GT3, but retired after a
the winner and set dozen or so laps. The Klutt team, in their 1999
the fastest lap of the Chevrolet Impala, ran a smooth race, dicing
race. Linwood Staub throughout the track session and finishing
made a mid-race fourth overall. Ben Sinnott, in his 1991 Lola
run to the front for a T91/90, was another motivated driver and an
2nd-place finish in a exciting racer to watch. He was consistent in
#177 Robert Regna, 1980 Corvette; #17 Steve Fox,
1972 Datsun 240Z. A his drive to the front finishing fifth overall.
2000 Chevrolet Monte Carlo.
race between Robert
The NEW YORK GOVERNOR’S CUP
Hurley, driving a for Historic Trans-Am was a barn burner and
for the racers and too interesting for a 1966 Porsche 911, and Neil Young, in a the start reminded many of us more mature
photographer. It rained and it was foggy on the 1971 Datsun 240Z, was fun to watch, Young observers of the glory days of the Trans-Am
way to the track from the motel in Horseheads, finished 11th, Hurley finished 12th. Good especially with the noise of the start from
N.Y. It didn’t look good for racing that day, racing.
5-liter V8s. What glorious noise! When the
and several racers agreed. They packed up
Ron Goodman will return to Australia dust settled, Bill Okerlund finished first in his
early and went home. There is something and talk about his GROUP 3 AND 4 race 1969 Ford Mustang, but his close competitor
about rain on the track at the Glen. At any in his 1961 Porsche 356. Goodman took Jim Halsey, in a 1970 Ford Mustang, was right
rate, many racers stayed on and they were the checkered flag first for the group. on his tail. And Halsey was closely tailed by
rewarded with sunshine and a dry but not Michael Unger, in his 1967
entirely dry track.
Datsun 2000, finished second
Saturday night party must have been great, with Geoff Morgan, also from
really great as the grid was sparse for the start Australia, finishing third in his
of the GROUP 2 AND 7A race. The early 1960 Porsche 356 B Coupe.
risers included Marc Giroux who drove his John Parker started the race in
Brabham BT29 to the win. Giroux had started fourth in his 1967 Volvo 1800s
on the pole but was unseated by Andrew but retired after Lap 2. Norman
Barron in his 1969 Lotus 61.
Berke ran a good session in his
In GROUP 1, James Van Nordstrand started 1959 Elva Courier, one of my
off flat out in his 1968 Zink C4. A first lap favorite cars.
move advanced his starting position five
In the Feature race for PREplaces. He finished mid-pack. Dave Morgan WAR cars, Peter Giddings was
took the checkered flag first in his 1968 Mini the spoiler in his 1935 Alfa Romeo #51 Jim Holody, 1959 MGA; #450 Mike
Cooper, followed by Charles Darrow, 1965 Tipo B P3, but Kurt Byrnes was Barstow, 1953 MGTD.
Triumph Spitfire. Todd Wetzel had a good run second in a 1951 MGTD and J.J.
behind the wheel of his 1957 Turner 950S.
Rodman made the podium in his 1939 Ford the 1970 Ford Mustang of Chris Liebenberg.
Two dozen cars showed up to pre-grid for Sprint car. The differences between the cars What an entertaining race. However it was a
the GROUP 8 race. This race could have been in this group and particularly this race was too race marred by a serious accident and an injury
called the Predominately German Car race, great for any wheel-to-wheel action. From my to a photographer, who was hit by a spinning
with three-quarters of the field made up of view, it was fun to watch the drivers saw back car which went into a guard rail.
Travis Engen, in his 2005 ALMS Audi, led
the GROUP 11 race flag-to-flag. He did have
an early challenge from Mark Greensburg’s
2006 Pontiac GTO R, but Engen was about
10 seconds faster per lap, so the opportunity
for Greensburg was fleeting. Bill Heifner ran
a smooth race in his 1993 Camaro, moving up
in the mid-race to finish sixth.
The driver to watch during the Dick
Mooney Memorial Trophy Race for GROUP
6 was Tim Gallagher in his 1963 Corvette.
The spirit of both the 60th anniversary of
the Corvette and the 50th anniversary of
his particular model shown through the
whole race session. A last lap pass of Paul
Bissonnetti in his 1967 Ford Mustang put
and exclamation point on the 7 lap race.
#65 Tom Sakai, 1965 Sunbeam Tiger; #3 Bill Glavin, 1972 BMW 3 CSL;
Gallagher finished 16th with Bissonnette
#4 Bill Bogner, 1966 Corvette.
finishing 17th. A 1965 Cobra, in the hands
www.victorylane.com
Victory Lane
• November 2013
55
Vintage SIATA Featured at
The Glen Downtown Festival
–story by Ed Kovalchick
At the annual Watkins Glen downtown
festival, held in conjunction with the
SVRA Vintage Grand Prix each September,
Smalley’s Garage is the place to be Friday
morning. This venue was the home of the
racer tech inspections when the original
racing was done through the streets and
countryside from 1948 to 52.
A tech inspection reenactment and show
of unique vehicles is done, and historical
race cars typically featured. This year, a
spry 96-year-old Otto Linton was present
with the Fiat V-8 powered SIATA 208CS he
raced to second place overall – first in his
class - the year (1953) the race was moved
up the hill away from town.
S I ATA ( S o c i e t a I t a l i a n a A u t o
Trasformazioni Accessori- say that fast!)
was an Italian company founded in 1926 by
Giorgio Ambrosini. Originally the company
specialized in tuning Fiat cars, and in 1949
they began to produce their own vehicles
powered by modified Fiat or Crosley
engines. Yes, Crosley.
Mr. Linton, who was just inducted into the
International Legends of the Glen and raced
in the first event in 1948, purchased this
SIATA at the factory and drove it throughout
Europe, before shipping it home. He tells
the story of how he entered a Russian
checkpoint (Vienna was still partitioned at
that time) having only minimal paper work.
The Russian soldiers spoke neither German
nor English, and they were laughing and
egging him on with their guns. They had not
of Andre Ahrle, finished first overall, with
Mike Donohue, 1963 Corvette, finishing
second. Randy Williams had the only Jaguar
in this group. Williams made the car’s
performance look easy, although I suspect
that he had his hands quite full. He finished
a solid 10th.
The GROUP 9 race was flagged off at 3:30
p.m. The afternoon was definitely winding
down, but not quite yet on the track. This
session was loud and fast, and as the cars
came down the front straight towards Turn 1,
I found myself holding my breath, listening
for the shifts to be announced by the change
of tune of the engines. Bruce Hamilton and
Gaston Kearby ran near identical times in near
identical cars: 2006 Swift 016As. Hamilton
finished first, while Kearby finished second and
set the fastest lap of the race at 1:44.563. Mark
Brannon brought his 1997 Lola home third.
The GROUP 10 race saw Carl Tallardy,
in his 1996 Fabcar, work his way up from
56
November 2013
• Victory Lane
Otto Linton’s
SIATA 208CS.
lifted the barricade, but made it clear they
wanted him to move forward into the barrier
anyway, which he did, and the ultra-low
roofline of the SIATA passed underneath
with room to spare. He likely didn’t look
back or wave.
The magnificent SIATA design featured
the first Michelin X radial tires, and was
first raced at Watkins Glen in 1952 by Mr.
Linton, when the race was stopped due to
an accident. This car was one that he was
able to drive to a race, prepare it himself,
and then compete at tracks, including a
number of SAC Air Force base races in
1953. In February, in the 6-hr race at Mac
Dill Air Force Base, Mr. Linton finished
2nd in Class (E Modified), then he raced
the car at Lockbourne Air Force Base the
same year.
He entered the SIATA in a number
of SCCA road races, Bridgehampton
Sports Car Races, as well as at the private
track at Brynfan Tyddyn. The 208CS was
SIATA’s answer for events like the Mille
Miglia in Europe, while Fiat used SIATA
to help develop the Otto Vù prototype
centered around a compact 70-degree
engine designed by Dante Giacosa. SIATA
then hired Rudolph Hruska to make a
chassis for the engine. Six to ten of these
were built, which featured curved chassis
rails, allowing an especially low driving
position and overall height.
The aluminum over steel tube framed
vehicle has a four-speed transmission,
aluminum engine block, and Weber 36
DCZ3 carburetors. Aluminum alloy drum
brakes are in the front and back. How
valuable? A 208CS has brought over
$600,000 at auction. If you attend the
Vintage GP next September, make it point to
be at Smalley’s Garage by 10 a.m. on Friday
– you won’t be disappointed, especially if
you have experienced the sphincter factor.
a mid-pack start, and a pass on Lap 8 set 1973 Chevron B23 and Steve Durst’s 2003
the stage for the overall win. Pete Klutt ran Mazda Sports Racer wound up third.
in the first position for most of the race,
This was a great weekend of racing. The staff
keeping Tallardy in his mirrors, and finished of SVRA, the track and the whole community
second after a smooth
run. John Wolff ran an
exciting race, moving
up through the grid to
finish fifth. A last lap
pass by Wolff of Dave
Cannon, Ferrari 430,
made the guy standing
next to me raise his fist
in triumph.
The final race was
the Joel Finn Cup in
GROUP 5 AND 7B, #83 Steve Pfeffer, 1973 Porsche 911; #175 David
with an award given by Hay, 1990 Oldsmobile Cutlass T/A.
automotive journalist
Joel Finn – himself a racer. Bob Lima, 1978 of Watkins Glen should be thanked for making
Lola T298, came in first to claim the trophy this weekend so much fun. It is a vital weekend
with Nick Incantalupo finishing second in a to the sport of vintage racing.
COLLIER CUP
PL CL DRIVER / CAR
1 3DP J. Devine/1967 MGB Roadster
2:24.927
2 3DP B. Shields/1964 MGB
3 3DP G. Allen/1974 MGB Roadster
#17 Steve Fox,
NASCAR Monte Carlo.
4 3DP R. Navin/1968 MGB Roadster
5 3DP B. McKie/1965 MGB Roadster
1 3EP B. Eagleson/1967 MGB GT
2:29.284
2 3EP P. Gelpi/1964 MGB
6 3DP B. O’Connor/1966 MGB Roadster
1 1FP C. Meyers/1957 MGA Roadster
2:34.261
2 1FP D. Gonzalez/1966 MG Midget
3 1FP T. Glanville/1962 MG Midget
4 1FP D. Good/1959 MGA Roadster
7 3DP M. Patton/1965 MGB Roadster
5 1FP J. Holody/1959 MGA Roadster
1 PW M. Barstow/1953 MGTD
2:37.774
6 1FP J. Puma/1967 MG Midget
2 PW K. Byrnes/1951 MGTD
3 PW D. Leonard/1949 MGTC
7 1FP D. Powers/1962 MGA Roadster
4 PW E. Cronin/1953 MGTD
3 3EP D. Myers/1961 MGA Mk II
8 1FP T. Hershey/1972 MG Midget
CLASSIC ENDURO
PL CL DRIVER / CAR
1 6GTU F. Beck/1972 Porsche 914/6
2:08.974
1 8BP J. Hamblin/1968 Porsche 911
2:12.603
1 8AP J. Riolo/1972 Datsun 240Z
2:14.572
#141 Ron Branom,
1995 Porsche 993.
2 8AP T. Grudovich/M. Clifford/1966
Ginetta G4
3 8AP T. Treffert/1973 Porsche 911
2 8BP L. Giannone/1966 Porsche 911
3 8BP J. Deford/M. Bunting/1973
Porsche 914/6
1 3CP R. Goodman/V. Skirmants/1961
Porsche 356B Roadster 2:18.990
4 8BP J. Cullen/1972 Porsche 914/6
2 3CP J. Schrecker/1964 Porsche 356
3 3CP G. Morgan/1960 Porsche 356B
Coupe
4 3CP R. Hieb/1964 Porsche 356C Coupe
4 8AP B. Borden/1971 Porsche 911
5 8AP T. Briest/1970 Porsche 914/6
1 2FF J. Stiehr/1969 Winkleman WDF-1
2:13.093
5 8BP A. Burke/R. Zitza/1970 Porsche
914/6
6 8AP J. Lenehan/1971 Datsun 240Z
5 3CP G.C. Balbach/M. Eskuche/1961
Porsche 356
1 5FM M. Kaleel/1964 Lotus 23B
2:18.790
www.victorylane.com
6 8BP J. Fisher/1964 Lotus Elan 26R
1 8BS R. Mocas/R. Tucker/1967 Alfa
Romeo GTV 2:20.865
1 8CP R. Hurley/1966 Porsche 911
2:21.773
7 8BP A. Jenks/1969 Porsche 911
8 8BP S. Burkland/1969 Porsche 911
1 2FJ R. Salomon/1960 Elva 200 FJ
2:30.193
1 3M B. Engle/B. Domeck/1990 Ford
Spec Racer 2:22.546
2 8CP A. Doll/1970 Datsun 240Z
6 3CP D. Withers/1958 Porsche A Coupe
1 3DP J. Devine/B. Eagleson/1967 MGB
Roadster 2:23.759
7 8AP C. Zappa/1969 TVR Tuscan
2 8BS S. Rauh/C. DeMinco/1971 Alfa
Romeo GTV
3 8CP M. Adler/1972 Porsche 914/6
2 3DP I. Stein/1966 Volvo P1800
1 3EP P. Gelpi/M. Heilman/1964 MGB
2:29.062
#19 Colin Mazzola,
1992 Porsche 964.
9 8BP B. Branson/1969 Porsche 911S
3 3DP M. Heinzelman/G. Giorgini/1973
Porsche 914
2 3EP S. Hunter/D. Hyland/1959 Porsche
356A
4 8CP P. Stinson/1963 Lotus Super 7
8 8AP N. Northam/R. Zitza/1972 Porsche
911
7 3CP D. Paraschuk/J. Cannella/1972
Alfa Romeo Spider
8 3CP R. Woods/1971 Lotus Super 7
1 5X M. Zappa/1966 Ford GT40 Mk I
2:10.451
1 2FB T. Engen/1970 Chevron B17b
2:07.451
10 8BP K. Wankum/1968 Porsche 911 L
1 4AP-R R. Williams/1966 Jaguar ERA
XKE-R 2:18.657
3 8BS V. Vaccaro/1972 Alfa Romeo GTV
9 8AP M. Smith/1972 Porsche 911RS
1 1CS J. Gorsline/1964 Morris Cooper
S 3:07.522
5 8CP K. Dunbar/1967 Lotus Elan
group 1
PL CL DRIVER / CAR
1 1CS D. Morgan/1968 Austin Mini
Cooper 2:53.649
1 1FP C. Darrow/1965 Triumph Spitfire
2:59.997
2 1CS J. Plunkett/1967 Austin Cooper S
1 1F S. Kwasnik/1969 Lynx B Formula
V 2:58.558
#7 Derek Harling,
1991 Lola T91/50.
3 1CS R. Brown/1965 Mini Cooper
2 1FP D. Good/1959 MGA Roadster
2 1F J. Van Nordstrand/1968 Zink C4
3 1FP C. Meyers/1957 MGA Roadster
1 1HP J. MacDonald/1959 Austin Healey
Sprite 3:10.482
1 1GP T. Wetzel/1957 Turner 950S
3:15.662
4 1FP J. Holody/1959 MGA Roadster
4 1CS J. Gorsline/1964 Morris Cooper S
3 1F R. Hughey/1963 Formcar FV
5 1FP D. Gonzalez/1966 MG Midget
6 1FP N. Thompson/1961 Lotus Elite
group 2 and 7a
PL CL DRIVER / CAR
1 2FB M. Giroux/1969 Brabham BT29
2:50.946
1 2FF A. Barron/1969 Lotus 61 2:50.055
group 8
PL CL DRIVER / CAR
1 8AP T. Treffert/1973 Porsche 911
2:45.081
1 8CP L. Staub/1972 Datsun 240 Z
2:47.806
2 8AP H. McPherson/1995 Ford Mustang
Cobra
2 8CP C. DeMinco/1979 Mazda RX7
1 8BP J. Cullen/1972 Porsche 914/6
2:52.181
3 8AP R. Madia/1974 Datsun 260Z
1 8BS S. Grabski/1967 Volvo 122
2:51.082
2 8BP J. Fisher/1964 Lotus Elan 26R
3 8CP R. Poole/1970 Porsche 914/6
2 8BS R. Mocas/1967 Alfa Romeo GTV
4 8AP N. Young/1971 Datsun 240Z
4 8CP R. Hurley/1966 Porsche 911
5 8CP A. Doll/1970 Datsun 240Z
3 8BP K. Wankum/1968 Porsche
911 L
4 8BP B. Barton/1986 Porsche 944T
5 8AP J. Hoover/1975 Porsche 914/6
3 8BS R. Cappa/1968 Datsun 510
#43 Tony Parella,
2006 NASCAR Dodge.
6 8CP M. Adler/1972 Porsche 914/6
6 8AP J. Lenehan/1971 Datsun 240Z
7 8AP R. Dobush/1972 Porsche 911 RS
group 3 and 4
PL CL DRIVER / CAR
1 3CP R. Goodman/1961 Porsche 356B
Roadster 2:31.823
2 3CP M. Unger/1967 Datsun 2000
3 3CP G. Morgan/1960 Porsche 356B
Coupe
4 3CP R. Hieb/1964 Porsche 356C Coupe
5 3CP T. Sager/1978 Fiat 124
6 3CP D. Withers/1958 Porsche A Coupe
1 4FM T. Grudovich/1960 Lola Mk I
2:40.743
7 3CP D. Paraschuk/1972 Alfa Romeo
Spider
1 4AP M. Heilman/1958 Jaguar XK150
2:41.538
1 3DP J. Devine/1967 MGB Roadster
2:47.537
1 3EP B. Eagleson/1967 MGB GT
2:48.343
8 3CP D. Fisher/1972 Lotus Super 7
9 3CP W. Power/1968 Datsun SRL311
2 3DP B. Storc/1965 Yenko Stinger
2 3EP S. Hunter/1959 Porsche 356A
3 3DP G. Allen/1974 MGB Roadster
1 4BP B. Schwacke/1955 Corvette
3:11.648
3 3EP N. Berke/1959 Elva Courier
4 3DP A. Hess/1973 MGB
2 4AP F. Morelli/1961 Corvette
5 3DP I. Stein/1966 Volvo P1800
10 3CP B. Tobin/1970 Triumph TR6
6 3DP J. Parker/1967 Volvo 1800S
7 3DP R. Navin/1968 MGB Roadster
11 3CP H. Gentry/1964 Ginetta G4
1 3BS M. Malley/1969 Ford Cortina GT
3:14.657
pre-war
PL CL DRIVER / CAR
1 PW P. Giddings/1935 Alfa Romeo Tipo
B P3 2:36.901
2 PW K. Byrnes/1951 MGTD
3 PW J.J. Rodman/1939 Ford Sprintcar
#31 Travis Engen,
2001 Lola T9/720.
historic enduro
PL CL DRIVER / CAR
1 T. Engen/2005 Audi R8 LMP 1:42.616
1 A. Welch/1997 Porsche 911 RSR
1:59.439
1 C. Tallardy/1996 Fabcar 911 1:58.505
1 G. Klutt/R. Klutt/1999 Chevrolet
Impala 2:00.743
1 L. Schumacher/2008 Porsche GT3 Cup
2:01.297
1 B. Sinnott/1991 Lola T9190 1:58.147
1 R. Proudfit/R. Zitza/1971 Porsche 911
2:04.235
1 R. Branom/J. Mitchell/1995 Porsche
993 2:07.853
2 J. Shannon/2001 Corvette Z06
3 E. Weyls/1992 Porsche 911 RS
1 J. Cullen/1968 Ford SPF GT40 Mk 1
2:05.448
2 M. Glarner/1980 BMW M1
4 R. Tietjen/M. Tietjen/1987 Porsche
Turbo Cup
1 M. Greenberg/2006 Pontiac GTO R
1:54.036
1 T. Forgione/C. Hebing/1989 Chevrolet
Nascar 2:10.012
1 T. Gallagher/1963 Corvette 2:15.117
1 B. Glavin/1972 BMW 3.0 CSL
2:19.823
2 B. Blum/2006 Porsche 997 GT3
1 S. Blackett/1967 Camaro 2:21.743
governors cup
PL CL DRIVER / CAR
1 HTA B. Ockerlund/1969 Ford Mustang
2:13.448
2 HTA J. Halsey/1970 Ford Mustang
Boss 302
3 HTA C. Liebenberg/1970 Ford Mustang
4 HTA B. Ferrin/1970 Ford Mustang
5 HTA R. Kauffman/1970 Camaro
6 HTA T. Bookheimer/1967 Cougar
7 HTA I. Keeler/1967 Mercury Cougar
8 HTA T. Hart/1967 Chevrolet Z28
9 HTA K. Adams/1969 Ford BOSS 302
10 HTA J. Reed/1969 Camaro Z28
#40 Markus Glarner,
1980 BMW M1.
11 HTA J. Glass/1967 Camaro
12 HTA M. Eisenberg/1963 Ford Falcon
13 HTA B. Godwin/1968 Camaro Z28
14 HTA T. Forgione/1970 Mustang
Boss 302
Victory Lane
• November 2013
57
15 HTA R. Myers/1969 Ford Mustang
16 HTA V. Edelbrock/1969 Ford
Mustang
17 HTA P. Gallant/1968 Ford Mustang
18 HTA M. Joy/1966 Ford Mustang
19 HTA C. Edelbrock/1968 Camaro
20 HTA J. Nelson/1966 Ford Mustang
21 HTA T. McIntyre/1968 Camaro
22 HTA E. Wheatley/1970 Camaro
23 HTA P. Ryan/1967 Camaro
24 HTA K. Epsman/1971 AMC Javelin
25 HTA R. Goldsmith/1970 Dodge
Challenger
#2 Travis Engen, 2005
Audi R8 LMP.
26 HTA M. Beaulieu/1969 Ford Mustang
27 HTA B. Bryan/1968 Camaro
group 11
PL CL DRIVER / CAR
1 11GTP3 T. Engen/2005 Audi R8 LMP
1:44.122
1 11MP1 M. Greenberg/2006 Pontiac
GTO R 1:54.496
2 11MP1 R. Valentine/2006 Pontiac
GTO R
3 11MP1 A. Robertson/2006 Ford GT
Mk VII
1 11TA2 J. Brett/1999 Corvette 2:02.231
2 11TA2 B. Heifner/1993 Camaro IMSA
1 11GTP1 T. Dooley/1988 Porsche 962
1:59.072
2 11GTP1 D. Nikolas/1988 Fabcar GTP
group 6
PL CL DRIVER / CAR
1 6R A. Ahrle/1965 Cobra Comp
2:05.857
1 6BP M. Donohue/1963 Corvette
2:06.213
1 6TA C. Bentley/1967 Camaro Z28
2:07.034
2 6BP G. Moore/1965 Shelby GT350
3 6BP J. Caudle/1969 Corvette
1 6AS C. Vogt/1967 Ford Mustang A/S
2:10.250
See
sheet # 2
4 6BP M. Ferrara/1970 Corvette
5 6BP M. Origer/1969 Corvette
6 6BP M. Smith/1966 Shelby GT350
7 6BP R. Williams/1967 Jaguar XKE
2 6TA S. Viviano/1969 Camaro
8 6BP J. Heck/1964 Corvette
1 6AP D. Henry/1969 Corvette 2:14.551
2 6AP R. Payne/1970 Corvette
9 6BP J. McCormick/1985 Ford Cobra IV
10 6BP T. Gallagher/1963 Corvette
2 6AS P. Bissonnette/1967 Ford
Mustang
3 6TA M. Beaulieu/1968 Mercury
Cougar
3 6AP M. Henry/1967 Corvette
11 6 BP A. Heckert/1966 Corvette
12 6BP A. Fergusson/1962 Jaguar
E Type
13 6BP B. Bogner/1966 Corvette
3 6AS E. Moreira/1965 Ford Mustang
14 6BP C. Fennell/1965 Corvette
15 6BP T. Sakai/1965 Sunbeam Tiger
4 6TA S. Blackett/1967 Camaro
1 6GTO C. Gladle/1970 Porsche 914/6
2:43.210
4 6AP D. B./1971 Corvette Roadster
group 9
PL CL DRIVER / CAR
1 9F1 B. Hamilton/2006 Swift 016a
1:44.722
2 9F1 G. Kearby/2006 Swift 016a
3 9F1 M. Brannon/1997 Lola T97/20
4 9F1 T. Engen/2001 Lola T97/20
5 9F1 M. Giroux/1997 Lola T97/20
1 9F2 B. Pickering/1994 Ralt RT41
1:52.896
1 9FA G. Medenica/1978 March BMW
782 1:57.283
1 9FC J. Dinehart/1995 Van Diemen
F2000 1:58.760
2 9FC T. Fraelich/1979 March Super Vee
2 9F2 S. Coppola/1988 Alfa Romeo F3
#5 Ben Sinnett,
1991 Lola.
group 10
PL CL DRIVER / CAR
1 10GT2 C. Tallardy/1996 Fabcar 911
2:00.316
Living History
– story by John Wright
Whew! What a superb
weekend of racing but that’s
not all. Not all? No, not all.
On Friday night at the Watkins
Glen International Motor
photo by John Wright
Racing Research Center Otto
Linton was honoured. Otto Otto Linton and Bill
is the only living driver who Wonder.
raced in that first race on the
streets of the Glen in 1948. At 96 he is a living piece of racing
history and as ever is a courtly and gentle man.
He was joined at the track over the weekend by Bill Wonder,
war hero, competitor at one of the first Sebring 12 Hour events
and a driver in the Can-Am. Bill at around 90+ also had a gold
mine of stories about the early days of road racing in North
America. It was interesting and gratifying to see the attention
and care those two men brought out in today’s racers.
1 10AP P. Klutt/1969 Corvette 2:02.685
1 10SC3 S. Fox/2000 Chevrolet Monte
Carlo 2:05.783
2 10GT2 H. Schmitt/1978 BMW M1
Procar
1 10GT1 J. Wolff/1997 Corvette T/A
2:02.628
1 10MP1 D. Cannon/2006 Ferrari 430
Challenge 2:05.098
3 10GT2 M. Glarner/1980 BMW M1
1 10BP K. Upton/1988 BMW M3
2:11.867
1 10SC2 B. Tyo/1983 Oldsmobile Cutlass
TA 2:13.062
4 10GT2 B. Erdman/1985 Nissan 300ZX
2 10MP1 C. Reed/2002 Ferrari 360
Challenge
2 10BP J. Lipperini/1982 Ferrari 308
2 10SC2 C. Hebing/1989 Chevrolet
Nascar
2 10GT1 R. Regna/1980 Corvette
2 10SC3 G. Klutt/1999 Chevrolet
Impala
group 5 and 7B
PL CL DRIVER / CAR
1 7BSR B. Lima/1978 Lola T298 1:59.886
2 7BSR N. Incantalupo/1973 Chevron
B23
1 7ASR S. Durst/2003 Mazda Sports
Racer 2:07.895
#128 John McCormick,
1963 Cobra.
1 5ASR B. Thumel/1967 Lola T70 Mk
3B 2:00.644
1 5FM D. Bundy/1964 Lotus 23B
2:06.508
2 5ASR B. Tkacik/1964 Lotus 30
2 5FM B. Luken/1963 Lotus 23B
1 5GTR J. Cullen/1968 Ford SPF GT40
Mk 1 2:09.513
3 5FM M. Kaleel/1964 Lotus 23B
Vintage Race Tires Our Specialty
Racing Tires for SCCA, Vintage, Club Racing & Auto Crossing.
Panasport Wheels - BBS Wheels - HRE Wheels
Alignments & Cornerweighting By Brandon Kraus
2896 Grove Way, Castro Valley, CA 94546. Open M-F 8:30-5:30 Lunch Closed
800-510-RACE (7223) - Fax 510-886-5605
58
November 2013
• Victory Lane
EST. 1972
photo by Gerald Foster
Tom McIntyre’s 1968 Camaro Historic Trans-Am car in the pits at Watkins Glen.
Historic Trans-Am Lights Up The Glen
– story by Ed Kovalchick
The years of 1966 to 1972 are considered the
golden years of the Trans-Am racing series,
created by SCCA President John Bishop.
Factory sponsor money was readily available
and top gun drivers like George Follmer, Sam
Posey, Parnelli Jones and Mark Donohue
raced at tracks throughout the U.S. Watkins
Glen was one of those where the first “pony
car” race was run in 1968. The class included
V8 powered Mustangs, Cougars, Camaros,
Barracudas, Javelins, and Firebirds.
Now, thanks to Californians Tom McIntyre
and Ken Epsman with their band of merry
Trans-Am car owners, the beasts are back for
all race junkies to salivate over. The Historic
Trans-Am group (www.historictransam.com)
was formed in 1994 with a group of only
nine vehicles at their first race. Since then,
49 authentic vehicles have joined the gang
and now they storm various tracks and events
throughout the country. Let the fun begin.
Here’s the real deal according to McIntyre.
The cars have to be period correct, period, no
exceptions. So if the vehicle is a 1966 model,
it must represent the technology available in
1966 no upgrades thank you. That holds for
each of the seven years this group represents.
“We believe we have no right to change these
cars, and that is what we decided in the very
beginning. We truly represent what the term
‘historic’ should be.” He was rather emphatic
about that.
“We will run with any sponsoring group,
but we have to do our own thing. We have
our own tech procedures, we create our own
lineups, and no other group of vehicles can run
with us. We race hard and encourage passing,
but we are very careful. We actually practice
racing for added safety. And yes, we pay our
event entry fees just like anyone else.”
After watching these guys run, I can attest to
the testosterone flow and pushing the limits.
The cutoff is set at 1972 because the
factories cut off funding in 1973 and there
www.victorylane.com
were only a few teams. By the next year, many landed in McIntyre’s garage, complete with
imports were running in the series and today the original sheet metal, interior panels, engine
it has morphed into tube frames with a body, components and fuel cell. Even the original
absolutely nothing like the original series, instrument panel remained in place.
stated McIntyre.
Most of the Trans-Am racers are located in
And there are stories. Apparently the original the West Coast areas, but their motto seems
Trans-Am boys were competitive to a fault to be “Have Trans-Am, will travel.” They
and a little rule bending took place. McIntyre have visited Monterey, Sonoma, Sebring,
noted that little tricks like putting sand inside Mid-Ohio, Atlanta, Lime Rock, and there is a
the tires, installing a lead radio
which popped right out (now
that’s clever), hiding a second
gas tank, and tossing in a 90-lb
helmet were all utilized – more
than once. One team even had
an exceptionally small crew
member just to take a whiz under
the car at weigh-in to demonstrate
beyond the shadow of any doubt
that the gas tank plug was out
– see it’s still leaking Mr. Tech
Director. Ok, then.
photo by Bob Pengraph
This group uses as many
original parts as are available. A large group of Historic Trans-Am
Some of the cars even have cars turned up at the Rolex Monterey
the original fuel cells, such as Motorsports Reunion in August. “We will
McIntyre’s impressive #6 Penske visit almost any certified sports car racing
Camaro, which won a cool 10 of track,” says Tom McIntyre.
11 races in 1968 with Donohue
behind the wheel. Note: The one lone non- possible future visit to the Barber Motorsports
win resulted from a failed engine. After being track in Alabama.
purchased (including much verification) by
“We will visit almost any certified sports
McIntyre in 1985 after a call “out of the blue” car racing track,” McIntyre said. “It’s fun
from owner Bob Eckhart, he restored it to the for us.”
original condition, using as many original parts
His vast group at The Glen included 31 cars,
as possible.
sporting original-sized engines just over 300
Ron Fournier originally built the deep blue cubic inches (5ish liters for you newbies), and
colored car for competition and after the 1968 one lone 289 cubic inch engine in a 1963 Ford
season, the car was preserved as a just-in- Falcon owned by Michael Eisenberg – and it
case car after the entire Ford team was wiped sounded great! A second treat was the addition
out in one accident in 1969. Craig Murray of Vic Edelbrock (yes, that one) driving his
purchased the Camaro and raced it in USAC beautiful 1969 Mustang.
and Trans-Am. Two years later it was sold to
When these big boys are on the track, you
a Minnesotan, then two years later it was sold know without looking, and your heart beats a
to a Californian. Fortunately the vehicle was little faster too – gets the hair up on my arms
preserved in its original state by the time it just thinking about them.
Victory Lane
• November 2013
59