VARA/SVRA Duel in the Desert

VARA/SVRA
Duel in the Desert
Spring Mountain, NV
March 13-15, 2015
– story and photos by Ken Manfred
#11 Bud Brynes, 1963 Lotus Elan;
#94 Tim O’Brien, 1967 MG Midget;
#93 Richard Varner, 1964 MGB.
34
April 2015
• Victory Lane
www.victorylane.com
Victory Lane
• April 2015
35
#35a Phillipe Reyns, 1974 Chevron B-27; #67 Brian Blain, 1974 March 742.
Pahrump, Nevada, 50 miles west of the
Las Vegas, is where visionary John Morris
built the Spring Mountain Motor Resort and
Country Club, a gated resort facility on 193
acres that features a fitness center, clubhouse,
massage center, putting green, swimming pool,
racquetball court, gun range, condos, building
lots, and three race tracks. It’s also the home
of the Ron Fellows Corvette High Performance
Driving School, the Lotus Performance Driving
School, the Radical Racing School, and the
SCCA License Recommendation School.
This is a place to build a dream home or
own a condo. There is even a private landing
strip. The three tracks share the same stunning
backdrop of the Spring Mountains, with Mt.
Charleston, the third-highest peak in Nevada
at 11,378 feet, as the centerpiece.
The Duel in the Desert took place on the
Hunt course—a 12-turn, 2.97-mile track—
featuring 165 entries in 7 groups, with perfect
weather for a great Valentine’s Day weekend
of racing.
Group 1: Sunday provided perfect weather
for the final duel. The Group 1 Formula Fords
were ready to go at 10:30 a.m., with 28
brightly colored racing machines on the
starting grid ready for the nine-lap race. The
checkered flag went to Steve O’Hara, driving
a 1989 Swift DB3 and leading from flag to
flag. Todd Strong held on to second place for
the full nine laps, driving a Titan MK9. Third
place went to the 1979 Crossle of Stewart
Paterson. Bob Hatle held the #3 spot for five
laps but was overtaken by Paterson, who kept
the position for the final four laps. Fourth
place went to Paul Wilson, 1979 Crossle, and
fifth place to Todd Gerstenberger, 1970 Titan
grid to start the 10-lap race, which was led
from start to finish by Ed Swart, driving a
1978 Chevron B45. Second place went to
Martin Reinhardt’s 2002 Tatuus Renault.
Reinhardt followed closely behind Swart
from start to finish, with only a ½-second
difference between first and second at the
end. Reinhardt clocked the best lap time, but
he just couldn’t quite get the 1st-place spot.
Third place went to Robert Merritt, 1985 Ralt
RT5. Fourth place belonged to Paul Lisec’s
1985 Ralt RT5, while fifth went to Philippe
Reyns, 1974 Chevron B27.
Group 6: This was the second largest of
the seven race groups, with 28 cars breathing
down the back of the silver-grey VARA
Mustang pace car, ready to take the green
flag beneath the Michelin Bridge. Going
into Turn 1, it was the 1963 Triumph Spitfire
driven by Gary Shuman, leading with Daniel
Schwartz’s Turner 950S, the 1968 Lotus S-7 of
Jack Hinze, and Joe Bunton’s 1967 Lotus S-7
tapping on the Triumph driver’s door. After
Mk 6. These five drivers battled for two days
with only seconds separating them, providing
the crowd with some great racing.
Group 2: This race was dominated by the
1963 Ford Ranchero driven by Ken Davis.
The race ended with Davis in first place and
Keith Kuchler, in a 1974 Porsche 911, coming
in second. The Ranchero’s top speed was
an impressive 79.446 mph, with an average
of 77.388 mph for the race. Finishing with
a 17-second lead over the second-place
car, the Ranchero shredded the 2.97-mile
Hunt course like it was on rails. Third
place went to A.C. D’Augustine, driving
a 1965 Cobra. D’Augustine’s Cobra held
onto second place for seven of the nine
laps, but couldn’t keep the fangs of the
Cobra buried in deep enough to hold on
to the second spot.
Group 3: After laying down the fastest
times in qualifying, Philippe Reines’ Lola
did not make it to the starting grid for the #94 Tom Farrington, 1963 Elva Mk 7;
start of Sunday’s 9-lap flag race. The top #76 Erik Inkrott, 1975 Fox Formula
finish went to Joe Moran, driving a yellow Vee.
1999 Ford Carbir. Moran cruised to victory,
finishing with a 3-second lead over 2nd-place the first lap, it was the Bunton in first place,
Robert Rich, 1986 Swift DB2. Third place followed by Shuman and Schwartz. On Lap
went to Joe DiLoreto, driving a 1973 Lola 5, Shuman’s Spitfire took back the lead, only
T290, and fourth place went to David Jacobs, to lose it again in Lap 6. But then Shumman
driving the Lola T70 Mk II. James Kuns, in a regained the lead again with two laps to go and
1985 Zephyrus MK, placed fifth.
went on from there to get the checkered flag.
Group 4: A total of 19 cars took the Still in the hunt, Schwartz’s Turner passed
green flag to start the 8-lap flag race. Gregory Bunton on the last lap to take second place.
Nitzkowski, in his 1972 Datsun 610, took Bunton finished third, while fourth place went
the initial lead, but he was quickly overtaken to Jack Hinze, and coming in fifth was Erik
by Ken Blasko’s 1969 BMW 2002. Blasko Inkrott, 1975 Fox Formula.
led for three laps, then surrendered the lead
Group 7: Any time you see John Wilkins’
back to Nitzkowski, who went on to take name on the Entrants List, you know there will
the chequered flag by be some great racing going on. The flag race
.555 of a second. The was ultimately won by 1974 Porsche RSR
second spot went to driven by Dave Leyvas, with second going to
Blasko and his Beemer, the Wilkins and his Datsun 240Z. The Porsche
while Rob Bellevue led from flag to flag, with Wilkins on his tail.
took third in his 1970 Wilkins, a great driver, was within striking
BMW 2002. Fourth distance the whole race. If he isn’t leading
place went to Stephen the race, he’s in the hunt—always patiently
Chuck, 1969 Datsun waiting for a mistake to be made. But it never
510, and Phil Elgin was happened in this race, as Leyvas kept his cool
fifth in a 1972 Datsun and never looked back. Third place went to
#48 Lanie Scroggins, 1994 Toyota; #98 David
510.
Tom Hodges, driving a 1985 Porsche 911. In
Jacobs, 1966 Lola T70 Mk II; #28 Daniel Martinez,
Group 5: A 12- fourth place was a beautiful 1963 Jaguar Low
1994 Toyota.
car field took to the Drag driven by Nick Colonna. 36
April 2015
• Victory Lane
#84 Gary Holcomb, 1982 Tiga; #37 Nick Colonna,
1969 McLaren M8C; #22 James Cotcher, 2004 Ford
Spec Racer.
group 1
PL CL DRIVER/CAR
1 FFN S. O’Hara/1989 Swift DB3
2:13.399
1 CF T. Strong/1975 Titan MK9 2:14.397
2 CF S. Paterson/1979 Crossle
3 CF P. Wilson/1979 Crossle
2 FF T. Gerstenberger/1970 Titan MK6
2:16.813
2 FFN B. Hatle/1984 Ford Swift db-1
4 CF K. Madrid/1978 Ford Crossle
1 FFX B. Cowdrey/Swift DB6 2:17.859
1 EFF J. Edmonds/1985 Van Diemen
RF85 2:22.927
2 FF P. Sabeff/1970 Titan
3 FF R. Jones/1969 Winkelmann WDF1
4 FF P. Smith/1970 Crossle 16F
1 FST S. Meyer/2006 Evolution Mk 11
2:22.453
5 FF G. Roberts/1971 Hawke DL2B
2 EFF K. Crotty/Swift DB1
6 FF T. Sabo/1969 Caldwell D9
7 FF J. Mihalich/1969 Lotus Type 61
8 FF D. Barry/1970 Formula Ford
3 EFF K. Herbst/1993 Euroswift SC93F
4 EFF G. West/1984 Lola 644
5 CF D. Larsen/1976 Merlyn Mk 29
6 CF K. Marshall/1979 Van Diemen
5 EFF D. Waters/1984 Lola T644
9 FF C. Daniels/1978 Crossle
6 EFF M. Powell/Vector Vector
7 CF B. Mc Neil/1979 Royale
RP26
7 EFF B. Miller/1977 Crossle 32F
#9 Nick Colonna,
1963 Jaguar Low Drag.
group 2
PL CL DRIVER/CAR
1 APX K. Davis/1963 Ford Ranchero
2:14.582
1 GTO K. Kuchler/1974 Porsche 911
2:17.852
1 AP A.C. D’Augustine/1965 AC Cobra
2:18.295
1 NASCAR K. Tye/1993 Chevy Lumina
2:18.032
1 GTO G. Cooper/1984 Corvette
2 AP V. Dean/1965 Shelby Cobra
1 BP M. Petein/1966 Shelby GT350
2:31.503
1 AS M. Wood/1970 Camaro 2:34.436
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2 AS K. Craig/1970 Ford Boss 302
1 BP1 D. Manista/1965 Corvette
Roadster 2:34.605
3 AS M. Brandhoff/1966 Ford
Mustang
2 BP C. Manista/1963 Corvette
group 3
PL CL DRIVER/CAR
1 S2 J. Moran/1999 Ford Carbir 2:16.568
2 S2 R. Rich/1986 Swift DB-2
1 ASR J. DiLoreto/1973 Lola T290
2:20.345
1 CANAM D. Jacobs/1966 Lola T70 Mk
II 2:20.218
1 SSB J. Kuhns/1985 Zephyrus Mk IV
2:24.614
#43 James Kuhns,
1985 Zephyrus.
1 WSR1 L. Scoggins/1994 Toyota
2:26.446
1 WSR2 D. Martinez/1994 Toyota
2:25.847
1 CS2 G. Holcomb/1982 Tiga 2:27.253
1 RSR J. Cotcher/2004 Ford Spec Racer
2:31.047
1 CSR J. Bernheimer/Bobsy SR-3
2:39.154
group 4
PL CL DRIVER/CAR
1 BS G. Nitzkowski/1972 Datsun 610
2:29.963
1 BSL K. Blasko/1969 BMW 2002
2:30.666
2 BSL R. Bellevue/1970 BMW 2002
2 BS S. Chuck/1969 Datsun 510
3 BS P. Eglin/1972 Datsun 510
3 BSL N. Talbot/1972 BMW 2002
4 BSL R. Wolpow/1968 BMW 2002
5 BSL J. Barker/1963 Triumph Herald
6 BSL S. Parsons/1967 BMW 2002
4 BS J. Migliaccio/1967 Alfa
5 BS K. Brown/1971 BMW 2002
6 BS M. Francis/2002 BMW
1 DPX F. Trueman/1967 P orsche 911S
2:49.304
1 BSL1 G. Youdeem/1972 BMW 2002
2:57.771
7 BS J. Ornstein/1973 Datsun 710
8 BS D. Wyckoff/BMW 2002
9 BS M. Rose/1971 BMW 2002
10 BS A. Covelli/1966 Alfa Romeo
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Victory Lane
• April 2015
37
2 EP R. Varner/1964 MGB
6 DP F. Mons/Elva
2 DPX D. Langdoc/1977 Blakely Bantam
1 FP M. Leven/1966 Triumph Spitfire
2:41.402
2 FP K. Ayers/1963 Triumph Spitfire
3 FP M. Klein/1964 Triumph Spitfire
3 EP T. O’Brien/1967 MG Midget
4 EP T. Leeming/1969 Alfa Romeo
#55 Phillipe Reyns, 1971 Lola T212.
group 5
PL CL DRIVER/CAR
1 F2 E. Swart/1978 Chevron B45
2:05.691
#80 Bill Holland,
1962 Daimler SP250.
2 F2 M. Reinhardt/2002 Tatuus F Renault
1 FSV3 R. Merritt/1985 Ralt RT/5
2:09.919
2 FSV3 P. Lisec/1985 Ralt RT/5
3 F2 P. Reyns/1974 Chevron B-27
1 FSV2 V. Tjelmeland/1980 March SV
2:12.318
1 FSV1 A. Johnsen/1972 Lola 320
2:17.486
1 FC2 R. Kirchner/1994 Van Diemen
RF94C 2:18.107
#125 Joe Harding,
1987 Ralt Martini.
1 FFX J. Reichert/Swift DB6
2:21.839
2 FSV1 B. Barham/1971 Lola T250
3 FSV1 T. Butterfield/1972 Royale
1 FA B. Juchli/1976 Chevron B34
group 6
PL CL DRIVER/CAR
1 DP G. Shuman/1963 Triumph Spitfire
2:28.413
1 EP D. Schwartz/1958 Turner 950S
2:31.533
2 DP J. Bunton/1967 Lotus 7 Roadster
1 GP J. Hinze/1968 Lotus S-7 2:32.375
1 FV2 E. Inkrott/1975 Fox Formula
2:32.837
1 GTL T. Grossman/1972 Datsun 1200
2:36.283
1 CSR T. Farrington/1963 Elva Mk VII
2:36.610
3 DP G. Gomez/1971 Porsche 914
4 DP K. Rodenbush/1964 Volvo 1800S
5 DP D. Wallace/1964 Triumph Spitfire
1 DPX B. Brynes/1963 Lotus Elan
2:42.819
Berlina
1 FV1 K. Barry/1970 Caldwell 2:53.555
1 FV2 A. Cipriano/1085 Zink FV
3:00.103
4 FP R. Maxson/1965 Datsun 1500
7 DP B. Holland/1962 Daimler SP250
2 GP J. Beck/1969 MG Midget
8 DP D.J. Isaac/1962 Triumph Spitfire
1 H-Mod D. Lambert/1955 Crosley-Fiat
3:40.930
group 7
PL CL DRIVER/CAR
1 GTU D. Leyvas/1974 Porsche RSR
2:22.946
#555 Allen Johnson,
1972 Lola 320.
1 CP J. Wilkins/1971 Datsun 240Z
2:24.140
2 GTU T. Hedges/1985 Porsche 911
1 CP1 N. Colonna/1963 Jaguar Low Drag
Coupe 2:35.292
2 CP1 C. Trueman/1967 Porsche 911S
great lakes
eric eismueller
779.475.0402
pacific
northwest
don clinkinbeard
503.356.1764
northern
california
“I had a blast driving my Triumph TR3 with Hooked
on Driving at Sonoma. Looking at the qualifying times
from last year’s race and comparing the 2:05 lap from
yesterday, I would have qualified 3rd. That’s a huge step
from my 15th place start position a year ago. I’m really
beside myself. What a day!”
– Dave Hogye, TriumpH Tr3
david ray
925.552.8112
southern
california
ken dobson
213.505.0053
northeast
888.999.0678
southern
david auer
603.387.6730
florida
ken mantovani
561.600.8881
38
April 2015
• Victory Lane