TJ – vintage & historic racing coverage

Friday (5/13/11) was a full day of racing and photography. It felt good to be at the track, seeing and hearing the cars roar by. A good friend of mine is known to say at times like this, “It’s all good!”…and it was.

The afternoon endro races were extremely competitive…and for a portion of the Brian Redman Enduro I could swear I was taken back to 1969 and the good old days of the International Championship for Makes Series. For approximately 40 minutes I watched two 1969 Chevron B16’s battle each other lap after lap. It was intense to say the least. In the end, the combination of wet grass and the desire not to be over-taken took the yellow # 23 out of contention. Fortunately, driver Ralph Manaker, of Middleburg, VA escaped injury though he was dazed from the impact.

Here are a few pictures of the event. Enjoy.

1969 Chevron B16, #23 (Ralph Manaker, Middleburg, VA)

1969 Chevron B16, #123 (Bob Kullas, Avon, CT)

Lap after lap, two classic cars doing battle.

Getting wide in Turn 4 (The Chute), catching the wet grass.

Along for the ride....

The end of a classic battle.

The weather forecast leading up to the 2011 Jefferson 500 vintage car race weekend at Summit Point Motorsports Park called for rain showers, thunderstorms, you name it…it didn’t look promising. Luckily, the rain was held to a minimum…but what this left us with was predominately heavy, overcast skies. The darkened ceiling created a setting and tone for some serious racing. It also provided an element of dramatic lighting. Perfect! Everything was nicely falling into place.

Shortly after arriving on Friday I came across the the most “bad-ass” car of the weekend. My favorite era of Chevy Corvette are the models ranging from 1963 to 1967. So you can imagine my delight when I came across this red 1964 Corvette (owned by Chris Homer of Westbrook, ME). It’s V8 thunder was by far the most impressive engine note of the weekend. Here are a few pictures of my favorite car of the weekend. Enjoy.

On the grid for the Friday session of the Brian Redman 1 Hour Enduro.

At speed, approaching turn 10, which leads onto the front straight.

Thundering through the Carousel.

Continuing the thought of classic race car design and aesthetics…nothing is more striking than the simple treatment of a racing stripe. Done right, it creates balance and symmetry to the car…beauty, in other words. Here are a few single-seaters with just the right touch.

1969 Crossle/16F FF

1971 Lotus/Type 69

1968 Brabham BT29 FB

There’s an old saying that can be applied to many things in life…especially in the world of graphic design and the visual arts. “Less is more”.

This theory is clearly on display in the world of classic Vintage Sports Car Racing. Here the cars are presented with a striking simplicity, highlighting the design and character of each car. The cars are the stars in vintage motorsport. The classic lines, the color, the placement of the car’s number, all play a part in the presentation of each classic vehicle.

Here are a few more photos from the 2009 VRG Jefferson 500 event from Summit Point. The 2011 Jefferson 500 weekend is in just a few weeks, and I can’t wait…..

1960 Austin Healey "Bugeye" Sprite - #54

1972 Alfa Romeo/GTV - #92

1951 MG/TD - # 284

On the weekend of March 12-13 (2011), I was able to attend a very special event. The North Carolina Region, SCCA “March Memories” race weekend at Virginia International Raceway was my first taste of racing this year. But this was no ordinary “first” that I was witness to. My long-time friend, Mark Seiler, and his son Ray, had just recently completed road race school….and this was to be their first wheel to wheel competitive race weekend. Weeks prior, when Mark called to let me know the date of the race, I knew I had to be there. He and I go way back. We have covered a lot of miles and have racked up many stories along the way. I certainly did not want to miss this one.

Saturday started at O-dark-thirty for me. I left my house in Maryland and drove to VCU in Richmond to pick-up my son Eric for the beginning of his Spring Break. We then made our way down to VIR, and made it approximately 2 hours before Mark and Ray’s first race of the weekend…the Carolina Cup Pro Series (CCPS) 45 minute enduro. Earlier in the day (prior to our arrival), Mark took part in the qualifying session. Unfortunately it did not go as planned. Morning dew, cold tires, and a little fog all contributed to a spin just before completion of the first lap. Mark watched the rest of the session from up against a tire wall. Car and driver were fine. Lesson learned. This meant they had to start at the back of the pack…the back of a field of 67 cars! I believe it was a blessing in disguise, because it afforded them the ability to set their own pace without having to worry about defending against a over-ambitious fellow competitor going into turn one.

Ray started the Carolina Cup race and quickly became comfortable with the pace.  He soon began working his way forward. Mark took over at half-distance and brought the car safely home for the finish. It was an impressive debut! That night, Mark and his wife Sue (Crew Chief), co-driver Ray, along with Eric and myself celebrated with some seriously good Pizza. It was an awesome day!

On Sunday, Mark and Ray successfully completed the Enduro Championship Racing series (ECR) 1 hour 30 minute endro event, finishing fourth in class. Two for two…mission accomplished! Great job guys!

Here are a few pictures from the weekend….

Ray Seiler powering through Turn 12 "Oak Tree" during the opening laps of the Carolina Cup 45 minute enduro race at VIR.

Mark Seiler makes his charge to the finish of the Carolina Cup 45 minute enduro race in their 1991 Mazda Miata "Red".

"Red", 1991 Mazda Miata

Mark Seiler (left) and myself...a memorable reunion.

Ever since I’ve been interested in auto racing and have been following individual drivers, I’ve always been intrigued by the helmet artwork. Over the years it has evolved and has become quite elaborate. There have been some iconic designs over the years, dating back to Jackie Stewart, Emerson Fittipaldi, Mario Andretti, Graham Hill, and Ayrton Senna….to name a few. Here are some recent helmet designs from the IndyCar and ALMS paddock.

Marco Andretti, IndyCar, Mid-Ohio 2010

Gianmaria Bruni, ALMS, Mid-Ohio 2010

Clint Field, ALMS, Mid-Ohio 2010

I’m looking forward to this year’s SVRA Vintage Grand Prix of Mid-Ohio…to be run on the weekend of June 24-26. This is the 50th season for the famed Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, and what better way to celebrate the event than to have Porsche as the featured marque.

The classic Porsche 911 body shape has always been my favorite sports car through the years. I’m looking forward to photograph the large variety of cars that is expected at the event.

Until then, here are a few Porsche pics from the last two years. Enjoy!

Here is a 1969 Porsche 911 coming into the pits at the 2009 Jefferson 500.

Here are two Porsche classics tucked away quietly in a paddock garage during the 2010 Mid-Ohio Vintage Grand Prix weekend. 1959 Porsche RSK 718 (#44), 1966 Porsche 910 (#139)

Here's a 1974 Porsche 911 RSR....at speed!

The 2010 SVRA Vintage Grand Prix of Mid-Ohio, June 25-27, was HOT!  The cars were hot, the on-track action was hot, AND the weather was definitely hot!  But even with the heat, the crowd for the three-day vintage weekend was impressive…and they were not disappointed. The racing was fantastic. Summer surely started with a bang!

Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course is known for its excellent spectator viewing areas. I’m usually on the move during a typical race day…walking the track, visiting the pits, and strolling paddock. Here are a few photos from three of my favorite spots at Mid-Ohio.

Turn 1, flat-out left-hander (also features pit exit). Here's a 1965 Shelby Cobra 427 exiting Turn 1, hustling on up to the keyhole.

The Paddock area at Mid-Ohio offers an excellent opportunity to see the cars up-close. Here is a beautiful 1957 Lotus Eleven.

Turn 4, at the end of the long back straight, leading into a series of corners known as "Madness". Here's a smart-looking 1972 BMW 2002ti maintaining good momentum as he exits Turn 4.

The 2010 running of the Jefferson 500 vintage sports car weekend at Summit Point featured another display of beautiful race cars. But one in particular caught my eye. This 1969 Lola T70 MkIIIb epitomizes the classic styling of the prototype from a golden age of motor racing. It’s sleek design, striking color, and classic display of racing stripe/car number set it apart from the rest. If only I could drive something like this to work every day…the Washington beltway would be a breeze!

The classic design of the 1969 Lola T70 MkIIIb had the attention of everyone.

Stretching its legs....the Lola set the pace.

1969 Lola T70 MkIIIb - "Looks fast standing still"

As time goes by I find myself becoming more and more satisfied with the experience of attending vintage sports car events. The distinctive design and styling of each car helps to create their unique character. Before computers and wind tunnels dictated car design decisions, aesthetics ruled the day. “If it looked good, it was probably fast.”

Here are a few photographs from the Vintage Racer Group (VRG) Jefferson 500 vintage sports car event held at Summit Point Motorsports Park (Summit Point, WV) in May 2009. I approached this weekend with a singular goal…viewing each car as a work of art…and capturing their unique character.

1958 Elva MKII

1962 Aston Martin DB4

1966 Ford Mustang