TJ – vintage & historic racing coverage

Just like every visit to Mid-Ohio in the past, arrival at the track Friday morning was met with excitement and promise of a great weekend of racing. But, what made this year just a bit more special was that Mid-Ohio is celebrating their 50th Anniversary Season.

The track opened in 1962 and has since been a regular stop for many of America’s premier road-racing series. In March 2011, Green/Savoree Mid-Ohio, LLC purchased the track after a 29 year ownership by the Trueman family. Green/Savoree expressed their commitment to build upon and maintain the rich tradition of the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course. That’s great news for all road racing fans.

Throughout its history, Mid-Ohio has hosted many classic racing series such as the SCCA’s Can-Am, Trans-Am, Formula 5000, and the popular Valvoline Run-Off Championships. The IMSA Camel GT, featuring the Lumberman’s 500, wowed the crowds, along with the current endurance classic, the American Le Mans Series. The best of American open-wheel racing have been featured at Mid-Ohio with the ever-popular CART Series, and the current IndyCar Series. The track has also hosted various motorcycle events. But the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course 50th Anniversary Season began as it should with a look to the past, by opening their calendar with the SVRA Vintage Grand Prix of Mid-Ohio.

Porsche was named the featured Marque for the event. The German car-maker served as a fitting symbol of racing excellence for the kick-off celebration of an American Classic, The Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course. The Grand Marshal for Vintage Grand Prix weekend was Road Racing Legend, and former Porsche factory driver, Brian Redman.

The weekend began Friday with a mix of showers, wind, and sporadic sunshine. Though that may have limited the on-track activity, the paddock was busy with preparation for a packed weekend. The weather Saturday and Sunday did not disappoint, and the weekend, the season, and celebration were off to a blistering start.

Here are more images for your enjoyment…and yes, there are more to come. Enjoy.

At speed! ....Tim Sands (Westbend, WI) and his 1970 Titan MKVI (#27).

Fans had the thrill of meeting a true racing legend, Grand Marshal, Brian Redman.

Mid-Ohio fans are enthusiastic and passionate for their racing, and they were not disappointed!

The featured Marque was Porsche. Here is the 1997 Porsche 911/993 (#99) of Lawrence Schumacker (West Chester, OH) as he glides through the Esses.

It’s been two weeks since the 2011 Vintage Grand Prix of Mid-Ohio. Along with sorting through a hefty number of images from the event, life itself has kept me from posting until now. For the time-being I’ll keep it short and brief, with a review of the event to come. In the meanwhile, here are a selection of photos from the three days at the track. Enjoy (I did!)…there will be more to come….TJ

Here is the 1960 Porsche 356 (#390) of Olga Reindlova (New York, NY) leading the 1961 Triumph TR3A (#41) of Jeff Snook (Bowling Green, Ohio) through the Keyhole Chicane.

The beautiful, and “orange”, 1966 Porsche 906 (#39) of Henry Payne IV (Bloomfield Hills, MI), on a flyer just after turn one.

Poised for qualifying, is Stan Crawford (Grove City, OH), and his very crisp looking 1974 Porsche RSR (#61).

The 1981 March 817 Can-Am car (#11), formerly driven by Bobby Rahal, now owned by David Nikolas (Detroit, MI), on display in the paddock.

German engineering at its best, embodied in the 2005 Audi R8 LMP (#12), now in the safe hands of Travis Engen (Weston, CT).

Muscles flexing! The 1969 Chevrolet Corvette (#45) of J. B. Mattison (St. Clair Shores, MI) leads an impressive group of Chevys through the keyhole.

Just a few more photographs from Summit Point. It was a great weekend of racing. As for these photos/cars, I’ll place them in the category entitled, “Cars I’d like to drive”….one of these days at least!  Enjoy!

Next up…the Mid-Ohio Vintage Grand Prix!

Jason Scott of Falls Church, VA, and his impressive 1974 Porsche 911.

Kent Prather of Wakarusa, KS, and his beautiful 1962 MG/MGA.

Bob Leitzinger of State College, PA, and his quick and nimble 1969 Datsun PL 510.

Here are more photographs from Summit Point. These in particular focus in on the drivers. They are indeed dedicated enthusiasts out doing what they love. Racing.

Enjoy!

Bob Kullas of Avon, CT, in his 1969 Chevron B16.

Larry Neviaser of Easton, MD, in his 1968 Ginetta G16.

Dan Chesanow of Athens, TN, in "Cannonball"...a 1966 Venus Formula Vee.

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