 News
from the Prez- December 2007
|
-ECR rises from the ashes.
-2007 Wrap-up
-Goodbye from your Prez
Greetings Everybody-
Well, Eagles Canyon came together with a flurry
of activity, including heavy lobbying
after the dismal entry within two weeks of the
event. There were a whole lot of people who pitched in to
make it happen. You guys pulled 120 entries, better than
our last TWS event and stellar considering this late year test
event! The crescendo of success might have been the buzzing
banquet room, packed with 200 racers,crew and families on Saturday
night. It also could have been the anticipation as each of 22 big
bore cars flushed out of the hills into view on the
back-straight for the Saturday race. The green flag was
symbolic of a big bottle crashing across the bow of this
intriguing new place. Sure the weather was dreary and
Sunday's drying came on the heels of 50 mph winds, but
everybody made the best of it. I don't know how many motorhome
gatherings I attended, all with hot food, but the CVAR spirit of fun
and friendship was alive and well, undaunted by the weather and austere
gravel accomodations. I remember seeing hazy silhouettes of
people cooking under canopies in Friday's late night drizzle,
accompanied by lively music, uninhibited in the face of
the rain's spatter.
The track was challenging and not everyone's favorite,
but opinions warmed with the dry surface on Sunday. I recall
hearing a seasoned formula car driver's muffled hoots from beneath his
helmet as he finished his session. "Whew, now that's a race
track!" Like Hallett, it is hard on tires, brakes and
engines with lower gears required in many cars. ECR can also be
very unforgiving if you leave the racing surface. We all winced
as the crushed carcass of one of our favorite cars came in on the
rollback. Additionally, Stephen Page logged some unwelcome flight
time as his Corona Atlantic burned a wheel bearing and took wing
over a field of unforgiving cobbles.
So, this rambling will end my tenure here as your
President. As the year has been, so has the role,
with fulfilling highs and mundane lows - all part of the job, but
a job you should realize is extremely challenging. Its hard to
poll the Board and members on every issue while trying to send out
checks and insure the next event. The Board members can
pick and choose what issues they want to get involved in, while the
President's butt is toast if everybody shows up for an event and the
insurance certificate is not on hand. This usually
takes prodding a very user-unfriendly company for a month in
advance. We've had a year with many simmering issues and I've had
to stay away from some topics just for sheer
survival.
Hey, lets make this a happy closure and look at what I
think we've accomplished this year. People like lists, so how
'bout a top ten list of highlights from 2007? As requisite in
scientific writing, I will try to credit those involved in each
accomplishment. Please forgive me if I forget somebody.
1. Formula Ford 40th
Anniversary (Andrew Fawcett, Greg Reynolds, Clyde Coman/HRMC)- What
can you say, this was a huge undertaking, all initiated by
Andrew. I know the crosswalk of responsibility and communication
was a mess at times, but he hung in there and we pulled 40+ Formula
Fords from all over the country and heard nothing but rave reviews.
2. Advertising (Andrew and
others)- In the past we have usually tasked the
magazines with generating our ads for a fee. This year Andrew put
together a very provocative ad for FF40 that we used as our club
ad. This ran a whole color inside cover in Vintage RaceCar and
quarter page color in Vintage Motorsport and Victory
Lane. I've already ginned up an ad to announce nest
year's season that will appear in Vintage Motorsport's Jan-Feb
issue. Since the task got kicked my way, I took the
liberty of featuring Group 3 and yours truly. I still think
you'll like it. Hopefully we will have it posted here for viewing.
3. Web/net based registration and
information (David Littlefield, Herb Hilton)- Acceptance
has been slow for some, but we knew that we had to get out of the paper
chase since none of us had the superhuman skills of former President,
Art Summerville. I think the online registration has saved us
tons of misery and money, as do these newsletters in cyber form, plus
we reach people who would never encounter us otherwise. The
registration still requires a lot of hand-work from David and we
applaud him.
4. Trophies (Bob Green, Seth
Higgins, Charlie Jones, Gwen at Lufkin Rubber Stamp)- Yes,
after all the belly-aching over trophies, we did put together some very
nice ones in record time (except for Group 7). Even some
members of the Board said we were doomed because time was so short.
5. Throwback Jam (Don Gwynne, Al
Schorken, Michael Saxe)- Now defunct after one
installment, I get to say it was great because it required effort and
was. This drive through the past was guided by our own
humble historians. How many guys can say they rubbed fenders
with Stirling Moss or drove a Camaro in the 24 hours of Daytona
back in the day...and have the pictures to prove it? The faces
flushed with excitement at the end of the night were endorsement enough.
6. Looking Vintage costume contest
(Connie Stephens/HRMC, Jacque Cleverdon, RPM band, CoatPro, numerous
other donors)- Also defunct after its fourth iteration,
this attempt at fun in the footsteps of Goodwood, had a few big
moments, but faded this year despite heavy promotion. You vote
with your partcipation. Some will miss this highlight of the
Thunder on the Cimarron events. Its going to be very quiet next year
with no band or costumes. Anybody is welcome to pick up the ball
and keep it alive.
7. Eagles Canyon (Stephen Page, Bob Green,
Bryan Henderson, David & Linda Cook )- Although
it still did not have a long-straight with a wide, sweeping on-camber
exit that big bore guys longed for and expected, all was not lost as
they acclimated and many improvements will no doubt be in the
works. Amidst a year of rumors about how the track would never be
ready (and worse), ECR rose from the ashes. Lay out a ribbon of
asphalt in the middle of nowhere and people will come from out of
nowhere as you will discover below. CVAR will always be known as
the first club to compete on the track. Yes, you'll be annoying
people in the nursing home about it someday.
8. Weighing of cars (Roy Allen and
others)- Some asked why and the reason was just to see
if we had a problem with any cars being too light. Tonnage
ranged from 827 lbs. for a Formula Vee to 3300+ for a real endurance
Camaro. The weighing required extra work in tech, but all
went smoothly and I didn't really hear any complaining about the
process. Knowing the nature of humans and racing, I
think we will always have to employ a "trust, but verify" approach to
legality.
9. Team Geezer- As much
as I hate to give these guys anymore ink, they gave me a T-shirt,
several lunches and advice, some of which was tainted (the
advice). Seriously, I don't think there is a better example
of the vintage spirit than these guys (and wives) and their well-oiled
publicity and hospitality machine. They provide all the corner
workers with kolaches at every event and have served several
lunches for large groups, including everybody at ECR. Despite all
the bur-under-the-saddle ploys, I really do think they mean well and
should be an example to us all.
10. Tom & Jeanette Upton and the
Mooch-mobile- Not really an accomplishment, but an
ever-present gesture of goodwill, the Uptons have opened their rig to
everybody for wonderful meals and drink. The big toter
was an oasis on Friday night as many packed in to escape the weather
and partake of the fellowship and food.
Likewise with the burger lunch on Sunday.
Ok, so my time here is up and I really want to say
that I was honored and flattered to be your President. Some
of the above highlights showed where I sought to steer the
club. I really wanted closer ties to our true vintage past.
Peer pressure in our club is still generally governed by whomever is
fastest and that kind of pressure will continually have people pushing
the envelope on cost, equipment and the rules. It keeps both the
administration and members in a frictional relationship. Its no
secret that some oversized motors have crept back in.
Unless you're doing your own machine work, somebody knows and then word
spreads since even friends have a hard time protecting
cheaters. This has been the only time I have addressed this all
year, but its out there and we know about it.
My epiphany came at the Lime Rock
Trans Am Reunion last year where, due to some fortunate
friendships, I was able to move freely through the inner circles
of big players and it was no big deal to sit next to George
Follmer or lean on a fence with Vic Eldelbrock. Name dropping
aside, I was taken with how the Group was driven with making the
cars as authentic as possible, going to great lengths to run low valve
covers (no roller rockers) and putting things like big clunky
brake prop valves back in the cars. Sure, I still heard stuff,
like "we all know who's cheating," but the point is they moved on
with their standards and anybody not playing by the rules was known and
not appreciated.
We tried to influence peer pressure with a separate
awards opportunity, like an annual tech, where a car gets judged for
vintage authenticity, but found little interest. Dan
Haynes was heading up this effort and I don't think we're just going to
let it die. In fact, my goal for next year is to be the
first to submit a new car to this process. At my core, I am a car
builder, historian and racer. I have been a very unwilling
politician. I've had the opportunity to offer much
encouragement to racers/enthusiasts, far and wide, via emails and phone
through this position. I don't relinquish that easily and
will have some words for the Board in my outgoing comments about
valuing the racer and having a true democratic process.
Likewise, please understand that they are mostly busy, working guys,
not the well-oiled plotting, strategizing machine that some
imagine. Have a great Holiday season all and I will see you at
the track next year.
Your Humble Prez,
Dave
(as we say on Gov't radio, "Peterson clear")
World's
#1 rated Track Chaser witnesses opener at ECR
Randy Lewis contacted me prior to the event and wanted
assurance the he would be able to see competition after 2:00 on
Saturday because he was coming from the CA to the airport and would
have only a few hours before jetting off to another event.
Apparently Track Chasing is like bird watching, where you get a notch
in your belt with each new species or event. See Randys write-up
and photos. ECR was Randy's 1,294th
event!
http://www.ranlayracing.com/1294eaglescanyon.htm
Cameras seem to be everywhere these days, sometimes to
the benefit of us not in the act of crimes, Geezers not
withstanding. I think Randy Cross was the photog with the big
telephoto camera going all weekend. He sent me this message and
these great photos to share:
I had a
blast: you ???? Please pass along these pictures.
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Eagles
Canyon Update- November 2007
|
official Eagles
Canyon Invite: webpage
(works best with IExplorer) or Powerpoint
Dear CVAR Members
I visited ECR on Wednesday( 11/16/07).
We will definitely be racing November 30th on a completed track and
with more facilities than we thought.
We will have:
- A large grid and paddock area covered with asphalt.
- Bathrooms and a shower for men and women.
- Tire service at the track
- All grades of gas at the track.
- A large enclosed building to serve and eat food (and provide
shelter, if necessary).
- MOST IMPORTANT - we will have a world class track that is better
than any we have raced on.
David & Linda Cook continue to invest in the track's
improvement and perfection.
Their philosophy is to get the track right first and build
infrastructure after the track is perfect.
The Tire Service professionals are:
http://www.performancespeedtech.com/
Upcoming Trackside Support Events:
November 17-18 , Porsche Club - Maverick Region at Eagles Canyon
November 30 - December 2, CVAR at Eagles Canyon
Enjoy your visit to MotorSport Ranch even more...
let us make your car race ready by changing your wheels and tires
before (and after) track times. We can even transport your tires
from the paddock in our Club Cart.
Call 817.512.4780 from your cell phone.
I'm attaching the narrative describing hotel and contact information
from the ECR Race Event PowerPoint presentation (sent previously)
for those of you that don't have PowerPoint.
Porsche will have 183 cars at their DE event at ECR this weekend.
140+ ECR members will have the track for their opening the following
weekend.
CVAR will have the first race weekend event at ECR November 30th -
December 2, 2007.
Please
sign up and make this a
record turnout for CVAR.
FYI - ECR Race details below:
CVAR & Eagles Canyon Raceway - Inaugural ECR Race Event
Ladies & Gentlemen of CVAR, the information below will better
prepare
you for our inaugural event at Eagles Canyon Raceway - see:
www.eaglescanyon.com
The Track Facilities:
The following services are working:
–Completed 15 turn, 2.6 mile, F1 quality track – WOW!
–10 x Corner stations with toilets (including start/finish).
–Timing & Scoring installed with hook-up for CVAR's system
–Gas sales and Tire service facilities at the track
–Mobile Catering facility that will sell Breakfast and Lunch Saturday
& Sunday and cater Dinner Saturday night (with Shiner Bock and
Light
Beer kegs).
There is no:
–Electrical power or water in the paddock – bring your own generator.
Covered shelter in the paddock – bring shelter.
HOTELS:
The following Hotels are located near ECR.
•Decatur (12 miles from track):
–Best Western Decatur Inn $; 1801 South Highway 287 Decatur, TX 76234
US. Phone: 940-627-5982
http://book.bestwestern.com/bestwestern/productInfo.do?
propertyCode=44298
–Comfort Inn $$; 1709 TX 287, Decatur, TX 76234. Phone: 940 627-6919
http://www.choicehotels.com
–Days Inn $$; 1900 South Trinity Street, Decatur, TX 76234. Phone:
940-627-2463 http://www.daysinn.com
–Holiday Inn Express Suites $$; 1051 North Highway 81 & 287,
Decatur,
TX 76234. Phone: 940-627-0776 http://www.ichotelsgroup.com
–Ramada Limited $$; 1507 TX 287, Decatur, TX 76234. Phone: 940-627-
6262 http://www.ramada.com
–Super 8 Motel $$; 1600 South Highway 287, Decatur, TX 76234 Phone:
940-627-0250 http://www.super8.com
Event Management
•Registration is managed by CVAR. You can obtain registration forms
online @ www.corinthianvintagerace.com (click)
•Contacts for the event:
(edited out old info)
Warmest personal regards - Stephen
Stephen J. L. Page
ECR Race Chairman
Chairman & CEO
The Vintage Racing League
www.thevrl.com
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News
from the Prez - November 2007
|
TWS Fall Festival
Greetings Clan-
I can't remember better
weather for our
annual Fall Festival event at TWS. Typically, this is biggest
event of the year, but entries were way down around 113.
Nobody seemed bothered by it and all grids had a good gaggle of cars,
but by Sunday after lunch the place was vacant except
for a few hardcore closed-wheel competitors awaiting their
enduro. We sat in the empty garages on Sunday and tried to
figure out what had changed. Was it hunting season or
football? Nah, those factors were present in past
seasons and never impacted our numbers. We always say we don't
care about numbers, but we have to in order to care about the numbers
you punch in to pay for an event. Some of our events make a small
amount of money, but our last TWS event lost about $800, which I think
was a stroke of luck because we didn't have any complications or
overruns. If this is still your favorite venue, then you have to
support it. We spend some money in between events on advertising,
VMC coordination, printing, web services, equipment and, yes,
awards. As long as we are breaking even or losing at
events, we are chipping away at our reserves, which will eventually
force higher entry fees, which we don't want. How do you keep
your race fees low? RACE! Its still as fun as
ever, as you shall see below.
So, back to our late Sunday
afternoon
garage ruminations. What is different here I asked my
compadre? "Look where we're sitting - empty garages."
It wasn't that long ago we fired off our entries in record time to get
a garage or renewed our memberships immediately in order to get a
garage for the year. Then there were all the "you're in my
space" confrontations. Now myspace is something totally
different. Many have graduated to the self-contained big
rigs and camp on their own in various wagon circles or out on the
infield prairie. We've got nothing against success and comfort,
but has this created an independence in some of us, where its just
easier to slump back in the rig after a long day than to be
social? There is still plenty of entertainment in the
garages at night. There's always somebody thrashing who
could use an audience of slackers. You know how guys
gravitate toward work when its not their's. Then
there's the Jolly Roger live music fest in the shadow of pit
lane. It has become the mandatory last stop of every Saturday
night at TWS.
Rambling back again to the
question -
what has changed? Shifting in his lawn chair, followed by a
thoughtful sip on his Boddington's (in a glass of course), my
friend asked, where's all the average Joes? He then proceeded to
list a handful of regular guys who weren't
there. Are the big rigs allelopathic like a
tallow trees? That in biological terms means putting
off chemicals that are repulsive to smaller plants that typically
grow beneath these trees. I sure hope this isn't the case.
The proudest statement I can make about CVAR is that in our forum, men
are men and women are women. We bring together
everybody from the haves to the have-nots and for three days we are all
equal....and hopefully beyond that. I smiled as I noticed a
guy of considerable means sitting in his UTV trackside with a guy of
modest means shoulder-to-shoulder, friends, equals, just men who
live and love racing. Where else do you see
that? Nowhere! So, I say, "Econo-buds" come back. You
keep it economical by showing up. There are still some of us who
have slept in the dirt next to our cars, even this year. How much
closer to racing can you get?
Back to the Fall
Festival.
Despite numbers, the Saturday night awards celebration was standing
room only for two hours. Thanks to event Chairman, Dan Haynes for
the extra effort on the great meal and drink, including a dessert
he made himself in between thrashing on his
car. I'm not even going to bring up the pot holder
floating in a pot of melting butter. Much appreciation to Stephen
Page for color commentary, hugs, wine and cigars. Thanks to all
our groups who donated a cumulative $2000+ to corner worker cash prizes
and all group members who helped me present awards. We hope you
liked the awards this year with unique logo work by Charlie Jones and
Seth Higgins. We forgot Group 7, which will be ready by
ECR, however if you didn't pick up your award, I'm not going to drag
them around to every event from years past like I have been.
These were not cheap and we will just give yours to the next in
standing if you don't want it. But lets stay positive - my faith
is renewed in the spirit of this club in that all remained attentive
and upbeat for two hours. I heard word that most thought it the
best points celebration ever......thanks to you!
As the point season
concluded, Sunday's
races and enduros were ripe for all manner of shenanigans including a
"beladrome" attempt by the Formula Vees in the first half of their
enduro. Plan was to stay in single file with the leader
dropping to the back of the line entering Turn 1 so that each driver
got to lead a lap. However, all attempts at orchestration
reverted to the same pack of four guys leading. I wonder if
the Agitator was involved in this debacle. Speaking of which, Art
Summerville awarded John Gaudette the beautiful engraved washing
machine agitator in this the inaugural year of the coveted Agitator
trophy. True to form, the G-Man hacked his way into the Group 1
parade lap in his Vee, knowing full well reprisal would
follow. Group 1 guys I must remind you that he is expecting
something, so don't let him down.
Along with the enduros comes
the
spectacle of bungling pit-stops. I turned away quickly
from the shimmering lake of fuel in the passenger compartment of a
Pantera, hoping it was only a mirage. "This ain't
NASCAR" somebody shouted as a team of FEMA-esque crew and
drivers milled around in organized confusion. See photo below by
Wayne Hill.
This year we saw more than
just big
bore cars launching in "Blue Light Special" starts. We got to
witness vintage drag races and burnouts among all manner
of race-craft. Eyebrows raised as Spec Sprite poured
all 900+ CCs to one tire, making it complain with a brief
squeal. Grimaces followed as Mustang leaf spring convulsed
in a spaghetti-like sine-wave causing the motor to gag.
Sensing his moment, unobtrusive Michael B. Jernaquist had his annual
100 feet of fame as his 66 notchback smoked the skins and fish-tailed
down the hot-pit stage, evoking a roar of applause. Cone-Boy Mark
McCylar didn't do bad either as his orange Camaro slithered and roared
in a nasty dog-trot slide. Looks like Austin is the
home of the burn-out boys and I'm not talking about the
Governor. Another highlight was the Vee match-race
between Jim Yule and Bill Griffith. Always the competitor,
Bill lurched forward and back violently as he grabbed second gear,
leaving the hot pit gallery in laughter. It looked like a dead
heat to Turn 1 and was not really a shabby showing by the oft-maligned
"slowest class in CVAR." With the power-to-weight ratio of
a 5.0 Mustang, Vees are not that slow. Take a look at the
fast times and you are talking mid-pack in Group 1. Bill had the
last word on that one too. I suspect the Blue Light Specials are
here to stay and will become more creative in years to follow.
Take a look at the nice coverage
by the
local news. I should've known the Geezers would have a media
program too.
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Ballotts
We hope to have ballots
prepared for
you to pick up at ECR Tech to save mailing costs. Get you
nominees for any governing position in quickly to George Curl, Roy
Allen or John Furlow Sr. Positions should be the President
(open), Vice (Bob Green), Secretary (Jeff Wilt), Treasurer (Gaudette
the Agitator) and three At-Large positions - Furlow Sr., George Curl,
John Fershtand. Authenticity Chairman was also an elected
position last time.
Eagles Canyon
Ok, lets get this Eagle's
Canyon thing
going. Enough questioning and doubting. Strap in and lets
show em that the CVAR boys (and girls) are in town and that means ear
protection. You will have to furnish your own
shade, but most do anyway. A multi-purpose
building will be open for the Saturday shindig, with the
meal provided by our own Sam Lecomte, who knows a
thing or two about good food. He is also helping us with a mobile
food caterer for breakfast and lunch on Saturday and Sunday.
It sounds like you'll need to fend for yourself on Friday
and you may want to bring extra snacks and drinks for
the weekend. I was told showers will be available.
(ed. - tire services also) Race
fuel will be available in 110 leaded
104 unleaded and 93 unleaded grades. Please support this
event as it may well be part of our future staple of venues, not to
mention your last chance to race this year. I'm estimating that midnight
on the 19th is your cutoff for late fees. Don't
hold me to it, just be aware that time is winding down. Lets
close this year out big. See you all there.
Your humble Prez,
Dave
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October
2007 News Letter
|
-Big Hallett Thunder
-FF 40 Fast and Filling
-Looking Vintage Results
-Election Committee Muster
-Raucous
Vees Reach Red Alert
-Race
to Reading
-Memories,
Impressions and RMVR Challenges
Well, what can you say about
Hallett? Its like the Stephens family lays down a huge
petri dish with the ultimate substrate for fun and memories and they
just seem to flourish there. Connie Stephens juggled
announcements, time sheets and logistics like a well oiled machine -
"Your 110 fuel has arrived.......Somebody needs a Tilton 3/4" master
cylinder." Goodwill was contagious and four master cylinders
appeared from sprawl of rigs and camps that seemed to cover the rolling
hills to the horizon. The crackling murmur that typically exudes
from track PA systems was nowhere to be found. Engaging
play-by-play race calls filled the warm, humid air and the spirit of
vintage racing couldn't help but abound.
Thanks to the Stephens for the way they have molded
this venue and event into something that leaves visitors raving as you
will see below. The infectious spirit actually took hold before
the race as the entries continued to pour in, last minute, from 120 to
130 to nearly 140, as we counted down over the net with rants of
excitement. I think this was our largest "Thunder" event
ever. Thanks also to Race Chairman, Greg Reynolds for all his
work. This was our first event with heavy sponsorship, including
Jim Norton Toyota out of Tulsa who provided support and pace vehicles.
What else can you say about FF40 and efforts
of our Webmaster and event coordinator, Andrew Fawcett. I know he
was thrashing on cars late every night in addition to handling all the
FF40 details. Despite throwing a rod through the pan in his newly
prepped Lotus 61 FF, he kept the event flowing with routine activities
under the Formula Ford big top tent. With nearly 40 entries in
the combined FF1 and FF2 classes, the ample track time flowed with
little carnage. In fact, I watched the combined feature on
Sunday with both groups racing together. Once the field sorted
out, it seemed like a continual flow of two and three-car packs, duking
it out with worthy opponents for everyone on the track.
The FF event was going so smoothly that I
taunted Andrew as I came in from my FV session. I told him to
leave it to FV to spice up the event with some drama as we prompted yet
another red flag session, which we've become accustomed to.
However, I was destined to eat my words and your "Humble Prez" was
truly humbled. Hallett has always been a spin-fest for me
in a Vee. I won't even go out for morning warmup sessions as the
cool damp track usually guarantees a trip to the hot pit. Things
have been much better since "Coyote" was repaved, but my poor tire
management still left me with several miscues, including facing the
entire field in Turn 1, helpless and stalled. I have to credit
everybody for their great skill in avoiding me, particularly Doane
Harrison, Grover Maurer and Mike Vecilio, some of whom have been on the
receiving end of humility in recent events. Despite all my
time bagging tires and storing them inside, I still can't tell when
they're done until they're done.....and then its too late as I realized
once again when putting two tires on the rumble strips of "Everybody's
Favorite" threw me out of control and into the grass where Dick "Flash"
Ryan was unable to avoid me and my weekend was done with my nose
and front suspension seriously wounded. Its hard to fork
over 1/7th the value of my car in tires, but it should pay in the long
run with safety and not squandering my weekend and that of others as
well. Thanks to the patience of my fellow FV cohorts and the
gentle prodding about tires over the past couple years.
Competition has been stiff and we have been working close to the edge,
so make note of the alert to all FV competitors that follows below.
Looking Vintage was heavily promoted this
year, but Connie and I knew there things were amiss when all but a few
stayed clear of the entry list despite our badgering. Those
that did compete did not disappoint as they plied their wares in front
of the rocking RPM band. Von Saxe took us back to the 60s
with their choreographed family of beatniks that stole the grand prize
of a CVAR entry waiver. Roger Bailey looked like B-movie alien in
his get-up that featured a battered scoop from his old SCCA Vee affixed
to an equally unsightly helmet. Since presentation accounted for
part of the score, he must've said something mighty provocative to the
judges to garner second place. Gary Bauer went for vintage class
in his gold racing jacket and also tied for second. David
Littlefield was decked out in rather ironic gentleman's driving garb
and selected a $50 CoatPro gift certificate for his share in the
three-way tie for second. Art and Mary Jo Summerville captured
third with their distinguished socialite look. All second
and third place winners chose from CoatPro T-shirts and Carter-Maxwell
Goodyear caps.
In this, its fourth year, Looking Vintage will
bow out with a whimper, not to return again unless somebody else takes
the reins. Connie and I put too much time and preparation into
prizes to be met with such little interest, not to take anything away
from this year's participants who were stellar and saved the
show. The same went for RPM, a band that cost HRMC at least
$800 and captivated a small hard-core crowd into the night as usual,
but the majority disappeared once the food and drink was gone. My
only criticism leveled toward the membership has been the general
apathy toward anything that doesn't involve eating, drinking or sitting
in a race car. We are breathing one last gasp into the awards
dinner, but after that we will no longer interrupt you from the solace
of your lawn chair. It is a decision the majority has made very
apparent.
The nomination/election committee will consist of George Curl, Roy
Allen and John Furlow Sr. They will be introduced as such at the
next event, so be thinking of nominees as we will have a fairly quick
turnaround for voting once membership renewals go out at the end of the
season.
Get your entries in and we'll see in a couple weeks at TWS for big fun
and interesting enduros.
Your Humble Prez,
Dave
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Vee Bad Boys Take Heed
Here is a Group 3 "Heads Up" for the upcoming Fall Festival weekend at
Texas World Speedway.
Item One VERY IMPORTANT There will be a
mandatory Group 3 drivers meeting in the Media Room (were you pick up
the track result sheets) immediately following the regular drivers
meeting on Saturday morning. The subject will be Group 3 safety
performance. Group 3 is the first group to reach the undesirable
RED LIGHT status in CVAR's revised safety program.
Item Two Formula Vee drivers please be sure to register for
the Sunday Enduro at the TWS November event. In the first half of
the enduro, the vees will stage a "hippodrome" race. After the
green flag, the vees will fall into a single line formation and run at
the speed of the slowest car. Each car will get a chance to lead
a lap and then fall to the end of the line in turn one. This will
provide a wonderful photo opportunity with your car in the front of a
big vee field crossing the finish line. We'll all do the
mandatory stop on the same lap at half way. You can race in the
last half hour or join Team Geezer in trying to perfect a three car
"dead heat" finish photo.
Item Three Sunday at lunch, all Group 3 participants,
spouses, and their crews are invited to the traditional (or about
to be traditional) year end meal in the Geezer paddock area.
Bring your chair and your appetite.
Mike Callahan
Group 3 Rep.
Spass Haben
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Race to Reading
.....And the second was to have a display for a thing I did at my son's
school. They had a race to reading and I brought Pam
Littlefield's car and some pictures, driving suits, etc. and the poster
of the flags and talked to them about our sport and why it was
important to learn to read and be able to communicate. What is
should do is the same communication part of the speech to our drivers
with the display and see if it helps them. David Griffith
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Yankee Cheers
Hey Bob Green,
I'm sure glad we met at Road America this past September. I had a
wonderful experience racing with CVAR at Hallett this past
weekend. I've been Vintage racing four to seven race
weekends per year since 2000 and CVAR and Hallett Raceway are at the
top of my list for a great track and well run event. Great
people and an exceptionally well run event. The biggest complement I
can give you and the Hallett people is that I will return next year and
bring some of my fellow race buddies. Please forward this
onto to Greg, your wife, staff and the Stephens.
Sincerely,
Roger Karnopp
Eagan, MN
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Impressions of Road
America from Bob Green
Road America trip and lessons learned.
I'm just back from a wonderful trip to Road America
with about a dozen of our Group one guys. Fabulous
facility, great history, nice people and a few hundred
neat cars. Not all "vintage" but neat nonetheless.
Many "vintage" clubs have a different view of what
constitutes a "vintage" race car. In what we call
Group 1 there were some strange birds indeed. A Camaro
with an all aluminum sprint car motor, Sunbeam Tiger
with a 351W and Mustangs with NASCAR heads, full
racing gear boxes and HUGE after market brakes. These
are just a few. Great old cars but not "vintage", at
least not by our standards. It cost a fortune to build
these kind of cars and they are VERY fast. The CVAR
guys with real "vintage" cars were mid pack at best,
having fun but not at the pointy end of the grid.
We are among a few clubs in the nation that adhere to
real vintage standards, old rules for old cars. It
works. Competition in our race groups is tighter and
the biggest check book does not determine the winner.
Our cars are rewarded for correctness over outright
speed in our points system in an effort to control
these things.
We will be taking steps to further control car
preparation in the 2008 season. We now own our own set
of 4 point scales and they will be in use at all
events. Engines may be measured in several groups and
additional items checked for correctness.
Before any of you scream. There are no new rules in
place, just enforcement of the existing rules in the
spirit of vintage racing. The Group Reps will be more
involved in the process than in the past and will be
your first contact person.
The CVAR Motto is BRING YOUR VINTAGE SPIRIT. That is
not just a state of mind at the track. It has at least
as much to do with what you present as a "vintage"
prepared car. Was your vintage spirit in place as you
built that vintage ride?
Did you read the rules on car preparation for your
class? Is your racer within the rules? If not you will
be asked to fix it and be given a limited amount of
time to accomplish that task.
It is all about real vintage racing, not racing old
cars.
Bob Green
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The Journey and Journal of
Nevada's Carl McLelland
Greg:
Since you were race chairman of this year's "Thunder on the Cimarron"
event, I thought it appropriate to forward this e-mail to you. Through
your efforts, the efforts of everyone else on the CVAR race management
team, and the efforts and dedication of the personnel at HMRC, we have
at least one visiting competitor from another club (HSR-West) who will
most definitely go back and tell his fellow racers how great it is to
race in Oklahoma! You guys put on one hell of an event, as evidenced by
Carl McLelland's report!!!! I, for one, am glad to be associated with
such a great group of competitors.
Great job and hope you enjoy the review,
Andrew Walker
Andy,
I'm struggling to write this on my sisters computer. Everything is
backward to me on this.. However, as clever as I am I SHALL PREVAIL!!
If ya would, please forward this to the guys.. And the best part, the
very best to Lisa form Lynne and I.. She is a very nice lady. We
really enjoyed meeting her.
Hello From Hallett! OR, hello from Hallett last week since we're not
there any more.
T'was one of the best weekends of racing I've had in years; if not the
best ever! By the time the Formula Ford feature race was finished
Sunday I was "Finished"! I literally and absolutely did not have the
strength left to get back in the car! I could honestly and truly say I
had my fill of racing for a weekend.
The trip out was, with but a couple exceptions, uneventful. I had some
unbelievable cross winds to contend with, but the real "coup-de-gras"
was when we stopped in the little 'burg' of Edgewood, N.M. (at the top
of the mountain on the east side of Albuquerque) to fuel the MH. I
stuck the nozzle in the tank and glanced down to see the (bottom) of
the trailer hitch ball about 1" off the pavement!! Further
investigation yielded that the welds on the trailer hitch receiver
(the thing that's bolted to the MH that the ball mount goes into) were
cracked/cracking. Thank goodness we stopped when we did. The next
'bump or pothole' (VERY pleniful in New Mexico) could have sent the
trailer in a direction other than that of the MH, and my weekend would
have been truly ruined!! We spent the night in a worn out, broken down
RV park that would have easily equalled the Bates Motel from Psycho,
and went to see a recommended welder the next morning. (This welder
lives 15 miles north of town on a 2 lane road.. "first driveway on the
right after the mile marker 15 sign.. Sign on the gate says "if your
not invited your not welcome!"). Well, happily to report, this guy flat
"knew how to weld!"
It was repaired and we were back on our way, one day behind schedule,
to Andy's place.
We arrived at Andy and Lisa's in Edmond right at my 'revised' ETA of
1530 hours. Andy helped me park the MH and trailer, then it was back
to his magnificent shop and my first view of the Alpine since Andy
bought it. Let me tell you, it brought a tear to my eye.. It was
beautiful beyond description. (Won't have any of 'my pictures' till we
get home, but I do have some Hallett photo's (from the CD I bought
coming up). A bar-b-q dinner at "The County Line" then back to the
house for some of Lisa's chocolate cake, then my head hit the pillow
and I was "OUT" till morning. An easy drive to Hallett and we were; at
long last; THERE..
The folks; both CVAR and track people, were great. Helpful beyond
description, ultra friendly, in short every indication of some good
racing to follow. Greg, one of the CVAR officials, helped me park the
MH and trailer right next to a 30 amp power box (for the MH), and also
right next to the tent set up for all the Formula Fords.
Describing the track isn't something that could be done in a mere
"chapter". It would be more like a book. The track is 1.8 miles
in length and ten
turns, but even more so than Sears Point or Reno-Fernley, absolutely no
place whatsoever to 'relax' while racing. You are constantly shifting,
braking, accelerating, turning; or doing something. A difficult track
to learn.. it literally redefines the term "LATE APEX!" With constant
elevation changes often you cannot see more than half way around
corners, and couple that with switchbacks, and the workload is
significantly increased. I enjoyed it; even at the expense of often
coming off the track almost too exhausted to climb out of the car.
Thursday I put several sessions in just learning the course. One of
the corners, "the Bitch", I picked up on quickly, while others took
literally the entire weekend to figure out. By Thursday afternoon I
was lapping at 1:32.
I bought a CD from the track photographer. He and I hit it off nicely
right from the start and I seemed to get quite a number of G R E A T
photo's at a very reasonable price; including a 24"X36" poster at half
price.
Friday morning Andy came out to crew for me. Once again, a thousand
thanks for your help! What might seem insignificant is often the most
important thing you can do for me. Anyway... Friday started off with
more 'open practice', but a Formula Ford qualifying race before lunch
and the first FF heat race at the end of the day. I qualified 18th in
the morning and finished 15th that afternoon. I trimmed my best lap to
1:29 and change, so I was getting a little faster.
The 'formation lap' for the qualifying race with SOME of the cars
competing!
There were so many that they had to split the Monoposto cars and Club
Fords into separate race groups.
Friday after the race we had a get-together under the "FF Tent". Among
the new friends we were rapidly making was a fellow who used to be at
Sears Point on the track fire department. He used to live in Reno and
is good friends with Roger Glover; my friend who races an Atlantic car
and owns Custom Boat & Marine in Reno.
Saturday Andy and Lisa came out and we had a nice day of racing,
visiting, camaraderie and a prime rib dinner Saturday night that would
have challenged ANY steak house! Trust me; something that would never
be expected at the races.
On Saturday's first FF race I finished 11th, and the second race 9th.
I had a race lond duel with a fellow in a Merlyn 11 (Jim Steinert.
"Steiny"). It would have matched the many duels of Philippe and I. He
won that one, but also gave me some setup pointers for the track that
would make things more 'interesting' on Sunday. There were NINE Lotus
FF's and seven Merlyn's this weekend. Of interest, while the Mk6
Titans are the cars to beat out west, the fastest FF's were Lotus
51A's. There were two of them that were nothing short of
"Rocketships".
There were a few rain drops that came down before sunrise Sunday, but
it was overcast, hot and HUMID for the days races. And when I say
HUMID... For us "westerner's", I mean HUMID!!!!! I was averaging 3-4
bottles of water after every race to stay hydrated.
Anyhow, for Sunday Andy and his friend Carroll came out, and my sister
and nephews Jason and Wes came over for the days races.
On the second lap of the morning 'group' race I managed a very
spectacular and scary spin in turn 1. I still don't know why.. The car
broke so fast it was as if I hit oil. I was rotating and leaving the
right side of the track so fast I had completed a 360 degree spin
before I could even dump the clutch and lock up the brakes! I slid
back onto the track so I engaged 1st gear and motored off; alas, with
CVAR this also requires a stop at Black Flag to discuss things. In
all, it moved me to the back of the back for the rest of the race.
I started almost at the back for the final, feature Formula Ford races
at 12:30. Fortunately, enough of us stated that we didn't carry enough
fuel for a full 30 minute race so they shortened it. Don't know about
the fuel issue, but I can assure you.. after finishing that race I was
so Damn Tired that I needed Andy to "turn the car over and shake me
out of it" at the end of the race and I called it quits for the
weekend... TOTALLY 'sated' and worn out; and a 15th place overall
finish and managed to; after a race long battle, beat my new friend
"Steiny"!! I was trying to get my lap times down into the "27's".. My
fastest ultimately was 1:28.06..... I wasn't disappointed!
Well, that's an abbreviated report. Andy will be forwarding it to
y'all since I 'm writing this on my sisters computer and don't have
anybody's addresses. WOW!!! WHAT a weekend!
"It just don't get no better than this!!"
Carl
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Challenge from Sister
Club, RMVR
Hey Bob- Just wanted to thank you for a great weekend @
Hallett. Our CVAR experiences just keep getting better and better.
Since I am a taxpayer in Colorado, one of the guys from RMVR called me
to talk about what a great time everybody had. It came up that
the RMVR guys did a good job of supporting our events, but that they
never see too many of us up at theirs. From this sprang forth the
idea of a friendly, good natured points series between CVAR and
RMVR. Maybe do 2 races up there and 2 down here, with points
accumulated by each race group or class towards a tasteless, traveling
trophy between the CVAR and RMVR, along the old tomato wars between
Texas and Colorado.
I could tell my RMVR friend had downed a few too many scotches, but it
kinda sounded like fun. He made me promise to pass it on to the
powers that be, so here I am.
Is this something the board might consider, and would the membership
support it? The idea is to have fun, of course, and it might be a
good way to get us to try a new track or two.
Just passing on some random thoughts.
Thanks,
Dave Salls
FF1 Lotus #26
.
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September
2007 News Letter
|
-Sept
Shake & Bake at TWS
-Hallett
Thunder/FF40 2007
-2008
Schedule
-Safety
by George
-Grover
Gratitude
-Hallett Thursday
Practice
Well,
our fall season kicked off at TWS with a final blast of summer heat and
humidity. All seemed to fare well, but I'm sure I wasn't the only
one
feeling drained on Monday. Some opportunistic organisms in Camp Lotus / Brazos
Valley Racing took advantage
with their
own tarmac beach party, complete with an inflatable pool. I
believe
we were farely close to 140 entries with 15 students and one Geezer
protege. Thanks to George and all the instructors for their
hard
work.
Throwback
Jam started off quietly and then built into a thrilling
crescendo. I am a little discouraged with the general
apathy in the
club toward anything extracurricular, especially when people have put
forth
lots of effort. Given the interest, it would appear that the
vintage
roots of our club amount to about 20-25 people.
One
individual even drifted by looking, but not stopping, only to miss rare
footage
of his very own car. Where is the vintage soul of CVAR
when someone
who carved corners with Stirling Moss and lived the evolution of road
racing
can't garner a little reverance from so-called vintage racers?
After some
heavy arm-twisting to pull people away from their lawn chairs, Don
Gwynne laid
out a multi-media spread of goodies from Green Valley, Ponca City and
Warbonnet.
These venues are the regional roots of our club and those fortunate
enough to
witness this rare look back were thrilled and amazed at some of the
footage. Thanks to Michael Saxe for production assistance.
Everybody
should know now about our big Thunder event coming up at Hallett
featuring the
40 Anniversary of the Formula Ford. The dress code for this event
is
vintage, so please pack a cap, jacket, sideburns, anything to be in
uniform. Searching "vintage racing jacket" or "cap"
will yield many possibilities on Ebay. We still need prize
donations for the costume contest. We can't count on people
to fill
Burt Levy with liquid generosity, like last year, when he gave away
half his
books as prizes. If you have used or new motorsport books, we
will gladly
accept them or any other prize material. As always, grand prize
is a free
entry to a CVAR event, which is a $300 value. See the event link for info on the contest
and all
other matters. Your race Chairman is Greg Reynolds if you have
specific
questions about accomodations, etc. Note also you may register
for thursday practice.
The
"draft" 2008 schedule is as follows:
Feb
22-24 TWS
Apr
4-6 Hallett
May
16-18 MSR (also ECR negotiations- stay tuned)
Sept
5-7 TWS
Oct
3-5 Hallett
Oct
31-Nov 2 TWS
Dec
5-7 ECR
I
have gotten lots of feedback from Board members and racers on the MSR
vs ECR
venue choice for Marvelous May. We have a tough decision here and
will
consider all aspects. We are trying to make wise choices about
future
opportunities for CVAR to have the best venues and dates in the face of
stiff
competition from other clubs. We should have it sorted out
by
Hallett. See you all there in "uniform."
Your
humble Prez,
Dave
Waiting
for the light to change, Safety notes for September.
That
was a hot one! I know Bob Green said to stay
hydrated,
but we did have several incidents of brain fade due to heat. One of the
first
signs of overheating is depth perception loss. When your depth
perception goes
flat it’s time to get off the track.
I
realize we are tough and want to finish that last lap or two, but is it
worth
it? Damage to your car or someone else’s isn’t.
David
made a trip down grid checking belt dates. Some of us were OK, some a
couple of
months out and 3 were way out of date. Remember, to check your belt
dates. CVAR
requires replacement every 5 years by date.
School
went well, but something from school we all can use is Visual Sequence.
When
leaving a corner think three things:
Flags
(at next corner), mirrors (who is behind you), then and only then apex.
That
will reduce the number of passing under yellow incidents. It’ll also
keep you
from blowing by a standing yellow; just find a waving yellow at the
next
corner.
See
you at Hallett.
George
Curl
Grover
Gratitude
Well
someone said that you are not racing unless you are testing the
limits. I
stumbled upon some limits this weekend in the way of tire grip and
driver
piloting skills, among others. Exiting turn six I dropped
one or
both right wheels off the racing surface and spun back across the
track,
across the badlands of the TWS outback, and struck a bank flipping the
Turtle
on its back. And on a dry sunny day. As rollovers go
it
probably would only scale a 1 1/2 or a 2. But as this is MY
rollover, it will only get better with
retelling. I will
never again care that my rollcage has been compared to the Brooklyn bridge.
I had not a
scratch, and the 2 inch rule worked just fine. While I can
not
recall a whole lot about the spin itself, things happen pretty fast, I
can tell
you this, that when all the sounds and motion stop, and you know you
are upside
down, your senses become very sharp. Switches off and get the heck
out.
<>
With
my weight added to the harness catch release, it took
several
tugs to release the belts. That was a pucker moment. I
usually exit
the car by standing up first. Fat chance. Not a lot of room
to
maneuver, but I wiggled out and was met by a friendly guy in white that
was
sincerely concerned about my welfare. I wish I knew his
name. An
army of responders arrived in trucks and SUV's, and all were there for
me and
the Turtle. And through it all, Bob Green in so many
words
saying, " you can relax now, you are in good
hands." I needed that. The crew took care in
turning the car back on the wheels to minimize further damage.
Most of us
, thank God, will never see this side of our club, but those of us that
have
had the privilege will never forget.
I
want to apologize to everyone for being number 6 in an otherwise great
safety
record for 2007. And the next time you are sitting there on the grid,
take an
extra tug and cinch the belts tighter . You just
never
know.
Grover Maurer, Green 77 SFP
Note - Hallett will have Thursday
practice also. We will run open wheel/closed wheel practices
sessions. register for thursday along with the regular event
registration
