Race Cars and Motorsports

This is the big one! Who's going?

[www.theglen.com]


I just bought my plane ticket!

See you there!

Yup

Although I'd prefer to bunk in the paddock in someone's emptied car trailer, at the moment I don't have arrangements made, time is running out, and I've got about 20 hours of driving ahead of me. (Long story...) Any suggestions about the best places to pitch a tent at the Glen?

Next to Graham's! :)

Thanks for the tips! Next to Graham (and Co.) would be wonderful... but I'm all checked-in now. I slept last night on the floor of Jerry Richards' car trailer, and I expect/hope to be there through the weekend. Being in the paddock makes it easier to work late and to get up early... I've already taken hundreds of photos.

This morning was misty and damp, but the sun is out now and it should stay VERY nice through Saturday. (At this moment the small late-sixties Formula cars are out in their first qualifying session. Bill Bovanizer led the pack out in his Formula B "Titan", which will be featured soon on the BritishRaceCar website. Chevron's, Repco-Brabhams, Crossle's, etc. fill that grid.) There might or might not be rain or an electrical storm Sunday afternoon... which would be especially frustrating for MGB drivers since their group goes out last that day (~5pm as I recall.) MGB's went out first this morning, on a wet track.

Raining here in East. TN Hope you brought some padding for the trailer floor.

Have fun!

Beautiful Saturday... but drizzling all day today (so far).

Sadly, a Lotus 7 really clocked Jerry's MGB GT V8 so his weekend ended earlier than planned. Jerry is fine and his car will be back better-than-new, but it's still very frustrating of course.

The Collier Cup All-MG race was Saturday afternoon. Les Gonda started from last position to give everyone a head start, but he still passed the whole field and set fastest-lap (2:17.038) before retiring one lap short of the end so someone with a four-cylinder could have a chance. Charles Guest drove his striking black '67 Midget superbly to win the race smartly. (2:21.733 best lap.) John Targett finished second in his red '64 MGB. From my vantage point though, it looked like Harry Gentry may have had more fun (than Charles or John) because he started from further back in the field and had to work his way up through the field to finish third in the very well prepared Gentry Furs '62 Midget. (Harry's '62 still has quarter elliptic springs and such... but the engine has been updated to the later-model 1275cc displacement.) Bill Treffert was quickest of the MGA's and Mike Barstow was quickest of the T-series cars. Les Gonda was voted winner of the Collier Cup (for sportsmanship, etc.)

SO MANY FANTASTIC cars are here this weekend. Too many to begin to list, but one example is a Lotus 19 which was fitted with a Buick 215 from day one. (A couple years ago, Bob McKee restored the car and upgraded it to a very built Rover 4.0 motor.)

Another great event - somewhat dampened by Sunday's weather. Here's a few memories from Friday and Saturday.


Alfas rounding Millikens Corner at Friday's reenactment.


An Allard powers up Old Corning Hill during Friday's reenactment.


An original AC Cobra Daytona at the downtown concourse event.

Some more teasers.......


Starting grid for the Saturday's Group 6 qualifying.


Lurking in the paddock garage - a vintage 1970 McLaren M8D CanAm car.


One of the many beautiful Allards seen in the paddock area.

Curtis, who's former lotus 19 was that you spoke of and did it have the Lotus gearbox? looking forward to seeing some of your pics!
Dave Craddock

Quote:

Sadly, a Lotus 7 really clocked Jerry's MGB GT V8

The offending Lotus Super 7 of Carden Edward looking a little bruised on the front end.......

It happened 50 yards in front of me. Jerry lost the engine the lap before and pulled off drivers right in the heel of the boot going up the hill. The next lap the 7 lost it and came across the track. At that point the car entered a blind spot as I was at turn-in. I came through the wreckage and that pic does not do justice. Two wheels and suspension were missing off the Lotus as well as two fenders. Not to mention the aluminum on the drivers side was pretty bad. The car was actually pretty heavily damaged. Jerry's car took quite a hit as well. The 7 driver had to be extracted from the car and life flighted. I don't know how serious but his crew said a few broken ribs and a head injury. Maybe a concussion, I don't know. Quite a shame for both drivers... was sorry to see it happen and hope the guy is OK.