auto legend non-region carroll shelby dies events on tap · domestic, ranging from classics to...

ForSusquehannaRegion,there’salullintheaction.OurnextscheduledserieseventisJune17th,adoubleautocrossattheFarmShow.Untilthen,someofuscarnutslookforotheractivities.AutocrosserscanalwaysfindSoloactivityifthey’rewillingtotraveltootherregions.Butforthosewhoaren’tdiehardSoloists,there’saneedtolookbeyondtheregionscheduletosatisfyourinterests. Withthewarmweathercomesahostofcarshowsandswapmeets.There’sanarticleinsideaboutarecentExoticCarShowheldafewweeksagoattheAACAMuseumaswellasabrieflistofsomeupcomingeventstohelpfillinthegaps.SeePage4.q—JohnRudy

Non-Region Events On Tap

Auto Legend Carroll Shelby Dies

March 2012

The Official Newsletter of the Susquehanna Region of theSports Car Club of America, Inc. - Incorporated June 29, 1959

May 2012

This beautiful Lotus Evora graced the AACA Museum grounds at the April 28 Exotic Car Show.

Carroll Shelby poses with one of his creations, a 2011 Shelby GT350. - Shelby American Photo

TheautoenthusiastworldhaslostatrulylegendaryiconwiththepassingofTexanCarrollShelbyonMay10thinDallas.Hewas89.FromhisrevolutionaryShelbyCobrasofthe‘60stohislatestShelby1000,a1,000horsepowerMustang,“Ol’Shel”hadpushedtheenvelopeofautomotiveperformance.Fornearlysixdecadesthisone-timechickenfarmerremainedattheforefrontofinnovativedesignandengineering. Somuchmorecouldbesaidabouthimhere,buttheinternetisfilledwitheveryaspectofhiscareerandpersonallife.Needlesstosay,thegeniusofthisinventiveandpersonablegentlemanwillbemissed.q

The Squeal is a monthly publication of

Susquehanna Region, SCCASend editorial, scheduling and advertising to:

The Squeal — John Rudy, Editor3800 Hillcrest Road, Harrisburg, PA 17109

[email protected]

Susquehanna Region’s membership meets at 8:00 PM on the fourth Tuesday of each

month, except December, at Gilligan’s Bar & Grill, 987 Eisenhower Blvd, Harrisburg, PA. For more information, go to our website at

www.scca-susq.com

Regional Executive Steve Limbert — 717-432-4116Assistant Regional Executive Henry Brillinger — 717-697-1610Secretary Dennis Cipriany — 570-522-9357Treasurer Alan Lesher — 717-486-4087Directors Dave Walter 3yr — 717-691-9320 Alan Pozner 2yr — 717-343-7708 Geoff Craig 1yr — 717-367-7853ASCC Representative Markus Houser — 717-495-6742

MARCH 2012

REGION OFFICERS

Greg Hagan — ChairHenry Brillinger — Site Aquisition/RelationsGeoff Craig — Course and Grid DesignChris Paveglio — Pre-registrationKate Ritter — RegistrationDennis Cipriany — SafetyRyan Hetrick — Tech InspectionAnne Demmy — TimingCharlie Demmy — StarterGreg Hagan — Novice ProgramDan Woland — EMT ServicesPaul Sciukas — WorkersMarkus Houser — Results

AUTOCROSS COMMITTEE

MAY 2012

SusquehannaRegionisCentralPennsylvania’scenterofSCCAactivity.Fromacompetitiveviewpoint,weexcelatorganizingSoloevents,anactivitythatnotonlytestsavehicle’sroadholdingcapability,butadriver’sperformancebehindthewheel.Weofferasafeandlegaloutlettotestyourdrivingskillaswellasyourvehicle’sperformanceatspeedscomparabletothoseyouwouldtypicallyexperienceindailydriving. Asidebenefitthatautocrossersenjoyisthattheygettoapplywhatthey’veexperiencedoncoursetotheirstreetdriving.Thatexperiencemakesthemmorecompetentdriversontheroad.Theyhaveamuchbettergraspofhowtheirvehiclewillreactinanemergencymaneuver. Solobyitsverynatureteachessuperiorcarcontrolatthosespeeds,aqualitythemajorityofvehicleoperatorslack.NoticethatIrefertothegreatunwashedasvehicleoperators;they’renotdrivers.Vehicleoperatorslettheircarstakethemplaces;driverstaketheircars.Tomostvehicleoperators,“handling”isatermthatdescribeshoweasyacaristopark,andaccidentavoidancerarelyextendsbeyondstompingonthebrakepedal.Fewvehicleoperatorsevergetthechancetoexperiencewhattheircarsarecapableofdoingattheirlimits. Pennsylvania’sdrivertestingisajoke.Itisatbestamostelementarydemonstrationofcarcontrol.Sadly,that’senoughtosatisfythetesters.Itwouldbeprudentforthestatetodevelopamorerigorousanddemandingdriverassessmentbeforeissuingadriver’slicense.Thedismalstatisticsofteeninjuriesanddeathsfromautomobileaccidentsrepresenttragicconsequencesfortheirfamiliesandproviderepetitivefodderforthenewsoutlets. Iwouldsuggestthatparentsurgetheirteenagerstogetinvolvedinautocrossingasearlyaspossibletolearnhowtoproperlyrespectandmanageavehicle.Parentsmaymistakenlyviewthis“racing”asarecklessactivityoranencouragementforhotroddingonthestreet,butinrealityit’sthebestdriver’seducationtheirteencouldpossiblyacquire.Itwouldn’thurttheparentstoparticipate,aswell.They’dbesurprisedbywhatthey’dlearn.q —John

From the Editor’s

Desk

TheAprilGeneralMembershipMeetingconvenedApril24,2012atGilligan’s,Harrisburg,at7:58p.m. AlanLeshergavetheTreasurer’sReport,andsaidtheAutocrossseasonisinfullswing,withexpensesandincomefromtheseries.Thefinaltotalisnotyetknown,buthewillreportatthenextmeeting. ThePoloShirtsthathadbeenorderedweredeliveredandpaidfor,andCharlieDemmyissellingthem. DennisCiprianyintroducedthreeguests,who’dparticipatedattheSoloSafetyStewardseminarbeforethemeeting:KenGiambattista,BlueMountainRegion;andDonTocketandCurtLaufromourregion.Dennissaidhehadfiveparticipantsinthetrainingsession. HenryBrillingersaidtheRetionhas273members,upfourfromlastmonth. ChrisPavegliosaidresultsfromthefirsttwoautocrossesarepostedonthewebsite.HesaidtheFarmShowispostingtheautocrosseswe’vescheduledontheirwebsiteaswell. CharlieDemmymentionedhewasworkingonthehistoryofHersheyHillclimb.He’dattendedapresentationattheDerryTownship[Hershey]HistoricalSocietyonthehillclimb.PHA[PennsylvaniaHillclimbAssociation]issupportingtheeffortsatHershey. MarkusHousertoldabouttheCarlisleEventsImportShowMay18th,19th,&20th,wherewewillprovideautocrosstimingandworkers.ThenextseriesautocrossisJune17th,attheFarmShow,withAutocross#3inthemorningandAutocross#4intheafternoon. SteveLimbertmentionedthepriorweekendMARRS1atSummitPoint.AlanLesherandDaveWalterwereparticipants,andtoldoftheirexperiencesattheevent.Alanmentionedhegotabit“agricultural”,offintothedirt.Therewere199participantsonarainyweekend.

OldBusiness:

ChrisPavegliovisitedthePennTwp.ManagerinManheimtodiscussusingtheManheimAutoAuctionLot.Chrismentionedusemustberelatedtothebusinessorforthebenefitofthetownship.HesaidManheimAutoAuctioncangotothetownshiptohavetheagreementchanged,oramended.

NewBusiness:

ChrisPavegliosaidheisinvolvedwiththeB.R.A.K.E.S.[BeResponsibleAndKeepEveryoneSafe]activitiesatManheimAutoAuctionthisweekend. MarkusHousermentionedtherewouldbeaBMWCarClubofAmericaStreetSurvivalSchoolbehindSunMotorsBMWonMay5th. JohnRudydiscussedtheregionnewsletter,The Squeal.HeaskedforinputfromregionmembersonactivitiesoftheRegion.

GoodandWelfare:

CharlieDemmydiscussedtheCastawayCrittersExoticCarShowatAACA,whichistobenefithomelessanimals.Asithappened,theyweremeetingnexttous,andgaveushandouts. CharliealsomentionedthattheywouldbecuttingapedestrianpaththoughthewoodsattheHersheyHillclimbsiteandhadgottenuptoTurn1,andthisweekendweregettingtoTurn2. SteveLimbertisdoingtheAnnualTechforRoadRacers,socontactSteveatAircooledRacing,717-432-4116,foranappointment. MotiontoadjournmadebyDaveWalter,2ndbyAlanLesher.Adjournedat8:37p.m.q

Respectfullysubmitted, DennisCipriany,secretary

« Meeting Minutes «

Forthoseofuswhoaretrulycarcrazy,thereareplentyofauto-relatedatcivitiesatoutdisposal.WhileSusquehannaRegionfocusesonautocrossing,wehaveaneventschedulewithlotsofholesinit.Thatleavestimetoenjoyotheravenuesoftheautomotivecommunity. Atthistimeofyear,carshowsabound.Whetheryourinterestisinaparticularmarque,customs,streetrods,imports,trucks,kitcars-well,younameit-there’sboundtobeacarshowfeaturingyourpreferredspecialty. Showsdon’thavetobehugetobeinteresting.TheExoticCarShowheldApril28thatHershey’sAACAMuseumtobenefitCastawayCritterswasafineexampleofaqualitysmallshow.Itfeaturedabout75specialtycars,oldandnew,foreignanddomestic,rangingfromclassicstosupercars. Theexoticsondisplaywere:FerrariF430,360Modenaand348GTS;arareNobleM600Supercar;AstonMartinVantage;MercedesAMGSLSGullwing;MaseratiGrandCabrio;LotusEvora,EliseandElige;LamborghiniGallardoandCountach;FordGT40;NissanGT-R,NSXand370ZNismo;CorvetteZR-1;Porsche928,911Turboand356SC;andseveralVipersandMustangs.TherewerealsoDeLoreansandSubaruWRXs.

EarliermodelsincludedanAustinHealey3000,MGB,JaguarV12,Porsche928and356SC,anda1967Cobra427.Thisisnotanexhaustivelist,butshowsquiteavariety. Afewofthecarsenteredwereoutofstaters,butthemajorityworePennsylvaniaplates.ItwouldappearthatnoteveryPennsylvanianissufferingfromtheslowedeconomy. Theweatherwasovercastbutcomfortableandquitealargenumberofpeopleattended.The$5entryfeewasfundraisingforCastawayCritters,theJamesA.HueholdMemorialFoundationforAnimals. Thevariedinterestsoftheattendeesdemonstratedthatamongsuchhighperformancecompetition,animmaculate1946MGTCownedbyNormWrightofMechanicsburgwonBestofShowbypopularvote.Withallthosemodernexoticsinthemix,theoldestcarondisplaystoletheshow. Toseemoreimagesfromthiscarshow,I’vepostedaphotogallery.Clickonornavigatetohttp://www.johnrudy.com/exotics/(Thelinkiscasesensitive,alllowercase). Docarshowsinterestyou?Turnto“CarShowDates”onPage5foralistofthe2012Pennsylvaniacarshowcircuit.. q —JohnRudy

Solo Isn’t The Only Game In Town

Ferrari F430 is but one of many supercars at the Castaway Critters Exotics Show. - John Rudy Photo

Mercedes-Benz reintroduced its iconic gullwing design with the AMG SLS. - John Rudy Photo

Cover

Story

http://www.johnrudy.com/exotics/

WhatstartedoutasagreatAprilweekendendedonaverydampnote.SallyandIarrivedatthetrackFridayafternoonandsetupourtrailerandcanopyonhighground.Asniceasthedaywasweknewtherewouldberainsometimeduringtheweekend.Youdon’twanttobeinalowareawhenitrains. FridayeveningweranintosomefriendsfromLancaster,GaryandJoanShenk.GaryrunsaMiatainSSM. Saturdaymorningmyclass,ITE,wasthefirsttogoouttoqualify.Coldtiresandcoldtrack,takeiteasy.TherewasnoreasontopushanyhowsinceapparentlyalltheclasscompetitionsawIwouldbethereandelectednottoshowup. BynoonourgroupwasoutforaraceandIwasjoinedbyAlanLesherinhisASFirebird.Alanhadsomebrakeissuesandwasrelegatedtosecondplace.TherainwasstillholdingoffwhenGaryShenkwentouttodobattlewiththeMiatas.Therewere31carsandGaryfinishedarespectable9th. TherainwasstillholdingoffwhenGroup7tooktothetrack.DarenStonesiferwasinthatgroupinhisEPPorsche911.Darenmadeagoodshowingwithasecondplacefinish.Asthedayendedtherainscame.Wespenttheeveningatthepartyandvisitingfriends. Sundaydawnedtoahalfrain,halfmist.WesaidhitoSusquehanna’sfaithfulworkersAngelaSlocumandDaveGernertontheirwaytothegrid.Theywerewearingenoughraingeartowithstandacategory3hurricane. Beingthefirstgrouponthetrackafterhardshippractice,weweregettingtheCorvettereadyandhavingaroughtimewithahoodpinthatwouldn’tstayclosed.

FortunatelyDarenstoppedbyandsafetywiredthestubbornpinwhileIfinisheddressing. ThesessiononthetrackwentwellconsideringIwasrunningonslicks.Thelackofcompetitiongavemeachancetopracticecarcontrol.50MPHinthewet,onslicks.feelslike100.BytheendoftheraceIwassoakedandreadytopackupandgohome.Iwouldstillrathersetupintherainthanteardown. Nevertheless,awetdayattheracetrackisbetterthanadrydayworkingintheyard.q —DaveWalter

Susquehanna Region Invades Summit Point

Car Show Dates CarshowsaboundinthecentralPennsylvaniaareathroughthewarmweatherseason.Here’sabrieflist.Manyeventsareacombinationofcarshowandswapmeet/fleamarket.AquickGooglesearchofeacheventwillgivemoredetails. Ifyouliveoutsidethisareaordon’tmindthetravel,here’salinktoamoreextensive2012Pennsylvaniacarshowcircuit.Clickonorornavigatetohttp://www.carshownews.com/national/PA.htm.June1AACACruiseIn,HersheyJune1-3StreetRodNationalsEast,YorkJune1-3CarlisleFordNationals,CarlisleJune9AACACar&TruckShow,HersheyJune22-24CarlisleGMNationals,CarlisleJuly7CarlisleMoparNationals,CarlisleAug3-5CarlisleTruckNationals,CarlisleAug11CenterPointCarShow,MacungieAug18SupercarsonStateSt.,HarrisburgAug24CarlisleCorvetteNationals-CarlisleOct3-7FallCarlisle,CarlisleOct10-13AACAFallMeet,Hersheyq —JohnRudy

http://www.carshownews.com/national/PA.htm

http://www.carshownews.com/national/PA.htm

ThisisastoryofmyMGracingvalvecover.(Pleasedon’tlaugh.)Yes,thatthingthatsitsontopofyourenginethatcoversthevalves–peopleactuallyracethem. Severalmonthsago“Tiger“TomEhrhartmentionedatanSusquehannaValleyVintageSportsCarClubmeetingthathewaspromotinganewhobby,valvecoverracing! TomisamemberoftheKeystoneRegionChapteroftheStudebakerDriversClub,andtheyhaveatracktoracethesethingson.Itissimilartoapinewoodderbytrackonlymuch,muchlarger.HehadmeinterestedandIdecidedtocheckitout. Amazingly,theInternethasquiteabitofinformationonthissubject.Thereareclubsalloverthecountry,aswellasinEnglandandAustraliadoingthisactivity,alongwithrulesanddirectionsonhowtobuildone. OK!IthinkIcanputoneofthesepuppiestogether.Ihavecollectedantiquetoys,builtmodelsandracedslotcarsmostofmylife,sothisisjustonemorewaytobeabigkidagain. FirstIneedavalvecover,soIwenttoSteeleMotorsanddugthruKelby’susedparts.IfoundadecentonefromanMGBalongwithanMGgrillebadge.Aftersometimeinthesandblaster(thecover,notme)Ihaditlookingprettygood. NextIneededsomewheels.IcalledmyfriendKennyGamble.IrememberedthatafewyearsagoKenalongwithBillBikleandJimBuckwerebuildingantiquecarsoutofmailboxes.KensaidhehadafewwheelsleftoverthatIcouldhave. NextstopwasHiddenHangerHobbiesonDerryStreetwhereIfoundsomeaxlesthatwouldfitperfectly. NowthatIhavemyvalvecover,wheelsandaxles,Ineedtodrillsomeholes.Thisisthetrickypart.Iftheholesfortheaxlesandwheels

arenotdrilledexactlystraight,theywillwobbleallovertheplace,somynextcallwastoHenryBrillinger.HenryhasadrillpressinhisshopwhereheworkedonhisBMWracecars.AboutanhourwithHenryandIhadmycoverreadytoinstalltheaxlesandwheels. Allthatwasleftwasaspiffypaintjob.IsprayedthecoverwiththreecoatsofRustoleumSunburstYellowthatIpurchasedfromLowe’s,attachedtheMGgrillebadgeandPRESTO!AshinynewMGvalvecoverracer. NowIamquitesurethatthiswon’tbethefastestonthetrack.Therewillobviouslybesomeengineertypeswithcoversmuchquickerthanmine,butwhattheheck.Ihadlotsoffunputtingittogether,thoughsomeofmyfriendsnowprobablythinkIamnuts. ThankstoKen,KelbyandHenry,andIwouldalsoliketothankDickGuthoehrleinforhisassistance. TomandhisStudebakerbudswillhavethetracksetupforanofficialraceattheAACAMuseumCarShowonSaturday,June13th.Practiceisallmorningwiththeraceat1:00PM.Stopby,seetheshowandtakeinthisreallycrazytypeofracing.Attheendoftheday,my“MGSpecial”willbecomeapermanentdisplayalongwithalltheothertreasuresinmymancave.q —CharlieDemmy

Car Chatter — Valve Cover Racing

Charlie’s “MG Special” valve cover hot rod. - John Rudy Photo

Sometimeswegetsofocusedonownintereststhatweforgettolookoutsideofourpondandgoswimmingsomewhereelse.Thisisparticularlytruewithourregion. SusquehannaRegionhasonemainactivity,autocrossing.Ourautocrossprogramisthrivingandhasenougheventsontheschedulethatformanyofourmemberscompetinglocallygetsthemtheirentire“fix”formotorsportsandothercar-relatedactivities. That’sgreatandIamhappythatpeopleparticipatelocallytosuchagreatdegree.Butthere’sabigworldofpossibilitiesouttherethatcanreallyexpandyourhorizonsandmaybemakeyouabetterautocrosserlocallyaswell.Let’sexploresometogether. Autocrossingwithotherregions-WeareveryfortunateinCentralPennsylvaniatohaveneighboringregionscloseby.PhiladelphiaRegion,WashingtonDCRegionandCentralPARegionallhavegoodautocrossprogramsandareabouta1.5hourdrive.Ifyougotooneofthem,youwillfindthattheydothingsalittledifferently,designtheircoursesalittledifferentlyandhavecompetitionthatmightbetougherinyourclass(whicharegoodthings.) Autocrossingwithnon-SCCAclubs-Rightinourownbackyardareotherclubsthatputonautocrosses-CentralPAPorscheClubputsoneventsatHershey;boththeCumberlandValleyCorvetteClubandtheLancasterCountyCorvetteClubhaveeventsintheareaaswell.Thesefolkswelcomeothermarquestomostoftheirevents. AlittlefurtherawayisNationalRoadAutosportinCumberlandMD.Thisisabitfarforadaytrip,buttheyalwaysdotwo-dayweekendeventsandhaveabanquetorcookoutSaturdaynight.It’sagreatplacefor

aweekendgetawaywiththewifeandfamily.Plentytododowntownandthepeoplearereallynice. AutocrossingatNationalandDivisionalevents-Ifyouhavebeenautocrossingforayearormore,IrecommendthatyougotoaNationalevent.Thisiswhereallthereallyfastguysstruttheirstuffandthereallycoolcarsshowup.ButthereareplentyofaverageJoesandJanestheretoo.Theseareusuallyweekendeventsandareoftenadistanceawaybutwellworthittoexpandyourhorizons. ThenearesteventstousaretheNorthEastDivisionalinNewJersey(Probablypastbythetimeyoureadthis)andtheNortheastNationalTourinAyer,Mass.(June15th-17th).OfcoursethebigCahunaofallautocrosseventsistheNationalChampionshipsinLincolnNebraska.It’smorethanaweekbutit’stheonlyplacewhereyoucancompetewithover1200fellowautocrossers.I’llbetherethisyearaswillseveralothersfromourregion.Thinkaboutjoiningus. Ofcourse,thereareotherthingsinlifethanautocross.There’sroadracing.LaterthismonthI’mgoingtotheJefferson500atSummitPointWVasaspectatortowatchcoolvintageracerscompetewheeltowheel.ThenMemorialDayweekendIhavebeeninvitedtoLimeRock,CTtowatchthereinvigoratedTransAmseriesrumblearoundthehistoric1.5miletrack.TheBaltimoreGrandPrixisjustdowntheroadagainthisyear.Itwasawildlysuccessfulselloutlastyearsogetyourticketsearly. Planningongoingtoanotherevent?Don’tforgettopublicizeonyourYahoogroup;buddyupwithfriendsfromtheregion.Drivinginacaravanmakesthedaythatmuchmorefun.q —AlanPozner

The Joy Of Other Events

A Quick Glance Back, Part 2 LastmonthIgaveanoverviewofthecarsthatIplayedwithintheautocrossandhillclimbrealm.Ienjoytheskillsthatareassociatedwithautocrossing:learninganewcourseeachtime,thequalifyingnatureoftherun,goinghardoncoldtiresfromthegreenlightstart,theneedforperfectioninjustafewruns.Hillclimbinggavetheopportunitytoperfectallthoseskills,pluslearningtoadjusttotheseaspectsathigherspeedsandwithroadsurfacesthatcrown,bowandtwist,whilealsoteachingrespectthattheroadsurfaceislimited.Insteadofanoffcourseorhittingaconethatcouldhappeninautocross,thehillmustberespected,oraguardrailorwire(!),treeorcliffcouldbetherealresultifyouoverstepyourlimits. NowherewasthismoreevidentthanatHersheyHillclimbwheretheroadwaywasextremelynarrowandtreesseemednomorethanaDatsun510doorhandlewidthawayonbothsidesanddrop-offsweresosteepthatwhenapoorNewYorkguywentoffinaBMW2002,thecarwassofaroffintothewoodsthattheydeemeditsafetocontinuebeforefishingthecarout.Hewas50plusfeetinaravine. ThatwastheintheseconditerationofHersheythatwasrunrecentlyinthe2000s,nottheroadwaywhentheyranitforrealbackinthe1950and60sonwhatappearstobelittlemorethanapavedfootpathinsuchthingsasCorvettes,CobrasandCanAmcars!RonMannhasdoneagreatjobtochroniclethosegoldendaysoftheHersheyHillclimbrunbackthenbytheSusquehannaRegion’ssisterorganizationtheAppalachianSportsCarClub.Ifyouhaven’tseenandheardhis

presentation,checkitoutnexttimeheoffersuptheopportunity.Itwasadifferenteraofracingtosaytheleast.Butevenso,thosesameskillsetscometomindasagreattraininggroundasItransitionedfromautocrossingandhillclimbingtoroadracing.AsInotedlasttime,Ipurchasedan1972EldenFormulaFord,asIwasinterestedingoingroadracing,butnotjustanyroadracing.Ihadalwaysbeenenamoredwith

vintageracing.ThereweresomanycoolcarsracingthatIidolizedfrommyyouthwhileIplayedinthewoodsatthehillclimbsandthatIreadaboutinmagazinesinfarawayplaceslikeRiversideinCalifornia,RoadAtlantaandWatkinsGlen.SowhiletheEldenwasafunautocrosscar,itwasduetobefreshenedupandsetupforvintageracing. After3½yearstheframeuprestorationto1972specs(builtinhouseinmygaragewithalittlehelpfrommyfriends)allowedmetosignupformynovicevintageracingschoolatSummitPointinthefallof1996.However,notwantingtotakeituntestedtoaschoolraceweekend,IthoughtitwouldbegoodtotakeittoWeatherlyHillclimbtobreakitin.

The Slip Angle

Pete Bauer’s 3½ year Elden Formula Ford restoration offered thrills in several racing ventures. - Robert Harrington Photo

(...Continued on Page 9)

AndbreakitinIdid.Ifoundtheweaklink.IblewaO-ringgasketontheoilfilterafterIhadtheoillinesplumbedinthewrongdirection.NotonlydidIdropsomeoil,Iwastoobusyhangingontolookinthemirror.I’dlaiddownawidelineofoilforamileupthehill,aswellasthemiledownthehilltotheturn-aroundarea.8quartsofoilontwomilesofroadwayandanenginethathadsomecookedenginebearings,aswellasanearlySundayafternoonquittingtimefortherestofthedrivers. Soitwasseveralsleeplessweeksuntiltheenginecouldallbestrippeddownandrebuiltintimeforthevintageschool.Theschoolwascompletedingoodfashion.Myautocrossingexperiencehelpedmelearnthelineandtocarryspeedrightoutofthebox,whilethehillclimbingexperiencehelpedmetofocusonkeepingitonthepavement. AsIwentforwardfromthere,IgottheopportunitytodrivenumerousracetracksthatIonlydreamedaboutasakid.WhileIcalledSummitPointhomeandenjoyedthrashingthecararoundtherebythescruffoftheneckwithsometailoutgusto,IalsogotthechancetoraceatMid-Ohio,WatkinsGlen,VIRandevenMosportinCanada. Eachtrackhaditownspecialfeatures:Mid-Ohiotheblindcrestsoverthewindingterrain,theGlenthedownhillsweepertothetoeoftheboot,andslip-slidingupthroughtheessesatVIR. Thecarwasdeceptivelyfast.IrememberalwaysoglingmyfriendLanceSmith’sGreenwoodCorvetteasweracedatthesametracksandmarveledatthetrackannouncer’sbellowthatLancewasgoingintothebusstopchicaneattheGlenatalmost170MPH!

ButwhatamazedmeevenmorewaswhenIlookedathislaptimes,Icouldn’tbelievethatIwasfasteraroundtheentiretrackthanthatbeastlyCorvette.Therewasmoretobesaidaboutcarryingspeedthroughthosecornersthanjustpointingandsquirting. However,itwasthathuge,highspeeddownhillTurnTwosweeperatMosportthatreallytookmybreathaway.Everylapwasathrill,plungingdownthehillanddriftingtoedgeofthetrackingreatslipangleglory.VintageracingtheFormulaFordontreadedtireswasagreatlessonincarcontrol. TheEldenwasgreatandyoucouldn’tbuildanythingfasterwithoutspendingalotmoremoney,ButIlongedforsomethingelse,andbeingasmuchabuilder,asadriver,Iwasinterestedinbuildingsomethingdifferenttoplaywith.Andtheruleshadchangedinvintageracing.Younolongerhadtohavevintagehistoryinyourproductionbasedracecar,soyoucouldbuildaracecartoperiodspecs,andthatallowedformetoundertakeaproductioncarbuild.Sothechallengewason,whattobuildandracenow?!–Tobecontinued…q —PeteBauer

The Slip AngleA Quick Glance Back, Part 2(Continued from Page 8)

Fourth Tuesdays SusquehannaRegionholdsitsmembershipmeetingsonthefourthTuesdayeachmonth,exceptDecember.Whilethemeetingsaren’tparticularlyexcitingtheyareinformative.Ifyouhaven’tbeentoone,comeonouttoseewhat’sgoingon.WehaveaprivatemeetingroomatGilligan’sBarandGrill,987EisenhowerBlvdinHarrisburg.Weholdabriefexecutivemeetingat7:30PMandthegeneralmembershipmeetingbeginsat8:00PM.Butcomeearlyfordinner,servedinourmeetingroom.Gilligan’shasafinemenu.q

Novice Program Assomeofyouknow,inrecentyears,I’vebeenaskedtohandletheNoviceProgramforourclub.Itis,withoutadoubt,oneofthemostenjoyablepartsofmyinvolvementwiththisclub.Iam,however,onlyasmallpartoftheNoviceProgram.It’smuchmorethatdoingthenovicewalkthroughorassigningafewinstructorsduringarunheat. Itis,infact,theinstructorsthemselvesthattakethetimetohelpmakesurethenovicesgetitrightonthecourse.It’sthefolksinregistrationthathavethetaskofmakingsureeachnoviceisregisteredcorrectly,classedright,andprettymuchhavethedayexplainedtohimorherinabout60seconds.Whilesmiling. ThelargestgroupintheNoviceProgramiscovert.It’salltheparticipantsthemselves.I’llbetyoudidn’tevenknowyouwerepartoftheprogram!Youhangoutalldaywiththenovices.Youanswertheirendlessquestions.Yougivethemdrivingtips.Andmostimportantly,yougivethemyourenthusiasm.Thatlastpointiskeybecausethat’swhatbringsthemback. OurNoviceProgramhasbecomesuccessfulbecauseofeveryone’sefforts.Andwhetheryouknewitornot,allofyouaremakingapositivedifference. Thankyouallforyourhelp.q

—GregHagan,AutocrossChair

TheNEDivisionalSoloChampionshopwasheldMay11-13atMetlifeStadiuminEastRutherfordNJ. TheweatherFridaywasnearlyperfect,saveforastoutwind.Thepracticecoursehadplentyofelementstohelpdriversacclimatetothesurface.Everyoneenjoyedthemselveswithgoodfoodandfriendshipatthewelcomepartythatevening.Saturday,again,competitorsweretreatedtosuperbweather.Thecoursewasfastandchallenging,andleftmanydriversscratchingtheirheadsastowheretofindtime. Sunday’sweatherwasanearduplicateofthepreviousday.ThecoursewasSaturday’sinreversewithminorchanges.Afterafewtimingglitches,firstheatransmoothly. Unfortunately,afatalaccidentunrelatedtotheNEDIV,inanotherareaofthecomplex,forcedtheendoftheevent. Whenaskedfortheircooperationtohelpquicklyclearthesite,competitorsshruggedoffdisappointmentatthecancellationandpitchedin.Ashortenedtrophypresentationendedwithalargeroundofapplauseforthehostregion,NNJR,andtheeventofficialsforthegreatjobtheyhaddone.q —AllenandDeniseKuglerEditor’snote: TheaccidentthatshortenedtheNEDIVinvolvedtwoFerrarisandaTriumphmotor-cycleonastadiumaccessroadwherethespeedlimitis25MPH.PolicereportthatoneFerraridriverspunandtheotherswervedintooncomingtrafficinahead-oncollisionthatkilledthemotorcyclist.itappearstheFerraridriversweretravelingatexcessivespeed.q

NEDIV Solo ChampionshipCut Short

Share theAction! Share theAction!

Ihadtheopportunitytoinstructatateenagedriversschoollastmonth,“B.R.A.K.E.S.”ItwasthefirsttimeIhadinstructedforteens.Theformatwasprettysimplecomparedtowhatusautocrossersareusedto,butIhadtotakemyselfbacktomemoriesofmyfirstdaysandmonthsdriving. Someofmystudentshadacouplemonthsontheroadorontheirpermit,butotherswereveryhesitanttotakethedriver’sseat.Afewwereevenshockedthattheyweregoingtohavetodrivethroughtheexercisesthemselves.ButthenIrememberedthatIfeltextremelynervoustoactually*drivethecar*whenmydadtoldmeitwastimetolearnanddoit.TherewasatimeattheweekendIfeltthatjustalittlebitalloveragain. OK,now*I*amgoingtohavethebetheteacherandbetheexampleofhowtodothismaneuver.AndIknewIcouldtotallydoit,butIfeltafleetingtingeofuncertainty.ItwasbeforeItookacarouttothewetskidpad.NowIhaddoneskidpadatSummitPointacoupletimesbefore,butnowitwasuptometocontrolthecarinandoutofjustasingle90degreeturn. CouldIreallyconsciouslymakethiscardoafrontskid?YeahIdiditonthefirsttry(howhardcanitbe,barrelintotheconesandthencrankthewheelbeyondanyreasonabledegreethatcouldpossiblykeeptraction,andvoila,frontskidherewego.Therearskidwaseasier,thecarswehadatleasthadahande-brake,notthesillyfootkindlikemymom’sminivan. Andfortheseteens,itmusthavebeenreallyhardtogetintoacaranddotheskidpad,ordothepanicstop,ordothelastsecondlanechange.Itookmanygroupsthroughthelanechange.Ialsotookalotof

parentsthroughadrivethroughofthepanicstopandlanechange.Theywereabletodoonedrivethroughiftheywantedto,andaboutathirddid. Bytheendoftheir5or6runs,thekidsweredefinitelyfeelingmoreconfidentaboutpushingcarsnearertothelimitsandknowinghowtosmoothlydealwithanemergencymaneuver.AfewoftheparentswerehesitanttopushthecarasmuchasIdid,alittlehesitanttopushthebrakesintoABSorfullbodyliftonthelanechange. ThatwasOK,itwasmorefortheparents’edificationaboutthetrainingtheirkidsweregetting.ThoughIdidseeafewbadhabitsfromthingstheparentshadbeendoingfor20+years,andpointingthemout,I’msureitwasn’tgoingtochangeanyoneforlife. Ihopeweinstilledinthekidsmoreconfidence,andsomegooddecisionmakingtipsfortheroad.Drivingissuchaninvolvedactivity,it’shardtocondenseevenoneperson’syearsofexperienceintofourhoursofclassroom,andcertainlynot30minutesofclassroomandthreehoursofseattime. Itwasagreatexperienceandwehadalotofhappyandconfidentkidsattheendofthesessionsandweekend.IfeelIwasfortunatethatmydaddiddoagoodbitofdrivertrainingwithmewhenIwasyoung,andIthinkheandmomhadgooddrivinghabitsthatIabsorbedfrom14yearsofpayingattention.I’mgladtheseteenshadparentsthatbroughtthemtoBRAKESandIhopetheyarebetter,saferdriversforit. YoucanfindtheBRAKESprogramatwww.putonthebrakes.com ManheimisscheduledtohaveanothertrainingweekendonNov3-4..q —ChrisPaveglio

B.R.A.K.E.S. Teen Driver School

Havingcompletedourfirst2autocrosses,I’venoticedsomeitemsthatneedtobeaddressedatfutureevents.Andeventsthattookplacejustthisweekendreinforceit. First,aSolo/AutocrossEventhasdangersinvolvedwiththeoperationoftheevent,fromthecourse,thegridareas,pits,andpaddocks,addressedthroughtheSoloSafetyStewardProgram.TheSoloSafetyProgram,withvolunteersfromtheRegion,aswellasvisitorsfromotherRegions,looksoutfortheSafetyoftheSpectators,Workers,andDrivers. OnedisturbingitemI’dnoticedatthe2ndeventwasthewaypeopledonotseemtobepayingattentiontotheirchildrenonthecurbbythegazebo. Althoughwedidn’thaveanyphysicalbarrierspresentattheprior2events,thecurbofthesidewalkshouldbeviewedasanimpenetrablebarriertoanyoneundertheageof16. Youngchildrenshouldbeunderthecontrolofparents,andnotallowedtoroamfreely. Theincidentinquestionalmostrequiredinterventionwithalongtimememberoftheclub,whowascompeting.Fortunately,theparenttookovercontrolofthechild. RecenteventsnotconnectedwithanSCCAeventbutataneventsiteneartheeventbringhomethisneed.TheactionsIrefertotookplaceinNorthNewJersey,on5/13.Here,acompanythathad“rideanddrives”inexoticcars,had2driversrefuelingvehiclesusedfortherideanddrivecomingbacktotheirsite,andwentacrossthecenterline,andkilledamotorcyclist. Theoutcomeofthisaccidentwasbadenough,buthappeningonMother’sDay,madeitevenworseforthoseinvolved.

Becauseofthisaccident,theSCCAeventwascloseddown,duetonoactionsontheirown.They’llmorethanlikelyloseagreatsite,duetoactionsofothers. Inthepast,we’vehadasimilarcircumstancecauseustolosetheFarmShow.AprivatecompanythatwasconductingdrivingschoolsontheFarmShowlotcausedAgricultureDept.employeestogotothewindowstowatch,sowelosttheFarmShow.OnlythoughtheeffortsandactionsofmanypeopledidwegetbackintotheFarmShow. Atallourevents,weneedtobepolicingspectators,regardlessoftheirage,aswellasvisitorstooursites.AlthoughitistheSoloSafetySteward’sresponsibilitytobewatchingthis,therearealotofplaceshe/sheneedstobe,soeverybitofhelpisappreciated. LiketheactionsofothersintheeventImentionatthebeginningofthisarticle,theactionsofothersmaycauseustoloseoursite. Tirewarming,brakebedding,speeding,andrecklessdriving,andotheractionstakenonorneartheeventsitewillcauseusetolosethesite.PleasehelpouttheSoloSafetyStewards.q —DennisCipriany,SoloSafetyChair

What’s Safety At A Solo Event?

This Just In... ChrisPaveglio,pre-registrationchief,reportsthatregistrationisnowopenfortheJune17thdouble-headerautocrossattheFarmShow.SeriesEvent#3willberuninthemorningandEvent#4intheafternoon. Notethatthiseventispre-registrationonly!NOwalk-upswillbeacceptedforthemorningevent.RegisteratMyAutoEvents.com.q

Thoughmyactivityinclubeventshasbeenlimitedtorallyingforthepasttenyears,IoriginallycutmyteethwiththeSCCASouthJerseyRegionbackintheearlytomid-60’sworkingataracetrackinVinelandNewJersey. BackthenIlovedsportscarsasmuchastoday,thoughlackofskillandlackoffundspreventedmefromactuallyracingintheregion,Istillwantedtobemorethanjustaspectator,soIvolunteeredtojointheFlaggingandCommunicationsgroupatVinelandSpeedwayinordertoearnmylicense.Youneededtoparticipateinaboutsixoreightracingsessionswhilelearningthetrade,butIfounditagreatwaytobepartoftheactionandcontributetothesafetyofthesport. IwillneverforgetgoingouttooneofthecornersforanearlySaturdaymorningpracticesessionandhearingthatfirstCobragobymycornerjust10or20feetawayatfullthrottle.Thatwaswhenyoureallyknewyouwereawake!BetweenthesoundofthoseV8sandthesmellofCastrolandburningrubber,itwaspureheaven. BackinthosedaysBugEyeSpriteswerestillnewcars,andthebignamesatthetrackwereBobTulliusandGroup44,andaPorschedealerfromDoylestown,PAbythenameofHolbert. Wehadaminimumofthreeworkersoneachcorner.One,ofcourseholdingtheappropriateflag,green,yelloworred.Theflagmanluckilyfacedtheoncomingtraffic,butsinceourresponsibilitywastocovertheportionoftrackjustpastourcorner,thesecondworkerhadtofacetheflagman,withhisbacktotraffic,whilekeepingasharpeyeonthetrackaheadforanymishaps.Healso

hadtokeeptheothereyeontheflagman,foranysignofpanicifanoncomingcarveeredintoyourcornerfrombehindyou.Thoughitreallydidgiveyouanadrenalinerushtohearagaggleofcarscomingintotheturnatfullthrottlewhileyouhadyourbacktotheaction. Thethirdmanonthecornerhadtheradiosowecouldremainincontactwithracecontrol,especiallyifourpostwasatafarcornerdeepintheJerseywoods.Unfortunately,backinthe60’swedidnothavetheneatlittlecellphonesizedradiosthatareavailabletoday,andwehadtouseasetofheadphonesandmikethatwerewiredtoapostintheground.Youhadabout30feetofwire,andifacardidslideoffcourseintoyourcorneryougottoknowhowadogfeltwhenitabruptlyreachedtheendofhisleash…allthewhilemakingsuretoalertracecommunicationsof“anofftrackincidentinTurn3.” Driversusedtostopbybetweenheatsandtelluswewerecrazyfordoingthis,andweprobablywere,buttobepartoftheactiongavemesucharush,Iwouldnottradethosememoriesfortheworld. SouthJerseyalwaysendedtheseasonwitha4-hourenduranceraceinlateOctober.Itstartedat4pm,soitwouldruntwohoursindaylightandtwohoursatnight.Ifthedaytimeracingcouldreallygettheadrenalinegoing,itgotevenhigheratnightwheninsteadofwatchingforcarsyouweretrackingheadlightsinthedark. TheVinelandtrackclosedinthemid60’stomakewayforacommunitycollege,andSouthJerseysracingactionmovedtoPocono.I

Flagging and Communications — Be Part Of The Action, Not Just A Spectator

(Continued...See “Flagging...” on Page 14)

Flagging...

flaggedsomeracesthere,butitwasneverthesameasthatsmalltwistyroadcoursecutoutofthePineBarrensofNewJersey. Unfortunatelywedonothaveanytracksinourbackyard,butifyouwouldliketogetatasteofwhatitisliketoworkacorner,withmodernequipmentandoldercars,IknowSuzyZimmermanislookingforsomehelptoworktheHersheyHillclimbonJune8&9.Itisagreatchancetotryenjoyingthesportandparticipatinginhelpingtomakeracingsaferforthedrivers,andgainthesatisfactionofbeingapartofsomethingspecial.q —WayneSteigerwalt

(...Continued from Page 13)

Last Call For Grand Ascent Volunteers TherearestillafewopportunitiesforcornerworkersatTheGrandAscenthillclimb,whichtakesplaceonFriday,June8andSaturday,June9.ItispartofTheEleganceweekendaroundTheHersheyHotel.Thisisanopportunitytobeclose-uptotheactionontheup-hillcoursewhilebeingpartofagroupoftrainedflaggingandcommunicationsvolunteers. Poloshirtswillbeprovided,butyouarerequestedtowearyourowntan/beigekhakis.Mealswillalsobeprovided.PleaserespondassoonaspossiblesoyoucanattendareviewandtrainingmeetingonMay30. Forquestionsormoreinformation,[email protected] —SuziZimmerman

January 11 ExecutiveBoardMeetingatGilligan’s 14 YearEndBanquetatGrantvilleHoliday 24 MembershipMeetingatGilligan’sFebruary 14 ExecutiveBoardMeetingatGilligan’s 28 MembershipMeetingatGilligan’sMarch 27 MembershipMeetingatGilligan’s 31 Autocross#1atGiantCenter,HersheyApril 1 Autocross#2atGiantCenter,Hershey 24 MembershipMeetingatGilligan’sMay18-20CarlisleAutocross(Notaseriesevent) 22 MembershipMeetingatGilligan’sJune 17 DoubleHeaderAutocrosses#3&#4 26 MembershipMeetingatGilligan’sJuly 8 Autocross#5atGiantCenter,Hershey 22 Autocross#6atGiantCenter,Hershey 24 MembershipMeetingatGilligan’sAugust 19 DoubleHeaderAutocrosses#7&#8 26 DoubleHeaderAutocrosses#9&#10 28 MembershipMeetingatGilligan’sSeptember 25 MembershipMeetingatGilligan’sOctober 23 MembershipMeetingatGilligan’s 27 Autocross#11atGiantCenter,Hershey 28 Autocross#12atGiantCenter,HersheyNovember 27 MembershipMeetingatGilligan’sDecember — NOMembershipMeetingthismonthJanuary2013 12 YearEndBanquetatGrantvilleholiday

2012 RegionEvent Schedule

Iwasputtingthefinishingtouchesonthisissueandranacrossanothercarshow.TheMarysvilleCarShowwasbeingheldattheMarysvilleLionsParkonSaturday,May19th.Ijusthadtoattendthatone,too. ThisoneskippedovertheexoticsinfavorofAmericaniron.PerryCountiansarehome-grownPennsylvanians.SeeingthemdrivingAmericanmadecarsandtrucksisnosurprise.Theshow’sinvitationtoparticipatedidn’trestricttheentries,buttheonlyimportondisplaywasaVolkswagenKarmannGhia. Theweatherforthisonewasperfect.Therewasasteadystreamofattendees,butneveracrowd.Attendancetotheshowwasfree.Exhibitorspaidafeetocoverthefacilityandtrophies. Marysvillefeaturedanicemixofvehiclesfrom1918to2012withaheavyconcentrationonthe50’s,60’sand70’s.Allthemajormarqueswerethere.Ford,Chevrolet,Pontiac,Oldsmobile,Buick,Cadillac,Chrysler,DodgeandPlymouthwerewellrepresented. Severalnotablemarquesthatarenormalfareattheseshowswereconspicuouslyabsent.TherewerenoPackards,Hudsons,Studebakers,DeSotos,orRamblers. Therewere100+entries,andwith14differentcategories,afairlylengthytrophy

ceremonyfollowed.Carshowparticipantstakethisasseriouslyasanyothercompetitionandappreciatebeingrecognizedfortheirefforts.Theyarededicatedtotheirfieldofinterestanditshows. Andyoumightrunintopeopleyouknowatthesethings.Oneoftheclasswinnerswasfamily.AcousinIhadn’tseeninmanyyears,JimMorrowofEnola,wasshowinghisimmaculate1930FordModelASportCoupe.HisModelAalsotookBestofShowhonors. Ifyouappreciatecarsfromthepastandwouldliketoseemoreimagesfromthiscarshow,I’vepostedaphotogallery.Clickonornavigatetohttp://www.johnrudy.com/marysville/(Thelinkiscasesensitive,alllowercase.) Areacarsshowsrunthegamut.You’relikelytoseeeveryfactoryandcustomvariationrepresentedinautomobilia.I’vealwayshadagreaterappreciationforeventswithmotion,butIcanenjoythesestaticdisplaysaswell. Thisarea’scarenthusiastshaveplentyofopportunitiestoexplore.AnneDemmymentionedtometheotherdaythatforpeopleinterestedincars,there’ssomethingtodopracticallyeveryweekend.She’sright.It’snicetoknowinterestincarsisstillsostrong. q —JohnRudy

Squeezing In One More Car Show

Ford was one of many marques recognized at the Marysville Auto Show. - John Rudy Photo

Corvettes and other Chevrolet models are always well represented at these events. - John Rudy Photo

http://www.johnrudy.com/marysville/

http://www.johnrudy.com/marysville/

Pho

togr

aph

by M

icha

el F

urm

an

Ifyou’dliketojoinoursponsorshipranks,we’[email protected]

Sponsor SpaceAvailable

3609 Hartzdale DriveCamp Hill, PA 17011

Diagnostic & Repair:Computer Diagnostic ServiceExpert Brake Service and RepairsAir Conditioning Svcs & RepairsDiagnose & Repair Chargintg SystemsDiagnose & Repair DrivelineRepair Overheating / Temperature Issues

Wheels & Suspension:Mounting Tires up to 20”Dynamic Spin BalancingComputerized Wheel AlignmentSuspension and Front End ServiceWeighting of Race CarsCustom Alignments tailored for RacingCustom Suspension Work

Maintenance:Pennsylvania State InspectionCertified Pennsylvania EmissionsRegularly Scheduled Factory MaintenanceComplete Tune-upsAutomatic Transmission FlushesFuel Injection CleaningCooling System ServicesReplace Windshield WipersCoolant System Flushes www.autocampusa.com(717) 761-8881

Monday-Friday 8:00am-5:30pm

Tell them

you saw the

ad in SUSQ

SCCA’s Squeal

Newsletter

Auto Air Conditioners • Auto Tops • Cruise ControlsUpholstering • Sun Roofs • Power Windows

Power Door Locks • Security Systems

1500 Paxton St., Harrisburg, PA 17104

UTO SEATCOVER CO.

www.autoseatcover.biz(717) 238-9611

Accessories - Restyling

1560 Old Mountain RoadWellsville, PA 17365 • (717) 432-4116

Race Car Fabrication, restoration and preparationParts, fuel cells, safety equipment, and trailers, specializing in Porsche.SCCA Tech Inspections and Novice Permits

www.aircooledracing.comwww.aircooledracing.com

GraphicsbyChrisPaveglio

auto legend non-region carroll shelby dies events on tap · domestic, ranging from classics to...

Documents