vdca with vrg wild hare run - victory · pdf filevdca with vrg wild hare run virginia...

24 June 2017 • Victory Lane

VDCA with VRG Wild Hare RunVirginia International RacewayApril 7-9, 2017

#231 Joseph Griffin, 1981 Crossle 45F; #195 Andrew Stein, 1970 Merlyn Mk 11/17; #8 David Allison, 1969 Alexis Mk 14.

photo by Bill Stoler

Victory Lane • June 2017 25www.victorylane.com


– story by Bill Stoler

After a long winter layoff, it’s a joy to head south through the heart of the “Old Dominion” State. The hills and the scenic countryside of Virginia are just beginning to burst with the colors of early spring. The destination is Virginia International Raceway located just to east of the city of Danville. To many, it’s known for its industrial history in the production of textiles or tobacco. Others may recall the significance as a railroad hub during the Civil War. Students of NASCAR will remember Danville as the home of NASCAR Hall of Famer, Wendell Scott. A gentle, but determined man who became the first man of color to win a NASCAR sanctioned event in a segregated south. But for the last decade or so, it has become known as the home to the world class racing road course and resort known as VIR. This is the place that the late Paul Newman was quoted as saying, “If there’s a heaven on earth, it’s VIR...”

The 15th Annual VDCA Wild Hare Run took place during the weekend of April 7-9 2017. The vintage racing event known as the” Wild Hare Run” has become one of my favorite events of the year. VIR is an ideal location for the spring event and it brings

together racers from the north and south regions. The vintage racing “snowbirds” are returning home from the south and the vintage racers from the northeast (looking to “jump-start” spring) come together at VIR for this wonderful event. This event also served as a kick-off for the VRG Royale Racing Formula Ford Challenge Series. Add in the BMW Car Club of America Racing event/school and you have a packed racing weekend!

The VDCA was started in 2000 in an effort to return to the roots of the sport. The VDCA kicked off their first year with an event at Kershaw’s Carolina Motorsport Park. Today, the VDCA is a non-profit club operated by member volunteers with a purpose of “preserving, enjoying and racing reasonably period-authentic sports and racing cars from pre-war racers through the golden eras of the 1950s and 1960s through the 1980s.” The current Board of Directors are Les Bowers, Hank Giffin, Mike Jackson, Doug

Meis, and Ray Morgan. In the year 2002, when the event at VIR fell on Easter weekend, it became “The Wild Hare Run”

Springtime events in Virginia always run the risk of some unpredictable weather. On Friday, the qualifying and practice s e s s i o n s w e r e h e l d under cold and blustery conditions. Conditions began improving on Saturday morning, with blue skies and pleasant temperatures prevailing

for the rest of the weekend. The mandatory VDCA drivers meeting was held just prior to lunchtime on Friday. Race Director Mike Jackson welcomed the racers to the event, instructing everyone to enjoy the weekend and have fun. He reminded them to race safely and that in the history of the event, there has never been a need to transport a driver from the track for medical reasons. Qualifying resumed in the afternoon. The “main event” would be last event of the day. It’s the “infamous” Australian style pursuit race known as the “The Wild Hare Run!”

The “Wild Hare Run” is essentially a handicap race that allows each car to compete for the overall win regardless of the class. Registration closes for the event earlier in the day, to allow the mathematical wizards (Mike Jackson and Doug Meis) ample time to “crunch the numbers” (qualifying times) and come up with “the complex algorithm” that will determine the starting order and most importantly, the duration of the “Wild Hare Run!” The racing cars are released at specified intervals based on qualifying times, starting with the slowest car first and the

fastest car last. After the final car is released, the race directors/official scorers head to the scoring tower to keep track of this unusual race, featuring cars from all nine race groups. Theoretically, this should result in all the cars finishing at the same time! That is, if every driver ran his/her qualifying time and lost no time passing cars. Historically speaking, it is rare that the first car to be released is still leading at the finish. Equally rare is to have a huge group of cars cross the finish line at the same time. This year’s winner was Robin Buckner in the 1970 Chevrolet Camaro. At the Saturday night VDCA dinner, Robin was awarded the traditional Wild Hare Run trophy, an oversize stuffed Easter Bunny! In addition, (at least for the last 12 years), Bob Clarke has been creating and donating a special “Bunny’s Butt” trophy for the second place finisher, and that went to Rick Frazee in his 1959 Morgan 4/4. Congrats to Robin and Rick!

photo by Christine Nettleship

#52 Chris Forrer, 1978 Ford Tiga; #27 Doug Meis, 1974 Lola T340.


#13 Andrew McLean, 1959 Austin Healey Sprite; #18 Jim Hofer, 1959 Austin-Healey Sprite.


#42 Rick Frazee, 1959 Morgan 4/4; #36 Jon Jones, 1967 Austin-Healey Sprite; #8 Richard Bateman, Datsun B210.


The end of the Wild Hare Run may have marked the end of Friday’s on-track activity, but over at the VIR Motorsports Technology Park, the off-track party was just getting started. In what has become a WHR weekend tradition, Dave and Robyn Handy throw open the doors to SASCO racing with an open house and welcome party. Visitors to the shop were treated to plenty of great food and beverages. It was also a chance get up close and personal with a bunch of cool racing cars in various stage of restoration and maintenance. The shop also has an impressive display of historic posters and photos that captured the attention of the guests as well.

FF RACE #1: After some more qualifying sessions on Saturday morning, it was finally time to go racing. The first vintage race of the weekend would also be the first race of the year for the Royale Formula Ford Challenge Series. Scott Fairchild and Doug Meis are always fast at VIR and the timing scoring sheets from Fridays session supported that. Scott set the fast time in the Friday afternoon session with a 2:08.567 and started from the pole in race #1. Scott led all the way in his 1978 Zink Z-10 and the race was for the second spot as Joe Griffin in his 1981 Crossle 45F and Bob Bruce in the 1980 Crossle 40F battled and traded the runner up spot numerous times during the race, using the draft to pass on that long VIR front stretch. After a rather conservative start, (allowing his new Hoosier tires to work in), the 1974 Lola T340 of Doug Meis caught the leaders and it became a three way battle for second. For a bit, it appeared that the trio might be able to draft together and close in on Fairchild. On the final lap the second place Meis spun at Oak tree while trying to hold off the charge of Bob Bruce. Meis gathered it back up and continued in 4th place. At the checkers, it was Scott Fairchild taking the first FF win of the weekend (and the RFFCS season) Bob Bruce held on for 2nd place over Joe Griffin in 3rd.

GROUP 6 AND 8: Big Bore SCCA Trans Am -Med Bore Historic Production and Sedans

For those that love seeing big cars tossed around on a road course, Group 6 and 8 did not disappoint. The thunder of big American Iron mixing it up with the big imports is always a favorite. Jeff McKain in the 1966 Ford Mustang set the fast time for this group in the Saturday morning session with a 2.06.655 and followed it up with a feature win on Saturday. Battling for the win was the 1962 Lotus Super 7 of Craig Chima. The two traded the lead several times, with Chima actually turning the fast lap of the race with a 2:05.712, but in the end the big bore Mustang of McKain took the win. Dennis Moser finished third, in one of the most unique road racing cars, a 1964 Pontiac GTO. This group was loaded with interesting cars, and I regret that I can’t include them all here. The field included a great looking 1972 BMW 3.0 CSL of Bill and Billy Glavin. The Jaguar XKE model was well represented with Randy Williams 1962 Jaguar XKE and a 1972 version piloted by Edmond Notebear. The 1965 Ginetta G4R of Sharon Adelman

caught my eye and I can’t mention the Ginettas without mentioning our good friend, Dr. Lee Talbot who (at 85 years young) is still looking good in his 1964 Ginetta G4!

GROUP 3: The Feature race in Group 3 was a very competitive one and featured three well prepared cars driven by equally talented drivers. After setting the fast time in the morning practice session with a 2:15.152, Joey Bojalad in his 1960 Elva Mk VI started from the pole position and had a

spirited battle with his good friend Hervey Parke in his 1965 Ginetta G4. Both of these cars were supported during the weekend by Michael’s Vintage, and I’m sure that added to the excitement back in the paddock. Joining in this well contested race was the 1962 Lotus Super Seven of Buddy Norton. Joey Bojalad commented on what a pleasure it was to race with both of these racers on the newly surfaced

VIR and “I can’t wait to see them both again on the track at Summit Point,” referring to the VRG hosted Jefferson 500, which will be held in May at Summit Point W.V.

GROUP 1: The 1960 MGA of Dave Nicholas took the Group 1 Saturday race with a margin of 24 seconds. Dave set the fast time in qualifying with a 2:24.545. Nicholas, piloted the “HoneyBee” MGA formerly owned by Bob Schoeplein. Bob just happened to be in attendance this weekend and was able to witness the fine drive by Nicholas and another “Honeybee” victory! The second place finisher was Robert Stewart in the 1967 Triumph. Completing the podium was the Spitfire 1972 MG Midget of Andy Russell, who won the Group 1 Feature on Sunday. .

Drawing a considerable amount of attention during the weekend Group 1 entry of Robyn and Dave Handy. Dave purchased the 1967 Morris Mini Van for Robyn as a surprise for


#70 Joey Bojalad, 1960 Elva MK VI; #347 Rich Maloumian, 1956 Austin Healey 100-4.

photo by Christine Nettleship

#90 Henry Payne, 1989 Lola T90; #53 Graham Adelman, 1968 Brabham BT23C


#51 Bill Feaster, 1967 Camaro; #3 Jim Lenehan, 1976 Porsche 914/6.


Valentine’s Day. A “unique” gift like a “Morris Min-Van” would sound special enough, but this one was just a little “extra”-special. The Morris Mini Van was originally owned by Robyn’s Dad, Robert Pass who had it built as a promotion for his business “Passport Transport” and he began racing it back in the late 80s. Robyn started racing it in 1991 and eventually it was sold to Ken Suhre. Dave bought the “Mini-Van” back in December and the former owner is thrilled that “Vanna” is back with the family! Dave was the driver this weekend and unfortunately, it didn’t make the feature event. It’s seems Dave Handy experienced one of those moments that I couldn’t possibly describe. During Saturday’s race, he started experience some braking problems in south bend. By the time he got to Oak Tree he had “zero” brakes and decided to “bail/spin-out” intentionally! According to Dave, he learned quickly that spinning out a front wheel drive mini was “different than any other race car he has driven!” Luckily, both Dave and the car were OK! However, the experience wasn’t in vain and he was presented with the “Depends Undergarments Award” at the VDCA dinner party Saturday night. Well done, Super Dave!

FF RACE #2: The winner of RFFCS race# 1, Scott Fairchild took the early lead in his familiar Zink Z-10 but his “nemesis,” Doug Meis in the Lola T340 grabbed the lead away this time and led lap #1. Fairchild drafted back into the lead on lap #2. The Crossles of Bob Bruce and Joe Griffin would also be a factor in race #2 and this group of cars would battle all race long. The only double yellow of the weekend for the Fords would factor into the finish of this race. On lap #4 the field was slowed for an incident in T1. When the race resumed, it was a mad dash into T1 and Doug Meis grabbed the lead. Fairchild almost gave the race away in NASCAR when he challenged Meis but settled into the second spot following closely up the hill into “the Esses,” Doug maintained his advantage

around Oak Tree until Scott drafted by on the long back stretch. Scott maintained his advantage down the “rollercoaster” and around “Hogpen” and took the checkered flag. Bob Bruce and Joe Griffin contested the third spot for most of the race, with Bruce taking the third spot in his Crossle 40F.

After some Sunday Morning practice, it was time for the VDCA ENDURO. A wide variety of vintage races took part in this event but, the S2000 of Ben Sinnott took the win in his 1991 Lola T90/91 and the Payne family, all driving S2000 Lola T90s took the next three spots. Henry Payne was runner-up, Samuel Payne was 3rd and Henry Payne IV took the 4th spot. Finishing 5th in that great looking 1972 BMW 3.0 SL and the driving duties were shared by Bill/Billy Glavin during the weekend.

FF CHALLENGE FEATURE: The Royale FF Challenge S e r i e s F e a t u r e event took place after lunch hour on Sunday. Twenty open -wheel Fords took the green flag. Bob Bruce grabbed the early lead over Joe Griffin and Dave Fairchild (Scott’s Dad) in pursui t . Missing from the action upfront was the familiar silver Zink-10 of Scott Fairchild, after a broken throttle linkage ended his chances for capturing the Royale FF Challenge Series Feature. The feature event would prove to be the most exciting event of the weekend for the fans of the Royale FF Challenge Series. Bob Bruce led the field early, but at the end of lap 1 it was time for Joe Griffin to lead his first laps of the weekend. Doug Meis grabbed the lead around lap 4 and it looked like he might me

in contention for another win at VIR. The trio of Bruce, Griffin and Meis used the long VIR front straight to draft by each other and swapped the lead throughout the race. Bruce took the lead again for laps 5 and 6, with Joe Griffin taking the point one more time on lap 7. Bruce was leading on the white flag lap. Joe Griffin, in his 1981 Crossle 45F made a gallant effort to get by Bruce on the final approach to the flag stand, but was denied by less than one car-length. Bob Bruce, with a superb drive in his 1980 Crossle 40F took his first win of the weekend by less than 6/10th of second to claim the Royale FF Challenge Series Feature win. Finishing third was Doug Meis in the Lola, but he dropped drop off the scoring sheet at lap 5, so the 3rd place scoring went to Scott Nettleship in his 1981 Crossle 45F who came back from some mechanical issues on Friday. The second race of the Royale FF Challenge series will be held at the Jefferson 500 at Summit Point WV held on May 18-21, 2017.

S2000 RACE: In the S2000 Feature race, it was the always quick, Ben Sinnott setting the fast time of 1:58.467 in the Saturday morning qualifying session in his familiar black 1991 Lola T90/91. Sinnott took the checkers followed by the Henry Payne IV in his 1989 Lola T90, followed by his father, Henry Payne in another 1989 Lola T90. The “teacher” Peter Krause finished 4th in his great looking 1984 Tiga SC84.

The VDCA Wild Hare Run was a great way to kick off 2017. Good, safe racing and good times with a bunch of great people. Vintage racing is so much more than the cars.

It’s all about the people and the resulting relationships. Without the people, it would be just a parking lot full of cars. Preserving the racing cars of the past, while maintaining the relationships of the present and building bridges to the racing enthusiasts of tomorrow. The VDCA and the VRG appear to have found that right balance. A big thanks to the clubs, the participants, volunteers, and staff at VIR for putting on this great event. See you next year!


#44 Dave Handy, 1967 Morris Mini; #94 Brian MacEachern, 1959 Austin-Healey Bugeye.


#51 Andrew Abrahams, 1974 BMW 2002.


ENDURO PL CL DRIVER/CAR 1 7S2 B. Sinnott/1991 Lola T90/91

1:58.1042 7S2 H. Payne/1989 Lola T90 3 7S2 S. Payne/1990 Lola T90 4 7S2 H. Payne IV/1989 Lola T90 1 6GTO B. Glavin/1972 BMW 3.0 CSL

2:08.7501 6TA B. Feaster/1967 Chevrolet Camaro

2:09.3181 8RS A. Taylor/1984 BMW 325i

2:19.8661 6BP B. Hollingsworth/1969 Porsche

911 2.0 2:21.1241 3BS A. Abrahams/1974 BMW 2002

2:24.4891 1FP R. Stewart/1967 Triumph Spitfire

2:25.5241 8CP S. Burkland/1969 Porsche 911

2:28.2861 8BS S. Bullard/1974 Alfa Romeo GTV

2:26.7901 3EP S. Heath/1965 MGB 2:28.8202 3EP M. Morrison/1975 MGB 2 8BS R. Crowninshield/1971 Alfa

Romeo GTV

photo by Bill Stoler#36 Roy Crowninshield, 1971 Alfa Romeo GTV.1 1HP J. Daniels/1960 Austin Healey

Sprite 2:38.2451 7HS2 T. Kane/1983 Tiga SC83

2:03.6913 8BS S. Bryan/1972 BMW 2002 1 3DP M. Wheatley/1962 Triumph TR4

2:24.0531 8DP C. Cone/1967 Alfa Romeo Duetto 2 3DP S. Bickford/1975 Fiat Spider 124 2 1FP W. R-Jones/1967 Fiat Abarth 4 8BS J. Liles/1970 BMW 2002 3 3EP H. Giffin/1959 Elva Courier 2 3BS H. Lewis/1970 Datsun 510 1 1GP T. Slater/1962 Triumph Spitfire

2:30.6981 3CP H. Frye/1968 Triumph TR250

2:20.6145 7S2 G. Miller/1985 Swift DB2 1 3FM J. Bojalad/1960 Elva Mk VI

2:14.3911 6AP R. Williams/1967 Jaguar XKE

2:13.0416 7S2 N. Scigliano/2004 Carbir S2 5 8BS J. Woods/BMW 2002 2 8CP A. Tosler/1962 Lotus Super 7

2 1HP S. McLean/1959 Austin Healey Sprite

2 3CP H. Parke/1965 Ginetta G4 1 1FV M. Ennis/1969 Lynx B 2:30.7263 1FP S. Brown/1974 Fiat 128cs 7 7S2 J. Wright/1990 Lola T90/90 1 2CF M. Hummel/1979 Crossle 35F

2:08.6946 8BS V. Vaccaro/1972 Alfa Romeo GTV 4 3EP M. Zubko/1961 Porsche 356 5 3EP J. Hasty/1959 Triumph TR3A 1 2FB G. Adelman/1968 Brabham

BT23C 2:03.228

photo by Bill Stoler#52 Dennis Moser, 1964 Pontiac GTO.1 8AP G. Wright/1972 Datsun 240 Z

2:17.527FF CHALLENGE PL CL DRIVER/CAR 1 2CF B. Bruce/1980 Crossle 40F

2:08.8142 2CF J. Griffin/1981 Crossle 45F 3 2CF S. Nettleship/1981 Crossle 45F 4 2CF D. Fairchild/1979 Zink Z-10 5 2CF M. Hummel/1979 Crossle 35F 6 2CF T. Fraelich/1979 Crossle CF 7 2CF P. Buttrose/1980 Crossle 40F 1 2FF L. Bowers/1971 Hawke DL2A

2:12.9742 2FF T. LaCosta/1967 Titan Mk IV 3 2FF B. Bradpiece/1972 Crossle 20F FF 4 2FF D. Allison/1969 Alexis Mk 14 5 2FF B. Thomas/1969 Lotus 51 8 2CF S. Field/1976 Crossle 30F

photo by Bill Stoler#63 Scott Nettleship, 1981 Crossle 45F.9 2CF R. Zatz/1979 Lola T540 10 2CF D. Kinsey/1980 Zink Z-16 6 2FF A. Stein/1970 Merlyn Mk11/17 11 2CF D. Meis/1974 Lola T340 12 2CF C. Forrer/1978 Ford Tiga GROUP 1 PL CL DRIVER/CAR 1 1FP A. Russell/1972 MG Midget

2:25.778

2 1FP L. Smith/1962 MG Midget 1 1CS R. Bateman/1979 Datsun B210

2:29.1561 1GP T. Slater/1962 Triumph Spitfire

2:34.4763 1FP T. Kent/1967 MG Midget 1 1FV M. Ennis/1969 Lynx B

2:32.0161 1HP J. Daniels/1960 Austin Healey

Sprite 2:36.7812 1FV M. Lemmon/1965 Formcar FV 2 1HP B. Lemmon/1959 Austin Healey

Sprite 3 1FV M. Jackson/1969 Shadowfax

FV 3 1HP A. McLean/1959 Austin Healey

Sprite 4 1FV D. Bane/1971 Autodynamics

MK III 4 1HP S. McLean/1959 Austin Healey

Sprite

photo by Bill Stoler#69 Mike Jackson, 1969 Shadowfax FV.5 1FV O. Tolksdorf/1968 Beach Mk

5C 5 1HP D. Thomas/Austin Healey Sprite 2 1CS R. Wall/1961 Morris Mini 4 1FP J. Byers/1968 MG Midget 6 1HP R. Frazee/1959 Morgan 4/4 1 1FM T. Scopes/1957 Lotus Eleven S2

2:40.5775 1FP E. Russell/1961 MGA GROUP 2,5,7 PL CL DRIVER/CAR 1 2CF T. Fraelich/1979 Crossle CF

2:13.7121 2FF A. Stein/1970 Merlyn Mk11/17

2:17.3432 2FF D. Allison/1969 Alexis Mk 14 1 5FM R. Cassin/1964 Elva Mk 7S

2:15.517GROUP 3 PL CL DRIVER/CAR 1 3CP B. Norton/1962 Lotus Super 7

2:17.8592 3CP H. Frye/1968 Triumph TR250 1 3DP M. Wheatley/1962 Triumph TR4

2:24.7352 3DP T. Drews/1963 Triumph TR-4 1 3EP J. Hasty/1959 Triumph TR3A

2:29.2292 3EP J. Styduhar/1962 Triumph TR3B 3 3EP S. Heath/1965 MGB 4 3EP M. Zubko/1961 Porsche 356

1 3FM C. Michael/1960 Lola Mk1 SR 2:28.223

GROUP 6,8 PL CL DRIVER/CAR 1 8AP S. Kissinger/1971 Datsun 240z

2:13.6291 8BP J. Lenehan/1976 Porsche 914/6

2:15.217

photo by Bill Stoler#90 Michael Zubko, 1961 Porsche 356.2 8AP S. Adelman/1965 Ginetta G4R 1 8RS A. Taylor/1984 BMW 325i

2:21.4143 8AP D. Bearden/1972 Porsche 911RS 1 8BS J. Liles/1970 BMW 2002 2:25.5501 3BS A. Abrahams/1974 BMW 2002

2:26.2861 6OV R. Buckner/1970 Chevrolet

Camaro 2:28.6761 8CP S. Burkland/1969 Porsche 911

2:31.5434 8AP G. Wright/1972 Datsun 240 Z 1 6AP J. Crusoe/1970 Porsche 914/6

2:42.4345 8AP L. Talbot/1967 Ginetta G4

photo by Christine Nettleship#9 Paul Buttrose, 1980 Crossle 40F.2 8CP A. Tosler/1962 Lotus Super 7 3 8CP C. Chima/1962 Lotus Super 7 S2000 PL CL DRIVER/CAR 1 7S2 B. Sinnott/1991 Lola T90/91

1:59.4812 7S2 H. Payne IV/1989 Lola T90 3 7S2 H. Payne/1989 Lola T90 1 7HS2 P. Krause/1984 Tiga SC84

2:00.8654 7S2 S. Payne/1990 Lola T90 2 7HS2 T. Kane/1983 Tiga SC83 1 7VS2 J. Lenehan/1982 Swift DB2

2:05.0855 7S2 T. LaCosta/1989 Lola T89/90 6 7S2 G. Miller/1985 Swift DB2 3 7HS2 R. Dusek/1983 March 83S 7 7S2 J. Wright/1990 Lola T90/90

BRAKE PADS

Your best source for hard to find vintage brakes available inthe widest selection of compounds for race & street use.

Available at Porterfield Ent 1767 Placentia Ave. Costa Mesa, CA 92627www.porterfield-brakes.com 949-548-4470 (800) 537-6842

With nearly 100 combined years in the industry, we know racing. You demand reliability, high-performance and durability, while paying attention to the bottom line. That’s why we feature one of the largest inventories in the business and are committed to providing products with the best combination of price and quality from the US and abroad.

Taylor Race Engineering provides our own selection of Made in America driveline products and continually adds to the product lines that we stock and support. Need specialty engineering services? We have you covered with concept generation, reverse engineering, product development, documentation, FEA and complete patent services.

The leading drivers and teams in motorsports racing trust Taylor Race Engineering and you can too. Specialties include:

» Hewland specialist LG/DG/FG/FGA/FGB/FT/MK4-9

» Tilton Premier Warehouse distributor and authorized rebuild center since 1994

» Quaife specialist and parts supplier since 1995

» Quarter Master Key Warehouse Distributor

Taylor Race Engineering — The official track side support specialist for all of your auto racing driveline needs!

Visit our website to buy online, or call to talk with a specialist about your custom requirements.

Taylor Race Engineering LLC www.taylor-race.com 800.922.4327 Find us on Facebook

RACING DRIVELINE SPECIALISTS Gears | Parts | service | rePair

consultinG | enGineerinG | Fabrication

TAYLOR RACE ENGINEERING LLC 800.922.4327 www.taylor-race.com

Specializing in Hewland, Webster and Quaife. The leading teams in motorsports racing trust

Taylor Race Engineering and you can too.

Celebrating 25 Years

TRE Ad.indd 1 12/15/2014 12:06:43 PM

vdca with vrg wild hare run - victory · pdf filevdca with vrg wild hare run virginia...

Documents