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ARCHIVES OF PAST FEATURE ARTICLES: Scoll down to find the following articles on this page. Coronado Vintage Weekend An overview of the 2004 event Charles Rollins Max and Janice Crawford-Always Looking Forward Daytona Prototype builder Max Crawford interviewed at California Speedway. Rex McAfee Sun Shines on 22nd Annual ATSC Irvine Concours d’Elegance Irvine Concours wrap up and results. Charles Rollins From Behind the Goggles: A Vintage Racers Perspective A drivers account of the Coronado Speed Festival. Bill Lyon Coronado Redemption A brief recap of the Monterey Historics and preview of the upcoming Coronado Speed Festival. Charles Rollins Chips Away Makes An Unusual House Call An Orange County based paint touch up service goes to the Pebble Beach Concours. Charles RollinsWhat’s Been Going On? Blog from the last couple of weeks. Charles Rollins Remembering Jack Milne The classic OC Speedway visited. Rex McAfee AND IT’S ONLY WEDNESDAY.Blog from the previous week. Charles Rollins 1000 Miles of Grins, The 2004 Iron Bottom Tour recap. Rex McAfee Coronado Vintage Weekend Submitted by Charles Rollins The first time I attended the Coronado Speed Festival was with my Father in law Ray Brock. There were two reasons for our day trip. The first was to check out an automotive swap meet called “Retromobile”. This was the seminal US effort of a very successful Paris swap meet/automotive art show/ auto jumble/ car show. An old friend of Ray’s was promoting this event, Dick Messer. It was a great swap meet of memorabilia, artwork, and car parts, unfortunately the attendance was indicative of a first year event. I think they gave Retromobile a couple more tries before suspending their efforts; maybe it’s this US vs. French thing? The second reason was to visit another old friend of Ray’s, John Kerby-Miller. General Racing was holding vintage car races at the Coronado Navel Air Station and John and his wife Bonnie were there with a 1964 Comet that Ray had some experience with. Then Hot Rod Magazine Editor, Ray Brock had driven one of the six East Africa Safari Comets for the Mercury Team back in 1964 in the 3100 mile four day African rally. John had purchased an ex-East Africa Safari Comet from the builder, Bill Stroppe, in 1965, had taken it SCCA A Production Sedan racing for a couple of seasons and has never let it go (ski trips, Boy Scouts, school carpool, and camping trips).Thirty-five years later he actively campaigns it in vintage racing events including Sonoma, Monterey, the Silver State Classic, and Coronado Speed Festival. As of late, Kerby has been both informative and motivational in my own Safari Comet project. At last years Coronado event, we put the two cars next to each other in the pits. His as he road raced it in ’65 &’66 and mine as it rally raced in Africa in ’64. At this years Speed Festival, my credentials arrived with an invitation to take “Hot Laps” first thing Friday morning. With the event being sponsored by Chrysler, I just figured we would be briskly driven around the track in a new 300. Great, I have only seen the track from the grandstand and this would at least be enlightening if not a little fun. I was stoked when I arrived at the “Hot Lap” staging area to see a half dozen actual vintage race cars and their drivers waiting for us. A couple of Mustangs (a fastback and a notch back), a Shelby Cobra, an open cockpit Lotus/Cooper/ something and a couple of others. The event organizers were there to pleasantly greet us and facilitate our laps. I was offered the Cobra but opted for the ’68 Mustang notch back as I figured this was somewhat related to the Comet and I wanted to see how race suspension and sticky tires could improve road performance. You know, real-time seat of the pants technical analysis (not to mention a roof and a roll cage). My driver was J. Bittle, a local San Diego resident who represented himself as a Speed Shop owner and not the performance header manufacturer that he is. My ride was a ’68 Mustang that had run from 1968-1971 back east in the TransAm series, NASCAR GT, and SCCA A Production. It had actually finished 8th in the 1968 TransAm race at Watkins Glen driven by Ed Hinchliff. I had always dreaded the copilot seat and had wondered how the copilots had managed to survive events such as the Mille Miglia, Mexican Road Race, and even modern day WRC. I am more comfortable holding onto the steering wheel and judging for myself how fast to take blind corners and how late to break. Now I was just along for the ride. J. did give me a pre-game speech complete with hand signals if I wanted him to slow down. Well no matter what he did out there I was certainly not going to ask him for mercy and give him a story to tell his fellow racers. After donning a helmet and Nomex jacket, wedging my backside into the seat, and cinching down the five-point harness J. hit the starter and off we tore. With great acceleration from the 289 with dual four barrels and excellent brakes J. hit the apexes and straightened out the chicane on the back stretch for four thrilling laps. My pilot was smooth yet quick and the car was loud with bags of grip, still J. was asked by the track supervisor to “take it down a notch” for future rides (lucky me!). I honestly was not alarmed at anytime, I just felt that the driver was getting all he could out of the car and did a fine job of not letting the car get out of shape (or too close to the concrete barriers). Thanks to J. Bittle for the fun exposition! I then took a test drive in the new Chrysler 300 Hemi, which was one of the full selection of Chrysler products available to drive. Chrysler also had a display tent (just like they did at Laguna Seca) with some vintage race cars and new crate engines on display. After collecting my free event tee shirt for taking a test drive (hey, I really wanted to drive a new 300) I took a protracted walk through the pits. For fans of the “Blue Oval”, there was a large selection of Mustangs and Cobras. I really enjoyed the two TransAm Cougars that appeared to have period correct graphics and Vic Edelbrock’s ’69 Boss 302 Bud Moore Mustang. For Porsche fans, everything from 356, 550, RS60, 911RS, 910, and RSR were there. My pick of this group was a 356 that runs the modern day “La Carrera” with the “Pronto Burro” graphics. The 1955-1960 sports racing group was well represented with a D-Type Jag, Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa, a Lister Jag, 3 Devins, and Six different Lotus. No favorites here, all desirable and able. The “Historic TransAm Alley” had the American manufacturers covered and even the small-bore class was represented by a ’72 Alfa and five BMW 2002’s. After the drivers meeting the first round of practice sessions started so I grabbed some food and found an elevated seat in the grandstands. The entire track can be seen but binoculars are needed to see down to turn four and across to the backstretch chicane. Eleven turns and a passing zone right in front of the bleachers, navel fighter jets hitting their afterburners upon take off, and a view of the harbor, did I mention the noise from the 15+ cars on the track? The Coronado Speed Festival gives spectators great value for their entertainment dollar. The Caliber of cars in general at Coronado far exceeds most “Vintage Races” at other venues and San Diego is hard to beat for any vacation weekend. Put this event on your “Things To Do In 2005” Calendar. Max & Janice Crawford; always looking forward. Rex McAfee-Staff Writer Sometimes in life you just don’t know how “good” you have it. Such was the case during the late 70s and early 80s when my Dad worked for several sports car teams in the IMSA racing series. I was able to tag along to West Coast events like Portland, Sears Point (Infineon Raceway), Laguna Seca, and even Riverside. Besides getting to shake hands with drivers like Bobby Rahal, Hurley Haywood, and David Hobbs, I also got to meet master mechanic/fabricator Max Crawford who worked for Dick Barbour Racing like my Dad. If it was one thing I can clearly remember, it was that Max was one of the hardest working people I’ve ever met. His wife Janice was extremely friendly, and also lent a hand where ever possible. My college years eventually came, and any free time to attend races came to a screeching halt. Memories of those fire belching Porsche turbos and Max slowly faded. Fast forward almost 20 years to this last February when I turned on Speed Channel and caught the last half hour of the “Rolex 24 at Daytona”. The leading car’s team consisted of drivers Dale Earnhardt, Tony Stewart and Andy Wallace, and the commentators focused on what a tremendous success this lead car was, being only the second Daytona Prototype built chassis built by Max Crawford. Max Crawford? Was this the same guy I met at the IMSA races? A few minutes on the Internet was all I needed to realize that the funny and hard working mechanic had become one the premiere chassis builders in America’s fasted growing sports car class, the Daytona Prototypes. Max and Janice Crawford are living proof that hard work, honesty, and persistence are still the basic ingredients to success. In their home country of New Zealand, Max began his mechanic training in 1966 and eventually opened Max Crawford Motors, Ltd. with Janice. Here Max successfully built cars that he raced in New Zealand’s Open Saloon Car Association Series. Without much more than a suitcase and some cash, the Crawfords came to the US in 1979 where Max was hired by Dick Barbour’s IMSA racing team. After helping them capture the National Championship, Max moved on to John Fitzpatrick Racing, and gained experience working on exotics like the Porsche 962. Team after team, success followed Max. Finally in 1996, Max and Janice went on their own and founded Crawford & Crawford Composites. To quote their website, “the company supplies parts and services to competitors in NASCAR (Winston CUP, Busch, & Craftsman Truck Series), CART, IRL, Formula Atlantic, USRRC, Professional Sports Car (WSC, GT1, GT2, GT3), NHRA, Champ car and SCCA”. In November of 2000, Crawford and Crawford Composites sold Crawford chassis 001 to Doran-Lista Racing and have since built 6 more cars. Chassis number 008 is on order. Knowing that the GrandAm season finale was coming to California Speedway in Fontana, I contacted the Crawfords to see if it would be possible to visit them at the track with my father. They were extremely gracious in making the necessary arrangements, and I won’t lie when I tell you watching the cars and team work from the pit lane wall was a complete thrill. The Howard - Boss Motorsports / Pontiac Crawford team took second in the 400k event that weekend, and the Crawfords earned an overall second for the season in the manufacturer chassis point standings. In having the privilege to talk with Max and Janice over lunch, it is crystal clear that their passion for racing, coupled with their integrity and positive outlook, will continue to pave the way for much success and happiness…both on and off the track. Sun Shines on 22nd Annual ATSC Irvine Concours d’Elegance Despite over one half inch of rain falling in the early morning hours of October 17th, the 22nd edition of the ATSC Concours d’Elegance was successfully held at Strawberry Farms Golf Club in Irvine, California. With only light rain falling until around nine o’clock, over 125 hearty and dedicated classic car owners ignored the threat of poor weather and situated their vehicular works of art on the grass next to the clubhouse. With the optimism that somehow the sky would clear for the children and families of the benefiting charity, ATSC, the preparations progressed and the show opened on schedule at 10:30 with the Star Spangled Banner. There were scattered clouds all day but no rain fell during the event. Several times bright sunshine illuminated the venue greeting the estimated two thousand attendees as they disembarked from the short shuttle ride from nearby Concordia University. An excellent assortment of Rolls-Royce cars from 1912-1983 was displayed centrally on the field helping to celebrate the featured marques 100th anniversary. A retrospective of 40 years of Mustangs straddled a grass ridge overlooking the field and a large tent on the opposite side housed a world-class display of automotive art by members of the Automotive Fine Arts Society. The beautiful painting by local artist Bill Motta that graced the cover of the event program and featured on the event ticket was on display along with a couple of Aston Martin sports cars from art tent sponsor Bauer Aston Martin. VIP Guests and Concours Patrons enjoyed an elevated view of the field from their hospitality tent. Another row of more intimate tents hosted private groups that included event sponsors Autoweek and Coast Magazine in addition to Concour Committee members Dick Waitnight and Kent Wilken along with Petersen Museum Director Dick Messer. A temporary boutique was erected on the field by event sponsor Chopard offering just a sample of their goods available at their South Coast Plaza store. Several other vendors offered their goods and services including Meguiar’s, US Racing School, Family Classic Cars, Newport Auto Center, and Laguna Beach Photographer Johnny Ratz while across the walk KABC Radio, Leon Kaplan broadcast his syndicated radio program live and a live jazz band performed. Besides the cars, the day was enhanced with live audio interviews by Dave Kunz, automotive reporter for KABC TV. Retired Race Car Driver Tony Adamowicz shared his knowledge of the competition cars on display. Doug DeCinces welcomed the crowd and gave some insight on running a golf course. Automotive Artist and former Art Director of Road & Track Magazine Bill Motta described the process behind the actual painting of the event poster art, which included traveling to Salina, Kansas where the featured car and owner reside. A special moment was facilitated when Newport Beach resident Dandy O’Shea and family were re-united with her father’s racing Mercedes 300SL Gullwing (SCCA Champion Paul O’Shea). The car was described by current owner Terry Jones as a “barn find’ that was located in Canada that he recently completed restoring. And Fords West Coast Director of Public Relations, John Clinard discussed the 40 year lineage of the American icon know as the Ford Mustang. A 2005 Ford Mustang Coupe was open and on display promoting a 1000 ticket only raffle of a 2005 Mustang Convertible that was drawn for later in the day. A Lunchtime address by ATSC Executive Director Tim Allen reminded all present that the Children and Families being served with the benefits of this event was a worthy enough cause to brave the elements and those that did were rewarded with an excellent show. Barry and Karen Meguiar of Meguiar’s Car Care Products were the Honored Guests of the event and a deserving tribute to their dedication to the collector car hobby preceded the awards ceremony. Ninety-five Automotive Experts served as Judges and Honorary Judges to help determine which cars were deserving of one of the beautiful silver bowls or crystal special awards. Co-Chief judges Mark Tuttle and Ken Gooding oversaw a tremendous pool of talent including Chief Designer of Mercedes-Benz Advanced Design of North America, Executive Director of Fords Advanced Design Center, Chief Designer of Volkswagen of America, Chief Designer of Mazda, President Calty Design Research (Toyota), and Design Chief Advanced Design Center for Chrysler (just mentioning very few). Starting at two o’clock, class winners were announced and paraded past the trophy stand. Returning commentators Jim Freiburger and Dave Kunz expertly handled the emcee duties with lively stories and chatter with the car owners as they stopped to pick up their award before being directed to the final round of judging in the winners circle. Just before four o’clock, the chief judges determined that the 1912 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost Roi des Belges Crailville displayed by Roger and Cissy Morrison of Salina, Kansas should take home the best of show trophy. See full concours results at www.bench-racing.com/html/news.html. The limited to one thousand-ticket raffle for the 2005 Ford Mustang Convertible was drawn for and the winners, Mr. and Mrs. Alan Reecho of Tustin, were present and had purchased their winning ticket that afternoon at the Concours. Many thanks to Villa Ford for helping procure the Mustang. Leading up to the Concours was a Glamorous Evening Patron Party held at a private residence in Coto De Caza, a wine competition held at Strawberry Farms, a golf tournament under beautiful sunny skies on the Friday before the concours, and the Concours itself (the main source of funds for the whole charitable effort). The featured Marque for next years show will be formally announced in an upcoming press release. Persons interested in being sent an invitation for themselves or their vehicle, people interested in volunteering at next years event, or business wishing to promote their goods and services should contact Christy Netro at 714.730.6529 orcnetro@atsc4kids.org The event web site is www.atscconcours.com Official Results from the 22nd ATSC Concours d'Elegance October 17th 2004, Strawberry Farms Golf Club Reported by Charles Rollins, Editor www.Bench-Racing.com Chief Award Steward ATSC Concours d’Elegance The organizing committee would like to formally thank the entire field of cars that stayed committed to the Children and Families of ATSC by displaying their classic cars in spite of threatening rain that thankfully was absent most of the day of the event.
Class 1 Antique/Vintage to 1924 3rd 1911 Stoddard-Dayton Touring, Judy & Lawren Rittenhouse 2nd 1911 SPO Raceabout, Rick & Lucy Rawlins 1st 1918 Opel 14/38 Phaeton, Gerhard & Rosemarie Schnuerer Class 2 American Classic 3rd 1930 Packard 745 Roadster, Ralph & Joyce Allen 2nd 1925 Wills St.Claire W-6 Cabriolet Roadster, Tom & Carrie Lieb 1st 1932 Auburn 12-160 A Boat Tail Speedster, Michael A. Hammer Class 3a American Classic Open 3rd 1938 Packard 1607 Brunn All Weather, Martin Cousineau 2nd 1940 Packard Darrin 2-Door Convertible, Terry and Sally Sheehy 1st 1934 Cadillac 355D Fleetwood 2-Door Convertible Coupe, Larry & Diane Bloomer 3b American Classic Closed 3rd 1937 Packard 1501 Formal Sedan, Diane Jordan-Smith 2nd 1941 Packard 180 Sport Brougham, Roger & Gerri Gibb 1st 1937 Packard 1507 Club Sedan, Barbara & Don Wheeler Class 4 NONE Class 5 Prewar Preservation 3rd 1931 Chrysler CM Rumble Seat Coupe, Tom & Renee Scheil 2nd 1934 Packard 1107 5-Passenger Coupe, Jerry Kill 1st 1941 Packard LeBaron Limousine, Robert J. Herron III Class 6-European Classic Pre-War 3rd 1936 Bentley 3 Litre Sedanca, Chuck Swimmer 2nd 1938 Bugatti Type 57 Letourneur et Marchand Drophead Cabriolet, Robert Owens 1st 1938 Hispano Suiza J-12 Cabriolet, Peter Mullin Class 7 Featured Marque Rolls-Royce 7a Early 3rd 1931 Rolls-Royce Phantom I Regent Convertible, Jim & Barbara Stovall 2nd 1929 Rolls-Royce Springfield Phantom Fleetwood DHC, Aaron & Valerie Weiss 1st 1912 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost Roi des Belges Crailville, Roger & Sissy Morrison 7b Late 3rd None 2nd 1933 Rolls-Royce 20/25 Sedanca de Ville, Terrence M. White 1st 1936 Rolls-Royce 25/30 Close Coupled, Robert E. Dryden 7c Coachbuilt 3rd 1960 Rolls-Royce Phantom V Touring Limo, James Wilkinson 2nd 1962 Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud II Saloon, Gary Clark 1st 1950 Roll-Royce Silver Wraith Saloon, Bernard B. Jarvis 8a Luxury Touring to 1955 3rd 1955 Chrysler C300 Hardtop, Michael Galassi 2nd 1948 Delahaye 175 Cabriolet, Paul Emple 1st 1948 Tucker Torpedo 4-Door Sedan, Bernard Glieberman 8b Luxury Touring All Other 3rd 1959 Cadillac 62 Series Convertible, George Namkung 2nd 1956 Lincoln Continental Mk II Hardtop, Jim & Diana Medina 1st 1957 Cadillac Eldorado Brougham, Ken & Ann Smith Class 9 European Sportscars 9a Aston Martin 3rd 1955 Aston Martin DB2/4 Saloon, Mark & Jane Ransome 2nd 1963 Aston Martin DB4 Convertible, Reid W. Dennis 1st 1958 Aston Martin DB2/4 MkIII DHC, Jerry Rosenstock 9b Jaguar 3rd 1952 Jaguar XK120 Roadster, Gary Clark 2nd 1964 Jaguar XKE Coupe, John McCord 1st 1967 Jaguar XKE Coupe, Lou J. Lepis 9c European Sportscars Under 3 Liter 3rd 1962 Austin Healey 3000 Mk II Roadster, Donald Fisher 2nd 1956 Austin Healey 100-M Roadster, Eric Hoopingarner 1st 1956 MG A Roadster, Cort Rockwood 9d European Sportscars Over 3 Liter 3rd None 2nd None 1st DeTomaso Pantera, Tony Koutroulis Class 10 Porsche 3rd 1964 Porsche 356 SC Coupe, John & Linda Williams 2nd 1973 Porsche Carrera RS Coupe, Rick & Lucy Rawlins 1st 1960 Porsche Super 90 Roadster, Lee Frain Class 11 Ferrari 11a All 250 3rd 1964 Ferrari 250 GTL Lusso, Family Classic Cars 2nd 1954 Ferrari 250 Europa, Tom Shaughnessy 1st 1956 Ferrari 250 GT Prototipo, Roger & Rhonda Groves 11b All V-12 3rd 1972 Ferrari 365 GT C4, Jack & Pat Curtis 2nd 1963 Ferrari 330 America Coupe, Henry Camisasca 1st 1984 Ferrari 400i, Dennis Fugnetti 11c V-6 & V-8 3rd 1981 Ferrari 308 GTSi, Oscar & Elena Verdugo 2nd 1983 Ferrari 308 Quatrovalvole GTSi, John Shipp 1st 1979 Ferrari 308 GT4, Malcolm Schneer Class 12 Race Cars-NOT JUDGED Class 13 Mercedes 13a MBZ 300SL 3rd 1955 Mercedes Benz 300SL Gullwing, Franklin Shirley 2nd 1957 Mercedes Benz 300SL Roadster, Roger & Rhonda Groves 1st 1958 Mercedes Benz 300SL Roadster, Weston and Elona Hook 13b MBZ Other SL 3rd 1965 Mercedes Benz 230SL Roadster, Christopher Earnest 2nd 1955 Mercedes Benz 190SL Special Roadster, Jeff & Steve Marx 1st 1956 Mercedes Benz 190SL Roadster, Dennis Keith 13c Grand Touring 3rd 1970 Mercedes Benz 280 SE Convertible, Mark Pyeatte 2nd 1960 Mercedes Benz 220 SE Cabriolet, Don Minkoff 1st 1970 Mercedes Benz 300 SEL 6.3 Sedan, Mark Pyeatte Class 14a Woody Prewar 3rd None 2nd 1940 Ford Deluxe Station Wagon, Norris F. Pratt 1st 1942 Mercury Station Wagon, Larry Ginsburg Class 14b Woody Postwar 3rd 1948 Buick Super Station Wagon, William E. Maya 2nd 1946 Ford Super Deluxe Station Wagon, Tom Morrison 1st 1948 Packard Station Wagon, Robert J. Herron III
Honorary Awards Autoweek-1934 Cadillac 355D Fleetwood 2-Door Convertible Coupe, Larry & Diane Bloomer Briggs Cunningham- 1948 Delahaye 175 Cabriolet, Paul Emple Phil Hill/Ken Vaughn Honored Marque-1912 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost Roi des Belges, Roger & Sissy Morrison Catherine Thyen-1954 Dodge Royal "La Carrera" Hemi, Bob Primmer & Jack Croul Branch Kerfoot- 1929 Rolls-Royce Springfield Phantom Fleetwood DHC, Aaron & Valerie Weiss Charles Hester Family-1964 Sunbeam LeMans Tiger Coupe, Darrell Mountjoy Meguiar's-1953 Mercedes Benz 300S, Thomas Denny Design Achievement Closed-1964 Ferrari 250 GTL Lusso, Family Classic Cars Design Achievement Open-1955 Austin Healey 100M Sport Roadster, Milton M. Price Most Elegant-1957 Cadillac Eldorado Brougham, Michael & Beverly Brooks Best of Show- 1912 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost Roi des Belges, Roger & Sissy Morrison, Salina Kansas
From Behind the Goggles: A Vintage Racers Perspective By Bill H. Lyon This past weekend, October 9th and 10th, I participated in the Chrysler Classic Speed Festival at the Naval Air Station in Coronado. I was driving my family's 1927 Type 35B Bugatti as well as my 1959 Fiat 750 Abarth Zagato Double Bubble. The Bugatti ran in Group 1, Pre-1941 Sports and Racing Cars. The group did however include some sports racers and a few other cars from the late 50's and early 60's. There weren't that many prewar cars in attendance so I think they tried to group some cars with us that would be of comparable speed. Our Bugatti had just returned from a year long stay at Phil Reilly's shop in Northern California which was the first time the car had been completely gone through since we acquired it during the breakup of Bill Harrah's collection in the 1980's. The Bugatti is now scary-fast but very fun.It has a 2200cc straight 8 cylinder supercharged engine which produces about 125 HP on the dyno, right in line with Bugatti factory specs. Weighing only around 1500 lb., that power goes a long way. With the upper half of your body sticking out in the wind, it is more power than feels reasonable. After a few laps in the “Bug”, I began to feel at home again although my forearms grew weary after several times through the tight chicanes that are present in a few places on the 1.6 mile Coronado track. My lap times began to fall in practice and I found that I had significantly more power than most of other prewar cars. I was outmatched by the 3 or 4 later model sports racers and there was also an MG special that was really fast. By the time of the main event on Sunday I felt like I had found a fairly good groove with the Bugatti. Can't break too hard or the ensuing front axle twist will stretch the brake cables tighter locking the front wheels; have to hold on to my fillings when reaching top speed (possibly around 90 mph) on the segmented concrete surface that causes the front wheels to flap in a rather disturbing oscillation; have to get my back into the steering to keep my arms from wearing out. I believe I started in the third row, 4th or 5th behind the aforementioned sports racers and the quick MG. I seemed to be keeping pace with them for a while, but after a few demonstrations of their superior breaking and I was starting to fall back. A well sorted 1949 Ferrari 166MM started to appear somewhat menacingly in my rear view mirror from time to time so I set out to put some distance between the two of us. About halfway through the race I began to lap the slower traffic which I hoped might work to my advantage in evading the Ferrari. Unfortunately I got hung up behind a few of the slower cars letting the Ferrari and a Miller Ford Indy car close. Most unfortunately this happened near the straight away which gave the Indy car room to stretch its legs and zoom past me. The Ferrari couldn't pull me on the straight. The last few laps I spent trying to figure out how to close on the Indy car which probably had equally poor braking and cornering performance comparable to my own, but far superior speed in a straight line. I believe I finished 6th or 7th overall which was fun since many of the cars behind me were much younger than my 77 year old racer. The best part is just being able to run the Bugatti “as it was meant to be driven”. The Fiat Abarth had a mixed start at the beginning of the weekend. Friday and half of Saturday it sputtered and failed to produce much power under load. We made several adjustments and changes with no improvement. A desperate ignition change was made before the qualifying race on Saturday and when the race began I suddenly had power. Although relatively little compared to the 1956 to 1962 Corvettes and 356 Porsches I was grouped with, but at least more typical of a 750cc Fiat. I was able to pass the other Fiat Abarth, a Record Monza, fairly early on and then spent the rest of the race chasing down an Elva Courier that I could not quite pass. About half way through the race, I started to notice several emphatic passing flags at the corners just as I was entering the straight. A glance in my mirror through the tiny rear window revealed a sea of grilles and headlights closing in fast. After allowing the potently powered leaders past me, it was back to chasing the Elva and sliding the little car around the track. The Fiat wasn't very competitive given the mixture of our group, but it was fun nonetheless. There were several cars I could race with at the back of the field and except for the occasional Corvette, barreling by, we felt like we were going pretty fast considering our petite equipment. The Chrysler Festival of Speed is great event at a very unique location. I highly recommend it to anyone interested in vintage automobiles or racing. You can wander the pits and get up close and personal with the cars and their owners. It draws some of the same cars that appear at the Monterey Historics, but the atmosphere is much more low key and less crowded, at least once you clear base security. Bill, thanks for the great coverage. I have to say as Editor that it makes me laugh when the “Spell Check” tries to correct the word Bugatti to Budget Coronado Redemption Did you miss the 31st Monterey Historics again this year? Big deal, so you missed the Ferrari F1 salute to Michael Schumacher and the demonstration laps by the F2003-GA driven by factory test pilot Andrea Bertolini. Did I mention the 75-yard burnout down the pit road or the lap record attempt on Saturday and Sunday. How about Lindley Bothwell’s widow being driven around the circuit by local hero Rick Rawlins in the 1913 Peugeot, winner of the 1916 Indy 500. And there was the Ferrari Class that put over 20 GTO’s on the track at one time (an estimated $200,000,000 worth of machinery in this one class alone). Dan Gurney, Phil Hill, Sterling Moss, Vic Elford, Brian Redman, Derek Bell, any of those names sound familiar? No where else in the United States does one get to see such a variety of high quality vintage racing machinery then annually at the Monterey Historics. Did you ever want to know why Bugatti Grand Prix cars have ten feet of safety wire holding the body to the chassis? Have you ever wanted to see a pit crew actually bang on some real knock off spinners with a mallet? How long has it been since you had a strong whiff of Castrol R? The open paddock allows spectators access like none other. If you can wait, it all happens again next August. Well guess what, Southern California vintage racing enthusiasts only need to drive a little south to San Diego to enjoy these same cars and experiences. The Chrysler Classic Speed Festival takes place October 9th and 10th on Coronado Island. Being held at the Navel Air Station North Island, 8 race groups including sports and racing cars from 1920-1960, 1956-1966 production racing cars, Can Am, and Trans Am are set to take to the 1.6 mile race course laid out on the runways and taxiways of the NAS. A full schedule of practice and racing sessions run from 8:30AM until 5 PM Saturday and Sunday. In addition to the action on the track there will be aircraft flyovers, static military displays, car club corrals, and a vendor village. The event corresponds with San Diego’s “Fleet Week” so viewing of aircraft carriers, submarines, fighter jets, and other navel equipment in action in and over the bay can be seen from the grandstands throughout the weekend. Event tickets are reasonably priced at $17 a day or $22 for both days and include access to the paddock, parking, and grandstand seating. Food is available on site. This is a very intimate vintage gathering featuring many of the same world class cars seen recently at the Monterey Historics and in a setting reminiscent of the post World War Two racing scene in Southern California. The proximity of this venue and the option of going to the races just for a day or for the weekend make this event more popular each year. Spectator notice: since this event takes place on an active military base, photo identification and current vehicle registration are required for entrance. http://www.coronadospeedfestival.com/ Chips Away Makes An Unusual House CallStory Documented by Charles Rollins, editor www.Bench-Racing.com Late afternoon on Thursday August 12th 2004, TJ Wallace of Chips Away, an Orange County California based specialist in automotive paint touchup, was contacted with a unique request. A 1912 Rolls Royce Silver Ghost Limousine owned by Daniel Sielecki of Argentina had been damaged while being transported from Argentina to Pebble Beach, California. The special Coachwork Rolls was entered in the 54th Annual Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, arguably the most prestigious Concours in the North America if not the world, which was a little over 48 hours away. Could TJ come to Monterey and repair the Damage? Digital pictures of the damage were sent by E-mail to Chips Away and it was determined that repairs could be made in time for the Concours on Sunday morning. Transporting chemicals on commercial airlines is an impossibility these days so arrangements were hastily made to charter an airplane from Orange County to Monterey delivering TJ, an assistant, and the needed tools and supplies for working on the damaged paint surfaces. As if time wasn’t already at a premium, there was a small delay on Saturday morning because of a mechanical problem on the first plane. Nothing adds excitement like a little smoke in the cabin! A second plane was then readied and they finally departed for the 1-½ hour flight to Monterey. TJ admitted running through a mental and written list of needed materials multiple times still sure he had forgotten something. Of course upon arrival, the damage was greater then expected. What was supposed to be four fender bolts with cracked paint, ended up being the fender and the bolts, a heavily damaged running board mounted battery box, and an interior dash piece. TJ and his assistant Jerry Spaulding worked for six hours straight filling the cracks in the paint on the fender, repairing and repainting the exterior of the battery box, and repainting the dash piece. There was also a side request to bring some metal polish and sealer for the brass and copper trim and engine components. In addition, they performed a general touch up on the whole car fixing a dozen small chips and other problem areas that they found during their inspection. With the moist air from the nearby ocean, approaching darkness, and the clock running on the chartered aircraft and pilot, the pressure was on the experienced team from Chips Away. Even given all of these hurdles, the repairs were completed and happily approved by the Rolls’s relieved owner. As TJ and Jerry returned home to Orange County Saturday evening, they could finally relax and absorb the odyssey they had just been through. Being flown to Pebble Beach for an “Emergency Service Call”, who would ever believe this story? On Sunday morning at 6 am, the 1912 Rolls Royce Silver Ghost was driven onto the 18th fairway of the Pebble Beach Golf Course to be displayed with over one hundred of the worlds’ most beautiful classic cars. A special area behind velvet ropes was reserved for significant Rolls Royce Silver Ghosts as part of the 100th Anniversary Celebration of the Marque. With the calm waters of the Pacific Ocean as the backdrop, the Rolls waited to receive the strictest judging any classic car is ever subjected. When the judging was completed and the awards were finally handed out, Sielecki’s Rolls was honored with the “Co-Chairmen’s Special Award” presented to “the most deserving car present as selected by the Co-Chairmen”, Glenn Mounger and Sandra Kasky. It was late Sunday evening when the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance web site posted the Individual Class and Special Award Winners. The news of the Co-Chairmen’s Award received by Daniel Sielecki’s ’12 Silver Ghost reached the crew back in Orange County. TJ Wallace and his company Chips Away and the extraordinary efforts and commitment of a classic car owner had met with great success. The international crowd of event attendees had not a clue of the incredible events that had transpired “behind the scenes” but that was the idea. To find out more about Chips Away and their services, please visit the “About Us” section. The aircraft is ready and the pilot is on standby! Check out the photos of the 1912 Rolls on the lawn at Pebble Beach by following the link below. http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/tj4chips/album?.dir=/fa06 What’s Been Going On? By Charles Rollins, Editor BR.com Father’s Day weekend was all it was cracked up to be. Permission for Dad to do whatever he wanted, which means as many car events as can be squeezed into one weekend. Friday night, SoCal Speed Shop Open House. Saturday night, Meguiar’s Awards at the new Kodak Theater in Hollywood. Saturday and Sunday, LA Roadster Show. Sunday is our family’s traditional guys trip to the Roadster show at the Fairplex but this year not enough of the guys to make it an outing. Besides the first annual “Summer Solstice/Fathers Day” car tour was at 4 that afternoon. Four o’clock came and went with only 4 cars showing up in the Crystal Cove parking lot. I guess too many things going on that day. Not to be discouraged, we (Brett Hemphill) decided to reschedule for Monday July 5th at 8 AM. With some cooperative work on various message boards, that ended up being a great idea (see last paragraph). The next weekend started early as myself and fellow car guy Devin Dwier went up early on Friday to the Petersen Automotive Museum to preview the Barrett-Jackson Auction that was taking place on Saturday and Sunday. Unfortunately we both fell in love with cars we thought we couldn’t live without. Me a 1959 Fiat Abarth “Double Bubble” that amazingly was big enough inside for myself and a copilot. I felt that this car could be my ticket to all kinds of vintage events including the Mille Miglia Storica in Italy and any vintage race or road rally event: Limited production, aluminum body, Italian, Red, huge 750cc engine (that’s all four cylinders combined), super eligible. It was no Alfa 8C but it would cost about the same as a pair of NOS wiper blades for the 8C. Devin wanted the 1964 Lincoln Continental four door convertible. A 99 point l Lincoln Club national winner with $80,000 in restoration receipts. If things work out, I can save transportation costs by putting the Fiat in the trunk of the Lincoln. We tempered each others eagerness on the trip home by setting bidding limits. We were not sure how well attended that actual auction was going to be and if “the money” was going to be there. We certainly were not going to learn, after the auction, that the Alfa, I mean Fiat went for 6K and the Lincoln went for 20K. After a frantic thrash Saturday AM to clear our respective plates for some “Noonish” auction action, we set an unofficial time of 48 minutes from Fountain Valley to the Petersen just in time to catch the cars crossing the block. We actually arrived four cars before the Lincoln crossed the block (maybe 15 minutes to spare). Well, actually happy to say the the Lincoln went for 38 thousand plus commission and the Fiat went for fifteen thousand (a Petersen Foundation car so all the money went to the museum) probably a solid 6-8 thousand above market. Back to the hunt! Fourth of July weekend started early Saturday on Balboa Island with a small gathering of friends that was getting a little tired of the Crystal Cove Gestapo. Maybe an even dozen cars, definitely quality not quantity. Local stars Busby and Millen, Reed and Rawlins, and others choosing to remain anonymous invaded Marine Ave. and startled the locals who were out sipping their coffee and scooping up their dogs poop. A quick slide up PCH to Doughnut Derelicts for a real American Car vibe and back home by 9 AM. 8 AM Monday morning, 30-40 cars new and old (mostly new, mostly German) took off on a 2 hour 15 minute blast though a series of canyon routes covering most parts of Orange County. We finished up on Carbon Canyon, same as the New Years Tour with a couple of tweaks, parked in a culdesac kicking tires for around 20 minutes before everyone headed home. Another great little quick trip, thanks for all the positive E-mails sent to us here at Bench-Racing.com telling us what fun you had. I think we will unofficially do this twice a year, New Years Day and somewhere again between June and July. Share the route with your friends. August is almost here and it’s off to Monterey to separate myself from a thousand dollars plus for the privilege of viewing and hearing the greatest cars on the planet. Look for the upcoming article trying to recap the massive happenings there and please visit the archives for our past articles/adventures. Get out and drive, Charles Rollins Remembering Jack Milne by Rex McAfee For those new to Speedway racing, you might be surprised to learn that the Costa Mesa Speedway is thought of as this national’s premier racing facility for Speedway. Since 1969, riders have charged into turn 1 on their handmade alcohol burning machines that go from 0 to 60 in 2.5 seconds and have no brakes. Originally a rodeo bullring converted into a racetrack, the surface is a carefully measured mixture of soil, clay, and decomposed granite. The track is flooded with water for three days
AND IT’S ONLY WEDNESDAY. Submitted by BR.com editor Charles Rollins Sitting here at Brooklyn Pizza, feeling like I am on a blind date. I hear the exhaust note of a muscle car or maybe a hot rod, I turn to look. Will they pull in and join us? Are they checking out the Wednesday Night Costa Mesa Car Cruise? Do they just happen to be driving along Newport Blvd. and are oblivious to our efforts to start a regular Wednesday night event? Judging by the 50+ hits a day the Bench-Racing web site is getting, word is getting around. I see web site referrals from Ferrari message boards, Porsche message boards, AOL Google, etc.. By far the most efficient and quick way to get this information out! Bench-Racing.com is all an extension of the successful January 1st “Tour d’Orange”. We thought we might get 10-15 cars participating and we ended up with 150+. This is all part of our “throw it against the wall and see what sticks” philosophy. Sunday AM, I rolled out our 1955 190 SL Mercedes for a short 50 mile freeway ride to Bradbury Estates. A well hidden gated community located in the foothills approximately at the intersections of the 605 and the 210 freeways. Gale Banks, the turbo performance Guru, was hosting the tenth anniversary celebration of the Petersen Automotive Museums exclusive “Checkered Flag 200” organization. Established as a fund raising organization within the museums own membership, the CF 200 helps raise money, donates their own money (membership in the CF 200 requires a $1200 donation per year) and gathers several times a year for super exclusive “car guy” gatherings. Private collection tours, visits to hot rod and race shops, and organized car tours that include over the top lunches at exclusive locations. This gathering/celebration was the usual Hi-PO event with around one hundred special interest cars driven by CF 200 members and displayed on the 4+ acres of manicured lawn that surrounds the Banks’ home. Firstly, the event was generously underwritten by Maybach. Five maybe six Maybachs were on display, DVD’s running, rear seats reclined, electro-luminesent whatever sky lights being demo’d, short wheel base/long wheel base, etc.. Go ahead, try out the rear seats and please, make sure you try the automatic door closers (a small interior switch that electrically closes the massive five foot long rear doors). You could even drive on if you wanted, as if people that purchase Maybachs are ever going to drive themselves! With that opulent rear seat, I’m not going to sit up front and drive while my passengers get to enjoy the throne. Hum, Maybach of Rolls? How about 10 Mini Coopers, 15 Scions B’s, and one bad ass Ford Excursion, same price? Some of the “drivers’ on display included: 7 Maranellos, 2 360’s, a couple of Daytonas, 4 300SL’s, the 1950 Ford recently transformed in eight days by Chip Foose for a TV show, a pearl white early 50’s Caddilac two door stuffed with a big V8, a prewar 550K Mercedes with massive “Nazi Parade Style” coach work, 3-4 Cobras, a couple of GT 350’s, a couple of nice Woodies, a handful of Hot Rods, Jay Leno steamed over from Burbank in his Doble (complete w/fringed pull down roller shades on the windows), 2 Gallardo’s, and an assortment of Corvettes. I was hoping for a close up look at an unnamed members new Black Porsche Carrera GT but that car was a no-show. Car themed music by the “Hodads”, good food, open bar, chocolate dipped strawberries and huge cookies that looked like Maybach hood ornaments. The only downside was that most of my favorite members were back in Indy working or playing (second day of qualifying for the 500). An uneventful, top down ride home, good car that 190! Looked good even in amongst some strong competition and ran like a champ. Tuesday afternoon, I received a surprise invite to the “Driven to the 9’s Tour” to see the new Aston Martin DB9, coupe and convertible. A very nice venue next to the Pelican Hills Club House, again more food and drink. Great little info-talk with AM chief designer Henrik Fiskar telling us about going 185+ MPH on the Autobahn, leaving a “Big Mercedes Sedan in the dust at 160 MPH”. He assured us it was a wonderful experience in an environment that legally allows such speeds. A very beautiful and exclusive car (only 2000 world wide) AM will paint it any color you want and then retire the color, for a price. The AM DB AR1 Zagato specials are now arriving at dealers. Only 99 produced and five cars delivered locally. Very sexy, ultra exclusive, good motivation to get out there and make some more money. It’s going to be a hard choice for some to select between the new Bentley and the new DB9. The choice might be swayed towards the Aston Martin if Newport Auto Centers Bentley salesmen continue their arrogant ways. A pre-qualified “Mystery Shopper” recently was sent a solicitation from Bentley to visit their local showroom in regards to purchasing a new Bentley GT. “Sorry, all sold out” don’t care what your name is, don’t want your phone number, we don’t have a waiting list. Wow, nice way to treat someone that wants to plunk down 150K for a car. Wake up an smell the reality of deposits and no cars available. You should have taken a name and phone number so when all the current deposits evaporate you have someone to call! I suggest interested parties contact Mat Thomas at Bauer Aston Martin 714-953-4870. He’ll be happy to show you DB 7’s currently in stock and help you learn more about the DB 9. Tell him Bench-Racing.com sent you. It’s getting dark and I am feeling good about the Wednesday night cruise, thanks to you, the Bench-Racing.com web site visitor. Keep telling your friends. We constantly need your input so that we can list more events and make this web site a good source of information. The staff here at Bench-Racing.com just wants you to get out there, drive your car, and have a good time! It’s raining and cold in other parts of the U.S., make your friends jealous and tell them your top down at 8:30 PM straightening out the twisties and goin’ fast. It’s only Wednesday!
1000 Miles of Grins, by Rex McAfee In the June 1948 issue of Road & Track magazine, an article appeared titled “What is a Sports Car?” written by sports car enthusiast John Bond. The sports car market was at its infancy in the U.S., and Bond surveyed many members of the recently formed Sports Car Club of America as to what defined a “sports car”. Most replies centered on the criteria of above-average performance, handling, and feel. My favorite reply though, and one most appropriate for this article read as follows: “Anything that you can get a helluva kick out of when it runs, and an equal amount of fun griping about when it doesn’t...” In perpetuating this “helluva lot of fun” principle, roughly 90 sports car enthusiasts and their machines recently gathered for the 6th annual running of the “No Frills Iron Bottom Motoring Tour” or NFIBMT for short. Entrants gathered early Thursday morning in the Rose Bowl parking lot for a quick briefing before embarking on the 1000-mile trip over some of California’s most beautiful two-lane roads. I walked around the parking lot and admired the cars, many of which defined the American sports car market in their day. Austin Healeys, Porsche 356s and a MG were amongst those present. As for the car and companion I would be with over the next three days, it couldn’t get much better. I would be riding with Charles Rollins…grade “A” car nut, friend, and son-in-law to the late great motor journalist Ray Brock. Between the two of us, there was no shortage of bench racing throughout the trip. As for the car, it was Charles’ 1962 Porsche 356 “90” coupe that he bought from the original owner. Driving this car was a very special experience for me…it was Jack McAfee’s (my Dad) daily driver and demo car back in 1962 when he owned a Porsche dealership. Besides being such a fun and well-balanced car to drive, it had a little family history to it, and I’ll always be thankful to Charles for the opportunity to drive it. Event cofounder Ed Pasini passed out maps and gathered the troops with his megaphone. “Now listen carefully everybody….there is only one rule on this event; there are no rules!”. Simplicity was at its’ finest: no entry fees, no insurance waivers, no tech inspections etc. All that was required…or rather “encouraged”, was a pre 1976 sports car and an appreciation for the open road. Last minute prayers to the Gods of Mechanical Fortune were optional. Ed Pasini and Jack Brown started this event 6 years ago in response to the need for an affordable vintage sports car touring event. Pasini: “After my fourth California Mille and Jack's first, we realized what great fun vintage touring was. We also realized that not everyone had a pre 1957 sports racing car which is what it takes to do the Cal Mille. Lastly we decided there was something wrong with having to pay $4,000, to drive your own car on public roads. I have the greatest respect for Martin Swig and his event. I hope to do it again. Where else can you see a one off Ferrari built for Roberto Rossalini as a gift to Ingrid Bergman or a Mercedes 540K being driven on the road?” Immediately following the drivers meeting (if you can call it that), all participants returned to their cars and wasted no time in leaving the parking lot en route to the Angeles Crest Highway, just one of thirteen two-lane highways that were part of the first day’s route! From the dry oil fields of the Central Valley to the spectacular vistas of the Pacific Ocean in Big Sur, the first day covered enough terrain to keep any sports car pilot happy. And as if that wasn’t enough, Charles and I capped off our first day of successful touring with a nice steak dinner at the old Milpitas Ranch House that William Randolph Hearst built as a retreat in 1929. Could life be any better? After a solid night of rest and a thorough windshield cleaning courtesy of the motel room towels, the little “90” forged ahead through more beautiful country starting off with Carmel Valley, then up to Hollister, down to Coalinga and back to Paso Robles where the “All Hands” dinner banquet was held. One of the beautiful aspects of the NFIBMT is that other participants are just that; participants, not competitors. The camaraderie that evolves really makes the trip special and worth repeating. A few characters that I hope to rub elbows with again were Jeff Glenn from the Bay Area, and Rory Rinebold from Orange Country. Jeff drove his nicely prepared 1965 Ford Cortina that he nicknamed “Cortini” because of its’ 1700 DOHC Fiat motor. Don’t be fooled though by the car’s cute nickname; Jeff’s experience in FF2000 and the Dodge Barber Pro Series prevented us from ever passing him…unless he was pulled over getting gas. Rory drove his 1967 Iso Grifo GL in this year’s event. You could say Rory is a touring veteran with four California Melee (not Mille) tours, three SoCal TTs, and six starts in the NFIBMT under his belt. Between tours, Rory manages Bob’s Antique Auto Parts in Gardena. After more country back-roads on the morning of day three, Charles and I stopped in Pine Mountain Club near Frazier Park and enjoyed a quiet lunch before joining the rest of the world on the I5 freeway. The little 356 had pulled through like a champ, and Charles and I, albeit a bit tired, felt like we had our batteries recharged for the weeks ahead. When we rolled into Charles’ driveway, we had traveled around 1100 miles just over 2.5 days, and as the name of this article implies, it was a “helluva” lot a fun View pictures of the NFIBT by following this link |
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