|
international challenge
Gulick finishes 1st at the BRIC
|
|
|
|
|
We had only a very brief respite after Mont Tremblant – just enough time between events to resolve the FW08's pesky problem with cutting out (still being experienced when Hamish tested the car for Pete in Canada); just enough time to effect proper repairs, repaint and re-decal Hamish's T70; and just enough time to dry out all of the cars that had raced in the cold and wet of Watkins Glen and Mont Tremblant. Then we set off for Road America in search of more summer-like weather. Actually, what we found was more akin to conditions on the Equator. Indeed, global warming was all over Elkhart Lake. Standing with Bud Bennett under their awning, it was 115°. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Pete Gulick and Hamish Somerville had their F1 cars here, as did Paul Flowers, who joined the team with his recently acquired Benetton Tyrrell. This would be his first opportunity to compete in the dry, after a very wet weekend at the Glen. Hamish also had his Lola T70 to drive in the CanAm reunion, and Pete had his Chevron B42 (fresh from a major "winter" refurbish) for the combined Formula/Sportscar Group event. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
- Photos by Bob Marti
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Our crew, Chuck Golder, Ed Barker, Dean Jones and Mike Farka, with the help of our truck driver, Bob Marti, and fly-in (actually drive-in) friend, Pat Prince, stood the heat and pressure extremely well, keeping the cars running fantastically. On Saturday afternoon, however, the intense heat got the better of Chuck and he was obliged to spend a little downtime at the track clinic for several gallons of IV fluids. Fortunately, he recovered nicely and was back to his wonderful, uncramped self on Sunday. Way to go Chuck! |
|
|
Dean (left) & a re-hydrated Chuck, |
|
|
|
|
|
Our drivers were on the pace straightaway during test day and at the start of qualifying on Friday. Hamish set a time which would get pole on the first session. This would stand for the rest of the qualifying and practice sessions until Sunday, when he assumed pole for the race. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Pete was back and forth with Fitze all weekend again, having to settle for P3 -- just not quite able to ease Fitze out of outside pole. (click photos to enlarge) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Paul really got in the groove in his first race in the Benetton Tyrrell. He worked his way up the grid placements each session, ending up in P6, a really terrific effort. |
|
|
|
-
Photos by
Historic Grand Prix |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Pete's air starter
line would not disengage, and he left the pits still attached (oops). |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For some reason, it seemed the track got slower rather than faster as the weekend wore on – maybe it was the heat, maybe track conditions.
|
|
|
|
|
Pete drove his Chevron B42 (below left) for about half the weekend. The car was apparently fantastic – that is until a spherical bearing popped out of a lower-front wishbone and steered him off into the gravel trap. The nose, a little worse for wear, and the splitters, too, were repaired by Pat Prince – our in-house engineer for the weekend. Another new lower-front wishbone was fitted, followed by aligning and corner weighing and pouring Pete a new seat. (He must have lost a lot of weight in the off-season because he was just rattling around in the B42's cockpit, which last year had been a tight fit.) |
|
|
With the B42 now perfect again, Pete did another session before parking it,
wishing to concentrate on his Williams FW08
(right) to give it his all.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Hamish in the Lola T70 was flying, as usual, in a field of some 45+ historic CanAm cars of all makes and descriptions (with the exception of the "Panzer" Porsches) – the best of McLarens, Lolas and Shadows, big blocks and small blocks of all sizes. Hamish qualified in ninth, still with puny brakes and narrow, original-size wheels and tires. In the race, he got held up a little on the first lap, just enough for the leading group to escape. - Photo by Gordon Jolley |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
But the little Lola came home a very creditable 6th overall. Quite something considering the illustrious company it was keeping. |
|
|
|
|
Race Day
|
|
|
|
|
...but 
