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TEAM-LCR REPORTS |
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Gold Cup |
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Although VIR is perhaps our
favorite track, we had never participated in the Gold Cup Races in June.
After hearing numerous glowing reports about the event, Pete,
Paul and
Hamish all
decided to have a go this year. The way the Gold Cup is run was especially
appealing to everyone. |
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Paul's B31 had to be entered as a B23 and fitted with an earlier tail for the race weekend, as no late winged cars were eligible for the Gold Cup. However, this did not stop us testing three different tail configurations on test day: a high-wing, humped-rear-deck tail; a long-tail, small-wing, flat-backed tail; and a short, wingless B19 tail — with and without a gurney. We found out what we needed to know by the end of test day and trimmed the car out to suit the wingless tail for the weekend. |
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Our problem became the
crankshaft front seal, which started leaking oil. Unfortunately, this would
only get worse as the weekend wore on, finally causing the car to be parked
for the last day or so. But
Paul
did like the new engine, finding it to be eminently drivable and competitive
with one of the tails — even very fast and drivable with the B19 tail — so it proved to be a worthwhile exercise. |
- Photos by
Wayne LeBlanc
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For some reason, Paul's BT29 did not sparkle this weekend. After being a front runner at Summit, it rather surprised us that this weekend, the car was not on the same pace.
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Then it was so-long to Paul for the remainder of the summer. Having been to Monoco for the Grand Prix, he was off to Indy for the U.S. Grand Prix as a guest of his new friend and future Enduro teammate, Michael Schumacher. |
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Lowell
and Ian, watch out — |
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As usual,
Pete Gulick and
Hamish Somerville were running nose to tail in their B23s. Ever the magnanimous teammate, Pete was showing Hamish the way around VIR, as it was Hamish's first visit to the track.
Soon, however, Pete was having second thoughts about his generosity when he noticed that Hamish was a much quicker study than he had bargained for. Not only was Hamish already making capital of everything Pete had to show him, he then decided to see what he could learn from the master.... |
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Turns out it was Brian Redman's first visit to VIR as well — in George Hurd's Square A prepared and run Chevron B19. Due to his other duties, Brian did not make test day, nor every session. But of course he was on the pace in no time. |
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Brian Redman has been a hero of ours for as long as we can remember. We've all followed his career from the early days at Chevron, Team Wyer GT40 driving Works Porsche cars, F5000 multi-champion everywhere, Jaguar Sportscar Works drives, etc., with Formula 1 rides interspersed between most of these. He must be the greatest long-distance sports-car driver of all time, and he's the quintessential vintage race car competitor these days — fast, courteous, and entertaining, with countless awe-inspiring race stories to tell. |
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Square A, the outfit Brian drives for from time to time, has always been an operation we have sought to emulate. Their cars are wonderfully turned out, fast, competitive and just beautiful. Whether it's their three B19s, the T70 Coupe, or the Lola F5000 — all are stunning, thanks to George's patronage, Bobby Hubbs' hard work, and Hank Clarkson's invincible engines. It's always a pleasure to see them and to compete against them, although it hasn't been as frequent as we would like of late. |
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Brian, Pete and Hamish were the class of the field every practice session — a sheer delight to watch. Pete was usually the quicker of the trio, with Hamish snapping at his heels and Brian getting closer the more familiar he got with the track.
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The qualifying race to determine grid position for Sunday's race almost ran according to plan. Hamish almost got by Pete at the start, but being the team player he is, he held his position. Pete pulled out a small lead on Brian, only to concede first place to him shortly thereafter.
- Photo by Gordon Jolley (click to enlarge) |
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Before the race on Sunday, pleasantries are exchanged — although Hamish strikes
an oddly threatening pose as he challenges Brian
to yet another tedious game of "let's play who's taller."
- Photos by Wayne LeBlanc (click to enlarge) |
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Sunday's race proved to be
the same lineup on the grid as Saturday, since Pete
had set fastest lap. |
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Gridded up
for the battle:
- Photos by Wayne LeBlanc |
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Tension mounts before the race:
As Redman bares his teeth (above), |
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Dualing Helmets.... |
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Pete took off at the drop of the green, determined not to have a repeat of Saturday's outcome. He had learned a few things from Brian that previous day about how, in a very gentlemanly way, he could "shut the door" when required. Pete pulled out a 5-second lead in some places on the track and Brian brought it down to a 2-second advantage at other points. |
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It was a close race and particularly thrilling for us, as Hamish was only a couple of seconds behind Brian. |
Pete
held onto the lead until the checkered flag, |
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- Photos by Wayne LeBlanc (click to enlarge) |
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OU
R
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A
great weekend at a great event. Low-key, yes, but what a fantastic atmosphere. |
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The Chevron as Babe Magnet...
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(yes, it's those lovely Red Bull girls...)
See ya'll at Mid-Ohio! |
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... works for Hamish
too
