TEAM-LCR REPORTS

 


(Photo by Bob Harrington - click to enlarge)

Le Circuit Mont Tremblant
Quebec, Canada
July 2-4, 2004

PAGE 2.

SUNDAY RACE DAY 

On Sunday, our guys had the wings and slix group to themselves, so there was no threat of embarrassing defeat by you-know-who. Divina had left Saturday night for a prior engagement — but not before sharing with our drivers a few tips about racing at Le Circuit, based on her own considerable experience here.

Ian was particularly appreciative of the time Divina spent with him before her departure, and the next day's race gave us a great scrap between him and Bobby Brown, with Pete in his B42, battling Howard Katz for third, and Simon starting dead last in Hamish's March 782.

Ian lost out at the start to the 2-litre power of Bobby's March, but he clung onto him, never more than a second or so away.

Below:  Lee, Ian Baas and Lowell Blossom review another great race

Ian Baas takes second to Bobby Brown's first -  shown here after the hard-fought battle


Pete in his Chevron B42 was again going quicker every session, running in the top five, but suffering from the fact that that his BMW engine now had some 27 hours race time on it. Still, he managed to set his fastest time of the weekend — only a second or so off Ian's best. Unfortunately, he spun the car for the first time ever (guess he found the limit of the 42's grip). So, the fight for third was lost, but he came in a very game fifth with the biggest smile on his face.

In Hamish's March 782, Simon had moved up through the field from last to second place in 4 or 5 laps, only to succumb to near total brake failure whilst right on Bobby's tail. In fact, when he passed Ian, he almost went straight off in the corner. A leaking seal in a rear caliper had lost the rear brakes, so the fronts just went away.

 Curses!

(photo by Wayne LeBlanc - click to enlarge)

Hamish, who had not driven his Chevron B23 all weekend, had pole by virtue of Divina's previous efforts, but he did not disappoint. Although losing out to Joel Finn for first position, he lapped below Finn's time and even Divina's. Pete came in third in his 75S March, lapping less than a half a second off the winner's best time. So, well done Joel! Extraordinarily well done Hamish. And fantastic result for Pete in the very overweight March (below right). It's like driving with a passenger…..  a really BIG passenger….. compared to the weight of his Chevron.

Running in second spot up 'til the last corner of the last lap of this race, Simon lost the motor in the Huron and only barely made it to the checkered flag in fifth place. Everyone on the front straight, including those in the timing/control tower, were virtually willing the car across the line.

Bad luck, Simon! Robbed again!

(photo by Wayne LeBlanc - click to enlarge)

Although Lowell had been having an enjoyable weekend in the Brabham BT29, he was again only a midfield FB runner, much to his (and our) disappointment. He was driving the wheels off the car in the corners, but losing out in the horsepower battle on the straight. (The purchase of a new cylinder head will help enormously once the engine builder has time to fit it.)

Needless to say, the proud look on his face as he watched grandson Ian's spectacular drives in his 79B was reward enough, but seeing Ian do a guest appearance in Hamish's Chevron B23 as well? Ian had never driven this car before, but was immediately lapping on the pace in the GTP Endurance race (to which all of our 2-litre sportscars had been invited).  Actually being held up in the corners by more contemporary and much more powerful machinery, Ian eventually muscled his way past, applying the knowledge of Turn One that he had gained in the open-wheel March. Well done Ian!


Another great drive was put in by Tom Yeager in his Merlyn Mk6A mechanical problem during qualifying saw Tom start from the back of the grid on race day (the biggest field for this event). Tom carved his way through the traffic from his lowly starting position to finish 5th overall. He must have passed over 30 cars in the 8-lap sprint race and was, in fact, closing up on the leading bunch.


(photos by Wayne LeBlanc - click to enlarge)

Hamish had been the force to reckon with up until the finale, having secured pole position; but on lap one the car would just not "turn in," so he reluctantly pulled out at the end of lap 1.

Pete Schultz was taking his time learning the track in his Lotus Elan, careful not to get in over his head as he had missed test/unofficial practice day on Thursday due to business commitments. He set some good solid times, moving up through the field every session and eventually finishing a good solid 8th overall on Sunday. A fine effort, and the car was again as beautiful at the end of the weekend as when it started -- one of Pete's primary goals these days.

Unfortunately for Ed, his usually ultra-reliable Lotus 47 gave up the ghost on the first day.  The engine — now with almost 30 hours on it — finally succumbed to failing oil pressure. So Ed joined Gordon on the sidelines for the rest of this holiday weekend, soaking up the atmosphere and taking in the social side of the weekend. No worries — he will be up and running again come the Glen, maybe even with the newest addition to his stable, the little Renault Alpine.

Gordon Medenica did make an appearance this weekend, as did his March. Simon even tested it for him, pronouncing it to be a really great car; but poor Gordon was in no shape to corroborate. He was bedeviled all weekend by a bout of vertigo  apparently brought on by small aliens inhabiting his inner ear resulting in Mont Tremblant looking more like this:  



Naturally, Gordon could not even attempt to drive his car. However, we are happy to report that the aliens have since been evicted from his ear by special exorcists and Gordon is now fully recovered, champing at the bit to get back in the saddle at the Glen.


Tom Yeager (left) and Pete Schultz (right)
keep ailing
Gordon company in the shade
(Photo by Wayne LeBlanc - click to enlarge)


Race Spectators on Sunday

left to right - Webmaster Chapman, Sharon Blossom, Scottie Yeager, and Sue Gulick

(Photo by Wayne LeBlanc - click to enlarge)


Including  the Gorgeous Hadfield "Girlies!"
left to right - Harriet, Lucy and Mandy
(Photo by the Webmaster - click to enlarge)

to our terrific crew - Tom Fox, Bill Pedersen, Wayne LeBlanc, Thatcher Goddard
and Rodney Brooks -  for another superb effort!

Not only was the countryside beautiful and the town charming — the track was absolutely awesome and the welcome we received from the track officials and local people was fantastic.
We can't wait to go back next year!!

 

 

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