|
|
|
We got home from Sebring and almost immediately, it seemed, set off south
again this time for Savannah.
It's always a great time at Roebling Road with SVRA in the spring our
third taste of spring so far this year, in fact, whilst still awaiting it
in Connecticut. |
|
|
|
The weekend is low-key and a lot of fun, with plenty of track time on one of the safest tracks on the east side of the country; and of course, there is the never-ending charm of Savannah to enjoy only moments away. |
|
|
|
|
On board for this event were Ed Mettelman and Gordon Medenica to drive Ed's 66 Lotus 47 and 69 Alpine Renault (French), Paul Flowers with his Elva Mk7, and one of our newest recruits, Bernard Bradpiece in his freshly restored 69 Merlyn 11A F/Ford. Also back for more was Racer Rick Carlino with his groovin' Gropa. He thought he might have a go in a Formula Atlantic car as well, with a few runs in LCR's newly acquired 72 Lola T240 (below). |
|
|
|
|
|
Torrential rain once again spoiled half of Thursday test day, but most of the lads got in two or three dry sessions in the morning. Poor Derek Harling parked next to us was subjected to the watershed effect of our awning so much so that his Lola looked more like an amphibian standing there on its chassis stands, which were just keeping the tub out of the lake now formed around his transporter. Derek, don't forget the Wellies next time! |
|
 |
|
|
Ed Mettelman
(below)
&
Bernard Bradpiece
(right)
were unfazed by
the rain. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Paul did not show on Thursday until the evening, but from the word go on Friday he stamped his authority on Group 5, setting a blistering pace from his first lap on the track. The Elva looked resplendent after its winter freshen. |
|
|
In the Motor Check Dixie 150 Enduro, Paul
again shone. Starting third on the grid with a quasi-LeMans start, he was
first away blowing off the Corvette that had pole and Asa Candler in the
Royale who hesitated too long. Paul had the car in gear, all switched on,
finger poised on the start button so when the runner grabbed the
flyswatter, Paul was off, flicking the
car sideways and leaving black tire streaks as the Avons searched for
grip. |
|
|
Note the absence of Paul in his Elva he's already
left these cars in the dust! |
|
|
There he was, first into turn one by many, many yards. He held down first place for quite some time until the more powerful cars took advantage of their speed and grip. |
|
|
But Paul kept on even as he himself remarked, he thought the race was never going to end. What we thought would be approximately 1ฝ hours in length turned out to be almost two hours. With almost 40 minutes to go, Paul took his last pitstop. There was literally no tread on the left rear. The left front wasn't a whole lot better and we had an oil leak from the valve cover as well. |
|
|
|
So with bated breath, we watched as the last laps wore on wondering whether he would run out of gas, run out of oil, or simply run out of tire.
This time luck was on our side and Paul
brought the now rather grubby Elva
into a strong second place overall, beaten only by the Lola of Dave
Handy/Joe Blacker.
- Photo by Bob Harrington |
|
Lee with Paul Flowers, after a long Enduro
- Photo by Wayne LeBlanc |
Way to go Paul! |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rick Carlino in his Chevron Gropa
Rick was dominating the Enduro up until about two-thirds of the distance when he failed to come around after his last pitstop. The Gropa had been sounding a little strange the last couple of laps. We discovered that a header pipe had broken completely off. Bad luck yet again struck the Gropa whilst in a commanding lead in an Enduro. No worries we are so close now, it will happen. Just wait 'til Sunday.... |
|
|
|
|
|
Bernard in the Merlyn F/F for the first time in nine years apparently started the weekend off tentatively on Thursday test day. |
|
|
- Photos by Wayne LeBlanc |
|
|
First impressions gave way to the conclusion that we had a grip issue, so the vintage Avons were put in a museum. The Merlyn was treated to new, fresh rubber that initially gave Bernard something to smile about. |
|
|
|
|
|
Bernard got quicker and quicker as the weekend went on. An overheating problem was resolved and slight chassis tuning rewarded him with being only a little over a second off the pace of the main man in F/F here this weekend. It looks like we have another contender in our midst with Mr. Bradpiece.
- Photos by Wayne LeBlanc |
|
|
Crew Chief Thatcher Goddard
|
|
|
A shame Paul didn't have his Merlyn here as well this weekend these two would have had a great time together. We can only hope there will be a good field of classic Monoposto machinery at Summit.
Well done Bernard and Cindy,
Bernard's No. 1 cheerleader. (We wonder if Bernard will turn up with
tattoos next Cindy seemed quite taken with Wayne's
) (click photos to enlarge) |
|
|
|
|
|
Alas, all of the time spent on Ed Mettelman's Alpine getting the car ready for this event didn't yield the hoped for results. The recalcitrant French race car (engine) just would not run. Everything we did to address its problems made absolutely no difference. So, heeding advice from a higher authority on these matters (Ted Wenz), we packed it in for the weekend with this car. |
|
|
|
|
|
Ed's Lotus 47 fared not much better, unfortunately having the same problems it's had since the last engine build burning carbs and filters. Poor Ed and Gordon had little to smile about this weekend, save for the odd good session in the 47 when it was behaving. |
|
|
|
|
|
Oh well ."we'll be back!"
|
|
|
- Photos by Wayne LeBlanc (click to enlarge)
|
|
|
|
|
|
Paul flew home early Saturday morning for a wedding he had faithfully promised not to miss. Good to his word, off he flew to return on Sunday for his sprint race. |
|
|
|
- Photos by Wayne LeBlanc (click to enlarge) Both Paul and Rick had a great time taking command of Group 5 in the Michael Stott/UBS Financial Sprint race. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
So there we had it! our weekend's two hottest shoes on the podium together. Quick-Rick was rewarded at last after so many "nearly's" and Paul was rewarded for having flown back from Alabama just to participate in Sunday afternoon's race.
A one-two finish for
LCR
Well Done, Guys!!
- Photo by Bob
Harrington |
|
|
Thanks to our crew Thatcher Goddard,
|
|
|
|
|
 to
Race Event Gallery |
|
Paul Flowers endures!
