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Photo-coverage note: Wayne's photography of this event was destroyed by his evil computer in a dastardly assertion of independence (you know what they're like!). Therefore, we do not have the benefit of Mr. LeBlanc's brilliant work in this report. Fortunately, our newest newcomer/Chevron-driver, Jol Dantzig, kindly sent us some wonderful photos he had taken. (Unfortunately, he took none of himself.) Other photos were borrowed from the Jefferson 500 website itself. No photographer was credited on said website, but here is the link: www.jefferson500.com. The rest are "file" photos. |
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Toward the end of May, it was back to Summit with Brian Redman and the new HMSA ownership for the JEFFERSON 500. Chris Vandergriff is at the helm now and doing a splendid job overseeing the weekend – fortunately in the same spirit that both Brian and James have brought to it over the last few years. We always love coming to this event. It's low-key, way fun and at the same time extremely challenging, as each race is an Enduro. Having four front-running cars in the Wyer Cup alone, the logistics of juggling the cars and their pitstops really put us all to the test. |
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In fact, at the Jeff, cars from one group or another are on the track non-stop for three days. Preceding that is Thursday test day, which a bunch of our guys took part in; and before that, Targa 66 on Tuesday and Wednesday. Keeping all the cars running, let alone running ultra-competitively for a week, is quite the challenge at this event, but our crew rose to the task. Well done guys! |
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Rick Carlino and Pete Gulick participated in the aforementioned Targa 66 at the beginning of the week and were completely under-whelmed with the new Shenandoah circuit. It was pronounced totally unsuitable for anything save go-carts; even bikers hate it. It's too tight, too narrow, too bumpy and too dangerous. Both of our drivers, particularly Rick, regretted even going out on the track. Rick went so far as to attribute the demise of his '71 Chevron Gropa later in the week to the new Shenandoah track. Nuff said about Tuesday & Wednesday. |
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Thursday's open test day was attended by Pete, Rick (needless to say), Bernard Bradpiece and Phil Meany. The guys sorted their cars and deemed them reasonably satisfied with the setup. |
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On Friday, the whole gang was present – 11 cars, all ready to rock. But then, of course, the heavens opened and wrecked the day for most. Still, it was a busy day for the crew, making changes to some of the cars in preparation for a wet afternoon – bars, shocks, brakes, etc., followed by a game of musical tires; i.e., changing from drys to wets and back again at the end of the day for those who ventured out later on.
Lee and Thatcher sort out gear ratios
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Saturday was necessarily condensed, with practice and qualifying being combined (or so we believe); and, before we knew it, we were into racing proper on Saturday afternoon.
(click photos to enlarge) |
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Bernard Bradpiece
was our first superstar of the day in his '69 Merlyn 11A.
Being one of the fastest Formula Fords; he made it onto the podium in third place – not in class, mind you, but overall – standing with two F/B drivers. Way to go Bernard!
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Paul Flowers set the fastest time by over half a second and would sit on pole for Sunday's first race in his '69 Brabham BT29.
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"file" photo by Bob Harrington |
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But the old "red mist" took over – Phil's fine efforts rewarded him with only a 6th place after spinning into the gravel and then taking a stop-and-go penalty for committing an unmentionable. Aside from that, it was a really fine drive. We seem to be succeeding at last in making the car more drivable and handling more as it should. |
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The Ed-and-Gordon Show had its ups and downs, the little '69 Alpine Renault behaving perfectly in the power department – just the handling proving to be a tad alarming. Rally cars don't always make the best road racing cars; but we can work on that now that we know the little beast actually goes -- and goes it does, thanks to MWE's tuning exercise on the dyno. Thanks Ted! |
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The '66 Lotus 47 however, was no better off after having its engine out and returned to an engine builder for diagnosis/rectification. |
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It still had a desire, as Gordon would put it, to become an external combustion engine. So, it's back to the drawing board, or should we say, on to MWE for Ted Wenz to work his magic! Ed pulled the car for the rest of the weekend, much to his and Gordon's disappointment.
But Ed had his backup Alpine to drive.... |
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(click photos to enlarge) |
...whilst
Go had a more pressing concern (bearing
in mind, we were already on
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Racer Rick had problems with the Gropa losing an oil line in the carousel on Saturday. Up 'til then, he was running really competitively with later Chevrons and the like.
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An oil fitting actually snapped and separated on the oil pump. Rick attributed this in the main to the beating the underside of the car had taken whilst pounding around the very, very bumpy Shenandoah circuit on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Rick's first proper race weekend with the '72 Lola T240 F/A (below) didn't give him the reward of his efforts. Whilst strong all weekend against the other Atlantic cars in the F70 group (the Charlie Gibson Cup), on race day a minor indiscretion whilst with the leading group dropped Rick back through the field, and he had to start all over again. |
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Racer Rick's
new ride
- the '72 Lola T240
Whilst the races were 12 laps in length, there was just not enough time to close the gap. However, he did have the satisfaction of shaving off many seconds per session each time he went out. A really fine effort in Rick's typical fashion, building up the pace gradually without doing anything untoward. |
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We had another newcomer this weekend – Jol Dantzig with his freshly restored but barely-tried Chevron B23. Jol had been around race cars for quite some time; but, like Ed, he had taken our advice and seen the light (they both drive, or have driven, Porsches). Next on our list to convert must be Prescott Kelly. |
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Chevron B23 of Jol Dantzig |
By the way, thanks again, Prescott,
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(click photos to enlarge)
Jol wasn't really comfortable with the Chevron on Saturday, but help from Thatcher gave him a better driving position and, with change of steering wheel and a pedal adjustment, Jol began to feel at home.
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Wayne & Shane also help sort Jol's Chevron
Indeed it was a different car on the track by Sunday, as Jol had picked up the pace enormously and was looking really happy in the car. Well done Jol. Keep up the good work!
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Pete showed up this weekend in his latest ride – the McLaren Mercedes SLR. It was quite the star attraction – a never-ending stream of spectators coming by to ogle the beast. In fact, it became so unsettling for Pete that he had Wayne put it on the trailer lift-gate and raise it up out of harm's way. |
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We can only imagine what was going through Pete's mind as he sat on pole position in his B42 to watch Brian set off to pace the group – suddenly laying down about 30 feet of rubber and disappearing in a cloud of tire smoke right before Pete's eyes. Whoops!! |
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Bernard's race in the Formula Ford on Sunday was another demonstration that Bernard has arrived. Whilst starting in fourth place (they let the F/2-F/B cars start in front), this was the head of the F/F field. Bernard held a sizeable lead for most of the race only to relinquish it to Kyle Kaulback and his Lotus 61 near the end. Whilst trying to chase him down, there just were not enough laps left. Nevertheless, it was one great drive after another by Bernard all weekend. Even though he was not pleased with his Sunday performance, we thought it was pretty damn good. |
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Pete and Dave Handy in Pete's Chevron B23 set the standard for the Wyer Cup. Whilst not getting pole for Saturday's round, they soon established a lead in the qualifying race that was not to be relinquished. |
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For the second weekend in a row, Pete was definitely in race mode. Whilst Rasim in his B26 and Joe Blacker in his Lola tried to apply pressure from time to time, it was short lived. Rasim faded a little and Joe as usual was bugged by a myriad of problems and slower co-driver. |
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Pete's stiffest competition on Saturday came from Paul Flowers in his yellow Chevron B31 (above) making one of its annual appearances (more this year, we hope). Whilst Pete pulled out a substantial lead, Paul got in the groove with the B31 and started looking really racy. In fact, he started turning in the quickest laps of the race, finally catching up with Pete on the last turn before the front straight. Almost touching Pete, the front of Paul's B31 got light, Pete's B23 having taken the air off the front of it, and the B31 under-steered off the track at this very fast corner. Not one who is easily intimidated, Paul just kept his foot in it. Although on the grass, he kept up his race pace – rejoining the track some 300 feet further down, opposite pit out. |
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Unfortunately, this didn't come without penalty. The rough ride tore up the front of the B31 pretty badly (at one point it was launched into the air some 3 feet). Paul had second place until black-flagged for inspection. We used this time as his mandatory pitstop, and as he didn't need fuel, we were able to indulge in making hasty repairs with our trusty duct tape and then sent him on his way. Pete and Dave Handy cruised home to a comfortable win. Paul came in a lap or two in arrears, but running competitive times still. |
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Sunday's race was not quite so dramatic and gave Pete and Dave their first overall place on the podium for the Wyer Cup. Paul, with another stellar drive, finished second overall. This was after we had repaired the nose and chassis overnight. The car didn't look bad at all but Paul was not on the same pace as Saturday as the handling felt a "little strange." Not surprising, having inspected the bent front subframe whilst trying to align the front end. |
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Still, a one-two finish is always gratifying. However, not one to stand on ceremony (literally), Paul drove by winner's circle and back to the pits. He had to go and retrieve his plane before he was locked out of the local airport! Well done Pete, Dave and Paul! |
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Again, more somber podium celebrations. |
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Phil Meany,
starting 6th for the Marlboro cup race, took command on the first lap,
coming around in first place. He maintained his position of superiority
for the remainder of the hour, never putting a foot wrong (no
red mist today!) and
brought the car home a convincing first.
With other cars falling out on Sunday, Phil's 6th and first gave him a
second overall. Well done Phil,
against the might of the two-car factory-Jaguar effort! The Aldon at last
is proving its worth in Mr. Meany's capable hands. Now let's see how it
stands up against a full sports racer grid. |
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The two F70 races were fantastic and turned out to be the Pete-and-Dave Show. Both in F2 cars, they dominated the field, totally sidelining the Lola 332 F5000 of Larry Neviaser. Dave won both races, but with Pete in the '78 Chevron B42 literally breathing down the Ralt's exhaust, the cars were spectacular to watch and the control of their drivers stunning. |
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It was a great
race week.
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Race Event Gallery |
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