SVRA at Watkins Glen

This was my second trip to Watkins Glen and what an experience. As always the SVRA put on a great event. This weekend had a little bit of everything thrown into it; racing, a reenactment of racing down town, a big car show downtown, a big party downtown, FOG, more racing, 50 years of Lola, a party at the track, and did I mention racing. It was also the 40th anniversary of HOT WHEELS cars so they had a special display down town (“ Hot Wheels turn 40” Blog).

The weekend started off like just like any other Vintage-racing event in the Truechoice trailer. The registration and getting the trailer parked went smooth as always. (SVRA did a great job with the golf shirts) Thursday had beautiful weather and great practice. Friday was awesome… the downtown race/car show/party rocked. Saturday great racing until the FOG rolled in (WOW it gets foggy fast) but the social was nice, a little cold. Here are my pic’s with commentary:
You can almost envision the original downtown racing

This was a great environment.

Saturdays fog rolling in

Saturdays fog rolling in 15 minutes later

Saturdays fog rolling in 10 minutes after that.

Saturdays fog rolling in 10 minutes after that.

Kind of scary...

Saturdays fog rolling in 10 minutes after that.

Reminds me of the movie the FOG.

Display cars celebrating 50 years of Lola

There were 6 super nice examples on display

Fog's gone... a bit chilly but the party must go on

Why do they need so many?
Have you ever heard some of the racing stories?

A few bottles of wine got consumed which makes sense being in the Finger Lakes wine region
Got to make sure when you leave you are not seeing double

His other car is a Lola

VERY NICE LOLA'S

A little carnage

Perfect sky's on Sunday

Bring your own cheerleader.

Yes, she is holding pom-poms.

My favorite view of the track
(Being on it)

Life is Good...

Super Model Maimed

Super Model Maimed… Not really but I think this is much worse.
To a car guy this is the equivalent of a super model with broken nose or Michelangelo’s David falling over or a wild fire in a national park or a Picasso falling off the wall or… I think you get the point.

This is a real GT-40 with race history
This “super model” is not headed to the plastic surgeon but back to a body shop and a race shop
Tough racing at Watkins Glen for this GT-40



The SVRA event is always a great one at Watkins Glen and on occasion there is some carange that the even the Truechoice Trailer does not have the parts to fix.


Just a thought...

Dreossi Special

My favorite thing about the vintage racing is the unique cars. If you live cars as much as I do it’s worth taking in either a SVRA or a HSR event. It’s museum quality cars RACING.

This is a very cool car… a Dreossi Special owned by Doug Elcomb. This car was built by Ray Dreossi and Cece Simmons up near Toronto in 1961 as a Canada Class car. It also conforms to the early rear engine Formula Junior rules having less then 1100cc, drum brakes, and a production gear case. Going through the SVRA Tech line

The car is monocoque structure (no tube frame) built from a drop tank from a F86 Sabre Jet.
Almost a fighter jet cockpit
The cars steering uses a cut-down NSU Prinz rack
The front uprights/brakes are Standard Pennant (pre-Triumph Herald)

The rear uprights/brakes are Austin Mini 850 front ends

When you look at the wheel/tire combination it is hard to believe that this car will go 115 on the top end powered by a Sprite motor (948cc bored to 1001cc) with only about 75bhp. The transmission is a Fiat 600 gearbox mounted upside down. The cooling is done by a Fiat 850 radiator.

I had brought the Truechoice Suport Trailer to Watkins Glen for a SVRA event. This car was doing well in the feature race up until Doug "ran out of talent in the Inner Loop on lap#2!! recovered to finish 12th after a good fight with Travis Engen's Lotus 18". (Doug's Words)

Life is Good...