I guess the biggest problem in Vintage racing is that many of the drivers are
like us but with a lot more money. They're amateurs driving racing cars.
I have seen Brian Redman drive from last place to 1st place, in a big field,
in only 10 laps. I have also seen many other retired pros do the same and the
amateur drivers try to keep up but can't or try to block them. Inevitably the
pros instincts revert to their old ways and they will try to pass no matter
what. It's in their blood!
The reason Morton, Redman, Moss etc were so successful were their desire to
win, their abilities and the cars. It's hard to back off when they're in a
race. Moss was heavily criticized recently for "shunting" an old Jag in
England. He was out to win.
No matter what, they're still hunks of metal and can always be rebuilt. I say
that about my cars too. When I said that after Newman's crash several people
stared at me in disbelief. Hey, it's just metal at least the drivers were OK.
My dad used to make me repeat to myself: It's only a car. He knows, as I wiped
out his new 69 396/350 RS/SS Camaro and then when he replaced it with a new 70
of the same description someone ran into the side of it when I was driving. He
was pretty cool and made me repeat "It's only a car." I was more upset than
him.
Mike
----- Original Message -----
From: CalSpeed@aol.com
To: datsunmike@nyc.rr.com ; datsun65@hotmail.com ;
datsun-roadsters@autox.team.net
Sent: Tuesday, August 21, 2001 12:35 AM
Subject: Re: Historic races Morton wins class!!!
<< Morton started the race towards the back in a 34 car field. He was able
to battle his way to the front But on his way he incountered some big cars
that were holding him up. mainly Vic Edelbrock in the Smokey Unick 7/8
scale Camaro. John and Vic were fighting lap after lap.
John would almost get by him then Vic would dive down and cut John off.
Down
the front straight John would pull next to Vic and give him the finger
showing Vic that he is number one! Ya right! It finaly ended when Morton
from what I heard spun Vic and the Camaro out in to turn 1 I think. At
this
point the BRE 510 as slightly wounded. The left front strut was bent. And
a
little body damage. >>
<<I thought the racing would be like a typical vintage event where you can't
pass here and you can't pass there BUT it wasn't like that at all and it
surprised many of us in the crowd. Those guys went for it!>>
Hello,
Congrats to Morton and Nissan for being able to bring the Datsun name back
to
where it belongs. In the forefront. Okay... now how do I really feel?
I was excited to read the posts about how Morton won his class etc...etc...
But Then I read the part that he may have hit the other driver which caused
a
spin-out. Broken parts... bent metal... Is that really Vintage Racing? I
dont think so. It is nice to see a win. It is nice to be a winner but does
anyone really understand the essence of vintage racing? I know that true
vintage racers do or at least should. I dont know all the details of the
incident but it sure sounds like there was some unnecessary aggressiveness
on
the racetrack. Lots of "face" at stake with this race. You know what I
mean? And it doesnt help to read that a finger was shown. Maybe it was and
index... maybe not...? I give my respect to Morton as a wonderful racer.
But was it necessary to make contact to pass someone not even in your
division. Or was he in your division? Either way it leaves a bad taste in
my mouth.
Okay... lets hear it... all together... "Thats racing!" But that didnt
sound
like Vintage Racing.
Michael "Calspeed" Carion
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