Just back at the Net after the long tow back home from SVRA Watkins Glen.
What a great weekend! The Finger Lakes were at their prettiest, the track
was dry for Group One for all but the qualifying race, and Team Escargot
loaded its cars after the race intact and running. It was delightful to
meet vintage racers formerly known only in virtual reality. Team Thicko was
well represented, and I was very pleased to meet the Hawkeye racing mafia,
with Joe Alexander, Uncle Jack Drews, and Ed Ceiley, who turns out to be a
fellow alumnus of U of Iowa College of Medicine. Great company one and all!
My NTM D-sports racer had a good go. The idiot mechanic and fool driver
were on their best behavior, and we qualified 3rd fastest in Group One at
2:31. Unfortunately, Kent Bain significantly shortened his Spitfire against
the guard rail at turn 6 in the Qualifying race and that moved us up to #2
on the grid. Team E is not used to such heady company. After the start,
Herb Wetanson came through like a rocket from the second row and took us in
the esses. We came back to pass him on the back straight, but he took us
again into six. I now had a fabulous seat for the rest of the race as Herb
and Bill Crosby diced back and forth for the lead, with the NTM a few car
lengths behind. Herb won, with a fast lap of 2:28, Bill second, and we were
third with a 2:29, a personal best by 3 seconds. I was waved into victory
lane along with the two leaders, handed a cold drink, and interviewed by
the track announcer. Best of all, I was handed a bottle of champagne! I was
told I could spray it or keep it to drink. This was a no-brainer, Team E
will celebrate the memories of a great race with a sip of New York State's
best!
The track party was fun, the inclusion of the medallion and t-shirt in the
entry packet was a nice touch, and the general air of the SVRA personnel
seems a bit more upbeat. All in all, a weekend to savor in many ways.
Paul Meis, Team Escargot,'69 NTM-Honda D-sports racer
"Our motto: rub shoulders, not fenders"
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