[Fot] My Spitfire at Bryar, NH around 1974 and a great back story

[Mike Harmuth]

I just received this clip of my car, 63 Triumph Spitfire, racing at Bryar
around 1974. It was driven by Dave Belden and at this event, a school, by
Flagger Ralph Gilman. The video clip is from his son Chris Gilman.

Great story behind the school part.
Ralph Gilman was a welder at the Groton, CT submarine works. He and his
wife were regular workers at SCCA events, he flagged, she did registration.
Ralph wanted to be a racer and was always working on converting car, a
Fiat, but never got it done. As a master welder, he could weld Aluminium
and Magnesium and was always helping out racers with bent wheels etc.

When he showed up to flag a school at Bryar (Now Louden), he found out some
racers had gotten together and bought him entry into the school. One driver
was a doctor and gave him the physical under the bleachers. Other drivers
lent him driving gear. Dave Belden, long term (25 years) owner of my car
lent him the car (#7) to drive. It was the only time he was in a race car,
he passed away before completing the Fiat.

Ralph's son, Chris, came up to me at a vintage race at Thompson a few years
ago, recognized the car and told me the story. We reconnected a few weeks
ago on Facebook and last night he sent me this film clip from the event. He
also sent a second one with just Dave Belden driving the car in a race that
weekend.
short clips, no sound, but enjoy.

Ralph Gilman, school, in #7
https://youtu.be/9yLm7mMh1Sw

Dave Belden racing in #7
https://youtu.be/zuHpOTYgh3U

mike h
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