[Fot] Triumphs at the VARAC Vintage Grand Prix - Mosport

[Joe Alexander]

Where the Kastner Cup Commenced.  

An exhilarating track to drive.

Unsurpassed hospitality.


Joe Alexander
4505 Donald Dr
Cedar Falls, IA 50613
ARE  LLC
Gasketinnovations.com
Email: N197tr4 at cs.com
Cell:  319.464.4711


> On Jun 23, 2024, at 8:34 AM, yellow04 via Fot <fot at autox.team.net> wrote:
> 
> Triumphs invaded the Great White North earlier this month, with many in attendance at the VARAC Vintage Grand Prix at Mosport, otherwise known as Canadian Tire Motorsports Park. In my opinion, VARAC has turned this race into the premier North American Vintage Racing event of the season. They have built this event into the most enjoyable, low key festival event imaginable.
> 
> Can you name another event that puts on a dinner and live music every night, including the load-in on Wednesday? Yes, that's 4 nights of food and entertainment, which includes free beer every night! Canadian hospitality can't be beat, want to load in on Wednesday and not run the test day, no problem. Want to stay over Sunday night and get a fresh start at your drive home Monday morning? No problem. Mosport is a bucket list track that is worth the tow from just about anywhere, and you are treated to 8 sessions over 3 days.
> 
> Much to the chagrin of the VARAC's race director and MG pilot Dave Good, a Triumph won the annual MG/TR Challenge, again. We have a bit of a streak going here. I didn't get a qualifying time because of a minor suspension snafu, so I started from a grid position of 27th. Unfortunately, my good friend and on-track nemesis Nick Pratt broke in Practice, so I didn't have the blue Midget to play with. When the green flag flew I saw a hole and it felt like I got by half the field before turn 1, then on lap 2 I motored by the leaders on the back straight to take the lead and run uncontested. Mike Moore took second spot on the podium with a great run in his TR4.
> 
> In the Porsche vs. the rest of the world "All Comers" race, I did my part keeping the podium Porsche-free by running third overall. VARAC runs what is best described as bracket racing, you pick the lap time you are comfortable with and that is where you are scored. I just happen to have a car that runs towards the top of the Over-1:40 bracket, and I took the top podium spot for VH3. Yup, a good weekend for the yellow TR250.
> 
> Mike Deweerd ran the ex-Peter Bulkowski TR8, and with every session more and more seconds fell off the lap times. Once Mike gets a handle on this beast, watch out! He was two-timing it, with his faithful Green Bean TR4 running with Vintage Historic grid and the TR8 joining the Classic grid. Peter came to offer support and encouragement, and it is always a good time when Peter is around!
> 
> This was Jason Sukey's first outing at the storied Grand Prix track, and he confidently shaved seconds off every session as well, looking awesome in his GT6 in the Sunday morning race. Dad Marty's Spitfire didn't fare quite as well, but he was all smiles as usual all weekend.
> 
> Brian Schirano joined the fun and ran well with his GT6, as did Stewart Wigg rounding out the GT6 contingent. Tim Slater towed his Spitfire up from rain ravaged South Florida with his dingy strapped on the second story of his trailer, (not a joke) and ran as strong as a mortal Spitfire can go.
> 
> Mark Wheatley didn't have the weekend he had hoped for with his TR4, but in the feature race on Sunday afternoon we are pretty confident the issue has been identified. The sole sidescreen car at the event was John Styduhar with his TR3B, John ran strong all weekend never missing a beat.
> 
> Mike Moore convinced himself he had enough grip on old tires to not put his new ones on, but after spinning in the very high speed turn 8 he realized that was not the way to go! No harm, no foul, and hopefully lesson learned! Mike ran well when all wheels were pointing the right way, he also had a great weekend.
> 
> It seems every year we get more Americans to venture north across the border to race with us, and every one of them that races this event assures me they have put the VARAC Vintage Grand Prix on their permanent race schedule! To me, the Mosport experience is what I gauge all other tracks by, and to have VARAC put on such an amazing event at a world class track, it just doesn't get any better than this!
> 
> Cheers
> 
> Henry Frye
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