From racerbob70 at yahoo.com Tue Mar 9 18:37:54 2010 From: racerbob70 at yahoo.com (Bob Van Kirk) Date: Tue, 9 Mar 2010 17:37:54 -0800 (PST) Subject: [Vintage-race] Fw: Message from Sir Stirling Message-ID: <991339.78913.qm@web51603.mail.re2.yahoo.com> ======================== TO ALL MY FRIENDS (AND ALL THOSE WHO ARE KIND ENOUGH TO CARE), DEAR ALL OF YOU, THE LAST FEW DAYS HAVE BEEN QUITE FANTASTIC AND I'D LIKE TO THANK EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU FOR YOUR KIND THOUGHTS, MESSAGES AND OTHER PARAPHERNALIA. ON SATURDAY EVENING, I WAS AT HOME WITH SUSIE, ELLIOT AND HELEN AND ABOUT TO LEAVE FOR A CURRY, FOR WHICH WE WERE RUNNING LATE. I ASKED HELEN TO JOIN ME IN THE LIFT TO GO DOWNSTAIRS, BECAUSE SUSIE AND ELLIOT WERE SMART ENOUGH NOT TO RIDE IN MY LIFT. I OPENED THE DOOR AND STEPPED INTO THE LIFT, WITH HELEN READY TO FOLLOW ME, WHICH SHE NEVER DID. THAT IS BECAUSE THE LIFT HAD STOPPED ON THE FLOOR ABOVE AND INCORRECTLY ALLOWED THE DOOR BENEATH IT TO OPEN. STILL CHATTING TO HELEN, I STEPPED INTO THE OPEN DOORWAY-- AND FELL TO THE BOTTOM OF THE LIFT SHAFT. THE AMBULANCE WAS CALLED AND ARRIVED AT RACING SPEED, WHEREUPON THEY PUT ME ONTO A SERIES OF ABOUT 10 STRETCHERS! HAVING FINALLY SETTLED ON WHAT MUST HAVE SEEMED A GOOD ONE, I WAS TAKEN, ALONG WITH MY FAMILY TO THE ROYAL LONDON HOSPITAL IN WHITECHAPEL, WHERE THEY USED ANOTHER BATCH OF SIMILAR STRETCHERS! THEY DID A GOOD JOB OF HELPING ME, BUT WERE UNABLE TO DO THE REQUISITE SURGERY. SO, ON THE SUNDAY, I WAS MOVED TO THE PRINCESS GRACE, WHERE A FANTASTICALLY EFFICIENT, KIND AND AMUSING STAFF DID ALL THE JOBS. I AM NOW IN A LOVELY ROOM, NUMBER 222, AND WITH THE HELP OF ELLIOT AND THE PORTER, AM FINALLY ON THE EMAIL. THAT DOES NOT MEAN THAT I WILL BE ABLE TO ACTUALLY SEND THIS TO YOU, BUT I WILL TRY! NOW FOR THE FUTURE... WHICH I CAN SEE WITH SUSIE, HELEN AND ELLIOT AROUND ME, IS GOING TO BE A BLOODY STRUGGLE! AS SOME OF YOU MAY KNOW, SUSIE AND I ARE BOOKED ON A SEABOURN CRUISE FOR OUR 30TH ANNIVERSARY, NEXT MONTH. I HAVE TO CROSS THE HURDLE OF GETTING THE DOCORS, AND FAMLY HANGERS-ON, TO ALLOW ME TO THIN MY BLOOD, IN ORDER TO AVOID ANY ISSUES INVOLVING DEEP VEIN THROMBOSIS. IT WILL BE SIX TO EIGHT WEEKS FROM SUNDAY BEFORE I WILL ABLE TO PUT ANY LOAD ON MY FEET. THEREFORE I'M FACING MY SIXTH OR SEVENTH REDUCTION TO A WHEELCHAIR (SUSIE SAYS SHE'S STOPPED COUNTING) WHICH I MUST ADMIT, IS RATHER BORING. THE GOOD NEWS IS; THAT I DIDN'T SELL THE WHEELCHAIR AFTER THE LAST SHUNT! THE WHOLE THING IS A REAL PAIN IN THE ARSE, IF I HAD LOOKED WHERE I WAS GOING, I WOULDN'T BE HERE AT ALL, SO IT'S MY OWN DAMN FAULT. I HAVE BEEN ABSOLUTELY OVERWHELMED BY YOUR COLLECTIVE CONCERN AND KINDNESS. I CAN TELL YOU THAT CURRENTLY I'M LYING IN HOSPITAL, TAKING DEEP BREATHS, LIFTING ONE ARM WITH THE OTHER, RAISING MY LEGS (WITH PLASTERS ON THE END) AND DOING ALL I CAN DO TO KEEP MYSELF AS MOBILE AS POSSIBLE, BUT, HAVING SAID THAT, I'M NOT YET WINNING THE BATTLE. I'M NOT SURE WHEN I'LL BE ABLE TO GO HOME BUT THE LIFT HAS TO WORK, OTHERWISE I'LL NEVER BE ABLE TO GET UPSTAIRS IN MY WHEELCHAIR, MAYBE I'LL GO AND STAY WITH HELEN AND ELLIOT FOR A WHILE... THIS REALLY HAS OPENED MY EYES TO HOW KIND ALL MY FRIENDS ARE, OVER AN OLD EX- RACING DRIVER, FLOGGING A FADING IMAGE! I LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU SOON, MANY THANKS FOR ALL OF YOUR THOUGHTS, CIAO ================================ Our best to Sir Stirling and Lady Susan. - Paul From mark at bradakis.com Wed Mar 10 11:25:54 2010 From: mark at bradakis.com (Mark J Bradakis) Date: Wed, 10 Mar 2010 11:25:54 -0700 Subject: [Vintage-race] Nice car, but ... Message-ID: <4B97E432.2030503@bradakis.com> It is 25 years old, does it qualify as a vintage racer? http://tinyurl.com/ygzxh96 A nice toy, but I doubt I'll be getting enough Team.Net donations this week to be making a bid, shucks. mjb. From RTillinger at Dresser-Rand.com Thu Mar 11 07:36:37 2010 From: RTillinger at Dresser-Rand.com (Tillinger, Richard (OLN)) Date: Thu, 11 Mar 2010 09:36:37 -0500 Subject: [Vintage-race] 1963 Watkins Glen race video Message-ID: Hi all, Nial McCabe posted this (http://vimeo.com/4139756) on the VRG NewsGroup, and I thought I'd pass this along to other members of the vintage community; perhaps someone can post a link to it on the Vintage Racing League website if it isn't already. Once you get past the obviously unsafe roll bars, stuff like where shoulder harnesses are mounted, and the first 20% or so that is a race at some airstrip in Dunkirk, NY, the rest of the 27 minute video is about the 1963 SCCA National race at Watkins Glen, and there is some reasonably decent in-car footage. At that time, this was the "third course" (go to http://www.silhouet.com/motorsport/tracks/wat.html for more information on all the courses). For those of you only familiar with today's "fourth course", here's my recollections of the differences (YMMV): 1) the boot didn't exist 2) the course was narrower, about 24 feet vs. 36+ 3) The Ninety was much tighter (more like a 30 mph 1st gear turn) 4) the pits were past The Ninety, so instead of it being Turn 1, the bottom of the Esses (current Turn 2) was 5) while the Esses followed the same basic layout, the run from Turn 1 to Turn 2 (current 2 to 3) was much steeper and leveled off more abruptly; this caused several Can-Am cars to do "Endo's" (Bob Bondurant and Lothar Motschenbacher?) at the top, much like the later John Morton incident at Lime Rock's climbing/uphill turn; today's course at Turn 3 is dug deeply into the hillside to avoid this 6) long before the dreaded chicane/bus stop/inner loop existed at the end of the original main straight, there was a chicane at the beginning of the loop; this was not used for the Grands Prix but was for many/most/all sports car races; this narrow chunk of pavement still exists, and is where you see emergency vehicles parked up there (yes Virginia, it was long enough for a Chaparral to pass a couple of cars in there) 7) where today's right angle Turn 10 is, there was much more gradual left hander 8) that led into "Fast Bend" (a fast right hander), then a small left leading into The Ninety (all this where today's pits and pit straight are); unfortunately, there was no spectator viewing area for this section of the track 9) there are few or no "Blue Bushes" 10) on the run past the old pits, where Seagraves Road crosses the track (I think this is still an entrance for the big haulers that can't get through the tunnel), there were large drainage ditches along this cross road with absolutely no protection (or warning); Jack Brabham ran wide at The Ninety in a F1 GP ('66?), and kept going parallel to the track, only to be totally swallowed up in a ditch he couldn't hope to see. There were probably dozens of such unsafe conditions all around the track in the 60's. BTW, there is still a chunk of the "Scheckter Chicane" mentioned in the above web link (on the current "fourth course") between the current Turns 2 and 3 that was installed in the wake of Francois Cevert's 1973 death just past Turn 2. This chunk is off to driver's right on the uphill, but don't look for it "at speed". This chicane was a real mess, as it included curbs on the track, and then some catch fencing; once one car was stuck in the fence, his rear end was likely to catch someone else. : ( Regards, Dick Tillinger ex-Bob Sharp 2-Liter Datsun Roadster ________________________________ To: VRG_NewsGroup at yahoogroups.com From: aeronca65t at yahoo.com Date: Tue, 9 Mar 2010 04:43:43 -0800 Subject: [VRG NewsGroup] Sports Car Racing-1963-video For your amusement. The "good old days". Lots of good Elva racing shots plus other cars too (all from 1963). http://vimeo.com/4139756 This video is 27 minutes long, but you can "slide" the timer ahead.....there's some pretty good in-car video around the 24 minute mark. Nial McCabe Spridget #909 From twobees at sprynet.com Thu Mar 11 14:25:23 2010 From: twobees at sprynet.com (Norm 2Bs) Date: Thu, 11 Mar 2010 16:25:23 -0500 Subject: [Vintage-race] A Chance to Win a Driver Cooling System Message-ID: <000e01cac161$5c6b3a00$6401a8c0@normoffice> Greetings all, Please excuse the plug for our magazine. But, if you race during the hot months, you owe it to yourself to give this drawing a look-see. I saw this cooling system at the PRI show last year. It has far more body contact than the usual cool shirts you have seen. And, the price is "right." I just wanted to let you know that there is a fantastic prize being offered on our Web site -- a 986 Pro-shirt & Pro-ice driver cooling system. Go to: www.vintagemotorsport.com & look on the right for the "Enter To Win" button. Good luck. Norm From ralph at cloverleaf-auto.com Tue Mar 16 14:54:18 2010 From: ralph at cloverleaf-auto.com (Ralph Steinberg) Date: Tue, 16 Mar 2010 17:54:18 -0400 Subject: [Vintage-race] VRG New Hampshire International Message-ID: <001101cac553$3ad44df0$b07ce9d0$@com> It is sunny and warm here today, down to the last pile of snow and the "peepers" were singing! Time to sort out you racing schedules for the year - VRG will make it very easy, first up for VRG, Jefferson 500 and entry forms and info are up on the VRG website www.vrgonline.org, Follow that with VRG at New Hampshire International and again forms and info are up along with this year's driver's school info and entry form, next up VRG event is the PVGP/VRG Historic races at BeaveRun. Entry forms and info are, you guessed it, up on the VRG website. For those with Formula Vee & Formula Ford please take special note of the BeaveRun info - we are planning a separate race on Saturday for FV only and one on Sunday with FF only so put it on your calendar. We are also planning to honor Donna Mae at this year's event. Her passing leaves a whole in the world of Sports Car Racing and she was a special volunteer worker for me at BeaveRun, so those with Corvettes, bring them out! Those are the first three events you need to get on your schedule - as you can see on our website we also have listed the events run by other clubs we play with and who play with us and we have all the rest of the VRG events listed but as of now no forms or entries for those events. Put them on your calendar anyway and check back often to see when they forms go live Thanks Ralph Steinberg VRG Secretary From ralph at cloverleaf-auto.com Tue Mar 16 15:25:32 2010 From: ralph at cloverleaf-auto.com (Ralph Steinberg) Date: Tue, 16 Mar 2010 18:25:32 -0400 Subject: [Vintage-race] [VRG NewsGroup] VRG New Hampshire International In-Reply-To: <001101cac553$3ad44df0$b07ce9d0$@com> References: <001101cac553$3ad44df0$b07ce9d0$@com> Message-ID: <001f01cac557$979e6fd0$c6db4f70$@com> and before anyone emails me to complain sorry about the typos and some poor syntax. Was a real long day and I wanted to get this info up and out for everyone real quick Ralph From sevenamerica at yahoo.com Thu Mar 18 18:30:19 2010 From: sevenamerica at yahoo.com (John Donohoe) Date: Thu, 18 Mar 2010 18:30:19 -0700 (PDT) Subject: [Vintage-race] Complete Lotus Twincam less carbs (from early Cortina) Message-ID: <789143.65723.qm@web110707.mail.gq1.yahoo.com> Offered by an SCCA racer friend of mine, Peter Morton. Located in Mid Michigan. Please contact Peter directly at: peter.morton at us.al-lighting.com For Sale: Lotus Cortina Twin Cam complete motor This motor is from an early Cortina.-Complete motor less carbs-4 bolt flywheel crank (rope seal)-Rebuilt about 5 years ago but never installed-Properly stored$3500 Farndon steel crank for above motor.-Excellent condition$500 with purchase of motor$700 for crank separately(This crank is almost $3000 new) Enjoy!John DonohoeSimpleSevens.org From dmapes at erols.com Fri Mar 19 04:06:58 2010 From: dmapes at erols.com (Dave Mapes) Date: Fri, 19 Mar 2010 07:06:58 -0400 Subject: [Vintage-race] FW: [wdcr-solo] #51 EP Datsun 510 For Sale Message-ID: This is a little OT, but a killer deal if someone's interested: Dave Mapes http://www.lamehorseracing.com/ dmapes at erols.com -----Original Message----- From: wdcr-solo at yahoogroups.com [mailto:wdcr-solo at yahoogroups.com]On Behalf Of christopher_dgraham Sent: Friday, March 19, 2010 1:48 AM To: wdcr-solo at yahoogroups.com Subject: [wdcr-solo] #51 EP Datsun 510 For Sale Howdy folks. Craigslist is not the best audience in the world for this. Posting a link to the CL version seemed like a more convenient way to see photos with the ad at the same time. It still runs fine, though I turned in the plates at the end of 2008: http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/mld/cto/1650167440.html Thanks for having a look. Chris ------------------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/wdcr-solo/ <*> Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional <*> To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/wdcr-solo/join (Yahoo! ID required) <*> To change settings via email: wdcr-solo-digest at yahoogroups.com wdcr-solo-fullfeatured at yahoogroups.com <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: wdcr-solo-unsubscribe at yahoogroups.com <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/ From ralph at cloverleaf-auto.com Mon Mar 22 15:01:39 2010 From: ralph at cloverleaf-auto.com (Ralph Steinberg) Date: Mon, 22 Mar 2010 18:01:39 -0400 Subject: [Vintage-race] VRG/NHIS Message-ID: <001601caca0b$3fe20af0$bfa620d0$@com> Everyone, I think all of the forms are now up on the VRG website - www.vrgonline.org - you have entry forms, garage forms, dinner forms, student forms and info and the FAQ's have now been posted. Thanks Ralph From John.Desantis at Inficon.com Tue Mar 23 12:21:11 2010 From: John.Desantis at Inficon.com (John.Desantis at Inficon.com) Date: Tue, 23 Mar 2010 15:21:11 -0400 Subject: [Vintage-race] Fw: BEER TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDE Message-ID: The list has been rather quiet for a while and I thought this would probably get gums flapping. Anyone going to the Vintage Trans-Am SCCA weekend at Milville NJ May 7-9th? BEER TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDE SYMPTOM CAUSE CORRECTIVE ACTION Feet cold and wet Glass Being held at incorrect angle. Rotate glass so that open end points toward ceiling Feet warm and wet Improper Bladder Control Stand next to nearest dog, complain about lack of house training Beer unusually pale and tasteless a. Glass empty. b. You're holding a Coors Lite Get someone to buy you another beer Opposite wall covered with fluorescent lights You have fallen over backward. Have yourself leashed to bar Mouth contains cigarette butts, back of head covered with ashes You have fallen forward See above Beer tasteless, front of your shirt is wet a. Mouth not open b. Glass applied to wrong part of face Retire to restroom, practice in mirror Floor Blurred You are looking through bottom of empty glass Get someone to buy you another beer Floor moving You are being carried out Find out if you are being taken to another bar Room seems unusually dark Bar has closed Confirm home address with bartender. If staff is gone, grab a six-pack to go and hit the nearest fire escape door. Run Taxi suddenly takes on colorful aspect and textures Beer consumption has exceeded personal limitations Cover mouth, open window, stick head outside Everyone looks up to you and smiles You are dancing on the table Fall on someone cushy-looking Beer is crystal-clear It's water! Somebody is trying to sober you up Punch him People are standing around urinals, talking or putting on makeup You're in the ladies' room Do not use urinal! Excuse yourself, exit and try the next door down the hall. Try to get phone numbers (optional) Hands hurt, nose hurts, mind unusually clear You have been in a fight Apologize to everyone you see, just in case it was them Don't recognize anyone, don't recognize the room you're in You've wandered into the wrong party See if they have free beer Your bedroom is painted gray, has a concrete floor and an interesting steel door. Toilet may be conveniently located next to your bunk a. You're in jail b. You're in the navy Sleep it off, you can always get out tomorrow. Don't talk to your new roommate, and under no circumstances sleep on your stomach You are dancing to a Village People song, and your partner is wearing leather chaps You're in a gay bar Keeping your back to the wall, edge toward nearest exit. Do not accept offers for backrubs Your singing sounds distorted The beer is too weak Have more beer until your voice improves Don't remember the words to the song Beer is just right Play air guitar