,
The Pace Car is pulling onto pit row to allow a group of historic cars take the Green Flag. These beautiful automobiles are amazing to see out on the track in their glory. The drivers all respect their classic race cars, but they're also full on racing.VARAC, the Vintage Automobile Racing Association of Canada, provides an opportunity for the classics to get out and compete. Pre-war, Vintage, and Historic are the classes for this series. The drivers are frequently also the head mechanic, part source (often part fabricator), and their own pit crew. Included in VARAC is the G70+ class, but they usually run at a separate time from the older cars. G70+ is for cars built from 1973 to 1989.
They've got the Green and they're off! And there were quite a few British Racing Green classics on the field!
#789 is a 1960 Austin Healy Bugeye owned by Craig Deshane. It has the white roll bar. Ted Michalos races #456 and it is a 1961 Austin Healy Bugeye. It has the black roll bar. I just love these cars!
Amazing autumn atmosphere and classic car competition. Keith Jewell is in a 1965 MG B following what I believe is a 1962 Morris Homebuilt driven by Jake Kinsman.
The lead car, #44, is a 1963 Lotus 23B raced by Andre Gagne, and it provided a school on winning. In the two races I watched over the weekend I don't think it lost the lead once. I missed the end of the final race of the weekend, with the Lotus finishing in second place. What a great weekend for a 51 year old car! He's being followed here by Mark Brown in a 1969 Lotus Seven S3 and Jeremy Sale in a 1962 Lotus Super Seven. Coming over the crest is Brian Thomas in a 1972 Mallock Mark 11B.I have said before that the Andretti Straight is anything but straight. And while in a momentum car if feels like it is all uphill, that is not the case either. This photo shows the crest, Turn 7, and some of the infamous Armco. This track challenges driver skill and the durability of their equipment.
Fans of all ages were track side. Here Makayla, 22 months, is working the crowd and encouraging them to cheer for 'Uncle Jeff' who was driving the black car! Hearing protection is well advised for young and old spectators.
And here's Uncle Jeff. On Saturday Jeff Daley was at the top of the podium in the GT Sprints and GT Challenge for his class. Sunday he obtained two second place podium spots. His 1992 Nissan NX2000 is an absolutely wonderfully sorted out race car. He built the SR20DE motor to similar specs as Mike Kojima has described in the past as a rock solid race engine, titled on the SR20 forum as an 'Inexpensive motor build'. Jeff has embarrassed many turbocharged cars, mine included, with this naturally aspirated race machine. He is running 1 minute and 41 second laps compared with my best lap time of 1:41. And before you ask, the side exit exhaust is simply for looks!
