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Damn True
06-04-2007, 02:49 PM
Had to pick between going to Buttonwillow and mooching rides off of Mary or going to the WCC this weekend. The 1.5hr vs. 4hr drive won and I went to Sears Pt.

The number of cars and spectators was a fraction of what one sees at the Monterey Historics event. Most of the cars are from the west coast where Monterey draws from all over the country. I suspect that the location and the fact that Monterey also has the Concourse has something to do with that. Much nicer hotels in Monterey/Carmel, though proximity to wine country...ahh who knows. IMO Sears Pt. is much better for spectators. The track is more compact, but about the same length and there are more places where you can see more of the track than at Laguana.

Anyway, the featured marque this year was historic Can-Am. It was mostly McLarens and Cheverons and very few Lola's (Any idea why that might be David?).

There was a good showing of the Historic Trans-Am cars as well. 30 or so. Including a couple of recently completed restorations. A really beautiful red/white '69 and a yellow '68. Vic & Camee were there with the Yunick car (droooooool) the Boss, and Vics newest toy, a beautiful old NASCAR Impala. The T/A race was the most fun to watch of the afternoon as Ken Epsman (in Sam Posey's old Cuda) and Terry Miller (in the Alan Green Chevrolet z/28) went at it like cats & dogs for the first 1/2 Scott Rubin (in one of the old Penske Javelins) got in the mix in the last half as well. Good fun.

The only downside to the T/A thing was that there were only three Penske cars there. The #6 '68 Camaro, and the #6 & #9 71 Javelin. I love looking at the evolution of the Penske cars through the 5 years and it was a bummer to not be able to see that.

Anyway, I took a mess of photos and a couple of lousy videos. Feel free to nab any of them that you like, post for discussion etc. As for the videos...they aren't that great, but the sound is cool. Save the bandwidth though and Right click - save as.

https://www.pro-touring.com/gallery/main.php?g2_itemId=8183

enjoy

buickfunnycar.com
06-04-2007, 03:08 PM
Living here on the Monterey Peninsula,I concur the Sonoma event is much more fun to view as a spectator than Monterey.Too much political BS goes on here whereas the Sonoma event is just good 'ol laidback country racing.
Kenny could have run & hid from either car but instead diced with the Alan Green '67 Camaro and then let Scott by for the win in the end.
Only real downside from an otherwise spectacular wknd was the demise of the '69 Sunoco Camaro driven by Jimmy Hague.Throttle stuck in 10 and once the wheels got off in the dirt,Jimmy was just along for the ride.I have close-up pics of the wrecked car (literally breaks your heart) but I won't post them out of respect for Kenny & Jimmy.

That car will be back but it's hurt guys...really hurt.

Damn True
06-04-2007, 03:14 PM
I hadn't heard about that. Was that on Sunday morning or Saturday afternoon? God that is awful.

buickfunnycar.com
06-04-2007, 03:26 PM
I hadn't heard about that. Was that on Sunday morning or Saturday afternoon? God that is awful.

Saturday afternoon in practice,one lap from the end.I'll post the distance photos which are not too clear...gives you the lowdown on what's happened.If you walked through the T/A pit on Sunday you might have noticed the rather somber mood.Jimmy Hague told me as he saw it coming,his only thoughts were..."Not this car,NOT this car!"


Sorry for the lack of focus here guys but you probably don't want to see this any closer...it ain't pretty.

Last shots I have...warming up for practice:
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2007/06/DSC03591-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2007/06/DSC03590-1.jpg


Aftermath:
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2007/06/DSC03609-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

Jimmy debriefing Vic Edelbrock afterwards:
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2007/06/DSC03598-1.jpg

Damn True
06-04-2007, 03:30 PM
Hey, at least he wasn't hurt. I had a conversation with one of the Can-Am guys who broke a Hewland on Sunday during the race (he wasn't 100% sure it was the trans.) Anyway, he was bemoaning the fact that the car was running really well and it was gonna cost him a bunch to fix. I told him, "broke can be fixed, but wrecked is forever" and he said "Yeah, that happend yesterday." I didn't know at the time what he was talking about.

buickfunnycar.com
06-04-2007, 03:37 PM
Hey, at least he wasn't hurt. I had a conversation with one of the Can-Am guys who broke a Hewland on Sunday during the race (he wasn't 100% sure it was the trans.) Anyway, he was bemoaning the fact that the car was running really well and it was gonna cost him a bunch to fix. I told him, "broke can be fixed, but wrecked is forever" and he said "Yeah, that happend yesterday." I didn't know at the time what he was talking about.

No Jimmy wasn't hurt,he had a small bruise on the left side of his face and one on his leg where it came in contact with the roll cage.Kenny sent the car out 2 years ago to have it restored by one of the original fabricators who worked the car in 1969.How much of the original car can be saved is the big question.The drivers footwell looks like a waded up piece of aluminum foil.Roof is creased in two spots,the car hit so hard on the drivers side it bent the frame and suspension...on the passenger side.A lot of trick fab on that car as we all know...most of that is all gone now.Good thing is Kenny Epsman owns the car and it'll get what it needs.That's all I'll say on that...

We missed Mary & Dave too...I hope she did well.:drive1:

Damn True
06-04-2007, 04:52 PM
Man, what a shame. Sears Pt. is and always was a tricky track and T10 is the toughest bit at least in a psychological sense.

On a brighter note:

https://www.pro-touring.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=8230&g2_serialNumber=2

https://www.pro-touring.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=8252&g2_serialNumber=2

https://www.pro-touring.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=8264&g2_serialNumber=2

Coolest car ever:
https://www.pro-touring.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=8354&g2_serialNumber=2

Vic's new toy:
https://www.pro-touring.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=8270&g2_serialNumber=2

https://www.pro-touring.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=8273&g2_serialNumber=2

Steve, think of your Torino in these terms:
https://www.pro-touring.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=8279&g2_serialNumber=2

Bitchin McLarens:
https://www.pro-touring.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=8315&g2_serialNumber=2
https://www.pro-touring.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=8318&g2_serialNumber=2
https://www.pro-touring.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=8426&g2_serialNumber=2

Damn True
06-04-2007, 05:18 PM
Sexy Lola's (I prefer the lines of Davids T-70)
https://www.pro-touring.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=8378&g2_serialNumber=2
https://www.pro-touring.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=8405&g2_serialNumber=2
https://www.pro-touring.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=8366&g2_serialNumber=2



The following cars raced at the first road-race I ever saw and lit my fuse for this kind of thing
Talk about a voluptous shape:
https://www.pro-touring.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=8399&g2_serialNumber=2
https://www.pro-touring.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=8411&g2_serialNumber=2
Porsche RSR
https://www.pro-touring.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=8324&g2_serialNumber=2
Dig the Dekon:
https://www.pro-touring.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=8327&g2_serialNumber=2
Boxy but good:
https://www.pro-touring.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=8444&g2_serialNumber=2



One of the most dominant race cars ever. The FABULOUS Hudson Hornet:
https://www.pro-touring.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=8453&g2_serialNumber=2
Dig the bungee cord hood retention device. Genuine BTW:
https://www.pro-touring.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=8450&g2_serialNumber=2
We saw a stock Hudson Horent on Hwy 17 on the drive home. When was the last time you saw two Huddies in the same day?



I dated a girl in H.S. for the sole reason that she drove a Sunbeam Tiger. I know, I know, ill handling but still very cool:
https://www.pro-touring.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=8456&g2_serialNumber=2

Damn True
06-04-2007, 05:18 PM
Another Yunick masterpiece:
https://www.pro-touring.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=8357&g2_serialNumber=2
Equally bitchin, but far more legal:
https://www.pro-touring.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=8363&g2_serialNumber=2
That's enough. There are track action photos (mostly bad) and more of the above linked gallery.

buickfunnycar.com
06-04-2007, 06:07 PM
Nice pics man.That Greenwood Corvette is Tom Armstrong's latest aquisition...a true Greenwood car.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2007/06/DSC03572-1.jpg

Check out how the roll cage is sculpted into the door:
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2007/06/DSC03570-1.jpg

Real horsepower...
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2007/06/DSC03568-1.jpg

shortrack
06-04-2007, 06:26 PM
and just how bad dass is Smokey's chevelle!!!

David Pozzi
06-05-2007, 09:09 AM
Wow! That Greenwood engine is really offset to one side!
David

Damn True
06-05-2007, 10:13 AM
Just enough to match the weight of the driver. It's adjustable too.

buickfunnycar.com
06-05-2007, 11:58 AM
Wow! That Greenwood engine is really offset to one side!
David

Damn straight Dave....here's another angle:
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2007/06/DSC03571-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2007/06/DSC03567-1.jpg


Here's more of the Yunick '66 Chevelle:
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2007/06/DSC03675-1.jpg

Dig that bumper fitment:
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2007/06/DSC03678-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2007/06/DSC03494-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2007/06/DSC03496-1.jpg

buickfunnycar.com
06-05-2007, 12:01 PM
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2007/06/DSC03498-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2007/06/DSC03497-1.jpg

sign says it all...
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2007/06/DSC03500-1.jpg

Got tons more guys,will post 'em soon.

Damn True
06-05-2007, 05:03 PM
The little tin covers just aft of the rear window? Jack-screw ports?

buickfunnycar.com
06-06-2007, 06:41 PM
The little tin covers just aft of the rear window? Jack-screw ports?

I would think so...

Damn True
06-06-2007, 07:44 PM
I would love to have the chance to get an up-close, extended examination of the #13 Camaro and that Chevelle. Like with the thing on a rack or jackstands so I can crawl all over it.

Orngcrush69
06-12-2007, 07:20 PM
Those were great pictures!!! The '66 Chevelle look great! No Vintage '69' Chevelles there?

Damn True
08-02-2007, 12:39 PM
Hey John. By any chance did you snap a photo of the beige Ford truck with the wedgeback that was carrying the yellow Bud Moore Mustang?

wendell
08-14-2007, 11:24 AM
Those cars are rad examples of history. Not for nothing but if you want to see what full trick 1st gens are up to, there are better examples than Smokies #13. Poke around the padock at an SVRA event. You'll see some tricks to make old cars go faster.

Crying shame about the Penske #6. It'll be lighter faster/stronger once the check clears. I'm sure there's an old grocery getter 1st gen getting etched as we speak...

Damn True
08-14-2007, 11:34 AM
Ive heard there is some very interesting stuff in the SVRA. I wish they ran out west.

wendell
08-15-2007, 07:27 AM
The vintage stuff in the west is just as "interesting". Funny how the big name cars go faster now (with random rich guys driving) than they did back in the day.

CurtiSS 69
09-27-2007, 08:44 PM
"Crying shame about the Penske #6. It'll be lighter faster/stronger once the check clears. "

The check must have cleared...as the Austrialian guy I gave a ride to during one of my sessions at Infineon on Sunday is a race car fabricator and he knows for a fact the restoration of the number 6 Sunoco Camaro has been completed. Watch for the return of the car.

Regards

CurtiSS 69

Damn True
09-27-2007, 09:15 PM
There are three of them.

CurtiSS 69
09-27-2007, 09:29 PM
The car I am speaking of is the one that was wrecked at Infineon at the Wine Country Classic. The restoration cost $100,000. The car was not irreversably wrecked. If you have enough money a lot is possible.

Regards

CurtiSS 69

David Pozzi
10-01-2007, 09:17 PM
Was the Aussie a tall guy with a beard?
Named Tony???

SIK02SS
10-02-2007, 07:24 PM
great photos of the event! and thats really too bad about the #6, the owner had it at the American Grafitti car show in Modesto a few years back, but wasn't at the car at the time, one of the hsop guys was with it. nice guy, but can't remember the name...Sears; well, Infineon was my dads home track when he used to race a lot (he retired...then just bought a new car and came back this year for a new F1 vintage league..Graham Hill's old 23 car). the few times i've been on the track my trouble was getting the downshift and braking timed right for turn 4...i don't know why it was only that turn, but it seemed like almost every time through i messed it up! :lol: haven't been on the track..or any track since '03 now :(

but anyways, my dad re-badged the car as 24 since thats always been one of his lucky racing numbers..here's a pic of him from one of the races this summer
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2007/10/RDA_9033-1.jpg

CurtiSS 69
10-02-2007, 10:39 PM
Oops!

CurtiSS 69
10-02-2007, 10:40 PM
Was the Aussie a tall guy with a beard?
Named Tony???

David,

He was a tall guy, but he didn't have a beard. His name is Jim.

Regards

CurtiSS 69

CurtiSS 69
10-02-2007, 10:56 PM
[quote=SIK02SS]the few times i've been on the track my trouble was getting the downshift and braking timed right for turn 4...i don't know why it was only that turn, but it seemed like almost every time through i messed it up! [quote]

I have trouble with Turn 4 too. It isn't easy as it is a downhill off camber turn that is tighter than it looks. I tend to carry too much speed into it, and this delays getting on the accelerator costing time down the high speed Turn 5. Or at least this is the mistake I make there. I talked to a race guy and he said enter it slower and you will be faster (i.e. on the accelerator sooner). It's one of those feels slow is fast type of turns. I hope this helps.

Regards

CurtiSS 69

SIK02SS
10-03-2007, 04:53 PM
[quote]

I have trouble with Turn 4 too. It isn't easy as it is a downhill off camber turn that is tighter than it looks. I tend to carry too much speed into it, and this delays getting on the accelerator costing time down the high speed Turn 5. Or at least this is the mistake I make there. I talked to a race guy and he said enter it slower and you will be faster (i.e. on the accelerator sooner). It's one of those feels slow is fast type of turns. I hope this helps.

Regards

CurtiSS 69


ya, thanks. my dad told me the same thing :pat: but i never got a chance to get back out and go again. best i could pull was a 1:47 in a formula ford...i don't think thats too bad given it was on i think my 3rd test session in the car (and my 1st time 'racing'..never got a chance to get into an actual race, school started to soon) and i was 18 at the time. god i loathe to be done with college!