Wine Country Classic (Trans Am Cars)

[CurtiSS 69]

Hello,

Will anyone here be going to the Wine Country Classic 30,31 May and 1 June at Infineon Raceway too see the '66-'72 Trans Am cars in action? The 30th -Friday- they kick off with a classic car cruise too multiple wineries, lunch, photos, and cap it off with 3-4 laps of the track. I am planning on taking the Camaro for this and watch the T/A cars run on Saturday. Anyone else going? If we can get 30 cars we can get our own parking corral.

Regards

CurtiSS 69

[sik68]

I've always been interested in this event. How does it compare to the Monterey Historics?

[Damn True]

Much smaller group of cars.

The track is a bit more spectator friendly though. You can't get as close to the track as you can at Laguna, but there are more places where you can see a lot of the track from one location.

[CurtiSS 69]

IMO the Wine Country Classic is more about the cars and the racing, and the Monterey Hysterics are more for the posing and the scene. Two great events though.

Regards

CurtiSS 69

[bamadale]

i sure hope someone from that area goes and takes a lot of pics.that era of trans am cars has alway been my favorite racing series and you don't see a lot of that in the middle of nascar country.

[JEFFTATE]

There aren't any good events like this on the EAST Coast !

[Damn True]

The Mitty was earlier this month at Road Atlanta.

[JEFFTATE]

The Mitty was earlier this month at Road Atlanta.

Oh....................
Yeah.
I forgot about that.

[mpozzi]

I might go up that Friday to get a zillion or so pics ...

Cheers,
Mary Pozzi

[bamadale]

thanks!

[CurtiSS 69]

"There aren't any good events like this on the EAST Coast !" Jeff Tate.

Yes there are: http://www.historictransam.com/Schedule.htm



There are two events in Florida to kick off the season! Head down there in March of next year and soak up that wonderful sunshine, and enjoy some great racing.



Or move out here and join me, T/Aaron, and Anthony too watch and run your car on the track!



Regards



Curtiss 69

[Scalarrthu]

I love the Trans Am races. My old boss used to race (probably still does) T/A, as well as VARA and Historic Stock Car.

I know there is atleast one big race (VARA I think) at Road America. A couple years back my same boss was involved in the big accident that happened at Green Flag. Sad to see so many beautiful cars smashed up like that.

Here's his Camaro.

[CurtiSS 69]

Better too risk wrecking them than allowing them too rot inside a garage IMHO. They could be rebuilt then and they can be rebuilt now... If it is an old racecar I guarantee the car has been wrecked before. It is completely different than an original never been wrecked street Boss 302, Z-28, or T/A Cuda or Challenger. Also body contact in these vintage events is rare. Wrecks usually occur from mechanical failure or driver error rather than aggressive driving these cars saw in their day.

Watching these guys run there cars at the Wine Country Classic got me to build an old pony car to run at the track, and I am loving every minute of it! Life is too short not too have fun!

Regards

CurtiSS 69

[David Pozzi]

Road America crash photos here: http://www.pbase.com/atrltd/bric2005

[Damn True]

Road America crash photos here: http://www.pbase.com/atrltd/bric2005

Not gonna look. Bad ju-ju.

[David Pozzi]

Not gonna look. Bad ju-ju.

True,
Those photos made me go right out and purchase a HANS device!

I feel a little safer now. I hate Hospitals and figured the HANS was a good way to keep out of them...
David

[Scalarrthu]

Road America crash photos here: http://www.pbase.com/atrltd/bric2005

Thank you! I'd been looking for those pictures but lost them a while ago. It definitely was an ugly sight.

[Damn True]

True,
Those photos made me go right out and purchase a HANS device!

I feel a little safer now. I hate Hospitals and figured the HANS was a good way to keep out of them...
David

...and I may very well do the same thing before I get serious about things. But for now, not lookin.

[CurtiSS 69]

Of course there is risk in many of the things that we do in everyday life. The chances of this type of accident happing in vintage racing is slim. The safety crews are extremely cautious. All those tended too in the photos were conscious and alert. As someone who manages risk on a regular basis. If you look at the number of laps run in all the vintage racing events all over the world and the number of severe injuries caused by impacts during vintage races there are plenty of other activities that are much more dangerous. It's not a suicide mission. I was into motorcycling in my past -I still have a CBR 600- and I lost some friends, but a lot more are alive and still enjoying it. IMHO I personally would focus on the fact that vintage racing is a wonderful activity and not limit my life by the what if's. People die driving to work everyday, or slipping in the bath tub. Everyone is different in how they manage risk, or in their perception of danger.

Regards

CurtiSS 69

[Damn True]

Don't get me wrong. I'm hardly risk averse. It's just that on three different occasions either myself, or a friend has watched one of those "motorcycle crash tapes" and then wrecked on a bike the very next day. Therefore, watching crash video or looking at photos = bad ju-ju.