August 2004

Okay - I'm not one to wish away the summer (Summer? What summer?) - but I'm quite happy that after a short break we're back into racing - it's going to be a busy fall!!! Group 70+ has three races coming up, and Vintage/Historic Production has an additional one at Mosport. Quite a few VARAC members will also be attending the U.S. Zippo Grand Prix at Watkins Glen and it looks like there will be two full vintage grids at the Fall Classic of Mt. Tremblant. If that doesn't wear out your tires and brake pads - I don't know what will!

The great news is that we've got a committed group of regulars coming out for the next three Group 70+ regional races - including a couple of new cars who've joined us since the Festival. Yeah! The core is building! Keep 'em coming!

BARC-OC Canadian Touring Trophy Races (Aug 14/15)

Next up? August 14/15 at Mosport for the BARC-OC Canadian Touring Trophy Races with an optional test day on August 13. Group 70+ will be on the Regional GT Grid so there will be lots of cars to play with!

• Race Entry Forms are at www.casc.on.ca/forms.php ("RaceOntario Championship Event Entry Form") (Note: that this same form can be used to register for the remaining Group 70+ events this year.) (Also note that it's an advanced PDF file - you can type in it and fill it out before you print it!)
• Test Day Entry Forms are at www.casc.on.ca/forms.php ("Mosport Test Day Entry Form")
• The current racing schedule and supplementary regulations for the BARC weekend are at www.barc-oc.com (Look up Region Racing, Canadian Touring Trophy)

Don't miss BARC's Saturday Night Drive In! After the big Saturday night Participants BBQ dinner (which all competitors and crew are invited to), BARC will be showing the 1969 Le Mans race and the 1972 Austrian GP at its makeshift "drive-in" theatre. Be sure to B.Y.O.Lawn Chair and Beverage.

G70+ Racing Schedule - Next Events!

Besides the BARC event, don't forget to mark your calendar for the following:

• September 4/5 is the mini-VARAC festival (co-hosted with CRDA) - The Labour Day Sprints at Mosport. VARAC's Group 70+ and the Vintage/Historic grid will be running.
• VARAC's Vintage/Historic grid is running at the BEMC Indian Summer Trophy Races, September 18/19 at Mosport. Group 70+ will not be 'officially' running as a class - but you can register to run the CASC GT Grid if you can't stay away from the track!
• October 2/3 is the CASC/Panoz Celebration - the CASC seasonal finale for racing of all classes! VARAC's Group 70+ and the Vintage/Historic grid will be running.

Stay Tuned.

Once we've put away our racing boots for the year. planning starts immediately for the 2005 season! As part of your fall schedule keep in mind an upcoming Group 70+ Social (Potentially October 23rd, details to be announced) where we're going to be soliciting your input for next year. (Truthfully just a whole lot of bench racing, good food and great laughs J) Then the important annual VARAC Board Meeting/Banquet on November 27. For those who are interested, the year-end CASC Annual General Meeting, Elections and Banquet is on November 13th.

VARAC Volunteers Needed

Spouses complaining they don't get to see you because of too many race weekends? Kids forgot what you look like (without your helmet on?) Friends complaining they only see you in "Inside Track" and "Vintage Racer"? PERFECT! Make it a family affair! Every year VARAC requires a lot of help to organize, promote and implement their racing season. Everything from registration, scrutineering and marshalling to organizing, promotion and preparing potluck. Behind the scenes/off season or right at the track in the heat of the race. Typically our volunteer work is done by a few extremely generous individuals - but now as we get bigger, VARAC needs more volunteers! Get your friends and family involved now! Before you know it they'll be begging you to take them to the track again!

And Just for Fun

• VARAC FESTIVAL FOOTAGE! Check out the view of Group 70+ from Aram's back bumper! Aram and Markus' BMW website (www.bmwm1.com) has recently added a 20 minute video spot taken during the Group 70+ race from a spoiler mounted lens. (I know I got passed at least once in that footage!) Their site explains the history of their treasured BMWs as well!
• Check out the great article by Jeremy Sale in August's Inside Track (pg 87) about VARAC at the BEMC weekend.
• Go Porsche Go! I checked out the Porsche Club Races last weekend (a haven of Group 70+ candidates) and saw some fabulous racing of Group 70+ members Tim Sanderson, Michael Vong and Raymond Lum! Watch the Porsche website scrapbook - I'm sure there will be pictures up soon. (www.pcaucr.org)

See you at the track!

Group 70+ is a VARAC promoted racing class that currently celebrates the history of racing from 1973 to 1987. VARAC is the association of vintage racecars in Canada that celebrates the passion of preserving, restoring and racing vintage racecars.

You're on this email list because somewhere along the line you expressed an interest in VARAC's Group 70+, perhaps in the capacity of driver, organizer, spectator or just plain keener trying to keep on top of things in the racing world. Let me know if you don't want to be on the list anymore, or feel free to pass it on to others who might be interested.

Diane Dale - lddale@hotmail.com (administration and promotion)

Jonathon Brett - kim.zachjess@sympatico.ca (technical eligibility)

Nick Pratt - racmembership@rogers.com (VARAC memberships)