February 2004

Well I’m just back from visiting the pits at the 24 hours of Daytona and can honestly say that I can’t wait until the snow clears off the track in time for Spring Fling. There’s just something about the sound of the engines starting, the smell of fuel, the pit stop activities, (the pouring rain) and just being at the track that hits an inner chord and fills your soul. Sigh… The HSR GTP and Porsche support races were fantastic – saw a couple of VARAC stickers, I’m proud.

G70+ Racing Schedule

VARAC has a finalized schedule!!! Without further adieu…

Date	Event	Grid
April 16, 17	CASC Spring Fling Test Days at Shannonville
May 1,2	BARC Mosport	Group 70+
May 15, 16	BEMC Mosport	Vintage
June 5,6	CRDA Shannonville	Vintage
June 25, 26, 27	VARAC Mosport	Vintage and Group 70+
Aug 14, 15	BARC Mosport	Group 70+
Sep 4, 5	CRDA/VARAC Mosport	Vintage and Group 70+
Sep 18, 19	BEMC Mosport	Vintage
Oct 2, 3	Celebration Mosport	Vintage and Group 70+

All race weekends have a testing day one day prior to the event (see www.casc.on.ca/events.php for more details).

To be clear, the VARAC rules state (for safety, speed differential and class preference reasons) that Group 70+ cars cannot race on the same grid as other VARAC Vintage/Historic Cars. This is why there are two grids, one named “VARAC Vintage/Historic” and one named “VARAC Group 70+”. It is possible for a car to be eligible for Group 70+ and an alternate VARAC Class (i.e. there are at least seven Group 70+ cars that are also eligible for the Historic Production class). If this is the case, the car can be run on both the VARAC Vintage/Historic grid and the VARAC Group 70+ grid at any event that has both grids participating. (There is usually a reduced entry fee to enter the second grid for the same driver).

If for some reason there are an insufficient number of Group 70+ cars to fill a grid on a regular regional weekend, Group 70+ will be invited to race with the Ontario Regional GT Sprints grid. (Participation with the GT Sprints at that point will be optional). With the amount of Group 70+ interest we now have (over 45 cars and building), we’re hoping this will not happen (and we’ll be watching the entry numbers getting close to race dates to keep on top of this). But with the nature and reality of racing (car preparation, weather, work and family commitments and the fact that Group 70+ is just getting off the ground), it’s necessary that we discuss the contingency plan and let you know that if you show up – you will be able to race!

VARAC 25th Anniversary Festival!

This year VARAC celebrates its 25th Anniversary Festival at Mosport from Friday, June 25th to Sunday, June 27th (with an optional testing day on Thursday, June 24th). The year's festival honours the Racing Cars of Canada and their Builders! The three day celebration of Vintage racing is a must-attend for all vintage fans and racers and will also feature the Mini-Sprite Challenge, the Monoposto Formula 70 SuperVee Reunion and much more. Details are now available at www.varac.ca/Festival/fest_welcome.html (including entry package, preliminary schedule and supplementary rules). Definitely check out the continually growing entry list (there’s some great pictures here!) at www.varac.ca/Festival/fest_Canadian.html

Racing Numbers

If you haven’t requested your Group 70+ racing number yet, please let me know. A few guidelines about the numbers:

• If you are a VARAC member running in a second VARAC class (as well as Group 70+) you will have a VARAC Vintage race number that will be the same for both classes (this number is maintained through VARAC membership secretary Nick Pratt, varacmembership@rogers.com)
• If you are a VARAC member running in only Group 70+ you will have a VARAC Group 70+ race number that will be unique for Group 70+ but may duplicate an existing VARAC Vintage race number that is not used in Group 70+ (this number is maintained through Diane Dale, lddale@hotmail.com)
• VARAC race numbers are issued on a first come first serve basis
• If you are non-VARAC member (i.e. member of another Vintage organization like SVRA, HSR etc) you may have to change your race number if it conflicts with another VARAC member on the grid
• If Group 70+ cars race on the Ontario Regional GT Sprints grid, you may have to change your race number if it conflicts with another GT Sprint Race Number
• I have plenty of race tape in my trailer (in a few different colours) if required J

Group 70+ Eligibility

Attached is the Group 70+ Car Registration Form. Fill out and FAX this form to Jonathon Brett at 519-434-2777 as soon as possible. This form needs to be submitted in order for you to register your car for any VARAC Group 70+ event. Various series and year rules and regulation sets are available for your eligibility research through me (lddale@hotmail.com). (For those of you who have requested sets that I didn’t have copies of, they should ready late next week – I’ll be in touch with you.) Note that you will also require a regular Technical Inspection before you can race with Group 70+ (or any series for that matter). An annual Technical Inspection can be done at CASC’s Spring Fling or at any regional weekend.

Roll Cages - Important!

For the 2004 racing season, Group 70+ role cages must meet the current CASC requirements for GT Cars. Regulations appear in Appendix ‘0’ of the CASC-OR Race Regulations document. Of specific note are new regulations regarding side protection – see section 6.4 (page 50).

http://www.casc.on.ca/documents/CASC-OR%20Race%20Regulations%202004.pdf

Racing Checklist

If you’re racing this year, start thinking about the following things!

• Get working on that car!!!! (It could already be too late…J )
• Renew your CASC license (or equivalent if a non-Canadian resident) (www.casc.on.ca)
• Renew your VARAC membership (varacmembership@rogers.com)
• Reserve your VARAC race number (varacmembership@rogers.com or lddale@hotmail.com)
• Check that your car is compliant with Group 70+ rules/regulations
• Fill out and Fax in the Group 70+ Car Registration Form
• Download and read the updated CASC-OR Race Regulations and the General Competition Rules (www.casc.on.ca/bulletins.php)
• Mark all race dates in your calendar (in pen!) and book your vacation time!
• Fill out and send in a VARAC bio (Race Cars; Race Class; Other Cars; Significant Other; Dependents: Real Job; Racing History; Specialty; About Myself; Email; Website)
• Enjoy some quality family time before the season begins

Well, that’s it for this month! Hopefully everyone’s winter projects are going well (even if it’s just sitting on the couch watching races!) – we’re looking forward to seeing you all on the grid!

For Sale

911, 2.2 litre engine built by Eurotune’s Dave Margolese and raced in John Hawke’s Porsche 914/6 #07 last year (ran a 1.36 at Mosport). Mag casing engine will be sold freshened with JS pistons and without webers; cam with a little more lift and duration than the 911 S cams. Reliable, strong and revs to 8200 RPM. Would be good for anyone looking to enter another 914 or a narrow body 911. ($7500 CDN, contact John Hawkes at jhawkes@manbw.ca)

1971 Datsun 240Z, 2.8 litre engine, fuel injection, fibreglass body with rear wing. Exceptional racing history! (ran a 1:29.9 at Mosport). (Asking $44,000 CDN, contact Ahmad Khodkar days until 9pm – after March 1st)

And just for fun...

Part Two of the history of IMSA is out in the latest Vintage Motorsports magazine (Issue 2004/01) www.vintagemotorsport.com for back issues and subscriptions.

Why Vintage Car Owners Have More Fun? http://vintagecars.about.com/library/weekly/aa061203a.htm

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)

www.varac.ca