September 2004

Hot off the track from two very successful Group 70+ racing weekends! Congratulations to all that participated in the BARC weekend on August 14/15 and just this past weekend at the combined CRDA/VARAC Labour Day Sprints. We finally got the weather we’ve been waiting for – perfect for weekend outings at the track.

The most exciting news was announced at the BARC weekend at the Drivers Meeting on Saturday morning. Due to the large number of GT and G70+ participants, G70+ had earned their right to their own grid! We did it! There is no end to the encouragement and support we’ve gotten throughout the paddock, never mind the comments on how incredible the cars look. (Have you looked lately at our line-up? WOW!) Interest continues to grow – especially now that people see that the grid is real and is racing. Many thanks to the committed drivers and crews who are making this happen!

CASC-OR/Mosport Celebration (October 2/3)

Don’t pack it in yet… there’s still a month to prepare for the final racing event of the season for all of the CASC Ontario Region. Group 70+ will have its last race of the year – so get that car ready and come celebrate in style!

• Race Entry Forms are at www.casc.on.ca/forms.php (“RaceOntario Championship Event Entry Form”) (Note that this is an advanced PDF file – you can type in it and fill it out before you print it!)
• Test Day Entry Forms (for October 1) are at www.casc.on.ca/forms.php (“Mosport Test Day Entry Form”)
• The racing schedule and supplementary regulations should be up soon on www.casc.on.ca/events.php

There is no Group 70+ Grid at the BEMC Weekend (September 18/19 at Mosport); however VARAC’s regular Vintage/Historic grid will be running. Come out to spectate and support your fellow VARAC racers!

BARC Race Report (August 14/15)

BARC hosted a fantastic race weekend – the feeling in the paddock was unanimous, a lot of fun had by all! Ron and Sally Wanless hosted a very social post-race VARAC wine and cheese on Saturday night (pictures to be posted soon!), followed by a yummy BARC Backyard BBQ. Newcomer Colin Stott was working out the bugs in his impressive 1983 Ford Capri (take a look under that hood when you get the chance!) and back-to-the-track alumnae Greg Stage and Ron Brown had their 1971 240z up and running. Unfortunately mechanical problems took Michael Vong and Mike Harper out early in the weekend. The final race of the weekend was like watching a Three Stooges re-run and Monty Python episode all in one:

• Bursting full powered start followed by gasps for air from Colin’s unfortunate mist
• Cautious tiptoeing through the huge leftover GT oil line in corner two
• Al Fergusson, Ron Brown and Diane Dale all sliding in different directions (miraculously without contact or going off-piste) through oil in corner five, then collecting ourselves and politely and courteously resuming regular racing order up the back straight
• Then the rain began… (without warning – it was sunny and dry in the mock grid) Without the modern advancements of current race cars (adequate windshield wipers and defrosters), most of us couldn’t see!
• Al Fergusson pulling into the pits (that long jag body just doesn’t handle well in the torrential downpour – well neither does anybody else’s car, but at least he admitted it!) while watching Diane pirouette through 10
• Raymond Lum popping out of nowhere to challenge Ron Brown (just when he thought everyone had left the race)
• Tim Sanderson and John Hawkes challenging Markus’s rain-drenched M1 (sort of like of slicks on ice!) just as they rounded turn 10 and see an unexpected checkered flag

CRDA/VARAC Labour Day Sprints (September 4/5)

Picture perfect weather and a relatively quiet weekend at the track, but an excellent VARAC turnout none the less. Once again Group 70+ had their own grid and managed some good close racing. Russ Gorochowski (1986 Porsche 944), Del Bruce (Porsche 911, Kramer body style) and returning Walt MacKay (1969 Porsche 911) were new to the 2004 G70+ grid (Yes, Walt of VARAC Historic Production (and other!) fame…) The dedicated participant award certainly goes to Tony Guerin who flew in from Winnipeg Saturday morning specifically for the G70+ event, was plagued by engine/oil issues all weekend but still raced his heart out each session until the engine temperature went too high. Congrats to the final race winners Tim Sanderson, Bruce Farrow and John Hawkes (his 914 doing double time on two VARAC grids)! Raymond Lum gets the high-energy award for participating in both the GT Sprints and G70+ grid, lots of track time there! Michael Vong, Al Ferguson, Del and Walt stuck together like glue for almost the entire weekend – how fun! (FYI – Results are now up at www.mylaps.com)

Promotion, Promotion, Promotion

As the 2004 season winds to a close, Group 70+ is kicking into full promotion mode for next season. Those of you out last weekend most likely received the G70+ ‘postcards’, advertising VARAC, the G70+ series and the 2005 VARAC International Vintage Festival (with a fantastic picture of the first G70+ grid at the 2003 VARAC Festival taken by Bob Harrington). Please distribute to anyone you know that has even hinted an interest in Group 70+. Let us know if there are any events you’ll be attending with G70+ potentials. The following events are covered:

• SVRA Zippo Grand Prix (Sept 9 – 12, Watkins Glen); Jon and I will be personally distributing to the approximately 180 cars that are G70+ eligible!
• BMWCCA Racing (Sept 11 – 12, Mosport); A G70+ scout will be handing out cards to the BMW eligibles (some beautiful 2002’s and some early 80’s models)
• Fall Classic (Sept 24 – 26, Mt. Tremblant); A whole un-chartered territory of eastern-region racers.

2005 Season Preparation…

So you thought racing finished in October? Well, it does for the 2004 season, but planning starts immediately for the 2005 season. A couple of events that we’ll need your help with:

• Saturday October 23rd – Group 70+ 2005 Planning Meeting. (Location/Time to be announced) We need your feedback, suggestions, comments, questions, concerns and participation at a planning meeting for the Group 70+ 2005 season. Invited is anyone who is interested in next season on the G70+ grid. (Drivers, organizers, crew members, family, volunteers). Jon and I plan on leading a casual, open format discussion regarding rules, regulations, eligibility, classes, racing, promotion, events, volunteering etc.
• Saturday November 13th – CASC-OR’s Annual General Meeting, Elections and Banquet. Have your say with CASC-OR and celebrate the year in review with your fellow racers at the regional level. (More info at www.casc.on.ca/events.php)
• Saturday November 27th – VARAC Board Meeting and Elections – Boulevard Club 9am – 4pm. This extremely important annual meeting is your chance to have your say regarding the VARAC Board of Directors. (Or run for a position if you’re interested in getting involved!)
• Saturday November 27th – VARAC Annual Banquet – Boulevard Club 7pm – the wee hours. Finally – a chance to socialize with the people you wave at in the paddock… ‘I’ll catch you later…’, ‘See you after this race…’, ‘Darn – meant to talk with you but was trying to get the engine running…’ Bring a date! Dining, Dancing and a lot of whimpering about how far it is until the next race!

NOTE: Banquet Tickets are available from quite a few VARAC members including myself for $75 each. (416-580-8932)

New Kid at the Paddock

Did anyone notice that dreamy lightweight combined enclosed trailer/motor home in the paddock? How about the new vendor booths lined up near the restaurant selling all sorts of racing goodies? I’d like to welcome a new essential addition to the racing paddock – Mr. Paul Kidman and his company TrackStar. TrackStar is a complete service supplier of race trailers, tools, air tools, clothing and a complete line of accessories. In an endeavor to assist the race team and help make racing a positive experience, Paul will supply just about anything you need to get to the grid. Help support the suppliers who do house calls to our ‘neighbourhood’. Call him ahead of time and he’ll bring your orders to the track. Paul is also taking suggestions of ‘regular’ supplies that you think should be stocked at the track - stop by the booth and introduce yourself. (And don’t forget to ask for a tour of the trailer!) www.track-star.ca

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 – varacmembership@rogers.com (VARAC memberships)