Sunday, Aug 16, 1998 VSCDA's Grattan, Michigan race event
Group 2 Race Report
We all want to thank Phil and Judy Cull, race directors, and their helpers
for putting on another GREAT event. Lots of track time, and off track
activities to keep everyone happy. Thank you, Phil and Judy. Because of
the large number of entrants in Group 2, Phil had to move some cars into
Group 8. This worked out well as the size of the grids was perfect.
Although the 1275cc Bugeyes were in Group 8, we still had a large number of
British cars for the spectators to see in Group 2.
Team Thicko had a great showing of cars in the Group 2 Race.
Gridded third, was TT driver Rick Gurolnick, in his beautiful 1960 Porsche
356, nicknamed "Dr Dreadful", after the very successful toy he designed. He
was third fastest in qualifying with the MGB's of Les Gonda and John Targett
ahead of him. Jeff Snook in an amazingly fast and very pretty Triumph TR3
was up in the front as well. Throw in a few more MGB's, Porsche 356's and
TT's own George Olsen, driving his Healey 3000 and you had the top qualifiers.
Following that group, the Sprites and other small bore cars were gridded.
Jim Donato in his 1962 Sprite and Gary Speckman in his 1959 Bugeye Sprite
were supposed to grid 11th and 12th, but were late getting to the grid so
started at the very end of the 27 car field.
Ahead of them were the Bugeyes driven by Chris Ducklow, Paul Fitzsimmons,
Matt Primack and Barb Nevoral. TT drivers Craig Bielat and Tim Covert were
driving their Lotus Elites. (Craig's needed some emergency fiberglass body
repairs...but thats another story..right Jeff?) The Triumphs of Bill
Dentinger and Fred Lapham and Rick Dunleavy in his 1963 English Ford Cortina
were also out there. A wildly painted Volvo 544 Sedan too. Probably the
prettiest and for sure the most expensive car out there was a 1954 Ferrari
GT Europa, driven by Joe Moch. This car was actually driven to the track,
and driven home, just like the old days. Also out there was the rare 1960
Tornado ThunderBolt, driven by Bob Wismer. I know I missed some names and
cars, and I apologize for that.
When the race went green, Jim and Gary started making their move forward.
Lots of good racing action as they moved through the field. On the last
lap, they were neck and neck coming out of the last corner. Coming down the
front straight to take the checker, neither knew who had crossed the line
first, it was that close. A real photo finish, but the timing light saw
Gary's Bugeye first so gave him the position, with Jim milliseconds behind.
They finished 11th and 12th overall.
The race at the front was very interesting as well. Rick was determined to
take the lead as he had had some minor problems through-out the weekend,
sorting out a new engine in his Porsche. Finally on lap 11 of the 15 lap
race, he took the lead and stayed there. He commented afterwards about what
a great bunch of drivers we have in Group 2. The fastest 10 cars had all
lapped the rest of the field, and Rick said there was lots of pointing going
on, making for safe passing. With speed differentials like we see in Group
2, this is very important as the faster cars come up behind to lap the
slower cars.
Final results had Rick Gurolnick(Porsche) in first place, Les Gonda(MGB) in
second and John Targett(MGB) in third. Jeff Snook(Triumph TR3) took fourth,
with Don Munoz(MGB), Gary Armbrecht(Porsche), John chatley(Porsche), Rich
Worby(MGB GT), ML Hilliard(MGB) and Geroge Olsen(Austin Healey 3000)
rounding out the top ten.
Another great weekend of racing at Grattan Raceway came to a close. Thanks
again to Phil and Judy Cull, and all the workers who participated to make
this a safe and enjoyable time for all.
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