To all sportmanship-intensive vintage racers: Please recommend an
org/class for me. I have a '67 Alfa Giulia Super 1600cc street machine
(no race history) and live in Washington, DC area. Summit Pt. is my
local track.
I've been reading the mail this past wk and have flt resonance with
many of you re: sportsmanship in racing. I, too, wish to find an
organization/class where I can race without fear of corner-bumping or
kamikaze braking.
I was 1st licensed in '64 SCCA, Marlboro MD. We drove to the track,
unbolted mufflers, taped headlights, and had good fun. We raced hard,
we were competitive, we helped one another without hesitation, and
"metal-to-metal" was a BIG DEAL! I moved to IMSA in '74 with an Alfa
GTV and found the competition fierce. I quit after 2yrs.
In '88 I had the urge again and ran an ITB Pinto (!!) in SCCA
regionals. What a difference 20 yrs made! I'll spare the details, but
on top of the bumper car kamikaze mentality, I was actually threatened
by another competitor! Local SCCA workers were not terribly concerned;
metal-bending is a "racing incident." Could be, but it should be taken
seriously. I got the impression this was '90's norm. I haven't raced
since.
After spectating at the first Jefferson 500 at Summit Pt. a couple of
yrs ago, I concluded that vintage racing might be right for me. I'm
concerned, however, about SVRA's costs and intensity level on the
track. Maybe there's another option. [TO Jim Hayes (Alfa nut): thanks
for VSCCA tip & other advice.]
Thanks for listening. I share all of this with you so that you might
gain some insight to my motivations and concerns. Appreciate any/all
responses. My subsequent replies will be less verbose.
JAKE
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