Thanks to all of you who came out to see Team Scrappy on the race route this
year. Sorry the Moss updates didn't work out better: that was completely our
problem. We had trouble with 3 different laptops, and had to rely on hotel
computers (where we could) to file our reports. We are grateful to Moss
Motors and British Car Magazine for their help in our efforts this year.
Team Scrappy finished 3rd in Expert this year. With the age factor removed,
the first 3 positions were only one second apart after a week's worth of
rallying. We also won the Trophy Run (Expert), the first day, took a second
on one day, and Best Husband/Wife team. We're thrilled with the results (and
the $6k paycheck).
Far from making fun of the LBC, the TR was actually protested as being an
unfair advantage! The car caused no trouble at all (fluid top ups were all
that was required) and we really did run into some tough conditions. Because
the race was shorter (2500 miles is all) each day was tougher than usual,
frequently resulting in 12 hours in the car in over 100 degree heat. Great
Race is much an endurance event as anything else, and the TR3 was certainly
up to the challenge. The worst of it is two bent rims from the rough road
conditions we encountered. I'm sure 'Old Route 80' in Texas was abandoned 20
years ago, and at that it was long past due....
The other British cars all finished too: that includes an Austin Healey
100/M, and an MGTD. Other sports cars were a Mercedes 190SL, a Porsche 356, a
'54 Corvette, and a '55 T-bird. Since a XK-E Series 1 joined in the first few
days in tour, that's a pretty good representation of the major sports cars
from 45-50 years ago.
As of this writing we don't know is Scrappy will be racing next year or not.
The officials want us back (many of them ran major SCCA rallyes in TR's when
they were young), but some of the other racers politely asked if we would be
getting an 'old car' soon. Much depends on if Moss will come back as a
sponsor (we appreciate any good words to that affect any Moss customers might
wish to convey to them). Other teams are thinking about their own TR's, but
there again, a lot will depend on any rule changes.
Great Race will continue as the country's premiere old car rallye, and 2003
will go back to the 2 week format with a day off in the middle. The new
owners, Racing Partners, are a consortium of long time Great Racers, and they
are planning some changes (including lowering entry fees). Once again, if any
of you are considering trying vintage rallying we'd be glad to help, and next
year's race might be just the one for you. The rumor is that it will cross
the upper US next time, but no route has yet been announced.
Steve & Janet Hedke
"Moss Motors Team Scrappy"
Great Race #45, 1957 Triumph TR3
britpac@aol.com
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