Bill,
I have so enjoyed the T-Bolt all these years. Even though I lasted all of 2
laps yesterday befor the Kellison/Triumph gave up the ghost it was great to
take the pace lap behind Bob for this occasion. All of us TR types have loved
that you two brought it out, and it will be missed. I have also been very
impressed that your two have made a partnership with a race car actually work!
The respect and friendship betweeen you two has been quite evident in all the
years I have shared the track with you.
Thanks for sharing with all of us!
John Houlton
-----Original Message-----
From: BillDentin <BillDentin@aol.com>
To: fot <fot@autox.team.net>; TornadoRegistrar <TornadoRegistrar@aol.com>
Cc: CDHEXTALL <CDHEXTALL@aol.com>; wiallisons <wiallisons@hotmail.com>; office
<office@tidemaster.co.uk>
Sent: Mon, Jul 18, 2011 10:04 am
Subject: [Fot] Swan Song...
Amici...
After completing 111 race events since coming to North America, our Tornado
hunder Bolt sang its swan song yesterday at Road America in the Kohler
nternational Challenge Group 3 (Vintage Sports Racers) feature race. Bob
ismer was driving and finished first in class (Vintage B/D Modified). While
he Thunder Bolt is a production based car, it was often asked to run with the
ports racers to fill out a light grid. I'm not sure what Vintage B/D
odified means, but I think it was an effort to enhance our chances...and we'll
ake that. The Thunder Bolt is a pretty car, and looks great running with
he sports racers.
Some frosting on the cake was the fact that in the Friday night Race Car
oncours de Elegance contest the T-bolt earned its second straight 'RESERVE'
ward. The Road & Track Race Car Concours de Elegance is probably the
argest, and arguably the finest Race Car Concours in the USA. I am not sure
hat
he 'RESERVE' award means, but I think it is something like, "Yeah, your
ar is gorgeous, but you can't win every year." Down through the years, the
hunder Bolt has
on four trophies in this prestigious race car Concours.
Interesting to our partnership is the fact that without our keeping close
ract Bob and I ended up each running exactly fifty-five race events in the
ar. The guy we bought it from ran one, for a total of 111 race events since
oming to North America.
The Triumph drive train is heavy, and the Thunder Bolt chassis is very
ight. Stress cracks in the bucket are a concern. We've decided that 111 race
vents is enough. Bob's son-in-law, Doug Allison, will take over the car,
etune it, and freshen the cosmetics. It'll now start a life as a street
ar, and probably go on winning beauty contests.
The car is very popular at Road America, where it has completed thirty-nine
vents. So we got lots of, "Say it ain't so!" comments from fellow racers.
We were asked often about our feelings now that the Thunder Bolt is being
etired from racing. I think most thought our reaction would be sadness.
ut not so. Satisfaction would be far more descriptive. It's been a great
un. Very satisfying.
Bill Dentinger
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