Report from David Sisson to the Italian-car list about the CSRG race, held on the 1st day of April, 1995.
Everything I have to say about the CSRG Races at Sears Point in Northern California last weekend is very subjective! Please bear with me as I, pant, pant, wipe the drool from my face without destroying the silly grin I developed.
I had just gotten my poor little '64 Giulia TI back from getting a headliner the previous weekend and had not had a chance to put it back together 'til Saturday morning, so I was running late when I got to the track. But, after the winter rains, This weekend was a welcome relief weather wise. It was also great to see my friends and other participants out racing. Simon Favre was out with his beautiful Bourgeault and had it going much better than previously, sadly only to break a crank in so doing. New list member, Tom Sahines was there, as usual, in his well prepared '59 Giulietta Spider, one of about five participating. Neil Kirkham was in his '58 Sprint Veloce, and Sid Gage was in his fast, 750 powered '58 Giulietta Spider. Nice to see running 750s!
Sid Gage's Alfa Romeo Giulietta Spider.
Tom Sahines' Alfa Romeo Giulietta Spider.
The big I-car content, though, has to be Peter Giddings pushing his '32 Monza so adeptly and quickly around that tight track.
Then, there was Tom Price in his Ferrari GTO, driving it quite well and
winning handily, Norb McNamarra made his '63 Fiat 850TC really get up and
scoot!!! That little car went as well and as fast as the USED to.
(That's something I very seldom see anymore with the little Fiats, sadly)
Tom Price's 250 GTO
Abarth-Fiat 850 TC
David Love had his '58 Testa Rossa 250 out for practice, but did not campaign it, due to a fuel leak.
Why am I grinning? After doing some timing for David on Saturday, David gave me several very hot laps in the big TR on Sunday. I feel like last Sunday was the first day of my life. GRINNNNN.
The Alfa Romeo Association and the Fiat Club had a very good participation for the noon time tour on Sunday and it was a pleasure to work the pit lane for that event!
I had a good time!!!
Cheers,
David
San Jose
Austin Healey 100/6
Lotus 7
Coventry Climax-powered Lotus Elite
Maserati A6C
Ferrari and AC chasing each other
Dave also sent me some comments about CSRG in general and the race. I transformed it so You can have a picture about how this organization looks like. The race was put on by Classic Sports Racing Group, the first Vintage racing club in this country founded in the mid to late sixties by David Love and Marnix Dillenius and Jarl DeBoer. Marnix has the '64 Alfa Tubolare Zagato which was featured in Road and Track in February (1995). They put on "club" events at Sears Point and at the new SCCA track, Thunderhill, in Willows California, three to four times a year. These are low key affairs with unfortunately very few spectators. They are effete snobs in the CSRG: strongly believe in the sanctity of the originality of the cars involved, so even roll bars are not really *required* Original equipment and specifications and configurations are required. Modified cars raced in a modified configuration in the fifties MUST be proven to have done so, and must be limited to that configuration. The events are opportunities for qualified, sane participants to exercise their cars in a very spirited and competitive way, so long as the integrity and sanctity of their cars are always maintained. They NEVER notice who wins, or if there is a winner. Tom Price won his race handily in the GTO. The rest is a blur.
Go back to my main page!
Copyright June, 1995.
Paul Negyesi npaul@hu.inter.netI have no responsibility for the accuracy of the above information Using for commercial purposes without permisson is forbidden. Please let me know when You feature any of the above pictures on Your site and please give credit to this site.
Alfa Romeo Sprint
Alfa Romeo Monza
David Love's Testa Rossa 250 
David Love's Testa Rossa 250