Zupan's Historic Car Races, 1998

Jeff Butts

We were pleased that the usual band of cut-throats was there. In addition to myself, Kelly Sweeney showed up and poured out a collection of teenagers from his Mini Cooper. Don Harrison (whose new-to-him 911 was in the shop) arrived with veteran Chuck Reese in Chuck’s wonderful ’55 Chev. First timers included Ken Week (Audi Quattro) who retired from Intel this year, Bob McFadden (’64 E-Type coupe), Kirk and Mary Althoff (928), and Mohammed Shaheen (late 90’s Dodge Caravan). I put together a photo quiz for the morning wait and boy, are you guys in need of some background reading! While all recognized the Mini and the MGA, some of the other photos were just too tough. Now I have sympathy if you could not recognize the UOP Shadow, but you all should have been able to pick up the 250F Maserati and the photos of Phil Hill and Stirling Moss. Ah well, maybe next time. So it was off down the hill in our eclectic parade. Lest you scoff at the family van, Mohammed is an accomplished sprint kart driver. He was every bit as fast as the rest of us as we headed down Germantown Road to St. John’s and the track.

Once there we drove off to the respective car parks. Chuck parked with the other 50’s cars. Bob was welcomed into the Jaguar club corral, and deservedly so. His coupe is very nice. It has just enough wear on it to prove to you that it is no garage queen. The early 3.8 Jag coupes are especially nice with their faired in headlights and the dog ear knockoffs. Kelly parked his Mini in the CRPCA along with Kirk and I. That’s what I like about the Cascade Region. Last year I parked the 1968 Mustang convertible there along with Paul Kust’s VW Microbus and this year they had no qualms about accepting the Mini. Russ and Sandy did another outstanding job. They had a perfect location up next to the trees and close in to the pits. Besides all of that, we were right next to the Triumph club. Lordy, how I love those TR-3’s. I also want to report that there was no gloating about the fact that Ostentatious Region PCA was out in the sun next to the dirt road. Well, not too much.

The typical Saturday agenda is to wander in the morning and spectate in the Festival in the afternoon. This time was no different. After cruising the vendor stands and bruising my wallet to the tune of $75, I retired with Chuck to the stands. We later met Don Reese who reported all glassy eyed, "I was down by the Trans Am cars when they fired them all up. It was beautiful. What a symphony." These sixties' era "sports sedans" were the feature event of the day. Running big V-8’s and with a city noise exemption for their straight pipes, it was truly orgasmic. Previous years have had the Formula 1 cars visit, but they were back on the east coast for a special event. Short of a good Can Am field, these throaty V-8’s brought many of us back to the good ol’ days. A featured list of guest drivers was headed by George Follmer, driving one of three Bud Moore 1969 Boss 302 Mustangs. Ford was losing in the race game, getting trounced in fact, by Mark Donohue in the Sunoco Penske Camaro. Tired of eating crow in the "Race Sunday, sell Monday" wars, they contracted to NASCAR builder Moore to make them a winning team. And win they did, with the likes of drivers Follmer and Parnelli Jones. Also present was one of the aforementioned Sunoco cars. The ex-Sam Posey Dodge Challenger was there to represent the Chrysler crowd, and an AMC Javelin was soon to show that it was a far, far distant cousin of the Pacer.

We found Dave Isselhard in a lawn chair at the Mk 1 Racing pit. He introduced us to "Short Cut" Billy Allison, who would be driving a Formula V during the weekend. After a lengthy dialog about the history of this German car, Don, Kelly, and I wondered off to see the other cars. We were surprised to see only one Chevron B19 this year. Usually there are a potload of them. This would be the car I would buy if I had the money. Blindingly fast, and with beautifully simple styling, these rocket ships are a pretty penny if you can find one to buy. Bernard Juchli (Monte Sereno, Ca) was there with his catch-me-if-you-can E-Jag. Wade Carter had his bumblebee yellow Carrera 6 and there was a newcomer 910 in the race. The poor driver (whom I cannot remember) had a dismal day with much gnashing of gears and pouring of smoke. Damned Volkswagens.

The qualifying races were all quite good, but the piece d’resistance was the Trans Am feature. Starting toward the front of the grid, the Javelin made short work of the leading Bud Moore car by passing under braking approaching the Festival. Moving towards the front, the Posey Challenger made a move to the inside under braking only to find out that there was no way he would make the corner. A horrendous slide ended up with him backwards in the right hander. He powered up, drove back towards the start line and turned around (not easily I might add). Meanwhile Follmer, who had started eighth, was muscling another of the Mustangs towards the front. Going for the pass entering the Festival, he tapped the fender of the Javelin, but both held on with the Javelin retaining first place. Later that same lap he made a pass and made it stick.

It was a great day. The sun was out but it was not too hot. The cars and the company were excellent. I even did a parade lap (which I don’t often do) in the 914 with good friend Sandy Gotthardt providing the navigator support. I have never, ever, seen that many people at the races. I would venture to guess that the attendance was higher than the Rose Cup in June or the SCCA double National the week before. Hope you can join us next year!