Landracing Forum
Misc Forums => NON LSR Posting => Topic started by: tauruck on January 22, 2014, 01:03:10 AM
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There were posts on Milwaukee Midget's thread about Can Am and endurance racing and I had something to add but didn't want to hijack the thread.
In 1984 I was driving a F2 March but never had the money to employ a full time engineer (required if you wanted to win) so I struck a deal with Norman Thersby that I'd work with him in exchange for prepping my car.
Ken Howes (now head of Hendrick MS) built the Kreepy Krauly car here in Johannesburg to take to Daytona.
I helped Norman build the exhaust system. I was the gofer more than anything else.
The car won and that's how Ken ended up staying in the States.
Last I heard, Norman was living in Columbus, prepping a hangar full of classic/vintage race cars.
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Nice looking car but that name is a hoot! :-D
Regards, Neil Tucson, AZ
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Now THIS is a thread I'll book-mark.
Seems there are a LOT of folks who have had prior lives in more traditional motorsports that eventually wind up in LSR.
The gentleman who owns the current I/GT record holding car is Martin McGlone. It's an Abarth Bialbero, and I cannot for the life of me name who drove it in '92 - I think Stainless knows.
Anyway, I met Martin this year at Speedweek - he was driving the #3720 Shelby GT350 R in CBGALT. I had no idea who he was when he came up to me and said -
"I/GT, eh? Do you know what car holds that record?"
I said, "Yeah, some damned Fiat Wop-Rod".
Martin said, "That's right - AND I OWN IT!"
I'm pretty proud of my response - I didn't miss a beat -
"I have a picture of your car on my dart board".
We've been friends ever since, and he intends to be back again this year.
As it turns out, Martin raced Sterling Moss' old Sebring Sprite at Le Mans a few years back -
(http://i361.photobucket.com/albums/oo58/milwaukeemidget/Midget%20Build/sebringsprite_zps17279eee.jpg) (http://s361.photobucket.com/user/milwaukeemidget/media/Midget%20Build/sebringsprite_zps17279eee.jpg.html)
There is just something magical about Bonneville.
It's a nexus.
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Seems there are a LOT of folks who have had prior lives in more traditional motorsports that eventually wind up in LSR.
There is just something magical about Bonneville.
It's a nexus.
OR, maybe it's just a "black hole" of racing . . . . . . . . .
It certainly is, finance-wise. I rest my case.
:cry:
Fordboy
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Had some great fun in the IMSA GTP days and it is sitting in a friends shop today waiting to do battle again.
(http://motocreations.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/SpiceFiero.jpg)
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These two IMSA cars always interested me. Saw them both at Road America. Schroeder and Showket's twin sons of different mothers Dodge Daytonas.
http://home.comcast.net/~cvetters3/test1.htm
Just a fascinating experiment with the constants being essentially the same body and engines. Both were beautifully prepared.
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Kreepy Krauly is a pool cleaning system that was very popular here.
I don't have a pool so I don't know if they're still around.
Wayne Taylor is into all things endurance. He's an ex SA boy that did good.
Wayne, if you're out there?. We still have some unfinished business. :evil: :-D :-D :-D :-D :-D
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That was a really interesting article Chris. Thanks! :-D :-D :-D
Pete
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Kreepy Krauly is a pool cleaning system that was very popular here.
I don't have a pool so I don't know if they're still around.
Wayne Taylor is into all things endurance. He's an ex SA boy that did good.
Wayne, if you're out there?. We still have some unfinished business. :evil: :-D :-D :-D :-D :-D
If you Google Wayne Taylor Racing you'll find the whole story. Wikipedia covers both Wayne Taylor and his race team fairly well.
Pete
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Seems there are a LOT of folks who have had prior lives in more traditional motorsports that eventually wind up in LSR.
There is just something magical about Bonneville.
It's a nexus.
Trying again......
Yep, in the 80's & 90's I did engine work in IMSA, SCCA, CART, & spent time working for Carroll Shelby (who didn't) & ran some vintage stuff. But being on the road traveling gets real old.
During all that time I still ran Bonneville..... Because it was FUN!
Who would have thought going to a blinding salt desert for a week where it exceeds 100 degrees and the weather can change in a instant would keep us coming back every year?
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Seems there are a LOT of folks who have had prior lives in more traditional motorsports that eventually wind up in LSR.
There is just something magical about Bonneville.
It's a nexus.
Trying again......
Yep, in the 80's & 90's I did engine work in IMSA, SCCA, CART, & spent time working for Carroll Shelby (who didn't) & ran some vintage stuff. But being on the road traveling gets real old.
During all that time I still ran Bonneville..... Because it was FUN!
Who would have thought going to a blinding salt desert for a week where it exceeds 100 degrees and the weather can change in a instant would keep us coming back every year?
I love the irony of they Indycar sponsors Living Well Fitness and KFC!
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Seems there are a LOT of folks who have had prior lives in more traditional motorsports that eventually wind up in LSR.
There is just something magical about Bonneville.
It's a nexus.
Trying again......
Yep, in the 80's & 90's I did engine work in IMSA, SCCA, CART, & spent time working for Carroll Shelby (who didn't) & ran some vintage stuff. But being on the road traveling gets real old.
During all that time I still ran Bonneville..... Because it was FUN!
Who would have thought going to a blinding salt desert for a week where it exceeds 100 degrees and the weather can change in a instant would keep us coming back every year?
I love the irony of they Indycar sponsors Living Well Fitness and KFC!
When you have a bucket of KFC, mashed potatoes and gravy, coleslaw, biscuits and honey, you are Living Well.
Well, allowed once a year for Fathers Day. Humm... Valentines Day :-D
JL222
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:-D :-D :-D
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It's no wonder that LeFevers sets records..
Look at how many companies paid for his education.
FREUD
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This one needs a larger audience, so I'm posting up a link here. John Nikas does a great job in condensing the events at Le Mans in 1955 -
http://www.mossmotoring.com/tragic-victory/
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Thanks Chris, good article.
One of those black days that change things forever.
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Here's one for those of you that have an interest in circuit racing.
I live 3 miles away from Kyalami and raced on the original track.
Some very bad people turned the iconic track into the world's most expensive go kart track in the late 80s early 90s to make money.
It would be like turning Indianapolis into a half mile oval for you guys.
The track was never the same and although it's been around since the 60s residents in the area have complained about the noise.
You all know the behavior. :-D
The track is up for auction and the inside scoop is that it will be no more.
The land is worth billions in any currency. More housing and no racing. This is Africa. Take no prisoners. Eat your young. There is no tomorrow.
http://citizen.co.za/191149/kyalami-race-circuit-go-hammer/
It doesn't worry me one bit. I've got salt 800 miles away. :-D :-D :-D :-D :-D :-D :-D
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Here's one for those of you that have an interest in circuit racing.
I live 3 miles away from Kyalami and raced on the original track.
Some very bad people turned the iconic track into the world's most expensive go kart track in the late 80s early 90s to make money.
It would be like turning Indianapolis into a half mile oval for you guys.
The track was never the same and although it's been around since the 60s residents in the area have complained about the noise.
You all know the behavior. :-D
The track is up for auction and the inside scoop is that it will be no more.
The land is worth billions in any currency. More housing and no racing. This is Africa. Take no prisoners. Eat your young. There is no tomorrow.
Countless tracks in the States have run into the same issue. Riverside comes to mind, Mid-America - Urban sprawl.
Same thing with farm land. Around here, we refer to subdivisions as "the last crop".
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Kyalami jut sold at auction to Porsche for $20m.
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Provided they don't run into trouble with the neighbors, and they're willing to put the facility back to rights, this could be a huge save for auto racing history -
http://www.wheels24.co.za/News/Kyalami-sold-for-R205-million-20140724
This quote, I found intriguing -
"We'll be integrating some of Porsche SA's business units with the racetrack, but other manufacturers are most welcome too."
They didn't specify automotive manufacturers, which broadens the potential financial base as an industrial property.
It looks like they're planning to use the land like a business park, and integrate it with the track. If that is indeed the long term plan - leasing land to manufacturers - I call that brilliant. It could keep the track financially healthy, and still provide a decent financial return to the new owners.
That would give you neighbors who are tenants, rather than independent land owners, a centralized job-producing financial base with political clout, and a long-range chance to put the track into operation that would negate the complaining locals.
If only that could have happened at Riverside.
Never thought I'd be saying this . . .
TO PORSCHE! :cheers:
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I'll never forget Can-Am racing at Riverside or the Eagles concert there on Saturday night after practice. "Welcome to the Hotel California..."
Regards, Neil Tucson, AZ
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One of my favorite films - "On the Beach".
The race sequences were shot at both Phillip Island and at Riverside - probably shot in late 1958, early 1959.
You can tell which is which by the horizons -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X2KkbHxo6po
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How come there were no bodies in San Francisco?