Hello to all FOT -
Having recently being nominated by Bill Manning and seconded for membership,
I've been told through new FOT friends John Herrera and Craig Wensley that I
should provide some background info on myself for the existing members. I'll
keep this brief as I'm sure preparing your Triumphs is more important than my
history. While I formally grew up in Western New York (Williamsville, N.Y.,
just a few miles down Rte 5 fro Kas' Batavia, N.Y.), my real education was at
Watkins Glen watching my dad, Bernie Groh, circle the track in Porsche 1600
Supers and Speedsters, XK120s and 150s. He was a successive 2-time RE of the
WNY SCCA, and his passion became mine. We took every family vacation at the
Glen (and some at Mosport) watching every GP from 61 on, all Can-Ams, F5000s,
6-hours (yes, including the Nissan GTP era) through the rain, snow, sleet,
mud, and sunshine. Never had a bad weekend. In 91, I received my Regional
License after a 3rd place at the Glen in a Swift FF, completing the dream -
then, after a bit of a break, in 2004, ran the course again in my Formula
Continental. In 2005 and 2006, I competed in the Spec Racer Ford class at
VIR, which, if you haven't run yet, you should, you're in for a treat.
However, next year, I'm running a 63 Triumph Spitfire that has been expertly
prepared by Bill Manning out of West Hills California. With luck, it'll see
its maiden voyage at Summit Point the weekend after Thanksgiving. This car,
just sitting in the garage, is a joy to look at, as it reminds me of the glory
days of my dad's SCCA racing - tape up the headlights and front paintwork,
remove the bumpers, and leave the license plates on. Racing then, in my 7
year old frame of mind, was about meeting people, having hot/dog cook-outs,
having a ball of fun, and of course, seeing friends race against their own
abilities, and those of their friends, and for essentially bragging rights and
a beer at the Seneca Lodge.
With that in mind, I've compiled a list of Triumphs that I know raced in the
upstate N.Y. region in the 50's, and offer it for your collective amusement
based on memorabilia that my dad has passed down through the years. Perhaps
you know of these folks, or of the cars, in that golden age. I'll keep
searching as I've just scratched the surface of the info I've accumulated now
that I seem to have completed a bit of a family racing circle.
Best Regards,
Steven Groh
Annapolis, MD
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