At The Sunburn Gran Prix
WARNING -- WARNING LONG-WINDED COMMENTARY ON THE ABILENE
GRAN PRIX FOLLOWS. SKIP OR SKIM AS DEEMED APPROPRIATE!
The weekend of 11 and 12 June, I participated in the SUNBURN
GRAN PRIX in bee-yoot-eye-full Abilene, TX! It's primarily a
SCCA national/regional race, but with a vintage venue as well.
The city of Abilene has wisely (IMHO) recognized that when
several hundred or more folks show up and stay the weekend,
the local businesses prosper. It is quite an event. The
Jaycees work crowd control (it's a spectator race) and the
local politicians come out and glad hand everyone and make
sure things go well.
They treat all of the drivers well, but the vintage racers
get royal treatment. Apparently quite a few spectators come
out specifically to see the old cars run. We had hoped to
get four big Healeys out on the track, but due to some work
related constraints one car/driver couldn't attend. Still,
three big Healeys out on the track at one time are a rare
sight these days.
My new tires arrived just in time (BFG Comp T/A R1) and the
car was ready to race. I loaded everything up Friday morning
and departed Austin for Abiline. About four and a half hours
later I arrived at race headquarters (the Days Inn Motel at
exit 288 in Abilene). I checked in and within 20 minutes the
rest of Team Texas Healey arrived in the form of Jim Johnson
and Fred Crowley from Dallas/Ft. Worth. We then proceeded
over to the race course at the Abilene Regional Airport and
unloaded the cars. The Corinthian Vintage Auto Racing
organization had graciously rented a hanger at the airport for
use as the vintage paddock. With the Healeys carefully stored
inside, we journeyed back to the motel for dinner and turned
in early.
Morning seemed to arrive darn early in Abilene on Saturday.
We ate and hurried to the airport to get our cars through the
technical inspection that was mandatory before being allowed
out on the course. Once tech'd, we donned our driving gear
and waited in sweaty (it was HOT!) anticipation for our first
practice and qualifying session. Remember, this was my first
time out with real racing tires, on a course I'd never even
seen before. All I had done was look at a course map. The
track was marked well enough that there was no confusion except
for one detail which I'll describe momentarily.
Since this was primarily an SCCA race weekend, the vintage
cars were grouped into a single class that included formula
cars, Corvettes, Mustangs, Alfas, Lotuses (Loti?), Healeys,
etc. It made for an interesting racing experience. At one
point a could hear a Formula Vee somewhere behind me, but it
was so low to the ground I couldn't see it in my mirrors.
After a couple of turns I started to wonder if the sound was
really a problem with my engine. I slowed down a bit and
suddenly the tiny car passed me, somewhat to my relief.
Afterwards practice continued uneventfully, until time expired
and we were signaled to return to the pit area. At this point
I realized I didn't know where the pit entrance was! I passed
it by, and suddenly the corner workers started gesturing (in
friendly fashion) directing me off the course at the far end
of the pit area. After I returned to the paddock, I asked the
other drivers for and got directions on how to enter the pits.
Just another one of the little things that made the weekend
interesting.
After another practice session later in the morning we
grabbed a bite to eat and checked the cars out one last time
in preparation for the afternoon race. By the time the race
was due to start the sky had darkened to the North and it had
started sprinkling lightly. We began racing under those
conditions and I took it easy for the first few laps before I
figured out that the track wasn't really getting wet. The
pavement was so hot that the rain didn't accumulate. I picked
up the pace a little, and actually started feeling more
comfortable with the car. The new tires were terrific! I didn't
spin or go off course at all during the entire weekend
(translation: I haven't yet found the limit of adhesion of
the tires -- I can probably go a lot faster).
Soon the faster cars started lapping the slower traffic
(including me). At one point a very fast '67 'Vette blasted past
me on a short straight, cut in front and rapidly braked to make it
through the chicane, which was a quick right-left combination. My
first thought was that the driver of the 'Vette (who was competing
with a Cooper Formula Jr. for the lead) must have thought I was a
better driver than I really am to squeeze in front of me so
suddenly. We all made it through the turn intact, and I thought to
myself maybe I really am beginning to get the hang of this. The
Corvette and a few other cars passed me twice during the fifteen
lap race, and I finished in the middle of the pack. Actually, I
was ahead of one other car that was still running at the end of
the race, and about eight or so that weren't The hot weather had
taken its toll on these old cars. . There's a lot to be said for
the rugged reliability of an Austin-Healey.
TOMORROW: Sunday's Saga --
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