> Any Sunbeamers race their Alpines in Vintage events?? If so, which
> organization(s). I know there are some Tigers, but Aplines are better,
> RIGHT????
The Alpine's road racing achievements in club events and at venues like LeMans and Sebring were far more impressive than the Tiger's. From The Alpine was introduced in 1959, and classified in G production for SCCA competition. In 1960 Vince Tamboro won the SCCA G Production National Championship in a Series I Alpine. Don Sesslar carried on a 4 year campaign for the Scca National Championship from 1961-1964. He was ranked in the top 3 all of those years, and won the championship in F production in 1964. This is against the likes of pushrod Porsches, Lotus 7s, Volvo P-1800, Duetch Bonnet, MG, TVR, and TRs. The Tiger was up against stiff competition from Cobras, Corvettes, and TVR V8s, and had more success on the drag strip and in rallies.
I am writing a series of articles on the Alpine's competition history, which is generally little appreciated. The Alpine was more refined and sophisticated, with roll-up windows, well appointed interior, a soft top that worked, etc. than other low-end sports cars of the time. Because of this, the British motoring press thought it effeminate, and not hairy chested enough for "real" sports car enthusiasts. Hence the "hairdresser's car" image. This preconception has held sway, at least in GB, to this time despite the Alpine's international competition success. How many hairdresser's cars won a National Championship twice in 5 years, won the Index of Performance and finished 15th at LeMans, and whipped its Competition at Sebring?
If it sounds like I think the Alpine has gotten a bum rap all these years, you have a firm grasp on the obvious. The advantage of owning a misunderstood marque is that not everyone is falling all over themselves to buy the cars, and they are still a value. The disadvantage is that more are crushed or serve as "donor bodies" for "rebodied Tigers". More to come, but if you are still interested, check out the web-site for racing history, or Chris McGovern's book ALPINE, THE CLASSIC SUNBEAM.
Yes, I have seen Alpines raced in vintage competition, particularly in the RMVR club. Nick and Donna Chadd campaigned a successful S V, a guy named Roger --- out of Utah races an Alpine, and a guy from the Denver area does the same. They typically run in the middle of the pack, and have trouble competing with Alfas, Datsun Roadsters, and cars with better breating engines. There is virtually no aftermarket support for Alpines, and an avalanche of performance parts for Spridgets, MGs and other more popular sports cars. An Alpine vintage racer has to be dedicated and inventive. Steve Alcala's high-fin Alpine shows up in the vintage racing magazines, and has run at the Monterey Historics. I'm not sure how he places in vintage events.
Rex Funk
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> From: GSTROM99(at)aol.com
> To: alpines(at)autox.team.net
> Subject: VSCDA Vintage Race at Road America
> Date: Sunday, June 28, 1998 4:41 PM
>
>
> Anybody attending the VSCDA race at Road America in July (16-19)??
> I plan on going, but just as a spectator...
>
> How do Alpines fare in Vintage racing these days?? In their day they
were
> really good, right? (with the top name drivers, factory works
cars,ect...)
>
> Not much racing discussion on the list, so I thought I'd just ask.
>
>
> gary strom
> Series II