News

CVAR on February 11-13 visits Circuit of the Americas for their Inaugural River City Road Races

Info: Herb Hilton, phone 713-816-7713, email [email protected]

VDCA has a new event February 12-13 at Roebling Road to open their six vintage racing weekend schedule.  

Phone 461-622-7554, www.vintagedrive.com

The HMSA Spring Club Event March 11-12 at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca opens Laguna’s vintage racing event season.

Info:  www.hmsausa.com

CVAR’s Mike Stephens Classic March 18-20 at Hallett Motor Racing Park has sprint races for all classes and features for vintage Formula Vees. 

Info: www.corinthianvintageautoracing.com

VARA’s High Desert Challenge March 19-20 Willow Springs Raceway opens the southern California vintage racing season. 

Info:  www.vararacing.com

VDCA’s season opens with “vintage excitement and competition in a friendly and fun club environment at one of the south’s iconic tracks.”

Since 2000 this vintage racing club has been run by vintage racing drivers.  Its purpose is preserving, enjoying and racing reasonably period authentic sports and racing cars from the golden eras of the fifties and sixties through the 1980s and into the 1990s.

The schedule for the Roebling Road weekend calls for Saturday practice and Feature races.  There is a Sunday morning Enduro and afternoon sprint races.  Registration fee of $300 covers all races and Enduro. 

Registration is open at MotorsportReg.com.

The southern Florida 2.2 mile 10 turn road circuit offers a top experience for both experienced drivers, racers and novices.  Participants in each of three groups will receive four 30 minute on-track sessions each day for over 6 hours on-track during the event.  The event is organized to deliver an enjoyable experience for drivers, families and crews. It is a meeting of friends and fellow enthusiasts who will enjoy the sportsman like on-track emphasis whether novice or experienced driver.  For one $2600 entry fee members may bring up to three cars.  The entrant and two family members may drive them during the weekend.  There is lunch each day for drivers and guest.  Driver instruction is available to enhance the experience.  The event hotel is the Hilton Garden Inn in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida.  

Info and registration at www.gorace.com

All vintage road racers are invited to join CVAR racing members for three days of vintage racing on this famed Formula One circuit.

This is an opportunity to race with one of the top vintage racing clubs in North America.  One with the well known, friendly and welcoming vintage spirit with liberal track time and low cost $500 entry fee to enjoy one of North America’s great circuits.  All CVAR participants are on-track twice each afternoon.  The mornings are sessions for the Edge Addicts Club.

For full details: schedule, load-in, car and driver eligibility, etc. contact Herb Hilton, mobile: 713-816-7713 (TX) or email: [email protected]

Since the mid 1950s innovative Lotus racing cars have won many major international and national races plus series championships.  The international race list includes The Indy 500, Monaco F1, and class wins at Le Mans.

A few Lotus USA highlights include a variety of wins.  The Lotus Eleven dominated SCCA GM from 1966 through 1968.  The Lotus Formula Juniors were legendary from the Lotus 18 in 1960 through the Lotus 27 in 1963.  Jackie Stewart’s first U.S. race and win was in a Lotus Cortina at the SCCA 1964 Marlboro 12 Hour for sport sedans.  Gus Hutchinson won SCCA’s first pro-formula series, The 1967 Continental Grand Prix in a Lotus 41C FB.  George Follmer won the 1965 USRRC Championship in a Lotus 23-Porsche.  Jimmy Clark’s 1965 Indy 500 victory in a mid-engined Lotus sealed the trend of the new mid designs to dominate Indy.  Dan Gurney’s 1962 coasting last lap win in Frank Arciero’s Lotus 19 at the first Daytona Pro Road Race was a storybook tale. 

The Dan Gurney Arciero Lotus 19 will be on display at the event.  In vintage competition will be examples racing on track of great Lotus racing car types: Lotus F Jrs, Lotus 23s, Lotus Elevens, Lotus Elans, Lotus Cortinas, Lotus Espirits, Lotus FBs, Lotus Sevens and more.

This is the largest vintage racing weekend in the Pacific Northwest and attracts a wide variety of exceptional vintage racing cars and drivers.  More than 200 are expected.

For info: www.sovrenracing.org

The MGVR Focus Races for 2022 will be at the VARAC Vintage GP, June 16-19, Canadian Tire Motorsport Park and at the Put-in-Bay Sports Car Races Reunion, September 20-23, Put-in-Bay Airfield.  The annual Vintage Collier Cup race for MGs only will again be held during the SVRA vintage races with Speed Tour, September 7-11 at Watkins Glen.

MG Vintage Racers celebrated their 40^th anniversary in December 2021 with a special anniversary newsletter containing dozens of MG racing stories by members from many decades and a history of MGVR.  It is a great read!

MGs were important to creating post world war 2 sports car racing, first at Watkins Glen in 1948 and the late 1940s and early 1950s sports car races across the US.  They were the most popular sports cars of the times in the races and on the roads.

To subscribe to the MG Vintage Racers Newsletter delivered by email and get a copy of the December newsletter contact editor Dave Nicholas, [email protected]

The vintage racing season opens with driver’s schools and races in January and grows quickly by February and March.  It is advisable to double check with the clubs you plan to race with on 2022 equipment changes and updates required.

Wine Country Motorsports supports vintage racing with race and driver car equipment. It was founded in 1992 by a vintage racer.   Call any of four locations:

Englewood, CO 800-251-8917

Sonoma, CA  800-208-RACE

Jupiter, FL  866-320-FAST

Sebring, FL 863-655-777

It’s December and the last vintage racing event of 2021 on the 10th-12^th is the VDCA Season finale at Roebling Road.  This unique vintage racing weekend is otherwise known by its enthusiastic participants as the “Oyster Shucking and Pig Pulling Party and Race”.   It is a great season ending celebration with the focus on fun races, camaraderie and fellowship, plus that great party. What a way to end the vintage racing season.

Info: www.vintagedrive.com 

Some of Ed Swart’s championships include the 1965, 1968, and 1969 Division 1 FIA European Touring Car Championship, 1970 FIA Group 5 European Sports Prototype Championship.  Those were achieved as a factory Abarth driver.  He also became active in U.S. vintage racing as a driver and club official only recently retiring.

He has raced for 60 years in over 600 events.  This $49.95 book has 192 heavy gloss pages with over 300 photos.  A great read and a great gift.  Also check out 5 fascinating books reviewed in the Vintage Lifestyle section of the November issue of Victory Lane Magazine.

This VRG vintage racing event has been held since 2005 as a holiday and VRG season celebration.  VRG was founded in 2004 to provide the enjoyment and safety of racing vintage and historic cars.  Friendly, safe competition and respect for the history of the cars is emphasized.  The club’s events are known for liberal on-track events.

VRG members and guest racers will enjoy both a practice and race session for each of 5 groups on Friday.  On Saturday there are two on-track sessions for each of the groups, plus three combined group special Festival Races.  Sunday has two on-track sessions for each of the 5 groups.

To add to the celebration, there is a Saturday wine, cheese and awards event just after the last o-track session, about 5 pm.

VRG always invites VMC member club racers to join in the fun.

Info: www.vrgonline.org 

Phone: 1-720-722-3874

The Southern California vintage auto racing club annually celebrates its last race of the season with a big V8 powered racing car feature and sprint races for all VARA classes.

Info: www.vararacing.com 

It will be an action-packed long weekend to open November racing at the Circuit of Americas near Austin, Texas.  This is the last race of the 2021 season for CVAR vintage racing and a good turnout is expected.

Info:  www.corinthianvintageautoracing.com 

HSR opens the action on Wednesday Oct 27 for load-in. On-track action Thursday and Friday has sprint races for all classes and short enduros.  The big Vintage 24 starts Saturday and concludes Sunday Oct 31.  It all happens on the big Daytona International Speedway road racing circuit.

Info: www.hsrrace.com 

The CSRG Season Finale Oct 29-31 celebrates a successful five event season at Thunderhill Raceway Park a two hour tow northeast of San Francisco.  There are end of season feature races for all CSRG classes Saturday and Sunday.  The USRRC Tribute feature race is Saturday.  The traditional season celebration awards banquet is Saturday evening in the track’s large banquet room.

www.csrgracing.org 

RMVR invites members and visiting vintage racers to this fun and challenging 1.6 mile road racing circuit to celebrate its last 2021 race.

Gates open noon Thursday for early load in, Friday is optional test and tune, Saturday has practice for each of the 4 run groups qualifying, then two races for each run group.  Sunday has short warm up sessions and THREE races per run group.  This is the last 2021 vintage race in Colorado, so come celebrate RMVR’s 2021 season.

This annual VSCDA season finale celebration is held at one of VSCDA’s favorite vintage racing circuits.  There are fall colors in the surrounding trees, nearby apple picking and most importantly extra liberal on-track group races and special sprint and enduro races to celebrate the season.

Registration and Tech Friday is open 4:30 to 8 pm with load in starting at 4:30.  Saturday morning is practice for each group A through F.  Saturday qualifying races start at 11:00 am in A through F order. The Porasik/Yde Disabled American Veterans season finale 50 minute enduro starts at 4:25. There is a 5:45 pm dinner celebration in the Pavilion.  Sunday racing starts with the Trans Am B Sedan Feature at 8:50 am.  Sprint races for each group start at 9:15 am in F through A order.  Afternoon Sprint Feature Races begin at 11:45am.  The special Witch Hunt Handicap Race for 12 laps begins at 4:00 pm.

Info: www.vscda.org 

VRG At The Glen features the final 2021 race of the VRG F Ford Challenge Series, plus six races for each VRG group.  Friday opens with qualifying followed by two races for each group.  Saturday has two races for each group, FF Challenge and Closed Wheel Race.  Sunday has races for all groups, a HRG Dave Panas Memorial Race and Groups 1, 2, and 4 Enduro. 

VRG at The Glen emphasizes this event has unparalleled track time on one of the most historic race courses, Watkins Glen International Raceway. 

www.vrgonline.org  Phone 720-722-3874

CVAR’s Annual Thunder On The Cimarron Features Formula Ford.  CVAR invites guest racers for all CVAR classes at Hallett Motor Racing Circuit, Friday is test and tune,  Saturday is qualifying and races for Group 1-7 plus a FF Festival Race.  Sunday has two races for each group.  Hallett Motor racing Circuit is one of the best club racing circuits in North America.  It is a favorite of CVAR racers as well as the many visiting RMVR and VSCDA racers.   www.corinthianvintageautoracing.com

VDCA’s Peach State Vintage Classic at Road Atlanta.  Saturday morning is practice and a qualifying race.  The afternoon has five feature races and a Midfield Madness Race.  Sunday morning is Driver's Cup Qual 2 and the VDCA Enduro.  Five Sunday afternoon races wrap up a weekend promising liberal track time and safe, friendly competition on one of North America’s great motor racing circuits.  www.vintagedrive.com

The American Speed Festival Sept 30-Oct 3 salutes Jim Hall and his innovative and winning Chaparral racing cars includes three days of special events, track time and the Oct 3 Performance and Racing Car Show at M1 Concourse near Detroit.

Info: www.americanspeedfestival.com

The VSCCA Fall Finale – A PreWar Celebration Oct 1-2 returns to Lime Rock Park with Friday and Saturday vintage races for all VSCCA classes.  This event annually salutes PreWar racing cars with the Victory Lane Magazine annual trophy for outstanding car.

Info: www.vscca.org

CSRG Charity Challenge Oct 1-3 at Sonoma Raceway is the largest fall vintage racing weekend on the West Coast.  This 18^th version will showcase all CSRG vintage racing groups and the special USRRC Tribute Saturday race.

Info:  www.csrgracing.org

The Friends of Steve McQueen Car & Motorcycle Show Oct 2-3.  This years theme is LeMans.  The event opens with a Saturday gala banquet raising money for The Boys Republic in Chino, CA.  Steve McQueen credits his years there for changing him from a troubled youth to putting him on the road to his success.  The huge show for performance racing cars and motorcycles is Sunday.

Info:  www.stevemcqueencarshow.com 

The Vintage Formula Atlantic Cars will race 20 minutes on Saturday at 4:30 pm and Sunday at 11:05 am.  The IMSA Sports Car grand Prix has a 100 minute race Saturday starting at 2:06 pm.  All times Pacific Daylight Time.

Professional formula Atlantic grew out of SCCA’s first pro-formula racing series, the Continental Grand Prix that began in 1967 for FA-3 liter GP cars, FB – 1600cc formula cars and FC – 1100cc formula cars.  The 1967 season was contested almost exclusively with FB cars.  Gus Hutchinson was SCCA’s first pro-formula champion driving a FB Lotus 41C.  F5000 was added to the series in 1968 with equal F5000 and FB entries.  Lou Sell driving an Eagle F5000 car was champion.  The SCCA F 5000 series continued through 1976.  The FB cars had their own series starting in 1969.  FB soon became popular worldwide with countries using both the FB and F Atlantic name.  SCCA adopted F Atlantic rules in 1975, but kept the FB name until 1979.  Formula Atlantic continued through various changes around the world. Until 1990 when it became Toyota Atlantic with the Toyota 4A-GE engine and became a support series for the CART series for Indy Cars.  Formula Atlantic continued through 2008 with CART.  Various pro and amateur series for formula Atlantic cars continues today with much changed rules.

Over the years many future Indy Car and formula One drivers got their start in the FB and Formula Atlantic based series.

Sources: www.oldracingcars.com and Victory Lane Magazine archives.

Jim Hall is a USRRC and Sebring 12 Hour Drivers Champion and creator of the legendary USRRC, Can-Am, Indy 500 and FIA Manufacturers Championship Endurance race winning Chaparrals.  He is the honored 

guest for the three days of the American Speed Festival at the M1 Concours auto club and racetrack facility just west of Detroit.  The USRRC 2A, Can-Am and innovative 2E, 2F FIA International Endurance winner and Indy 500 winning car will do exhibition laps on the 1.5 mile circuit.

The opening reception party starts a festival filled with parties, tours, rally, Chaparral on-track expo laps, entrant laps for USRRC, Can-Am, Indy Car and Endurance car special groups, Saturday night gala honoring Jim Hall and the Sunday performance and racing car show,  Tickets are available for all or selected events.

Info:  www.americanspeedfestival.com 

Pete Brock raced Datsun’s then created the BRE winning 2.5 Challenge Team with Datsun 510s.  His Shelby and Chevrolet years involved creating the Cobra Daytona Coupe and development on the Corvette Stingray.  Both of these achievements are saluted with special races:  A 50^th Anniversary 2.5 Challenge race and The American Challenge for vintage Ford vs Chevrolet cars.

This is a special vintage racing and festival weekend.  The vintage and historic races for all VSCDA classes begin with Friday practice and an endurance race after Thursday registration and tech.  the traditional meet and greet Friday evening party celebrates all the weekend entrants and workers.  Saturday is qualifying and sprint races.  There is also a tour of the original 1950-52 through the town and countryside original circuit.  The Saturday Gathering on The Green Concours adds to the festivities.  That is followed by a gala banquet honoring Pete Brock. Sunday has feature races for all VSCDA classes, plus the special features honoring Pete Brock.

This is one of the top vintage and historic racing weekends in North America.  It is a open weekend to spectators.  Schedule and event info at www.vscda.org  Spectator tickets and info are at www.roadamerica.com

VRG invites members and visiting vintage racers to one of the most special experiences in vintage racing.  Racing on the circuit where legends were created in USRRC, Can-Am, Trans-Am, F5000, Formula One, NASCAR and SCCA club racing is a rare and special treat.  There is only one race a year at The Glen for three days of all vintage action.  There is liberal track time for all with a friendly vintage racing club who since 2004 emphasizes fun, enthusiastic, safe racing with vintage and historic cars prepared in the spirit of vintage racing.

All VRG vintage classes will be racing in groups of similar performance.  This is a feature weekend for the VRG Formula Ford Challenge series.  VRG features production sports and GT cars through 1988, selected sedans recognized by SCCA or FIA through 1988, Improved Touring, SCCA IA-ITB-ITC of 1980-1993, Sports Racing Cars made through 1972 on treaded tires, Sports 2000 under current VS2-NA rules, Formula Cars eligible under Monoposto Classic rules in production before 12/31/72, plus historic FF - Club Ford – later FF, Formula Vees of VRG Vee challenge rules, plus PreWar sports and racing cars.  Full eligibility details are at www.vrgonline.org.

The famous Watkins Glen International circuit is 2.45 miles of long and medium straights, elevation changes with 11 turns of every type.  It is located just southwest of the town of Watkins Glen where modern sports car road racing began in 1948 on the town and country roads.  A chance to race in the fall on this circuit in an all vintage and historic weekend is not to be missed.

Info: www.vrgonline.org

Sports car road racing came to the US in 1948, through the streets of Watkins Glen, New York and on surrounding country roads.  Pre and post war MGs made up the majority of the grids racing with and against Morgans, Allards, Healeys, Ferraris, Jaguars for the next few years.  Those days are celebrated in town Friday with a festival which includes tours of the original 1948 circuit.

The Collier Cup race for MGs, organized by the MG Vintage Racers Club, is part of the SVRA vintage races that support the pro Speed Tour road racing weekend.  These are held on the nearby Watkins Glen International circuit.

Info: www.grandprixfestival.com   Collier Cup www.mgvr.org