48 December 2015 • Victory Lane

SVRA Coronado Speed FestivalN.A.S. North Island, CaliforniaSeptember 19-20, 2015

#718 Daniel Schwartz, 1958 Turner 950S; #98 Lenny Pieri, 1959 Austin Healey Bugeye.

Victory Lane • December 2015 49www.victorylane.com

50 December 2015 • Victory Lane

– story by Rick Bennett– photos by Scott Soto

This annual Race At The Base and Fleet

Week San Diego Coronado Speed Festival is a land, sea and air extravaganza. The vintage races were founded 18 years ago by Jim Philion who was again the Event Chairman. The entire festival includes a wide variety of events for spectators including vintage races, open house at the base, ship tours, static aircraft displays, car corral, car shows, pit crew challenge, new movie release, BMW and Jaguar test drives and more. The races are now organized by SVRA and are held on a circuit laid out on airfield runways, taxi strips and access roads. Also on the program a special re-enactment salute to the 1915 San Diego Road Races organized by Brian Blain. This is one of the great vintage racing and festival happenings in the U.S.

The Naval Base at Coronado is home to more than 30,000 military and civilian personnel, to eight major air, surface, special warfare and training commands, two aircraft carriers, 18 helicopter squadrons, two fixed wing squadrons and more than 120 other military units and commands. It is under the command of Captain Stephen D. Barnett. Its history dates back to January 1910, with the first international air meet ever held in the U.S. taking place in Los Angeles, with one day

designated “San Diego Day At The Races.” A few days later, the competition continued in San Diego at the Coronado Country Club, which included international air races and a new altitude record.

The four day racing part of the Festival began with circuit arrival and a special race car display at Rotary Park. Friday was tech, drivers meeting and afternoon practice. Saturday continued with practice and qualifying races. The big day Sunday opened with morning warm-up sessions and noon opening ceremonies.

The HISTORIC TRANS-AM feature race began after lunch break on Sunday. This was a throwback to the factory supported “pony car wars” of the original 1966-1971 series. There were Camaros, Mustangs, and Javelins all on the grid just as in period. As usual this well organized group, with the loud sounds of American 5-liter V8s, thrilled the crowd. At the front, it was all three marques mixing it up for 12 laps. The timing showed Jim Hague in a bright yellow 1971 #16 Mustang turning fast laps, but at the end, it was Walter Brown in a well-prepared, well-driven #71, 1970 silver Camaro that took the top spot with the #2, 1971 red-white-black Javelin driven

by Gary Goeringer in second. Jim Hague finished third with the honor of turning the fast lap of the race.

Vintage racing is not just about winning and, indeed, there were historic Trans-Am cars well prepared and driven throughout the grid. Joseph Conte brought his #4, 1968 Javelin all the way from Houston to be part of this Fleet Week Race At The Base, saluting this worthy cause. Noted TV racing

event announcer Mike Joy was enthusiastic about racing a #89 1968 Ford Mustang.

The GROUP 1 trophy race for smaller engine 1950s and early 1960s Production Sports Cars started at 1:15. There was a great representation of SCCA H, G, F, E production classes back in their era. The variety included #718, a 1958 Turner well driven by Daniel Swartz. There was a famous #2 1960 Sebring Sprite of Terry Cowan in the field eventually taking the GP class win. An interesting

1964 Karmann Ghia in class FP, often seen in vintage races, was driven by Normand Biginone but dropped out early. The Porsche 356s were well represented by #48, 1956 Porsche 356A of Paul Christensen. At the front it was those front wheel drive, always over achieving, Mini Coopers in a three way battle. The Mini Mania team of Dennis Racine #177, 1966 Mini Cooper proved that on this day youth must be served edging out an overall and CS class win over his dad Donald Racine in #61, 1961 Mini Cooper who salvaged best lap of 1:19.09 and finished second overall, but first in FP ahead of a hard charging Tim Brecht in #14, 1960 Mini Cooper. All this action was in 12 laps.

GROUP 2 trophy race for Formula Fords in four classes ranging in age from 1968 through 1993. Some eight different makes of Formula Ford cars were on the grid set for a 1:40 start

#98 Ron Myska, 1969 Ford Talladega; #42 Andy Weiss, 2007 Dodge Charger; #10 Craig Conley, 1971 Holman Moody Mercury Cyclone.

#1 Vincent Tjelmeland, 1980 March SV; #33 Robert Merritt, 1985 Ralt RT-5.

#51 Rick Carlile, 1969 TVR Vixen S2; #13 Mark Vaden, 1965 Triumph TR4-A.

Victory Lane • December 2015 51www.victorylane.com

time. Mike and Ken Herbst both raced 1993 Euroswift cars. Mike in #66, SC93 type was in a heated race with Robert Hutchinson #4, 1984 Swift DB1 for second place in the PCF class while Rodney Grabinski #65, 1986 Swift DB1 further up the running order easily led the class and also finished third overall. At the head of the pack Todd Strong #63 Crossle MK9 and Dan Cowdry #38, 1970 Titan MK6 contested first overall. They finished in that order each taking class wins. Bret Gann drove the only Lola in the field, #76, 1975 Type T342. Another rarity was the #37, 1968 Chinook driven by Doug Fitch. There was close racing throughout the field.

GROUP 5 AND 7 were combined for their trophy race starting at 2:05. The grid was mostly under 2.0 liter 1960s and 70s FIA Sports Racers and Sports 2000 cars with some other Sports Racers of similar performance added. This was a race that showcased the technical progress in sports racing cars from the last of the front engined

and first of mid-engined era of the early 1960s right through the winged and ground effects of the last 1970s. The latest cars turning just over a minute laps and the early cars about 15 second slower. It made for an enjoyable trip back in history. Fred Yeakel’s 1964 front-mid engined Cheetah was a great example: of the last of the front engined cars with the engine in front of the driver, but sitting in the middle of the car. Mechanical woes put him in the pits early. Donald Stark’s class winning Lotus 23 was an example of early mid-engined sports racers with no aero

help. The class-winning #55, 1973 BMW CSL driven by Jeff Gerken was an example of a “production” GT with wings and aero aids trying hard for a top five finish.

The most sophisticated mid 1970s Lolas and Chevrons had a three way race for the podium and the BSR class win. At the end of

15 laps it was #115, 1973 Lola T292 of Cal Meeker followed by #26, 1973 Chevron B26 of Gray Gregory and #14, 1978 Chevron B36 of Tom Minnich.

GROUP 6 trophy race for the big, loud mostly American V8 powered Production Sports Cars of the 1960s challenged by a few fast high horsepower or well handling medium horsepower imports. In amidst the Corvettes and Shelby GT 350s was a lone #22,

2000 Panoz of Alan Davison chasing #37, 1968 Corvette of Clair Schwendeman for first. Following Schwendeman and Davison, third on the podium went to Tom Caudle for his great drive in #27, 1968 Corvette. The next class winner in an overall position was Tom Brecht in #35, 1968 BMW Trans-Am Type 2002. A crowd favorite was the #19, 1963 silver Jaguar XKE driven by Nick Colonna. Other unique cars included

#77, 1970 Javelin well driven by Buzz Dyer, and the #144, 1966 Sunbeam Tiger of Don Saueressig.

GROUP 3 AND 4 trophy race for 1950s and early 1960s medium displacement Production Sports Cars and selected Sports Racing Cars took the green flag just after 3 p.m. They provided eleven laps of close, enjoyable vintage racing. At the front was #18, 1964 production Ginetta Type

12 of Fred DellaNoce vs the challenging #5, 1958 Lotus 11S, a classic front engined sports racer with the eventual outcome in that order for overall place. Challenging them and taking the third spot on the podium was Paul Ryan in #7, 1962 Lotus Super 7, edging out Michael Taradash in #111, 1962 Louts Super 7. Another class winner was #11, 1961 Morgan Plus 4 driven by Brian Howlett. This was a varied field with the chance to watch such cars as #73, 1966 Marcos 1800GT of Mike Denman; #72, 1958 Datsun S2000 roadster of Craig Carter; #949, 1959 Alfa Giulietta Sprint Coupe of Tom Farrington, and more unique cars of the era.

GROUP 8 trophy race for pre-1973 Production Sports Cars and Sports Sedans on treaded tires with medium displacement

engines started at about 3:30 p.m. A glance at the entry said BMW vs Porsche with a few Alfas, Datsuns, Lotuses and others to make for variety. Shortly after the green flag fell, sure enough the top 10 were Porsches, BMWs and a lone Alfa. As the 12 laps wound down, #76, 1970 Porsche 914/6 well driven by Dylan Doherty had taken first overall and CP class closely followed by two BMW 2002s. #26, 1969 BMW 2002 of Tim Brecht was second and first in BS class edging out the #91, 1968 BMW 2002 of Craig Hauenstein. Top Alfa was #84, 1968 Alfa Sprint Veloce well driven by Antonio Covelli. Holding up the Asian challenge well was #22, 1970 Datsun 240Zof Wayne Blasman finishing just out of

#2 Terry Cowan, 1960 Austin Healey Sebring Sprite; #72 Jeff Marx, 1955 Mercedes Benz 190 SL Roadster.

#13 Norm Cowdrey, 1972 Crossle 172 CF;#38 Dan Cowdrey, 1970 Titan Mk 6

#17 A.C. D’Augustine, 1965 Genie Mk 10B; #33 Joe DiLoreto, 1961 Dolphin.

#67 Jere Clark, 1968 Camaro RS/SS; #29 James Bittle, 1968 Ford Mustang Tunnel Port 302.

52 December 2015 • Victory Lane

#25 Phil Smith, 1982 Crossle 32.HTA PL CL DRIVER/CAR 1 L W. Brown/1970 Camaro 1:16.9632 L G. Goeringer/1971 AMC Javelin 3 L J. Hague/1971 Ford Boss 302 4 L J. Halsey/1970 Ford Mustang Boss

302 5 L K. Adams/1969 Ford Boss 302 6 L C. Conley/1970 Ford Mustang Boss

302 7 L G. Weirick/1970 Camaro 8 L A. Alcazar/1969 Ford Mustang Boss

302 9 L M. Martin/1970 Ford Mustang Boss

302 10 L T. Hart/1967 Z28 11 L M. Joy/1966 Ford Mustang 12 L J. Clark/1968 Camaro RS/SS 13 L J. Conte/1968 AMC Javelin 14 L J. Bittle/1968 Ford Mustang Tunnel

Port 302 15 L S. Barber/1967 Ford Mustang GROUP 1 PL CL DRIVER/CAR 1 CS D. Racine/1966 Morris Mini

Cooper S 1:19.4182 CS D. Racine/1961 Austin Mini

Cooper S 1 FP T. Brecht/1960 Mini Cooper Austin

1:20.0052 FP L. Pieri/1959 Austin Healey Bugeye 1 GP T. Cowan/1960 Austin Healey

Sebring Sprite 1:22.2011 K. Marouf/Alpha 1:23.1743 FP S. Rinne/1961 Triumph Spitfire 1 RS M. Patlin/1965 Ford Lotus-Cortina 4 FP J. Burke/1957 Alfa Romeo Giulietta

Spider 1 DP B. Philion/1965 Triumph Spitfire

1:27.000

2 GP D. Schwartz/1958 Turner 950S 1 EP P. Christensen/1956 Porsche 356A

1:30.4012 DP J. Herr/1969 MGB 1 FJ K. Barry/1960 Huffaker BMC FJ

1:32.3172 EP D. Cox/1960 MGA 3 EP D. Tevini/1959 Porsche 356 5 FP J. Marx/1955 Mercedes Benz 190

SL Roadster 1 CP W. Noon/1955 Porsche 356 A 1600

1:41.5451 IP D. Lambert/1955 Fiat Crosley

1:40.7961 HP D. De Butts/1960 Austin Healey

Sprite 1:45.9463 CS J. Racine/1960 Austin Mini 6 FP N. Bigione/1964 VW Karmamn

Ghia GROUP 2 PL CL DRIVER/CAR 1 CF T. Strong/Crossle 32 Mk 9 1:10.4791 FF D. Cowdrey/1970 Titan Mk 6

1:10.2811 PCF R. Grabinski/1986 Swift DB1

1:10.5522 CF E. Inkrott/1978 Crossle 35F 3 CF B. Gann/1975 Lola T342 2 FF S. Simpson/1972 Titan Mk 6

#63 Todd Strong, Crossle 32 Mk 9.4 CF N. Cowdrey/1972 Crossle 172 CF 2 PCF R. Hutchison/1984 Swift DB1 3 PCF M. Herbst/1993 Euroswift SC93 3 FF D. Fitch/1968 Chinook FF 5 CF G. Smith/1979 Crossle 35F 4 FF T. Morgan/1968 Formula Ford 5 FF G. Vroman/1971 Lotus 69 4 PCF T. Herbst/1976 Crossle 30/32/45 5 PCF K. Herbst/1993 Euroswift SC93 6 CF P. Smith/1982 Crossle 32

1 FC D. Anderson/1973 Chassis Engineering Super Vee 1:27.272

GROUP 5,7 PL CL DRIVER/CAR 1 BSR C. Meeker/1973 Lola T292

1:03.7892 BSR G. Gregory/1973 Chevron B26 3 BSR T. Minnich/1978 Chevron B36 1 ASR A. Frick/1969 Chevron B16

1:08.418

#37b Nick Colonna, 1970 McLaren M8C.4 BSR H. Manney/1971 Chevron B19 1 M J. Gerken/1973 BMW 3.0 CSL

1:12.7632 ASR A.C. D’Augustine/1965 Genie

Mk 10B 3 ASR N. Colonna/1970 Mc Laren M8C 1 S2 J. Kuhns/2008 Zephyrus Mk 4

1:15.6995 BSR J. DiLoreto/1961 Dolphin 1 FM D. Stark/1963 Lotus 23B 1:17.1662 S2 H. Koenig/1987 Renault Sports

Racer 4 ASR B. Berge/1978 Lola Can-Am 6 BSR O. Gibson/1964 Townsend Mk IV 1 GT F. Yeakel/1964 Cheetah 1:30.825GROUP 6 PL CL DRIVER/CAR 1 AP C. Schwendeman/1968 Corvette

Roadster 1:12.7521 MP A. Davison/2000 Panoz GTS

1:14.9041 BP J. Caudle/1969 Corvette 1:14.8351 TA T. Cantrell/1969 Ford Mustang Boss

302 1:15.0682 BP C. Jones/1966 Shelby GT350 3 BP R. Allen/1966 Shelby GT350 4 BP C. Manista/1963 Corvette 5 BP D. Edelstein/1963 Corvette Stingray 6 BP A. Alcazar/1966 Shelby GT350

7 BP C. Boatright/1969 Corvette Roadster

8 BP S. Brady/1969 Corvette 2 TA B. Dyer/1970 AMC Javelin 9 BP D. Manista/1965 Corvette 10 BP J. Gollnick/1964 Corvette 11 BP M. Parent/1969 Corvette Roadster 12 BP W. Abendroth/1966 Fiber Fab

Stingray Prototype 3 TA B. Stockwell/1965 Ford Mustang 13 BP S. Cole/1963 Corvette 1 BS T. Brecht/1968 BMW 2002 TA

1:20.11114 BP T. Beattie/1966 Corvette 15 BP N. Colonna/1963 Jaguar XKE 4 TA J. Garrett/1967 Ford Mustang 16 BP M. Evans/1968 Ford Mustang 17 BP J. Yeakel-Swanson/1964 Corvette 18 BP D. Saueressig/1966 Sunbeam Tiger 19 BP T. Chalmers/1966 Shelby GT350 2 AP K. Craig/1970 Ford Mustang Boss

302 5 TA S. Viviano/1969 Camaro GROUP 3,4 PL CL DRIVER/CAR 1 FM F. DellaNoce/1966 Ginetta G12

1:15.9852 FM F. Arciero/1958 Lotus 11S

#969 Julie Racine, 1960 Austin Mini.1 BP/4 P. Ryan/1962 Lotus S7 1:17.8241 CP M. Taradash/1962 Lotus 7 1:18.2712 CP D. Warneke/1962 Lotus Super 7 3 CP C. Carter/1968 Datsun 2000

Roadster 1 DP B. Howlett/1961 Morgan +4

1:20.2574 CP M. Denman/1966 Marcos 1800 GT 2 DP M. Andrews/1972 Porsche 914/4 5 CP A. Byrnes/1965 Lotus Elan 6 CP L. Walters/1964 Elva Courier Mk V

the top 10. British car honors went to #44, 1968 Triumph TR6 of James Malone.

GROUP 9 Trophy Rae for 1970s through mid 1980s fast Formula Cars, mostly F-Atlantics. The green flag fell at 4 p.m. on a really fast, closely matched field with the fast lap of just under 1:03 going to #4, 1977 Chevron B39 of Marin Lauber finishing second behind #46, 1979 Ralt RT1 of Cal Meeker putting together the quick laps that counted to win. David Rugh drove to a FC class win and fourth overall in his #11, 1982

Ralt RT5 closely followed for fifth overall and first in class F2 by Robert Merritt driving #33, 1985 Ralt RT5.

GROUP 10 trophy race was a big field of historic NASCAR Stock Cars from 1988 through 2003. This was one of the largest west coast fields for these Ford, Chevrolet, Pontiac, Oldsmobile, and Dodge cars. They have always been organizer and fan favorites at this event. For top spots it was a Chevrolet vs Ford race. Tom Klauer in #48, 2003 Chevrolet Monte Carlo edged out Tom Cantrell driving

#98, 1998 Ford Taurus in Penske colors. Taking third was the class winning #22, 1991 Ford Thunderbird of Ralph Borelli well chased by #33, 1988 Oldsmobile of Matt Parent in a very close race. The lone Pontiac, the #94 Grand Prix of Robert Lavinia, rounded out the top 10 overall.

The PRE-WAR GROUP trophy race was the final race of the day, scheduled for 4:45 and took the green about on schedule. This race was one part of a special salute to the San Diego early history of auto racing. Nine different makes were in the race, the oldest was from 1916. The uniqueness of effort to keep these legends running makes all the owner drivers winners. Brian Blain takes oldest car over achieving honors in #18, 1916 Sturtivant Racer finishing third behind two 1930s cars. The quickest was #11, 1935 Ford Sprint car of Max Jamiesson, second was #12, 1939 Lagonda V12 LeMans raced by Richard Morrison. Oldest car in the race was #17, 1911 National 340 with Indy history, driven by Robert Ryan. A great show to top a great vintage racing and festival weekend.

#99 Victor Avila, 1964 Lotus 26R; #58 Steve Walker, 1968 BMW 2002TA.

Victory Lane • December 2015 53www.victorylane.com

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7 CP M. Vaden/1965 Triumph TR4-A 1 BM B. Hardison/1958 Echidna

1:21.7803 DP P. Konkle/1962 MGB 3 FM A. Cook/1958 Lotus 11 4 DP R. Stark/1974 MGB 5 DP M. Pladson/1964 Morgan 4/4 1 EP R. Carlile/1969 TVR Vixen S2

1:25.3112 EP G. Raymond/1976 Porsche 914 3 EP D. Brengle/1964 Alfa Giulia Spider 4 EP T. Farrington/1959 Alfa Romeo

Giulietta Sprint 1 CM T. Larson/1953 Jaguar Hansgen

1:33.2726 DP B. Holland/1962 Daimler SP250 8 CP L. Timolat/1959 Morgan 4 7 DP G. Van Bogart/1968 Datsun 2000 2 CM A. Arciero/1958 Lister Knobby 8 DP H. Cademartori/1973 Datsun 240Z

#23 Tom Cantrell, 1969 Ford Mustang Boss 302.GROUP 8 PL CL DRIVER/CAR 1 CP D. Doherty/1970 Porsche 914/6

1:14.9421 BS T. Brecht/1969 BMW 2002

1:15.2512 BS C. Hauenstein/1968 BMW 2002 3 BS B. Said/1968 BMW 2002 4 BS S. Walker/1968 BMW 2002TA 5 BS A. Covelli/1966 Alfa Sprint Veloce

6 BS T. Brecht/1969 BMW 2002 B/S 2 CP E. Wilms/1967 Porsche 911S 1 AP J. Ornstein/1973 Porsche 91v

1:18.4131 BSL K. Blasman/1970 BMW 2002

1:19.119

#44 Chris Pedersen, 1972 Lola T300.3 CP W. Blasman/1970 Datsun 240z 2 BSL R. Bellevue/1970 BMW 2002 7 BS S. Johnson/1969 Datsun 510 4 CP J. Wactor/1970 Porsche 914/6 8 BS J. Stiehr/1972 BMW 2002 3 BSL K. Blasman/1970 BMW 2002 5 CP W. Baker/1967 Porsche 911S 9 BS M. Francis/1972 BMW 2002 10 BS J. Roesch/1969 Datsun 510 11 BS D. De Rosier/1965 Alfa Romeo

Giulia Sprint GT 1 RS S. Pharr/1972 Datsun 510 1:26.4966 CP J. Malone/1968 Triumph TR6 12 BS J. Samson/1969 A lfa Rom e o

GTV 1 BP/8 V. Avila/1964 Lotus 26R 1:16.7362 AP P. Pendleton/1974 Ferrari 308/GT4 13 BS T. Harvey/1969 Datsun 510 GROUP 9 PL CL DRIVER/CAR 1 FB C. Meeker/1979 Ralt RT-1 1:03.6302 FB M. Lauber/1977 Chevron B39 3 FB G. Gregory/1977 Chevron B39 1 FC D. Rugh/1982 Ralt RT-5 1:05.167

1 F2 R. Merritt/1985 Ralt RT-5 1:06.5332 F2 P. Lisec/1985 Ralt RT-5 4 FB B. Juchli/1976 Chevron B34 1 F1 K. Greth/1997 Lola Indy Lite

1:06.2143 F2 M. Follmer/1982 Ralt RT-5 1 FA5 C. Pedersen/1972 Lola T300

1:09.2344 F2 V. Tjelmeland/1980 March SV 5 F2 A. Arciero/1984 Ralt RT-5 5 FB J. Sparks/1974 Chevron B272 FA5 S. Coppola/1970 Lola T192 6 F2 J. Maetzold/1980 March 80A 7 F2 R. Emmerson/1985 Ralt RT-5 8 F2 D. Dwoskin/1982 Penske Ralt RT-5 6 FB B. Marquand/1978 March FA GROUP 10 PL CL DRIVER/CAR 1 SC3 T. Klauer/2003 Chevy Monte

Carlo 1:09.6501 SC2 R. Borelli/1991 Ford Thunderbird

1:10.624

#98 Mark Sasko, 1993 Ford Thunderbird.2 SC3 T. Cantrell/1998 Ford/Penske

Taurus Stock Car 2 SC2 M. Parent/1988 Olds Cutlass

Winston Cup 3 SC2 C. Harper/1993 Ford Thunderbird 4 SC2 S. Barber/1994 Ford Thunderbird 5 SC2 G. Sousa/1995 Chevy Monte

Carlo SS

3 SC3 B. Phillon/2001 Dodge Nascar Coupe

4 SC3 D. Corum/2000 Chevy Monte Carlo

5 SC3 D. Verstuyft/2001 Ford Taurus 6 SC2 N. Withers/1994 Chevy Lumina

#281 Gregory Weirick, 1970 Camaro.6 SC3 D. Clark/1998 Ford Taurus 1 SC1 R. Myska/1969 Ford Talladega

1:18.1057 SC2 M. Sasko/1993 Ford Thunderbird 8 SC2 K. Tye/1993 Chevy Lumina 2 SC1 C. Conley/1971 Holman Moody

Mercury Cyclone 3 SC1 L. Smith/1968 Chevelle 9 SC2 S. Thomas/1994 Ford Thunderbird 10 SC2 S. Beck/1995 Ford Thunderbird 11 SC2 A. Oji/1995 Chevy Monte Carlo PRE-WAR PL CL DRIVER/CAR 1 C M. Jamiesson/1935 Ford Sprint Car

1:33.5321 A R. Morrison/1939 Lagonda V 12

LeMa ns re p 1:36.7232 A B. Blain/1916 Sturtivant-Auburn

Racer 3 A R. Mitchell/1929 Stutz Blackhawk 1 H J. Miller/1951 Morgan +4 1:42.7254 A E. Ramos/1916 National AC 5 A R. Ryan/1911 National 40 6 A J. Putnam/1912 Packard