Pipe Dream?
Is it just me, or does vintage 'racing' seem poised for growth? At the moment (obviously) such events must utilize a 'host' track. Is it a pipe dream to envision a vintage organization, club, association, etc. who's function not only promotes the concept of vintage racing activity, but also owns its facility? Event's could include swap meets, car shows, exibition racing, concerts, and could encompass a weekend, pehaps on a monthly basis during the temperate months. Camping/RV sites would be part of the plan. Is this a goat rodeo in the making, or could it actually work? What's your thoughts?
You know you have been playing around in my dreams because I have tossed this idea around enough that its gotten into my dreams , but yes wouldn't that be awesome??!! Just think you could know you were not postponed or date changed or have to pit over , way over yonder out of the way of the main stream of cars on program because (and this has happened to me) im taking up to much room, but im not making no promises but I think its in the works in two or three tracks down in the south east , now wouldnt that be G R E A T --------------------WOW memories!
Bobby, have you somehow gotten a peak at our RacersReunion business plan...?
No, but I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night, Jeff!! And It had ESPN.
oh boy--- here we go again
Bobby, AIRPS hit on this a couple of years ago when we had our annual event and then vintage racing that same evening here in town with the NVRA group. The boys displayed their race cars at the "Augusta Vintage Nationals" and then made the trip a few miles away to Gordon Park Speedway for an evening of racing. The night before (Friday) we all had a small banquet at the host hotel. It was a lot of social fun which is what this is all about.Vintage/Historic racing really began to jell back in the early to mid 1990's and the premier organization for on track racing is Historic Sportcar Racing (HSR). They rent the different tracks for four day weekends and everything from mini's to stock cars take turn practicing, qualifying and racing. It makes for a great time and I was fortunate enough to have raced with a bunch of great guys and girls.I think Jeff does infact have something up his sleeve..................
As a kid my Dad, a WWII bomber pilot, use to take us to these remote airstrips to see the vintage war birds do their aerobatics and flyby's. I use to marvel at the old planes and getting to meet the pilots, and watch my Dad's eyes light up when he would see a B-25 land and taxi up with those big Pratt and Whitney engines just humming and sputtering smoke.My point is, this type of event has been going on for a long time, a group of enthusiasts putting their minds together and forming a plan and executing with an event that would bring tears to strongest of men and woman (Mom was a WAAC in WWII also).A pipe dream? No! I believe it's already a reality in the making. We may not have all the details ironed out but the plan has been in the making for sometime now. Hey, it's already worked at Gordon Park and the Historic Sportscar Racing group. And Jeff, your not alone, you have a host of supporters behind you like that dude on the Verison commercials. "Can you hear me now?"
In our spill-a-cup-of-coffe-win-a-million-dollars law-suit happy society, a major part of such an undertaking will be insurance. How was this issue handled, Henry, at Gordon Park?
Henry, great lookin' car! Did you stay with the 289??Pete in Michigan
Yes Pete. The Vintage/Historic racing groups require that the cars be "period correct". In other words they should be prepared as they were originally raced. Only upgrade is safety equipment.
Oh, I love it Henry! That's a piece!! The 289 was such a sweet engine, I had a '67 Ford Falcon with a 289 and I kinda abused it. Finally messed up a piston so I got rid of it plus the fact I got tired of supporting the local State Police Post.Pete (who loves Mustangs)
Henry that is one beautiful race car!!!!
O K thats the main man at A I R P S he is the founder of the group Henry Jones
Leon, I just put the idea together back in 2002.You members are the ones that make this thing click.Henry
Henry, here's another question: At your vintage events, do the racers "win" anything, money trophys, etc?
Hi Bobby!This year Rex White will be the Guest of Honor and we have a few surprises developing for him. AIRPS also inducts former drivers into the Augusta International Speedway "Hall of Fame".And, we think very special, a few of the former Augusta drivers have been nominated to have a street next to the former track named in their honor. The streets already in place are Dave MacDonald Drive, Frank Warren Drive, T.J. Kelly Drive, Glenn "Fireball" Roberts Drive and Weldon Adams Drive. Two more in the very near future will be in place and they are Ken Miles Drive and Ted Tidwell Lane.And, of course, over 200 former Augusta drivers are etched in granite on the memorial. Future plans include adding the Augusta Sportsman drivers to the memorial.No money or trophy's are awarded to the former drivers. Those that bring their vintage/historic race cars usually display them in the vintage/historic area on pit lane, but they can enter them in the car show for possible trophy.Hope this answers your question.