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March 2015

Sports Car Club of America, Inc. - Incorporated June 29, 1959

You Won’t Find This Another Episode On SCCA’s Calendar Of “Un-Barn Find” Inside Alan Lesher has another of his “Un-Barn Find” discoveries to tell about, this time it’s a 1983½ Dodge Shelby Charger. Alan found this car in somewhat race trim and went to work refining and turning it into a versatile race platform capable of track work, hillclimbing and autocrossing. Check out Alan’s full story on Page 4. q These guys have donned their helmets for an early auto competition. Photo from the George Grantham Bain Collection, Library of Congress Henry Brillinger has dug deeply into automobile competition and came up with a form of Gymkhana that for obvious reasons didn’t make it to modern times. Check out Henry’s story on Page 11. q

Also In This Issue Daren Stonesifer tell us about a new motor for his race program on Page 8 and Ed Womer Since Alan Lesher purchased this Shelby Charger, tells of his recent trip to Daytona International he has spent several years refining it for a variety of competition venues.. — Chris Paveglio photo Raceway for the Rolex 24 Hour on Page 13. q From the Page 2 Editor’s 2 MARCH 2015 The Squeal is a monthly publication of Desk Susquehanna Region, SCCA Send editorial, scheduling and advertising to: SATURDAY! SATURDAY!, SATURDAY! The Squeal — John Rudy, Editor 3800 Hillcrest Road, Harrisburg, PA 17109 SUNDAY! SUNDAY! SUNDAY! [email protected] HERSHEY PARK LARGE LOT! BE THERE! Susquehanna Region begins its competition Susquehanna Region’s membership meets season this weekend in Hershey with at 7:30 PM on the fourth Tuesday of each Autocross #1 on Saturday and Autocross #2 on month, except December, at Gilligan’s Bar & Grill, 987 Eisenhower Blvd, Harrisburg, PA. Sunday. The weather forecasters are saying the For more information, go to our website at weather will be sunny but unseasonably cold. www.scca-susq.com No surprise there, so dress warmly. It seems the off season lasted forever, REGION OFFICERS but we’ll be back into the swing of things Regional Executive this weekend. The region has modernized Steve Limbert — 717-432-4116 Assistant Regional Executive its operation with a new generator, two new Henry Brillinger — 717-697-1610 computers, wireless timing hardware and new Treasurer Race America Timing and Scoring software. It Alan Lesher — 717-486-4087 has been set up and tested and is ready to be Secretary Ed Womer — 240-350-0070 put to task. Directors Autocross chair Geoff Craig and his crew Charlie Demmy 3yr — 717-545-0257 will be on the large lot at Hershey at 6:30 am Markus Houser 2yr — 717-495-6742 to begin setting up. Geoff is requesting that Geoff Craig 1yr — 717-367-7853 ASCC Representative anyone willing and able to help with the set Markus Houser — 717-495-6742 up come out to give them a hand. The more, the merrier. Extra hands will share the load AUTOCROSS COMMITTEE and will get the job done earlier. We’re looking Geoff Craig — Chair forward to a very competitive season. Henry Brillinger — Site Acquisition & Relations I can always use contributions for this Geoff Craig & Alan Pozner — Course Design Mark Rosson — Pre-registration & Webmaster newsletter. ellT me what you’ve accomplished Chris Benfer — Registration in the past or what you intend to do for the Alan Lesher — Safety new season. I’ll accept technical articles and Ryan Hetrick — Tech Inspection how-to’s as well. Send your stories and photos John Norton — Grid to: [email protected] q — John Anne Demmy — Timing Charlie Demmy — Starter Dennis & Derek Latshaw — Novice Program Ashley Zywusko & Rob Springer — Workers Markus Houser — Truck/Equip. Manager & Results

RALLYCROSS COMMITTEE Adam Moore & John Roscinski — Co-chairs Page 3 , « Meeting Minutes « The February 24, 2015 the minutes be approved. our events. If you are interested Susquehanna Region meeting Ed Womer explained why he in learning the timing procedures was called to order by RE Steve wasn’t here for his first month as please let Geoff Craig know that Limbert at 7:30 PM. Two new Secretary. He was in Florida for you are interested. people were in attendance, Jarred the Rolex 24 Hour event, then a Henry Brillinger distributed from Mechanicsburg and John few days in Key West of which the membership stuff. He also from York, who both autocross. meeting night was his first day in mentioned that the club will not Steve talked about his the Keys and also his birthday. host the autocross at the Carlisle experience at the National Alan Lesher gave the treasures Import show and a motion was Convention. He attended the report and there was some income presented to allow Blue Mountain autocross meetings and told as well as expenses. Alan was not Region to run the event in our about a nationwide problem of expecting any substantial income area. Motion passed. finding lots for events. Tire Rack or expenses due to it being the off Dennis Cipriany will hold a is the major sponsor for the SCCA season for events. safety steward training session events. Steve reported that there Membership was reported up before the start of next meeting. has been a drop in entries due to two for the month, so the region is The club needs more people to the economy. SCCA wants to have bucking the national trend for this have this training so that we will classes for electric and hybrid month at least. be able to hold events. If you are cars due to their popularity. Steve There was no report. interested in becoming a safety found out that the SCCA loses Autocross Chair Geoff Craig steward please attend. 20% of its existing members every gave his autocross report, noting Markus is working on website year. Also the club would like to that our first events of the year updates. find mentors to help new people are coming up on March 28th and Under old business, Henry who are starting out in autocross 29th at the Hershey lot. Brillinger mentioned that we are to guide them along, something The planned Day for the Club old business! we already do here. Steve also Truck Work day is March 14th. Under new business, Alan distributed handouts that he After many, many years of Lesher will accept the delivery of obtained at the convention to timing, starting and a host of trophy materials at his business. anyone who wanted them. other duties, Anne and Charlie Dave made a motion for The previous month’s minutes Demmy are retiring from club adjournment and it was passed at were in The Squeal. Steve asked service. The club now needs to 8:00 PM. q if there were any additions, find new people to learn timing Respectfully submitted, corrections. Dave Walter moved and we will start training them at Ed Womer, Secretary

Safety Stewards Needed A reminder that there will be a Solo Safety Steward training session immediately before the March 24th membership meeting. Dennis Cipriany will conduct the training session starting at 6:00 PM at the regular meeting site, Gilligan’s on Eisenhower Blvd. If anyone else is interested, let me know via an e-mail to: [email protected] All who pass the training session may work at the series opener at Hershey the following weekend. Also, the RallyCross program is looking for qualified RallyCross Safety Stewards or anyone interested in becoming one. If qualified or interested, contact John Roscinski via e-mail at: [email protected] q — Alan Lesher Cover Page 4 Story

Un-Barn Find #2 — By Alan Lesher Last month I wrote about my 1965 Plymouth cam to make things happen later and got more Barracuda. This month, I will tell you about my top end. The compression was increased by 1983½ Dodge Shelby Charger — a race car. It milling the standard block about .030”. The was a race car when I found it. It will probably aforementioned feedback carb was re-jetted and always be a race car. That said, it has never the electronic power valve re-set to work with been far removed from a street car because it an upgraded ignition computer. Yes, a computer was raced in the now defunct SCCA showroom without fuel injection. The exhaust was opened stock category. This car is not a turbo, as the up a bit and the power came up to 110 hp net turbo models did not arrive until 1985. The ‘83½ with all emission controls working. Not bad for has an electronic feedback carburetor, high-tech the day. for its day. Dodge wanted some bling to add to the lineup, but performance cars were all but dead in the early 1980s. So, they teamed up with and Company and re-thought performance. The platform they chose was the humble and somewhat ugly Horizon/Omni coupe. This 4 door version of the platform was little more than a VW Rabbit with a new skin. In fact, the early Horizon/Omni used VW Serving double duty, the Shelby Charger was at engines and trans-axles. Yes, we are talking home on the autocross course and the race track. Front Wheel Drive! — Chris Paveglio photo The coupe is a fastback/hatchback 2+2 The springs, shocks and anti-sway bars were seater. The base cars had been upgraded to the unique to the Shelby Charger and a BIG reason then all new Chrysler 2.2L engine and a 4- or for the success of the car. The brakes were 5- Chrysler designed and built trans-axle. uprated with production units from a Dodge However, the performance was anemic, make 400, a larger fwd platform similar to the so that Anemic with a capital A. The base unit called K-car. I have heard that some showroom had about 85hp and a 4-speed. At 2500 pounds, stock drivers did a further upgrade to minivan there wasn’t a lot of get up and go. So, here is a brakes, but that would be cheating. brief overview of what Shelby (engineering and So, how did I end up with this one? In 1987, development) and Chrysler (production and I began a quest to get an SCCA road sales) did to make the car better. license. I rented a car for one school and tried to The engine needed help ASAP but the get through another school in a GT car that still budget was tight and the turbo was not due for needed development. I decided to buy a used, a few more years. Shelby dove into the existing proven car in order to get through the school parts bin and found a few things. and licensing process. A friend told me a local They used a cam gear from an earlier year dealer may have a race prepared turbo Shelby that “re-phased” the cam. They retarded the (Continued on Page 5 - See “Barn Find #2”) Page 5

Barn Find #2 (Continued from Page 4)

The Shelby demonstrated its prowess at hillclimbing, The class competition at Giant’s Despair Hillclimb is here leading the class making a run up Giant’s always intense. Here Alan receives his class trophy. Despair Hillclimb. — John Rudy photo — John Rudy photo

for sale, so I looked into that. That car was gone, qualifying session, I managed to end up on a but had been sold to the same person who had dirt bank inside of Big Bend (Turn 1) just before bought an ‘83½ car and that car “may” be for the Trans-Am cars were ready to come out for sale. It was, and was offered with a mountain of their session. The clean up crew did something spares, including an engine, 10 wheels, stacks of rare. They dragged the car counter-race back tires, brakes, axles, etc, etc. The reason for all the to the pits to save the time of going all the way spare parts was simple. The turbo cars had 5 lug around. I was in the tow truck and got a thumbs wheels and the non-turbo cars had 4 lug wheels. up from the drivers in row one of the Trans-Am Wheels, brakes, axles, hubs, bearings were all field. There were, at that time, some gentlemen different and the 4 lug parts were of no use to in racing. Well, now what. I have to the owner of the turbo car. I ended up with so drive this thing home. Turns out, it was not as many parts, that I had to store them in an old bad as it looked, although the right headlight chicken coop and an old out-house when the was aimed at the tree tops. A little hammering chicken coop filled up. Such a problem to have! here, an adjustment there, some racer tape, some By the end of 1987, I had in fact, completed more hammering... I did finish the race, in third all the school and race requirements to get an place, to my surprise. SCCA national racing license. Not that I was Over the years, I continued to race the car all that good of a driver, but the Shelby was in Showroom Stock B and later in Improved reliable by race car standards. There were no Touring A and B. There were some SCCA hill- DNFs that year, although I came close on one climb and local autocross entries. Like every occasion. other race car on the planet, this one was either I finished my second SCCA school at Lime exceptionally good or exceptionally bad at Rock in June and there was another regional Watkins Glen. race scheduled for the July 4th weekend as The bad: The gas pedal broke twice at a support race for the Trans-Am series. I exactly the same place on the track. It snapped could not pass this up! I drove the car to Lime off at the top of the uphill esses both times. tA Rock and camped out at the track. During a (Continued on Page 6 - See “Barn Find #2”) Page 6

Barn Find #2 (Continued from Page 5)

least I knew where to pull off the second time around. This was, perhaps, a foreshadowing of it happened. During one race weekend, the something better; because, next year, I had my engine kept shutting off for no obvious reason. best ever drive in any race car at any track at Team Shelby was there and their technicians Watkins Glen. In 1995, the North East division took a look at it then plugged a couple of of SCCA conducted a season long series of 1 scanners into the car looking for codes; but hour races for Showroom Stock and Improved could not figure out what the problem was. A Touring cars attached to the National races friend of mine wandered by and inquired what around the region. It was billed as the North all the fuss was about. We told him about the American Touring Car Series. I was doing well, undiagnosable problem to which he replied, “I with a few wins and a lot of podiums. The Glen think that bare wire on the fan shroud might be round was held on the long course, and there the problem” Doh!!! Sometimes it truly helps to were a lot of cars. I am not a great qualifier, so be unencumbered by the thought process. And I started about mid pack overall with my class then there is the one about the exploding hub. leaders many rows in front. But, there was an At about 115mph heading into the old brake hour. The race started with no problems, all the zone before the bus stop was added, the left drivers seemed to take the race stewards pre- front hub assembly decided to go on vacation. I race scolding to heart. I started picking off cars was absolutely sure there was a problem when one at a time. Car after car after car. Until, going the interior filled up with tire smoke, and I up the toe of the boot was reasonably certain I needed to replace the I could not press the gas pedal more than 2 hub because I had to pound the ball bearings inches and there was an odd crunching sound. out of the brake rotor. What a ride! There was On the front straight, I was able to look down just enough contact left between the pads and only to find a plastic water bottle wedged under what was left of the rotor to keep the car off the the pedals. All the cars I worked so hard to Armco. I replaced the parts and made the field pass were now passing me. The bottle came on Sunday. loose and I tried to reach down but the harness The good: During the off season between the kept me from grabbing it. This went on for a ‘93 and ‘94 seasons, the only upgrade I made lap or 2, and I decided it was too dangerous to to the car was to install a limited slip in the continue; so I planned on pitting the next time differential. Other than replacing wear parts, around. Just as I started up the toe, the bottle nothing else was done to the car. OMG! At an stood upright between my legs and I was able early season race, I was able to take 10 seconds to grab it and toss it out the window. JEEZ! At off my best long-course time at the Glen. With this point, the race was about 2/3 over; so I had the open diff., the inside front tire would get 20 minuets to take it back and go for the lead. light in any corner and start to spin. It was The hell with talent, this calls for stubbornness. so bad that the tachometer needle would do I put my head down, leaned into the wheel up and down as the suspension loaded and and started flying. I passed all the cars I had unloaded going around in the corner. With the previously passed, for a second time, and then limited-slip, both front tires pulled all the way (Continued on Page 7 - See “Barn Find #2”) Page 7

Barn Find #2 (Continued from Page 6)

some. With about 2 laps to go, I could see #2 and #1 ahead. With one lap, I was just a few seconds behind #2. Heading into the last 2 turns before the finish, I was so close to #2 could smell the brakes; but it was not to be, third place by a fender. But what a ride and what a rush! The hall of fame will never record or remember that race, but I will never forget it. I finished the series first in class. The car sat around after the ‘95 season with The new and improved Shelby after the body kit installation and new paint scheme. — Sue Neff photo few uses because I moved into Neon Racing for ‘96 and beyond. When SVVSCC brought tape kit to replace the Shelby name and stripes. back the Hershey Hillclimb as a vintage event, I told the body shop that it was a re-paint, not I was hoping to enter; but, didn’t have a real a restoration, and for possible racing use. The vintage car. I was able to borrow a 1969 Spitfire end results, however, are much closer to show from Floyd Conklin for a few years. After that, quality than expected. It really does look better I needed another old ride. I think the statute of than new. The interior is “as raced”. This car is limitations has run out of time; so, here is my a good candidate for one of the AACA race car confession. I “re-bodied” the Shelby to look classes. Just what I need, another project! like a 1978 Dodge Omni 024. By 2003, it was That’s my story and I’m stickin’ to it. q old enough to qualify as a vintage racer by — Alan Lesher most standards, provided no one looked at the VIN number. Over the years, the battle scars began to SSS Training add up on the shell and the engine was loosing Dennis Cipriany will be conducting a Solo oil pressure. In 2012, the crankshaft and Safety Steward training session just prior to lower bearings were replaced. The #4 journal the Tuesday, March 24th monthly membership had worn out, causing the hot pressure loss. meeting. The session will begin at 6:00 pm Switching from 30w to 40w then to 50w oil at Gilligan’s. Anyone interested in becoming helped, but at some point you gotta man up a Safety Steward for either autocross or and spend the money. With that fixed, the car rallycross should attend this session. q went to S. Neff Enterprise for body and paint in 2013. The Shelby specific parts were re- installed at that time. This included the front Members Meet bumper cover, lower front air dam and side Join us for our monthly membership extensions, side skirts and rear fender bottom meeting on Tuesday evening, March 24 at trim. The OEM paint codes were found and Gilligan’s. The meeting begins at 7:30. Come modern base/color/clear paint was applied. earlier for the great Gilligan’s menu. q I found an OEM match and endorsed vinyl Page 8

Finally, A New Race Motor — By Daren Stonesifer

I’m finally proceeding with the build of my current broken race motor is. The cases for backup race motor. I’ve been collecting parts for these motors are magnesium with the old pinch years, and this motor is a hodgepodge of parts distributor setup and no piston squirters. At this from acquaintances, other motors, ebay, and point in time, the distributor for this motor must new parts. Let’s call it the Franken-Motor. be made of unobtainium, since they are nearly The last race of 2014 precipitated this build impossible to find. since I broke my primary race motor during An alternative to building a 2.2L is to use that race. I installed a factory short a later case, specifically the 2.4L magnesium shifter, and the precision of the shifter doesn’t case from 1972 or later. These cases have seem to agree with the imprecision of the 901 piston squirters from the factory and the new transmission. The race, full video here: https:// distributor style that uses a slot and bolt to www.youtube.com/watch?v=okBUnPLm1-0, adjust. Additionally used distributors are still was one of my best races to date, occasionally available for a reasonable cost. This case forms slipping into 5th position overall, and leading the basis for my new motor. my class. Lap times were some of the best I’ve Picture of case half: http://www.stonesifer. ever turned at 1:26 and change. com/porsche/Case_Half.jpg I was dicing it up with a Mini Piston squirters literally squirt oil onto the Cooper when we got into traffic between Turns underside of the pistons. We all refer to air 2 and 3 at Summit Point. I downshifted from 4th cooled , but as you know, oil serves into 3rd gear in Turn 3, which is not common that purpose at least as much as air. Keeping the for me, but I needed the rev’s due to the slow pistons cool is good in general, but specifically traffic. Coming out of Turn 3, I attempted must be done if Nikasil cylinders, and an upshift to 4th, and instead of picking 4th, that’s what this motor will use. the transmission picked second (ouch!). That The current motor has biral cylinders, which caused an immediate over-rev, and that was all are cast iron sleeves encased in aluminum she wrote. I lost much power, and all kinds of containers with the fins and other important nasty noises started emanating from the motor. parts. Cast iron cylinders don’t expand as much I’m assuming at least a couple broken rockers as the Nikasil cylinders, which are essentially and maybe some bent valves. I’ve heard that mostly aluminum with a thin plating for the sometimes the cam breaks under this condition. piston and rings to run against. Therefore, I have not pulled the motor. That is next on pistons must be slightly smaller in diameter, the list, but meanwhile I thought this situation creating more initial clearance, when running has created an opportunity for me to get my cast iron cylinders. This creates a little more slop butt in gear with the backup motor that I’ve when the motor is first started until the piston, been meaning to build. How’s that for racing which is aluminum, expands to take up the gap. optimism? With Nikasil, piston wall clearance is set I’m limited to 2.2L with some overbore smaller because the piston expands at a similar for my class, SCCA E-Production. That is rate to the cylinder. Still, oil squirters are needed essentially a 1970 or 1971 motor, which the (Continued on Page 9 - See “New Race Motor”) Page 9

New Race Motor (Continued from Page 8) to keep the piston expansion within limits. 2.0L rods. I don’t know where the crankshaft Another recommendation for these was originally installed, or whether it was a vintage motors is to perform an oil bypass 2.0L, 2.2L, an S motor, or just an old 2.0L. modification, which has been performed on The cylinders are Mahle 911S 84mm this case. The oil bypass mod routes excess cylinders. Not yet made of unobtainium, but oil from the pressure side of the system back you sure pay for them like they are. Either that to the input galley instead of dumping it into or gold. Anyway, several years ago I found a the sump, which subsequently wastes energy set of new 911S Mahle pistons and cylinders. to remove the oil from the sump. Along with 84mm is the dimension for a 2.2L, and that is the oil bypass modification, a later oil pump is where they are intended to be used. On a 2.2L used to increase the low rpm oil pressure. The motor with the 66mm throw, they have around vintage motors seem to drop below 10 pounds, 9.7 compression ratio. You can however, use sometimes only having a couple pounds when them on a 2.4L motor with the 70mm throw, at idle. The oil bypass modification along with and you get around 10.5 compression ratio. the later model pump creates more pressure at That’s where I originally thought I would use lower RPM’s as well as ensuring adequate oil them, but this race motor needs them. I’ll have pressure at all RPMs (10 pounds per 1000 RPM to deal with the 2.4L with another strategy. at a minimum). I just ordered the pistons from JE. They are By all accounts, a high strung race motor spec’ed to 11:1 compression ratio, and have the should use a counter weighted crankshaft. The same piston shape that I have run from counter weighted crankshafts were used on the first incarnation of the race motor. The only high performance motors (E’s and S’s). Initially thing that has changed over the years has been Porsche used counter weighted motors on all the diameter, based upon stock cast iron, bored cranks, but when the first 911T was built, they cast iron, and now the Nikasil cylinders. switched to a cheaper non-counter weighted The heads for this motor are some early crankshaft in those models. Consequently, it 1970’s heads from a 2.4L. Porsche improved the seems these older counter weighted crankshafts shape of the heads and installed larger valves are also turning into unobtainium. I did manage for all the motors around that time. These to find one a couple years ago that measures have the typical 46mm intake valve and 40mm standard/standard and seems like it will pass exhaust valve. The ports are small at around 31 muster. This is one of the challenges of running or 32mm. This will be rectified at the machine vintage race motors—that is, finding parts. shop. They will be bored out to 34mm/34mm. There are no aftermarket crankshafts available Springs are new Eibach 90# seat pressure. for these motors as there are for the small block So they’re a little more aggressive than stock chevy motors. springs, but still not radical like some of the The 2.0L up to 2.2L motor used the same 120# seat pressure springs. crankshaft. So there are many years that it was The final elements of the motor are 911S used, I believe 1966 to 1971. The 2.2L motors cams and weber IDA3C 40’s with 34mm chokes. used a little beefier rods, but the dimensions And now you have the secret sauce! Seriously, where the same as the 2.0L rods. I am using the (Continued on Page 10 - See “New Race Motor”) Page 10

New Race Motor (Continued from Page 9) there is nothing mysterious, secretive, or atypical about this motor. It’s pretty must a typical 911S motor with a little higher compression. I dropped the crankshaft, heads, rods, cylinder heads, and rocker arms at Verden Tool machine shop in Dover, NJ. Bob, the owner, specializes in air cooled Porsche motors. Stepping into his machine shop is like a kid in a candy store for me. I think I muttered several times, “Shiny, must have … www.ssc-tint.com/ shiny!” Everywhere you look, there’s a clean case, cylinder head, or piston, most freshly machined. To be continued... q — Daren Stonesifer

http://www.windingroad.com/

Bob Verden standing by his Bridgeport mill with a Porsche head and a special jig of his to cut the valve seats. — Daren Stonesifer photo RENT THIS SPACE Share the Sponsor Space Available — If you’d Action! like to join our sponsorship ranks, we’ll make room for you. Contact me at [email protected] for details. Cover Page 11 Story A Competition Event SCCA Didn’t Try — By Henry Brillinger What was Auto Polo? Auto Polo was a invented in the United States with rules and equipment similar to equestrian polo but using automobiles instead of horses. The sport was popular at fairs, exhibitions and sports venues across the United States and several areas in Europe from 1911 until the late 1920s; but it was dangerous and carried the Yes they did have rudimentary roll bars and they did risk of injury and death to the participants and wear helmets. spectators. Fifty years ago sports car clubs ran The following article from the January 11, Gymkhanas. Gymkhanas were solo events but 1913 issue of The Milwaukee Journal provides a they often required a passenger to participate good description of Auto Polo. in the competition along with the driver. In “AUTO-POLO A THRILLING SPORT some of the events the passenger was required Auto-polo, originated last summer by the Ford to drop tennis balls into bushel baskets on the representative at Wichita, Kan., bids fair to fly or joust with a 10 foot pole to pick up 10 take its place permanently among the thrilling inch wire rings hung from stands set up on sports. It will be played in many cities during the course. Also, on occasion passengers were the coming season.” required to give instructions to the blindfolded driver. But one task that we missed out on for the passenger was the job of mallet man. The mallet man was a key participant in the game of Auto Polo. Auto Polo arrived in Harrisburg in 1925 at the Harrisburg Fairgrounds Racetrack. The Harrisburg Fairgrounds were located on the southeast corner of the intersection of 40th and Paxton Street, then know as the Hummelstown Road. The Oakdale Grange established Maybe a good reason for SCCA not adopting Auto Polo. Photos from the George Grantham Bain Fairgrounds there in 1923. They built pens, Collection, Library of Congress stables, an exhibition building, a ½ mile track for and a grandstand there in 1924. The last game to cause a sensation was in staid For the Labor Day week of 1925, horse races old New York, where the contest took place were scheduled to run there every day. Also, within the classic confines of Madison Square for that week, two American and British Auto Garden. It was witnessed by thousands. Polo teams were to participate in contests every The game is played with two Ford runabouts afternoon and evening. (Continued on Page 12 - See “Auto Polo”) Page 12

Auto Polo – An Event SCCA Didn’t Try (Continued from Page 11) stripped as far as it is possible to strip a car and from between the flying, fighting demons, the still leave enough of it to be visible to the naked ball emerges, the cars swerve sharply round in eye. In each car are a driver and a mallet man. mad pursuit and the game is on. As the names imply, the driver manages the car Calloused metropolitan chauffeurs have and the mallet man wields the long mallet in an been heard to murmur: “None of that is mine,” endeavor to drive the ball - an ordinary basket as they watched some particularly daring feat of ball - across the goal of the opponent. the contestants. The tremendous speed at which the cars are “It is probable that next season will see many driven, the marvelous skill displayed in turning more Auto-Polo teams in the field if the way the and stopping them, the trills which run through crowds have turned out to games so far can be the audience when one or the other of the taken as any criterion of their popularity. cars rolls over on its side is righted again and “Some of the most enthusiastic supporters résumés play are among the things which have of the new game even go a far as to predict made the game a crowd drawer. that within the next three of four years each Perhaps the most exciting moment of all is town will have its auto-polo league in much when the cars take their places at opposite ends the same way as they now belong to baseball of the field to commencing play. Then, when organizations. the whistle sounds, both dash at break-neck “Perhaps this a bit too sanguine, but certain speed toward the ball in the center of the field it is the game that has come to stay.” q while the audience holds its breath. Suddenly — Henry Brillinger

This photo of the Harrisburg Fairgrounds was likely taken in 1924 as the dates for the fair that year are painted on the grandstand. — Photo from the Historical Society of Dauphin County Page 13

Daytona Rolex 24 Hour — by Ed Womer We were off to our fourth annual Rolex 24 to go to the track to have a look around. It Hour race event in Daytona leaving behind would be a casual day at the track to watch the cold PA weather. This annual trip actually practice and qualifying for the event. started because I mentioned to my wife Cathy Barry also knows a driver team owner who that I noticed a story on the internet that the races in the Continental Tire series that we race four years ago, would be on my birthday, would get to meet and see his car, a BMW and and she said, “Do you want to go?” Since it get to hang out with them in the garage. A nice would be my 60th birthday I said, “Why not?” thing of the weekend pass we purchased was an infield parking pass and complete access to the garage area. That is great for an event like the 24 hour race since you can pretty much get to look at the cars and the drivers up close. If that is a big thing for you, that is fine, but after having raced a for 30 years I am not really interested in autographs from other drivers. Still, it is nice to see them walking around just like everyone else. We had a good day at the track and did get to see all of the cars in the garage as well My wife, Cathy, photo taken from the start line toward the Daytona tower and the pits. — Ed Womer photo. as on the track. We spent a lot of time walking around which you have to be prepared to do, So we were off on Tuesday before the race. even though they have a really good tram Since I’m now retired, there is no rush to get system to get you from the outside of the track there. It’s not like using up vacation time from to the infield. We also got to check out the new work. The idea was to drive to a hotel in South section of grandstands that were completed Carolina and spend the night, then go the rest just in time for the event. The view from the top of the way the next day to our hotel on the is impressive and the great thing is they have beach in Daytona. escalators to get you up the levels. No hiking My friend, showroom stock Miata racer up steps to what seems like the sky! Barry Young was spending his first year doing Since you are at the event for several days the Florida “snow bird” Winter thing. Barry you get to try different places to eat but we would meet us at the hotel and stay with us for went with the good old standby Outback the race. Steak House for the first night dinner. It is just Cathy was able to get us a room for six days outside the track entrance we used to get in. on the beach with an ocean view and it was Amazingly with the large crowd already there only a short distance down A1A to the track. It from the track we managed to get a seat just as was a nice place and would be a good stay for we received our drinks from the bar, then settle the race. Barry drove up from his Florida house in for the 20 minute wait. It was then a short in Sebastian to meet us on Thursday morning (Continued on Page 14 - See “Rolex 24 Hour”) Page 14

Daytona Rolex 24 Hour (Continued from Page 13) drive back to the hotel for the evening. was a two and half hour race and most teams Friday it was off to breakfast and then to would only stop once for a driver change, tires the track for qualifying and the support races. and fuel, almost like a race. After the I have built 20 Formula Vee’s over the years start, Barry’s friend Ted made steady progress as well as done repairs and modifications on up thorough the field and handed it off to his other formula cars. I located a car that I have co-driver who managed to finish third in the become very interested in due to its different ST Class, their team’s best ever since entering design. It caught my attention, I guess, because the series. We did go into the paddock area to it is the Delta Wing prototype. Last year the car watch them as they went thorough tech and was plagued with tranny problems and didn’t hang out for awhile. run the whole race, but when running it was As the 24 hour cars went out for night very fast. So this year with a new tranny in the practice, we went off to go find a place for car, it qualified an impressive 5th. It has only a dinner. We drove north along the beach and four cylinder engine compared to the V-8’s that ended up in a nice place that wasn’t that everyone else has. expensive and also not packed with race fans. While moving around the track during the Then back to the motel for the rest of the event we went to evening. the grandstands in Saturday morning after the infield to watch breakfast we were off to the some of the action track for the start of the 24 and low and behold, hour race. We again did the who comes into the pit walk and then up to the same stand but Dave stands for the start of the Walter. He was also race. The view is awesome down from cold PA, because you can see the but even though the whole track. On our way weather was nicer Barry’s friend, Ted Giovanis’s BMW prepped and to the stands we ran into than back home, gridded for the race. — Ed Womer photo. some FV racers that we it was still unusually cool. That meant you knew and had a short chat with before going needed to wear long pants and a jacket to be all the way to the top. With it being such a long comfortable. race it gives you time to move around the track Barry’s friend, Ted Giovanis, was in the as the race progresses, and you can watch from Continental Tire support race, so we decided anywhere since a general admission allows you to do the fan walk where you get to go onto the to go anywhere you want. pit lane to see all of the cars before the start, a We then left the track to get dinner. Cathy cool thing to do. was not interested in staying all night at the We then decided to go up into the stands track, so we took her back to the hotel. After for the race. We walked across the grass and dropping Cathy off at the hotel, Barry and I into the stands to work our way to the top. It (Continued on Page 15 - See “Rolex 24 Hour”) Page 15

Daytona Rolex 24 Hour (Continued from Page 14) went back to the track, planning on staying Daytona on Monday and visited the lighthouse all night. We grabbed the two sleeping bags I at the end of the island as well as just looking brought along and took the tram to the outside, around. Tuesday morning, my birthday, we so we could again go up to the top of the new were off to Key West and decided to avoid the stands to spend the night. toll road and drive down from I-95 directly to They keep the track lit so it isn’t like Le the road to the Keys. What a mistake that was! Mans where it is dark and you can see the The highway just ends and you have to drive whole track. Unfortunately, my favorite car thorough south Miami until getting on the road the Delta Wing dropped out early with tranny and away from the congestion. problems, Barry and I managed to stay in the After the drive with a few stops for adult stands until almost 3:00 AM. We were cold and beverages, lunch and gas we arrived in Key tired of trying to get comfortable in the new West just before sunset. We tried to get to bigger seats, so we Mallory Square for the decided to go back to sunset but it wasn’t to be, the van to get warm. so we found our hotel and Needless to say, we settled into the Key West ended up staying in lifestyle. the warm van until With a few days to the sun came up. kill, we started off with We then went breakfast then a casual back to the hotel day of walking, drinking, where Cathy had eating and did I say a good night sleep, The view from our vantage point high in the walking around the island? grandstand was spectacular. — Ed Womer photo even though we Since we were at the other didn’t, and went out for breakfast. After finding end of Duval Street which is the famous tourist the restaurant, we went to years ago we were strip we had a ¾ mile walk to the other end... back to the track to watch the remaining race. and did I mention we walked? Funny thing, As much as I am a fan of racing, I really was here we were in Key West instead of cold and getting tired of IMSA for doing a NASCAR snowy PA and it would have been nice to be thing, and stage the finish by coming up with in shorts and a tee shirt, but it was only in the an excuse to have a yellow with only a half an 60’s and windy! We didn’t bother trying to do hour to go. So after everyone gets to pit there is anything in the water since it would be too little time left to race, leaving only a short sprint cold. Did I mention we walked everywhere?! to the finish. The next day we were off to the next island Well, we left the track and headed for the up from Key West to visit someone we know hotel to drop Barry off so he could go home. who lives in the Duncannon area from the Cathy and I went out for dinner. bar/restaurant that we go to on Friday’s “date Since Cathy and I were planning on going nights.” They winter in Florida with their really to Key West for a few days we drove around (Continued on Page 16 - See “Rolex 24 Hour”) Page 16

Daytona Rolex 2015 Region 24 Hour (Continued from Page 15) Event Schedule nice motor home and were there since their Jan. 27 Membership Meeting at Gilligan’s daughter’s birthday was the day after mine. Feb. 24 Membership Meeting at Gilligan’s They were there to visit her while she was in Mar. 24 Membership Meeting at Gilligan’s the keys. We had a nice lunch a short walk 28 Autocross #1 - Hersheypark, Large Lot across the road from their camp ground and 29 Autocross #2 - Hersheypark, Large Lot then after walking around the camp ground Apr. 28 Membership Meeting at Gilligan’s and another Bloody Mary, we headed back to town to catch the sunset at Mallory Square. May 3 Autocross #3 - Hershey, Giant Center Every night we were there, just as the sun set, 23 RallyCross #1 - Farm Show, Elmerton a wisp of clouds would appear, so we never Avenue Lot 26 Membership Meeting at Gilligan’s saw the sun set over the water since the clouds interfered with view. June 7 Autocross #4 & #5 - Farm Show Lot, Unfortunately our time in Key West came Double Event Day to an end and we were off to spend a few days 13 RallyCross #2 - Farm Show, Elmerton Avenue Lot at Barry’s place before heading home. Barry 23 Membership Meeting at Gilligan’s has a mobile home in a residential area in Sebastian and it is really nice there. July 5 Autocross #6 & #7 - Farm Show Lot, The next day we went to the local airport Double Event Day 25 Autocross #8 - Hershey, Giant Center to look around. There is a company called 26 Autocross #9 - Hershey, Giant Center Velocity that makes a plane there, but being 28 Membership Meeting at Gilligan’s Saturday there was no one around. The airport Aug. 25 Membership Meeting at Gilligan’s has a skydiving business, so we went to have 29 RallyCross #3 - Farm Show, Elmerton a look around. Barry said you could go along Avenue Lot as an observer on a flight which I did. Even though I have been into flying since selling Sept. 6 Autocross #10 & #11 - Farm Show Lot, Double Event Day my FV, being in a plane with 11 people, 9 22 Membership Meeting at Gilligan’s of which were jumping out, and the pilot, a 20’s nice young lady, it was an experience. Oct. 3 RallyCross #4 - Farm Show, Elmerton We climbed at around 1000’ a minute at 100 Avenue Lot 24 Autocross #12 - Hersheypark, Large Lot knots to 15,000’ and they got out and then 25 Autocross #13 - Hersheypark, Large Lot we dropped down at 2000’ a minute and 150 27 Membership Meeting at Gilligan’s knots’ to get back to the airport. What a ride! Nov. 24 Membership Meeting at Gilligan’s So after a nice time visiting Barry we were on Dec. — NO December Membership Meeting our way back to PA with an overnight stop in South Carolina. We did have a good time on Jan. 16 Year End Banquet, Grantville Holiday our vacation but I am not sure if we will go to the 24 hour race next year but we shall see. q — Ed Womer Graphics by Chris Paveglio Page 17

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