VANTAGE Autumn-2012 Editor Tom Johnston Chats With the Legendary Walter Wolf at the 2012 BCHMR at Mission VRCBC Vantage Autumn-2012 Page 2 Well the 2012 BCHMR has In This Issue: come and gone. You will see a report on the event in this Geezer Central 2 newsletter but there is more President’s Report 3 detail and complete results BCHMR 4 posted on the club website Fairservice on Elvas 9 www.vrcbc.ca and the event GVMPS Inductees 13 website www.bchmr.ca. Mike Tate 14 In summary; we had a Tom’s photo Page 17 good entry, two new race IOCO Hill Climb 18 events, a legend of Canadian motor sport as a special Geezer Central at Rolex 20 guest, it was too hot for most Ian’s Sonoma Race 22 people and we did ok Photo Contest 24 financially. Lots of people About VRCBC 24 work hard on this event each year and it has become a Your Editor at Work fixture for gearheads in these You can contact me at [email protected] or by phone at parts. 604 922 2722 Looking forward to what next year may bring. In this issue we also report on a couple of racing tours by club members at two legendary California Circuits; Laguna Seca and Sonoma. See page 13 Vintage Racing Club of British Columbia, 3366 Baird Road, North Vancouver, BC, V7K 2G7 Tel: 604 980 7750, Email: [email protected], Web: www.vrcbc.ca VRCBC Vantage Autumn-2012 Page 3 President’s Message A lot has happened since the Spring edition of Van- tage. Competitively, we’ve had three REVS races and some VRCBC members tack- led the Knox Mountain Hill- climb. We also had our usual, popular racing car display President Stan doing his Achille Varzi thing and booth at the All British Field Meet, as well as Club gatti’s engine is significantly That great experience re- meetings at Terry Johnson’s larger (a 2.3 litre straight minded me of why we enjoy museum in Langley and Jelly- eight versus a 1.6 litre four), Vintage racing so much. For bean Autocrafters in Surrey. both are supercharged and a modern car, the Cooper S But of course, our biggest produce the same power is actually a lot of fun, but is event of all was the 25th run- (approx. 165 hp) in the same it more enjoyable on the ning of the BC Historic Motor rev band (5,500 - 6,000 track than a typical VRCBC Races over the August long rpm). Both cars also have member’s racer like a Vin- weekend. the same top speed (about tage Formula Ford or a MGB, As is described elsewhere 140 mph) but since the Mini or a ‘you name it’ - never in this issue, overall, the is 50% heavier (2,500 lb ver- mind a Bugatti? For me, it’s BCHMR was very successful – sus 1,650 lb.) the T51 should not even close; the modern although it was a little too (in theory) easily win a drag Mini comes out second best warm! On behalf of all of the race. At 10 lb./hp, the Bugat- every time. I think that is Club members, I want to ti’s power to weight ratio is because each of those older thank Chairman Tom John- pretty close to that of a typi- cars has its own distinct ston for all of his time and cal, current Formula Ford! ‘personality’ (AKA: effort in leading the BCHMR The cable-operated, four ‘imperfections’) which means team again this year. wheel drum brakes do re- that they are much more en- Personally, I had a great quire a (slightly!) longer tertaining to race, and to time racing our ‘Bucket List braking zone however, so watch race each other. Keep- Racing Team’ Formula Vee in hopefully there would be a ing the uniqueness of these both the Vintage and the big difference in lap times! cars alive on the track is (F.A.R.T.) Formula Vee Invi- Jim told me (and I agree) what the spirit of Vintage tational groups. But, without that he can’t imagine how racing and the purpose of the a doubt, the highlight of my those famous drivers of the VRCBC is all about. Actually, BCHMR weekend (and proba- past could actually drive one we think Vintage is the ulti- bly of this decade!) was the of these cars at racing mate form of racing, but then opportunity to do some lunch speeds of well over 100 mph we are biased of course! time demo laps in Calgary - often on gravel roads – for As I write this, we have VRCBC member Jim Robin- many long hours. For exam- one more REVS race and two son’s Bugatti Type 51. It was ple, Louis Chiron and Achille more meetings – guests are a very generous offer by Jim Varzi combined to drive 782 always welcome - plus our and I really appreciated it. miles (!) to win the 1931 season-ending Annual Gala I have since found it very French Grand Prix with a on Saturday, November 17th interesting to compare this T51. Unbelievable; my shoul- left to go this year. I hope 1931 Bugatti Grand Prix car ders were sore after only a you can make them all. with my own 2005 Mini few ‘parade’ laps around Mis- Stanton Guy, President Cooper S. Although the Bu- sion! Vintage Racing Club of British Columbia, 3366 Baird Road, North Vancouver, BC, V7K 2G7 Tel: 604 980 7750, Email: [email protected], Web www.vrcbc.ca VRCBC Vantage Autumn-2012 Page 4 was the first of our local half of the ten starters heroes in fifth place. managed to make it to the Vintage Groups 1 and 2 finish. Jack Zarowny had a were for the Closed Wheel trouble-free run, leading series production based cars. from start to finish and was Attrition slowly took its toll awarded the Westwood Cup. on the initial 39 car entry – Harry Watson finished second The 25th running of the drivetrains seeming to be overall and won the P2 class. BC Historic Motor Races was particularly vulnerable – and It would probably be fair to one hot event – in more the Sunday feature race had say that nobody expected ways than one! This year’s 26 starters. They put on a Ryan O’Connor to even finish BCHMR was unique, adding great show however with the the race in Mike Bailey’s two new features; the fifth heavy metal trio of Paul newly acquired former Trans annual Children’s Charities Kuckein (Camaro), Doug Yip Am Camaro. Mike had just Grand Prix (CCGP) and the (Sunbeam Tiger) and Dennis ‘rescued’ it from long term third annual Formula Vee Repel (Camaro) taking the storage in the U.S., with Invitational. It made for a first three places on the almost no time for very complete weekend of podium, followed by Mark preparation, so to finish third racing. The VRCBC’s Brown (Lotus Seven) and overall in those challenging objective is to host a John McCoy (Escort). The conditions was a great weekend which is fun for SCCBC Trophy was awarded achievement. competitors and teams, to Doug Yip for his spirited The complete results are workers, supporters and also drive. posted on the event website a good show for the Vintage Groups 3 and 4 (www.bchmr.ca), where you spectators. This year, in for the Sports Racers / Open can also find the hard luck addition to the racing, there Wheel cars had 19 entrants story of the ‘winners’ of The were barbecues, special ranging from Ian Wood’s Battered Cup, some excellent guest; Canadian former F1 Rawlson to some Vintage in-car videos, plus links to team owner Walter Wolf, a Vees. It was especially the literally thousands of Car Corral, Demonstration gratifying to see evidence of excellent photos taken on the Laps and the always popular, the local resurgence of weekend by several Lunch Hour Rides 4 Kidz. Formula Fords, with ten photographers. The Family Affair Racing making it through the initial Thanks from the VRCBC Team (F.A.R.T.) added a lot qualifying session. And we to everyone who helped us with their Third Annual should make special mention put on the event; the SCCBC, Formula Vee Invitational. Not of ‘rookie’ Steve Hocaluk, the CACC, META and all of only were there great battles making his single seater the on-track and off-track all the way down the field debut. Ian Wood won all officials, and of course the from the front to the tail end, three races, with Alan McColl, racers and their teams. We but the camaraderie and fun Dave McKay and Tony particularly appreciate those atmosphere they brought fit Carruthers mixing and individuals who stepped in to right into the traditional matching the other two give us a hand at key Vintage racing environment. podium positions. Tony was moments. We hope to see The only ‘fly in the ointment’ presented with the Pete everyone next year, maybe was that the podium was Lovely Memorial Award in with the thermostat turned swept by those ‘invaders’ recognition of his excellent down a little. from south of the border. performance overall. - Tom Johnston and Dennis Andrade was the The number of entrants in winner and took the Stanton Guy the CCGP was disappointing Abbotsford trophy, followed but the race itself was a real by Quinn Posner and Robert old-fashioned battle of Posner in second and third attrition in the heat. Only respectively. Adam Ingram Vintage Racing Club of British Columbia, 3366 Baird Road, North Vancouver, BC, V7K 2G7 Tel: 604 980 7750, Email: [email protected], Web: www.vrcbc.ca VRCBC Vantage Autumn-2012 Page 5 Vintage Racing Club of British Columbia, 3366 Baird Road, North Vancouver, BC, V7K 2G7 Tel: 604 980 7750, Email: [email protected], Web www.vrcbc.ca VRCBC Vantage Autumn-2012 Page 6 Vintage Racing Club of British Columbia, 3366 Baird Road, North Vancouver, BC, V7K 2G7 Tel: 604 980 7750, Email: [email protected], Web: www.vrcbc.ca VRCBC Vantage Autumn-2012 Page 7 Vintage Racing Club of British Columbia, 3366 Baird Road, North Vancouver, BC, V7K 2G7 Tel: 604 980 7750, Email: [email protected], Web www.vrcbc.ca VRCBC Vantage Autumn-2012 Page 8 Vintage Racing Club of British Columbia, 3366 Baird Road, North Vancouver, BC, V7K 2G7 Tel: 604 980 7750, Email: [email protected], Web: www.vrcbc.ca VRCBC Vantage Autumn-2012 Page 9 Robin Fairservice on Elva Cars “ELLE VA” – SHE GOES – THE STORY OF THE ELVA CAR COMPANY I was at Crystal Place in South London in September 1954 working as a “Go-Fer” in the Paddock when I first saw a neat little car called a C.S.M.