VRCBC Vantage Winter 2008-2009 VANTAGE Winter 2008-2009

President’s Message

Well everyone, thank you VRCBC Tech. We averaged for a very fine year. It has about 14 cars over each of been my pleasure to be your the five regular events. president and I thank you all This year’s overall for your patience with me in champion is Roger Flescher, my “Novice” year. My who worked very hard to particular thanks to Evan unseat perennial winner Ivan Williams who has kept me Lessner. Congratulations out of major trouble, as well Roger! as all members of the Historics: August 16 and Executive. So here are the 17: Germania Theme: Ian highlights: Woods in charge highest Membership: ably entry in recent times; 92. shepherded by Stan Guy, Highlights were Al Ores hovered around 100 Race, Red Baron, Kees members this year of which Nierop, Hans and Franz, about 35 are active and announcers, anthems, car of the club in some capacity about 25 race with us, and/or corral, track tour, new track and has become a premier SOVREN. New brochures configuration. We faced a event have been produced (photos direct conflict with Monterrey Year end Gala: by Paul Bonner) and are dates and many, many, local Saturday, November 22 at assisting in getting out the events which eliminated the Delta Town and Country. word about our club. several regular entries. Paid Thanks to Bob Smith as key Meetings: We usually Gate was down by about 50 organizer. alternate between a folks. Maybe too hot Next year: The member’s home and a Saturday- 36 degrees. Westwood 50th Anniversary restaurant. Particular thanks Experiment of raising Year. to those members who have eligibility to 1988 (from Several cars have been shared their hospitality with 1974) for Sports racers and bought locally by folks who us many times. Highlight Formula cars had little effect intend to join us. Increased venue was the Museum of except for Formula V which participation is expected so Flight- thank you Randy doubled their numbers and we are looking forward to a Custer. made up for the date conflict banner year in 2009. Website: www.vrcbc.ca losses. continues to grow thanks to Kudos to SCCBC, CACC, Michael Zbarsky. It has been and META. VRCBC could not In This Issue: enhanced significantly by put on an event like this President’s Message 1 VRCBC Annual Gala 2 Tom Johnston’s and Mike without strong support from REVS series winds up 3 Tate’s continuation of the this group. Indeed we thank The Future of Motor Sport 4 Vantage Newsletter. them for the support at every Tate á Tate 6 REVS Series: 2008 has race. Despite some Pioneers Inducted 8 Market Place 9 been the most active year to staggeringly high costs- Tom’s Photo Page 10 date, races taking place on track, ambulance, tent, we Canada’s only F1 car 11 CACC weekends. Randy broke about even on a Photo Caption Contest 12 Custer and Marc Ashbrook $40,000. budget. This About VRCBC 12 gave us our first year of involved almost all members

REVS Winner: Roger Flescher at the office in his Sunbeam Tiger (Paul Bonner photo)

Vintage Racing Club of British Columbia, 2132 Everett Street, Abbotsford, BC, V2S 7R9 Tel: 604 795 0618, Fax 604 853 5085, Email: [email protected] www.vrcbc.ca VRCBC Vantage Winter 2008-2009 Page 4

The Future of Motor Sport as we know it Tom Johnston

We keep hearing that However, it is OK; the SUV is Such festivals draw motor sport is the biggest a hybrid (albeit with a 5-litre crowds but do they create sport in the world but V8) enduring motor sport fans, I somehow things do not seem think not. to be going very well around The greying of the here. sport and growth of Creeping loss of Molson Indy Vancouver vintage racing facilities ends, Westwood gone, A couple of years ago I Most motor sport facilities Langley Speedway, closed took one of my old cars to a were built in remote areas but still there. vintage race at Mosport. near major cities. The cities Attempts to build new What I found was the same grow and inevitably, the motor sport venues in the guys racing the same cars as tracks are closed due to Vancouver area struggling at they did forty years ago. traffic or noise complaints. best, the same in Seattle, Some even had the same Ironically, the growth of the Race City in Calgary is wives (pit popsies had cities is greatly due to the reported in trouble. become grannies). Vintage mobility made possible by Most racing circuits are racing is about old guys the automobile. under challenge for noise or recalling their youth (as it is An interesting aspect of traffic by neighbours, Laguna in my case), or somebody this is the return to Seca, Sears Point, Portland else’s youth. It is a lot of fun, popularity of airport circuits. International Raceway, wonderful camaraderie, a Many cities have airports that Pacific Raceway, and Mission dramatic spectacle, the cars are well inside of the city. In Raceway. Maybe what is are being exercised, BUT IT the same way that racetracks happening here is an IS NOT REAL RACING. have been swallowed up by indicator of the future of This is particularly growing cities. Airports are motor sport in general. noticeable in the Hot Rod under threat too, but they community; it has become a seem to have been more WHY? hobby for sixtyish guys. successful in staying in place. The automobile is Off the streets and on to the falling from favour The festival rather airports (again). The all the In years past, than race apples in one basket automobiles were seen to be NASCAR and Champ Car situation. wonderful things. They gave have both come to the everyone freedom and realization that the festival Sanitization of the mobility by allowing type events draw more sport; movement out of the busy paying customers than the Ernest Hemmingway is city to a life in the dream traditional races. Exit polling credited with saying “There home in the suburbs. Today, at this type of event reveals are only three real sports: those suburb dwellers (and that only about one quarter mountain climbing, bull- the remaining city dwellers) to one third of the attendees fighting, and automobile regard the automobile as an has any idea of what is going racing”. I presume he meant evil, polluting, non-green on. In July of 2005 on the that they are the only sports monster, and events weekend that was to have where you could easily be involving motor sport to be been the Molson Indy, were killed while participating. By politically incorrect. Where I the hotels deserted? No, the that definition, auto racing is live I see suburban former race fans were off no longer a real sport. No housewives driving their two- doing something else (that one would argue against ton SUVs taking the kids they may not have safety in any sport, but the three blocks to school. understood either). reality is that very few people

Vintage Racing Club of British Columbia, 2132 Everett Street, Abbotsford, BC, V2S 7R9 Tel: 604 795 0618, Fax 604 853 5085, Email: [email protected] www.vrcbc.ca VRCBC Vantage Winter 2008-2009 Page 5 are killed or even injured in hindsight we now see that BE REAL RACING. traditional racing these days, the era was horrifically much less the new dangerous. There is an Olympic sport generation of, drifting and called Biathlon, which traces tuner cars. So what does the its roots back to Many new racetracks are future hold? Scandinavian winter warfare. being built principally for a A hundred years ago Many other sports have TV audience, certainty the there were millions of horses similar backgrounds, fencing, cost per ticket for Formula 1 in North America, they were boxing, and many equestrian races exclude all but the used in agriculture, sports. That is the future of wealthy. transportation and industry what we call motor sport Many new tracks are and were a critical part of the today. It will still be there but being constructed as private economy. Today there are IT WON’T BE REAL clubs similar to golf and substantially fewer horses, RACING country clubs where guys for the most part; their roles with $100 haircuts can drive are in sport, entertainment, their expensive sports cars in leisure activities or as pets. such as way that would land There are still horse races them in the slammer on a but you can wonder how well public highway, but doing it they would be attended if Note: This article was in safe and politically correct there was no betting. published in Western Driver a way. In the same way, one few years ago. I don’t think Many enthusiasts think of hundred years from now, much has changed. the 1950s and 1960s as the there will still be cars and Tom golden age of motor sport, in even car racing but IT WON’T

Below: The Last Molson Indy Vancouver, did anyone notice it was gone?

Vintage Racing Club of British Columbia, 2132 Everett Street, Abbotsford, BC, V2S 7R9 Tel: 604 795 0618, Fax 604 853 5085, Email: [email protected] www.vrcbc.ca VRCBC Vantage Winter 2008-2009 Page 6 Mike Tate’s ‘Tate á Tate Old Farts and Lots of Fun Where has it gone? When to touch that subject . . . way turn one at Mission Raceway will it be back? Perhaps over my head! Naughty boy! Park!) and have some good never! ‘Fun’, like fair interest old fashioned fun in the Seems like all the fun rates and a rational stock process. has gone out of the motor market is a lost commodity. Read the old fart racing world as it enters the It has been replaced by autobiographies as opposed trillion dollar regime and corporate behaviour and to the new ones and you will everyone is very muzzled by boring sponsorship manners see that different world at corporate correctness and that have stripped those work right before your eyes. media savvy. Not that the human beings of their Like “Life at the Limit” by current global recession humanness. Gone are the Graham Hill (our current won’t make them shake in days when the entire grid VRCBC pin up ~ what a fun their boots a bit and damn started off in pre-ordained guy he was) and “Faster” by good thing too! reverse at a club race Sir Jackie Stewart O.B.E. and I just can’t see the startling the flag marshal and “It Beats Working” by Eoin current Formula one drivers yes it did happen led by Young. They all have loosening up like the old farts ‘Black’ Jack Brabham no less. wonderful and funny stories did when they were off duty. Gone are the days when on to tell even though their lives Graham Hill, Innes Ireland the race meeting closest to were frequently shadowed by and Sir Stirling Moss, to Christmas (Boxing Day fear, death and injury . . . I name but a few were usually) selected drivers think there is a connection frequently seen ‘in drag’ for appeared resplendent in here! I call it the ‘blitz worthy charities and good Santa’s hat over their crash syndrome’. Londoners looking legs they all had and helmets complete with red during the terrible bombings fun dripped from every pore, noses on! of 1939 to 1945 all kept their laughter was the order of the We are not here for a spirits high and their sense of day. I somehow can’t see long time in the grand humour very much alive Alonso or Hamilton in a scheme of things; four score despite everything going on caftan and a pair of wedgies or so but not much longer in around them. Today, in cavorting around a ballroom the best of deals and it peace and what used to be floor in the arms of a fellow seems to me that to be sour prosperity before stock male driver for a worthy faced and boring runs against market greed set in, I can’t charity. I guess they might the basic principles of life . . . say that I have had a damn do it in private though! ~ What was it we carved in good laugh in quite a while. Just joking! stone, or tried to . . .” and I guess it’s easier to party I mean just look at the the pursuit of happiness”? up if you are under a lot of managers and owners . . . Well now it is the pursuit of physical pressure by telling Bernie Ecclestone, Norbert money and greed and that’s yourself that you might not Haug, Martin Whitmarsh, Ron about it. Can’t take it with Dennis and Frank Williams you as they say and can’t boring looking lot if you ask even take good laughter me. Too much money and either to the Promised Land too much responsibility in the so enjoy yourselves now for super high stakes game gets heaven’s sakes. That is one you long faces like that and thing the VRCBC can do in no time for fun. Max Mosley spades is race safely (or however seems to have some relatively so ~ people really fun though but I’m not going must learn to understand

Vintage Racing Club of British Columbia, 2132 Everett Street, Abbotsford, BC, V2S 7R9 Tel: 604 795 0618, Fax 604 853 5085, Email: [email protected] www.vrcbc.ca VRCBC Vantage Winter 2008-2009 Page 7 be around to enjoy it for long but leaving all that aside can you imagine the fun they had at Corkoran Road, Surbiton in Surrey (England ~ not here!) at a communal living quarters nicknamed ‘The Castle’? Eoin Young recalls “There was one memorable party after the Guards Trophy in 1964 when all the Americans turned up ~ A.J.Foyt, Roger Penske, Walt Hansgen and John Mecom as well as all the top U.K. drivers and on the stately sweeping staircase, to add British flare to the scene as the party reached cruising altitude ~ Jimmy Clark donned a breast plate and so did Graham Hill and they grabbed swords and helmets and had a full duel” . . . pickled out of their trees no doubt . . . What fun. Bruce and Patty McLaren lived close by and soon joined in along with Chris Amon, Peter Revson and Mike Hailwood . . . Ohmigod can’t you just see it! Can’t see them doing that at a SOVREN meeting sadly, although there are some SOVREN members that are keeping the fun spirit alive and they know who they are, and thank God I do too! Well we do try to have fun when we can in the VRCBC and long may it last! My good chum Ian Wood and Graham Hill at the Nurburgring in 1962. We are not sure I will always try our best to exactly what he doing but we don’t think it could happen today. be as silly ~ off the track ~ Langton-Adams photo as we can to keep the smiles alive in the paddock. You Long life to you all and really will live longer for lots of fun you old farts! knowing us as laughter is a . . . Oh yes . . . and a proven stress reducer and Happy Christmas too! stress is the biggest ‘killer’ around! Trust me on that one! Vintage Racing Club of British Columbia, 2132 Everett Street, Abbotsford, BC, V2S 7R9 Tel: 604 795 0618, Fax 604 853 5085, Email: [email protected] www.vrcbc.ca VRCBC Vantage Winter 2008-2009 Page 8 Three road racers inducted HMR Germania makes cover of by Greater Vancouver November Victory Motorsport Pioneers Society Lane Magazine

October 19 was the date of the 2008 Greater Vancouver Motorsport Pioneers Society Induction ceremony. Among the 13 inductees were three pioneer road racing personalities all veterans of the Westwood Racing Circuit

Cover photo by Paul Bonner Article by Mike Gee Thanks Guys Gio Coletta Alfa driver of note

Vince Howlett Westwood announcer - still at it today

Merv Therriault ex Team Lotus and SCCBC stalwart Vintage Racing Club of British Columbia, 2132 Everett Street, Abbotsford, BC, V2S 7R9 Tel: 604 795 0618, Fax 604 853 5085, Email: [email protected] www.vrcbc.ca VRCBC Vantage Winter 2008-2009 Page 9 Market Place All British Field Meet Seeks Cars A new service for VRCBC members selling cars of historic interest Email received from ABFM organizer Patrick Stewart 1961 ELVA MK6 SPORTS RACER [email protected] Chassis number 10, one of only 28 Mk6s made. The car has been raced on the West Coast of the USA and Canada since Tom new. During the 60s the body was replaced by a Bruihl body.. The current owner bought the car in 1982 and rebuilt it to I don't know of any local Morgan become a vintage race car. It regularly ran successfully in Mini or Alpine race cars but no vintage races at Westwood, Seattle, Portland, Olympia, doubt you do. Would like to invite Tacoma, Calgary and Mission from 1984 until 2007 The car is them to display next year at powered by a 1600cc Alfa engine. ABFM as part of the HMR exhibit Price: $49,000. U.S. and Westwood 50. Further details contact Leigh Anderson, 604-536-5292 or Any suggestions?. [email protected]

Cheers

Patrick

Can anyone help? PS I assume he means Sunbeam Alpines not the French Alpine.

I'm selling my 1965 E-Type coupe race car. Rotisserie restoration, extensive mods, 375 hp., Webers, extensive lightening. Car does 1:28's at Portland. Trailer included. $55,000 U.S. Call for photos & more specs. Terry Sturgeon 250 370 2299 [email protected]

Cosworth 4wd F1 car

Gilles

The first March racing car 683 F3

Tom’s 719 Formula Ford Villeneuve March 75B Ian Wood’s 73S

Ric Forest March 722 Formula B March 717 Can-Am car Villeneuve 77B

Leyton House 861 F1 Keith Gray’s Super Vee Bill Brack 79B Atlantic

John Schuberg, Westwood star

Ill-fated Costin designed 711 Formula One car Vintage Racing Club of British Columbia, 2132 Everett Street, Abbotsford, BC, V2S 7R9 Tel: 604 795 0618, Fax 604 853 5085, Email: [email protected] www.vrcbc.ca VRCBC Vantage Winter 2008-2009 Page 11 Canada’s only domestically built Formula 1 car

The

Peter Broeker in his Stebro F1 car (Canadian Motorsport Hall of Fame archives) In the early 1960s, Peter race and finished 7th in the Quebecer Gilles Villeneuve Broeker of Montreal the race albeit 22 laps behind the came along that any proprietor of a well known winner Graham Hill in the Canadian finished higher in a after-market performance works BRM. world Championship Grand exhaust system Broeker wasn’t last, he Prix despite quite a few manufacturer known as did beat Jo Bonnier who was better financed attempts. Stebro was building Formula a further three laps behind in Even to this day the Junior cars for the then new his ailing Cooper-Climax. Stebro remains the only truly Formula. You might think that this Canadian made F1 to ever In 1963, Formula One was a classic back marker contest such a race (the semi was in its second season of effort and maybe it was but it Canadian Wolf cars were the 1500 cc engine wasn’t until a fellow actually made in the UK). regulation. The most popular motor for Formula Junior at the time was the 1100 cc Ford four cylinder based on the English made Anglia 105E design. Broeker planted a tweaked and slightly larger displacement 1500 cc version of a Formula Junior motor into one of his cars and entered the US Grand Prix at Watkins Glen. Qualifying 21 and last, Broeker persevered in the The car still exists and can be seen at VARAC events (VARAV photo)

Vintage Racing Club of British Columbia, 2132 Everett Street, Abbotsford, BC, V2S 7R9 Tel: 604 795 0618, Fax 604 853 5085, Email: [email protected] www.vrcbc.ca VRCBC Vantage Winter 2008-2009 Page 12 About the Vintage Racing Club of BC News The purpose of the Club bygone days. The Vintage The 2009 HMR tentatively is to restore, race and Racing Club supports the scheduled for July is to exchange information philosophy of racing feature cars that raced at the concerning vintage sports competition that encourages legendary Westwood Racing and racing automobiles. The participation, sportsmanship Circuit. The event will run in Club was established in 1976 and display of the vehicle in conjunction with Westwood by a group of Vancouver its natural state on the track. 50 a celebration of the first based friends as a means of There are no prizes or race at Westwood some 50 sharing with others their trophies, merely the great years prior on July 26, 1959. enthusiasm for racing and enjoyment of a well prepared appreciation of the incredible vintage racing machine at vintage racing machines of speed.

Photo Caption Contest Submit entry to editor Tom Johnston at [email protected] Winner will be announced in next issue

Club Officials Position Name Telephone Fax e-mail President: Jim Latham 604-853-5065 604-853-5085 [email protected] Past President: Evan Williams 604-539-9680 604-539-7234 [email protected] Vice President: Leigh Anderson 604-536-5292 604-536-5292 [email protected] Race Director: Ivan Lessner 604-538-2713 604-538-4517 [email protected] Secretary: Wes Stinson 604-524-8761 604-438-7045 [email protected] Treasurer: Solomon Nordine 778-227-0159 [email protected] Membership: Stan Guy 604-980-7750 [email protected] Regalia: Bruce Jamieson 604-925-2432 [email protected] HMR Chair: Ian Wood 604-433-4717 604-437-9392 [email protected] Webmaster: Mike Zbarsky [email protected] Vantage Editor: Tom Johnston 604 922 2722 [email protected]

Vintage Racing Club of British Columbia, 2132 Everett Street, Abbotsford, BC, V2S 7R9 Tel: 604 795 0618, Fax 604 853 5085, Email: [email protected] www.vrcbc.ca