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Take a long stroll through HMSA’s vintage Formula 1 field at the Long Beach Grand Prix with RACER’s Marshall Pruett.
Take a long stroll through HMSA’s vintage Formula 1 field at the Long Beach Grand Prix with RACER’s Marshall Pruett.
Racers with the Vintage Drivers Club of America (VDCA) trekked to Virginia International Raceway earlier this month for the 21st iteration of the club’s springtime Wild Hare Run. Entrants were met with a little bit of everything weather-wise as …
Racers with the Vintage Drivers Club of America (VDCA) trekked to Virginia International Raceway earlier this month for the 21st iteration of the club’s springtime Wild Hare Run.
Entrants were met with a little bit of everything weather-wise as rain, wind, and sunshine all factored into the mix. VM photographer Bill Stoler was on hand to capture and share sights of the weekend. Look for a trackside feature in the next (April/May) issue of Vintage Motorsport magazine.
View a photo gallery and results from the event at VintageMotorsport.com.
The April 14-16 Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach has everything from the NTT IndyCar Series to IMSA’s WeatherTech SportsCar Championship on tap for the three-day street race celebration, and thanks to the event’s promoter and the Historic Motor Sports …
The April 14-16 Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach has everything from the NTT IndyCar Series to IMSA’s WeatherTech SportsCar Championship on tap for the three-day street race celebration, and thanks to the event’s promoter and the Historic Motor Sports Association, 20 vintage Formula 1 cars will add to the entertainment.
Among the highlighted entries, McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown will race his 1980 Williams FW07-Cosworth DFV that won the world championship with Alan Jones at the controls. Porsche factory racing champion Patrick Long, a Southern California native like Brown, will also participate in the HMSA F1 sessions in the newest car in the field — Keke Rosberg’s 1983 Monaco Grand Prix-winning Williams FW08C-DFV.
Doug Mockett, a longtime supporter of the Team USA Scholarship and numerous young American junior open-wheel drivers, will race his 1976 Penske PC4 that was originally piloted by John Watson. One of the fastest drivers in the paddock is Danny Baker, whose ex-Brett Lunger and ex-Nelson Piquet McLaren M23 is always a threat for victory.
Of the 20 F1 cars, 18 are powered by Cosworth DFVs, and thankfully, two V12-powered entries are scheduled to attend and bring a different sound to the field with Bruce Marquand’s 1977 BRM P207 and Tim DeSilva’s 1982 Alfa Romeo 182.
The oldest car headed to Long Beach is John Dimmer’s 1971 Tyrrell 004 which once carried the likes of Jackie Stewart, Francois Cevert, and Patrick Depailler.
After the Alfa Romeo and BRM, the Lotus marque will be represented by two cars, four examples from March, two McLarens, one Penske, three Shadows, a Surtees, three Tyrrells and three Williams cars will take to the track for practice on Friday, practice and race one on Saturday, and race two on Sunday.
Mecum’s Glendale 2023 classic and collector car auction, held March 28-April 1 at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, reached $56 million in total overall sales as 1,266 lots hammered sold. With a total 1,667 lots offered throughout the …
Mecum’s Glendale 2023 classic and collector car auction, held March 28-April 1 at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, reached $56 million in total overall sales as 1,266 lots hammered sold. With a total 1,667 lots offered throughout the five-day auction, a sell-through rate of 76% was achieved, and individual sales were led by a 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing (pictured above) that brought in $1.815m.
A diverse selection of available classic and collector cars in Glendale resulted in a similarly varied top 10 sellers list, with a wide selection of both American-built machines and coveted imports making the cut. The auction-leading Gullwing, dressed in rarely seen Mittelgrün green, had undergone a meticulous restoration by the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum in the late-2000s, where it was displayed periodically from 2015-20 — qualities that made it an especially desirable classic. A 2018 Porsche 911 GT2 RS grabbed seat No. 2, bringing $605,000, and a 2022 Mercedes-Benz AMG G63 4X4 Squared grabbed seat No. 3 with a sale price of $489,500.
See more details and photos from the auction at VintageMotorsport.com.
Five-time world land speed record holder and the first person in history to reach 400mph, 500mph, and 600mph, Craig Breedlove, passed away April 4, at the age of 86. Born in Southern California in 1937, Breedlove had a lifelong passion for speed and …
Five-time world land speed record holder and the first person in history to reach 400mph, 500mph, and 600mph, Craig Breedlove, passed away April 4, at the age of 86.
Born in Southern California in 1937, Breedlove had a lifelong passion for speed and engineering which began at a young age. He was infatuated with building and flying model airplanes until he moved onto cars at 13 and bought a ’34 Ford Coupe for $75. From there it was all about speed on land, but the aerodynamics origins would play a major part of the equation throughout his life.
Breedlove’s first record-breaking run came in 1963 when he drove his jet-powered vehicle, Spirit of America, to a top speed of 407mph. He broke his own record several times, culminating in 1965 when he became the first person to exceed 600mph, driving his new car, Spirit of America – Sonic 1, to a top speed of 600.601mph.
Read the full story at VintageMotorsport.com.
Goodwood Motor Circuit recently announced that its 80th Members’ Meeting presented by Audrain Motorsport, April 15-16, will host a spectacular on-track demonstration celebrating 75 years of Porsche. Taking to the historic British circuit, which also …
Goodwood Motor Circuit recently announced that its 80th Members’ Meeting presented by Audrain Motorsport, April 15-16, will host a spectacular on-track demonstration celebrating 75 years of Porsche.
Taking to the historic British circuit, which also celebrates its 75th anniversary in 2023, will be a collection of racing Porsche 911s from 1973 to 1998. In the spotlight will be two of Porsche’s most significant racing models: the 1973 Targa Florio-winning Carrera RSR, driven by 24 Hours of Le Mans record-holder Tom Kristensen, and the 1998 Le Mans-winning GT1-98.
Also featured in the celebration will be Norbert Singer’s ultimate aerodyne Porsche 935 “Moby Dick,” as well as the 1975 and 1978 Daytona-winning chassis. In all, the demonstration will showcase over 20 iconic racing 911s.
See the full story at VintageMotorsport.com.
Historic Sportscar Racing (HSR) and its parent company IMSA will co-sanction the on-track competition events at the Rennsport Reunion 7 at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, September 28 – October 1. The RR7 sanctioning bodies were confirmed by …
Historic Sportscar Racing (HSR) and its parent company IMSA will co-sanction the on-track competition events at the Rennsport Reunion 7 at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, September 28 – October 1. The RR7 sanctioning bodies were confirmed by officials from Porsche Cars North America (PCNA) and host venue WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca (WRLS).
The first Rennsport Reunion in five years, RR7 coincides with the 75th Anniversary year of Porsche and this year’s theme is “Icons of Porsche.” The celebration includes Porsche racing legends that will be well represented on the WRLS circuit in both IMSA- and HSR-sanctioned competition.
Building on two years of success and experience as the official sanctioning body of the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion and Monterey Pre-Reunion at WRLS, HSR fills a similar roll at RR7 in providing its expertise and vast collective experience in race event operations and full technical scrutineering for the lineup of vintage and historic racing events.
IMSA will officiate a Porsche Deluxe Carrera Cup North America doubleheader, a contemporary and ultra-competitive addition to RR7. North America’s premier Porsche one-make race series made its 2023 debut earlier this month at Sebring International Raceway with a pair of 40-minute races won by rising star Riley Dickinson. Flat-out sprints with no pit stop; this year’s Carrera Cup field features upwards of 40 iconic Porsche 911 GT3 Cup race cars. Both Carrera Cup races at the RR7 doubleheader will pay official points toward this year’s 16-race championship.
“When IMSA and HSR announced the acquisition at last year’s Rolex 24 At Daytona, we knew it was only a matter of time before our plans of working together on a co-sanctioned event weekend would become a reality,” said IMSA President John Doonan. “For IMSA and HSR to be able to work our first event together as part of a Rennsport Reunion at the amazing WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca makes it that much better. The HSR-run events will give the huge crowd in attendance an opportunity to celebrate Porsche icons of the past while the IMSA Porsche Deluxe Carrera Cup races will provide the current and ultra-competitive racing that only an all-Porsche series can deliver.”
Established in the mid-1970s, HSR is led by HSR President David Hinton, who was a majority owner for the last 10 years and guided HSR’s sale to IMSA early in 2022. Hinton remains at the helm as president and continues to steer the organization through one of its biggest periods of growth in the more than 40-year history of HSR.
“We appreciate the ongoing trust and support John Narigi, Barry Toepke and the entire team at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca have placed in us for the on-track operations of the Monterey Motorsports Reunion events and greatly appreciate their endorsement with Porsche Cars North America to work in the same capacity at Rennsport Reunion,” Hinton said. “As the largest gathering of Porsche enthusiasts and fans in the world, we realize the responsibility and great commitment required to sanction the vintage and historic races at Rennsport Reunion. We are grateful to PCNA and WRLS for the opportunity and look forward to putting on a great show for the competitors and the Porsche fans and community. It is also going to be a great experience working with and operating side-by-side with our colleagues at IMSA.”
For further details, updates and event highlights including special programming, news on E-Sports, fan zones, live stream opportunities, autograph sessions with drivers and a host of other off-track activities, fans can also visit the new, dedicated Rennsport website at PorscheRennsportReunion.com.
Ticket sales for Porsche Rennsport Reunion 7 have gone live as the countdown begins for the world’s biggest Porsche gathering. Ticket and camping packages are available at WeatherTechRaceway.com or by calling the ticket and accommodation specialists at 831-242-8200.
The 2023 HSR racing calendar began last weekend at Sebring International Raceway, March 24 – 26, with the annual season-opening HSR Spring Fling. Please visit www.HSRRace.com for more information on HSR and the 2023 HSR schedule.
Five different Historic Sportscar Racing Run Group winners were crowned after a clean-and-green B.R.M. Chronographes Endurance Challenge one-hour race Sunday that was the feature event of the final day of competition of the season-opening HSR Spring …
Five different Historic Sportscar Racing Run Group winners were crowned after a clean-and-green B.R.M. Chronographes Endurance Challenge one-hour race Sunday that was the feature event of the final day of competition of the season-opening HSR Spring Fling at Sebring International Raceway.
The overall B.R.M. win was secured by the ageless Travis Engen who drove his equally timeless GMT Racing 2005 No. 2 Audi R8 LMP to yet another Sebring B.R.M. Endurance race overall and Prototype group win. Engen shared the overall top-three with the duo of Francesco Melandri and Nigel Greensall 2017 No. 24 Fransco Racing Ligier JS/P3 who co-drove to second both overall and in the Prototype division.
Third overall and first in GT Modern (GTM) went to Thomas Gruber in his TAG 2016 No. 991 Porsche 991 GT3. Gruber doubled-up on HSR feature race wins at the Spring Fling and also captured the victory in Friday night’s season-opening HSR Stoner Car Care Global GT race.
Read the full story at VintageMotorsport.com.
The first official day of competition of the 2023 Historic Sportscar Racing season wrapped up with a rapid-fire run of three feature races at the HSR Spring Fling that produced the first five race winners of the year on the 3.74-mile Sebring …
The first official day of competition of the 2023 Historic Sportscar Racing season wrapped up with a rapid-fire run of three feature races at the HSR Spring Fling that produced the first five race winners of the year on the 3.74-mile Sebring International Raceway circuit.
Friday’s big winner was Fritz Seidel, who scored Porsche-class honors in Friday’s Sasco Sports International/American Challenge race and then followed it up with a victory in the HSR Classic RS Cup sprint. Seidel’s dominant day came at the wheel of the Ecurie Engineering 1974 No. 85 Porsche 911 IROC that he was racing for the first time in several seasons.
Seidel was Friday’s only repeat race winner but took the Sasco Sports checkered flag second overall behind Larry Ligas in his Predator Performance 1961 No. 61 Jaguar XKE. Ligas captured the International-class victory in addition to the overall Sasco Sports win.
Another overall victory Friday went to the TAG 2016 No. 991 Porsche 991 GT3 of Thomas Gruber who won the HSR Stoner Car Care Global GT sprint. Gruber also topped an overall field of competitors in the day’s final race that featured the Classic RS Cup opener sharing the track with the faster Stoner Car Care GT competitors.
The Sasco Sports American division victory went to Steve Piantieri, who rebounded from an early issue for a come-from-behind win in his 1965 No. 95 Ford Mustang 2+2.
Second in the Stoner Car Care race was secured by Bryan Collyer in his 2015 No. 9 Dodge Challenger GT1 with third going to debuting driver Bill Fenech in his 2018 No. 015 Porsche GT2 RS/CS. Fenech reached the podium in his first-ever race.
Second-place in RS Cup went to George Balbach in his 1966 No. 0 Porsche 911 while Lisa Hansen completed an all-Ecurie Engineering podium with a solid drive to third in her 1969 No. 110 Porsche 911 S.
Balbach also reached the Porsche podium in the Sasco Sports race in third, crossing the line just behind second-place finisher Josh Tuggle in the Heritage Motorsports 1969 No. 133 Porsche 911 RSR.
Other podium players on the day included Byron DeFoor, in the 1999 No. 129 Lotus Elise, and Hervey Parke in his 1965 No. 11 Ginetta G4, prepared by Michael’s Vintage Racing, who completed the Sasco Sports International podium in second and third, respectively.
Saturday’s HSR Spring Fling schedule is highlighted by final qualifying races for all groups followed that afternoon by the opening WeatherTech Sprint rounds. Sunday’s second and final rounds of WeatherTech Sprint races close out the HSR schedule from 11:20am ET through the final checkered flag of the weekend that afternoon around 3:20pm ET.
Targa Sixty Six organizers recently announced it will be a part of the Chattanooga Motorcar Festival October 13-15, 2023. Targa Sixty Six participants look to have ample track time Friday, October 13 and Saturday, October 14, leaving the evenings …
Targa Sixty Six organizers recently announced it will be a part of the Chattanooga Motorcar Festival October 13-15, 2023.
Targa Sixty Six participants look to have ample track time Friday, October 13 and Saturday, October 14, leaving the evenings and Sunday available to enjoy all the exciting activities that make the Chattanooga Motorcar Festival unique.
Each entry includes:
• Driving privileges for 2 family members.
• Entry for up to 3 cars.
• Credentials for all the Festival activities.
• Light breakfast and lunch at the track Friday & Saturday.
• VIP Dinner Friday evening at the Coker Museum.
See more details at VintageMotorsport.com.
