VRG Turkey Bowl

15 November 2024

Well my pending retirement from RACING continues to linger, like a persistent cold. The two races I attended earlier this season did NOT pan out as worthy of career end events. A faulty Lamda sensor in April sabotuered engine performance and a leaking fuel pressure regulator in August could not be ignored and I went home.

The vintage Race Group (VRG) has been doing this late November race meet for many years now. It seems that anyone who can write a check for the $560 entry fee is welcome, even Honda powered Formula Fords It is quite a DEAL with NINE on track sessions over 3 days. With 5 race groups and no trophies, prizes, whatever, things are rather casual. AND, the weather forecast was superb. Mark Walthew and I would attend. We would tow up Friday morning being willing to miss a session or two to avoid having to go up the day before.

A couple of days before the race, Dave Hudson called to ask if he could drive my car for a session. I told him that vintage race groups are generally pretty persnickery and he had better ask their permission. VRG said it was fine with them. Dave used to race with us at Summit in CF’s back in the late 80ies. (My God that is nearly 40 years ago!) He still has his car (in pieces for restoration). Dave would get two sessions in my car and a 9^th place finish in a field of 25 cars. He had a good time.

In preparation for the Turkey Bowl, I had replaced the leaking fuel pressure regulator and adjusted the car’s rear ride height down a substantial one Plus inch. At the track we discovered that the rear sway bar had drifted out of adjustment and fixed that. I took the Friday afternoon practice session, slowly warming up the car, brakes and rusty driver for 3 laps or so. The engine was sounding a bit horse and running rough at times and it had been somewhat difficult to start. (Turns out that the connection to the fuel pump switch was loose.) On lap 5, after passing a FV in the chute to turn 5, I felt a significant impact to the rear of the car as I approached the apex. The car seemed to be OK, but I drove to the pits to check it out. No apparent damage.

I along with the FV driver (Mike Conklin) had to go to a Stewards hearing to review our contact. V guy said he was surprised by my braking de-acceleration and spun his car and hit the back of my car with his rear tires. Since my Crossle had no visible wounds, it was likely that my rear tires were hit. After about 15 more minutes of useless question, the stewards decided that no action was warranted.

We got to go to dinner fairly early and went to our usual haunt Chilis. Surprise, If you go early there are crowds!

Saturday. Dave would do the 8:50 morning (45 ish, chilly) “qualifying” session, his first FF seat time in more than 20 years. No drama and a very respectable finish. A couple hours later, he would do Race 1 and bag a 9^TH place in FF. Mark would get hit by a FV (he has video and the fv pilot was clearly at fault) 5 laps into the 17 lap outing. Marks car had race weekend ending damage with a wonky front wheel bearing.

I would strap on the helmet for the afternoon Race. Since Dave’s run was the qualifier, I would start 9^th. Denny Austin would start along side of me, but for some unapparent reason he weaved back and forth across the entire width of the track (leaving no room for me) FOR THE ENTIRE PACE LAP. I’m sure the guys behind me were wondered what the hell we were doing. Having to hang back, I found a hole going into turn 1 and got past a couple of cars. I drove cautiously still lacking confidence with my wonky right knee and foot. Video showed way too much caution in turn 3. Finished 6^th with a 1:25. After the recent suspension adjustments the car was handling better in the turn 6 to 8 twisties. Still needs improvement.

Sunday. Started the day by scraping heavy frost off the truck windshield. With our first session at 9:30, temperature had climbed to 40 but it was sunny. I convinced Mark to take my car out for the Race. Why? Because a morning race in the cold just didn’t appeal to me. Mark drove a very deliberate race to 6^th place with a very nice 1:23.5 time. (I have video). With his success, I insisted that he run the 11:40 longer race. I took some arm twisting. BINGO! For 18 laps Mark worked his way carefully through the field to finish SECOND with an impressive 1:21 time . He was only 22 seconds behind wiz kid Jacob King who turned a 1:20. A BIG win for Mark (and my Crossle). We blew off the late afternoon Race and headed home.

Post race: Found that the left rear shock absorber was leaking fluid somewhat significantly making a saucer diameter puddle on the shop floor. Suspect the car was handling a little like a 3 leg stool. Not good in the twisties.

I think I am liking the concept of being car/team owner.

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