Wine Country Classic - Group 4

Greetings all -
Last weeknd was General Racings, Wine Country Classic. At least 2 MG Experience board members were in the show. Bud in his rocket Elva and myself in the MGA (the Pile) Here is my report for Group 4. Here is a link for results and photos. http://www.winecountryclassic.com/

General Racing - Wine County Classic
Sears Point - June 3-4, 2007

For those of you who don’t know about the Wine Country Classic, its run by General Racings, Steve Earl. It’s a celebration of wine and vintage racing on the country’s most dynamic road course at Infineon Raceway. In all, more than 250 vintage racecars will not only be on display, but they will also tackle the 12-turn, 2.52-mile serpentine circuit in a full weekend of racing in nine categories.

Wine County was a fun weekend for both Ed and myself. Great racing all over the grid in our Group 4 - Production cars from 1955 - 1962. We rolled into the pits Thursday afternoon to set up camp then off to kart track for a few hours of abuse to ready ourselves for the weekend.

We had fog and cool weather nearly all weekend and the MGAs loved it. Just like the motherland. Friday was uneventful, 2 practice sessions with the last cut short after 3 laps due to one of the cars oiling the track from 3 to 11. I came around turn 4 at full kilt when I realized that I was not where I was supposed to be, as the car was in a big, big 4 wheel slide – I look up to see a Lister Jag doing his version of victory burn out at the top of the corkscrew as he swapped ends. I gathered the car, cleaned my shorts, and went to the pits. Enough, whew.

Saturday started early with a 7:30 drivers meeting. Steve Earl gave us all a very kind welcome and reminded us how fortunate we all are having lost so many fellow vintage friends this year. We were out on track at 9:30 for our practice/qualifying session, with Ed and I running together. I noticed a big change in the car with excessive oversteer. I had just installed bump stops due to excessive body roll and I was tearing up the rear tires... We cut them down to fix that. Ed as usual was fast and smooth and keeping up with him is always a major chore. We strolled over the pick up the grid sheets for the afternoon race to discover we are 5th and 6th on grid behind Al Leake’s Alfa (Sophia – 10 time national champion), a very quick 356 and a Corvette and Doug Saleen in his Morgan. Behind us is a slew of Corvette's, Elva's, Tom Price in his 6 million dollar Aston Martin and about 35 other beautiful race cars. 2:15 race time.... The green drops and my car sputters, and 4 cars get by me before I can blink – Ed was kind enough to stay behind me as he was boxed in. Finally my car clears up and game on. We both managed to get by half of the cars that left me in the dust by races end. Pretty uneventful with the usual count of cars falling off the track or breaking down. The pole sitting Corvette did not make lap 3 as de drove straight into the tire wall, drivers left at turn 2. A piece of this body was delivered to us. Seems the entire car body was made out of one layer of carbon kevlar and one layer of fiberglass.

Carl Vogel, the original builder and owner of the 31 car made the trip from Chicago for the weekend races and to see his beloved MGA. The look on this face was priceless when we walked to our pits. He spent a good hour looking at the car for had and had not changed over the last 6 years. The best was when he sat in the car. He closed his eyes and had the biggest smile you have ever seen.

The Jim Russell School had a grand opening of their new facilities that night, we crashed the party after the WC buffet. We walked up to the gate and they asked us if we needs passes. Why, yes we do. Super Models everywhere in very nice dresses that were better suited for a night club not a cold evening at Sears Point. We didn’t mind a bit. Joe and Jennifer Montana were there too. Audi was there with the RS4s and the RS8s giving rides around the track by the Russell instructors. And I mean rides! They were flying around the track much faster than our Brit cars will ever go.

Sunday rolls around to sun shine and lucky for us no early drivers meeting. I shared my secret of the bump stops with Ed so he now cuts his down about 1/2 of an inch. After the morning practice session he gets out of the car with a big smile and says, “Yeah baby, you’ve been holding out on me, watch out!” Oh boy am I in trouble now. As if Ed needs any help at all in getting by me. Grid sheets are out for the the big race, we are gridded 6th and 7th, we me finally in front of Ed (my timing of the bumpstop info was well timed). We grid up for the 2:30 feature race and I look up in the stands, there people everywhere. The main grandstand is very full, and turn 2 is crowded as well. We generally never have spectators at our races, so this is really fun. We roll onto the track for the pace lap, I nearly drive off the track at 2 waving to our adoring fans.. jeez. Al Leake is directly in front of me going full throttle with handful of steering wheel to warm his tires... I’m thinking, holy smokes, you better get your game face on here buddy as these guys are very serious. The green drops, I have a start of my lifetime and get by Al and Doug, and I find myself in P4. Now what do I do?! I’ve got Al inches from my fender and Doug next to him and we have 10 laps to go. Well lets just say, it took Al all of 2 corners to help me with that as he sailed by entering the carosell. We both turn in and the cars go straight, both of us in a big slide all the way to the bottom of the carosell. What the heck, are my tires, going, is my car broken? Seems with the the 2 days of fog and weekend oiling of the track the sun had bought it all to the surface and the entire track is like driving on ice. WhooHoo... this will be fun. Lap 2 - Al is at full song chasing down the Porsche with me 1/2 car length behind him in hot pursuit. Knowing Als background, I know its time for me to go to school, watch from the master and learn - and learn I did for the next 2 laps as he slowly pulled away. As we exit turn 4 the Porsche slows and pulls to driver left, one down.

By lap 4 Doug in his Morgan passes me down the front straight after a good run out of turn 11 as I am now struggling to the my car slowed down and rotated through hard corners. In my mirrors is Ed and the Austin Martin side by side about 100 yards behind me knowing full well that Ed now has me in his sights now that the Austin is cleared. I really need to hustle to keep in front of him.

Lap 4-7 - With the Alfa and Morgan just 100 feet in from of us Ed is now hounding me at the big braking corners, I pull from him slightly in the technical but he is right there waiting for me to make the slightest mistake. I keep telling myself, keep out of your mirrors and drive, drive, drive. As we enter turn 11, braking down from 110 mph to second gear, I just had to look, missed by breaking point and we are now side by side, brakes locked, tires screaming, cars pushing, only 24 inches apart. He had a better run coming out so now I’m watching him. Nose to tail for the last lap, I get a run out of 11, I’m closing, closing, closing, I see the checker waving for the Alfa and Morgan - Ed slows just a tad for the grandstands and we make it a photo finish. Ed beats me to the checker but I don’t care as I have just had more fun in 10 laps than I’ve had in years. We take the cool off side by side, laughing and waving to the corner workers and crowd. Another great weekend of West Coast racing.

We load up and head home to be with our families a bit early waving off the awards ceremony. Later that night I was checking emails when I discovered we were giving an award by Steve Earl for “The Best Appearing and Performing Car in Group 4” for the 41 car. Pretty amazing given the company we were in. FYI - This is the same award Ed was given last year for the 31 MGA.

Best and happy racing -
Scott Brown
1957 MGA #41 - The Pile

PS - We just received a letter from General Racing. The 41 MGA (the Pile) has been accepted to the Rolex Monterey Historic Automobile Races! This is quite an honor for us and will wave the MG banner high.

Way to go Scott. Congratulations. BTW you do have the Forum displayed on your car??

A few photos are starting to come my way...

were you able to catch and pass Al Leake?<G>

I did get by Al at the start but it only lasted for a couple of turns. Nothing like learning from the master.