US Vintage Grand Prix of Watkins Glen
	September 7-9 2001
	by David Wells and Larry Wells

Friday, September 7: Practice & Parades

Ira Schoen's ex-Trans Am 2.5 Challenge Capri

Our friend Ira Schoen drives this Capri 2000. Back in 1972, it was driven by Oliver Jones in a racing series called the Trans Am 2.5 Challenge. It was not particularly successful back then, but it's had a good year in 2001, with two vintage racing victories. More information on Ira's car can be found at www.pterodactylracing.com.

Ira's car is powered by a historically correct Ford 2000 OHC engine. Note the big 45mm Weber side draft carbs!

Fuel cell, for safety.

From the rear.

Ira goes out to practice.

Practice: 9/7/2001

Ross's wife Karen Perrin is also driving a 1969 Escort.

Rob Walton from Bentonville, AR drives this Shelby Daytona.

A very nice Ford GT-40 Mk II.

After practice, most of the Vintage racers went downtown for a not-too-hot lap through the old 6 mile road course. Unfortunately, Ira's practice session was late, so he didn't get his car switched over to road tires in time to make the show.

Ira had another problem as well: missing dust caps! We had to scramble for replacements. Ira threatened to steal some from the Blue Beast. We even tried to call Larry in Rochester to see if he had any spares. No luck there, but mechanic Mark Stockman was able to improvise a fix. Mark et al. then went downtown to look for proper spares.

Dave drove downtown a little later to look for Mark. No luck, but he got a good view of the old race cars on the road course. Also a very nice dark red 1969 Boss 429 Mustang. It was for sale too, for only $62,000! (shoulda taken a picture!)

Saturday, September 8: Qualifying

We spent some time talking with Ira again, and met up with Ross Bremer and Karen Perrin as well. We also took a walk through the paddock to see what we could see. And we saw some interesting stuff!

Ford GT-40 Chassis #1046: 9/8/2001

GT-40 Chassis #1046 is one of the most famous race cars ever. Bruce McLaren and Chris Amon drove it to victory at LeMans in 1966, ending Ferrari's dynasty. We had actually heard that 1046 was going to be at this race, so we made a special effort to look for it.

Today, 1046 is owned and driven by George Stauffer. We spoke to Mr. Stauffer for quite a while, and he was nice enough to open up the engine bay for us. We told him our tale of how we met Chris Amon once......

The Ford that beat Ferrari.

Power comes from a Ford 427, with a 4-barrel. It's actually a de-tuned NASCAR engine.

What it lacks in technical sophistication, it make up for with 7 liters of displacement.

These aluminum boxes were for the infamous FIA suitcases.

GT-40 Chassis #1075: 9/8/2001

After leaving Mr. Stauffer, we were quite pleased with ourselves for having gotten such a good look at a historic car. Dave said that the only thing better would be if we saw Chassis #1075. Just then, we saw a bit of blue and orange.......

GT-40 Chassis #1075 is probably the only car that can claim more fame than Chassis #1046. It is the only individual car to win LeMans twice: in 1968 and 1969. We didn't see the car on the track, but it was on display in the paddock.

The 427 was banned after Ford's 1967 victory, so power comes from a Ford 302, with 4 Weber carbs.

The Shelby Daytona 9/8/2001

Right near Chassis #1075 was this Shelby Daytona coupe. We're pretty sure that the Waltons own both cars. Only six Shelby Daytonas were built. Two were here, and both went out to play!

The tail of the Daytona.

I'm not sure that this picture is in the right order, but it shows what's under the hood of one of the Shelby Daytonas.

Parking Lot 9/8/2001

It is traditional for the spectators to drive interesting cars to Watkins Glen. You will often see unusual sports cars in the parking lot.

This, in our opinion, is what a Jaguar E-type should look like.

Dad used to have a Sunbeam Alpine with a hardtop. It looked a lot like this Sunbeam Tiger, although the Tiger has a very different engine!

Meanwhile, overhead.....

Qualifying Races 9/8/2001

Ira Schoen waits for the start of the Group 8 qualifying race. Mechanic Mark Stockman hold the umbrella. (no air conditioning in race cars!)

Ross Bremer had to give up early in the qualifying race, as Ira Schoen's Capri goes by.....

Sunday, September 9: Racing

Various Races, 9/9/2001

A Mercedes 190 in the Toe of the Boot.

Dave took these two pictures of Volvo P1800s for his friend Per in Sweden. Hi Per!!

The All-Shelby Feature Race: 9/9/2001

GT-40 Chassis # 1016 and a Shelby Daytona on the pace lap. These two cars were in a marvelous duel for the lead for much of the race.

GT-40 Chassis # 1046 on the pace lap. Unfortunately, owner/driver George Stauffer had to retire early with an engine miss.

GT-40 Chassis # 1046 battles with the second Shelby Daytona.

This Cobra was one of the Shelby team cars. Back in the '60s, it was driven by Ken Miles.

Mk I and Mk IV: I don't know the chassis numbers of these two, but the copper-colored #3 car is a Mk IV. These were built on Ford's "J Car" chassis. Only twelve J series chassis were built, and not all of them became Mk IVs.

The Group 8 race: 9/9/2001

Ira Schoen's Capri at the start of the Group 8 race, chasing a Datsun Z-car.

Karen Perrin takes the inside line against an Alfa Romeo in her blue and white 1969 Escort.

Two Z-cars spun coming out of Turn 10, giving Ira Schoen's Capri a chance to pass.

Ross Bremer chasing his prey, a Porsche 911. He caught him too!

This is about as close as Ross was able to get to the lead Datsun. Keep in mind that the Datsun has a much bigger engine!

Ira finished third in his class, right about where he started.

Ross finished fourth overall, behind the Datsun and two Lotus 7s. Ross said that he'd gotten just about everything he could out of the car. Ira finished third in his class, right about where he started. The spinning Datsuns that he passed were in a higher class. Ira thought that his gearing wasn't optimal, and promises to come back next year with a different transmission and a different rear axle.