Tags: Alfa / Aston Martin / BMW / Bugatti / Ferrari / Jaguar / Jochen Mass / Lamborghini / Maserati / motorsports / Rolex Cosmograph Daytona / Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion / Terry Cook / The Quail

THE QUAIL: CROWN JEWEL OF MONTEREY MADNESS!

- Sabtu, 15 Agustus 2015 No Comments

Some of the world’s finest examples of automotive design and engineering were staged at this year's Motorsports Gathering at the Quail Lodge and Golf Club.

“Among the many facets of the Monterey Classic Car Week, The Quail is the most exclusive taking as it does, the form of a very grand private garden party,” comments Rolex Watch USA President and CEO, Stewart Wicht. “As well as fine food, guests have the chance to view at leisure some of the finest examples of classic race and road cars whose values again, echo those of the Rolex brand.”



Some of the finest examples of the world’s most sought-after cars add spectacular context to this unique garden party. From Aston Martin to Alfa Romeo, Bugatti to BMW, Chrysler to Cooper, and then Ferrari: no less than 56 examples of the legendary Italian supercar maker were on display. Also not to be missed, Jaguar to Jensen, Lamborghini to Lancia, Maserati to Morgan, and so on, not forgetting of course, the mighty Porsche.

In the Rolex hospitality area at The Quail, former World Championship Formula 1 Grand Prix driver Jochen Maas shared his thoughts on the event: “It has developed over the past ten years to be the most important event of the week. The Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance is great, but for sheer volume, The Quail is a special and unique setting”. Mass drove in 114 GPs, scoring a number of podiums and a victory before moving to saloons where his greatest victory was in the grueling 24 Hours of Spa in 1972, then onto sports cars.
 In this category, Mass scored a victory in the 24 Hours of Le Mans 1989. Rolex is closely associated with the legendary French endurance race as Official Timekeeper since 2001. “The Quail has great exclusivity and the price of entry reflects this, it has a unique style and the organizers are sticklers for quality.”

Among the many unusual exhibits at The Quail this year was a unique, aerodynamic recent construction called by its maker, Terry Cook, an Auburn-Bugatti Delahaye Boattail Speedster. This artistic head-turning creation, was completed only six months ago.

Also attracting keen attention at The Quail was an original Ford GT40 racecar that competed in 1966 at both the 24 Hours of Le Mans and won the Rolex 24 At Daytona. A 1956 Maserati 200SI Spyder – one of only two left out of an original batch of four, was raced by Sir Stirling Moss in the same year.

A spectacular Jaguar XJR-5 endurance racecar powered by the famous British company’s 6.2-litre V12 engine, successfully raced in the mid-1980s, was also on display.

Also a big draw of The Quail each year is the presentation of the Rolex Circle of Champions “Best of Show” Award. This is judged by a panel of entrants from around the world in an all-day process that takes into account all aspects of each car displayed: style, presentation, engineering and artistic impact. This year’s winner is a beautiful ‘68 Alfa Romeo Tipo 33 Stradale, and Lance Butler of Mouse Motors of Chicago accepted the Award.



“It’s incredible! It’s a great car that drives well and has incredible dynamics, epitomizing the finest engineering capabilities of the era,” said Lance Butler after receiving a Rolex Cosmograph Daytona from Rolex Watch USA President and CEO, Stewart Wicht.



For more information, please visit http://signatureevents.peninsula.com/en/Motorsports/Motorsports.html

Tags: Allard / D-Type / Endurance Racing / Ford GT40 / Jaguar Lightweight E-Type / Le Mans / Le Mans Legend / Maserati / Nurburgring / Porsche racing / Shelby Cobra / Twelve Hours of Sebring

FORD GT40s: LEGENDS OF LE MANS!

- Jumat, 22 Mei 2015 No Comments

Seven GT40s are amongst legendary racecars lining up for this year’s 

Le Mans Legend event.

The extended age range for this year’s Le Mans Legend race on Saturday June 13th has allowed seven Ford GT40s to join the spectacular historic grid that will race on the full Le Mans circuit. It all happens just a few hours before the start of the modern 24-Hour endurance race. 61 iconic cars, dating from 1949 to 1968 and representing 26 different marques, will take to the track in an outstanding live-action showcase covering two decades of motor racing history. 14 of the cars entered actually raced at Le Mans in period, and the remainder of the grid boasts their own impressive competition histories.

The red GT40 of U.S. drivers Philippe Mulacek and Alain Vinson took part in the 1967 Le Mans 24-Hour, Marc Doncieux’s GT40 raced there in 1966, and Claude Nahum/Bernard Thuner’s Mk 1 in 1968, with Eric Lidell replacing the car’s regular driver that season David Piper to share with Mike Salmon. Bernard is the son of Jean Jacques Thuner, a four-times competitor in the Le Mans 24-Hour.



The remarkable seven-GT40 entry also includes the ex-Scuderia Bear/Essex Wire Corporation ‘65 Mk1 which finished 3rd in the 1966 Sebring 12 Hours (Skip Scott/Peter Revson) and was put out of the 1966 Le Mans 24 Hours when struck by a works-entry GT40 during qualifying.  Present-day renowned GT3 and historic racer Andrew Smith will share the car with James Cottingham.

Another newcomer that the extended age range admits to the Le Mans Legend grid is the Alpine-Renault A220 of French drivers Sylvain Stepak and Jean Luc Blanchemain. This car was standing 5th overall at Le Mans in 1968 driven by Mauro Bianchi and Patrick Depailler before brake failure caused it to crash with Bianchi at the wheel. This was the race at which Alpine and Michelin revolutionized racing with the first use of “slick” tires. Rainer Becker’s Porsche 910 joins the A220 and the seven GT40s in what promises to be a stunning class battle. Originally owned and raced by Bill Bradley, with Vic Elford and Tony Dean, this car finished 1st in class and 5th overall at Hockenheim in 1968 and 5th overall in the 1969 1000-km Nurburgring.



Sam Thomas/Andy Dee-Crowne’s Allard J2X was a 1952 Le Mans competitor, while Paul Griffin/Gillian Carr’s Connaught ALSR raced there in 1955.  Class competition for the Allard comes from another of the same marque – Touring Car driver Patrick Watts will be out in a J2. The Connaught faces sporting competition for class honors from a veteran of the 1956 Le Mans – the beautiful Panhard Monopole X86 of François Cointreau - and from former England Rugby, Captain David Cooke, in the yellow Lotus 11 Le Mans he shares with Neil Twyman.



The Austin-Healey 3000 that Karsten Le Blanc shares with Christiaen van Lanschot raced at Le Mans in 1960, 1961 and 1962. Known by most people simply by its registration number DD 300, it was a works entry in 1960, driven by Jack Sears and Peter Riley. It was a privateer entry in 1961 and 1962.  It’s in the same class as Canadian Barrie Baxter’s beautiful Maserati 151/154, originally seen out at Le Mans in 1962 and then again in 1963 and 1964. In 1962 the Healey would have fought against the ‘56 Morgan Plus 4 Supersports that Keith Ahlers and Billy Bellinger will drive this year and Till Bechtolscheimer’s Tojeiro EE Buick (having sported a Climax engine in period).



Competition promises to be fierce across all classes, with lively action expected in the GT Cars 1960-1965 under 2000 from the Lotus Elan of 12-times Le Mans racer and 1981 British Sports Car Champion John Sheldon. The bright yellow Mini Marcos GT driven by Josh Sadler and veteran racer Barrie Williams should give John a good run for his money and provide huge entertainment for spectators. And competition will also come from Afschin Fatemi’s very rare Porsche 904/8, one of two prototypes fitted by with an eight-cylinder engine by the factory for Le Mans in 1964, from another veteran of that 1964 race, the Alfa Romeo TZ1 driven this year by Holly Mason-Franchitti.

With other entries including Mercedes 300SL Gullwings, C and D-type Jaguars, Aston Martin DB2 Lightweight Le Mans, Shelby Cobras and Lightweight E-types, the Le Mans Legend is something of a beauty show as well – though very definitely a seriously hard-fought race rather than a parade. 



Duncan Wiltshire, Chairman of Le Mans Legend organizers Motor Racing Legends, said: “Extending the entry dates has allowed us to introduce a highly exciting new aspect to the race. I can’t wait to see seven GT40s lining up on the grid! Cars and drivers are traveling from all over the world to take part, and the result should be an astounding 45 minutes of historic motorsport that transports all who are lucky enough to witness or take part in it back through the decades.”



For further information on the 2015 Le Mans Legend race, please visit www.motorracinglegends.com

Tags: Allard / Boss 429 / Cobra Daytona Coupe / Facel Vega / Larry Shinoda / Maserati / Mike Matune / Panoz / Radnor Hunt Concours / Sunbeam Tiger / Zagato

THE 100 MOTORCARS OF RADNOR HUNT: CONCOURS!

- Minggu, 28 September 2014 No Comments

One of the highest-quality and most eclectic shows in the country celebrates its 18th year. Mike & Maureen Matune bring us highlights.

This year’s Radnor Hunt Concours d’Elegance, benefitting the Thorncroft Equestrian Center, featured a field of select Concours grade automobiles along with motorcycles and featured groups. Best in Show honors went to Margie & Bill Cassini’s ’33 Chrysler CL Imperial five-passenger Phaeton, top. Originally purchased by LeBaron designer Ralph Roberts for his wife, it features fender skirts, disc wheels, lowered headlights and rear mounted twin spares.

No show of Ford racing is complete without examples of Flathead power. Henry’s V-8 would go on to power everything including Salt Flats competitors, drag racers, sports cars and boulevard cruisers of every description. Representing those times is Larry Shinoda’s “Chopsticks Special,” above. Shinoda spent time in a Japanese Internment Camp in California before going on to become a noted designer at GM (Corvette Sting Ray) and Ford (Mustang Boss 302 graphics). Today the car resides in Beth & Ross Myers’ 3 Dog Garage collection.

Best of Show Sport win went to Oscar Davis’ ‘54 Maserati A6G-2000 Zagato Spider. Juan Perone saw it at the Geneva Auto Show in 1955 and had it shipped to Argentina. After its return to Zagato, it was again shown at the Paris Auto Show. In addition to its striking styling, it is powered by a twin-plug DOHC Maserati straight six

Among the featured groups this year was a class titled simply “Powered by Ford.” It allowed the viewer to trace the history of Ford racecar development and involvement in the sport starting with Kathy and Joe Heisler’s ‘29 Wroton Big Car, the “Blue Seal Special.” Powered by a four-cylinder 55 horsepower Model A engine, it was raced on dirt tracks throughout the Pennsylvania/New Jersey area. It rests on altered 1920s Chevy suspension and frame rails.

Although David Markel’s ‘53 Allard J2X began life Cadillac powered, it was converted to a 289 Ford and four-speed in the 1960s. The J2X was a successful racer in the early years of sports car racing immediately following WW ll. Many were imported without engines and fitted here with a variety of GM, Ford and Chrysler powerplants. Markel went home with the Chairman’s Award for Sporting Excellence.

Let’s move forward into the ‘60’s and the Ford “Total Performance” program which saw the Blue Oval race and triumph in a number of racing venues all over the world. The racing program resulted in countless storied products. One example is Leland Cross’ ‘69 Boss 429 Mustang. Cross’ example has covered just 120 miles and is a true time capsule. Small wonder it captured the Historic Vehicle Association’s Most Well Preserved Vehicle Award.

“Total Performance” wasn’t restricted to this side of the Atlantic. Ford’s UK subsidiary enlisted the help of no less than Lotus engineering and racing ace Colin Chapman to turn its plebeian Cortina into an all conquering sedan racer. The Lotus Cortina enjoyed success in sedan racing wherever it was entered. The cars featured a Lotus designed dual overhead cam head, Weber carbs, suspension upgrades and lightweight body panels.

No discussion of “Total Performance” would be complete without a discussion of Carroll Shelby’s Cobra. His winning racecars propelled Ford to the forefront of international competition. While James Shacklett had his Cobra repainted, he was careful to preserve its engine, undercarriage and interior.

Designed by Peter Brock, the Daytona Cobra Coupe was a successful attempt to streamline the Cobra roadster. It worked and helped Shelby American win the 1965 FIA GT World Championship. The Simeone Foundation Museum’s example was the first of the six coupes constructed. It also set numerous FIA/USAC speed records at Bonneville.

Combining European chassis and American engines is an oft-played concept. Among its practitioners was the Rootes Group that needed a way to upgrade the performance of their Alpine roadster. They chose to equip the car with a Ford V-8 and call the result “Tiger” after their 1920s LSR car. Rob Barnes’ car is a well-equipped street example.

Let’s not leave the concept of Ford-powered European chassis just yet. Walter Eisenstrak exhibited this ‘74 DeTomaso Longchamp with a 351 Ford under its hood. This DeTomaso’s journey began in an Italian factory and moved to Lebanon before coming to the U.S. While its numbers are few, Eisenstark quipped that at about 400 built, it was nearly a mass produced car by coachbuilder standards!

Another Italian builder who sought to capitalize on the “Power by Ford” concept was Intermeccanica. Between 1968 and 1972 they built approximately 400 Spyders; marketing them under Torino and Italia. Its lines were so clean and eye-catching; John Redmond’s 1971 version would leave with the Artist’s Award for representing the epitome of design and style; as well as a Hagerty Junior Judges Choice Award.

Here’s another example of a vehicle with a lightweight chassis and Ford power: Panoz AIV (Aluminum Intensive Vehicle) Roadster. Built in Braselton, GA by Panoz Auto Development, they combined a Ford four-cam Mustang Cobra V-8 with a minimalist body. Dr. Jonathon Schraf bought this one new and showed it beautifully at Radnor Hunt, taking home the People’s Choice Award for his efforts.

To keep this from becoming too Ford Centric we had to include Ken Swanstrom’s ‘62 Facel Vega Facel II Coupe. These were French made and in the same vein as the other European Chassis/American engine cars as shown here, but with a twist, Chrysler power. In this case it is a 413-inch, twin four-barrel Chrysler wedge. Less than 200 were produced.

You never know what you are going to come across at a Concours. Check out this Studebaker ramp truck full of pedal cars. These ranged all the way from pristine, highly restored to  Preservation class examples. These brought smiles all around and doubtlessly conjured up many a childhood memory.

 In addition to a show field full of interesting cars, Radnor Hunt also features motorcycles. To illustrate, we have John Illenye’s ‘28 TRW Triumph Nuremberg. Not only is the bike a rare model featuring a German-built single-cylinder engine, but also it sports a sidecar produced by the Hindenburg Metal Works.



Words & Photos: Maureen K. Matune & M. M. “Mike” Matune, Jr.



For more information about the Concours and Thorncraft Equestrian Center, please visit http://radnorconcours.org/

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Tags: Can-Am Racing / Derek Hill / Dick Guldstrand / FIA Cobra / IROC Camaro / Maserati / Mike Matune / Monterey Historics / Mustang Trans-Am / Racing Corvettes / Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion / Roush racing / Sunbeam Tiger

ROLEX MONTEREY MOTORSPORTS REUNION: LAGUNA SECA!

- Kamis, 21 Agustus 2014 No Comments

‘When it comes to experiencing vintage racing greatness, the Reunion has few equals,’ blogs Mike Matune.

Mid-August brings us what is lovingly referred to as Monterey Hell Week and the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion at Laguna Seca. The Reunion is what vintage racing aspires to be, a collection of truly important cars and drivers competing head to head. Eddie Lawson, top, climbs the Rahal Straight towards the “Corkscrew” in Racing Commonwealth’s Osella PA 3/5. 



I have been attending the vintage races at Laguna Seca off and on since 1990. In that time, two things have become Monterey traditions for me. One is the damp, cool early morning fog; the second is Ed Archer’s ‘15 Ford Roadster, OLD NO. 4, above, contesting the Pre-War

racing group. The period uniformed Archer with his distinctive handle bar mustache

drives his car to and from the event.

The concept of the International Race of Champions (IROC) was simple, combine some of the world’s best drivers in identically prepared cars and set them loose on a collection of oval and road courses. Leon Desimone brought out his Camaro, which competed in three seasons of

IROC racing with drivers as varied as Indy Car’s Foyt & Rutherford; NASCAR’s Pearson and Formula One’s Hunt and Schecter.

This year’s featured Marque was Maserati, celebrating their 100th year. Among the many representatives of the Trident was Lawrence Auriana’s Tipo 151 driven by Derek Hill, son of the late World Champion Phil Hill. Built at the behest of Briggs Cunningham to assault Le Mans,

the cars were less than successful. Later one of this car’s sister vehicles would be involved

in Marvin Panch’s devastating crash at Daytona. The ensuing actions resulted in

Carnegie Hero medals for the five who rescued Panch.

Mike Eddy brought his ‘64 Falcon to compete in the Historic Trans-Am group, little knowing he would leave with The Spirit of Monterey Award for best displaying the spirit of the weekend. Eddy’s Falcon was a pioneering racer in SCCA’s fledgling Sedan classes. Later it would compete in the inaugural Trans-Am season’s final race at Carroll Shelby’s request to keep points from rival Chrysler’s effort.

Greg Johnson’s ‘60 Corvette has been a racer since ordered with all the factory goodies over 50 years ago. Along the way it competed at legendary East Coast venues against the best SCCA racers of the day, achieving a remarkable track record. Records indicate Johnson’s Corvette was a Championship winner at the Regional level and earned a “Three-Peat” in the Pennsylvania Hill Climb Series.  Constantly evolving, it would serve time on the street.

As Cobra prices soar, an unfortunate consequence is that you no longer see many driven in anger on the track. Things at Monterey are a little different as shown by Steve (97) and Tim (16) Park in Lynn Park’s genuine 289 cars. Steve’s car is an early example (10th built) and was a factory racer. Tim’s was one of the initial group of Cobras sent to Europe to compete in FIA sanctioned events.

Chris Liebenberg of the 3 Dog Garage pushes Ross Myers’ 1982 Mustang through Turn 3. In period, the car was driven by Milt Minter, Gary Pratt and John Bauer and contested GTO in IMSA competition. In addition, it won an FIA event at the Fuji Circuit, Japan that year.

While Ford would end its factory involvement in the Trans-Am after clinching the 1970 championship, Bud Moore continued as an independent. He fielded entries for the likes of Peter Gregg. Here Ken Epsman hugs the apex in Turn 5 in Jim Hague’s car.

To get as much racing in as they do at Monterey requires a certain level of precision. As Ron Cressey’s #59 Corvette passes the pits on the front straight, you can already see the next group forming for their race. Cressey’s car is a long time vintage racer that has achieved multiple victories at Monterey.

Among the nearly 550 cars competing at this year’s Reunion were a number of Sunbeam Tigers. Each was interesting, but the history of Steve Sorenson’s example was intriguing. Originally converted to a racecar when new by Lew Spenser, it was later sold to Art Firmes. On the front fender is the name of Corvette racer, Dick Guldstrand. He and Firmes were friends and Guldstrand maintained the car, adding such touches as a frame modified as Guldstrand did with early Corvettes and ‘63 Sting Ray exhaust pipe bezels used as front brake scoops.

One cannot possibly fault the lines of Jaguar’s E-Type as exemplified by Michael Doyle’s 1962 coupe. From new, the car was converted to a racer with extensive modifications to its engine, suspension, brakes and bodywork. It would compete on the West Coast until 1972 before being laid up. Doyle has done all of us a favor by returning this very distinctive car to the track.

By 1974, the final year of the once proud Can-Am series would fizzle out after but five of a scheduled eight races. The one bright spot that year was Don Nichols’ Shadow Team with Jackie Oliver and George Follmer driving. It was just too little, too late for Shadow and the Can-Am as a whole. But Michigander Craig Bennett gave us a taste of that bygone era, wringing the best from his ‘74 515-inch Shadow DN4 to clinch Group 3B for Can-Am and USRRC cars.

In 1991 Robby Gordon drove his Roush prepared Mustang to three victories and second in the series point chase. The car marked the first time a Roush car would use a rear-mounted transaxle and the last time a turbo engine would be employed. After residing in a museum for over ten years, Steve Schuler is racing it again.

Amelia Island Concours founder Bill Warner brought his two-time championship winning TR6 to Monterey as part of “Team Amelia.” Bob Tullius and Paul Newman had owned the car. Here Warner endures something of a traffic jam in Turn 11, as he turns onto the front straight. Warner would be awarded The President’s Cup for having the car with the most significance to Laguna Seca, returning 40 years after last appearing here.



Words & photos: M. M. “Mike” Matune, Jr.



For more information about Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, please visit http://www.mazdaraceway.com/

Tags: Cadillac / car commercials / Ford / GM / Jaguar / Maserati / Mercedes-Benz

Car Fights!

- Sabtu, 29 Maret 2014 No Comments

The automotive industry obviously fascinates me, for many reasons. One thing I always find quite funny is when car companies start to take shots at each other, not because I like the fighting but because sometimes the digs can be quite creative.

Such a fight broke out between Ford and Cadillac, which might seem like a stretch. The whole thing started when Cadillac released this commercial, which aired heavily during the Sochi Winter Olympics:

Obviously the commercial was geared to be divisive, and it generated quite a bit of press (I should know, I joined in on the whole thing). The funny thing is that the commercial wasn't so much about a $75,000 rebadged Chevy Volt, but instead it was about attitude and elitism. Ford, the car company of the common person, struck back with this retort:

Clever? That depends on if the commercial resonates with you. If it doesn't, you probably find the whole thing annoying. The same could be said of the first commercial. By the way, the woman in the Ford commercial is an actual Detroit entrepreneur who is working to encourage more community gardens, etc.

The best car company fight I've seen in a while (other than that great Lexus-Audi smackdown from a few years ago) is a spat between Mercedes-Benz and Jaguar. The Germans decided to get a little funky, probably had one too many steins of brew, and decided to liken their cars' suspension to chickens:

That's German humor for you: weird. The Brits have a much more developed sense of humor, and so Jaguar struck back with this Duesy:

One last spat, this time between Jaguar and Maserati. The Italian car company released this incredible commercial during the Super Bowl this year, which took people's breath away:

Incredible, right? Instead of cooking up a copycat commercial, Jaguar threw a nice spitball with a simple tweet:

Did you know that #ghibli means hot air? Seems appropriate. CC: @Maserati_HQ #GoodToBeBad
— Jaguar USA (@JaguarUSA) February 3, 2014

Ouch...