There is always magic at “The Mitty.”
They like to say the Historic Sportscar Racing (HSR) “Mitty” event is a time machine of sight and sounds. But we think they mix in a bit of magic as well.
Under beautiful blue skies and a gentle breeze, you could sense this would be a memorable weekend. As longtime readers of this magazine know, HSR race weekends don’t disappoint.
The anticipation for this racing weekend started in January during the 60th Rolex 24 at Daytona. There, IMSA President John Doonan and HSR President Dave Hinton announced their new partnership.
This natural pairing will benefit both organizations. Clearly, it affected driver turnout because the driver’s meeting for this weekend was standing-room-only.
Fans of grassroots racing also got the memo because this was the biggest turnout we’ve seen in years by far. In fact, HSR’s press release said it was one of the biggest runnings of HSR’s oldest race in 45 years.
HSCRA Brings Excitement
One of the exciting new additions to the slate of events was the Historic Stock Car Racing Association. In years past, we were lucky to have a handful of classic NASCAR stock cars on the track.
About 40 of them covered the grid this year and had their own segment in the weekend’s itinerary. Fortunately, we could catch up with Rodney Reston from HSCRA between heats to learn more.
Rod Worley – Editor – It’s easy to see HSCRA is a big hit with the fans this weekend. Can you tell us more about your group and how you got started?
Rodney Reston – HSCRA – After the 2008 recession, we saw more stock cars at various events. So, we pulled together a contact list and formed an LLC.
Being involved with SVRA & HSR has allowed us to race at historic tracks nationwide, grow our fan base, and add additional drivers. Ultimately, we want to bring 40-plus historic stock cars to our events.
As you know, NASCAR recently purchased Historic Sportscar Racing (HSR), which undoubtedly helped our exposure. In fact, Mike Helton, Chairman of the Board for NASCAR, was here this weekend to watch our race.
We’ve got an exciting schedule coming up with the Darlington Raceway for the NASCAR throwback weekend with 20 of our historically significant cars. Then, we’re on the weekend schedule in August with the NASCAR Cup and Xfinity Series at Watkins Glen.
Throughout the year, we’ll be at different raceways across the country.
Superformance Turns Heads
In a sea of sports cars, the Superformance cars were turning heads. This American company designs and builds full “Replicars,” as they refer to them.
As “Replicars,” all models sold by Superformance are completely factory-manufactured “rollers,” only missing the engine and transmission.
Individual Superformance dealers will install selected car engines after the customer has bought the roller.
Of course, the Superformance GT40 MK II pictured above caught our eye. It is a replica of the famous Ford GT40 MK II that finished first, second, and third overall at the Le Man’s 24-Hour Race in 1966.
The Superformance GT40 differs from other Ford GT40 replicas in that it is the only one built with a monocoque chassis that is an exact replica of the original. Interestingly, over 90% of their GT40’s parts are interchangeable with the original MkII A.
The Superformance GT40 is so close to the original that it is currently undergoing evaluation for historic racing eligibility.
There are some significant differences between the original and the Superformance edition. The new version has a cleverly hidden air conditioning unit, modern brakes, and a conversion to a left-hand drive layout.
For us taller drivers, thankfully, the Superformance GT40 can be ordered with the “Gurney bump.”
Besides the GT40, they offer a Shelby Daytona coupe, MK II, MK III, and a Corvette Grand Sport. In addition, there are dealers worldwide, such as Dan Long from Downforce Motorsports, who can answer your questions.
Daytona Nationals Winner
Rod Worley – Editor – Terry, you’ve got a great-looking Corvette racer here. Have you had any success campaigning it?
Terry Mathis – Z06 racer – Thanks, Rod. It’s a self-sponsored 2006 Z06 that I’ve raced for five or six years with NASA.
The first time I raced this car at Daytona, we set a track record. Since then, I’ve brought it back three times and broke that record each time.
We won the Nationals in Daytona as well. We had some success with it at VIR and Sebring too.
Last year we came here, and we podiumed for both races.
I was tickled with a second-place finish last year here at Road Atlanta because we got beat by Johnny O’Connell. So I consider that a win when only the legendary Corvette racer Johnny O’Connell beats you.
He was definitely fast.
This is our first race of the year, but we usually make 10 or 15 races a year.
Close Racing Action
The HSR racing delivered close racing in several categories. Some winners included “Front Row” Joe Nemechek, who scored his second-consecutive Gene Felton Memorial Challenge Trophy award.
Also standing on the top podium step was 71-year-old Jack Finch with his overall historic stock car victory in his 2002 #22 “CAT” Dodge Charger.
The overall & GT Classic (GTC) victory went to Angus Rogers piloting his KMW Motorsports #15 1973 Porsche 911 RSB in the Wet-and-Wild B.R.M. Chronographes Endurance Challenge.
Also at the track to hand out trophies and offer wrench support were students from Lanier Technical College with John Leverett, Program Director & Instructor.
In many ways, it seems fitting that the 45th annual running of this event would draw so many enthusiastic fans and drivers to this historic road course.
From where we’re sitting, it proves HSR and “The Mitty” still has the magic to energize race fans.
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