Vintage
Sports Car Club of America, Inc.
Vintage
Sports Car Club of America, Inc.
April 14, 2003
TO: All Members
FROM: Bob Klingenburg-Activities Chairman-5 Wilcox Drive, Mountain Lakes, NJ 07046
Tel: (973) 334-7342, e-mail: bobklingenburg@hotmail.com
The Spring Sprints at Lime Rock are now a fond memory for all who attended. The weather spanned the full spectrum,
from really cold and nasty on Friday, and into Saturday morning, to glorious sunshine by Saturday afternoon. The racing was
close and safe fortunately, and a great opener to the season. Thanks to Rob Bettigole for all of his work in planning and
executing of a flawless event, the corner and other workers for keeping us safe, and the participants for their good spirits
through the cold and miserable part of the event. Welcome to the students who looked like they were having a grand time in
their first outing onto the track.
Turning our attention to more pleasant thoughts, it is time to send in your entry for the 51st annual running
of the Mt. Equinox Hill climb. In order not to be disappointed, do so immediately, as there is a 50-car limit, which results
in procrastinators being disappointed each and every year. This event is arguably steeped in more history and lore for a variety
of reasons than any other on the calendar. It is the essence of the way it was. The course is so challenging that people who have
run it for years still routinely find ways to improve their times. This is not to imply that competition, and the pursuit of lower
times is all that this event is about. Quite the contrary is the case. Lower Vermont is simply heaven on earth at that time of year.
Nearby Manchester offers unparalleled outlet shopping. Johnny Seesaw's, where we will have dinner is a charming, quaint, rustic,
yet elegant establishment. It is almost equally steeped in history and stories as the mountain, and worth the trip all by itself.
The "paddock" at the bottom of the mountain is unlike any at a racetrack in that it is full of grass and trees, and a relaxed
ambiance that is exceedingly conducive to friendly conversations with fellow competitors and interested spectators alike. But
the piece d' resistance is the top of the mountain. That spectacular site, among the magnificent Green Mountain tops, is where
long-term friendships are forged amidst the tales of heroics imparted by long time competitors. This is as real as it gets in terms
of an authentic vintage experience. Don't delay. You don't even need to find a copy of that generic VSCCA entry form that you have
been keeping in a safe place. Just rip off the bottom of the attached announcement, fill it out and send it off.
Don't put away the pen. There is one other thing that you need to do immediately. The Berkshire Hills Rallye follows Mt Equinox on the schedule. It is one of only two opportunities on the calendar to exercise an interesting vehicle you may have over public roads through some of the most glorious scenery on the East Coast. Tourmeisters Ed Hyman and Bob and Cindy Webber have really gone over the top to create a weekend for you that captures the essence of vintage motoring. A couple of years ago, I sent out a survey to the clubs' members soliciting input on what you would like to see in a Tour/Rallye. We received close to a hundred responses, and they were amazingly uniform in terms of what was desired. That indicates to me that there is a great deal of interest in these type of events, if they offer what you are looking for. Everyone wants a weekend pre-packaged with fine dinning and fine accommodations. According to Ed and Bob, consider it done. A remote location, far from the maddening crowds was obviously high on the list, but one which isn't on the other side of the continent, and not too far from home is favored. Let me relax and enjoy the scenery of spectacular roads, with maybe a little challenge here and there, were frequent comments. Consider all of that done. And so it is. Ed's dyslexia will not result in more than a couple rights that should have been lefts. Consider that a promise from Ed as well. (Actually I think Bob and Cindy fixed them already). Anyone who gets lost gets Ed's Speedster I think is what he said. This is a weekend that will leave you pampered, invigorated, and clamoring for the next one. But you need to act on this quickly because the Inn, while rather large, will book up. As a special favor to us they are holding rooms until the end of April, but no longer. Please don't find yourself excluded. You don't need the generic entry form for this event either. Just rip off the bottom of the attached announcement, fill it out, send it in, and CALL THE HOTEL. YOU NEED TO CALL THE HOTEL.
So that takes us up to The Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix in terms of the calendar. You already received the announcement and entry form for that in a prior mailing. If you don't think so, and you want to go, please contact either me or Ralph Steinberg.
Still to come in future mailings will be material regarding The Vintage Celebration at New Hampshire Speedway in August. After that is the Labor Day Festival. As I mentioned in the last mailing, you should have received an invitation from General Racing (Steve Earle), about a month and a half ago. If not, and you want to go, information is posted on the web sites. If you have trouble with getting it that way, let me know. You will see that the Castle Hill weekend slot is back on the calendar. There may be a replacement. Stay tuned and keep that weekend open.
Tremblant is a go. A few minor issues have been resolved successfully, and we look forward to going back to that spectacular venue. Camden is still a go. Now we have another real, honest to goodness street race in addition to Pittsburgh. Only the VSCCA can bring you things like that. Racetracks, hill climbs, tours, rallies, street races, dinners, concours, meetings; we have it all. Continue to keep your fingers crossed that Summit Point may move up a couple of weeks. Purveyors of long underwear will lament the change, but family members everywhere will rejoice in having their racer home over Thanksgiving.
If you receive this letter prior to April 25th, and you are not participating in the Hershey Hill climb, you will still have time to participate in an event at Lime Rock sponsored by the Alfa Romeo Owners club of Connecticut. They have been kind enough to invite us to join in the fun. If you are interested, contact their event Chair, Mario Romagnoli, at (914) 693-7426, or VSCCA member David Yeager.
A new addition to the calendar is the Radnor Hunt Rally and Concours in Radnor Pennsylvania. The VSCCA will support this event by encouraging participation of our membership. Go to www.radnorconcours.org or contact Tobey Ross for information.
Please remember to take the time to fill out the track event survey from the last mailing if you have not already done so. We value your input. But we can't value it unless we get it.
That's it for now. The schedule is as follows. See you out there.
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