National Wine Day and Corvettes

Friday was National Wine Day.  We decided to celebrate such a special day with the North County Corvette Club!

We met Sam Rindskopf and his wife, Donna, and Dave Regenhardt, and his wife,  Kathleen, at a fundraiser for Guide Dogs for the Blind a few months ago.  At the event we learned that both couples are Corvette fans and have leadership roles in the  North County Corvette Club!


Sam invited Nan and I to attend a "Ramona Wine Run" on Saturday.

We started the day by meeting some of the club members at the North County Fair shopping mall.

Then our Corvette caravan  was led by Dave to Mark and Ruth Harwell's house for a fabulous Saturday morning breakfast.  More NCOCC members joined us. 

We visited two wineries:  Hatfield Creek Vineyard and Winery; and Turtle Rock Ridge Vineyard and Winery.

I counted 16 Corvettes -- maybe there were more!  Everyone was so nice and the wineries were very happy to have the big crowd come for a visit.

We finished the day by driving to the home of Bob and Carol Haller for dessert.

Thank you North County Corvette Club for a great day!

Remembering Dana Moore

If you turn to chapter 32 in “Beltsville Shell: You Are What You Drive” you will find entries remembering many of my Beltsville buddies including Dana Moore, High Point High School Class of 1965 and his older brother, Stanley. One of the very best things about writing the book was that it helped me get reconnected with many of these dear friends. Such was the case with Dana.

It is hard to think about Dana without also remembering his neighbor and best friend Jim Mayo. My most amazing memory of these two was visiting with them one summer afternoon. I rode my bike over to their neighborhood in old Beltsville. They asked me to join them in the back yard. What a surprise to learn that they had somehow scored ownership of a 1952 Plymouth with three-on-the –tree. Their understanding parents willingly allowed them to drive the car all over the back yard, on the grass, dodging trees, and laughing hysterically. Everyone took turns driving the car. I was astonished that these guys had learned to drive a car while I was still riding around in a Go Kart. 

Dana’s older brother, Stanley, was an idol to many of us. Stan purchased a 1964 red Corvette Roadster with the 365 HP high performance engine, and racing transmission. The oldest brother, Bill, owned a maroon 1965 Corvette, also with the 365 HP engine. The Moore brothers were very smart. Stan realized at an early age that Corvettes would become classics and collectible cars, and he purchased and restored one of the very first Corvettes – the first year model – 1953 – serial number E53F001089 –meaning that it was the 89th Corvette to be produced out of a first year production run of 300. 

I remember back in the 11th grade I was going through a particularly difficult and depressing period in my young life. Dana showed a deep friendship to me and spent a lot of time helping me work through my problems. I’ve never forgotten his caring friendship to me. Only recently have I learned that his caring way was the hallmark of his entire life. 

Dana loved golf from an early age, quickly mastering a sport that challenges and frustrates even the best athletes. He was on the High Point High School Golf Team in his Junior and Senior years. Over the years Dana graduated from HPHS, joined the US Air Force, served in Viet Nam, received his Bachelor’s degree from the University of Georgia and his Master’s degree from Gardner-Webb University, and relocated to South Carolina. 

Dana was a golfer all his life. He was a two-time Senior County Golf Champion and had 12 career holes-in-one. Let me put this in perspective for you: Out of all the Professional Golfers who have ever been on the PGA circuit, only two have scored 10 holes-in-one! 

Professionally Dana was an instructor at the South Carolina School for the Deaf & Blind in the multi-handicapped area. He taught Physical Education in elementary schools in Spartanburg School District 7, was coach of the Golf Team at Spartanburg High School, and also served as an adjunct professor at Converse College. His dedication to others, and kindness to everyone was no surprise to me.

A few years ago I found and purchased the most beautifully-restored Fox Go Kart in the entire Universe. Best of all, it was identical to the Kart I owned in my teen years. The seller was a savvy collector, Tracy Schooler, another golfer who lived in South Carolina. After Tracy and I worked out the details of the purchase, I needed some way to store the Kart until could arrange for shipping. I called Dana on the phone to describe my problem. Dana was ready to step in and help any way that he could. What a guy!

Dana was an active member of our BSYAWYD email list and many times when I would make a blog post I would get a message of encouragement or news from him, and sometimes from Stan too. I really enjoyed our friendship. Recently Stan let me know that Dana was quite ill, and he asked me to keep the Beltsville faithful informed. 

We heard of Dana’s passing last Friday in a message from Stan. While Dana was battling cancer, Stan kept our High Point High School and Beltsville friends informed of his progress. We were hopeful that treatment at the Duke Medical School would do the trick, but sadly it didn’t. 

Below are some quotes from Dana’s family and friends: 

Stan Moore: Dana passed away this morning, 5-18-2018 in Spartanburg, South Carolina. Thanks to the Beltsville crowd for all their prayers and support. He was greatly loved. 

It's a shame that, even I, never knew how much he was loved. I thought of the old movie "It's a Wonderful Life" ; To my brother Dana, the richest man in town." When you think of a life well lived, think of Dana”. 

John Bradley: “Sorry to hear that. He was a good friend.” 

Malcolm Van Kirk: I know Dana was a fighter and gave it his best to try to recover from this serious surgery. He was one of my two best friends in high school, and now both are gone. It is truly a sad day, and lets us know that life is precious and we should do everything we can to help each other, be with each other, see each other as often as possible. Our days may be short. Let's keep our tradition of the Beltsville Shell alive as long as we can in remembrance of those who are no longer with us. I will miss Dana! 

Lynn Garland: So sad to hear about the passing of Dana.... He always had a special way to brighten up everyone's days as we were going through school. I will keep Dana's family and Stan in my prayers. At least Dana is not in pain or not being at the top of his game, nor was it a long struggle for him before he left this world and is with God. Thanks for again being the point person for all news for the Beltsville gang. 

Sandi Watt: Cary, it was so sad to hear of Dana’s passing. A card was sent to him from all of us on the HPHS reunion committee. We told him we missed him at the reunions. He was a good friend in school. I always wondered where he was. Thanks so much for keeping me informed. 

Jim Mayo: Dana and I were neighbors and best friends as kids. I found the obituary after I got the message yesterday. Very sad. I haven't seen either Dana or Stan for many years. Despite exchanging Christmas cards and recently following Dana on Facebook, I wasn't aware that he was sick.

Rest in peace, Dana. Stan is correct – you were greatly loved. 

Epilogue: Malcolm called me on Tuesday in California to give me a report on Dana’s service. 

Dana's service was attended by over 300 people including the U.S. Congressman from his District. People spoke of his love of family, friends, teaching, and goIf. All true 

Malcolm drove the six hours and forty-five minutes from Maryland to South Carolina to attend Dana’s Service. He met with Dana’s family, Stan, and the oldest brother, Bill. Malcolm was representing HPHS Class of 1965 and Beltsville Shell. At the conclusion of the Service, Malcolm made the return trip to Maryland arriving home after 1 AM. That, dear friends, is a testimonial to love and friendship. Malcolm, you are the best! 

Sebring 2018

Don, Shirley, Nan and I decided that we need to try to experience each of the racetracks that constitute the International Motor Sports Association racing season to watch the Corvettes race. So far I’ve been to Long Beach, California (Long Beach “Gran Prix”), Monterey, California (Laguna Seca), Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin (Road America), and our amazing trip in 2016 to Le Mans, France (24 Hours of Le Mans). This summer we are going to Watkins Glen, New York (Watkins Glen). In March we went to Sebring, Florida (12 Hours of Sebring). Here’s the story:

Sebring is one of the three endurance races of the IMSA twelve race season, beginning with the 24 Hours of Daytona, followed by the 12 Hours of Sebring, and, toward the end of the season, the “Petite Le Mans” 10 Hour race in Braselton, Georgia (there are four endurance races if you count the non-IMSA Le Mans event in France, in which the GT Le Mans Class participates). The Sebring track occupies a section of the Sebring Regional Airport, an active airport for private and commercial operations. The track covers 3.74 miles with 17 turns and two long straights. Some areas of the track are especially bumpy making this course very tough on the cars. Cars have been racing at Sebring since 1950 earning the track the title of “. . . the birthplace of endurance racing in America . . .” Our visit was the 66th consecutive running of the endurance classic. We tried to experience as many of the traditions as possible in two days – we discovered a few traditions that were a surprise!

The main goals were to: experience a legendary track; spend as much time as possible watching the Corvette time trials and the race, itself; visit with the Corvette drivers (past and present); see our Corvette friends at the Corvette Corral; and check out the newest Corvette, the ZR1.

We spoiled ourselves at this track by taking advantage of the “Sebring Club”, one of the suites at the start-finish line above the pit areas, and also by purchasing the VIP reserved parking pass. The Club provided a most civilized way to spend two full days at a race track with its real bathrooms, a spacious air conditioned suite with comfortable stadium seating, a well-stocked open bar, continuous food service, big screen TVs, a great sound system playing the official IMSA radio broadcast, proximate access to reserved parking, fantastic view of the main straight-a-way, and patios for the times when you wanted fresh air or to have your ear drums pierced by the sound of the cars screaming by. The staff members were attentive and so nice.

On Thursday we flew from San Diego to Orlando, and then made the drive south to our hotel. Up bright and early on Friday morning, Don drove us past countless lakes to the city of Sebring and its famous track. Once we were settled in the Club, and had reserved our front-row seats, it was time to go touring. The Corvette Corral was well attended just as we witnessed it at Laguna Seca. Rows and rows of Corvettes, a big tent filled with faithful Corvette fans, and lots of activities. Doug Fehan, Program Manager, Corvette Racing, gave everyone an update on the 2018 racing program and introduced the six drivers. Everyone received autographed posters and got autographs on photos, hats, shirts, and anything else they wanted. It is still amazing to me how accessible the GM and Chevrolet executives, engineers, program managers, and race team members are to the public. I guess they really appreciate the dedication of their customers to the Corvette brand.

We stopped by the Corvette Racing garage area just in time to see the cars being towed out for qualifying.

Don likes to see the topography of the tracks we visit by walking the perimeter. There are 17 turns at Sebring. We had heard that “Turn 10 is party central”. As we walked from turn to turn, we soon discovered why. For years the same groups of people have come to Sebring for the endurance race camping in the infield. Each group tries to outdo the next with outrageous, tacky, humorous, campsites, each one positioned for watching the race. We saw flatbed trailers loaded with used living room furniture, old school buses converted to travel campers, a dilapidated Winnebago painted to look like a home-made US Army tank (complete with turret guns), a plywood diner complete with a live rooster, and everywhere hundreds and hundreds of empty beer cans.

Soon another Sebring tradition came upon us – the herd of Sebring Cows.  We learned that there were no prerequisites for becoming a Sebring Cow, but that “. . . not everyone is cut out for the job . . .”

After the track tour we went shopping to see what was new in race apparel, and I bought a newly produced yellow Jake logo for Buff (the yellow Fox Kart). Next we headed for the huge Chevrolet tent to see the high performance cars (including the ZL1 Camaro), and GM performance parts (including the LS7 505HP crate engine).  Then danger struck!

I had seen photos of the new 2019 ZR1 Corvette and had read press releases and read articles about “. . . the most powerful Corvette ever produced . . .”, but had never seen one in real life. There it was, in a corner of the big Chevy display tent. Looking at the photos in magazines or on websites I didn’t care for the front grill area because it looked overly aggressive. At Sebring I learned that the large air intake area was necessary for cooling the 13 heat exchangers that were needed to permit driving a 755 horsepower supercar on the street. I also didn’t realize that the twin turbocharger cover on top of the engine protrudes through a massive hood opening, reminiscent of the “shaker hood” treatments on the 1960’s muscle cars. 

I was fortunate enough to meet Corvette Product Manager Harlan Charles.  My Corvette social media buddy, Charley Robertson, introduced me to Harlan.  Harlan patiently explained the features of the car to me, walked me through all the option packages, and gave me advice on how best to outfit a ZR1, especially one painted Corvette Racing Yellow Tintcoat.  Harlan should know all about the ZR1 since he helped design it and he drives one every day (even in the snow) in Detroit!

While sitting in the driver’s seat I wondered, “What would Bob Vollmar do with a car like this?”

Bob Vollmar's 185 MPH Run on Interstate 8

Then Harlan started the car.  Damn.  I’m told that in “Track” mode blue flames shoot out of the four exhaust pipes.  The engine is certified (independently) at 755 HP with 715 foot pounds of torque.  You can get a 7-speed manual transmission, but the performance is better with the 8-speed paddle shifter automatic.  Zero to 60 comes in 2.8 seconds, zero to 100 (you know, for the freeway on-ramps) is 6 seconds flat and the top speed is governed at 212 MPH because that’s as fast as they feel safe going with the street tires.  Don and I could take one to Bonneville and join the 200MPH club, right?

Here is the video of Harlan starting the ZR1 at Sebring for Corvette fans.  I was here during the videotaping, but just off camera:

Harlan Charles Shows Off the ZR1 Corvette at Sebring

Eventually I had to tear myself away from the ZR1 since it was dinner time. We met Charley and a bunch of her Corvette fans at the Sunset Bar and Grille for dinner and a beautiful Central Florida sunset. Surprise! Harlan was at Charley’s dinner party and sat with me to configure the perfect ZR1 for my garage.

On Saturday morning we were up at 5:00 AM and arrived at the track at about 7:00 AM for race day. The crowds were larger than on Friday and the race was well attended. The big event for fans is the pre-race “Grid Walk” permitting fans got get up close to the cars, pit crews, and drivers.

Chevrolet has made it clear that the only GTLM car that is made in America is the Corvette. I like the flag treatment on the side of the car and the fact that the mechanics bring an American Flag to the pits!

The race officials finally cleared the pits of all the fans, and the 12 hour race began promptly at 10:40 AM. A yellow Corvette Z06 was the pace car (of course).

Three classes of cars race simultaneously on the track: Prototype; GT Le Mans (GTLM); and GT Daytona (GTD). To be honest, we only care about GTLM. Corvette had won the GTLM Class at Sebring in 2016 and 2017 and we were hoping for a three-peat. We spent our 12 hours alternating between watching the cars from the Club seating area, and touring around the pits. 

The #3 Corvette had problems from the very first lap when “contact” from another car punctured a tire, and the long day only got worse from there. At the 6 hour mark the #3 car was in last place and running 45 laps behind the class leader. But they kept going. At the 9 hour mark they were still -45 laps and last. By the end of the race the #3 car had managed to overtake the #66 car and we cheered like crazy that despite all their problems Corvette didn’t finish last!

The #4 Corvette ran flawlessly all day and night, had perfect pit stops, and didn’t make any on-track mistakes. But the BoP penalty prevented them from finishing on the podium.

Porsche is running their mid-engine 911RSR for the second consecutive year. Their cars ran really well and sounded nearly as good as the Corvettes. They finished 1st and 3rd. 

In 2017 BMW finished in 2nd place for season, closely behind Corvette and ahead of Porsche, Ferrari and some other small manufacturer from Canada; I can't remember their name. This year BMW is upping their game by racing the new BMW M8 and it is running really well – well enough that the #25 Car finished in 2nd Place at Sebring between the two Porsches.

By 10 PM on Saturday night we were ready to say goodbye to Sebring and head back to San Diego. It was great to have experienced all the history, lunacy, and legacy that is Sebring!

Buff and Shine go to Riverside

(Editor Note:  This Blog Post was the beneficiary of two articles written about the same event: one by Louie Figone in "VKA First Turn" and another by Francis Weir in "VROOM International Karting" magazine, March 2018.  Thank you Louie and Frank)

Last month was the 14th Annual Vintage Kart Reunion, held at the legendary Adams Motorsport Park in Riverside, California. Last year Shine, our 1961 Fox GO-Boy Kart, went to be shown and to make its maiden race entry.  It was a fantastic experience.

Shine goes to Riverside

I enjoyed Shine so much that in September, 2017, for my 70th Birthday, Nancy bought me a third Kart, a 1961 Fox MAK-KART.  We purchased it from Tony Garbarino, a vintage Kart collector in the Bay area and named the kart "Buff".  It has twin McCulloch MAC-20 engines and is a replica of the poster Kart for its time.  Here is a photo of John Mullen (of Newport Beach, the owner of Buff prior to Tony -- Ron Cubel and Vince Hughes each had a hand in Buff's restoration) with Buff from a few years ago.

Here is the 1961 poster, courtesy of legendary Fox Kart Guru, Dick Teal:

Here are all three karts:  (l - r) Sparkle, Shine, and Buff.

This year we decided to take both Buff and Shine to Riverside.  Poor Sparkle had to stay home.  If you are curious about the inspiration for the names "Buff" and "Shine", please be sure to read all the way to the end of this post!

We entered Buff in the Friday afternoon judging for best restored rear-engine Kart.  Both Sparkle and Shine had won in previous events, but this year the competition was intense with 126 total Karts at Riverside.  Sadly, we came home empty-handed.  Sorry, Buff!

Tony Garbarino always brings impressive Karts.  Here is Tony (background, left) with his award-winning Kart, making a reunion with Buff at Riverside.  Tony won two awards: First Place for Restored Rear engine, and The People's Choice Award for his Restored Rathman Exterminator!

Friday night's activities started with a surprise birthday cake for Faye Pierson, legendary Karting figure, who will turn 90 in July and is still as active as ever.  Faye drove all the Heats in her class on Saturday in her Bug Kart (notice the Lady Bug on the cake!).

The Adams family hosted the Friday night dinner, followed by raffle drawings with lots of great prizes and the awards ceremony.  Special thanks to Scott Wigginton, Frank Weir, and Jack Murray for being the show judges.

On Saturday it was time for racing.  Last year we learned that "real" Kart racers wear white jeans.

Louie Figone wears white jeans!

 Tom Corso wears white jeans!

Some people wear white jeans with Piloti racing shoes that match the paint job of their Kart!

Buff's engines had not been run for many years, so Vince Hughes promised to help me go through them to get them ready for racing at the Bakersfield event in April.  So it was Shine's turn to run on the Riverside track for the second year in a row.  Last year I had a small mechanical issue (of my own making), but this year Shine and its two vintage West Bend 580 Five-Port engines ran great.

(Photo Courtesy of Jerry Imboden)

While I enjoy driving the Karts on the track, I get equal enjoyment in seeing the people who are so passionate about vintage Karting.  As a complete newcomer to Vintage Karting, I feel so fortunate to meet and get to know people who were there in the beginning of Karting and are still passionate about the sport today.  Here are a few of these great folks:

Frank Weir is a fellow Fox Kart enthusiast.  Every year Frank comes all the way from Ireland for the Riverside event.  I first met Frank in 2016 after an email introduction from Jim Donovan.  Frank saw his first Fox Kart in 1961/62 at the age of 14.  Before long, using savings from his summertime job harvesting potatoes (by hand, in Ireland) Frank had saved enough money (supplemented a bit from his Mom) to buy his first Fox Kart.  Frank has been involved in Karting his whole life -- I'll be writing more about his amazing history in a future blog post. You would think that Frank would get the "Long Distance Award" for coming to California from Ireland (about 5,200 miles), but you would be wrong!

 Peter Ward comes to the Adams Riverside VKA event every year from Victoria, Australia (about 7,900 miles from Los Angeles), and thus gets the "Long Distance Award".  Peter is another Karting legend.  He began by making his own engines and frames in Australia.  He placed 2nd in the Australian Championship in 1965, then with a new kart he purchased from Jerry Solt, Peter placed 1st in 1966 and came to the Adams Track at Riverside in 1967.  What history to have raced at this same track for over 50 years.

Over the next 10 years Peter won 11 National Championships.  Peter was the Australian Karting Association President from 1986 to 1996.  Peter has managed to store Karts and supplies in a storage place in the Los Angeles area allowing him to compete with the locals at Adams each year. 

In the photo below Peter is sitting with fellow Australian Bruce Barwick, who along with his brother Graeme, have joined Peter at Adams for the past few years.

Scott Wigginton owns a high-tech machine shop in Santa Clara California.  He brings a few meticulously-restored Karts to the VKA events.  Scott became involved in Karting because of his son, Adam.  Scott's friend, George Jelich asked Scott if he thought Adam, at the time 8 or 9 years old, would like a Kart.  Things snowballed from there, with Scott building replicas of classic Karts (including an amazing reproduction of the 1962 Go Kart 1200 that was featured in VROOM Magazine) and going to Vintage races with Adam from  Medford, Oregon to Riverside, California.  Adam's love for motorsports culminated in his May, 2017 graduation from the School of Engineering at San Jose State University. While at SJSU, Adam participated in the Collegiate Formula SAE car design and performance competition.  In July of 2017 his team finished 1st overall in engineering and design.

We always enjoy seeing Scott and Adam.  Scott was especially helpful to me during the restoration of Shine in sourcing some really rare parts.

Here is a photo of Adam at the National Collegiate Formula SAE Competition!  Like Father, Like Son.

Romero Llamas is a sports car, exotic car, and Kart enthusiast.  He escaped from Ohio for some nice California weather, and was able to secure a ride in a friend's Kart so he could join the Adams action.  Thanks, Romero for snagging a Corvette Racing shirt and for bringing it to me at Riverside!

Terry Ives is a machinist, engineer,  and mechanic from Granite Bay, California.  While walking home from a part-time job in 1958, Terry saw a yellow Carretta Kart sitting in the front yard of Tom McFadden.  Terry stopped to look at the Kart and ask a few questions and he was instantly hooked.  He has been Karting ever since (60 years)! 

Terry has something like 80 Karts.  Is that a world record?  We love visiting with Terry and his wife, Carol.

In case you think that Terry has lost the competitive drive, forget it!  I stopped by his trailer after one of the Riverside heats to see how he did.  I had noticed that he was leading a tightly packed group of racers.  As you can see in the photo below, Terry's floor pan came loose during the race.  Do you think he would slow down for a little thing like that?

My great friend, and mentor, Vince Hughes scored 1st Place in "Past Champion, Rear Engine" with his meticulously restored Wahlborg Bearcat with dual West Bend 700s.  More about Vince in the next Vintage Karting Post (he's helping me get Buff ready to race at Bakersfield in April)!  

Since this is a Corvette Blog, we have to weave Corvettes into each post in some fashion.  For 20+ years I have had a poster in my garage which advertises car detailing products.  I nick-named the poster ladies "Buff" and Shine"!  Nice looking 1959 Corvette, huh!?  It seemed to me that those were good names for some classic restored Fox Karts.  I hope you agree!