by John H. Daniels, Jr. President, VSCR
VSCR RACE REPORT -- GIMLI
The joint Winnipeg Sports Car Club and Vintage Sports Car Racing weekend on August 22-23,1998 at Gimli Motorsport Park north of Winnipeg, Manitoba, was a resounding success. We had a terrific opportunity to race on a new track with great new companions. Gimli Motor Sport Park is a wonderful piece of racing history, a short track of nine turns that requires technical attention and offers moments of sheer bliss and excitement. The track is challenging and tight and known to many in the United States. Yet, the track is forgiving, with easy and safe run off for racers experiencing brain fade or red mist. I think all of us novices to the track used a little of the extra real estate as we learned the track and began racing.
Above all, the warmth, assistance and racing camaraderie offered by the Winnipeg Sports Car Club made the weekend special. In all, 13 cars arrived from Minnesota primed and ready to run. A number of us had run up in caravan - swapping comments by radio as we moved over the prairie. John Olson Drove in his '59 Mercedes 300 SL Roadster to the race track (with Mechanic) and participated in two days of aggressive racing. After his last race, the fabric top was installed and he drove home! Now, that is vintage racing at the top.
Our caravan traveled north and was greeted by friendly and cooperative customs officials at the border. We had no trouble coming or going, despite the fact that we had enough gear on board to support a Peking to Paris overland road race. Custom officials simply smiled and told us to enjoy our days of racing.
We arrived at Gimli to be greeted by the racers and participants. We were joined at Gimli by four additional vintage racers, Dirk Bolger in a Mini (who, by the way, sponsored the vintage race through his Classic Motor Sports, Inc.) Terry Milne, in his Austin Healy 3000, Dave Terrick, in his Triumph GT6, Dan Maeoux, in a marvelous 1973 Honda Civic.Opening night proceedings included a huge bonfire where we all sat about swapping brew, burgers and BS. The second night, we had a pig roast, and later, a wedding complete with cake for all and a Lotus 7 "get-away car" - you won’t see that at Road America.
Race registration was efficiently conducted by race officials. Our race chair and event organizer, Jordy DesPains has a terrific "can-do" approach. In no time at all, we were on the track running under the green flag. No Hassles, just a lot of racing.
Racing throughout the weekend with our Canadian neighbors was a gas. We all had so much fun that we began cross entering with the regular Canadian race groups. Thus, at one point, all open-wheel cars at the event ran together. Vintage closed-wheel racers ran with the registered closed-wheel cars. No one seemed to worry too much about eligibility. No protests were filed - we simply enjoyed close, quick racing with people who really knew their stuff. I was impressed by the number of younger, excellent drivers in the Canadian ranks. We could use a few of these young "hot shoes" running at Brainerd International Raceway!
I blew a transmission part way into the first day. As I loaded my car on the trailer, Helmut Fredericks, long-time SCCA and Canadian racer, (and the main reason we were invited to run at Gimli) came and queried why I was loading my car. I explained. He replied that he had a correct transmission sitting on his bench in Winnipeg. Hours later, no kidding folks, just hours later, a transmission appeared along with an engine puller and, les voila! we were back running the next day. How’s that for Canadian hospitality!Open-wheel cars at the event were represented by Bill O’Keefe and his Sadler Formula Junior, Jacob and Jeff Ingebrigtson in their Fomula V’s, the Stadthers in their Formula Fords, and Vee-pilot Lynn Anderson in his Kellison. They drove them hard and put on a terrific show, running vintage as a separate open-wheel group and, subsequently, with all open-wheel cars entered in the event.
Our closed-wheel group included Brian Kennedy in his Shelby GT 350, John Olson in the aforementioned Mercedes 300SL, myself in my Bug Eye, Bob Youngdahl, a blur in his Elva Courier and Rem Laan in his recently acquired Lotus "7", John Mayer in his black "tub" Porsche 356 and Greg Youngdahl in his ’74 Opel Manta. We had a blast. We were not without incident; however, nobody was injured and all cars are expected to return to racing fitness soon.
I found myself at 6:00 pm., on Sunday evening, giving kids rides around the track in my race car. (A tradition at Gimli - something to think about at Brainerd International Raceway and Minneapolis - what a way to get kids involved). I did not want to go home. There was something special in the atmosphere and with the people present. It was one of those terrific race weekends where the racing, the camaraderie, and the pure fun of it all will leave a lasting impression. No kidding folks, we will be back!
Yours In Sport,
President Bug Eye
Copyright 1998, Land O'Lakes Region.
Last revised: October 3, 1998