My car, Bugeye #55 had its share of problems once again. After barely turning a wrench on the old girl last year, this season is starting out as a nightmare. Early in Saturday mornings qualifying session I lost second gear. That is not too bad, but it is nice to have. I used third and fourth for the session. Later that day in the Small Bore grand prix, I was doing well and had passed some cars when ALL gears were gone. I was coasting into the pits grabbing the shifter trying to find a gear...any gear when I got third. I stayed out and was able to complete the race, although all the cars that I had passed got by me. Sucks.

Sunday morning warm-up went ok. I could tell that once the transmission got warmed up, shifting became very difficult. In Sunday's race, I started out with first, third and fourth gear. In lap three, the clutch gave out. I had absolutely no clutch, but I did have two gears so that was a good thing. After two laps of no clutch shifting, third gear bought the farm and I resorted to puttering around the track in fourth gear only. This wasn't too bad, as I still had a good race with a Triumph TR-4. I could outbrake him and get right on his bumper into the corners, but trying to "pull" out of the corners at Black Hawk with only 4th gear is asking a bit much. All in all, considering the circumstances, I still had a good time.

Of course the camaraderie was at its best again. The Team Thicko pits are THE place to be between races and after the day is over. Steaks, stories, campfire, Smores..you name it, we got it!

(all photos taken by Dave Keel John H. Keel Photography, Marshfield, Wi.)

Here is TT driver, Jim Donato in his Sprite just passing Dave Tedore in his beautiful blue Sprite.

Some of the Pre-War MG's that competed at this event...beautiful old race cars. Some even older than me! (I have been designated the "Senior Citizen" of Team Thicko..dont ask why)

TT driver Chris Ducklow in his Teal Green Bugeye

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All the way from California, only to have his car rolled, this is Tom Colby in the Fastest Vintage Bugeye Sprite in the world

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Yours Truly, in his 1959 Bugeye #55..passing a Triumph TR4.

A Mini in its proper place...ahead of a Cheatin' Porsche.

A Morgan, a Pre-War MG and a Jaguar 120. All great cars...

Joe Alexander in his Red Triumph TR4..about to be eaten by Jim Donato's Sprite! (haahaa Joe!)

Dave Tedore in his beautifully restored/rebuilt 1964 Austin Healey Sprite..one of the prettiest.

And of course, Team Thicko fearless flounder...FOUNDER..Wm Severin Thompson in #99 at speed.