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Topics of discussion were the National Alfa Romeo Meeting in Nashville this summer and the possibility of MAARC hosting it with our assistance. The discussion was led by Jim Clarkson. Don Ferree attends National each year. Steve Jones discussed the Ferrari drivers school on the VIR south course and Jim Clarkson and Blake Frazier spoke on the Governors Cup and Bugatti Gran Prix held on the VIR north course May 5-6. Steve Jones led the discussion on the Historic and 355/360 Ferrari Challenge Races at VIR April 28-29. Blake Frazier focused much of the late conversation on participating in MAARC’s fall driving school at VIR.
We had 8 cars from the Corsa Rossa rendezvous at the Appalachin Moonshine Run. Jack and Ann O'Brien, Thor and Viktor Mirchandani, Ann Peoples and Indersen Mirchandani, Carol and Carolyn, Jim Clarkson and Blake Frazier, Piers and Amy, Cliff and Cathey, Byron Dutcher and Bill Diamond, Jerry and Carolyn. Forza corsa rossa, Alfa Romeo , Ferrari!
There were 12 Austin Healeys, 6 Triumphs, 9 Porsches, 12 MGs, 7 BMWs, 2 Fords, one Jeep, 2 Jaguars, 2 Mercedes, an Alfa Romeo from Blacksburg Virginia, a Mini, a Ferrari Testarossa and a Nissan at the start. The Jaguar XKE coupe and XK 140 fixed head coupe along with the 1952 MG YB first caught my eye until I was distracted by Dave Brendle’s Austin Mini Cooper . There were Jon Saylor’s and Jack Partin’s Austin Healey one hundred fours and several Triumph TR 3s, a 250 and several 6s. Then I turned to hear the twelve cylinder of Jim Clarkson’s Ferrari Testarossa coming up Bridge Street. The cars lined up in a starting field of five abreast and at 11 deep. 55 cars were flaged off at the start on north Bridge street.
The first leg was 26. 9 miles long and a perfect time for no penalty points was 38:38 minutes. The second leg was 40.1 miles long and a perfect time for no penalty points was 59:30 minutes. The total running time was 1 hour and 41 minutes and 8 seconds. The total distance was a very hilly and curvy 67 miles. The route looped through the historic district of Elkin and up Gwyn avenue, onto Main street, west on 268, out to Macedonia Church, up state road 1924 and onto Greenhorn. Then the course wound its way up to Benham Baptist Church and out to Austin Traphill road before reaching state road 1002. Soon the cars were on the John P. Frank Parkway and heading towards Elk Spur Missionary Baptist Church. A sharp turn onto US 21 was followed by the first check point at the scenic overlook with the skyline of Winston Salem and Pilot Mountain off in the distance. The rain came in but mysteriously avoided the cars and soaked the check point workers. The second leg of the rally converged on Center Baptist Church and then headed onto state road 1911. Several Porsches and BMWs were running close on Zephyr Road and headed on to Haystack. Local navigators had an advantage on Haystack. From there the rally ran up New Bethel Baptist Church, Judville School, over a bridge, down state roads 1334,1001, 1315, 1301 and onto US 21. The rally then headed around Pleasant Church Road and Mountain Park. The rally ended at Jon Saylors home on Mountain Park.
The highlights for many included the 15 minute climb and the route around Kapps Mill and the sections around Trapp Hill and Mountain Park.
The first seven teams were awarded ceramic jugs for the driver and navigator. The cars were given two penalty points for every second fast and one penalty point for every second slow. All the traffic laws were required to be upheld and all sections were below the posted speed limits. Going too fast insured missing turns and putting you off pace. Jon Saylor was the rally master and the Triad Austin Healey Club sponsored the rally. The Triad Austin Healey Club has been known for the last 20 years for its 450 car British car show and 70 plus British car rally on the second weekend of June each year at Tanglewood Park. For information on next years Appalachian moonshine run call Jon Saylor at 336 - 788 -7291!
There were 10 Challenge cars from Ferrari of Long Island alone. Mexico, Canada and the United States were all represented. Of special note was the 1952 Ferrari Formula 2 car of Frolian Gonzales, the 1930 Alfa Romeo 8C of Peter Giddings formerly driven by Nuvolari, the 1964 GTO that raced at Lemans, several GTOs and SWBs. Several commented on the 360 spinning on the grass and the difference in the 355 and 360 Challenge cars. This was an event not soon forgotten.
It was especially exciting to see car #2002 a yellow 02 out run the current 3 series cars. The Bugatti Grand Prix had 12 entrants and was won by Peter Giddings in a type 59 which he gracefully power slide though the corners and the difficult hog pen and cork screw. Peter Giddings later won another race in his Alfa Romeo 8C against an Aston Martin Ulster, Bugattis, a Healey Elliot which managed 3rd, and Indianapolis racer, to mention just a few.
One of the most exciting races featured 3 Fiat 850 from Krause & England, Dana Loomis Alfa Romeo GTV (my favorite), the Fiat 124 of Peter Krause, and a slew of Cars from Porsche, Triumph, MG, Aston Martin, etc. The excitement went un abated as Peter who had been turning 2 minute and 19 second qualifying laps from begging to end would not let the race winning Cobra go. The Cobra could not get away and just barely won. This alone was worth the entry ticket.
Lee Davis and Sherry Blakely of Flow BMW arranged a breakfast and drive to VIR with complementary discount tickets and several quick laps in our own cars around the track’s north course during quiet time. Jim Clarkson and Jack O’Brien led about 25 cars up to VIR from Flow. Billy Revis was very competitive in the BMW big Bore Series. The new and the vintage cars made for a splendid day of racing.
Prior to the Sunday school John and Jack saw a Maranello in Winston at Cafe Cantata and a 330 2+2 on the edge of town. Steve Jones was sporting at the rendezvous the Ferrari shirt and hat the Djangs organized for the driving school.