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(As originally written and posted by KK)
It’s been a long offseason for the 1:1 racing cars but this weekend things got rolling again as the long anticipated 2017 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship kicked off with the Rolex 24 Hrs at Daytona. This year saw the introduction of the exciting new DPi class in a race hampered by weather.
As a tribute to years gone by, we decided to hold a historic Rolex Special race of our own for the 1/32 scale models we race here at The RockenheimRing in Barrie. Our day was also hampered slightly by weather but that didn’t stop ten of the finest and most dedicated racers around from attending todays event by way of snow covered roads. We had a few last minute drop-outs but still a near record crowd was in attendance for an R32 race of late. Barrie Police showed up early on to control the overflow of parking and thankfully that was the last we saw of them today. No doubt they will be back. I think my neighbours may have them on Speed Dial. Could be from the incident involving their house being bombarded with eggs, but that’s another story. The police showed up here saying that all the guest that were leaving my “live band deck party” threw eggs at the house across the street, I excused myself for a moment, checked the fridge and came back to the door to report to the officer, it couldn’t have been my guests, we have No Eggs!
Now back to the racing coverage.
The biggest stories out of the pit garage were, FORD winning the GTLM class at Daytona today but were given a new acronym up here in Canada. That along with James Dean dieing for a second time were the the two big stories out of the garage along with Switchgate, MV back in action and some new racers climbing the podium at The Rock for the first time. These stories and more later.
50’s 60’s Sportscars
( 3 heats x 180 seconds = 9 minutes)The home team broke away from the pack slightly in this one while the competition got familiar with the track layout. Some very close racing in this one, notably 3rd through 8th place separated by just two laps. JM took the 2nd place spot with a real nice outing for his King Cobra and our good friend Devo took the third step with a big block chevy loaner from the home team with SR, FC, MV, DO and MA hot on his heals.
The well rounded field of entries circled the track while the Classic LeMans cars were prepared in the background. JCB-James Dean’s Porsche 550 was seen in the garage for most of the race due to a broken guide flag holder. People around the scene were noted as saying “That’s the second time James Dean died in that car”
Classic LeMans Cars 1965-1970
( 3 heats x 180 seconds = 9 minutes)This was a close finish with the two top spots separated by under a second.
Some of the the top drivers on the circuit were absent due to the weather and this along with the rain kept the crowds from filling the grandstand. Those that showed up were treated to a thrilling race. The Home Team edged out JCB by less than a second and JCB took his first steps up the podium at the Ring. A small detour through the rhubarb thwarted his otherwise relentless pace and the older 250LM squeaked by to take the narrow victory. Whispers of “Switchgate” were heard by other racers in the paddock as JCB was certain that someone threw his lane direction switch in hopes his tires and pace would be cooled. Talk about icing a kicker!All of the banter coming out of the garage about MV’s FORD GT 40 crash and clearing the wall quickly diffused all the talk about Switchgate and got the heat off of yours truly. The roars of laughter could be heard far and wide as the new acronym for FORD was created – FOUND ON RUG DEAD! Ford may have had a great day at Daytona today but they were the butt of the funniest jokes here today.
Devo wound up on the third step of the podium again with a loaner Porsche from the home team. SR, FC, MV, DO, MA. JM and TR all had strong outings in this one.
Group C/IMSA
( 3 heats x 180 seconds = 9 minutes)The third race of the day was the mighty Group C cars. These beautiful machines are favorites of many and this race provided the closest finish of the day.
JCB took his first victory at The Rock and by the narrowest of margins driving his appropriately named BOSS Porsche to victory. Less than two tenths of a second separated the top two racers and the top 8 places were separated by only two laps. SR had the race in hand until the third heat where a cut tire saw him spin out repeatedly. He managed to limp his car to a third place finish and his first podium finish at the Rock. You could have thrown a blanket over third through seventh with the rest of the pack nipping at their heels. See the photos below, it was that close!
The Rolex Special
(Any Commercially available Group C, Daytona Prototype, Lola T600, Porsche Kremer CK5 with 25k S-Can motor)
( 3 heats x 240 seconds = 12 minutes)These beautiful machines filled the pit lane as all participants were allowed to race as many as three cars in this race. The intensity of running these faster cars got to some as these high RpM machines generate incredible speeds on the long straights of The Ring. MA had a short circuiting brand new motor in his primary car and was forced to run his beautiful back-up Crown Royal DP car just minutes before the race. Controllers were hooked up incorrectly and all kinds spinouts made this a race of attrition. In the end it was home track advantage that showed through as the home team cruised to victory. We’re not sure yet if any track lap records were broken but they were certainly approached by the Rothmans Porsche 962 and Lola T600. JM took a familiar second step on the podium and TR after a great run took the third step, his first at The Ring. Second through fifth were separated by only two laps.
Thanks to all who attended and participated today. This was truly a wonderful race event and it was good to see some former racers and friends out on a not so wonderful day, weather wise. We had few laughs, a few pops and rubbed a few fenders and I still have plenty of eggs in my fridge.
Good times! Hope to see you all again soon.Cheers
KK
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Great day. Thanks KK, and all that braved the lake effect snow and Johnny Law!
And we orginally thought this would be a combined event. As such here are the overall results!
…………SC – CLM -GC-Rolex = Laps
1-Kevin 63 – 69 – 71 – 101 = 304
2-Jim M 61 – 63 – 69 – 98 = 291
3-Simon 59 – 65 – 70 – 96 = 290 (44.650 second 4-heat differential)
4-John 54 – 69 – 71 – 96 = 290 (63.663 second 4-heat differential)
5-Devan 59 – 67 – 70 – 90 = 286 (56.641 second 4-heat differential)
6-Frank 59 – 65 – 70 – 92 =286 (65.307 second 4-heat differential)
7-Tony 54 – 63 – 70 – 97 =284
8-Mike A 57 – 64 – 70 – 90 =281
9-Mike V 59 – 65 – 66 – 87 =277
10-Dave 58 – 64 – 60 – 89 =271 -
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What a super report and fantastic photos. Sounds like everyone had a great time at the Rock . Some very close races and final results.
Well done to all,you sled dogs that made the day.
B :good:
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