Another VIR Elva group photo, players from left to right,
#50, Mark Gobble, Courier,
#81 Tucker Madawick, Courier
#74, Bob Lembcke, Courier
#33, Harvey Park, Courier
#22, Harvey Siegel, Courier
#36, Paul Watson, Mk.II
#46 Charles Chance, Courier
MK IV Street car, no name
#129 Terry Watson, Courier
#59 James Yule, 100 Formula
#42 Farrel Preston, McLaren-Elva M1B
Missing,
Michael Oritt, MK IV
Henry Giffin, Courier
Many thanks to Tucker Madawick for sending together with this report ..
"Just back from the Gold Cup at VIR, great track, although a little intimidating for a first timer at my age. I met Charles Chance and Terry Watson for the first time alsoHenry C. Giffin, III, red Courier 100 series. Thursday was travel to VIR from Bloomington, IN. 600 miles, 12 hours because of construction on the interstate, but we got there in time to get the trailer parked, and the car teched. Met up with Bob Lembcke, who knows every Courier owner having raced his for 30 years or so, which was good thing. Friday was learning which way the track went and after two sloppy sessions on my part, I was glad the day was over. Saturday I went 7 seconds quicker, sleep, it's an amazing thing humans seem to need every once in a while, and felt much better about about myself and the car. I ended up qualifying in the lower half of the field which wasn't too bad considering my first time there, 20th out of 34 cars. I finished 13th in the afternoon qualifying race, which definitely was good for the driver's ego. On Sunday's all Elva race of 7 cars, I think I finished last, well somebody has to, but it was a lot of fun for me to participate in an all Elva race.
The car did very well for a crash rebuild, having no problems, other than a flat battery a couple of time, which ended up in having to be pushed, a new good alternator for next year. I like the new cyl. head and the engine actually ran cooler, 170ºF. in 85ºF weather, rather than 200ºF that is has in the past . Also as I mentioned earlier today, the oil pump gear caper has been solved for me finally. What a relief, said the oil pump valve, now that I hope I've solved all the problems, ha, I can build a good new engine for next year. I'm thinking a 1600 as I said before, 22 cc's or about a tablespoon isn't worth a jump in class. I will be ordering a couple of axles for anybody who might need one or so and a couple of double bearing hubs. Have a good fall.
See you on the grid
Tucker
PS. Michael Oritt was there in his MK IV, going very quickly, winning his class."
Thanks again Tucker and all those mentioned ... also WELL DONE to Mike Oritt!
Bob Lembcke kindly sent ..
"According to the entry list the Elvas racing were:"
Group 1.
#
22 Harvey Siegel New York, NY 59 Courier 1622 Green/yellow stripe
74 Bob Lembcke Pensacola, Fl. 61 Courier 1622 Yellow
81 Tucker Madawick Bloomington, Ind. 59 Courier 1622 Yellow/green stripe
82 Michael Oritt Lusby, Md 58 MK4 1218 White/red stripe
331 Henry Parke Waccabuc, NY 58 Courier 1536 Black
Group 2
43 Hank Giffin Norfolk, Va 59 Courier 1800 Red/white stripe
50 Mark Gobble Salem, Va. 59 Courier 1800 Blue
129 Terry Watson Peirrefonds, QC (Can) 58 Courier 1800 Green
Group 3
3 Paul Wilson Fairfield, Va. 57 Mk 2 1220 White/blue stripe (believe he ran with group 1)
42 Preston Farrell Largo, Fl 65Elva McLar. 6.3L Silver
94 Thomas Grudovich Palm Beach, Fl 64 Mk7 1600 White/blue (don't believe I saw this car...)
Group 4
94 Thomas Grudovich Palm Beach, Fl 60 F200 FJr. 1071 White/blue (ditto on not seeing)
159 James Yule Springton, Tx. 59 F100 FJr 1098 Green
Group 8
46 Charles Chance Richmond, Va. 59 Courier 1622 Green (slicks, flares, current SCCA FP....)
From Mike Oritt ..
"Despite the terrible forecast the skies began to clear about 10:00 AM and we had a good race on a dry track at noon. Mark Gobble and the fellow from Canada (Terry Watson) in the green Courier battled it out for the lead with Mark winning. I had my own race with the fellow in the other green Courier--we traded places a few times and I ultimately came in third.
Attached are a couple of photos of the leaders and their cars at the podium. Great time! Best--Michael Oritt"
Thanks to all of you who made the trip to VIR and sorry my plans to be there had to change at the last minute. Time to think about the 50th anniversary of the wonderful Elva-Porsche win at Road America next year, and of course the 'Diamond' 60th anniversary of Elva in 2015.
That one really does need to be very special !!
