WWW.VRGONLINE.ORG March 11, 2017 April 7-9, 2017 May 17-21, 2017 June 22-24, 2017 Sept. 15-17, 2017 Oct. 6-8, 2017 Oct. 20-22, 2017 ü Nov. 24-26, 2017 Visit the VRG website at www.vrgonline.org for changes and updates to the schedule. VRG RACE SCHEDULE 2017 Winter Tech in Clifton, NJ VDCA Wild Hare Run Virginia International Raceway, Alton, VA Event Chairman: Mike Jackson, Tel: 561-622-7554, Email: vdca@vintagedrive.com Jefferson 500 Summit Point, WV VRG Drivers School (May 17-18) with FREE Open Test Day (May 18) Co-Event Chairmen: Cal Trumbo & Jim Karamanis Tel: 304-449-7050 Email: j500@vrgonline.org The Vintage Motorsports Festival Thompson Speedway, Thompson, CT Oldest Road Course in the USA, Co-Sanctioned with the VSCCA Royale Formula Ford Feature Race Event Chairmen: Paul King, Chairman, and Mark Gunsalus, Co-Chairman Tel: 508-847-4809. Email: paulking@charter.net New Jersey Historics Lightning Circuit, NJ Motorsports Park, Millville, NJ MG Vintage Racers Focus Event, Royale Formula Ford Feature Race Event Chairman: Butch O Connor, Tel: 973-295-3674, Email: bfo@spsk.com VRG at The Glen Watkins Glen, NY Royale Formula Ford Feature Race Event Chairman: Mike Lawton, Tel: 978-274-5935, Email: Lawton@vrgonline.org The Vintage Pumpkin Run Dominion Raceway, Thornburg, VA Royale Formula Ford Feature Race IMSA RS/Trans Am 2.5 Reunion Event Chairmen: Cal Trumbo and Jim Karamanis, Tel: 304-449-7050 Email: jim@vrgonline.org. Annual Turkey Bowl XXI Summit Point, WV Event Chairman: Michael Oritt, Tel: 305-420-4929, Email: Michael@vrgonline.org 1
VRG WATKINS GLEN WEEKEND by Bill Stoler If I was forced to pick which VRG weekend I enjoyed spending with the VRG, it would be hard to narrow it down to one. This has been a terrific year with the VRG, especially when you add in the excitement of the VRG-Royale Formula Ford Series. But, driving through the gate at Watkins Glen during the weekend in October that coincides with the weekend (October 5-8 2017) that the former US Formula One Grand Prix was held, gave me a little chill. Spending a weekend with the VRG gang in the Finger Lakes region of New York is something that I consider as one of my life s blessings. Although the warmer than normal fall temperatures limited the amount of color I had to work with in the backgrounds, the color of a paddock 2
filled with a bunch of vintage racing machinery compensated for that shortfall. The weekend did have a bit of rain (just like those old F1 weekends) but it also had lots of sunshine and it gave me a variety of shooting conditions that resulted a variety of shooting opportunities. There is just something neat about shooting open wheel cars in the rain during a morning practice session and you have a forecast that calls for clearing and blue skies in the afternoon! I always look forward to the races in upstate NY because it gives me some cars to photograph that I don t normally see. Our Canadian friends come down to visit and while I missed seeing my favorite red Abarth of Alain Raymond, I was glad to see that Jason Di Cesar returning in his Love Bug, a 1969 Volkswagen Beetle with the beloved #53 livery. Brother David was also there in his 1960 MGA. But my favorite opportunity of the weekend came when I saw the big red #36 the garage area parked next to John Rutherford s Formula Ford. This is the 1957 homebuilt Rutherford Special driven by Malcom S. Rutherford, the son of Stu Rutherford who built this car and raced it at Thompson during the late 50s and the 60s. I missed a chance to shoot this car a few years ago during my only visit to Thompson when it broke early in the weekend. This failure set a new standard for me. The disappointment stuck with me and as a result, I always try to shoot cars of interest during that first practice session because you never know, they may break and go home early! Thankfully, I did get to shoot some images of the car on-track this time! Unfortunately, the weekend ended early for the Rutherford Special again, but a big thank you to the Rutherford brothers for bringing this car out and I hope to see you next year! Forty-one Formula Fords filled the paddock at the Glen and the VRG regulars were joined by the Formula Race Car Club of America (FRCCA). The Royale Formula Ford Challenge Series kicked off the weekend in the Royale Racing paddock area on Friday Evening with the RFFCS Paddock Party featuring a terrific BBQ prepared through the teamwork of the RFFCS. Raffle prizes were given away and it should be noted that the series has succeeded in so many ways, but the paddock parties are really special! The RFFCS feature event took place on Saturday afternoon with Joe Griffin and the 81 Crossle 45 taking the win after battling with Dan Kraus and Frank DelVecchio early on, but holding off the challenge of Storm Field and the 1976 Crossle 30 in the closing stages, with Tomas LaCosta rounding out the podium in his 1967 Titan Mk 1. Enjoy the newsletter photos from a weekend in upstate NY with the VRG! Not enough? you may find more on my website www.billstoler.com 3
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For the driver who enjoys racing with others who value driver attitude, skill and car preparation. VRG 2017 DIRECTORS Jim Karamanis, President Nial McCabe, Vice President Cal Trumbo, Treasurer Mike Lawton, Secretary Ian Wisbon, Director Keith Lawrence, Director Graham Long, Director Mack McCormack, Director Butch O Connor, Director You may also contact: Jim Karamanis e-mail jim@vrgonline.org phone: 571-762-3125 Don Mei - Editor dnmeicpa@aol.com Rob Brownlee-Tomasso - Layout and Production rbt25@verizon.net WWW.VRGONLINE.ORG Bill Stoler Photography www.billstoler.com wrstoler@comcast.net 7