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Oak Tree Grand Prix @ Virginia International Racew

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  • Oak Tree Grand Prix @ Virginia International Racew

    Well Folks,
    Last Sunday, September 24, we headed out of my place here in Chester, VA for the two and a half hour junket to Virginia International Raceway to see the Oak Tree Grand Prix.
    Some of you might have watched it on Fox Sports and if you didn't see it you can go to www.IMSA.com and find it there and watch it with out commercials.
    I had not been to a sports car race since Daytona 1965 when my buddies and I worked the timing staff there and at Sebring in the early 60s.
    VIR is a Country Club!

    Click image for larger version

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    The PCA had a great hospitality tent. Manny Alban of course was there plus a 904 from the Ingram Collection located in Durham, NC was positioned directly in front of the tent.
    This 904 had had been in the Seducing Speed exhibit at the NC Museum of Art last year.

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    Bob Ingram was Grand Marshall for the race and son Cam Ingram of Road Scholars was there also. Both had come to our Richmond Porsche Meet last May 31.
    It was neat since we had full access to the pits the cars and drivers.
    This was the Porsche Team with cars 911 and 912. The previous day 911 had gotten tangled with a Corvette giving Richard Lietz a broken arm and necessitation a full rebuild of both cars.

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    The remaining 3 Porsche drivers then were forced into double duty stints.
    They also came by the tent and were very approachable even with their busy schedule.
    Nick Tandy, Mike Christensen and Patrick Long.

    Click image for larger version

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    The Porsche Parade laps were really fun. I used my 1984 Targa.
    My passenger said he saw 95 mph and didn't scream too loud!
    I was not going to let this experience go to waste!
    Walter Mitty arises!

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    A couple of 356s were there also-a Speedster

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    and a 356A Coupe-each very nice cars.
    They IMSA folks put them in the rear of the other Paraders so they wouldn't get run over.
    There were about 6 rows of 15 Porsches each for theses 'Parade Laps'!
    A real gaggle and we got two and a half laps to perfect our apexs!

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    One last shot of the race start that had a newly rebuilt Aston Martin on the pole with a Ferrari 458 next to him.
    The Ferrari eventually won the event.

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    We had a super time so I guess the next two events are Classics On The Green at the New Kent Winery just East of Richmond on 9/14 and the 356 East Coast Holiday at Fontana Resort the end of September!
    Happy Motoring!
    Dick

  • #2
    Whoops!
    I meant to put the 356A Coupes pic there but my Targa pic got in twice.
    Oh well the coupe is behind the Speedster.
    Dick

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    • #3
      Now, that is a beautiful race track. Thanks for posting the pix.
      J
      Jack (analog man from the stone age)

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      • #4
        Thanks Jack,
        Here is the 356A.

        Click image for larger version

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        A 912 took the sweep position since he didn't want to hold up the Parade.

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        Dick

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        • #5
          Thanks for posting. Looks like a really great event. Must have been fun driving on the track.
          Mic
          1959A coupe

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          • #6
            Thanks MIC!
            As "The Kids" would say-'I WAS PUMPED' or something like that after getting on the track.
            I was not going to let that experience stay on the table!
            As I mentioned I had been around VIR at speed in a Cayman last year with a gent who is an experienced DEer!
            This is him last year making a pass.

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            The Targa is 30 years old so I'm not going to DE it.
            Seems to be a costly hobby.
            That car and their other Porsche are both in the shop with engine issues.
            YIKES!
            Dick

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            • #7
              Thanks for sharing this Dick! Looks like it was a blast!!!!!! I'm sure you're down for the next one...
              Justin Rio

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              • #8
                Nice Pics Dick and the 'A' looks good going round there.

                Roy

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