2nd Annual Gas City Vintage Invitational Report!
Part 1 - Getting Ready. 8/11/2010:
Preparations for Saturday’s race at Illiana Speedway began last week when I changed the ‘setup’ on the car. What makes a race car ‘fast’ is the combination of springs, shocks, and suspension geometry that is right for that track. On the advice of my friend Fred Roempler, I experimented with a new combination of springs. To test that setup, Tony, Sam Beck and I, went to the track Wednesday afternoon.
The first few laps the car had a bad “push”. For the most part, stock car handling problems fall into one of two categories. The sport car racers refer to what we call pushing as“under steer”. When the car enters the corner, rather than turn, it wants to go straight because the front wheels are sliding too easily. The other problem we experience is what we call “loose”, where the rear tires slide early and the car wants to spin out. The sport car racers call that “over steer”. Either problem can have disastrous consequences. When it's "pushing", you can go straight into the wall. When it's "loose", you can spin and back it into the wall. While trying to describe the difference to a TV audience, Neil Bonnet (a NASCAR star) once said “The difference is, when your car is ‘pushing’, you get to see the wreck”.
We made some changes to the chassis and I took the car back onto the track to test it again. Well, it took five pit stops to get it right, but at the end of the day the car was handling correctly. With the car handling the way I want, and Tony finally off of his crutches, I offered Tony the opportunity to drive the car a little. I knew that he had been anxious to drive it all year, but had been unable to because of his leg.
The sun was setting and hitting you right in the eye, making turn two an adventure in faith (is that wall where I think it is?), and the tires were worn out, allowing the car to slide too easily. He took his time, building speed slowly, and by the end of the day had the car going plenty fast.
The unexpected benefit that I got from having Tony drive the car Wednesday was him discovering what it’s like to work on the car, and then drive it when the temperature is in the mid 90’s. He was SO exhausted; it took him two days to recover. I’ve known for a long time how hot and tiring race cars are; now Tony has that insight as well! Saturday, Tony arrived early to help load the car. When he told me “Dad, let me do it all; I think it would be too dangerous for you to work on the car and then drive it in this heat”, I never argued!
Part Two - The Race. Schererville, IN 8/14/2010:
As a combination Vintage Race and Racers Reunion, this event was well attended by many of the 'Old Timers'. It seemed like every time you turned around, there was somebody you hadn't seen in a long time to say 'hello' to.
A couple of Vintage Racers traveled quite a way to participate in the 2nd Annual Gas City Vintage Invitational. Darryl and Sheila Bassuener from Golden Sands Speedway in Plover Wisconsin brought their beautiful 57’ Chevy, and Bob Heine from Minnesota brought his fast 68’ Chevelle that won the Milwaukee race earlier this year. With the tent set up, Tony doing all the work, and Sam Beck handling all the administration chores, I was able to relax and visit with friends. Mary and Kerry were serving sandwiches and drinks, and we were so absorbed in ‘bench racing’, that when it was time to go out on the track and practice, it was almost viewed as an intrusion.
Before the races got under way, Sam Beck loaded his 60’ Chevy Convertible with as many of the racing “greats” in attendance that he could find, and stuffed them in his car. With Old Glory waving from the back, they proudly circled the track to the National Anthem. Sam, you’d better check those rear springs; they got one hell of a work out!
We were also honored to have Roger Smith, legendary starter from Raceway Park, work as our official flag man and starter for the evening. Roger was taught the trade by the very best in the business, his dad, ‘Smokey' Smith. Smokey was respected by all that knew him, and when he turned the reins over to his son, Roger, we were, uh, let's just say “less than enthusiastic”. We should have known better. The apple doesn't fall very far from the tree and Roger Smith time and again proved his ability. The starter has to make split second decisions and keep his cool at all times. Roger did all that and more, earning the same degree of respect his father held. Thanks for coming back to work for us Roger!
The line up for a Vintage Race is more of a negotiated thing than anything else. Bob Wilson had brought his old stock car out of retirement and wasn't as fast as some of the rest, so he started on the pole. Having won the feature at Golden Sands earlier this year, I was obliged to start last for this nights racing. Everyone else tried to sort out where they should start, with the faster cars at the back. The Vintage Division still starts the fast cars at the back, providing better racing action for the fans.
Sam Beck used his 60’ Chevy Convertible as the pace car for our heat race. When the heat race started, Bob Wilson did a great job of leading us into the first turn. There’s a lot of pressure on the pole sitter. I’ve seen guys unable to handle it and cause a wreck, and I’ve seen others reluctant to start there because of the pressure. Bob hasn’t raced in a while, but obviously still has the touch. Calm and cool under pressure, he never flinched.
It wasn’t long and Darryl Bassuener grabbed the lead. Behind him, Roger Rubino and Bob Heine were battling for second while I was trying to get the best of Tony Bruti. Tony had stuffed a borrowed engine in his dad’s very cool Corvair just for this event and it wasn’t quite delivering the horsepower he’d hoped for. I was able to stay in front of him and had a ring side seat to watch the Heine/Rubino duel. With the two of them side by side, I had no choice other than to wait and observe. In the last lap or so, Bob Heine finally completed the pass around Rubino and started chasing Darryl Bassuener for the lead. As we came down to the checker flag, Heine was inside of Bassuener and I was following Bassuener and passing Rubino on the outside. The four of us were close, close, close!
Heat Race:
- Darryl Bassuener
- Bob Heine
- Gary Mitidiero - RE/MAX South Suburban
- Roger Rubino
You know, that’s pretty impressive. Darryl Bassuener drives for six hours to a race track he’s never seen, practices a couple of times, let’s a little air out of the left rear tire, and goes on to win the first race. I’d say he’s the real thing!
After the heat race we pulled our cars to the midway by the grandstands so the fans could get a close up look. Paul Beck was selling Raceway Park memorabilia and Sam’s book, adding to the festivities. It was fun signing autographs and talking to the fans.
For intermission, we were asked to gather around the start/finish line on the track where Stan Kalwasinski conducted interviews with some of the legends of auto racing. Ray Young, Sal Tovella, Dave Weltmeyer, John Brolic, Larry Middleton, Pat Echlin - - and the list goes on (it would be impossible to list all of them) - - were all there. I was honored to be amongst such great racers. Some of these guys were/are my hero’s and to be in that group is truly humbling.
For the feature, Sam Beck paced us again, and once again Bob Wilson led us into the first turn. And again, Darryl Bassuener jumped to an early lead! But this time, I got a break early on. By following Darryl, I quickly found myself running second. I stayed hot on his tail for several laps. Finally, he made the mistake I’d been waiting for and went wide between the first and second corner. I slipped underneath him in the corner and pulled into the lead. Bob Heine kept Darryl so busy challenging him for second, I was able to hang on for the win practically undisturbed. At the finish I was ahead by about two car lengths.
Feature:
- Gary Mitidiero - RE/MAX South Suburban
- Darryl Bassuener
- Bob Heine
- Roger Rubino
After the races we shared a few beers, discussed the night's events, and said goodbye while Hoosier Mosquitoes nibbled away on us. While we would have liked for a few more Vintage Cars to show up, we had enough cars to provide the ‘glue’ for an evening that came together nicely. Thanks to Gas City for once again sponsoring the event, Kenny Stits for a LOT of help, Tom White, Steve Bechtel and Mike Mikuly for being terrific hosts, the Vintage Racers for providing the action, the Old Timers that came out to be part of the party, the fans for their never ending support of the sport I love, and of course, my crew - that made it all look easy.
A special thanks to RE/MAX South Suburban for sponsoring the Camaro. I know that racers and their fans are the most loyal fans in all of sports, I just wanted to remind you of the importance of that. Without the support from Gas City, RE/MAX South Suburban, and all the rest that dig into their pockets to keep us going, events like this would fade away. Patronize them, AND LET THEM KNOW WHY you're there!
I could not be more sincere when I say thanks to all. It was a wonderful evening that I’ll remember for a long time.
Gina did a great job with the photography, and her work can be seen at Hi-Tech Digitals.
Gary Mitidiero