The Roaring Season

Hi Ken, I own an ex race Riley Elf and have been slowly buying parts for the rebuild. Elf's were very successful in NZ in Mini racing and I follow Don on his Facebook site.

I am always impressed with the collection of cars that Chris MacAllister shows up with and he often wears the same looking helmet as the original driver such as Denny Hulme in his 1971 McLaren M8F # 5 or Jim Clark's 1967 Lotus 49.

At Laguna Seca ..2011
This year at Sonoma he brought along some different vehicles and also his son Alex to drive some of magnificent collection.
This included a 1938 ERA 14 B # 1, a 1964 Cobra FIA 289 # 146, a 1966 Ford GT 40 # 9 and a 1971 Chevron B 19 # 5 with Alex driving the last two they were a busy family throughout the day but both were still friendly to talk to.

Chris MacAllister explaining his new addition the ERA.


Chris starting up the Cobra with a deafening roar in the garage before heading out to practice.


Alex MacAllister preparing to take out the 1971 Chevron B 19 # 5


Alex bringing the 1966 GT 40 # 9 back in after practice.


(Ken Hyndman photos )

Just some photos of the mighty MacAllister 1966 Ford GT 40.







(Ken Hyndman photos )

My friend, Graham Donaldson had been a mechanic for the Doug Shierson Team in the late seventies and early eighties and when I saw this race car I had to try and capture it.
It has the 1600 Ford BDD engine with an iron block and was driven by Giles Villeneuve's brother, Jacques, in the 1980 North American Formula Atlantic Championship, winning the series.





(Ken Hyndman photos )

p.s. This weekend has the potential to make me into a real " couch potato" !
Sonoma is the site of Nascar racing today plus on TV; Formula One, Indy car race, rugby replays, America's Cup, baseball, golf etc. etc.
" Sorry dear, not right now "

Wot- no bonding fishing trips with the new son-in-law ?

Now you are making me feel bad John.
The only trips I am making are to the WC and the refrigerator.
A great weekend for NZ sport..Jolly well done.

Here are some of the 1970- 1992 Historic sedans running at Sonoma. June 3 2017.

1976 Datsun 240 Z


# 33 1989 Oldsmobile Cutlass originally from the Paul Newman-Bob Sharp Team and driven by Scott Sharp




# 07 1982 Mercury Capri

Loving the pics Ken. A few of those 1980s IMSA/Trans-Am cars ended up in New Zealand, only to eventually find their way back to the US. I'll bet a few of them would have been at Sonoma.

But my favorite for this group was the 1991 Chevrolet Camaro # 33 that was driven then by Scott Sharp and now by Bill Ockerlund.
This car still has the same cuts and scrapes as when it raced back in 1991-92.





Chad Raynal in white shirt helping his friend Bill Ockerlund before heading out for qualifying race.


# 33 on it's way. Message on back bumper is for Tommy Kendall's recovery from serious leg injuries at Watkins Glen earlier in the season.

[video=youtube;86Vtz44uGyI]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=86Vtz44uGyI[/video]
Some brief clips of # 33 Camaro being driven by Scott Sharp during the 1991-92 Trans-Am races.


(Ken Hyndman photos)

Well folks this was my last photo as the sun set as I left Sonoma Raceway.
Entry, parking, all stands and garage for $ 40.00 (US) plus a $ 10.00 program/programme was money well spent for the day and I recommend this event to anyone interested in historic events and it may even be cheaper than going to museums in Europe !
I think I covered my one day pretty well with my little camera and you can be thankful I did not go for the next day or this thread would have gone on and on !
Thanks for your inputs and perhaps I will do it again sometime.
Cheers,
Ken.

1964 Corvette Stingray # 57

Fabulous photos Ken, Thank you for taking and sharing with us.
Much better than fishing isn't it ?

Bruce.

Agreed ,Ken's done a good job here, we all appreciate it I'm sure...

And I think you and I have to get together to discuss the Mini driver some day.

khyndart in CA wrote:My friend, Graham Donaldson had been a mechanic for the Doug Shierson Team in the late seventies and early eighties and when I saw this race car I had to try and capture it.
It has the 1600 Ford BDD engine with an iron block and was driven by Giles Villeneuve's brother, Jacques, in the 1980 North American Formula Atlantic Championship, winning the series.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]44117[/ATTACH]

[ATTACH=CONFIG]44118[/ATTACH]


(Ken Hyndman photos )

Ken, I am really enjoying your photos. Do you know anything about that beautiful Monza in the backround?

Spinner,
I agree that was a beautiful Monza but I could not get a good photo then as my camera battery died.
I did take these of it on the track that don't do it justice..
1975 Chevrolet Monza # 26 driven by John Longwell.




(Ken H)

That is a neat looking Monza, and an interesting story, see some details here:

http://forums.h-body.org/viewtopic.php?f=12&t=33363

Bruce.

khyndart in CA wrote:My friend, Graham Donaldson had been a mechanic for the Doug Shierson Team in the late seventies and early eighties and when I saw this race car I had to try and capture it.
It has the 1600 Ford BDD engine with an iron block and was driven by Giles Villeneuve's brother, Jacques, in the 1980 North American Formula Atlantic Championship, winning the series.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]44117[/ATTACH]

[ATTACH=CONFIG]44118[/ATTACH]

(Ken Hyndman photos )

For interest, was this Jacques Villeneuve the brother of Giles or his son?

I think this answers this question-
His younger brother Jacques also had a successful racing career in Formula Atlantic, Can Am and CART.[8] Gilles' son, also named Jacques, won the Indianapolis 500 and CART championships in 1995 and became Formula One World Champion in 1997-wikipedia

Many reckoned that Jacques was quicker than his brother...

There's also a connection between John Unsbee and Gilles.

Folks,
I found some photos I thought I had lost when the camera battery died.
I have to admit I really enjoy the John Hildebrand 1966 Pontiac Tempest GTO. # 49









(Ken H)