The Roaring Season

OK the leash is loose and I am about to head north for my annual pilgrimage to Laguna Seca even if for just one day.
My friend Stu may find me some place to lay my head if I can't find my home.
Stu entered his magnificent 1951 Baldwin Special in the Pre-Reunion event last weekend.

Stu Hannsen at Laguna Seca. (Sportscar Digest photo)

Sportscar Digest has some wonderful photos at this site which means you don't have to rely on my photography and ramblings etc.

http://www.sportscardigest.com/monterey-motorsports-pre-reunion-2017-photo-gallery/?envira_id=271674#envira-gallery-wrap-271674


(Ken Hyndman )

Thanks for the kind words Ken.

This event has to be on my new bucket list! (I've bowled over everything on my old one and am still around, so might as well create a new one.) Maybe 2019...

When first going to the infield at Laguna Seca in 2017 there was this awesome display of "Racing through the Decades".
Starting with the 1957 racing era.(You may have to enlarge photos to read the display signs. )









(Note who is displayed in the poster to the right. # 47)
(Hyndman photos )

I was only at the track for one day so I will present what I took of what is an enjoyable time for me including meeting up with old friends and even making new friends. After waiting in traffic and bouncing along old army roads at Fort Ord to park the car it all became worthwhile when you come out to the front straight and hear and see a 1959 Lister Costin # 25 and a 1960 Chaparral # 66 etc. roar by, life seems pretty good.
(Parking blues !)





Others such as Al Arciero in his 1958 Lister Knobbly # 9 did not have quite as much fun.


(Ouch !)




(Hyndman photos )

The Group 4A Class was for FIA,IMSA,GT, GTX and AAGT cars from 1973- 1981.
Here are a few of them as they exited from qualifying.

1978 Porsche 934.5 # 28


1981 Porsche 935 # 18


1975 Porsche Carrera RSR 3.0 # 01


1978 BMW 320i Turbo # 3T


1973 BMW CSL # 1


1980 BMW M1 # 2 A

(Ken Hyndman photos)

More Group 4 A cars. August 18th. 2017

Well known driver, John Morton driving a 1970 Datsun 240 Z # 46.


1970 Porsche 911 S T



1971 Alfa Romeo GTV

( Ken Hyndman photos )

Also in this class were three 1976 Chevrolet Dekon Monzas.






The # 20 car is driven by Ken Epsman.

The # 3 car is driven by Bill Ockerlund.
The # 3 DeKon Monza is part of the stable of cars prepared by Chad Raynal and his team.
Chad not only runs the team but also drives and is always most hospitable to any wandering Kiwis who come by.
(Ken Hyndman photos)

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Bill Ockerlund about to go out and compete in the main race Saturday afternoon in # 3 Dekon Monza

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(Ken Hyndman photos)

Awesome photos!

Looks like post #9 photos haven't appeared though.

Chad not only runs the team but also drives and is always most hospitable to any wandering Kiwis who come by.

So, did you come across any wandering Kiwis , Ken ?

Yes John,
They were good lads, Bruce and Dave.
Chad enjoyed having them there on board to help out.

Bruce, Chad, KH, Dave

We had the Kiwi flag flying in our pits at Laguna Seca over the weekend with myself in the Lola, Michael Sexton in the Gemini and Neil Tolich in the Jocko with Allan Dunkley on the spanners. Great track to drive and the Lola and Gemini survived but unfortunately the Jocko did a camshaft in practice but spare parts arrived today from Auckland and the engine will be rebuilt by Thursday then we are all onto Lime Rock, Watkins Glen and Elkhart Lake.

Roger,
I am sorry I did not get to meet you. It is getting to be a bit much to drive to and from Laguna in one day I will have to do better next year ! It was good to meet up with Bruce Thompson and Dave during the lunch break.
If his suitcase was big enough I think he wanted to take this 1964 Olds Cutlass back with him.


He also liked trying Stu Hannsen's 1951 Baldwin Special for size.

Back to Chad Raynal and the team.

Dekon Monza preparation for Bill Ockerlund # 3



Bill Ockerlund ready to head out for the main event on Saturday.



(Ken Hyndman photos )

Chad's new pride and joy is this beautifully restored 1966 Shelby GT 350 # 4



(No that is not a dent in the trunk !)


The # 1 detailer, owner and driver

During the lunch break, Tom Kristensen a former Danish professional racing driver who holds the record for the most wins at the 24 Hours of Le Mans with nine, six of which were consecutive, came out to drive some demonstration laps in the 2005 Audi R 8 LMP.










(Ken Hyndman photos )

Some more of the Group 4 A cars.

1979 Porsche 935 # 70. Formerly owned by Paul Newman and recently sold for $ 4.4 million.


1976 Porsche 935 K3 # 42


1980 Porsche 935 K3


1973 911 RSR # 6


1975 BMW CSL 3.0 # 25








(Ken Hyndman photos )

With this You Tube video you will see how my Saturday went at Laguna Seca.
I will continue to put in some photos. OK.
[video=youtube;G0G1Z4PGpBw]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G0G1Z4PGpBw[/video]



(Ken Hyndman )

Bruce (Spgeti )
Here is one for you.


1967 Alfa Romeo GTV # 73


1973 BMW CSL. # 31

(Ken Hyndman photos )

Ken, I always enjoy your threads. The Porsche and BMW's are awesome but that Alfa #73 does not do it for me unfortunately. #58 is more to my liking....
Cheers
Bruce