The Race Report
This weekend I raced at the annual VARA Enduro weekend event held at Willow Springs Int’l Raceway, “The Fastest Track in the West”. This track certainly lives up to it’s name, in the Race Wagon it’s a two gear/two shift track. The first half of the 2.5 miles in 4th gear, one upshift and the second half in 5th. That’s a lot of time at full throttle, good thing I’m not driving a 3000#, 400hp tire and gas eater!!!
We had typical spring weather in California’s Mojave high desert, mostly clear skies, temps 55-75F, and gusty winds. VARA had 100+ entries for their regular 5 group format, and the visiting Pacific 2000 formula cars became the extra group 6. VARA’s usual format allows its many different classes to be combined into large/medium/small production car groups and large/small formula groups. My Datsun 510 Wagon falls into the medium bore group that contains BS (B-Sedan), CS, DP (D-Production), EP, ESR (E-Sportsracer), and GTL (Grand touring-light). This group features Datsun 510s, BMW 2002s, Triumph TR3/4s, large engined Spitfires, Alfa GTVs, Porsche 914s, and a mixture of Volvos, Jaguars, and small Sports Racers. In this 30 car field, the Wagon finished 4th overall and second in the GTL class; with a GTL 510, a DP Spitfire, and a ESR PBS taking the podium spots. I was able to keep my fast times in the 1:40-1:41 range all weekend.
The usual two hour twilight enduro was shortened this year to 70 minutes and combined with the Classic Motorsports Magazine Small Bore Cup race. The VARA enduro required a 10 minute pitstop (driver change optional), while the CM Cup race had a handicapped pitstop length to even the field. Slower qualifying cars got a short pitstop, faster cars were held in the pits longer. It was a fun format and the Wagon finished midpack after the handicapping was applied. Congrats to rookie driver Adam Hixon for taking second place in the handicapped enduro with a consistent drive in his Datsun Roadster. Paul Moore of The Moore Speed Co. gets the ‘Golden Wrench” award for fragging his clutch during the 2pm enduro practice and still making the 5pm green flag after a heroic flog.
Willow Springs has several racetracks on the property, and this weekend a Chump Car 24 hour enduro was taking place on the ‘Streets’ track. It’s amazing these guys keep their $500 cars going for that long. If you’re not familiar with their series, you gotta check them out. It’s half racing, half circus, with “special” livery a big part of the fun.
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