A lone 1955 Corvette ruled the show as did a huge field of C3 Group 6 Corvettes at the Watkins Glen 2023 US Vintage Grand Prix
Bill Schwacke in his C1 # 55 1955 Corvette (sporting mesh screen headlights and fined taillights by its creator, Harley Earl) outran the Group 1,3,4 field on the Corvette’s 70th anniversary.
But wait there’s more. Bill finished 3rd in the Governor’s Cup race for ALL Corvettes overcoming a smaller field winnowed down by racers reluctant to race on a track made treacherous by unpredictable rain.
Al Schwacke built this car from street and first raced it. Bill’s prowess and added horses makes it tough to beat today.
Sunday’s Governor’s Cup all Corvette race bordered on the insane. Per Jeff Bernatovich, driver of C4 # 90 1990 GT1 Group 10 tube frame Corvette riding on huge slicks, “I started on pole with a lap time 8 seconds faster. The track was drying from the previous TA2 race. However, after the green flag it started to rain again over by the bus stop. I spun leading into the braking zone for turn 6. Luckily, I did not hit anything, came in and parked it.”
Jeff Lyman in his C6 # 77 2008 GT1 equipped with ABS, Traction & Stability is Over the Moon with his first ever win. As mentioned, Bill Schacke in his straight axle finished an amazing third.
Watch the highlights: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P_RFEgU3-0A
Edward Sevadjian in his C3 # 36 1969 big block Corvette (built by Duntov Motors and owned by Jim Kitzmiller) dominated the Group 6 feature race for big bore production cars. Sunday’s heralded Dick Mooney Memorial Race was a small affair because of the wet.
Mike Origer # 969, Clair Schwendeman # 37, Rick Mooney # 88 and Bob Lima # 33 big block Sharks made the top ten in a field of thirty-seven cars!
Other big block sharks included # 19 Lain Vendittelli, # 31 Chuck Ward, # 72 Colby Hillman and # 99 Del Bruce.
Jim Glass # 11, Sam LeCompte # 19A, Alex Heckert # 34 Joe Nemececk # 167 and Jim Heck # 64 were among the faster C2 Sting Rays.
Ken Mennella # 000 GS Replica, Simon Lane # 92, Chris Fennell # 28 and John Maitino # 13 were not as quick but added to the show.
Rick Ortman just acquired this # 14 1992 ex-Vince Lucari and topped Ray Zisa, # 4 1990 ex-Kim Baker in their SCCA C4 World Challenge Corvettes.
Cord Kisthardt # 21 2002 Z06 was outright fast in qualifying but did not make the show.
Group 6 departs pit lane via smart phone of Brian Morrison.
https://www.facebook.com/brian.morrison.56/videos/705493931611879?idorvanity=216393486322
Rib Regna in his C4 # 97 1984 GT1 had a maiden outing in Group 10 in what he described as a clone built in FL. We hope to learn more about it.
John Reisman C7 # 33 2014 DPi ex Whelen Coyote chassis was in a class of his own, outpacing other protypes in group 11 including the vaunted Audi R8 of Travis Engen.
Corvettes performed to the hilt on their 70th anniversary at Watkins Glen, the place where they were conceived.
Duntov Motors has been acquired by Sam LeCompte, Concierge Motorsports, a full-service operation located at Eagle Canyon raceway in Decatur, TX just 30 minutes north of DFW.
Former “ruler” Peter Klutt of Legendary Motorsport was MIA, opting for Goodwood and Pebble Beach instead.
Our thanks go to Rich Martin and Visors Down for these great photos.
