Garrett's Vintage Racer

67HEAVEN · Jun 13, 2005

Here's a photo of Garrett Waddell's beautiful '63 Z-06 vintage racer running the Wine Country Classic at Sears Point the weekend before CruiseFest.

Garrett is another of those great guys with a lengthy history in our hobby, and he just keeps on making memories.

Way to go, Garrett. Maybe you'll share some of the event details that I've seen with us.

tigernut · Jun 13, 2005

Thanks Bob for keeping us who had to stay home informed on all the fun you had up there.

I like those torque thrust wheels on his car.

Doug

Tom Bryant · Jun 13, 2005

Thanks Bob. That picture has my heart pumping.

Tom

67HEAVEN · Jun 14, 2005

Garrett kindly provided an extensive write up of his Sears Point adventure. If you love Vintage Racing, read on...

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Well the cherries are ripe in our back yard again, so that must mean that it’s time for another Wine Country Classic story. I know you are all familiar with our travel path and our eating patterns by now, so I’m going to try to limit this years tale to the racing.....and “Yea verily it was GOOD!”

Race participation is by invitation only from the organizer, Steve Earle. He calls the shots, and he has very definite ideas about how he wants the cars (and participants) to look.....and act. The key phrase is “period” preparation. The cars must be prepared to the period that they raced in (1963 for us). Therefore, no monster engines with current technology are allowed, and no fabricated (tube frames replicar) suspension or chassis parts are allowed. For the past two years I have been allowed to race with American Racing “Vector” aluminum wheels size 81/2”X15”, with Hoosier tires of 275-60X15. The organizer requires, and most competitors run American Racing TorqueThrust “D” wheels of, size 7”X15”, with Goodyear racing tires. Steve Earle did a “durometer “ test of my tires last year and determined that they are no softer than the Goodyears, and therefore are acceptable. However, this year, we finally bought the required TorqueThrust D wheels, and chose to run smaller 245X15 race tires to give us a little more acceleration (but less traction) off the turns. In addition, we changed to larger front and rear (anti) sway bars. The net effect was to make several changes at once, which altered the handling of the car both individually, and in a sygenergistic way, which we had not anticipated (normally, you make only one change at a time, so you can quantify the change). In addition, some of you remember that for the past two years, we have had some little (and some big) niggling things, which prevented us from running all available laps, (and forced Ted to spend a lot of time working on the car, rather than enjoying the event).

The good news is that we ran every lap available, and NOTHING broke. We never touched the car between practice sessions, other than to check tire pressure and wheel lug torque.

The other news is that the handling had changed in a way that had a negative impact on MY personal driving style, and led to slower lap times. The weather all three days was flawless blue sky with bright sun, but unlike earlier years, it remained cool (VERY cool) for the entire time.

Friday, 06/03/05:

Our first practice was at 0935, and I immediately noticed that I had power oversteer off the turns. This was inconvenient on the slower turns like Turns 7 and 11, because I could not get on the gas as early. However, it also happened on the high speed turns like turns 8, 9 and 10 where it was really scary!!! Fortunately, I carefully warmed up the tires before attempting to go fast, but it was very disconcerting. My best lap time during this first session was a miserable 2 minutes and 8 seconds (2:08). Still, nothing broke, and I had a lot of fun sliding sideways out of the turns (just not very fast). After lunch, Our second practice started at 2:35PM, and I concentrated on getting the car perfectly straight before getting on the throttle. I managed to drop my lap times a couple of seconds per lap, but still couldn’t get them down to where I was last year. We attributed this partially to the smaller tires (and wheels) that we are running this year. After practice was over, we went up to the VIP building overlooking the track for the traditional participants dinner, catered by the Napa Valley Winemakers Association. After dinner, a chance encounter with organizer Steve Earle, provided some informal socializing and discussion of the past and future events. We left with the impression that Steve was happy with our presentation and performance, and that he would look favorably on our entry application in the future.

Saturday, 06/04/05:

A large group of drivers met with Steve at 0730 for the mandatory drivers meeting. Steve discussed the consequences of “rough driving”, and the necessity for drivers to monitor their own health. After the meeting, I talked with (usual pole sitter) Terry Gough, who is a very fast driver of a 1964 Corvette roadster. We discussed suspension setup for the Corvette chassis, and he told me that he and most other Corvettes do not run a rear swaybar, and recommended that I either disconnect it, or run a smaller rear bar. I returned to my paddock space, and after discussion with Ted, we changed our rear bar for a smaller (stock 5/8” rear big block) swaybar.

Our Race Group 5 (for Series production Sportscars from 1962 thru 1967) practice started at 0935. On the grid, I spoke with Cobra driver Don Lee, who offered the advantage of his experience by leading me around on the “perfect line” for the first lap. He offered some (greatly appreciated) key insight into identifying “reference points” to aim for in the blind turns #2 and #3A. When practice started, I was immediately 3 seconds faster than my Friday times. The car was transformed, and I was comfortable standing on the gas MUCH earlier coming out of any given turn, and resulting in quicker times for each sector of the track.. A word here about brakes.......I have had spotty performance from my brakes, with normally a sudden loss of brakes about once per race. This does NOT lead to confidence in the braking system. Ted had rebuilt my brake system, including a new master cylinder, and rebalancing the system, front to rear, and tested it at a Corinthian Sports Car Club race at Texas World Speedway in College Station. Along with the new rotors and PFC01 brake pads we are running, this gave me tremendous confidence to use my brakes in a “sporting manner” (threshold braking) and to attempt to overtake other competitors by outbraking them into turns 7 and 11.

Right before lunch, our friend Lee Andrew arrived from Reno, to spectate at his first sports car race. After lunch, our Race Group 5 Qualifying Race started at 2:35PM. There were immediately problems, with 2 cars spinning at turn 3A on lap 1, and 2 full course yellow flag conditions during the race. Still, our car ran perfectly, and since only your fastest lap is counted, I was able to run some competitive laps and secure an adequate qualifying spot for Sunday’s race (Our car weighs 3050 lbs, and I am NOT one of the more talented drivers, therefore, we are not among the frontrunners in our races.....although we have just as much fun. A quick note here about the race organization. The organizers do NOT post lap times, nor do they tell you where you qualified nor who won (We race for fun). They DO post the results from both the Saturday qualifying race and the Sunday race on their web site a few days after the race, and at this point those results have been posted, and we qualified in 23rd position, with Susan Armstrong right beside us in 22nd. I did notice that everyone ran faster than last year. In the past, I have raced with Vic Edelbrock and Susan Armstrong (who both drive 1963 Z06 Corvette Coupes similar to mine), but this year, I could not catch Vic, and although I was able to reel Susan in a few times I was unable to pass her this year (she is stronger and her driving is much improved)

After qualifying, Lee, Ted and Melissa returned to the motel to dress for dinner in Sonoma. Pat and I showered and dressed in the driver’s lounge at the track, and prepared our car for the parade. We have attended the parade to the Sonoma town square every year, but this is the first year that we have been invited to participate in the parade. Pat and I drove the Corvette 25 miles to Sonoma in a parade of 26 racecars accompanied or escorted by the California Highway Patrol, who guarded the intersections and manned the traffic signals so the racecars wouldn’t overheat. People stopped their cars and other people came out of their homes to watch and applaud the parade of beautiful and historic racecars on their way to Sonoma. When we arrived, the entire town of Sonoma seemed to have turned out as we toured around the square, and then parked and arranged the cars for viewing. We had food and wine arranged for by the town of Sonoma and the vintners of the Napa Valley, and enjoyed the festivities and company of the very gracious and friendly California townspeople. Around dark (cold and windy), Ted and Melissa drove the Corvette back to the track, and we followed and picked them up in our Outback Wagon, for the journey back to the motel.

Sunday, 06/05/05:

Sunday morning, we prepared for first practice (warm-up) at 0935. I ran an easy 2:01 lap time, and came in after only 9 laps because the car was “warmed up”;-)

After lunch, our race started at 2:35PM. We gridded two abreast, and I started right beside Susan Armstrong. We made a single parade lap, and when the green flag fell, there was quite a lot of bunching up for the entry of each turn until the field began to get strung out. Unlike last year, I failed to take advantage of the confusion to pass anybody because there were cars on every possible line.....and some impossible ones, for each turn. As I have previously mentioned, the entire field was faster than last year. Jason Len passed me in his beautiful silver E-Type Jaguar. Then Dan Gallant (who has helped us so much in the past two years) passed me in his 1967 Corvette roadster. Susan pulled away, and was gone. However, I began a race long dice with a bright yellow Alfa Romeo GTA #18, driven by a Brazilian Fred della Noche. He didn’t have the horsepower that I have, but was incredibly tenacious (and much lighter than I), and seemingly did not brake for the turns. He relentlessly outbraked me into the turns, and was MUCH faster in each turn, forcing me to fight back for my position by powering by him out of the turns and down the straights. This is the hardest I have ever worked on a racetrack, and Fred truly pushed me to a better performance that I would otherwise have given, with my first 2-minute flat lap (2:00.24) being my reward on lap 9. The track changed every lap, and got greasy and slick towards the end of the race. On the last lap, I outbraked Fred into the last real turn (11), but after I turned in, my car suddenly “pushed” the front end 5 feet off line in the middle of the turn, and Fred was by in a flash, cutting over across my nose closer than a coat of paint immediately on the exit, to prevent my repassing him. I was forced to back off, and turn right before I could stand on the gas to power around him to regain my position at the finish line. Fred pulled up at my door after the finish to congratulate me on a good race, but the first question I was asked after I returned to my pit was “Did he hit you?”, and the answer was “NO!”....but it was just that close. I started the race in 23rd position, and several of my competitors passed me. However, there were several spins and retirements during the race, including Dan Gallant, who I saw going very slowly halfway through the race (DNF), and Jason Len, who spun exiting turn 2 late in the race. As a result, I didn’t know where I finished (I do now....I finished in 22nd position of 37), however, I do know who won the race. The Cobra of Don Lee dominated the race from the start, with my friend and fellow Corvette driver Terry Gough 2nd. On the last lap, Don misjudged his braking point for the last turn (11) and spun through the infield, missing a portion of the turn as he came back onto the track (and thus “improving his position”. He was black flagged for this infraction, and thus Terry Gough won the race. The VERY impressive factory Jaguars from Donovan Racing, which won this same race last year were only 3rd or 4th this year....still an impressive performance. You just can’t sit on your laurels but must improve each year or be overtaken.

Ted and Melissa had an important business meeting in Houston today, and had to leave immediately after the race, as did Lee Andrew. So after bidding all of our friends adieu for another year after the prize giving and champagne party, Pat and I adjourned to a small Italian restaurant in Novato for some fine Italian cuisine, then retired early to rest up for the long journey home (arrived safely @ 5PM Monday). We had a wonderful time.... our friend Lee Andrew described it, as “Awesome”, and I would have to agree. We again owe all of this experience to the support of our friends Ted and Melissa Filer, who carefully prepared the Corvette and towed it so far so that we could all enjoy this event. We hope to see all of you there eventually so that you can share some of our happy and exciting times.

Till next year,

Garrett & Pat

Here is a link to the “Results”, which were just posted. We are Car #63 in Race Group #5. Note both Saturday (Qualifying) and the Sunday Race results are shown.

http://www.winecountryclassic.com/event/results.html

Loren Smith · Jun 16, 2005

Incredible read - thanks for sharing this.

Tom Bryant · Jun 16, 2005

There's nothing more fun that vintage racing. Thanks for sharing Bob.

63Corvette · Jun 17, 2005

Thanks for the kind words Bob. Vintage racing is loads of fun, and I look forward to seeing all of you at the races.

Garrett Waddell

67HEAVEN · Jun 17, 2005

Garrett,

Welcome to :CAC

Now, who could this be?

Story?

Tom Bryant · Jun 17, 2005

Garrett,

Welcome. Is there an under 2:00 minute lap in the '63 for next year?

Tom

63Corvette · Jun 17, 2005

Well Tom, I certainly hope so. It isn't about the competition, it's about the cars. BUT, nobody races to lose, or to come in last, so I certainly hope that I show some improvement next year, and lap times below 2 minutes are certainly possible, as the other Corvette drivers willl confirm.

Bob, that picture is from another lifetime. It was taken at John Mecom Jr.s race shop at Houston's Hobby Airport in 1963 (I believe). The car is John's drum braked 1958 Ferrari Testa Rossa, which is one of several of his cars that I was privileged to drive. The girl was a girlfriend from that previous life;-)

Ol Blue · Jun 18, 2005

67HEAVEN
Thanks for sharing the story, and thanks to Garrett for keeping the dreams alive.
Ol Blue
PS Nice to meet you at Indy. Great look and sounding 67 uhhh, mid year,

Vette you have. Of course I like the history of it best.

Tom Bryant · Jun 18, 2005

You actually got to drive a 1958 Testa Rossa. That must have been a kick. I saw one at Mid Ohio several years ago but it wasn't racing. It came in a trailer with some Ferrari F1 cars that did go out on the track. Can you imagine getting to lean on one today?

Tom

63Corvette · Jun 20, 2005

2005 Monterey Historic Races

I am astonished to tell you that today I received my letter of acceptance to the 2005 Monterey Historic Races from Steve EarleJ I hope to see some of you there August 19th thru 21st. We are car #63 in Group 6A.

Tom Bryant · Jun 21, 2005

Congratulations and good luck. I wish I could be there. I have to go there one of these days.

Tom

67HEAVEN · Jun 21, 2005

63Corvette said:
I am astonished to tell you that today I received my letter of acceptance to the 2005 Monterey Historic Races from Steve EarleJ I hope to see some of you there August 19th thru 21st. We are car #63 in Group 6A.

Garrett,

Congratulations. You must be primed and ready!!! Too bad it's so far for me. I'd love to watch.

Go get 'em.

63Corvette · Jun 21, 2005

Thanks for the kind words guys. I'll try to get some pictures for Bob to post;-)

67HEAVEN · Jun 21, 2005

http://www.montereyhistoric.com/

Ol Blue · Jun 22, 2005

Congrats Garrett.
I hope to attend the Historics this year and meet you. It sounds like a good
Chevy-powered year.
Ol Blue

67HEAVEN · Jun 23, 2005

Check out Tam's race car sit. Garrett's '63 is bottom right. Click on the photos for enlargements, and be sure to visit the other pages. Great history there. :beer