Report and photos by Dennis Gray
The Classic Sports Racing Group (CSRG) Season Opener 2012 was held March 30 – April 1 at Infineon Raceway Sears Point in Sonoma, California. CSRG kicked off its 45th historic car racing season with testing on Friday, followed by more action Saturday and Sunday on the 12-turn, 2.52-mile road course located in Northern California’s wine country.
The CSRG Season Opener 2012 saw a field of more than 100 vintage race cars, including Sports Racing, Formula and Production Sports Cars from the 1930s through the mid-1970s.Notable entrants included the Maserati 200Si of Ned Spieker; Thor Johnson’s Porsche 910; Ferrari Sparling Special of John Goodman; Joe Freeman’s 1938 Sparks-Thorne Indy Racer; Doug Mockett’s 1976/77 Penske PC-4 and the always-fabulous Alfa Romeo Tipo C 8C-35 of Peter Giddings.
Not to be left out were many interesting race cars not typically seen on track, including the Victress of James Jard; Jim Galucci’s Troutman and Barnes Scorpion Special; Rene Bonnet D-Jet of Sharon Wardman and Roger Lemmel’s Shadow Mk II Can-Am.
Several of the photos below will show the heavy rain that kept all but a few cars in the garages or trailers Saturday morning. The good news is that the rain subsided by noon and the track dried out by early afternoon. Group Two provided the tightest racing action of the weekend, as the top six were separated by a mere nine seconds. In the end, James Lamantia’s MGB pipped the MGA of Edward Lamantia, followed by Paul Quackenbush’s Elva Courier.
CSRG returns to Sears Point Raceway, October 6-7, 2012 for the CSRG Charity Challenge. CSRG has contributed more than $500,000 to Sonoma County youth organizations through Speedway Children’s Charities since 2002.
CSRG Sears Point Season Opener 2012 – Photo Gallery (click image for larger picture and description)
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CSRG Sears Point Season Opener 2012 – Results
Group One
1. Thor Johnson, 1959 Lotus 17
2. Kurt Delbene, 1960 Lola MkI
3. Peter Giddings, 1935 Alfa Romeo Tipo C 8C-35
4. Michael Vogel, 1964 Alfa Romeo Giulia Spider
5. Mitch McCullough, 1956 Lotus Eleven
Group Two
1. James Lamantia, 1964 MG MGB
2. Edward Lamantia, 1962 MG MGA MK II
3. Paul Quackenbush, 1961 Elva Courier Mk II
4. Martin Lauber, N/A
5. Tom Tuttle, 1964 MG MGB
Group Three
1. Terry Gough, 1965 Chevrolet Corvette
2. John Mahall, 1962 Lotus Seven
3. Jon Norman, 1971 Alfa Romeo GTV
4. Rob Forbes, 1964 Ginetta G4R
5. James Jard, 1954 Victress
Group Four
1. Carl Moore, 1963 Lotus 23B
2. Thor Johnson, 1967 Porsche 910
3. Mike Summers, 1962 Lotus 23B
4. Tom Claridge, 1965 Crossle C9S
5. Ned Spieker, 1963 Lotus 23B
Group Five
1. Danny Baker, 1963 Lotus 27
2. Kurt Delbene, N/A
3. Don Pepperdene, 1970 Leech FV MkI
4. Bruce Revenaugh, 1960 Lotus 18
5. Jack Fitzpatrick, 1963 Lotus 27
Group Six
1. Tim Monahan, 1969 Brabham BT-29
2. Bruce Leeson, 1969 Lotus 69
3. Mike Jackson, 1967 Titan MkIII
4. Steve Torp, 1966 Brabham BT-18
5. Brian Snyder, 1970 Winkelman WOF-2
Group Seven
1. Dan Marvin, 1976 March 76B
2. Keith Frieser, 1972 Lola T290
3. Rob Gritten, 1972 Lola T292
4. Doug Mockett, 1976 Penske PC-4
5. Mike Thurlow, 1973 Lola T294
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[Source: Dennis Gray]
Dennis,
As always, great photos. Teriffic when you can get the drivers face behind the shield!
Dennis
Thanks for the terrific photos Dennis! You always do such a fabulous job of capturing the action at these events. I hope to see you at Laguna Seca on April 10th!
Best wishes, Trace
Hi Dennis, you don’t know me, but I really enjoyed the photos. I especially enjoyed seeing Paul Quackenbush in the Butch Gilbert Elva I used to own and drive. He did well in his race. Too bad Butch couldn’t slay the Lucas demons in his Elva!