LSR Invitational by HMSA – Report and Photo Gallery

Report and photos by Dennis Gray

The Historic Motors Sports Association (HMSA) held the LSR Invitational event at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca on June 22-23, 2010. The LSR Invitational featured a strong field of vintage race cars circling the 11-turn, 2.238-mile Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca road course in Monterey, California.

LSR Invitational by HMSA Event Notes: Tuesday’s gates opened to a cold breeze combined with a thick fog. Wednesday had even more fog that finally cleared about 1pm. To show a real sense of humor, the local rangers had a “controlled” grass burn that filled turns two through five with a heavy yellow smoke. All in all, the event was a nice turn out of cars with many very significant vintage machines.

The 1976 six wheel Tyrrell P34 driven by Rudy Junco was very fast. Practice saw this car split a fuel feed, with the resulting fire putting the car in the trailer for the remainder of the event. Unless further inspection turns up hidden damage, the P34 should be back at Laguna Seca for the Monterey Reunion in August. Junco then piloted his 1980 Arrows F1 car for the remainder of the Group 7 events. Somehow the Arrows is not the same as the P34. Fast in Rudy’s hands but still only four wheels.

George Follmer was back on track, this time in a 1975 Porsche 911 RSR. We hope he makes this a regular occurrence and we see more of him on the track.

Lastly were the wonderful cars of Mary Smith, a 1939 Maserati 4CL, 1934 ERA R2A and 1960 Cooper T-53 F1. All quick and with the patina of real race cars.

LSR Invitational by HMSA at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca – Car of Interest

Glockler Porsche Special No.3

Walter Glockler is honored among Porsche enthusiasts as one of the very first to race a Porsche, he was also one of the first to make substantial modifications to a street Porsche to make it race competitive. Glockler was also one of the very first Volkswagen dealers after WWII.

Hermann Ramelow, who in 1948 developed a mid-engine Hanomag powered special for Glockler, ran Glockler’s race operations. In 1950 to 1952 Ramelow built three Porsche-based specials for Glockler to race. Porsche recognized these cars for displaying a high quality of build and design detail. The racing success, combined with the quality of the build and design, led Porsche and Glockler to an agreement for the cars to be badged as Glockler Porsche Specials.

This featured Glockler Porsche Special is the third special built by Ramelow, who adopted the standard “correct” Porsche layout of the engine behind the rear axle with trailing arm suspension. Every item not necessary for racing was removed and every panel or component was heavily drilled for maximum lightness. A 1488cc Porsche engine with high compression pistons, racing cam and detail assembly gave 86hp on alcohol. This engine and chassis was covered with an aluminum body designed and built by Weidenhausen. The underbody is enclosed in a full belly pan that includes a nose scoop for an oil cooler and two small intakes for brake cooling. Rear wheels are enclosed with semi-skirts. The car was built with a removable streamlined aluminum coupe roof that is still with the car. It was seen wearing this coupe top at the 2009 Carmel-by-the-Sea Concours on the Avenue.

In 1952, Helm Glockler, Walter’s cousin drove number 3 to victory in its first outing the prestigious “Eifrlrennen” race at the Nurburgring. The car was then sold to Max Hoffman, US Porsche distributor. Johnny Von Neumann drove No.3 in several races with the success of the car resulting in valuable publicity for Porsche.

Over the following decades No.3 suffered the abuse of racing combined with numerous owners, leading to the need of a comprehensive restoration. No. 3 was sent to Tempero Restorations in New Zealand, specialists in restoring and constructing lightweight aluminum bodies. In 2008 with restoration complete No.3 was purchased by its present owners Herbert and Rose Marie Wysard.

Herbert and Rose have campaigned No.3 in the Monterey Historics and Goodwood Festival of Speed, as well as on the field at Pebble Beach Concours and Villa d’Este Concorso.

LSR Invitational by HMSA at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca – Photo Gallery (click image for larger photo and description)

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[Source: Dennis Gray]