Speedfest at the Classic Motorsports Mitty '09 » News & Updates
Two More Videos 12:21 a.m. May. 04
Before we sign off for tonight, time for two more videos. Bill Cardell gave us the full skinny on Flyin’ Miata’s V8-powered Miatas, and DIYAutotune officially brought our Mazda RX-7 to life.
Time to Head Home 12:19 a.m. May. 04
As the day drew to a close, teams began to load up and head home. Our friends at Predator Racing brought a small fleet of cars, and each one had to be hoisted into the transporter.
Fire! Fire! 12:18 a.m. May. 04
Jim Malone’s Corvette didn’t exactly have a great weekend as a blown engine led to a fire. The car will need some cosmetic and wiring work, but fortunately driver John Finger was okay.
J.G.'s Favorite 12:16 a.m. May. 04
J.G., our art director, fully admits having a hankering for the tube-frame Buick Somersets. Sometimes it’s hard to get him away from one. We featured Larry Cope’s car as a Meet a Member a little while back.
Mazdapalooza 12:13 a.m. May. 04
The Mazdas showed up in full force today, with cars ranging from Miatas to something a bit more exotic, like this Japanese-market Savannah.
Some On-Track Action 12:12 a.m. May. 04
We realize that these updates have concentrated on the infield activities, but the on-track action has been just as amazing. Several years ago we watched Gene Felton chase down a GT40 in this FIA Camaro. Yes, it has injector stacks sticking through the hood.
One More Corvair 12:11 a.m. May. 04
Norman didn’t have the only beautiful Corvair at The Mitty. Rick and Janet Norris’s Penske-influenced Stinger clone was impressive, too. Rick said that they’ll be at this summer’s Corvair convention in Jacksonville, Florida. We’ll be there, too.
Editorial Sneak Peak 12:08 a.m. May. 04
We have had several readers request more Corvair editorial, so consider this a bit of foreshadowing. Norman Latulippe brought his concours-perfect Yenko Stinger to The Mitty. Oh, and he races it, too.
It's the People 12:06 a.m. May. 04
While a big part of The Mitty is the amazing cars, the people are what make it special. Several friends of ours made the trip to the event, and that’s appreciated. Miles, on the left, has been a regular at our events for years. Greg, second from left, runs our local slot car track. Miles’s dad can usually be found near Miles, and that’s Chris from Moss Motors on the right.
Telling Tales, Telling Lies 7:43 a.m. May. 03
No, it’s not a real Group 44 car, but several homages were spotted in and around the party. A Group 44 beer cooler also showed up. That’s it from last night, and we’ll have more photos later today.
Bullseye! 7:42 a.m. May. 03
The Moss Pub was also open for business, and the darts pretty much never stopped flying.
Racing Into the Night 7:41 a.m. May. 03
As long as the electricity was flowing, the slot car track was running. Alan and Greg kept the track moving very, very late into the night. We’re running some beautiful 1/24-scale BRM cars on Carrera track.
You Can't Pick Your Friends 7:39 a.m. May. 03
Some of our friends stopped by for a drink and a nosh. Patrick, in the lower-right corner, recently relocated to South Carolina, so now he’s within an easy drive of the track. Dave (on the left) and Mike (with the face) are already locals. All three are also regular participants in our $200x Challenge events, our competition for low-buck yet amazingly awesome cars.
Cut the Cake 7:37 a.m. May. 03
Time to celebrate a quarter century of publishing. From left to right, the cake cutting duties were handled by Debbie, Margie, Tim and Nancy. These four are also largely responsible for arranging our GRM Speedfest activities. The cake was yummy.
Cleaning House 7:35 a.m. May. 03
Before last night’s 25th birthday party could take place, we had some housework to do. Those banquet tables aren’t light, but fortunately they roll.
It's Alive! 7:34 a.m. May. 03
Our RX-7 came to life late yesterday, and it’s over at DIYAutotune’s facility this morning for some tuning and dyno work.
We'll Call This One Foreshadowing 7:33 a.m. May. 03
Good morning, everyone. Late yesterday we did a walk-around with Flyin’ Miatas V8-powered car, so look for a video online very soon. It’s a neat creation that can be duplicated relatively easily.
Parade Lap Preview 3:58 p.m. May. 02
We spent a few more minutes with Bob Tullius as the Group 44 cars sat on the grid.
Talking with Tullius (again) 3:37 p.m. May. 02
For those who missed this morning’s live talk with Bob Tullius, we have it here.
Part 1:
Part 2:
Dean's Jag 3:34 p.m. May. 02
Dean Cusano from Motorcars Inc. brought his beautiful Jaguar XJS to The Mitty, and we spent a few minutes with him.
Almost Injected 3:32 p.m. May. 02
The DIYAutotune.com crew has made excellent progress on the MegaSquirt install. The car should be firing up soon.
Bill Speaks 3:30 p.m. May. 02
Bill Cardell, Flyin’ Miata’s head cheese, came to the Mitty to talk about—what else?—Miatas. His company recently released a kit that fit a small-block V8 inside the little roadster. It’s a Monster with a capital M.
Small-Scale Racing 3:28 p.m. May. 02
The slot car track has been busy all day—no charge to race and always close action. Alan from BRM Model Cars has been calling the shots.
Small Car, Big Secrets 3:25 p.m. May. 02
There’s a couple of neat things going on with this Mini. For one, it’s powered by a Honda VTEC engine. Possibly even cooler, it also features all-wheel drive.
Happy Birthday, Miata 3:24 p.m. May. 02
The Miata turns 20 today, and enthusiasts can thank these two guys. Norman Garrett, on the left, was one of the original designers. Keith Tanner works for Flyin’ Miata and helps make them go faster.
Hot Laps 3:22 p.m. May. 02
After the grid was cleared, the Group 44 cars went for a few laps. Bob Tullius and his grandson took the point.
More Special Guests 3:21 p.m. May. 02
Russel Tullius, Bob’s son, brought the entire family to The Mitty. Russel wrote last issue’s Group 44 history piece for us.
Sittin' on the Job 3:18 p.m. May. 02
Not everyone mingled. Tony Adamowicz and Dennis Day enjoyed the sun and sat comfortably—or somewhat comfortably, as Tony was actually sitting on the fire bottle.
A Chance to Speak 3:13 p.m. May. 02
Once the cars were assembled on the grid, everyone was free to check them out. The mic was passed about to the various players, including team boss Bob Tullius.
Mixing Green and White 3:11 p.m. May. 02
Our tour visited several other shops before wrapping up at the Group 44 tent. We got there just in time to watch them fire up and head to the grid.
Jack Knows Porsches 3:10 p.m. May. 02
HSR’s Steve Simpson—that’s him in the center—joined us on the tour, and one of our first stops was Jack Lewis Enterprises. His shop specializes in Porsches, and they have several beautiful examples here. While they specialize in road racing, they’re entering a car in this year’s La Carrera Panamerica.
Walking Around 3:08 p.m. May. 02
The morning’s official activities started with a paddock tour and we started with the Playboy MX-5 Cup cars. Everyone was free to poke, prod and ask questions.
Good Morning! 3:06 p.m. May. 02
A belated good morning from your friends at Classic Motorsports. Today dawn clear and almost a little on the cool side. We had some serious rain last night.
A Little GT6 History 9:28 p.m. May. 01
We caught up with Group 44’s Bob Tullius and Lanky Foushee this afternoon, and they gave us a tour of the Classic Motorsports GT6+. After all, they’re the ones who built it.
Talking with Paul Brand 9:26 p.m. May. 01
Paul Brand took a Group 44 MGB to the Runoffs win in 1980, and we spent some time with him this afternoon.
Go, Lyonel, Go 9:22 p.m. May. 01
We have known Lyonel Kent for a long, long time and watched him progress through the ranks. He’s making his SCCA Pro Racing Playboy Mazda MX-5 Cup debut this weekend in his ALARA Racing/eData Solutions MX-5. So far, he’s looking good: He’s on the pole. Here’s Lyonel:
Behind the Scenes 9:12 p.m. May. 01
It might look like he’s just staring off into space, but that’s JG, our art director, uploading today’s videos.
Mavericks 9:09 p.m. May. 01
The Mustang may get most of the attention as Ford’s pony car, but the Maverick can also be a looker. For some reason, we have noticed a bunch of super-clean examples in the paddock.
Slots o' Fun 9:08 p.m. May. 01
Greg from The Race Place and Alan from BRM Model Cars will again take care of the slot car activities. Road Atlanta influenced this year’s layout.
Monza Meets Road Atlanta 9:06 p.m. May. 01
This one originally had a nice, simple caption, but that caused havoc with some of the code. We love those wide-body Monzas.
Inspired by Group 44 9:05 p.m. May. 01
No, that’s not the team’s TR8. It’s a twin-turbo Triumph that definitely has received a dose of Group 44 influence. You’ll read about that one in Grassroots Motorsports later this year.
One More for the 'Vair Fans 9:03 p.m. May. 01
We know we have a few Corvair fans out there, so here’s one more for you.
Lots and Lots of Corvairs 9:02 p.m. May. 01
A bunch of Corvair racers made the trek to this year’s Mitty. You’ll find them in the “pro paddock.” (That’s the one on the infield-side of the track.)
Miata Madness 2:41 p.m. May. 01
Flyin’ Miata brought a pair of cars to The Mitty, their Targa Newfound entry plus a V8-powered car. Flyin’ Miata now sells kits for the conversion.
Vrooooooom 2:40 p.m. May. 01
The historic stock cars are out on track right now. They may ruffle some feathers, but think about it: They all have a bona fide racing history, and they’re relatively inexpensive to run. Plus they’re fast and make awesome noises.
Ouch 2:35 p.m. May. 01
Not everyone’s weekend is going so well. Michael Vitarelli put his MX-5 Cup car into the wall during qualifying, but reports say that’s he okay. Some credit has to go to today’s head-and-neck restraints. You’re wearing one when out on track, right?
Go, Lyonel, Go! 2:32 p.m. May. 01
We first met Lyonel about 10 years ago. He had just started to autocross and was full of enthusiasm and excitement. He then moved into club racing, and now he’s entering the pro ranks. He’ll be driving for ALARA Racing in the SCCA Pro Racing Playboy Mazda MX-5 Cup this year, and this is the first event. How’s his weekend going? Pole position. Look for a video with Lyonel later this weekend.
Super Porsche 2:25 p.m. May. 01
While the cars on track are cool, there’s also some neat stuff parked in the infield. Piet van Rossum wanted an Outlaw 356 but wasn’t willing to sink nearly $100,000 into one. So, he built his own. The car is based on an Envemo Super 90, a fiberglass replica. He said he has less than $10,000 in it. Yes, this one will probably show up in the magazine at some point.
MegaSquirt Update 2:22 p.m. May. 01
The DIYAutotune.com guys have made some great progress on the MegaSquirt conversion. These kits helped put programmable fuel injection within the means of many enthusiasts. That doesn’t mean it’s a simple system, however, as these units allow a wide range of customization.
The Gang's All Here 2:19 p.m. May. 01
The entire office staff made the trip to The Mitty. Have a question? Ask Margie. She’ll set you straight.
Tullius's Favorite? 12:02 p.m. May. 01
During last night’s Group 44 Inc. dinner, the topic of Tullius’s favorite race car was brought up. He named the TR8. Why? Because it was fun to beat up on the domestic pony cars, he said.
Last-Minute Touches noon May. 01
The MGB driven to SCCA national titles by Paul Brand as well as the late Brian Fuerstenau is also here. The car wears two faces: Paul Brand’s 1980 colors on one side and Fuerstenau’s on the other. Paul had some last-minute graphics work to finish. Look for a video with him online shortly.
Coming Soon: Group 44 Inc. Video 11:56 a.m. May. 01
We just filmed a walk-around of the Classic Motorsports Group 44 Inc. Triumph GT6+ with Bob Tullius and Lanky Foushee. We will post it later today.
Group of Group 44 Inc. Cars 11:54 a.m. May. 01
The Group 44 Inc. cars are on display in their own paddock tent. Anyone here can check them out—no ropes and no waiting.
Something for Everyone 11:52 a.m. May. 01
One of the neat things about The Mitty is the incredible variety of cars. Rotary-powered Datsun 510, anyone?
Jaguars! 11:49 a.m. May. 01
XKs Unlimited is sponsoring the Jaguar corral, and cars are already showing up—from vintage collectibles to modern classics.
Do It Yourself 10:35 a.m. May. 01
The Mitty weekend is about more than just watching cars, as there are some hands-on activities as well. The DIYAutotune crew is here to show us how to convert a car to MegaSquirt, a do-it-yourself fuel injection system. The conversions are rather inexpensive and quite programmable. While we’re starting with an injected car, the conversion can be performed on a car originally equipped with carburetors as well. The preliminary work starts today at 1:00 p.m., but the bulk of the conversion will take place tomorrow. You can learn more about DIY Autotune at DIYAutoTune.com.
Pit Cart 10:12 a.m. May. 01
Everyone needs a cool pit cart. Some people use golf carts, while others have something more dedicated to motorsports. A World War II Army Jeep, however, might take the cake.
Miata Madness 10:11 a.m. May. 01
There are a lot of Spec Miatas out there, and they can thank their existence to this car, Shannon McMasters’s prototype for the class. It’s on display in the Classic Motorsports/Grassroots Motorsports tent.
Pretty in Pink 9:10 a.m. May. 01
The Donna Mae Mims “Think Pink” Sprite is here, and we’re currently photographing it for a feature. But first, the car needed some cleanup. Look for the feature in a future issue of Classic Motorsports.
Terrible Tiger 8:09 a.m. May. 01
The Classic Motorsports Sunbeam Tiger made the drive from Florida to The Mitty—yes, Publisher Tim Suddard drove it here. Look for the scoop on its 400-plus-horsepower small-block Ford in the July issue.
Good Morning from The Mitty 7:08 a.m. May. 01
A happy good morning to everyone from a sunny Road Atlanta. The cars are already on track, and the magazine crews are busy setting up the infield. Several project cars from both Grassroots Motorsports and Classic Motorsports line our tent.
Personal Mementos 8:50 p.m. Apr. 30
The evening wrapped up with a huge autograph session. If it could be signed, Mr. Tullius signed it.
Remembering Good Times 7:50 p.m. Apr. 30
Amelia Island Concours founder Bill Warner, himself owner of two Group 44 Inc. cars, served as our emcee for the evening’s panel discussion. Several team principals participated, including Mr. Tullius himself. After the introductions but before the talk, everyone got to see a nice montage of historic video footage. J.G., our art director, stitched it all together; thanks to Jaguar archivist Michael Cook for loaning us the original footage. SunTrust and Jaguar also helped make the evening possible.
Going Once, Going Twice... 7:49 p.m. Apr. 30
The evening’s Group 44 Inc. VIP dinner started with an auction to raise funds for Bob Tullius’s favorite charity, the Humane Society of Highlands County. Items crossing the block included one-of-a-kind treasures like old trophies, team uniforms and even some signed artwork. Thanks to the generosity of those attending the Group 44 Inc. dinner, several thousand dollars were raised. Classic Motortsports Publisher Tim Suddard worked the mic, and his lovely assistant, daughter Katie, helped. At the end of the auction, the Amelia Island Conours donated another thousand dollars. Thanks, everyone. It was truly generous and touching.
Zoom Zoom 7:47 p.m. Apr. 30
All that talk about Mazda being into sports car racing isn’t mere PR speak. These guys and girls are real enthusiasts. Who’d we spot at tonight’s Group 44 Inc. dinner? Mazda exec and longtime racer Jim Jordan (center), MazdaSpeed PR master Dean Case (left) and Mazda photographer Alison Merion. By the way, Jim used to campaign an MGB back in the day. When asked why he was there, Jim gave a great answer: “Because I’m a car enthusiast.”
An Englishman in Braselton 6:56 p.m. Apr. 30
The Group 44 Inc. Jaguar XKE, the car featured in the latest issue of Classic Motorsports, is at The Mitty. This car has lived in England for many, many years, but was shipped in for The Mitty as well as the Amelia Island Concours. Thanks, mates. Past Group 44 Inc. drivers are also here, including Doc Bundy, Patrick Bedard and Tony Adamowicz. Team head mechanic Lanky Foushee has also showed up.
Meet Our Featured Guest 6:50 p.m. Apr. 30
Team boss Bob Tullius is here with his family—including several grandchildren.
Hello from The Mitty! 6:45 p.m. Apr. 30
A grand hello from beautiful Road Atlanta, home to this weekend’s Classic Motorsports Mitty. The theme of this year’s event is Group 44 Inc., and we have several real team cars on hand. Yes, these are the real deal, not “recreations” or anything like that.
Updates Coming Soon 8:44 a.m. Apr. 29
Stay tuned for live updates from The Mitty. We’re even going to try to have a webcast or two.
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