September 2011

[caption id="attachment_4681" align="aligncenter" width="500" caption="Tim Pickstone, 1963 Porsche 356C - Paul Bonner photo"][/caption] Nine of the VRCBC's best racers made the trip across the border on the Labour Day weekend to take part in the 9th Annual Columbia River Classic put on by our friends, the Society of Vintage Racing Enthusiasts (SOVREN) at Portland International Raceway (PIR). Thanks to Paul Bonner we have these photos of them in action. Thanks Paul.

[caption id="attachment_4643" align="aligncenter" width="500" caption="The legendary Jackie Stewart with the VRCBC's very own legend, Mike Tate (he's the one on the right) at Goodwood 2011 - Photo by Mike Tate & Associates"][/caption]
The VRCBC's Mike Tate was at this year's Goodwood Revival Meeting and sent us a few photos (see below), undoubtedly to make us all jealous - which he has done successfully. In Mike's own words:
"It was an incredible spectacle from the first green flag to the last chequered one.  Was it all too much?  Not a bit of it. I would do it all again in a heartbeat."
Check out Mike's stories and more photos on the Western Driver website (here and here and here ) and watch for his full report and more photos in the next edition of the VRCBC Vantage Newsletter.

The Three Mini Amigos welcome patrons to the Valleyview Lordco Auto Parts

Lordco Auto Parts in Valleyview hosted a Car Show in their parking lot on Sunday, September 18th, with all of the proceeds going to aid the Kamloops Food Bank. Maybe we are biased but the highlight of the show for us was the above trio of Minis. They perfectly illustrated the versatility of this long time favourite.

Jim Clark's completely original, orange 1976 Mini 1000 is in the middle. It was imported from Australia, which explains why the steering wheel is on the 'wrong' side. The green one on the left is Simon Griffin's 1974 Mini. It is an excellent example of a modified - but still streetable - car, with its Weber-carbed, bored-out 1100 cc engine, Cooper S front disc brakes and a full custom interior. Simon's car took 1st Place in the Peoples' Choice Award over about 90 other cars (mostly American 'muscle') in the day's Show and Shine!

The white car on the right will be very familiar to local Vintage race fans. It is VRCBC member Geoff Tupholme's full race version of a 1973 Mini with a 1293 cc engine and many 'go-fast' tweaks. (You will be able to watch Geoff and many other Vintage racers at the season's final event on October 9th at Mission Raceway Park.) Check out the engine photos below.

Good Show Chaps! 

[caption id="attachment_4528" align="aligncenter" width="500" caption="Renown Mazda 787 - 1991 Le Mans winner - A. Harvey photo"][/caption] The VRCBC's Competition Director Al Harvey, attended the recent Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. See a small sample of his photos below. Look for a full report - with more photos - in the next edition of the Vantage newsletter.