SoCal Solo2, Historic Class Auto Crossing on 12/7 at AAA/Fontana CA

This was our last event of the year. If someone can post these directly, please do!

https://www.flickr.com/photos/43812942@N06/15978692841/in/set-72157649259403877

https://www.flickr.com/photos/43812942@N06/15361065983/in/set-72157649259403877

https://www.flickr.com/photos/43812942@N06/15358201954/in/set-72157649259403877

https://www.flickr.com/photos/43812942@N06/15793185740/in/set-72157649259403877

https://www.flickr.com/photos/43812942@N06/15979826482/in/set-72157649259403877

The BMW 320is is mine. The car runs in H Stock on Falken 615K's, 195/60 14's using 14x6 rims. We are allowed to go "plus one" on the rims.

More info on our Historic 1 and 2 groups can be found at:

http://www.solo2.com/supp_regs/SCCA_Cal_Club_Solo_Supp_Rules_Regs_2013.pdf

David

In reply to jr02518:LEO!! YOU HAVE TO CHECK OUT THIS LINK! Rupert

GREAT SHOTS!! It's fun to have the top off this time of the year.

Speaking of cars they made a zillion of but you don't see around anymore (ref. another thread), how about that Fiat 850, #903? Haven't seen one of those in the Northeast since the eighties. Ya gotta love SoCal!

The owner of the Fiat 850 is John Edwards, http://www.engine-machining.com/My%20Web%20Sites/index.htm

He might own the last machine shop in Costa Mesa, CA. In Fiat terms 903, the engines displacement is a Abarth combination that creates as much noise as horsepower. I had the opportunity to drive the car at a divisional event at Qualcom two years ago and I have never been more photographed in my life.

Both idle and launch were north of 2200rpm.

I assume it's the real estate values that are driving the machine shops out of Costa Mesa? That would be too bad. Back in the nineties I used to go to a place in Costa Mesa called the "Goat Hill Tavern" on Newport Blvd just before it turns into the 55 Freeway. Cool place. I still have a GHT sticker on my tool box. I hope the real estate prices aren't driving the cool bars out of Costa Mesa too. (I love OC).

In reply to Gary:In the '60s you couldn't swing a cat without hitting some type of machine shop or speed shop in So.Cal. Can't find a part, no problem, we'll make you one or 1,000. How many do you need?

I guess the big box store effect & extreme over-regulation has changed all of that.

To Rupert: I agree, especially in OC. Most of the metal cutting businesses remaining in SoCal are either in LA County south of the 10 and east of the 405 and are doing aerospace work, or further south, east of San Diego, where the real estate values are a bit lower.

To jr02518: What organization is it? VARA?

Gary,

http://www.vararacing.com/

Vintage Auto Racing Association

David

I went to a few of VARA's racing events back in the nineties: Tustin Thunder at the old blimp base, and their last couple of races in Palm Springs, one actually on the city streets and used the Wyndham Hotel parking lot as the paddock! Geez, they could probably never do that today. VARA was a well-run organization as I remember.

In reply to Gary:The old blimp base at Tustin! Now that's a place I'll never forget.

When I was stationed there it was called the Marine Corps Air Facility Santa Ana. Not to be confused with MCAS El Toro across the freeway where the fixed wingers were based. We flew various models of choppers from the MCAF while training for Vietnam deployment.

I was shocked on my first trip back to that part of So. Cal. to find the hangers missing! The place seems so featureless with them gone.