Down Memory Lane!

From the mid-seventies to the early nineties, I was very active in the Ferrari Club of America. In particular, I took responsibility for all tech inspections for the Northeast Region track events as well as writing a few technical articles for the Prancing Horse magazines and club bulletins. I was even given the ubiquitous title of “Northeast Region Tech Director”!

The inspections were a way of insuring that all participating cars were declared safe before being allowed on the track.

A few points:

Tires – Properly speed rated (VR or racing), sufficient tread and showing no signs of aging or dry-rot.

Suspension – Minimal play in ball joints, tie rod ends, kingpin/trunnions and steering box/rack & pinion.

Fluids – underneath could be a bit wet but no puddles.

Proper seat belts, no loose items in the cockpit, approved fire extinguisher, no loose items hanging down, etc.

Brakes – no sign of worn pads, no pedal creep, no sign of brake fluid leaks. Brake lights operational.

More but I can’t recall it all.


The best part, however was the very interesting people I had the (mostly) pleasure of meeting.

Some of the names that come to mind: Peter Sachs (superb driver), Sherman Wolf (beautiful Barchetta style racing car), Joe Rosen (great guy, very good driver and an impressive collection of cars), The Gelles brothers (Series II 250 GTO as I recall), Carle Conway (true gentleman, excellent driver and owner of two different 250 GTOs), Domenic Incantalupo (kept up with the big guys in his 308GT/4), John Geils (J Geils Band), Paul Newman (not a participant but a very interesting guy! He showed up a number of times at Lime Rock and we had a few beers together.) and a group from Canada (Peter Mackenzie/Sanders, Ernie Hennesy, Vito Scavoni and a few more that I can’t recall).

There are many that I cannot recall but I can honestly say that we had great times both on and off the track. Maybe some of you can jog my memory and we can identify a few more from that time period.

I wonder how many of those fellows are still with us and still active with Ferraris!

Anyone here familiar with any of them?

Bob Z.

 

WOW!! Thanks for the great replies.
Mr Turbo. It might be that the rules have changed when I was in charge, but worn out street tires were forbidden for the following reason(s).
1) They are NOT slicks - slicks are designed with special compounds designed for racing. When a street tire is devoid of tread, one has no way of knowing how much rubber is left between the steel belts and the outer surface. To the point, if the said rubber is very thin, a few hours of hard driving might just scrub off enough rubber to expose the steel belts which could cause a catastrophic failure. The cars are valuable - buy an extra set of wheels and new racing tires, then dedicate them for track use only.

Mr Kennedy - thanks for the input! Yes, Joe Rosen had an early yellow 308 GTB.

It later became the property of Lulu Wang. She did a lot of track time with it. She and husband Anthony showed up at various events with a most interesting assortment of cars. As I recall, Mr Wang bought GTO #4713.

Yes, Mr Sachs had the beautiful Testa Rossa with the twin radiator intakes. As I recall, it was referred to as a 61 TRI (but I may be wrong), one of two built.
I met him at Lime Rock where he showed up with a rebodied 63 GTO. A few laps in the the passenger seat showed me what an amazing driver he was.

Chuck Queener - while riding around the Watkins track with him in a California Spider I noticed a dashboard plaque that read "All Things in Life are Sweetened by Risk". He was also a very fine and smooth driver. I have some of his signed prints and paintings.

And of course, Mr Pappalardo! A really great guy, he was the one who helped me find my first Ferrari, a beautiful 330 GT Series II. In 1974, he directed me to two gentlemen, owner Michael Blew and Phil Tegtmaier who arranged the purchase. As I recall, Mr Blew lived near Bob Dusek.
My most vivid memory with Mr Pappalardo was when I visited him in his incredible home in Greenwich, CT. I was examining (as in drooling over!) his outstanding California Spider. He walked over, lifted the hood to show me the engine. He then connected the battery and said "The keys are in it, take it for a ride". I did as told and experienced the most exiting ride of my life. No, I did not push it at all - I just enjoyed the shear thrill of driving it.

The Canadians were, without a doubt an interesting bunch. They often attending events driving Daytonas, Boxers and 308s. One fellow owned a 427 Cobra. And they spent LOTS of time on the tracks.

Thanks again for the input and, let's hear from more of you.

Bob Z.

 

Mr Massini - thanks for the memory jog. Here are some answers in RED

 

Hello,Robert - man, did you open a can of memories!!!!
We actually raced at the Vineland speedway in summer of 1964. We campaigned a Triumph TR3A in H production. Except for a gutted interior and roll bar, it was completely stock. We always finished - mostly in LAST PLACE! I maintained the car, another guy drove it - I had no SCCA license.
It was actually a very good track when it was new.
It started around he mid- fifties as a stock car track (3/4 mile oval as I recall) then a drag strip was added.
The Henry J was donated buy a local scrapyard. My Father knew the owner - Billy Nocco as I recall, from grade school. They were neighbors.
The road course was added in the late fifties and actually attracted some big names in road racing.
I recall seeing some older Ferraris and I think even McClarens an Chaparells when we competed.
Maybe I even saw your car but it's been a long time!
Check this out: www.thedailyjournal.com/story/news/history/2015/06/16/vineland-speedway-was-center-of-auto-racing-in-cumberland-county/28805367/

Let's hear of more memories!!!

 

Two more names: Ewing Hunter and John Apen. Co-owners of FAF Motorcars, a Ferrari dealership in Tucker, Georgia.
I bought their first Ferrari V-12 from them in November, 1975. It was advertised in the classified section of Road and Track magazine in September and October of 1975.
They got it from Ed Waterman.
If any of you have a copy of the magazine, I'd love to hear from you!

Bob Z.

 

Mr Goodwrench: You are correct - it was F production. It was one of our buddies who campaigned his A/H Pug Eye Sprite in H Production.
I should clarify a bit more. We never did all-out racing. It was more like time trials. And NEVER in May, as I was in college in Terre Haute, Indiana.
We were able to get track time, mostly during the week. Rarely more than two or three cars on the track.
The requirements were not as stringent as all-out racing. For example, a safety inspection, no more than 3 gallons of fuel in the tank, an acceptable roll bar and an SCCA licensed driver. Streets tires OK with good tread. We even drove the car to the track (we lived three miles away.) Couldn't afford a trailer.
We were also responsible for any ARMCO or track damage or oil leaks/spills. No problem as British cars never leak!
It was a lot of fun and we never had an incident.

THANKS AGAIN for the memories.
More - did you ever race at Marlboro, Maryland? We never made it there as they did not allow time trials.

Bob Z.