"Winning (in vintage racing) isn't life or death, It is more important than that!"
When Darrell Mountjoy called and asked if I could help him with his Le Mans Tiger at the VARA Races at Willow I did not hesitate. The end of the season race out in the desert near Lancaster, CA features the annual "Ford Chevy Challenge Race". The Big Bore Bash also included a race for Can Am cars, Winstin Cup cars and an on track exhibition of current TransAm machines.
In addition to Darrell's # 9 there were 3 other Tigers on hand. Steve Alcala was entered in Dan Walter's black car. Dale Akuszewski and his right hand drive Tiger both (Dale and the car) were recovered enough from recent surgery to make a strong showing. The former Jeff Queen race tiger with the Tiger stripe paint is now owned and very capably driven by Steve Miller of Anaheim.
C.A.T. Member Al Densen the "Cap Dog" provided the great hats for the event and was on hand to drive his black early TransAm Mustang. Tom Sakai is another Tiger racer but he brought his A Sedan Falcon to this event.
Clear and cool was the weather. Cold in the wind any time of day. Of course we have members in B.C. Canada who would welcome 50 f in November.
The weekend results should be posted soon at the VARA Web . Use back arrow to return here.
Ford (Mike Davis A/S X exhibition) won the Challenge and the Group 4 race for A/S, AP, and BP cars. Steve Miller was the highest placed Tiger, always in the top 10 of the nearly 40 entries in the huge field. Dale was a few places back at a competitive pace. Steve Alcala and Darrell were somewhat further back and having a great time.
Several other C.A.T. members showed up to to enjoy the show and cheer for Ford and the Tigers. They included Mike Lawrence, Mark Theroux, Matt Thibaud, Peter Friberger and Jere Teepen. I am sure there were others. Although I missed seeing him at the track, Bob Norton sent me the "On Track" photos below with orange frames. All other photo credits and the text are compliments of your Web Master.
Rick Mueller
