Here's to 2010


It’s that time of year again. The Christmas decorations are all put away, the memory of New Year’s Eve celebrations are but a hazy memory (well they were the morning after too!), and we can’t put it off any longer, we’ve got to get back to work and try and earn a few dollars to keep us in race cars.

I suppose all things considered, it wasn’t such a horrible year as it promised to be, when the World’s economy appeared to be falling around our ears. Despite World governments taking our money and giving it to the banks and insurance companies (!!***!!!), you, the customer, carried on buying cars, whether they were from people like me or the auction companies. I suppose the fact that there was no longer any interest being paid from the banks may have spurred some people to put their money into cars, probably along the lines of: 1. Might as well have some enjoyment; and 2. Just might make some money when I come to sell the thing.

So what are we facing this year? Personally, I see a lot of cars being bought in America and shipped to Europe, particularly racecars. The dollar’s still weak against the Euro and the pound and there’s any amount of good cars still over here in the USA. Will that exchange rate change much this year? Only time will tell.

Racecar wise, dear George Tuma lent Mauro Borella and myself his 1969 Ferrari Comp. Daytona for the last HSR race meeting at Sebring and it was a revelation, being mighty quick down the straight, although something of a handful around the twisty bits... Thanks George!

I raced my 1960 vintage Jones Hydroplane a few times and felt that I was starting to get to grips with it although, like every other race vehicle I’ve ever driven, I now think it needs a more powerful engine than the old 265 Chevy it currently has.

The dear old 1974 RSR soldiered on well in CER and I’m very glad to see that the GT class in that series has been re-worked in order to give RSRs a chance of winning their class now. Before, we had been lumped in with the 935s and BMW M1s, so no chance there.

Here in America, it’s going to be very interesting to watch the progress of the new, Bobby Rahal-headed vintage racing organization. At last look, they had three race meetings organized but that may increase. They are a “purist” bunch as far as the cars themselves are concerned (no replicas), so just how many will turn out for each meeting will be very interesting to watch. I wish the series good fortune.

On the Monday after the HSR Sebring meeting, my old friend Mauro and I drove back there and dug out the 1982 Riggins’ tubeframe chassised Camaro that he raced at Daytona in 1994 and 1995. It had been in storage since 1995 and, after a restoration at Predator Performance in Largo, Mauro promises me that I can share it with him at some “Enduro” races here in America. I’m looking forward to that as I think that car has done well over ten Daytona 24 Hours, finished most of them and placed as high as eighth overall.

Streetwise, the 1963 Buick Riviera has provided enormous fun. I’ve had some very ‘attention-getting’ cars in my lifetime, but nothing rivals the attention that the Buick gets and it’s such a nice ride as well. With 6.6 liters, it’s not outdone on the freeway either, although 10 mpg around town is somewhat drastic! I’m still driving the 1997 Mercedes SL500, which has proved yet again to be rapid, reliable and comfortable, despite the mileage now approaching 120,000. I mean, why buy something new when you don’t need it?

On a personal note, Su and I “rescued” two more dogs, Humphrey and Boomer, who are currently doing their best to drive us mental and it’s noticeable that the amount of visitors has diminished significantly, so not all bad there...

So here’s to another year of writing, publishing and racing, of both cars and boats. It promises to be a good one.