Editorial
Thought this might be a good place to post explanations and
miscellaneous thoughts.....
Hello Everyone,
I'm Steve Bonk, the founder of Trans Am B Sedan race group or T.A.B.S. I just
wanted to say thank you for participating in or helping T.A.B.S. Trans Am B
Sedan's first event at the Autobahn Country Club 10-11-2009. This letter might
be a little late but it coincides with the 5 race 2010 series schedule
unveiling.
Below you will find a little wrap up of the race called " Vintage Trans Am
Racer". If any of you have been fortunate enough to have read Chris
Bonk's " Vintage Racer" series (highly touted by a select group), this
is in the same genre. First the Disclosure "Vintage Trans Am racer" is
a tongue in cheek satirical look at all aspects of our sport and it's
participants. Take this with a grain of salt and the humor it's intended to be.
The more we get to know each other, the better the material will be for future
"Vintage Trans Am racer" episodes.
On a cold Sunday, October 11, 2009 a group of very determined racers wake up to
the coldest race weather of the season. It was so cold that "we should have
hooked up block warmers to our engines"! Saturdays racing included 2
"rivers run through it" on the 2.1 mile Autobahn south track. One
racer came in and said, "there is only one river out there today, I
think the other one is frozen". Lets meet the DNS (Did Not Start)
group that had fully intended to be part of the action but fate dealt out a poor
hand to them.
First up, yes me, Steve Bonk, one of the infamous Bonk brothers and part of BBR,
Bonk Brothers Racing. A Datsun Stalwart, 11 year veteran, in his Datsun 510 did
not make his own race! Taking 3 years to rebuild his car, he vowed to be there
spending thousands of dollars and hundreds of hours but later in the 11 hour a
mysterious timing chain noise shuts down all hopes of driving my car. Jeff
Babcock probably summed it up the best. " I guess you can dream about
putting on a Trans Am race or driving in a Trans Am race but you can't do
both". Many people thanked me for my efforts putting it all together and I
thank you all. The next DNS, Lisa Weinberger of the well known Weinberger racing
family. Lisa was excited to showcase her ex Janet Guthrie Trans Am Toyota
Celica. But on Saturday here engine let go in a big way. Dashing all hopes to
make the grid. I did talk to Lisa at Chicago Indoor Racing and she hopes to make
some races next year with her busy schedule. Our last DNS, Terry Stahly, the
hard charger in his rookie season with VSCDA experienced engine difficulties on
Saturday. That also ruined his hopes of participating in his first Trans Am
race. He is vigorously prepping his car for next season. We hope to see him on
the Trans Am grid in 2010.
Geoff Pile is our own"English Gentleman Racer", but don't mistake
Gentleman Racer for slow! Geoff posted the fastest lap time in our race. A
1:40.302. Geoff is in a class by himself, literally. His car is a European
touring spec Ford Escot, 285 horse rocket ship that just needs more
traction. Geoff started at the back of the pack because he prepped his car until
midnight the night before the race and wasn't able to qualify on Saturday. He
charged through the pack in a short time and finished 2nd overall! If there
would of been a few more laps, he would of won the race. On a side note, one of
Geoff's crew members left an empty plastic water bottle in the car that ended up
under his brake & clutch pedals making for some interesting crunching sounds
upon shifts and some very spongy feeling brakes. Geoff was doing quite the tap
dance on the pedals at speed. Geoff hopes his work schedule won't ruin his
chances for the 2010 season.
Jim Fuerstenberg, owner of one of the fastest vintage Mini Coopers in the U.S.
drove only 4 blistering laps before he dropped out with engine issues. He surely
would of been a top 5 finisher, even with the smallest engine on the grid. We
hope to see more of Jim next year.
Larry Dupuis brought out his original Canadian B Sedan 72 Ford Cortina GT. A
real survivor car. He was one of the longest tows to get to the event. The main
reason he came was for the Trans Am race. We thank him for joining us.We have
some races closer to you next year, Larry.
Chris Bonk, the other infamous Bonk brother of BBR racing had to carry the torch
for the team. Speaking of torch, BBR's unfair advqntage was to use a propane
torch to heat up the tires on the car. Does it work? Chris said "the
first few laps everbody else was locking em up and there was smoke every
where" Not recommended unless you are taking the tires off the car
after the race, which we were.Pressure was high for a good finish. BBR didn't
expect a top 5 finish, after all, Chris's car was running on Alex Rorke's well
worn take off's with a 100 heat cycles on them. He also runs pump gas and a 1600
motor. While not allowing all out domination at the tracks, he is hoping that he
will constantly garner all participation points for a consist ant and reliable
car.
Barb Neverol, the only lady to make the grid in her red Alfa GTV finished 7th.
She told me she's working on getting back to the sharp end of the grid after
having many mechanical set backs the last few seasons. Hopefully 2010 will be a
great year for Barb.
Charles Kingsley, piloting his green Alfa GTV, posted the fourth fastest time
with a 1:47.16 and came in 6th. Those Volvo's must be truly hard to pass.
There's always next season, Charles!
John Hornbostel's weapon of choice for this Trans AM effort is a 67 Volvo 142S.
John also had a long tow from Ohio. We are pleased he made it out and solved his
break-up issue to put on a good race for the spectators. Hope to see you next
season, John.
Jeff Babcock, another veteran racer, came in 4th position running his Volvo but
his car, the 122S looks quite different then the 142S. Jeff's car is white with
the #122 appropriately em blazed on his sides with a red checkered flag on it's
flanks. Jeff might have the largest fan club in VSCDA. A special thanks goes to
you for helping us get the T.A.B.S. Autobahn stickers for the event.
Tim Roberts puts in a impressive drive. In the Catalyst Exhibits Alfa GTV. In
only 2 short seasons, Tim has come in 3rd place with the help of Mike Besic of
Besic Motorsports, preparing his car. A 1st place race finish next season is
realistic, Tim!
Our winner of the Trans Am race and recipient of the John Morton trophy is Andy
Besic! Andy posted a best lap of 1:40.79, which goes into the record books as
the lap time to beat for a Trans Am spec car. Andy pilots his Bulova Series 1969
red Alfa GTV to his first Trans Am win! Even more impressive, he did it on tires
2 seasons old. Prior to the race, I went up to him on the grid, knowing full
well it was going to be a real battle between Andy and Geoff. His quote to me
was "I got nothing for him". Andy put on quite a show. His car has 85
horses less then Geoffs and was only a few tenths slower. Andy will be the one
to beat next year, that is if his schedule isn't full of Lemons racing!
I hope you enjoyed this little snapshot of the race grid. Please email me
back to let me know you received this. Also go to www.transam-bsedan.com and
look at our Trans Am series schedule. I have worked pretty hard to get all these
races for us, so please let me know which ones you would like to run. Out of 5
races, we will take the best 3 finishes towards your overall score for the
season. The way the point system is set up, favors a reliable car over the fast
and unreliable car. Keep that in mind for your winter car prep. If you have not
signed up on my website, please do so and also send a picture of your car and
info about it to put on the website. Thanks again for a great time. Hope to hear
from you soon.
Steve Bonk