Category Archive: Racing

Nurburgring Novice

At the end of August 1961, John Whitmore had been racing in Denmark at the Roskilde Ring, doing battle with the work’s Saabs. He and Eoin Young then hurried down motorways to arrive in Germany at Adenau, performing a handbrake turn in the car park to celebrate a non-stop marathon. John and I were to …

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Drive Like a Girl

I had no idea that the young girls of the post-World War II era dreamed of becoming racecar drivers. Certainly a pony might appear in their hopeful plans for the future, and many of them took part very successfully in show jumping and cross-country events—Pat Moss included. But driving ambitions came as naturally to many of …

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Bonnienogo

A while back, I wrote up an article about my plans to race an MG Midget in the I/GT class at the Bonneville Salt Flats in September, 2012.  The plan was to campaign the “Milwaukee Midget” at the World of Speed event, which is run by the Utah Salt Flats Racing Association. Without going into …

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Disassembling and Inspecting a British Engine

There’s an old saying, it’s always easier to take something apart than it is to put it back together. This, for sure, is the case with engines, but there are lots of things an engine can tell you when you disassemble it for rebuild, if you look for them. Your first order of business is …

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To Race the Alps

The Legacy of Yesterday’s Mountain Climbers I sometimes wonder if the British cars that we collect, restore and love so much still carry with them the legacy of the rallies and races in the 1950s and sixties. Back in those Golden Days of motor sport, the cars not only had to look the same as …

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Number 79

The classified add read: “FOR SALE: ’61 Sprite, partially race-prepared, Engine rebuilt – $300. SW 4-1622 days till 7:00 pm.” We drove to Tom’s ABC Auto Service and there it was, a Cherry Red, H Production Bugeye Sprite with roll-bar, open exhaust, no windshield or front bumper.  Too boot, it was a “Sebring Sprite” with …

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Mitty Photo Gallery

Mitty2012_0710

Here’s some on track action from the Mitty. Don’t see a way to post a gallery within WordPress, so follow the link to a PBase gallery. Fair warning, there’s some non-British vehicles in here. http://www.pbase.com/ignomini/the_mitty_road_atlanta_2012

August 23 and 24, 1954

Nine short years is what Carroll Shelby spent as a race car driver. During his abbreviated driving career, one cut short by a heart condition that would partially confine his career, but never define him, Carroll Shelby raced heads up against some of the most prominent and preeminent drivers of the 1950s. Sterling Moss, Juan …

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Hotlanta, Racing, and a Frozen Warbird

Glacier Girl P-38

Whether you’re referring to the racing or the weather, The Mitty, held at Road Atlanta from April 27-29 had plenty of hot to go around. Lovers of on track performance were greeted by both originals, and recreations of famous race cars from the heyday of Triumph sports car racing. If famous people are more your …

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My First and Last First

The Grand Prix cars racing around Long Beach brings back a memory of about 55 years ago. My husband Jack and I loved cars. He was one of the first to sign up to purchase the new MGs being brought over from England. Ours was a little two-seater with a red and black plaid top. …

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