Archives for June 2008

Dino Crescentini Memorial: Readers comments displayed for the family

June 30, 2008 by Gary Grant 3 Comments

The passing of Dino Crescentini has brought a flood of new visitors to The Garage. Wonderful, friendly people who already feel like part of the family. There has also been a healthy does of creativity, with many talented photographers and writers expressing their wishes. Close friend of the Crescentini family, Dominic Torres took many of your photos and comments and created a huge 8’x 4′ board that was displayed at the memorial. All of your good wishes were delivered to Dino’s family in a most memorable fashion.

Thank you Dominic, and thank you readers for sharing.

Click below to see larger version:

Yes Virginia, there is a Shelby Corvette…

June 28, 2008 by Gary Grant 3 Comments

At least that’s what some guy convinced his buddy a few year’s back when he saw Al DeBonis’ ’62 Corvette parked amongst a bunch of snakes at a race weekend. Watching this unfold, the Shelby guys waited until Al and his wife went for lunch and out came the vinyl lettering. The legend of the Shelby Corvette was born. When DeBonis sold that car and began work on a later model Vette, it just seemed natural that it should be christened “Shelby Corvette 002”.

More pictures after the break
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From The Garage Flickr Pool

June 27, 2008 by Gary Grant Leave a Comment

I’m a sucker for traditional rods these days and Flickr user Lostillusion75’s shot titled Racing 33 gives me the warm fuzzies on a smokin’ hot Friday afternoon. This makes me want to go cruising tonight.

Dino Crescentini: Memories in images

June 25, 2008 by Gary Grant 29 Comments

When I returned home from Mosport on Sunday afternoon, I sat down in front of the computer to write. I had never met Dino Crescentini, though I had admired his Wolf Dallara and even his Can-Am motorcycle. The events from earlier in the day had upset me as a person, as a driver and as a motorsports enthusiast. I had to respectfully inform my fellow enthusiasts of the tragedy of the day. Little did I know that The Garage would become the hub where so many would convey their messages of sympathy and memories to Dino’s family. I am honored that I have been able to help connect all of you.

As I sat down to write, it occurred to me to have a look at the post I had published to promote the VARAC Festival early the day before. It was a detail shot of Dino’s car taken at last year’s VARAC Festival.

We have heard stories of Dino’s love of his friends and family, and we’ve heard how he loved to share his love of motorsports. Some of that love has obviously rubbed off, as so many people have sent in photos to share. After the break, you’ll find a quantity of memories. As there are children in many of these photos, I think it is best to let the images do the talking and leave out the credits. Thanks to everyone who has shared their photos.

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What the VARAC Festival was meant to be

June 23, 2008 by Gary Grant 9 Comments

With all the emotion following Sunday’s tragedy at Mosport, an important awakening that happened the same day has been somewhat neglected. Our 9 year old discovered how cool it can be when you combine cars and cameras.

Armed with my crappy old digicam, Duncan worked his way through the paddock on a mission. When the internal memory was full, he was more than happy to take over my FZ-8. As you can see, The Dude has an eye for details and gets the basics of framing a shot. All last night and then again this evening he kept asking when I was going to get him a real camera so he can take more car pictures.

The sport we all love has kindled another flame, while another was extinguished.

Duncan’s photos

Created with Admarket’s flickrSLiDR.

Tragedy mars 2008 VARAC festival at Mosport

June 22, 2008 by Gary Grant 157 Comments

Part way though the Group 6 race for Wings & Slicks this morning, the hills around Mosport went silent. It was the kind of eerie silence where you know that something very bad has happened.

At the top of the hill, in the slight bend the Ex Gilles Villeneuve Wolf Dallara Can Am car of Dino Crescentini got sideways at very high speed. The wind got under the car, which barrel rolled several times before impacting the wall and then rolling again. The successful endurance and sprint racer died at the scene. Organizers canceled the rest of the day’s races out of respect.

Our thoughts go out to Crescentini’s family and crew. The vintage racing community is a small, tight knit one and this afternoon was pretty sombre, with much reflection and friends supporting each other. Even though vintage racing is a fun pastime that doesn’t often cause injury or death, all must remember that some classes are high strung racing machines capable of close to 200 mph. It doesn’t take more than the tiniest of errors to bring on catastrophe.

Scott Kalitta dies in crash

June 22, 2008 by Gary Faules 1 Comment

Simply put fire is every drivers worst fear. God forbid people will write, “Well at least he died doing what he loved.” I will admit I have made that same comment when drivers have lost their lives but I can honestly say I have never said it about anyone who has been overcome by fire.

I never met Scott that I know of but I had been around his father quite a bit back in my straight-line days. I suppose it’s possible he was there as a little boy but I don’t remember him back then. Even though I never raced at his level back in the 60’s and 70’s it was common place to pit right next to all the big names like Garlits, Muldowney, Prudhomme, Wild Willy Borsch and the rest of them on any given race weekend. Nobody had those big rigs back then and everything fit on one flatbed trailer typically towed with the family station wagon. All of them always treated everyone like you were best friends. One of the reason I liked Connie Kalitta so much is I read so much about him when I was a boy growing up in Oregon and he always drove the coolest cars and he seemed younger than many of the others. I honestly still have pages of his cars that I tore out of magazines and tacked to my bed room wall when I was a teenager. He helped me set up the carbs on one of my cars one time in between rounds. I used to sit in The Bounty Hunter and somewhere I have photos of it.

Having known Connie Kalitta so well I have no doubt Scott was a chip off the old block. Gods Speed Scott and my thoughts an prayers go out to his family and friends during these tough times.

The first ever lap record of Mosport

June 21, 2008 by Gary Grant 2 Comments

For racing enthusiasts who live in Ontario, Mosport is an almost mythical place. It has seen the birth and heyday of series like the Trans Am and Can Am. It has played host to the Canadian Grand Prix. All of the great drivers from every decade from the Sixties onwards have driven at Mosport and called it one of the best tracks in the world. Corner 2 has often been called one of the most difficult corners on any track in the world. There are stories of victory and tragedy. There is even a long standing rumor that an old open wheeler (I can’t recall, if it was a Grand Prix or Formula Junior car) is buried somewhere near the turn 2 tunnel.

“we headed north into the country like Knights Templar in search of the Holy Grail.”

The Holy Grail indeed.

How many young men have hopped into a sports car and gone in search of their own Holy Grail. In this case, a young Christopher Ennis and his pal were in search of a race track that was rumored to be under construction. The year was 1960 and their steed…a Bugeye Sprite. How fitting then that they eventually found their Grail and managed a somewhat soggy lap.

Fitting also that this weekend, when the Can Am cars return to our Avalon, that the Toronto Star should publish Mr. Ennis’ tale of sports car enlightenment. While many may disagree, I think Mr. Ennis’ story may be the most historically significant story that The Star’s Wheels section has ever published!

Truly, this tale exemplifies the freedom and excitement that characterized the sports car revolution of the late Fifties and early Sixties. Well done Chris and congratulations on accomplishing your mission 48 years ago.

2008 VARAC Festival on this weekend at Mosport

June 21, 2008 by Gary Grant 1 Comment

Finally it’s time for the 2008 VARAC Festival. The focus this year is on the Can Am series. If you’ve never seen the ground pounders in action, this is your chance to see some of the most exciting machines ever built. This year’s gathering is also a stop for the Lola 50th anniversary tour. Of course there will also be the usual collection of sedans, sports cars and open wheelers. The Festival is at Mosport today and tomorrow. You can be sure we’ll have tons of photos over the next few days.

Everyone has to start somewhere

June 20, 2008 by Gary Grant 4 Comments

Regular readers know that I believe kids can and should be involved in motorsports as early as they show interest. Here in Ontario, kids can start racing karts the year they turn 8 and for those who are into two wheeled action they start riding motocross at 5. Not everyone can be a driver though. As every driver will agree, without enthusiastic crew behind them, there would be no racing. There are so many jobs in the paddock, that even the little ones can have a go, even if they are handing out sandwiches.

The young lad you see above was roughly 12 years old. He was hard at work in the Goodyear compound cleaning and marking slicks for the NASCAR Canada teams. You can pretty much guarantee that this guy will one day be earning his keep working in the big leagues.

If memory serves, the leader of Team California’s Best began his long racing career slinging tires for a funny guy’s racing team.

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