Some time ago, Gary Faules took us on a tour of Infineon Raceway in Lucky, the GT350R. I just stumbled across this video that puts things into a completely different perspective. Vintage racer Gary Sheehan takes us for a few laps of the legendary Sears Point track in the McLaren M6B Can Am car originally driven by Jo Bonnier. While I get the feeling that Gary S is far from flying in the beast, this video gives a pretty good idea what the view was like from the cockpit of one of the Can Am monsters.
Oh yeah, you might want to crank the speakers for this one!
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.
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.
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.
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.
While we’ve lost the Toronto Grand Prix for 2008, it doesn’t mean that there isn’t some great racing to be had in Ontario this year. Just up the road from downtown Toronto, at Canada’s home of motorsport, is the annual VARAC Vintage Racing Festival. The focus for 2008 is on the thundering Can Am cars and what better place to experience these beasts than at Mosport.
Owners of these incredible cars are well aware that some of the most historic Can Am battles took place at Mosport and are always happy to bring their monsters back to the track. We’re still 4 months away and the entry list is already impressive. Continue reading →
One of the greatest things about racing in the Sixties was that there were some really big brains who used every bit of grey matter to devise new ways to make their cars faster than the competition. In Trans Am, it was Camaros with roofs like chip bags. In Can Am, we saw the first marriages of aviation and auto racing. The most innovative of the Can Am cars came from the minds behind the Chaparral series of cars. Using everything from wings to fans, these guys made race cars go faster than ever before. Now, the Chaparral group has produced a Continuation model, which essentially means it’s a new 2E. This is the one with the big wing & the Cox logo that so many of us favoured to win the neighbourhood slot car races.
Watch as Winding Road’s James Morse spends some time with James Musser from Chaparral. Turn the speakers up loud! Afterwards, be sure to visit Winding Road and sign up for their superb online publication.
Targa Florio. The name sends shivers down the spine of long time race fans. Some of the best drivers of all time doing battle on real roads in some of the most fearsom racing machines ever built. Fortunately, the roads have changed little and the enthusiast can retrace the original route. I just came across this in car video done by an enthusiast. Set to the sounds of The Cult, the modern in-car is broken up with some vintage footage here and there. A great distraction from wrapping Christmas presents. At just over 4 minutes, it’s just long enough for a beer and your racing fix, without getting in trouble for neglecting your family duties!
Back in the golden days of road racing, it was all about the special. Racers and fabricators would cobble together all sorts of sports racers, at home in their garage. Most of them were one offs, and many of those went on to become winning machines that are part of the fabric of motor racing history. Others were so successful that they launched their builders on to winning careers. It is in this spirit that Dick Bear has built the McBearen.
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