As a wee lad, I remember watching a bunch of NASCAR races on TV. As an impressionable young boy, the roundy rounds of the early Seventies were pretty neat stuff and that Petty guy was just too cool. As I grew up, NASCAR lost it’s luster for me and I lost all interest. The cars from a decade earlier never really became more than the tiniest blip on my radar.

Lately though, as I learn how many of those early oval track drivers also got involved in open road races like La Carrera and how many of the cars were sort of multi use, I’m starting to notice these cars a lot more. There is a whole new element of automotive cool that I’ve just never really exposed myself to.

At the 2008 VARAC Festival at Mosport, I came across what might have been the coolest car I’ve seen in years, David Strachan’s 62 Ford Galaxie. That’s a pretty strong statement for a clone car in a paddock full of Can Am cars, but it is the truth. Strachan’s machine is a period correct copy of the Holman Moody Galaxie’s from the early Sixties. David and the team went to great lengths to use as many original bits as possible. The shocks are true old Holman Moody pieces, as are the wheels. Great care was taken to replicate trick pieces like adjustable front shock mounts. The car is powered by a big honkin’ 427 cubic inch V-8, just like one would expect to find.
Continue reading →

Popularity: 5%

Popularity: 4%

Popularity: 4%

Popularity: 4%

Popularity: 3%

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:

Popularity: 3%

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
Continue reading →

Popularity: 4%

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.

Continue reading →

Popularity: 7%

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.

Popularity: 5%

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.

Popularity: 18%