HYDROS: San Diego Thriller gets waterlogged over elongated Offseason

Like does anybody remember last September?

 

Yeah, it feels like a really, really long time ago when I tuned in for Heat 5 of the Bill Muncey Cup from Bayfair in San Diego via H1 Unlimited’s Hideous Youtube channel Wayback’ on September 14th! As I still don’t understand why I need to jack up the volume an excruciating 46-48 levels! Just in order to be able to hear Brad Luce and Tanner Foust, Whiskey-Tango-Foxtrot!

 

Came into the broadcast when Luce was pontificating over Ray Fageol, grandson of the legendous’ Lou Fageol. And everything Ray had done for Bayfair and San Diego regarding Unlimited Hydroplane racing. And “With a little Help from some Friends”, i.e.; the Fageol Family and Fran Muncey, widow of Mr. Hydroplane Bill Muncey. Ray’s ashes were riding along with Dave Villwock aboard the U-27 Miss Apollo. With Luce saying it wasn’t planned, but there goes Villwock as the whoosh of a turbine filled my speakers, Whoosh!

 

While they were killing time for the apparent winner of Heat 4, Villwock to be confirmed. They ran a piece about how the U-11 Flav-R-Pac out of Cle Elem, WA has the youngest crew in the pits. With five 30-somethings working on the boat. As co-owner Sharon Reiny noted their youngest member was only 21 and had been with them since age 11!

 

As they were busy the entire weekend in Mission Bay. With Luce and Foust making jokes about diving deep in the trailer when pulling out their fourth Lycoming T-55 Chinook Helicopter turbine for the final heat…

 

Yet it wasn’t to be for Villwock, who was handed a one minute penalty for encroachment upon J. Michael Kelly in the U-8 Beacon Z. As Kelly had backed out during the race in order to keep from ingesting Salt water, which apparently does grave damage to the turbines. With Kelly electing to save His equipment for the finals.

 

Tuning in early for the final Heat, the Bill Muncey Cup. Luce eulogized Ron Snyder, who passed away that afternoon at age 86. As Snyder drove for many, including the late Bernie Little aboard the Miss Budweiser.

 

Once again had to jack up the volume, come on guys, this is so Mickey Mouse! And even though only four boats were competing it was indeed a Barn Burner! As Brad Luce called a Whale’ of a boat race, in His usual exuberant style…

 

After the four boats played Hide ‘n Seek during the five minutes milling period to the 1:15 minute score-up. Luce mentioned how He hoped Jamie Nilsen had brought His fishing line with Him since the U-11 was practically dead stop floating at the top of the course. With Foust cracking up over this quip!

 

3-2-1 looks like a clean start! With three boats side-by-side. With J. Michael Kelly in the U-8 Beacon Electric in lane two, and the two Bruce Ratchford (BWR Racing) Hydros of Dave Villwock’s U-27 Miss Apollo in lane three. And Andrew Tate’s U-91 Goodwin Real Estate on the outside in lane four.

 

As the boats accelerated down the backstraight, believe Villwock lifted, albeit later Tanner Foust would claim He’d heard a compressor stall, turning it into a two boat battle royale for the bill Muncey cup.

 

Although Tate, the newly crowned 2025 APBA National High Points champion was having to take the longer outside route, with Kelly having boat speed, the two played leapfrog for the lead over the remaining four laps. With Kelly having a two and-a-half boat lead on lap two. Then Tate flexed the U-91’s muscles and led on lap three.

 

Then Kelly led by a slim one and-a-half boat lengths on lap four. While it appeared Tate was pulling away down the backstretch, with Foust saying both drivers were flying their boats!

 

Then Luce emphatically shouted that Kely had taken the lead at the north’s top end corner and would hold on to beat Tate by a very slim margin. Before an exhausted Luce said He was going to sit down!

 

Claiming that was worth the trip, the whole weekend, the whole season. With Foust saying He’d never witnessed a closer boat race…

 

As have to say it totally reminded me of my All-time favourite race on Lake Washington. Which unfortunately today, some fifty-plus years later, I still haven’t been able to decide which year it was between 1973-1975 when the Miss Budweiser and Pride of Pay n’ Pak went deck-to-deck for all five laps with the dreaded Pak winning by 100 yards…

 

But Hey, that was some friggin’ eight and one half Gory months ago! And how many people remember it or watched the race?

 

BWR Racing: Bruce Ratchford’s bold vision for Hydroplane’s future 

NASCAR Invades San Diego

Although three other racing series beat them Thar’, Boy Howdy!

 

Unfortunately, this weekend’s NASCAR race is on Amazon Prime, meaning we won’t get to hear Mike Joy pontificating over NASCAR being the first series to race at a San Diego Naval Base. After all, wasn’t it Joy who proclaimed that NASCAR invented the SAFER Barrier, Oh Never Mind!

 

NASCAR is hosting its inaugural Street Race this June 21st at Naval Air Station (NAS) Coronado, part of San Diego’s active Naval base. Since originally, the Naval Training Center (NTC) was built in the early 1920’s before finally being closed in 1997.

 

Yet in 2000, the SCCA Pro Racing Trans Am Series hosted a race on a 1.65 mile, 14 Turns racecourse upon the streets of the Naval Training Center.

 

What I’ve wondered for awhile, since I first fell down this Wabbit’ Hole in mid-January! Is what’s the distance between the Naval Training Center (NTC) and the Naval Base Coronado (NZY) on North Island?

 

According to Al Gore’s wonderous invention, the All knowing Intrawoods’. As the crow or Seagulls fly is three miles. By car between nine and twelve miles, depending upon starting location.

 

Thus, these two separate entities are very close to one another indeed. And is it just CoInky-dense that NTC closed in 1997 and today’s consolidated Navel Base Coranado; and not the television company, Hya! (NBC) began in 1997, eh?

 

While I’m told that today the remaining NTC infrastructure is known as Liberty Station. With many acres turned into parks and recreation areas, along with housing…

 

As I find it pretty funny that I seem to be one of the extremely few that remembers this previous Trans Am race now over a quarter century ago. While details on the new race were very sketchy when I was tryin’ to stop my mind from wonderin’. (Where it will go?”

 

As Johnny Miller in a Chevrolet Corvette won the 60 lap (99 miles) race held on November 5th, 2000 ahead of Boris Said in a Ford Mustang. Followed by Brian Simo in the Tommy Bahamas Qval DeTomaso Mangusta.

 

Other notable names, or those I recognize from the past include Willy t. Ribbs, Chris Neville, Lou gigliotti, Tony Drissi, Leighton Reese, Stu Hayner, Randy Ruhlman, Michael Lewis and Paul Meatheadz’ Gentilozzi.

 

With a perusal of the 34 car entry grid, with 33 starters revealed the name Linda Pobst, who’s totally unknown to Mwah.

 

Although that last name set off claxon bells , since I remember Randy Pobst being a Bad Arse racer in the long forgotten, defunct North American Touring Car championship. (NATCC) Which He won the second and final championship driving for Honda thirty years ago.

 

Randy Pobst: A legendary Racing Driver

 

Although I wasn’t aware there was a Bruce Qvale, who naturally was entered in a second Qvale Mangusta team entry. Yet retired with zero laps due to ignition failure.

 

While “Bad Boy” Tony Drissi, the 2005 Trans Am Champion was still causing waves in last year’s Trans Am series

 

With the race paying a quaint $18,850 to the winner.

 

San Diego Grand Prix: Naval Training Center, Coranado

 

This year’s three day NASCAR weekend of Trucks, Grand National and Cup takes place on the Coranado Street Course, a 3.4-mile, 19 Turns layout. Having first hosted the Mazda MX-5 Cup series between 2012-2013, followed by Robby Gordon’s Stadium Trucks series in 2014.

 

Two prominent names will be making cameo appearances over the weekend. Having learned that seven times NASCAR Champion Jimmie Johnson would contest the Trucks and Cup race Wayback’ in February during the Day-Toner’ 500.

 

Whilst only recently stumbling upon the news that Kevin Bacon’ Magnussen will run Trackhouse Racing’s Project 91 entry at San Diego. Which has previously run “Wildcard” entries for thee original “Iceman” Kimi Raikkonen, the Gis’, aka Shane van Gisbergen and ‘Ol Dancin’ fool Hulio’, nee Helio Castroneves.

 

Meaning Trackhouse will field four Chevrolet Camaro entries with it’s No. 1 of Ross Chastain, No. 88 for rookie connor Zilisch, and No. 97 for Shane van Gisbergen, plus Magnussen.

 

As it’s all Johnson’s fault! That I learned about the Sand Diego Street race when reading His press release for this year’s Daytona 500. Noting He’d be pulling “Double Duty” in San Diego. Driving the No. 1 Tricom Garage’s Toyota Tundra PickEmUp’ Truck in the inaugural Craftsman Truc Series race. And His No. 84 Legacy Motor Club’s Toy-Yoter’ Camry in the Cup event.

 

While Jimmie’s dream of chauffeuring the fabled “Blue blaster”, Atlas Van Lines Unlimited Hydroplane at last year’s Seafair race got me wonderin’ how far Fiesta Island and Mission Bay are from either the former NTC, or North Island Naval Air Station Coranado?

 

HYDROS: Atlas Van Lines latest Hotschue’

 

Reputedly, Fiesta Island and NAS Coranado are 12-13 miles as the Seagulls flock. Or 14-15 miles by automobile. 

LE MANS: 2026 Race preview

Can somebody stop Ferrari’s winning streak?

 

This year’s 94th edition of le 24 Heurs du Mans commences over June 13-14 with 62 entries. With 18 Hypercars, 19 LMP2 and 25 LMGT3 entries.

 

As typical, I won’t try covering the entire grid, just what caught my No. 4 wire. Initially being most interested in how the two Genesis Magma Racing GMR-001 entry’s fare upon their Circuit de la Sarthe debut; Nos. 17, 19.

 

As the No. 17 of Pico Derani, Mathys Jaubert and Andre Lotterer are currently 13th overall, having scored Genesis’s first top-ten finish at Spa. (8th )

While the Seester’ No. 19 of Paul-Loup Chatin, Mathieu Jaminet and Daniel Juncadella languishes in P19 overall, with a best finish of 13th at Spa.

 

The other 16 Hypercars cast includes two Alpine A424’s, two Aston Martin Valkyrie’s, two BMW M Hybrid V8’s and three Cadillac V-Serie’s.R’s. Plus three Ferrari 499P’s, including the defending No. 83 winner. Two Peugeot 9X8’s and two Toyota TR010’s.

 

As the No. 8 Toyota won the season opener 6 Hours of Imola, with the No. 20 BMW M Team WRT winning the 6 Hours of Spa.

 

The No. 38 Herst Team Jota Caddy’ sports Jack “Achey Breaky” Aitken, Earl Bamber and le Hamburglar’, nee Sealmeister B’, SeaBass or simply Sebastien Bourdais. With the No. 101 Cadd-Oh-lacc’ being the IMSA entry of Wayne Taylor Racing. Having Filipe Albuquerque and the Jordan Brothers at its controls, i.e.; Jordan & Ricky.

 

The LMP2 field is chock-Oh-block with impressive entries, including the nine Pro Am (PA) entrants. As Luxembourg’s No. 3 VKR Engineering features Renger van der Zande, John Farano and Sebastian Alvarez. While the No. 4 CrowdStrike by APR features Laurin Heinrich, George Kurtz and Alex Quinn.

 

Another IMSA entry is the No. 14 TDS Racing with Mathias Beche, Tobias Lutke and Kevin Estre.

 

The No. 25 Algarve Pro Racing features somebody by the name of Enzo Trulli, son of Former F1 Pilote Trulli Scrumptious’, ergo Jarno Trulli.

 

Romain Dumas and Tristan Turbo’ Vautier anchor the No. 48 RD Limited, with Fred Poordad being the Amateur.

 

And the reigning Pro Am class champion AO by TF will introduce it’s brand new No. 99 Rockie the Pegasus entry, returning with Dane Cameron, P. J. Hyett and James Allen.

 

You can never count out United Autosport in the “Pro” P2 category, with the No. 22 including former Indy Lights driver Rasmus Lindh being part of the ten P2 contingent.

 

The No. 24 Nielsen Racing entry sees former Alpine Formula 1 driver Jack Doohan making His Le Mans debut.

 

Former F1 and IndyCar driver Pietro Fittipaldi is part of the No. 26 Vector Sport entry.

 

The No. 30 Duqueine Team features a stout line-up, with Julien Andlauer, Femme Fatale Doriane Pin and Richard Verschoor.

 

Whilst the defending class champion No. 43 Inter Europol Competition entry remains intact with Nick Yelloly, tom Dillmann and Jacub Smiechowski.

 

In LMGT3, nine marques make-up the 25 entries, i.e.; 3 Aston Martin’s; 2 BMW’s; 4 Chevrolet Corvette’s; 5 Ferrari’s; 2 Ford Mustang’s; 2 Lexus’s; 2 McLaren’s; 3 Mercedes and 2 Porsche’s.

 

The class defending No. 92 The Benz Mantey Racing Porsche 911 GT3 R once again is anchored by Richard Lietz, seeking an unprecedented seventh class win! Along with Riccardo Pera making up two-third’s of last year’s winning driver’s trio. While Bronze rated Aussie’ Yasser Shahin replaces Ryan Hardwick.

 

Interestingly, Yasser is of Australian-Palestinian nationality, and was part of Manthey’s 2024 winning LMGT3 entry alongside Lietz. While Yasser and His brother Sam (also a racing driver) own a number of Australian businesses including The Benz Motorsports Park, a repurposed Mitsubishi test track Down Under.

 

The runner-up #21 Vista AF Corse Ferrari 296 GT3 Evo returns with Simon Mann, Alessio Rovera and Francois Heriau, and presumably will once again harry the Manthey Racing Porsche for victory.

 

Another former Formula 1 driver’s offspring features Lorenzo Patrese driving the No. 74 Kessel Racing Ferrari, with la Scuderia having the largest class entrants.

 

The 13 Autosport’s No. 13 Corvette IMSA entry sees Matt Bell’s name ringing a bell for Mwah, pun intended! As part of the driver trio.

 

Whilst TF sport runs a trio ‘O Corvette Z06.R GT3’s, the Nos. 2, 33; the latter seeing Nicky Catsburg, Johnny Edgar and longtime IMSA “Gentleman” racer Ben Keating at its controls.

 

TF Sport will also campaign a third NO. 34 Vette’ under the auspices of Racing Team Turkey by TF. Seeing Irish drivers Charlie Eastwood and Peter Dempsey and Turk’ Salih Yolic behind the keyboard.

 

Totally forgot that Dempsey had raced in Star Mazda and Indy Lights between 2011-2013; winning the 2013 Freedom 100, the series closest finish ever in a four-wide photo finish!

 

Proton Competition will run its usual brace ‘O Ford Darkhorse Mustang GT3 Evo’s, the No. 77 with Steven Priaulx, Eric Cowell, and Ben Tuck. While the No. 88 sees Stefano Gattuso, Giammarco Levorato and former Williams F1 driver Logan Sargeant at the reigns.

 

The Heart of Racing Team features two Aston Martin Vantage AMR GT3 entry’s, the Nos. 23, 27. With the#23 including Eduardo Barrichello.

 

Team boss Ian James, Zacharie Robinchon and Mattia Drudi return in last year’s #27 LMGT3 polesitter.

 

Italy’s Iron Lynx runs a brace ‘O Mercedes AMG GT3’s, the Nos. 61-62 and 79. With the #62 Team Qatar by Iron Lynx being the most interesting of this trio of Merc’s. With Qatari Addulla Al-Khalaifi, Julian Hanses and Guiliano Alesi, son of “Mean Jean” Alesi.

 

Team WRT pair of BMW M4’s sees the No. 69 entry co-driven by former Indy Lights and ex-Vasser Sullivan Racing IMSA driver Parker Thompson. Having won this year’s 6 Hours of Imola LMGT3 category. 

2025 24 Heurs du Mans Postscript

Another race, another year. As does anybody remember las year’s outcome?

 

The 93rd running of le 24 Heurs du Mans had a different flavour for Mwah. Due to it also having a Formula 1 and IndyCar race running in parallel with this iconic Sports Car event.

 

After getting up early Sunday morning for the last 90mins of Le Mans, I “watched”, Err listened to the Canadian Grand Prix, since it was being aired live at 11AM Pacific on ABC. And then for dinner, the IndyCar race live from Gateway, nee Wide World Technology Raceway. (WWTR)

 

All of this after having attempted my yearly ritual of listening to half of the 24 Heurs du Mans Saturday, albeit interrupted by IndyCar and F1 qualifying – the nerve of them, Hya!

 

As what happened to the universe stopping for the 24 Hours of Le Mans, Eh? When Open Wheel Racing used to take this weekend off. As it seems a long time ago now when Nico Hulkenberg won at Circuit de la Sarthe on an “Off” weekend. Wayback in Gory 2015 when driving for Porsche, aboard it’s all conquering Porsche 919, Ja volt!

 

Having just realized that was the ten year anniversary of thee Incredible Hulkster’s Le Mans triumph…

 

And I was guessing El Capitano’, nee Roger Penske was in France overt the weekend collecting His one of a kind Porsche 963 RSP, the lone street legal 963 on the planet! Built 50 years after that “One-off”, insane Porsche 917K Street Car for Count Gregorio Rossi di Montelera of the Martini company. Having raced the car once in 1971, before returning to the factory for road use conversion!

 

Porsche Debuts the 963 RSP, a One-off Racecar for the Street

 

Briefly  noted the NO. 88 Proton Mustang had big “Off” early in race. Right rear damage/wheel. Think it retired?

 

Porsche 963 plays leapfrog with Ferrari 499P’s during early portion of race.

 

First left for F1 qualifying. Then IndyCar Qualie’ at Gateway, where DJ WillyP’ claimed pole. Being Will Power’s 71st and latest pole position.

 

11.5 hours in; the No. 24 Nielsen Racing LMP2 had big wreck. With full course, three safety cars yellow flag for nearly 40 Freakin’ minutes, including repairing barriers at Tete Rouge.

 

Sadly, at half race distance, the Wayne Taylor Racing (WTR) #101 Cadillac V-Series.R (LMDH) Hypercar entry with Felipe Albuquerque at the wheel pulled off track and eventually retired. Being one of the IMSA GTP Prototypes competing.

 

Good, long interview with Wayne Taylor in middle of night, i.e.; 4AM-plus local time. As Wayne’s so pragmatic and cerebral when talking. Telling pitlane reporter Joe Bradley that the BRM in ’92 was the worst weekend ever at Le Mans! Later learning this was the BRM P351 for which they lasted only 20 laps, Youch!

 

With Wayne noting He’d done Le Mans 13 times. (1987-2002) Saying He was most proud of winning His class in the (Doyle-Risi Racing) Ferrari 333 SP. While His best race ever was ’96 when Le Mans had no chicanes on the Mulsanne straight like in Steve McQueen’s movie…

 

Also drove a Spice C1, NissanR390 GT1 and the Northstar Cadillac and various Porsche 962C’s. As Wayne noted none of His “guys” had been here before…

 

(8PM Pacific = 5AM France; Hour 13)

John Hindhaugh Cornfuzed Mwah by giving the current running order Arse-backwards, starting with GT3 runners. As I was expecting typical Hypercar-LMP2, then LMGT3 order, so I missed out on most of GT3 runners. Only managing to remember the No. 21 Vista AF Corse Ferrari 296 GT3 with Simon Mann was leading.

 

Then quickly jotted the following. LMP2: #43-199-18. Hypercar: #50-8-51. Meaning the Toyota was the meat in a Scuderia Ferrari sandwich, Hya!

 

And then I called it a “night” for listening to Le Mans, at the 13.5Hrs “mark”, with the Radio Le Mans Booth boyz’ noting there were still 12 Hypercars on the lead la.

 

Hurriedly typing the following during the “Hourly” report at 8:30PM Pacific. As I always enjoy noting the leaders before leaving the race to “See” who’s still leading come morning…

 

LMGT3: #81-21-92

LMP2: #199-28-48-43

Hypercar: #83-51-50-6-8-12

 

Then more of my scrambled, hurriedly scribbled, Err typed notes during final 90 minutes of race. Just missing the “Hourly” update which strangely were on the half hour, Huh? Quickly noting the following, since all of the Attenzione was on the leader of the race.

 

With just over one hour remaining, full course yellow for stranded United Autosport’s No. 59 Mclaren 720S GT3 Evo. Leaves the sharp end of the grid continuously rotating. As the No. 8 Toyota was in the lead, Huh?

 

Then with one hour remaining, jotted following for Hypercars: #83-51-6-50. Before Kevin Estre in the No. 6 Porsche Penske Motorsports Porsche 963 jumped the Ferrari’s, leaving the field of Hypercars as follows: #83-6-Fuoco-Giovinazzi, i.e.; #50-51 respectively, seeing three Ferrari’s of the race’s top four, Momma Mia!

 

Whilst the No. 43 Europol Dillmann-Yelloly entry led LMP2.

 

Then with 35+ mins remaining; #43 leading LMP2 issued drive-thru penalty for speeding in pit lane by Yelloly, Sheisa! As I was rootin’ for this entry to win, Sigh. Whilst the Hypercars category continued ricking over like a digital clock. With the order as follows: #51-83-6-50-12-7-5-38-4-35.

 

Ironically, four years ago, Robert Kubica, Yifei Ye and Louis Deletraz’s LMP2 leading No. 41 car ground to a halt  on the race’s final lap; losing class win to their Seester’ No. 31 Team WRT stablemate!

 

This year Kubica and Ye won overall. And Deletraz wins LMP2 Pro Am in “Spike-the-Dragon”. As AO by TF runs crowd favourite purple Dragon livery…

 

With thee Krakow Kid’, aka Robert Kubica and Yifei Ye becoming the first Polish and Chinese drivers to ever win Le Mans outright.

 

While Britain’s overlooked Phil Hansen rounds out the trio aboard the privateer No. 83 AF Corse Ferrari 499P scoring a Hat Trick for la Scuderia. Being Ferrari’s third consecutive victory in the Hypercar era.

 

Yet it was the LMP2 class where all the drama was occurring. With the #48 VDS Panis Racing having problem after taking the lead due to #43’s aforementioned Drive-thru penalty. Mechanical issue causes them to be some 18 seconds per lap slower, with the #43 reclaiming class win As Nick Yelloly redeems Himself by re-taking lead with some 20-odd minutes left! Seeing Yelloly cruise to chequered flag. Along with co-drivers Tom Dillmann and Kuba Smiechowski.

 

The No. 48 cruelly finished runner-up. With the No. 199 finishes third overall and winning the LMP2 Pro Am category. With team owner P. J. Hyett and Dane Cameron enjoying the spoils with Louie’ Deletraz. 

R100: Pacific Northwest Racing Teams - Scandia/Simon Addendum

As everybody remembers Team Scandia, Righto?

 

Its funny how one mellows over time, eh? And that ten years after my initial No Fenders story, I’ve gleamed more insight into what should have been a race team of interest to Mwah Wayback’ when.

 

1996

For 1996, initially Andy Evans formed a partnership with Dick Simon, where each party would field one entry apiece in that year’s Indy Racing League.

 

Yet this partnership was dissolved in January when Evans took sole ownership of the team. Having bought the remaining shares from Simon on January 5th, albeit Dick Simon remained as team manager.

 

For the inaugural IRL race at Walt Disney World Speedway the team ran under the banner Scandia/Simon Racing. Before being known as Team scandia thereafter, until its demise in 1998.

 

The Irl’s inaugural season consisted of three oval events, i.e.; Walt Disney World Speedway, Phoenix International Raceway and the Indianapolis Motor speedway.

 

Scandia/Simon Racing arrived at Walt Disney Speedway with three entries, i.e.; Eliseo Salazar, Michele Alboreto and Lyn St. James, but Salazar failed to qualify…

 

IRL Entries

(Indy 500 = Round 3)

#7. Eliseo Salazar, Chile: Rounds 1, 3

#7. R-Fermin Velez, Spain: Round 2

#8. Alessandro Zampedri, Italy: Round 3

#22. R-Michel Jourdain Jr, Mexico: Rounds 2-3

#33. R-Michele Alboreto, Italy: Rounds 1-3

#34. R-Fermin Velez, Spain: Round 3

#43. R-Joe Gosek, USA: Round 3

#90. Lyn St. James, USA: rounds 1-2

#90. R-Racin Gardner, USA: round 3

 

1996-97

The 1996-97 Indy Racing League season was a hybrid calendar, with two Fall events, before a further eight events the following year.

 

The season began on August 18, 1996 at New Hampshire  International Speedway. (Loudon) followed by Round 2 at Las Vegas Motor speedway on September 15th. Then recommenced at Walt Disney in January, 1997 for Round 3 of 10. Followed by Phoenix, Indianapolis, Texas Motor speedway, Pikes Peak, Charlotte, Loudon and Las Vegas, concluding on October 11th, 1997.

 

Team Scandia ran only five cars at that May’s Indianapolis 500.

 

IRL Entries

(Indy 500 = Round 5 of 10)

#7. Eliseo Salazar, Chile: Rounds 1-2, 5-10

#8. Stephan Gregoire, France: Rounds 2, 8

#8. R-Vincenzo Sospiri, Italy: rounds 5-6

#22. Stephan Gregoire, France: Round 1

#22. Michel Jourdain Jr, Mexico: Round 2

#22. R-Marco Greco, Brazil: Rounds 3-6

#22. R-Vincenzo Sospiri, Italy: rounds 7-10

#33. R-Michele Alboreto, Italy: Rounds 1-2

#33. R-Fermin Velez, Spain: Rounds 3-6

#33. R-Jimmy Kite, USA: Rounds 7-10

#34. R-Affonso Giaffone, Brazil: round 2

#34. Alessandro Zampedri, Italy: rounds 5-6

 

Note: Drivers retained their Rookie (R) designation the entire year of 1996. Hence being rookies in the hybrid 1996-97 IRL season.

 

 1998

The 1998 IRL season began the same as the previous year’s, i.e.; beginning at Walt Disney Speedway in Orlando, Florida. Followed by Phoenix, Indianapolis and Texas Motor Speedway, before Team Scandia curtailed further racing that year.

 

As the team had slimmed down to a paltry, pedestrian two car entry for Indianapolis. Before Jimmy Kite closed out the year at TMS.

 

IRL Entries

(Indy 500 = Round 3 of 11)

#7. Jimmy Kite, USA: Rounds 1-4

#33. Billy Roe, USA: round 3

 

1999

The All knowing Intrawoods’, that wonderous Al gore invention, Hya! For reasons unknown, lists Jim Guthrie as Team Scandia’s lone IRL driver for 1999.

 

Yet as far as I can tell, Andy Evans must have become disillusioned with Open Wheel Racing, or racing in general? Or simply sniffed an opportunity to cut His losses and cash-out?

 

Either way, for all intensive purposes, Team Scandia didn’t exist after the 1998 season. Even if Guthrie is listed as the team’s representative.

 

Especially since Guthrie only made one race attempt that year, driving for the unheard of Poulson Racing at Mother Speedway. Yet Guthrie failed to qualify for that year’s Indianapolis 500 and Team Scandia’s murky conclusion is unknown…

 

Sports Cars

Both Michele Alboreto and Fermin Velez raced Team Scandia’s iconic scarlet Ferrari 333 SP Sports Cars.

 

As don’t know how many times Alboreto drove the 333 SP, other than both the 1996 24 Hours of Daytona and 12 Hours of Sebring.

 

Ditto for Velez, who primarily raced Prototypes. Including wins in both the 1995 and 1997 12 Hours of Sebring driving for Team Scandia.

 

Velez was part of Andy Evans Scandia Engineering’s two car assault at Le Mans for 1996, with His brace of Ferrari 333 SP’s competing in the IMSA-WSC class.

 

Andy Evans co-drove with Velez and Yvan Muller, albeit a short lived affair.

 

Being my favourite memory of Evans driving prowess, when trying to out-brake triple F1 World champion Nelson Piquet!

 

LE MANS: When Scandia Racing went to France 

RETRO: Revisiting Team Scandia’s Drivers line-up – Americana’s

With a diverse background, spanning from Mexico to New York, and in-between…

 

Team Scandia’s final three drivers, according to their 1996 Indy 500 car numbers. Feature a winning Champ Car driver, a Super Modified champion, and a Bonneville Land Speed record driver.

 

Michel Jourdain Jr.

(1996 Indianapolis 500 results

Car No. 22, Start: 8th, Finish: 13th; Running, 177-laps

Michel Jourdain Jr began racing cars at the relatively late age of 12, in Mexico’s Junior formulae. Graduating to Mexico’s Formula K and Formula 2 series before joining Team Scandia in 1996, as a teenager.

 

Michele made His Indy Racing League (IRL)  debut in Round 2 at Phoenix International Raceway; presumably a “tune-up” for the Indianapolis 500. Which Michel contested as a 19 year old rookie.

 

Jourdain saved His best result for Team Scandia in His final outing. Finishing runner-up to Richie Hearn at the Fall (1996) Las Vegas Motor speedway race. With teammate Michele Alboreto finishing fifth.

 

Interestingly, Jourdain also contested the rival CART PPG IndyCar World Series for Dick Simon Racing in 1996, before joining Payton/Coyne Racing the following three years.

 

In 2000, Michel joined Bettenhausen Racing for two years, before moving to Team Rahal. Jourdain would have His best results at Team Rahal between 2002-03, the first season being a consistent top ten finishers, and tenth overall.

 

2003 would be Jourdain’s breakout year, claiming six podiums, including two wins. As Michel claimed His debutante IndyCar win on the Milwaukee Mile, leading most laps. Then a second victory at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve enroute to a career best third overall.

 

Jourdain’s final Champ Car season for RuSPORT in 2004, as rookie A. J. Allmendinger’s teammate surely was a disappointment, finishing 12th overall, with two podium finishes; including runner-up at Vancouver.

 

For 2005, Jourdain competed in the NASCAR Busch series, followed by the World Touring Car championship. (WTCC) Then returned to Open Wheel Racing in the 2007 A1 series, driving for Team Mexico.

 

Jourdain ran His second and final Indianapolis 500 for Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing in 2012, finishing 19th, before failing to qualify the next year. With His maiden Indy 500 driving for Team Scandia being His best result.

 

Joe Gosek

Car No. 43, Start: 31st, Finish: 22nd; Radiator, 106-laps

Joe Gosek is a native of Oswego, New York, racing mainly as a Super Modified’s driver. Gosek made His lone start for Team Scandia in the 1996 Indy 500, before failing to qualify for the race with Liberty Racing in 1998.

 

Reportedly, Gosek’s nickname is “Double-O Joe” for running the number 00 in racing. Having been a prolific winner at His home track’s Oswego Speedway. Including winning its crown jewel, the International Classic 200 three times. Along with being a multi-time champion on the International Challenge Association’s Modified tour.

 

Racin Gardner

Car No. 90, Start: 25th, Finish: 25th ; Suspension, 76-laps

According to oldracingcars.com, Racin Gardner was given the name after His mom went into labour during a race at Ontario Motor Speedway. While His father Slick was also a racecar driver. Although two different sources give two different names for His father, i.e.; Slick or Dennis, and what racing series He dabbled in? Either being NASCAR or SCCA?

 

Born in Buellton, California, where His father owned a ranch. Uhm, Beef. Its what’s for dinner? Eventually racing in the High Desert Racing Association between 1991 to 1993. Making me think He’d be a perfect member of that ‘Ol Mears Gang, along with Robby Gordon and ‘Ol JJ’, nee Jimmie Johnson…

 

The most interesting part of Gardner’s Bio is that according to Wikipedia. Racin tested a Green Monster jet racer at Bonneville for four years before at age 16, becoming the youngest person to exceed 500mph on the Salt Flats in 1988!

 

Walt and Art Arfons were legendary Land Speed Record racers, battling with Craig Breedlove for supremacy oat Bonneville.

 

Art bought a General electric J-79 jet engine from a scrapyard out of a F-104 Starfighter jet, having been scrapped due to ingesting a bird! After crashing this version of the Green Monster at 610mph! Art bult another Green Monster jet car and apparently sold it to Slick Gardner.

 

Racin Gardner also raced in the short lived American IndyCar Series. (AIS) Devoted to stock block engine IndyCars, where Gardner was Rookie Of the Year in 1992.

 

Having failed His rookie test twice at Phoenix International Raceway due to engine failures, He made His one and only Indy Racing League start in the 1996 Indy 500 as Team Scandia’s seventh and final driver. Replacing Lyn St. James who’d driven the No. 90 in the first two IRL races, before running into funding issues.

 

St. James would then race for Zunne Group Racing aboard its No. 45 entry that May.

 

Racin then made one start in ARCA at Charlotte in 1997 before retiring from racing. Becoming a stunt driver for television and movies, along with various driving instructor roles, including off road.

 

Whilst reportedly, Racin and His father ran into legal problems and the ranch was sold, albeit Garner still lives in the “Sunshine State”.

 

VIDEO: All IndyCar’s Racin Gardner Bio 

RETRO: Revisiting Team Scandia’s Drivers line-up

As where did thirty years go?

 

Yeah, your Humble, yet Haggard No Fenders scribe Tomaso has gone down another deep, dark Wabbit’ Hole. Ostensibly due to it being the Month ‘O May and traipsing down memory lane thirty years after that Oh, so controversial 1996 Indianapolis 500.

 

As I thought I’d take a “Deeper Dive” into the drivers who comprised Team scandia’s record seven Indy 500 entries that year.

 

Ten years later, Uhm what’s that ‘Ol Pink Floyd song Time about, Eh?

 

R100: Pacific Northwest Racing Teams - Scandia/Simon

 

Eliseo Salazar

(1996 Indianapolis 500 results)

Car No. 8, Start: 3rd, Finish: 6th; Accident, 197-laps

Eliseo Salazar raced in formula 1 between 1981-83, for March, Ensign, ATF and RAM Racing. He scored a total of three points, with sixth in the 1981 Dutch Grand Prix. And a career best fifth in the 1982 San Marino Grand Prix.

 

Yet Salazar’s moment of fame came in the 1982 German Grand Prix after having collided with the overtaking leader Nelson Piquet, with Piquet punching and kicking Him afterwards!

 

Salazar joined Dick Simon Racing for the 1995 CART PPG IndyCar World Series and finished fourth as a rookie in that year’s Indianapolis 500.

 

Salazar remained with Simon as they transitioned to the Indy Racing League, (IRL) driving for the new Team scandia for two years. With Eliseo scoring the team’s only IRL victory at the Loas Vegas Motor Speedway in 1997.

 

Salazar would remain in the IRL through the 2002 season, with a career best third place finish for A. J. Foyt Enterprises in the 2000 Indy 500. Before a serious accident testing at IMS caused Eliseo to decide to retire from IndyCar racing.

 

Alessandro Zampedri

Car No. 8, Start: 7th, Finish: 4th; Accident, 199-laps

Alessandro Zampedri made His IndyCar debut for Euromotorsports at Surfers Paradise, Australia in 1994, after having raced in the International Formula 3000 championship; pre-cursor to today’s Formula 2 series.

 

For 1995, He drove for Payton/Coyne Racing, before joining Team Scandia in 1996 for that year’s Indianapolis 500.

 

Alessandro was involved in a major accident at the race’s end, being caught-up  in a wreck involving Roberto Moreno and Team Scandia teammate Eliseo Salazar.

 

Zampedri’s car went airbourne and struck the catch fencing! With Zampedri needing to have part of His left foot and three toes amputated.

 

Zampedri returned for the 1997 Indy 500 with Team Scandia. But an oil leak led to engine failure on the formation lap, with the Italian classified 35th and last with 0 laps.

 

Zampedri made one further IRL start for Team Scandia at the following Texas Motor Speedway round, before returning to Europe. Eventually becoming the 2005 Porsche Supercup champion, the first Italian to win the championship.

 

Michele Alboreto

Car No. 33, Start: 12th, Finish: 30th; Gearbox, 43-laps

The most decorated of Team Scandia’s seven man band. Michele Alboreto rose thru the ranks to the pinnacle of motorsports, entering Formula 1 in 1981.

 

The Italian began His F1 career driving for Tyrrell for 1981-83, before moving to la Scuderia, nee Ferrari between 1984-88. Followed by stint at Larrousse, Arrows, footwork, Scuderia Italia and Minardi. Amassing a total of 185 F1 starts between 1981-94; with five wins, two poles, 23 podiums and five fastest laps to His credit.

 

He scored his maiden Grand Prix victory at the oft, maligned and forgotten Caesars Palace in Las Vegas in 1982.

 

Alboreto holds the distinction of winning the last Ford Cosworth 3.0-litre normally aspirated DFV derived victories. Winning then Cosworth’s 156th victory at Detroit with a short stroke DFY development lump’. Being the sport’s final normally aspirated victory until their return in 1989.

 

Having won twice for “Uncle chopper”, (Ken Tyrrell) Michele’s crowing achievement in Formula 1 was driving for Il Commendatore, nee Enzo Ferrari and Scuderia Ferrari for five seasons and 80 Grands Prix. Netting a further three wins and contesting the 1985 F1 title, before finishing runner-up to Alain Prost. With the Frenchman replacing Him for the 1989 season.

 

Michele made His return to Open Wheel Racing when contesting the entire 1996 IRL season driving for Team Scandia,  finishing fourth upon debut at Walt Disney Speedway.

 

Also competing aboard Scandia Engineering’s Ferrari 333 SP in that year’s 24 Hours of Daytona and 12 Hours of Sebring.

 

Alboreto claimed His sole podium finish in the IRL for Team scandia at Loudon, New Hampshire Speedway’s fall ’96 race. Finishing third, then capped His Team Scandia career with a fifth place finish at Las Vegas’s 1996-97 Round 2.

 

Michele dabbled in DTM and Touring cars, along with multiple stints in Sports Cars pre and post Formula 1. With the Italian returning to Circuit de la Sarthe between 1996-2000.

 

Alboreto won the 1997 24 Heurs du Mans in the Joest Porsche WSC95 Spyder, alongside ‘lil Stevie Johnson, aka Stefan Johansson and Mr. Le Mans, ergo tom Kristensen.

 

Sadly, Alboreto lost His life in a testing accident at the diabolical Lausitzring, driving an Audi R8. Having somehow forgotten that Alboreto died on April 25, 2001 at the same track that almost cost Alex Zanardi His life nearly five months later…

 

Remembering Michele Alboreto: F1 Ace, Le Mans winner and a Good Man

 

 

 

 

 

Fermin Velez

Car No. 34, Start: 28th, Finish: 21^st; Engine Fire, 107-laps

Fermin Velez is another driver I know very little about, or how the Spaniard rose to be a premiere Sports Car racer. Other than knowing of His two wins for Team Scandia at the 1995 and 1997 12 Hours of Sebring. Having a  framed 1995 Randy Owens serigraph with Velez’s, Eric van de Poele and Andy Evan “John Hancock’s” upon thoust Bungalow’s wall.

 

Velez was also a two-times World Sports Car Group C2 champion, and made six starts in the 24 Heurs du Mans between 1986 and 1998. Claiming two class wins, first in 1987 in Group C2 for Spice Engineering. And then in 1998 in LMP1. Driving for Doyle-Risi Racing alongside Wayne Taylor and Eric van d Poele in a Ferrari 333 SP.

 

Having spent one season in the International Formula 3000 series, with less than promising results in 1988, I can only Arse-sume this led to Fermin focusing upon a Sports Car career…

 

Fermin made His Indy Racing League debut at Phoenix International Raceway during the inaugural IRL season, finishing 19th for Team Scandia, presumably a “tune-up” for the impending Indianapolis 500.

 

Velez would make another four starts for Team Scandia during the IRL’s second 1996-97 season, including His best result at the Brickyard, finishing tenth. And then capping His IRL career at the following Texas Motor Speedway round in 25th .

 

Sadly, Fermin died from cancer at the age of 43, just shy of His 44th birthday.