Corvette Race Report by Jan Hyde
27 Corvettes were entered in 4 different race groups at the Glenora 2014 SVRA Vintage Grand Prix at Watkins Glen International, one of the fastest road circuits in the country. Peter Klutt battled Mike Donohue to win the Group 6 Dick Mooney Memorial Race. There was little difference between their leading lap times all weekend. Each powered by small block engines, Mike Donohue’s trick C2 # 33 was every bit as fast as Peter Klutt’s trick C3 # 42. Pam Mooney presented a special trophy to the winner of the 23.6 mile 7 lap race.
Bill Schwacke snatched defeat from the jaws of victory among the five Production class straight axle Corvettes entered in Group 4, handily leading them all in # 55 until his tranny stuck in 3rd gear on the final lap allowing Bill Treffert # 24 to take the honors. Erickson Shirley fielded a beautiful 1959 Lister Costin CM “Corvette Special” # 25 in the Sports Racer class, equipped with period correct Rochester fuel injection.
Jeff Bernatovich in his awesome 1990 C4 GT1 # 90 lost out to a 2006 Ford Fusion ex Nationwide Cup Stock Car but neither were a match in Group 10 for a 1976 Kremer Porsche Turbo 935 K1 boasting cutting edge technology that still stands the test of time. The Glenora was the first outing for Steve Moore in a 1998 C5 Kerry Hitt ACP bodied # 03 formerly in the hands of Paul Gentilozzi TA Champion.
Ken Mennella in his # 000 Grand Sport Replica was the only Corvette in Group 5, finishing 4th in class behind a Lotus 23 piloted by Harry “Doc” Bundy. A former Corvette GTP driver on Rick Hendrick’s first real racing team, Bundy, when asked about his 1986/87 experience gave a candid account not to be repeated here. His successor Elliott Forbes-Robinson finished up the story that called for an entirely new car in 1988 powered by a 3.5L Ilmor V6 engine. GM cancelled the program because the engine did not fit their plans.
Corvette Race Results SVRA Race Results (find it all here) Thanks to Rich Martin and Matt Boyce for the great photos! Look for more Corvette action at SVRA’s October 9-12 races at Circuit of The Americas, home of the US F1 situated on the outskirts of Austin TX.