Here is something every Serious Z Enthusiast should be a part of!

[subtle_driver]

I just heard about this from Tony Adamowicz last week. I wish i could watch the race tomorrow, but I will be racing myself. Please, for the love of God, record the race and post it to youtube or send it to me! PLEASE!!!!

[zKars]

The white poster on the hatch glass is all the names that appear on the hatch stickers. Each of the contributors present will sign the poster for John.

There is a Go-Pro in the car that will record the race from that vantage point. The race is being recorded by the media, so there should be video at some point. I'll record what I can from the stands, and any pre-race stuff I grab in the paddock.

Also check racer.com for some more coverage. SCCA - Racer.com

There are links at the end of the article about John with some links to SCCA live coverage.

Edited September 22, 2013 by zKars

[Carl Beck]

E-Production Preliminary Results

1 71 Matt Reynolds Mazda Miata 34:29.691

2 2 Greg Ira Nissan 260-Z 34:29.864

3 5 Aaron Downey Mazda RX-3 34:38.226

4 02 Chris Dryden BMW Z3 34:38.427

5 34 Jesse Prather Mazda MX-5 34:39.733

6 97 Kevin Leigh BMW Z3 34:55.158

7 41 Kenneth W Shreve Mazda RX-7 35:03.529

8 95 James Simaras Mazda RX-7 35:06.995

9 83 Triumph TR6 35:28.454

10 48 John Morton Nissan 240-Z 35:35.447

11 54 Don Bunt Nissan 240-Z 35:53.892

12 20 Lance Loughman Nissan 240-Z 35:55.216

37 cars started - 28 finished the race.

Greg put the 240Z on the Podium - with a very very close Second Place finish to the winner.

FWIW,

Carl B.

Edited September 22, 2013 by Carl Beck

[zKars]

Greg did an outstanding job. The lead changed hands several times between he and Matt. There is some controversy how ever as Matt did a fair bit of bump and grind and got ahead of Greg on the last lap via a bit of contact. There was talk of a challenge at the end. Matt won a couple of additional awards based on the win here so a successful challenge might be quite a blow...

It still makes me proud to know that Greg and that dang 260 can run with these "modern" fellas and do that well. Like we need convincing! Way to go Greg!!

John did the best he could coming in 10th with a largely un-tested and un-shook-out Z. Got faster every lap, and claims it could be much faster with some work. We are happy he and the car came back unscathed. There is always next year!!!

Edited September 23, 2013 by zKars

[Carl Beck]

Scratch the "Preliminary Results".

Looks like Greg Ira is the Official Winner of the E - Production Championship.

It seems that Matt Reynolds bumped one too many racers, causing them to loose track positions - on his way to the front. Accidental bumps between cars are part of racing, but it seems that when it becomes a pattern looking like a "Pit Maneuver" - some of the Officials Take Note. Matt was thus pushed down to 4th Place.

Official Results - E-Production

Pos Car # Name Make Model Total Time

1 2 Greg Ira Nissan 260-Z 34:29.864

2 5 Aaron Downey Mazda RX-3 34:38.226

3 02 Chris Dryden BMW Z3 34:38.427

4 71 Matt Reynolds Mazda Miata 34:39.733

5 34 Jesse Prather Mazda MX-5 34:39.733

6 97 Kevin Leigh BMW Z3 34:55.158

7 41 Kenneth W Shreve Mazda RX-7 35:03.529

8 95 James Simaras Mazda RX-7 35:06.995

9 83 Sam Halkias Triumph TR6 35:28.454

10 48 John Morton Nissan 240-Z 35:35.447

11 54 Don Bunt Nissan Nissan 240-Z 35:53.892

12 20 Lance Loughman Nissan 240-Z 35:55.216

Jim - thanks for the pictures!!

FWIW,

Carl B.

Edited September 23, 2013 by Carl Beck

[Carl Beck]

I wish him luck and safety and fun.

I only will say this. Coming back for fun is wonderful and should be encouraged and respected! Coming back to try to be as good as you use to be, only serves to tarnish who you were should you not live up to expectations.

Good points - and I couldn't agree more. I did not get the impression that John expected to be anywhere near as good as he was 40+ years ago.

I can only speak for myself. I am tickled pink with the fact that John took the invitation to join in the Celebration of 50 Years of SCCA Championship Racing.

I'm also very impressed that he, or anyone for matter - could enter a National Level Championship Race, jump in a car he had very few hours to get used to - - and compete with 36 other SCCA Championship Drivers. All of whom were driving cars they have spent at least the last entire season honing their skills in.

I think it speaks volumes that at over 70 years old - John could finish in the top 1/3 of that group. Indeed there was only one other 240Z {260Z} driver that finished ahead of John.

I was also very happy that John and the Z finished the race without any incidents.

Hats Off to both Greg and John - for keeping the Dream Alive.

FWIW,

Carl B.

[TomoHawk]

Don't forget to thank Mr. Stokes for starting this thread in the first place, and letting us know that we cold all be a part of this important event.

Speaking of Mr. Stokes, I'd like to hear how he came to know about the whole idea that Mr. Morton was invited to race and the Bonks were going to build John a car, and that we could get involved with the whole thing.

I wonder if John signed the car? I suppose they could give him a 1 inch paint brush instead of the usual Sharpie.

Edited September 23, 2013 by TomoHawk

[subtle_driver]

Is there anywhere I can download or watch this race?

[black gold man]

They only have 0ver 8 hr replay here. SpeedcastTV It starts 3.18 in. Enjoy

I am sure we will soon see a film such a this great work by the BONKS.

Edited September 27, 2013 by black gold man

[guaro]

Thanks for the link, this made my morning coffee

[TomoHawk]

Is there a way to download that stuff?

[zKars]

I uploaded a video of John passing by during the race on the home stretch.

John Morton with #46 at SCCA 50 Run offs Sept 2013 - YouTube