volume 64, issue 4 april 2017 - neohio scca · 2017-04-20 · resume participatingin life again...

BOT Minutes 3

Calendar of Events 4

The Man Who Lived to Race 5

Classifieds 12

Inside This Issue

The BlowerNewsletter of Neohio Region, SCCA

April 2017

The Starting LineREport by Kerry Klotzman

Volume 64, Issue 4

SCCA Annual Tech Day

• Annual Tech is on a first come, first serve basis on May 6 from 9:30 to 12:30

• New Location-Track First-Ohio - Thank you Tim!

• Track First - Ohio 2636BrecksvilleRdSuiteA Richfield,OH44286

• If you have a new car that needsalogbook,pleaseletus know in advance so we arepreparedforyou.

Competition Driver Physicals

• Saturday, April 29 from 10:00 to 12:00

• Forphysicalappointments,contact Debbie LaFond at [email protected].

Debbie LaFond

Spring is a busy time of year. Forparents of teens, this the time ofyearwhenparentshold theirbreathpraying that their child makes itthrough prom weekend safely.Parents hope that their childrensurvive through graduation, so thatthey can go away to college or begin a new job in the summer or fall. Iremember very well those feelings and discussions with my children. Ialso remember that because I putmykidsthroughthe(moreexpensiveand over an hours drive away) teen driving school at Mid-Ohio, I wasn'tasconcernedasallofourpeerswereabouttheirkidssurvivingthesespringrituals. Not everyone can afford theschooloriswillingtomaketheefforttotravelthedistance.

Forthesereasons,weareconsideringa Tire Rack Street Survival TrainingEvent on Saturday, May 20, 2017.Howmanylivessavedmakesitworthdoing? I suggested that we run this event in May, if we can agree ona minimum threshold number of students. I plea for as many TRSSstudents as possible to enlist andenroll.Ifeachpersontriestofindonenewdriver,weshouldbeabletodoagreatbenefitforourcommunity.

Afterhavingbacksurgerythreeweeksago, I am finally allowed out of thehouse. While my recovery will taketime,Iamputtinginacoupleofhoursa day at work and should be able to resume participating in life againsoon.Hopefullywithinthenextweekortwo,Ishouldactuallybeginfeelinglikedoingthingsagainaswell.

Kerry

SAFETY&RECALLNOTICE-4/6/17Simpson Performance ProductshasrecentlydiscoveredapotentialsafetyissuewithitsSnellSA2015Voyager2helmet. If thehelmet’schinstrapexperienceslargetensileforcesduringanaccident, itcoulddetach from one or both sides of the helmet. This presents anenhanced risk of injury to the head should the helmet not be retained in a crash. Simpson PerformanceProducts is voluntarily recalling the Snell SA 2015 Voyager 2helmet due to the chin strap’spotential inability to withstand

load forces on a consistent basis.This recall applies to the SnellSA 2015 Voyager 2 Model only,sizes Extra Small – Large withmanufacturing dates in 2016 only(the only sizes sold and available todate).ItdoesNOTapplytoanyother Simpson helmet modelswithVoyagerinthename,i.e.NOTSnellSA2010VoyagerorSnellSA2010 Sidewinder Voyager, etc. Itis only the Snell SA2015Voyager2 helmet. Follow link: http://cdn.growassets.net/user_files/scca/downloads/000/021/054/MA_17-01.pdf?1492005244

SAFETY & RECALL NOTICE

The Blower, April 2017 Edition

R.E. & Club Office Kerry Klotzman (216) 469-0190 [email protected]

Assistant R.E. Scott Lunder [email protected]

Treasurer Joe Blaha 334 Keyser Pkwy. Cuyahoga Falls, OH 44223 [email protected]

Recording Secretary Jeff Blumenthal (216) 469-0341 [email protected]

Membership Secretary Tara Oram 216-272-2487 [email protected]

Trustees Joe Blaha '17 [email protected]

Kerry Klotzman ‘17 (216) 469-0190 [email protected]

Jim Pracker '17 (440) 338-1222 [email protected]

Dave Lancaster, '18 (440) 796-8214 [email protected]

Bob MacDonald '18 (216) 509-6671 [email protected]

Jason Pokines '18 (330) 475-2559 [email protected]

Gabriel Guterriez '19 [email protected]

Bill Moore '19 440-591-0989 [email protected]

Maddie Oswalt '19 [email protected]

Specialty Chiefs

Novice Licenses Jim Pracker (440) 338-1222 [email protected]

Registrar & Pointskeeper Dorothy Harrington 216-390-2856 [email protected]

Tech Inspection Maurice LaFond 440-946-2207 [email protected]

Timing & Scoring Brenda Nick [email protected]

Sound Control Gary Bargerstock 724-527-5686 [email protected]

Pits Bill Stewart 814-882-7225 [email protected]

Grid OPEN

Flagging & Communications OPEN

Emergency Services OPEN

Rally Chair Greg Lester [email protected]

Solo Chair Jason Pokines (330) 475-2559 [email protected]

Rally Cross Chair OPEN

Street Survival Bob MacDonald (216) 509-6671 [email protected]

Newsletter Editor Laura O’Neill 330-467-4472 [email protected]

Web Master DuaneHarrington [email protected] http://neohioscca.com/

Track Contacts

Nelson Ledges Road Course Fred Wolfe

Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course 419-884-2295

Monthly Meetings

Neohio Board meetings are held the first Tuesday of each month. Any exceptions will be published in The Blower.

Meetings are held at 7:00 PM in the private room at Winking Lizard, 25200 Miles Road, Bedford Heights, OH 44146. Members and guests are welcome and encouraged to attend.

Membership meeting dates and times are published in The Blower.

The Blower

The Neohio Blower is the official publication of the Neohio Region, Inc., Sports Car Club of America. Material in this issue may be reproduced by other regions of the SCCA without specific permission, if proper acknowledgment of both source and author is given. All other reproduction requires specific permission of the Neohio Regional Executive. All photos are copyrighted to the owner and may not be reproduced without expressed written permission of the owner.

Articles for publication in The Blower may be submitted in most Windows based word processing formats. You may mail or e-mail material to the editor or Kerry Klotzman at [email protected] by the last day of each month.

Neohio SCCA Websitewww.neohioscca.com

Neohio

CoNtaCts

Contributors:Jeff Blumenthal, Carl Goodwin, Kerry Klotzman, Debbie LaFond, Greg Lester

Great Lakes Division Website http://www.greatlakes-scca.org/

3741 Ridge Road • Cleveland, OH 44144(216) 281-1400 • (800) 837-SAVE

(216) 281-7956 Faxwww.ridgerdauto.com

"Everyone Rides on Used Parts"

Maurice [email protected]

A u t o P a r t sRIDGE ROAD

YOUR SOURCE forRECYCLED OEM PARTS


MEMBERS PRESENT: JimGreen,JoeBlaha,ScottLunder,DaveLancaster,BobMacDonald,GabeGutierrez,MadelineOswalt

EXCUSED MEMBERS: JimPracker,JasonPokines,TaraOram,BillMoore,JeffBlumenthal,KerryKlotzman

GUESTS: Welcometoall.

MeetingcalledtoorderbyJimGreenat7:02pm.(ThankstoBobMacDonaldforhandlingtheminutesforthismeeting.)

Minutespresentedfrompastmeetingsforapproval.CorrectedtoshowDave&Kerrywereabsentlastmeeting.Alsocorrectedspellingerrorregardingtreasurer’sreport.MOTIONtoaccepttheminuteswithcorrections.MacDonald/MooreApproved.

TREASURER’S REPORT: MOTION–toacceptreportaspresented.Lancaster/Oswalt–Approved.

REPORTS & COMMITTEE REVIEWS:

REGIONAL EXECUTIVE: EdHughesexpressedappreciationforHOFrecognitionattheBanquet.

COMPETITION COMMITTEE: NOREPORT

MEMBERSHIP: 527members

SOLO:

• GabereportedforJason:Gabe&MadelinevisitedWestsidepotentialsite.VenuerepresentativeconcernedaboutpavementdamagefromaSoloeventmanyyearsago.OurteambroughtuppossibilityofusingsiteforTRSSandresponsewasfavorableforaStreetSurvivalevent.Askedfordatesofbothtypesofeventsandaskedforreferencesfrompreviouseventvenues.

• BudgetRequest:ProntoTimingsupport$250.FTDawards$13to$120,Promotion$75+$30,SafetyEventRefreshments$66.67,TOTALrequest$513(Motiontoapprove$600)MacDonald/Lunder(APPROVED)

RALLY: NOREPORT

STREET SURVIVAL:

• Stilllookingforvenues:BillSnowlookingintoTwinsburg.GabehasinterestfromLCCC.DaveLancasterwilllookintoMentor.

• CanweadvertiseatDMV?MVRevent4/23has5students.EncouragedourmemberstosupportMVRevent.

HALL OF FAME:

• DuaneHarringtonreportedtwocurrentNominationsforthecomingyear.Lookingformore!ContactDuaneandDorothy.

• CriteriafornominationsisontheNeohiowebsite.

OLD BUSINESS:

Banquethad67totalguests.Wewent$355.07overbudget.NeedtobemorecarefulaboutmakingsureallinformationgetstotheTrophyChair. Needtoget informationtoprintersooner. ThankstoDebbieLaFondformanagingthisyear’strophies.ConsiderlettingAwardwinnersknowtheyarewinninginadvancesotheywillshowup.Duanerequestinga$500budgetfordepositforthe2018Banquet.MOTIONbyLancaster/Gutierrez(APPROVED).Nextyear’sBanquetdateproposedfor2/17/18.

NEW BUSINESS:

• WeneedtofilltwoopenTrusteepositions,andalsoneedtoelectaChairperson.

• ShouldMembershipbesendingletterstowelcomenewmembersandfollowingupwithexpiringmemberships?

• DidKerrygettheCharterupdatefinished?

• MadelinesuggesteddoingtheMaymeetingasaBoardRetreatatadifferentlocationwithanobjectiveofreviewingprogramsand brainstorming ways to build the strength of the Region

• GabemetwiththenewownerofNelsonLedges.Thereareplanstocutandrepairabout12sectionsofthetrack.Thetrackintendstocontinuedoinglimitedeventsthisyear.Istheregionopentodoingatrackday?ConcernwasraisedregardingSCCASanctionnotinplace.Can’tdoanofficialeventunlessthetrackpassesit’ssafetyinspection.

• Madelineproposesmoresocialevents.Idea:HolidaypartyformembersatWinkingLizard.Sheisexploringpossibilities.

NextMeeting:April4,2017

MOTIONtoadjournat8:59pm.MacDonald/Lancaster–Approved

SubmittedbyBobMacDonald

Neohio Region, SCCAMeeting Minutes APPROVED | March 7, 2017


Dates to RemembeR

Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday

apRil / may 2017

April 3 April 4

7 P Trustee Meeting @Winking Lizard Bedford Hts.

April 5 April 6 April 7 April 8 April 9

April 10 April 11 April 12 April 13 April 14 April 15 April 16

Easter

April 17 April 18 April 19 April 20 April 21 April 22Twilight Tour; Ann Arbor, MI; Detroit Region, SCCA

April 23

April 24 April 25 April 26 April 27 April 28 April 29Physicals

Steel Haul National Rally

April 30

Laurel Run Divisional Touring Rally

May 1 May 2

7 P Trustee Meeting @ Impact Communicationsin Cleveland

May 3 May 4 May 5 May 6

Annual Tech Day

May 7

May 8 May 9 May 10 May 11 May 12 May 13 May 14

May 15 May 16 May 17 May 18 May 19

Southern Ohio Forest Rally

May 20

Southern Ohio Forest Rally

May 21


Chuck Dietrich held the no. 1 honorary competition license in the Sports Car Club of America.

By Carl Goodwin

Photography JaneDietrichArchive

ArticleappeardinVINTAGEMOTORSPORT.COMMar/

Apr2017

Chuck Dietrich raced from May 1951 to August 2002. Yes, 51

years. That’smore than Phil Hill (18years), Dan Gurney, (15 years), KenMiles (18years),BriggsCunningham(18 years), John Fitch (17 years), orWaltHansgen(15years).

Dietrich drovemore than 400 racesat 64 different racing venues, in27 race cars, covering more than20,000 racing miles. He won ninechampionships in the SCCA CentralDivision.Hewon twoSCCAnationalchampionships:classGMin1963inaBobsyFordandFormulaBin1967inaMcLarenM4B.

He held the number one honorarycompetitionlicenseintheSportsCarClub of America. Hewas amemberof the elite Road Racing Drivers Club beginning1958.Hewasthemanwholivedtorace.

DietrichwasalegendintheMidwest.Thisarticlewassupposedtobetitled“The King ofMid-Ohio.” But beforehewonanunbeatable37racesatthewell-knownMidwestern track,morethanBobbyRahal,hewastheKingofPut-in-Bay, the King of G-Modified,the King of Formula B, the King ofSCCA’s Central Division, the Kingof the Elva MkVII and the King ofFormulaAtlantic (no,wait aminute,thatwasDanCarmichel).IntheU.S.,as writer and historian Jeff Allisonnotes,heputElvacarsonthemap.

When you asked Chuck, he’d say,“I’ve always raced.” In fact, asmotorcyclistBobSatavaremindsus,“he raced Triumphs and an Indian

THE MAN WHO LIVED TO RACE

Withabitofafrown,and eyes of steel,Chuck Dietrich gets ready to go out on thetrackinhis1959Elva Mk IV at the Watkins Glen Grand Prix.

Continued on page 6.


Chief motorcycle before and afterWorldWarII,onTTcourses.”

During World War II he manned a machine-gun on a landing craft inbattleswiththeJapanesethroughoutthePacificislands.AssoonashegotoutoftheNavy,ChuckDietrichknewwhat he wanted to do: have a lifeinvolvedwithcars,a life thatendedquietlyonJuly7,2013atage88.

AccordingtoDanAngelo,reportingintheSanduskyRegister,Dietrichbeganworking as the parts manager forSmith Motors. While he was racinghis MG TC, he met Don Marsh, aVolkswagendistributorinColumbus,who offered him a VW dealership.Ralph Smith co-signed for the floorplanandDietrichgota$5,000loantostartthebusinessina30-by-30footbuildingonSycamoreLine.

The Put-in-Bay Road Races

After a go at the old DetroitFairgrounds in 1951, the Put-in-Bayrace was organized on an island in LakeEriebytheClevelandSportCarClubandthiswasperfectforChuck.

HestartedrunninghissuperchargedMG TC there in 1952. It was well-prepared, with a balanced engine,drilled out tappets, polishedrocker arms, milled pistons anda considerably lightened chassis.Besidesbeingmechanicallyadept,hewasanoutstandingdriver.“Betweenthe car and himself,” notes earlyracing official Bob Satava, “theybecameagiantkiller.”

Dietrichracedthesamecarin’53and’54, and then added a LesterMG—boughtfromhisfriendDonMarsh—tohisentryfor1955,sohecouldrunintwoclasses.

Put-in-BaycornerworkerBobSatavanotes. “I remember standingon thecorner at the Colonial Inn. Hewentthrough that corner faster than anyone else. I couldn’t believe howfasthewas.”

The Elva Arrives

“I read about a new car in an English magazine,” Chuck noted. “JohnBolster wrote about the ElvaMkI. IcontactedFrankNicholsandhesaidhe had one that had been made for a Canadian who was overcome by fumes inhis garage. I bought it anditwas thefirstone in thecountry. Ibecametheexclusive importerforacouple of years until it became toomuchwork.”

ElvaverymuchneededagifteddriverlikeDietrichracingitscars,someonewho had the ability to make the car win over the engineering of Lotus and Cooper.

Commenting on the new waveof British cars, Dietrich noted:“ComparedtotheLesterMGandtheItaliancars,theyweremuchquicker.They cornered better, had betterbrakes and were totally different.Theyweresuperiorcars.

“IhadanewElvaeveryyear,”Dietrichsaid, “and won G-Modified at the’Bayeveryyear(exceptfor’59).OneyearIhitatreeandstillwon.In1956IhadtheMkI, in ’57aMkII, in ’58aMkIII and aMkIV in ’59. I could sellthe Elva andmakemoney on it. AnElva cost about $3,000 from FrankNichols,cheaperthanaLotusorLola,butjustasfast.”

Anearlycontestpitted theMkIElvaagainst theMk 9 Lotus at the 1956BrynfanTyddynevent.“Igotintothelead very soon,” Dietrich recalled.“The Elva was ideally suited to the courseatBrynfanTyddyn.Ilovedthatcourse.TheLotuswasagoodfastcarthat had done well in England, andDuncanBlackwasagooddriver,buttheyfellbehind.”

The June 2, 1957 race at DunkirkAirportwasashowplaceforDietrich’sdrivingabilities.According toBernieGroh, whose Porsche Speedsterfinished 4th in Race 1, “Dietrich’sperformance in the featurewasTheRace of the Race. He followed theTom Payne Porsche Spyderwith his

little Elva MkI bumper to bumper.Onthe36thandfinallap,Chuck’sElvadrove inside the Porsche to finishsecondtotheD-JaguarofBillKlinck.”

In 1958, the 2nd Annual Lake ErieInvitational was held at Dunkirk.RepeatingtheKennethAhrMemorialRaceforsportsracersunder1500cc,Dietrich put the 550 Spyder of BillLewis behind him, where it stayed,alongwiththeElvasofMillardRipleyandCharlieKurtz,andtheLotusMk9ofBobDavison.

Chuck Dietrich vs Jim Clark

“In1960,Ihadafullseasonofracingfor theElva factory in Europe,” saidChuck. “Competition includedmanyfamous drivers such as Jim Clark,John Surtees, Denny Hulme andAllanRees.Courses includedBrandsHatch,MalloryPark,GoodwoodandSnetterton.Theseasonclimaxedwitha 3rd placeintheBritishEmpireTrophyRace at Silverstone after starting attherearduetoengineproblems.”

According to Sporting Motorist: “Atthe start of the Silverstone FormulaJunior race Surtees left the road attheveryfirstbend.ThisletJimClarktaketheleadaheadofDietrich’sElva.These two led no less than four more Lotuses.”ThisleftDietrichchallengingClark for the lead. He later spunand left 2nd to Peter Ashdown,withhimself in 3rd.

In1961,Chuckimporteda200seriesElvaFJ,winningboth10consecutiveracesandtheCenDivChampionship.The“tailfin”carwasreplacedwitha300series(“longnose”)andDietrichcontinuedhiswinningways.

Starting the 1962 season, Chuckdrove a SWB Ferrari, owned by Dr.Baxter of Fremont, Ohio, in severalraces. These included Mosport inCanada, the Road America JuneSprintsandtheGrandPrixdePuertoRico. Classed with the big-blockCorvettes,hegottwo2nds and a 3rd.

Continued from page 5.



Racing at Mid-Ohio

Finally, at long last, a road coursewas built inOhio. Starting 1960 LesGreibling was contacted about the constructionofatrack.

Six driverswere consulted: Dietrich,Porsche Spyder champion DonSesslar, Alfa champion ChuckStoddard, Corvette champion BobJohnson, Porsche driver T. KingHeddinger and Triumph driver ReedAndrews.

“IusedtoknowLesGreiblingprettywell,” says Chuck Stoddard, whowouldbecomeathree-timeNationalChampion in Alfas. “He had a BMCfranchise, just as I did.His landwasnot far from Cleveland, Pittsburgh,Detroit, Cincinnati, Dayton and, ofcourse,Columbus.”

“The exit from Turn 8 originallywentmuch further left than it doesnow,”saiddriverDonSesslar.ChuckDietrich,BobJohnsonandIdiscussedit. I toldthem‘this isgoingtocausenothing but trouble. You’re goingto have the biggest pile-up youever saw. You better have severalwreckersonhand.’Theyignoredouradvice.Beforethetrackwasformallyopened, there was an imprompturace. Between Turns 8 and 9, theypiled up six cars. After that theychangedthedesign’.”

Jon Clifton, a friend of Dietrich’s, adriverandracingofficialfromSCCA’sFortWayneRegion recalls, “prior tothe opening of the new Mid-Ohioroad course, Chuck was towing adouble-deckertrailer.Onthetopwasan Elva 200 Formula Junior and onthebottomwas thenewerElva300Junior.TheywereforSuzy(Dietrich’swife,alsoaracer)andChuck.In1962,thefirst racewasheldatMid-Ohio.Chuck and I talked about driving the new course.When the overall trackrecordwasset,itbelongedtohim.”

Dietrich was always a very populardriver everywhere he went, but

nowheremoresothanatMid-Ohio.Here Jake Perry from Port Clintonand his three kids would sit on the hillatTurn7andscreamatthetopoftheirlungs“COMEONCHUCK!”

A Car They Called the Bobsy

In1962,racecarfabricatorJerryMongannounced a small-displacementmidengine sports-racing machinewithanovelaluminumtubeframe.

As the late Suzy Dietrich recalled,“KayeHierhadhiscaratCumberland,MD and Mong asked if Chuck could takethecaroutforacoupleoflaps.Hequicklyputdownsomevery fastlaptimes.SoMongofferedhimarideforthe1963season,whichresultedinaG-ModifiedNationalChampionshipforBobsy.”

AfewremembrancesbyJerryMong:“First of all Chuck was an incredibly gooddriver.HemadeBobsy,Icannotemphasizethisenough.

“YoumustunderstandChuckracedatatimewhensportsracingcarswerethe most ill-handling things to drive that ever existed. And this includedthe early Bobsy. It took a specialtalent by the driver tomake up forthis.YoushouldalsounderstandthatChuckwasvery,veryfrugal.Thiswasbothablessingandacurse.Hewassohappytohavearidein1963thathewouldnevercomplainaboutthecarand was always keen to tell everyone how wonderful the car was. Thiscamebacktohauntmelateron.

“In the year’s final eventChuckwas3rd onthegridlineduprightbehindaFerrari which had about a thousand horsepower. There was a longstraight after the first turn. Chuckgot the nose of the Bobsy stuck upunder the tail of the Ferrari and got a massive tow all the way down the long straight, resulting in a hugelead over Dr. M.R.J. Wyllie, whomweneededtobeat.Dietrichwontheraceandthechampionship.

“Chuckwasatrulyauniqueindividual.Averydedicatedsportscarracerfor

sure.Had it not been for Chuck thewholethingwouldhavesimplygoneaway.

“Thank you Chuck—wherever youare!”

The Elva-BMW

In1964,ElvaintroducedtheMkVII,abigbrothertotheirfirstmid-enginedcar, the lightweight MkVI, poweredbyan1100ccCoventryClimaxengine.Incontrast,MkVIIwasbuilt tocarry2.0-liter engines such as the 4-cam1700cc Porsche that won the 1963RoadAmericaEnduro,andtheBMW.It could touch 150mph. E-Modifiedwas a very competitive class and italso includedaFerrariDino,GeorgeFollmer’s Lotus 23-Porsche and JoeBuzzetta’s Porsche 906. Dietrich’sfirst experiencewith the ElvaMkVIIwas on Scuderia Tin Can, the teamorganized and financed by OllieSchmidtofChicago.

Inamid-summerraceJune5th,1966atMid-Ohio,Dietrichperformedyetanother you-can’t-do-that feat bybeating the Porsche 906 of RalphTreischmann in the feature race with the Elva-BMW. In setting a recordof 82.442mph, he also passed aC-Modified Cooper Ford, for theoverall victory, his first at the track.RaceworkerGailMurphytooksomegoodmoviesofthiscontest.

LaterthatsummerhetookavacationfromElvaanddroveSuzy’sLotus20tofirstintheJuly17,’66nationalraceat Mid-Ohio, setting a new courserecord at 1:48.4 and 79.048 mph.Nobody, including Suzy, came closetothisrecord.

In1967,ChuckandSuzygotadivorce.Andayearlater,ChuckmarriedJane.

“We went to a lot of places,” Janesaid. “I liked Road America. It wasa beautiful place, with a nice hotel.Laguna Seca—I loved that. I likedDonnybrook inMinnesota.Wewentto Lime Rock with Bob Amey. Thatwasnice.WewenttotheEastCoast




and to theBahamas. Chuck drove aChevronforDickLepplathere.CharliepassedAugiePabstandAugiewasn’thappyaboutit.ButwhenCharliegotpassedhenevergotangryaboutit.”

According to the newspaper reportof Mickey Mishne, Cleveland Plain Dealer, Chuck Dietrich nearly wonthreeracesattheJuly16mid-summerMid-OhioNational.IntheFormulacarrace,Dietrich andhisMcLarenM4Btook overall and Formula B honors,andwith2nd going to Tom Clark in a Cooper-Ford.Dietrich’sM4Balsoseta record, beating all of the FB carsaswellasFC,FFandFV.Italsobeatthe Formula A record set by JerryHanseninaLola-Chevy.Thetimewas1:38.6 versus 1:40.2. In the sedanrace,Dietrich’sMini-Cooperbrokeamagnesiumwheelwhileleading.

Clark’s2ndplacewasnotableinthathewasdrivingaFormulaCcar.“Dietrichwasmymentor,”Clarkrecalls.“Hewassofast.Iwonacoupleofracesandhesaid to me ‘I think you can win theCenDivChampionship,’whichIdid.

AccordingtoDinahChapman,writingfor the Sandusky Register July 17,1967, Dietrich lowered the sportsracing track record at Mid-Ohio to 1:45.0 or 82.29 mph. “I was reallypleased with the way it handled,”saidthesmilingwinner.

By 1967, the Elva was getting a bitlongoftoothandafterthreeCentralDivision wins and a seventh USRRCunder-2.0-literwin,thecarwascalledan antiqueby fellow race drivers. Itkept racing and, on September 17th,wonanimportantraceagainstthreeof the new Porsche 906s up at St.Jovite,Quebec.

In a 1967 race at the fast 2-mileNelson Ledges course, Dietrich’sMcLaren Formula B out-qualifiedGeorge Wintersteen in a RepcoBrabham1:12.7to1:16.0.

Misfortune struck after he hadqualified4th fastest at theAmerican

RoadRaceofChampions inDaytonaBeach,witha1:47.7.FredBakerwasleading in a 906 when he spun inthe second to last turn and stalled.Dietrich avoided him and led for a brief few seconds before he was cut off and hit by another 906 driver,PeterGregg. The collisionbroke thefronthubcarrier.

Formula B at the ARRC

Earlier in the same race weekend at Daytona, Dietrich was driving thebeautifulMcLarenM4BsponsoredbyBob and Peggy Amey. Chuck trailedthe1966champion,GusHutchinson,inaLotus,fortwolapsandthentookthe lead on the third. His averagespeed was 105.474mph for the 26lapsandthenationalchampionship.

It’saclichétosayDietrichwasafastdriver. How fast? At the Mid-Ohionational race in 1967, Ed Lowther,well-known bigbore driver from Pittsburgh,drovehis427Cobra toafirst inA-Productionwitha laptimeof1:46.0.ThefamousMarkDonohuedrove his A-Sedan Penske-preparedCamaro to a first in class at 1:41.0.Multi-time Formula 5000 championJerryHansenwonat1:40.2inaChevy-powered Lola. And Chuck Dietrichtook Formula B with a McLaren-Ford at1:38.6seconds.

Early in the 1968 season, Dietrichearned his second national win oftheyearattheJuneSprintsatElkhartLake driving the Bob Amey-DietrichRacingMcLarenFormulaB.Hesetanewlaprecordfortheclassof2:33.5andwassecondoverall intheFA/FBevent.

The 1968 Nationals

Dietrich won the 1968 divisioncrown with his McLaren M4B and just missed gaining the nationalcrownashefinishedrunner-upintheAmericanRoadRaceofChampionsatRiverside,California.Oilonthetrackprevented Dietrich from capturinganotherFormulaBtitle.

In 1969 Dietrich competed in a

Formula 5000 Lola owned by CarlHogan of St. Louis. But he had anumber of mechanical problemswith the car and crashed at Elkhart LakeandSt.JoviteintheprofessionalSCCA Continental Series. He thenreturned to amateur racing for the rest of the season and he again won thedivisionalcrowninFB.

In1970,ChuckwonhisfifthdivisionalchampionshipdrivingaPorsche914-6sponsoredbytheAudidistributorshipinColumbus.HealsodroveaCamaroownedbyVinceGimandoofOrlando,FL, fora classwinat theSebring12hourrace.

More Formula B Racing

Multi-timeFormulaFordandFormulaBchampionMikeRandrecallssomeof the FB events that he and Dietrich drove.

“Thefirsttimewewereonthetracktogether,”Randrecalls,“itwasa1971Cen-DivchampionshipeventatMid-OhioonMemorialDay.IbeatDietrichandIalsobeatNortheastdriverFredStevenson.

“ThenextracewasatNelsonLedges.ChuckinhisBT29andDanCarmichaelin his Chevron B18. Both loved thetrack. It was a fast track. But FredStevenson was 1st and I was 3rd. Iforgetwhowas2nd.

“In 1972 we raced at Detroit andChuckwason thepole,Danwas2nd and I was 3rd in my Rondel FB from Opert.”

In the middle of the 1973 season,Chuck again demonstrated his prowessracingintherainbyfinishing1st at the Nelson Ledges Nationals,June9,withMikeRand2nd and Dan Carmichael 3rd. Times for the firstthreewere1:07.3,1:07.4and1:09.7.They used to call Dietrich “the rain-meister.”

In a 1976 interview for the Mid-Ohio race program, writer DaveArnold noted his 25 years of racing




and Dietrich exclaimed “I wouldn’tknowwhattodoifIretired.Youcanget killed on an airplane anddrownin thewater, so I’ll continue to raceuntilIgettobethesameageasDanCarmichael(59).”

Danhadanicknamethatwas“Ace,”and he was a real Ace, with 13 airvictoriesinaGrummanHellcatflyingoff carriers Enterprise and HornetduringthePacificCampaigninWWII.Chuck’s nickname was “Woof” butno one is certain of where that came from. “After the races,” Jane adds,“we sat in the paddock and hadsardines and crackers, and a littleJack Daniels. Itwas fun.” Then theyall went to Kentucky Fried Chickenfordinner.

“Charlie was a kind person,” saysJane. “There was a friend of minewho lived on Cleveland Road in Sandusky,nearhisVolkswagenshop.Onetimeshebrought it inforsomework. Shewalked over later to pickitup.Butshecouldn’tpayforit justthen.Andtheshopwouldnotletherhave it. She went back home andcalled Charlie. She explained thatshereallyneededthecar,totakeherchildtothebabysitterandgotoherjob.Shortlyafterward,Charliedroveintoherdriveway.Heapologizedforhismechanic.Thenhewalkedbacktothe dealership and had a discussionwith themechanic.He said that if acustomerneededa car, they shouldgetthecar.Hewouldtakehischanceswiththepayment.”

Jim Hollowell was a fellow racer. “Iused towatch Dietrich race in ’71,”saysJim.“HehadanuglyChevron—Ithink itwas a Chevron 18with thatbig wide open nose. Later he got aBrabham with a slant-back nose and I got one too. That’swhenwemet.The engine in my car was no end of trouble.Wetriedtopull-startthecararoundthepaddock.HeloanedusaLucasignitionboxsowecouldmakethe race. He was always willing to

help—justafineperson.MybrotherandIworshippedhim.

“He and Dan Carmichael would sitinfoldingchairsandtalk.Theywerealways ready to go as soon as they pulled into the track at Nelsons.When I got my BDA engine I couldstay close enough to Carmichael to read the words on the back of his wing.Theysaid,‘WhoisJohnGalt’?’

NeohioSCCAFormulaAtlanticdriverDennisSiderisharessomememories:“ChuckwasracinghisbeautifulyellowLolaFAcarintheMahoningNationalagainst some of the best drivers of the time,guys like JimTrueman,TommyOutcault,DanFowler,PatrickGarmenand a whole bunch of other guys.They were brilliant to watch and of course,theKingofFormulaAtlantic,Dan Carmichael. Chuck and Danwerebestbudsoffandonthetrackand being a young inexperienceddriver,theybothshowedmerespectand what true racing etiquette wasontheracetrack.

“Years later,ChuckhadsoldhisLolaandpurchasedareal racecar. I toldhim that as a joke. Itwas aMartiniFSVwhichwaspreviouslyracedbyavery famous French FI driver, DidierTheys.WealwayskiddedhimthathewasgoingtobeleavingusinSCCAandgoingacrossthepondtocompeteinF1andbethenextbigsuperstar.

“I remember the last event at Mid-Ohio. We were sharing a garage

together,likealways,andhecasuallywalkedoverandmentionedthatthiswashislastrace.AtfirstIdonotthinkit really registeredwithme. I think Iwasinthemiddleoffixingsomethingon our car and trying to repair itbefore thenextqualifying.But laterhereconfirmeditwashislastrace.

“I honestly now cannot remember how we or he did that weekend only that I will never forget helping himload his car up on his little flatbedrampandthinkingtomyselfthatthiswouldbethe lasttimeIwouldhavethe opportunity to race with him.“Thanks and God bless, Charlie. Ihopetoseeyousomedayuponthebigracetrackinthesky.”

The author wishes to thank the following people for their help and memories in the preparation of this article: Jeff Allison, Bob and Peggy Amey, Dan Angelo, Dave Arnold, Barry Budlong, Dinah Chapman, Tom Clark, Jon Clifton, Jane Dietrich, Bernard Groh, Jim Groh, Jim Hollowell, Don Marsh, Berdie Martin, Mickey Mishne, Jerry Mong, Jake Perry, Mike Rand, Bob Satava, Don Sesslar, Denny Sideri, Jim Sitz and Chuck Stoddard.

Carl Goodwin has written for many periodicals and has written a book titled "The Put-in-Bay Road Races, 1952-1963". The publisher is listed as "McFarland" and is available on all major ebook providers.


In a Formula Atlantic race in 2002, Dietrich at the age of 77 is at work in the No. 62 Martini Super Vee.


Reprinted from www.scca.com.

Because SCCA RoadRally eventsare held on public roads andwellwithinany laws, this formofmotorsport has nomore barriersto entry than the daily driving done by millions of people. Thecosts are as low as any form of motorsports inexistenceand therisks are no higher than you might encounter on your commute to work.

What you need

A street legal car, covered by an automobile insurance policy: Your car needs to be road legalandwillhavetopassabasicsafetyinspection which includes allworking lights, windshield wipers,rear-view mirror, working brakesincludingaparkingbrake,seatbeltsforeachoccupant,aworkinghornandtiresinroad-worthycondition.

In addition, each entered vehiclemust be covered by a valid auto insurancepolicyasrequiredbythestateinwhichitisregistered,andthatthepolicymustbeuptodatethroughouttheevent.

Helpful tip - Chances are if your vehicle is legal to drive on the road in your home state, and you have the documentation you need to show during a traffic stop you're also going to be good to participate in a RoadRally, but we figured we would spell it out in case you were planning on driving your top fuel drag racing car in the event. (Please don't.)

Two people: Each RoadRally team isrequiredtohavetwopeople-adriverandanavigator.Anyoneontheteamplanningondrivingduringthe event must also have a valid

drivers license. Teammates canbe best friends, spouses, parentand son/daughter, co-workers orrandom people youmet at otherautomobile events. (Like TrackNightinAmerica..truestory!)

Helpful tip - Team members do not have to be over 18, but if you are under 18 and planning on participating in an SCCA RoadRally - you will need your parents to sign a minor waiver for you.

Some small stuff: When we say,"Smallstuff"wemeansomethingto write with (in order to do some math or make notes on the route instructions) some paper (to domathon)andsometypeofdevicewhich keeps time down to thesecond - usually a watch or smart phone.IftheRoadRallyisatnight(most are not), you might alsoneedaflashlightoraworkingmaplightinyourcar.

Helpful tip - The truth is, you don't actually NEED those things to do a RoadRally. In some events there will even be "seat of the pants" class where only guesswork and your cars guages are used to try to get to the checkpoints on time. But, if you do want to be more competitive; pens, paper and a second-hand on your watch are a minimum of what you will want.

How to Participate:

Find an event: Below this description of steps will be anapplicationtohelpyoufindevents.Putinyourzipcode,findtheeventpagesandseedetailstodeterminewhicheventisrightforyou.

Register: Some events may haveonline registration, some mayhave mail-in forms, some mayhave both and some may even allowyoutoshowupandregister

on site. Whenyoufindaneventlook for the details about how registration might be unique.DependingontheRegionandthelocation, events usually cost lessthan$40toenter.

Helpful tip - If you still have questions about which RoadRally might be right for you or questions about a specific event, contact us or the event organizers and ask all of your questions. SCCA RoadRally organizers love to help out and chances are you will make a new friend!

Show Up: Once you know which event you're going to attend -get your team together and get to the event. Attend any driversmeetings, get your car double-checked by the organizers to make sure it's safe, go over the routeinstructions and try to shake offthenervousanticipation.

Helpful tip - As with asking questions when you're looking for an event, SCCA members are a helpful bunch once you get to the event as well. Tell someone this is your first time and chances are you’re going to get walked through any processes necessary for the event. As before, you’ll probably even make some new friends along the way.

Drive:Thisistheeasypart-well,easytodo,toughertobeperfectat.Buckleup,waitforyourteam'sassignedstarttimeandhavefun.After all, that's what this is allabout.

Helpful tip - Since it's probably your first time, you're going to learn a lot about things you would do differently the next time so go into the event relaxed and with an open mind. Talk to your co-driver a lot, smile even more.

How Do I Road Rally?


By Chaplain Gray

Auto Annex Toy Store LLCFine Quality Motor Sales

216-575-750612910TaftAve. Cleveland,OH44108

Storage for Your Car or Boat!

Do You Miss it?

Sebring.Asthecompetitorsflybyonthescreen,mixedemotionsfillmybrain.ThenewIMSADPI’sarespectacular.Infact,attheDaytona24,JeffGordon’skidsthoughttheirdadwasfinallya cool racedriverbecause he was driving a mean blackCadillacDPI, theBatmobile.I even like the shark fin tails onthe DPIs that are also sproutingon Formula 1 cars this season.Certainly, the battle in GTLM isfierce with Corvettes, Porsche911s,aFerrari488andBMWM6schasing the Ford GTs trying for a tripleoflastyear’s24HoursofLeMansandthisyear’sRolex24andSebring.ThenewOhiobuiltAcuraislookinggoodinGTD.

It really seems time to blow outof this miserable Ohio March and to get to a race track. Last year, Ihadalreadymadeafirstweekendin March return to Sebring after47 years for the Trans Am 50th Anniversaryrace.Asthatweekendcame and went, I wished I hadbeenable to return towatchCliffEbben’s Mustang take this year’swin. But hiswinonly cameaboutafterproblemsforyoungMr.ErnieFrancis Jr’s number 98 Mustang.It broke after claiming the pole,setting the fastest race lap andleadingthefirst16lapsortherace.He is certainly one to watch fornowandthefuture.Sadly,thisyearmychaplaincydutiesforRoadRaceMinistries will be limited. Due tosanctioningandpersonnelchangeswith the Pirelli World Challenge and TransAm,IwillonlybeatacoupleofthemorelocalTransAMs.

Of course, all SCCA racers in theNortheastOhioareasandaroundwait with baited breath for more news from Nelson Ledges. Therumors seem good and if they are true,itwillbesogoodtobebackata“grownup”Nelson. For thisnow it seems to be as Joni Mitchell sang“Youdon’tknowwhatyou’vegottilitsgone.”ThereisonegreatSCCAdeal thismonthtogetoverthe “Imiss the race track blues.”

Members can signup for a TrackNight in America for only $50.Whoknows,youmight seea red94MustangGTatPittRaceinApril.

Despite the joy we get fromracing, the ultimate joy is havinga relationship with God. You arealways on His schedule. You justneedtogotoHim.

ChaplainMarvinGray [email protected]

Mark Your Calendars!

2017 SCCA® Runoffs® at Indianapolis Motor Speedway

September 25-October 1, 2017

LauraO’Neill397AppleHillDriveSagamoreHills,OH44067

The BlowerNewsletter of Neohio Region, SCCA

April 2017

I’VE GOT IT- YOU WANT ITClassified Ads For Members

ClassifiedadsforNeohiomembersrun for three issues. If your itemsells before the third month,contact The Blower newslettereditortoremovethead.

CARS

'99Acura Integra ITS#13.Alwaysatopfinisher.Enginealoneworth$5000plusyougetareadytogocarforonly$7500/offer.PatKane,440-785-3432.***

MISC

WANTED - Used enclosed trailerbetween15and20feet.Rampordoors at rear and side door. Anycondition undercarriage. Goingto be used for storage. Must bedelivered to my site. [email protected].***

AdvertisementRatesForads,otherthanclassified,thefollowingratesapply:

• FullPage-$90/month (8”x9.5”) $250/3months

• 1/2Page-$45/month (8”x5.25”)$120/3months

• 1/4Page-$25/month (4”x5”)$65/3months

• 1/8Page-$15/month (3.5”x2”)$40/3months

20% Discount to Neohio memberPaymentmustaccompanyad.

1993 Winnebago Warrior 25’Motorhome, 454 Chevy Engine,Trailer hitch & trailer brakesystem, Tires good—front tiresnew,Everything (a/c, refrigerator,furnace, generator, etc.) works!Awning - 42,300 miles. A greatracer’s tow vehicle/weekendresidence. Needs nothing!$11,000.BobPiekarczyk,330-225-8229,[email protected].***

Triumph-TR-3 Engine; FIAT 600Engine.Larryat216-321-6045,10AMto5PM.***

Toplaceaclassifiedad,contactLauraO'Neill:

LauraO’Neill|397AppleHillDrive|SagamoreHills,OH44067 (330)467-4472|[email protected]

Classifiedadsarefreeformembers.

volume 64, issue 4 april 2017 - neohio scca · 2017-04-20 · resume participatingin life again...

Documents