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CSRG Charity Challenge 2013 – Report and Photos

DennisGray
Ferrari 312P Sparling Special

Report and photos by Dennis Gray

The 10th annual Classic Sports Racing Group (CSRG) Charity Challenge was held October 4-6, 2013 at the 12-turn, 2.52-mile Sonoma Raceway Sears Point in Sonoma, California. This year’s event featured a strong field of more than 200 historic race cars, with pre-war, sports racing and formula as well as production and GT entrants running in eight race groups.

The 2013 CSRG Charity Challenge featured Nifty Fifties Sports Cars: Maserati, Ferrari, Porsche, Lotus, and other famous names, and included several well-known American Specials from the Golden Era of U.S. sports car racing.Notable and interesting cars included the Ferrari 250 GTO (4757GT) of Tom Price; Fred Cziska’s Shadow Mk III Can-Am; 1971 Shadow MkII Can-Am of Dennis Losher; Alfa Romeo TZ of Marnix Dillenius; Osella PA3/5 driven by four-time Grand Prix motorcycle racing World Champion, Eddie Lawson; Stan Anderes in his ex-Works 1956 Lotus Eleven; Wesley Abendroth’s 1965 Fiberfab Centurion Stingray Special; 1964 AC Cobra and 1971 Ferrari 312 P Sparling Special driven by John Goodman and Tom Claridge’s Kurtis 500S; among others.

CSRG founding member David Love, well-known for actively vintage racing his Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa (0754TR), passed away on the Friday of the event from his battle with Parkinson’s disease. While his passing put a somber note on the event, the long-time vintage racer and enthusiast was remembered fondly throughout the weekend. His 250 TR was displayed in the paddock with Tom Price’s Ferrari 250 GTO.

A highlight of the event are the charity rides on Saturday and Sunday. For a $75-$450 donation, depending upon the car chosen, fans were able to take a three-lap ride around the road course in one of some 30 different participating race cars, including the Ferrari 250 GTO, Jaguar C-Type and two Shadow Can-Am cars. Proceeds from the race weekend benefited the Sonoma Chapter of Speedway Children’s Charities, the charitable arm of the raceway. CSRG has contributed more than $500,000 to Sonoma County youth organizations through Speedway Children’s Charities since 2002.

Similar to the 2010, 2011 and 2012 races, Senior Photographer Dennis Gray also documented the 2013 CSRG Charity Challenge. We split up Dennis’ pictures into two galleries. The first gallery starting below features our favorite images, all displayed in the full-width view of Sports Car Digest, while the second gallery and race results can be found on the last page of the article and gives a comprehensive view of all the photographs.

CSRG Charity Challenge 2013 – Featured Photo Gallery

 

Alec Hugo's 1962 Porsche 356B in turn ten.
Alec Hugo’s 1962 Porsche 356B in turn ten.
Jeff Hill's 1967 Alfa Romeo Giulia Sprint in turn ten.
Jeff Hill’s 1967 Alfa Romeo Giulia Sprint in turn ten.
1963 Elva Courier Mk.3 driven by Charles Turvey in ten.
1963 Elva Courier Mk.3 driven by Charles Turvey in ten.
Brian Mertz's 1967 Alfa Romeo Giulia Sprint in turn ten during Saturday morning's group 2 practice.
Brian Mertz’s 1967 Alfa Romeo Giulia Sprint in turn ten during Saturday morning’s group 2 practice.

 

 

1969 Ford Mustang Boss 302 driven by Steve Eftimiou in turn ten.
1969 Ford Mustang Boss 302 driven by Steve Eftimiou in turn ten.
Jimmy Gallucci's 1967 Mercury Cougar leads a couple of Mustangs into turn ten.
Jimmy Gallucci’s 1967 Mercury Cougar leads a couple of Mustangs into turn ten.
Wesley Abendroth's unusual 1965 Fiberfab Centurion Stingray Special in turn ten.
Wesley Abendroth’s unusual 1965 Fiberfab Centurion Stingray Special in turn ten.
1967 Porsche 911S driven by Ron Erickson.
1967 Porsche 911S driven by Ron Erickson.

CSRG Charity Challenge 2013 – Featured Photo Gallery Page Two

 

1964 Cobra driven by John Goodman exiting turn ten.
1964 Cobra driven by John Goodman exiting turn ten.
Always fun to watch, Rob Fisher lets it all hang out in his 1957 AC Aceca exiting turn ten.
Always fun to watch, Rob Fisher lets it all hang out in his 1957 AC Aceca exiting turn ten.
Alfa Romeo 1750 GTV
Alfa Romeo 1750 GTV
Robert Bogle's 1958 Alfa Romeo Giulietta Spyder exits turn ten.
Robert Bogle’s 1958 Alfa Romeo Giulietta Spider exits turn ten.

 

 

1972 Jensen Healey driven by Joe Huffaker in turn two.
1972 Huffaker Jensen Healey driven by Joe Huffaker in turn two.
Jim Loveall's 1966 Porsche 911 in turn two.
Jim Loveall’s 1966 Porsche 911 in turn two.
1960 AC Bristol driven by Michael Callaham in turn three Sunday.
1960 AC Bristol driven by Michael Callaham in turn three Sunday.
Jeffrey Abramson's 1966 Lotus 23C exiting turn ten.
Jeffrey Abramson’s 1966 Lotus 23C exiting turn ten.

 

CSRG Charity Challenge 2013 – Featured Photo Gallery Page Three

 

Lotus S7
Win Seipp’s Lotus S7 leads Paul Quackenbush’s Lotus S7 exiting turn ten. Win had ignition and/or electrical problems Friday and Saturday missing any track time until early Sunday morning practice. Win’s fellow competitors got together and loaned him parts to get his Lotus up and running. Paul Quackenbush qualified on pole with his Lotus S7 but volunteered to start in back with Win and come through the pack together. Paul won the race but Win had fast lap honors. It was great fun to watch these two fight through the Group 3 cars with the gap between them fluctuating depending on traffic until the last lap.
1955 Triumph TR2 driven by David Nelson entering turn two.
1955 Triumph TR2 driven by David Nelson entering turn two.
1953 Kurtis 500S-22 driven by Thomas Claridge.
1953 Kurtis 500S driven by Thomas Claridge.
Dave Olson's 1950 aluminum bodied Jaguar XK120 up the hill into turn two.
Dave Olson’s 1950 aluminum bodied Jaguar XK120 up the hill into turn two.

 

 

1971 Ferrari 312 P Sparling Special of John Goodman
1971 Ferrari 312 P Sparling Special of John Goodman
1970 Lola T290 driven by Keith Frieser.
1970 Lola T290 driven by Keith Frieser.
Shadow Formula 1
Shadow Formula 1
Jeffrey Abramson's Shelby GT350 exits turn ten early Sunday morning.
Jeffrey Abramson’s Shelby GT350 exits turn ten early Sunday morning.

 

CSRG Charity Challenge 2013 – Featured Photo Gallery Page Four

 

Charity Challenge. Have you ever wanted to ride in a real Can-Am car?Six individuals donated $375.00 each for three hot laps with Dennis Losher in his Shadow Mk.II.
Charity Challenge – Have you ever wanted to ride in a real Can-Am car? Six individuals donated $375.00 each for three hot laps with Dennis Losher in his Shadow Mk.II.
Charity Challenge. When was the last time you had a ride in a car worth north of 50 million dollars? A $375.00 donation got the lucky ones three Hot Laps with Peter Giddings in Tom Price's Ferrari 250 GTO.
Charity Challenge. When was the last time you had a ride in a car worth north of 50 million dollars? A $375.00 donation got the lucky ones three Hot Laps with Peter Giddings in Tom Price’s Ferrari 250 GTO.
Charity Challenge. This is the Fred Cziska Shadow Mk.III. All these drivers were intent on giving their passengers a once in a life time experience And from the three or four I talked to, they delivered.
Fred Cziska’s Shadow Mk.III during the Charity Challenge. The drivers were intent on giving their passengers a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Judging from the 3-4 people I spoke with, they delivered.
Charity Challenge. Robin Davis' 1965 Lotus S7 followed by the Tom Price/Peter Giddings Ferrari 250 GTO and a C-Type Jaguar.
Having fun? Robin Davis’ 1965 Lotus S7 followed by the Tom Price/Peter Giddings Ferrari 250 GTO and a C-Type Jaguar.

 

 

Using the tightest line of the weekend Scott Brown brings his 1964 MGB Huffaker from a distant last to near the front by race end Sunday.
Using the tightest line of the weekend Scott Brown brings his 1974 MGB Huffaker from a distant last to near the front by race end Sunday.
1968 Chevrolet Camaro driven by John Hildebrand.
1968 Chevrolet Camaro driven by John Hildebrand.
Marc Nichols in his 1960 Kieft FJr.
Marc Nichols in his 1960 Kieft Formula Junior
Porsche D Convertible driven by Leonard Turnbeaugh in turn three.
Porsche 356 Convertible D driven by Leonard Turnbeaugh in turn three.

 

CSRG Charity Challenge 2013 – Featured Photo Gallery Page Five

 

1956 Alfa Romeo Spider driven by David Buchanan.
1956 Alfa Romeo Spider driven by David Buchanan.
Turn eleven, first lap of the Group 1 race Sunday sees the Lotus Mk.15 driven by Michael Malone go inside John Goodman's Devin SS for the lead.
Turn eleven, first lap of the Group 1 race Sunday sees the Lotus Mk.15 driven by Michael Malone go inside John Goodman’s Devin SS for the lead.
These two put on a good race Sunday. Francois Castaing in his 1970 Ford Escort RS and Ted Kattchee in his Alfa Romeo.
These two put on a good race Sunday. Francois Castaing in his 1970 Ford Escort RS and Ted Kattchee in his Alfa Romeo.
John Norman's 1971 Alfa Romeo GTV in turn eleven.
John Norman’s 1971 Alfa Romeo GTV in turn eleven.

 

 

1954 Lincoln Capri driven by Jeff Lotman in turn eleven.
1954 Lincoln Capri driven by Jeff Lotman in turn eleven.
1964 Alfa Romeo TZ driven by Marnix Dillenius.
1964 Alfa Romeo TZ driven by Marnix Dillenius.
James Alder's 1952 Jaguar XK120 leads through turn eleven during Sunday's Group 1 race.
James Alder’s 1952 Jaguar XK120 leads through turn eleven during Sunday’s Group 1 race.
Stan Anderes in his ex-Works 1956 Lotus Eleven
Stan Anderes in his ex-Works 1956 Lotus Eleven

 

CSRG Charity Challenge 2013 – Main Photo Gallery (click image for larger picture and description)

 

[nggallery id=622 images=15]

 

 

CSRG Charity Challenge 2013 – Race Results

 

Group One – Pre-1960 Sports and Racing Cars, Featuring the Nifty Fifties
1. Mike Malone, 1959 Lotus 15
2. John Goodman, 1958 Devin SS
3. Thomas Claridge, 1953 Kurtis 500S

Group Two – Small Displacement Sports Cars through 1967
1. Jeffrey Newman, 1965 Ginetta G4
2. Michael Vogel, 1961 Huffaker Genie
3. Tom Tuttle, 1972 MG Midget

Group Three – Large Displacement Sports Cars through 1967
1. Michael Reischl, 1968 Chevron GT
2. Paul Quackenbush, 1963 Lotus Super 7
3. Win Seipp, 1964 Lotus Super 7

Group Four – Small Displacement Sports Racing Cars
1. Jeffrey Abramson, 1966 Lotus 23C
2. David Hagan, 1963 Elva Mk 7
3. Michael Callaham, 1964 Lotus 23B

Group Five – Formula Junior and Formula V
1. Alberto Fernandez Jr, 1963 Lotus 27 Formula Junior
2. Marc Nichols, 1960 Kieft Formula Junior
3. Don Pepperdene, 1970 Leech Mk I

Group Six – Formula Ford and Formula B
1. Randall Smith, 1969 Brabham BT-29
2. Greg Vroman, 1969 Brabham BT-29
3. Dalmo de Vasconcelos, 1968 Brabham BT-21C

Group Seven – Fast Open-wheel and Sports Racing Cars
1. Eddie Lawson, 1978 March 78/B Formula Atlantic
2. Danny Baker, Ralt RT1 Formula Atlantic
3. Keith Frieser, 1972 Lola T290

Group Eight – SCCA Sedans and Compatible Cars to 1972
1. Joe Huffaker, 1972 Jensen Healey
2. Jon Norman, 1971 Alfa Romeo GTV
3. John Hildebrand, 1968 Chevrolet Camaro


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[Source: Dennis Gray]