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HMSA Vintage Racing at Thunderhill Raceway Park – Photo Gallery

Story and photos by Dennis Gray

Historic Motor Sports Association (HMSA) kicked off the season on March 13-14, 2010 at Thunderhill Raceway Park in Willows, California. The 3.0 mile, 15-turn Thunderhill track is owned by the San Francisco Region of the SCCA.

HMSA had around 90 cars for the event and the weather was clear, but breezy and cold. Cars present for the event included a smattering of vintage race cars from a Lola T70 and Porsche 910 to an Elva Mk. 2 and Lotus 27. Additionally, the Historic Stock Car Racing Series (HSCRS) furnished 16 cars, all disc brake ranging in age from the 70s until the early ’90s.

Highlighted cars include Nick Colonna’s 1965 ISO Grifo A3/C, an early Giotto Bizzarini 7000 rivet alloy bodied competition car – beautifully detailed and fast in Nick’s hands. Another Nick Colonna car was the Ford-powered 1967 Lola T70 Spyder, this was the George Bignotti-built Lola driven in period by Mario Andretti.

Another favorite was Mark Sange’s 1957 Elva MK2, the original MK2 driven by Archie Scot Brown to a number of victories. The body shows the many factory changes with patches welded into the original aluminum. Not as pristine smooth as many but still a beautiful car with real patina. The engine is a stage one Coventry Climax mated to a (can you believe this?) MG TC gear box.

Dennis Singleton brought his 1968 European Rally Championship-winning 1968 911TR, BB2277, while a rare 1959 Lotus 17 was brought by Edward Nigro. The 17 was the last front engine racing car Lotus built.

Among the NASCAR racers in attendance was the the ex-Alan Kulwicki 1992 Hooters Ford Thunderbird driven by Michael Cesario. Kulwicki drove this car for his first Polish victory lap where he would drive counterclockwise around the track, allowing him to wave to the crowd. Ken Epsman drove a 1988 Coors Ford Thunderbird originally piloted by Bill Elliott.

For more information, visit www.hmsausa.com.

HMSA Vintage Racing at Thunderhill Raceway Park – Photo Gallery (click image for larger picture and description)

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[Source: Dennis Gray]