
CSRG Season Opener, April 12, 2015, Second Annual
David Love Memorail Vintage Races
By Jamie DeRuiter, Editor, der Riesenbaum
On my wedding anniversary this year, I attended the Classic Sports
Racing Group's gathering at Sonoma Raceway. What a great event. While I
enjoy watching the various groups race around the track, I truly have
much more fun walking the pit and seeing the actual cars up close and
talking with the owners. The people who make up the CSRG are very
friendly and approachable. For instance, one of my fellow 912'ers
brought his kids to the event and on multiple occasions, without asking,
his kids were invited to sit in the owner's cars. How cool is that for a
kid?!?
This event for CSRG was their 2nd annual David Love Memorial gathering
and they couldn't have picked a more perfect spring day. It was sunny,
in the mid to upper 70's, with only the slightest breeze in the air.
David Love started his racing journey in classic fashion. First he
borrowed an MG-TD and got hooked, then he purchased his first race car,
a Porsche 356. He started the way most of us do by first attending some
tours, rallies and autocrosses. He progressed into obtaining his SCCA
license and the days of road racing were born to his future. After
moving to California and taking a job at the Lawrence Berkeley
Laboratory, he bought his second race car (his 356 had been stolen) in
1961, a Porsche 550A. A few years later, the opportunity to purchase a
Ferrari 250TR (Testa Rosa, Italian for 'red head') happened and after a
year of rebuilding the car, his long racing journey with his iconic ride
began. Rule changes in SCCA and faster cars took his race car out of
competition years later and not wanting to park the car he looked for a
venue to race his older car. In 1968 he and his friends Dave Burch and
Gordon Mills made a list of owners of similar cars and invited them to
join them for a day of racing at the Vaca Valley Raceway. CSRG was born.
CSRG's big event happens in the Fall with their Charity Challenge. This
year it will be hosted on October 3-4 at the Sonoma Raceway. The event
has raised over $700.000 for the Speedway Children's Charities to date.
This spring's event was very enjoyable for me. I got to meet some really
cool drivers/owners. Anyone familiar with CSRG around here knows about
a blue 912 that was raced by John Thornton #902. John was a local racer
out of Sonoma. He had a true passion for the sport and was known for
offering good advice to his fellow 912'ers on the 912BBS site. After
becoming ill, he put his beloved car up for sale and it ended up in the
hands of the only other guy to have driven his car while he was avidly
racing...Steve Torp of Classic Autobody out of Berkeley. I met Steve in
the pit next to his red 1963 Porsche 356B and his red 1966 Brabham BT-18
both #93. Steve is a super friendly guy who was quick to chat with me
and share his love of the sport and his passion for the #902 he now
owns. I got to watch him race his Brabham BT-18 in Group 6 during a
practice run. What a beautiful car and the sound the engine makes I
cannot describe in words. You have to come hear it yourself sometime.
Realizing I had forgotten my earplugs I headed toward the local
race shop. On my way I ran into Phil and his white/red 1964 Porsche 356C
#152 filling up to race. I chatted with Phil for a few minutes and found
out he has some good 912 parts on his car (his Fuchs wheels). I told him
that must be why his car is so fast and we got a good chuckle since I'd
shared my ownership of a 912 with him. I told him I was at CSRG to enjoy
the races and get some good material for our newsletter. I asked him if
I could get a photo of him for my write up and he was very proud to pose
for the pic with his 356C. Phil is a great example of the people of
CSRG. Super nice and willing to strike up a conversation with a total
stranger. I got to watch him race as well in Group 2. His 356C has that
classic Porsche cornering stance with the front inside wheel lifting off
the ground.
My first car was a white 1975 914 so when I ran into Martin
Baker's white 1975 914-6 I couldn't help but stop and take some photo's.
Martin is another example of the friendliness of this group. We soon had
a good conversation and he ended up giving some really good advice on my
912's racing setup. I watched Martin drive his #40 Porsche in Group 8
later that day. There's something about a 914 that will always be in my
blood and seeing him drive that car around the track was very rewarding
for me. Of course I'm jealous and want one of my own but my garage won't
fit one I tell myself and my wife wouldn't either. I can still think
'someday' to myself though and it makes me smile.
Well, it was my anniversary, so I had to go home a bit early so I could
take care of the most important person of the day. I left filled with
the desire to go home and drive my Porsche somewhere. Events like this
charge your passion for all things motorsports related. As I write this,
I cannot wait to get out and autocross this weekend at our second AX of
the season. CSRG is an event you have to attend sometime if you haven't
already done so. The Charity Challenge this fall allows one to take a
three-lap ride at high speed in one of the entered historic race cars in
exchange for a tax-deductible donation. This is a great opportunity to
experience the track and these special people in a classic race car.