I would like to start off by saying that the VARAC Grand Prix weekend comes highly recommended. It's a great family event with lots of racing at a fantastic price. I absolutely recommend this event. With all the different classes of cars, I'm looking forward to going again next year.
Del Bruce from Locust Hill, Ontario driving his 1972 Chevrolet Corvette.
Our weekend at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park (CTMP), formerly known as Mosport, for the VARAC Vintage Grand Prix actually started on Thursday. The day included getting our list of items together and packing them in the van so we could get up and leave first thing in the morning. Friday morning came pretty quick as we were up with the birds. After a couple quick pit stops (racing pun) and we were on the road with coffee in hand.
Rick Parson driving his 1976 Lola T332 Formula 5000, formerly driven by Brian Redman.
As always the biggest concern was getting through the traffic in Toronto. Anyone that has ever driven through Toronto knows exactly what I'm talking about. It can be completely crazy at times. But what we didn't expect was to hit traffic going through Hamilton. This put us behind schedule, but not as bad as the traffic in Toronto put us behind. The slow down gave us an opportunity to watch some planes coming and going. This is always interesting seeing the different size of planes.
Kurt Engelmann of Long Valley, New Jersey driving his 1971 Lola T192 Formula 5000.
After these slow downs for traffic we were late getting to CTMP and missed the Friday morning media meeting. Fortunately the good people in the Media Centre allowed me to pick up my photo vest so I was all set for my trackside photography. But first order of business was to set up the tent and canopy. For the amount of time it rains you can never have too much shelter. There was a time that I went a few years where every race I attended, it rained. This included CTMP and other tracks as well.
Mark Harmer of Troy, Michigan driving his 1969 Surtees TS 5 formerly driven by David Hobbs.
What was on the schedule for the weekend was Classics, Royale Formula Ford Challenge Series, Formula 5000, Vintage Big Bore, Monopotso, Vintage Small Bore, and finally Toyo Formula 1600. I really enjoy the sports cars, but I'm an open wheel guy through and through so I was really looking forward to the Formula 1600, and especially the Formula 5000s. I had heard rumours of a large field of F5000s, but unfortunately that wasn't the case. But seeing these cars at all was a real treat. They looked very similar to the classic Formula 1 cars from the previous year. You would have to be up on your classic formula cars to be able to tell the difference. They were beautiful machines. I sure hope to see them again sometime. I was also looking forward to the Toyo Formula 1600 cars. These cars always put on an amazing show. Close racing and always battles for the lead. But what was a special treat was the size of the field. There were 44 cars on the entry list. A true sight to behold.
Steve Bodrug from Mississauga, Ontario driving his 1993 Van Diemen RF93/Ford Formula 1600.
After everything was set up we headed track side. I shot the remaining sessions which included practice sessions and qualifying too. As hot as it was, little did we know that the worst was yet to come with the sun and the heat. The highlight of the day was the first time I saw and heard the Formula 5000s come roaring around turn 2. These cars were loud and sounded like proper race cars. They sounded great and looked great too. I enjoyed every minute of them.
After the on track action was all over we headed to the paddock to see as many cars as we could in a static display. it's always good witnessing the drivers and mechanics working on the cars to improve them for their next on track action. I also enjoy seeing these cars with their body work removed. You get to see how much more there is to these cars. There is much more than meets the eye when they are all together.
Paul Subject of Burlington, Ontario dominating in his 1998 Formula Mazda.
While wandering around we stumbled onto some giveaways of the best kind. Steam Whistle was giving away some of their beer that you could use to wash down the subs given away by Subway. I would like to thank both Steam Whistle and Subway for their generosity, it was greatly appreciated. While I was enjoying the nice refreshing Steam Whistle, we stopped to listen to the band Kim and Company. This was a large band which included horns, that preformed songs that most people could sing and dance to. They were very good. Everyone certainly enjoyed themselves. After the band was over, it was time to pack it in for the night and get lots of rest for the second day of the weekend.
Jason Di Cesar of Brossard, Quebec driving his 1969 Volkswagon Beetle.
I woke up Saturday to a rather noisy sleeper in a tent behind me. The noises I heard, I had never heard before. I would like to be able describe the noises, but there's no way I could do that. They were certainly original. When I awoke, I was very cold. I thought it was strange being cold as I knew the heat that was coming later in the day. After trying to sleep a little while longer, I decided to get up and face the day. And what a day it was. One that will never be forgotten, mostly for the worst possible reason.
The day started with the photographers meeting first thing in the morning in the Media Centre. This is where we get reminded of the dos and dont's and where we can and can't go. Coffee and muffins are provided to help shake off the night before. After the meeting, we headed down to the end of the Mario Andretti straight away, also turn 8. We stayed down there for a few sessions, then headed back to turn 2.
Frank Filangeri of Ronkonkoma, New York driving his 1951 MG TD.
While standing at the side of the track at the entrance of turn 2 shooting up towards turn 1, I heard a terrible thud behind me. Two cars were involved in an accident at the exit of turn 2. I didn't see the incident, but I certainly heard it. There was an issue extracting one of the drivers delaying on track action long enough to get a red flag sending all cars back to pit lane. The track workers and safety personnel did a great job getting the driver out to get them the medical attention that was needed. I tried to get a medical update, but I haven't received any sort of response.
Anthony Polito of Linday, Ontario driving his 1966 Ford Shelby. You always knew when this car was coming because of the great sound.
A little later there was an incident in turn 1 where a car went under the tires and hit the wall. I didn't get a view of this at all. In fact I was unaware that there was even a caution until I saw the green flag at the next Marshall stand. This caused another delay as you could see it took some effort to get the tires off the car to get the car out of the tires. I was unable to get a response on the condition of this driver either.
The races resumed after the clean up, and everything was running behind but it was finally time for the Formula 5000s again. The highlighted series of the weekend. There never seemed to be enough track time for these beautiful machines. After their morning qualifying, it was time for their first race of the weekend. There were bright orange machines. A couple bright red machines. A bright yellow one. A couple different shades of blue. A beautiful black machine. They came out on track in all their glory, roaring around where I was stationed beside the track just on the other side of the retaining wall, to get my shots shooting up track as they came over the little rise leading down into turn 2. Slow at first on their out lap behind the pace car, as they were preparing for the green flag. After one pace lap, the pace car lights were out and it headed down pit lane, which meant it was time to race! Pole sitter Jeff Green in his beautiful bright orange 1972 Lola T300, led the small field into turn 1 and the race was underway!
Race 2 winner Kellen Ritter of North Vancouver, British Columbia driving his 2018 Spectrum 014/Honda Formula 1600.
Jeff Green had his Lola dialed in, and was able to build up a big gap to the rest of the field. The mid pack was close with a couple of cars trailing further behind. As the race went on, Jeff Green built a bigger lead with the two trailing cars falling further behind. The race continued on like this until the full course caution came out. After a brief time the red flag came out halting all the action. I overheard someone say it was going to be a lengthy delay so I went back on the spectator side of the fence and had a seat in my lawn chair. As I was waiting for the on track action to resume, I noticed the Marshalls rolling up their flags. This was concerning because there was suppose to be a couple more races. Knowing this wasn't a good sign, and that something was wrong, I asked the Marshall what was going on. He didn't tell me, and there's a good possibility that he didn't know at that time. Only thing that was told to me was that it must be something significant if they, the Marshalls, were being called in.
Doug Elcomb of Chatam, Ontario driving his 1961 Dreossi Canada Class Monoposto entry.
There didn't seem to be any initial concern as the spectators just thought there was a normal racing accident. But as time went on, and with the things that were going on, it was obvious something serious happened. We could only speculate, and finished our night knowing we would find out what happened in the morning.
Our next day started with the media meeting. We weren't given any details, just informed that Jeffrey Green had passed away after going off in turn 8 at the end of the Mario Andretti straight away. We were informed that there would be a media release shortly. I don't think I can express how this confirmation made me feel. I know what the risks are, and I know that the drivers know what the risks are, but that doesn't make it any easier. It left me with this horrible feeling in my stomach. I didn't know Jeff personally, but the racing community is like one big family. There's nothing better than sharing racing stories with complete strangers. As expected, we were informed that the Formula 5000s wouldn't be racing their final two races that they were suppose to race on Sunday, but would be doing three missing man formation laps in honour of their fellow driver.
Leading up to the laps, I took pictures down near the end of the straight away. It was hard to do after knowing what happened. We had an early lunch to not miss the parade laps. In the bright sun and the sweltering heat, we waited for the honourary laps. After a short wait, it was finally time for the missing man formation laps. As all the Marshalls, safety crews, and track workers stood side be side at track side with hats in hand, the Formula 5000s slowly did their missing man formation laps behind the pace car honouring their fallen driver.
Fallen driver Jeffrey Green of Peoria, Illinois driving his 1972 Lola T300 Formula 5000 on Friday.
I thought the reality of the situation really hit me at the media meeting. I was wrong. Seeing the Marshalls and safety crews, and track workers standing along the track, and seeing only one car on the front row as Jeff Green was the pole sitter, I felt the lump in my throat and felt my eyes welling up as the cars slowly circulated the track. As I looked around and saw other spectators going through the same thing as I was, it made it even harder. It was very difficult for all involved. I'm glad I was able to be trackside to pay my respects. I can't imagine how difficult that must have been for the other Formula 5000 drivers. Our condolences to Jeff's family and friends and to the entire racing community.
Godspeed Mr. Green. May you rest in peace.
