Thanks to Mike Rand & Steve Beeler

After finally coming down from my emotional high this past weekend, I want to take a few minutes here to say a very special thanks to Mike Rand and Steve Beeler for putting this fantastic event together. I know how much work they put into this to make it work, and it was nothing short of spectacular.

From shaking Dennis Firestone's hand to watching the past champions parade around the track, lead by RK Smith in the original DB1 that has been meticulously restored, to watching the FF engine builders lined up in front of the party on Saturday, to talking to the Honda engineers about the future of this class, this was easily one of the most memorable racing weekends in my life.

The entire weekend was a collection of "oh wow" moments, and memories that I will never forget. I can't thank Mike, Steve and everyone else associated with the organization of this event enough. I'm thrilled to have met as many people from this community in person finally, and disappointed that I couldn't meet everyone. I wished on many occasions that there were name tags or captions for everyone and all of the cars there.




This was a very special weekend for myself and ApexSpeed, and I couldn't be more proud of what was accomplished by all involved. Thanks and congratulations to everyone that made this past weekend so special.




doug

I second that, Doug. Great job by Mike and Steve. And they still had time to join in the racing!
:thumbsup:
Already looking forward to the 45th....

Yeah, as much as I LOVED racing last year in the 30th S2 event at R/A - I actually think I might have enjoyed this past weekend even more. I got to shake hands with some of my HEROES in my early racing days (David Loring, Dennis Firestone, etc.). I finally got to see an Eaglet and an ADF (what an awesome car...) in person! I've been a F/F junkie my whole life (please don't tell my Lola 596!) and if my wife would have allowed me an open- wheel car I would have been a participant. I was also one of the lucky ones to get to thank Doug Carter for this wonderful site he watches over. And yes, there were just an incredible number of "OH WOW!" moments - but with over 200 cars on site what would you expect! THANK-YOU THANK-YOU THANK-YOU!

I started racing in my 50s. I never imagined it would lead to anything like being a part of the show put on this weekend by the Milwaukee Region, Mike Rand, and Steve Beeler.

I got to see a Lotus 51A (anyone who knows me or can put me with my racecar knows what that means to me!) (ok the results sheet says there were no 51A's at this event, but I swear, it was paddocked just down from me and in glorious British racing green). Michael Argetsinger's Titan. Dave Livingston's amazing drive in the Regional (I got to witness a fair amount of that, from the best seat in the house, the driver's seat in my Van Diemen).

What a weekend. Met a ton of great folks--from all over the country--every corner and up and down the middle.

Finally found a way to focus on racing amidst all the beach party atmosphere and heavy traffic. By the way, how many racecars can you fit in turn 5 at Road America? Amazing races, close passing, excellent drivers. Busting just to be on the track with you all.

A huge thanks to all the promoters and organizers, the corner and track workers, Milwaukee Region, Kay Imig who helped me so much with registration, and drivers who came from near and far to make the 40th something so special that it's hard to describe to someone who wasn't there. Great show, great time!

Mike, Steve, and all that made the most incredible gathering of Type A adrenelin junkies .......I'm not sure we can ever get that amazing group together again....
although I could widen the race car and put some bumpers on it for the 45th and 50th.

Mikey,Steve

Congats job well done.

You should have free beer for life at all events.

First race event in four years, and as a gofer/race junkie for Frank D. the 40th was simply over the top. Mike and Steve did a superlative job in pulling off a 250+/- car event. I know Frank D. was in seventh heaven as I was.

I also extend a heartfelt thanks to Rowland Johnson for letting me drive a Titan in the parade. How bad it was that I wanted to just let it rip. Car was a fine speciman of preparation, hidden updates and it ran flawlessly...............fine job Roland.

AND a hearty thanks to all who made the event what it was from the man up stairs and weather to all the participants.............truly a fun weekend.

At long last I will be back soon..........God willing and if the creek don't rise........jh

PS - As I said to Mike Rand after the party, next time he will have to have a "pine wood (box)" derby for some of us. jh :checkered:

That was truly amazing and I'll forever be delighted that I was a part of the event! My buddy and I travelled 2000 miles to get there, after he had driven from Tucson to Seattle to grab me and my car, and I'd do it again tomorrow if it were possible.
What an amazing group of drivers playing on a beautiful track. I thought I had you at the checkered Frank, but they say you got me! We raced, we survived and that group photo goes on the wall as soon as they are available.
Thank you to all involved for putting this together!

Wes Tipton

Yes, I must say an incredible event.

Hats off to Steve and Mike, I gave them well wishes saturday night and hope to see them at the 50th "they" (sorry guy's nobody could do it better) plan at Laguna Seca (hint hint.........pretty please.....sugar on top):)

Just arrived home after damn near 2 weeks, 2 tracks and an incredable adventure.

thanks again,

Gord

First, to my many friends here on Apexspeed, thanks for re-motivating me to find a car to drive in the 40th.

Next, Mike and Steve, words are not enough to show my gratitude. Someone mentioned free beer for life. I'll add served by native women with palm fronds on a white sand beach!

I sat at a table Saturday nite with Terry McKenna, the guy who first let me polish the wheels on his Caldwell D9 FF when I was 9 years old, and started my love affair with FF.

Saw my old friend Mike Aregetsinger, whom I've not seen in so many years, so many past champions it was mind boggling, and the hero's of my youth. I got the see the Ferret close up, plus an ADF! How cool were those two cars?

The fact that we all got to race was icing on the cake. I'm humbled to have been a part of it.

Friends, no matter whom I work for or where my travels take me, I'll be a FF racer at the core. Long live FF!

One word sums it up: EPIC

Mike R., Steve B., Mike & Janice E. and others involved in getting this to happen,

I don't think I ever have or ever will see a better gathering of old friends and acquaintances plus FF racecars than we had at the 40th! Thanks for all of your hard work in getting this to happen. The weekend was fantastic!

You guys have summed it up - I've got to add a special thanks to the 'regular' guys that helped us out - Jon Jeffords baby-sat us through registration and tech, John Spinello showed me the way around the track in practice, the WRD guys let me paw through parts boxes to get my starter back together... the comraderie was endless - I really can't thank you guys enough, let alone everyone who put it all together.

Thanks - can't wait for the next one (just give me a couple weeks to get new bearings in the thing!)

Gary #2 '84 Reynard

Well done, gentlemen. We had a spectacular time. You oughta be very very proud of yourselves - it was brilliant!!!!!

Thanks again
Bill Tebbutt

I usually don't believe in piling on, but in this case it is well deserved. It was a fabulous weekend.

I can't add much more to what has already been said other than the attached photo.

What a great weekend! Special thanks to Steve and Mike for making this happen!!! Thanks to the Milwaukee Region for their organization and Sponsoring our anniversary! And special thanks to Race Control for keeping the National race Green during the rain! Using local yellows( like real road racing should be) instead of full course yellows! Man O man I'm finding it hard to focus on reality this week!!! I still want to go racing! And Thanks to everyone that brought out there old Ford to party!!! Awesome race groups! Let's do it again real soon!
Wes Allen

So, perhaps the morning caffeine is talking here, which borders on crazy talk especially now since this took 2 years to plan, but why do we wait every 5 years to do this? Should we not use this as a start to our own Walter Hayes (or should we call it the Marc Sours Trophy :) ) and gather FFs every year?

Perhaps it won't be as well attended from the coasts if it was every year, but SCCA races at club type tracks break even at about 100 entries if we wanted to run our own FF restricted regional without other classes at a place like Gingerman, IRP or other similarly centrally located club track. If the competition will be there, people will keep it as the marque event on their calendar. Or, follow the same format with the Cat National (where they've run restricted regionals each year for the last 5 or so) like we did this year. With the runoffs there the key FF guys will come for the national ensuring good competition while the regional can be for the herd we'd hope come.

I sense Beeler & Rand are about to send me cease & desist PMs.... :)

Tim

PS, to stay on topic of the thread, I also want to give grand round of thanks Steve & Mike for getting us all together.

A friend and I were talking at the event and he suggested gathering at selected events around the country each year. Pick an event at perhaps the Glen for northeast people, Road Atlanta for southeast, etc. The Fun One at the Glen comes toward the end of the season and features two days of racing (long and short "NASCAR" layout).

Naturally, this is all for next year's planning. For most of us this year is set and we would need time to get the word out.

Don

Just wanted to mention again what I said in person - Thank you Steve and Mike for all of your efforts in coordinating and cajoling this event into a reality.

This was my first SCCA event and I was impressed by the professionalism of the Region in the days leading up to the Event, Kay and her army of Registrars that made the process as painless as possible, and to the volunteers and track workers who unfortunately met first hand and was impressed by their skill and professionalism.

I was thrilled to meet a number of faces whose names I knew from this board. All in all, a very memorable weekend in many ways.

:beer:


Jonathan

One more thing to thank Mike Rand for, reminding me that the"rain line" is often on the outside of the turn! He went by me in the downpour like I was parked! He taught a lot of us "Skippy" guys how to drive these cars. Thanks for all the effort to make this event a reality. Owe you one.

a car that wouldn't give me a moments rest, and an old body that finally failed me before the best part of the weekend began, I still am happy I was there.

Most of you don't know, but after the first Vintage race on Friday PM, which I ran completely in 3rd gear due to a faulty shift linkage, I ended up being dragged from my car and taken to the St. Nicholas Hospital in Sheboygan. Seems as though my Kidneys decided to shut down, which is kinda scary. In addition I had a hugely swollen right knee due to an infection in the bursa which is kinda like a lube point for the knee joint.

I spent 3 days in ICU after an Orthopedist sliced a bit of my knee open to drain the gooey stuff out of the joint. My kidney specialist was on the job and on the ball. He got things going again and after another 10 days in Sheboygan, I was on my way home, with a friend who flew up to drive me and the rig home.

Oh, I forgot that on my first laps on Thursday a fuel fitting came loose and gave me a nice tub of gasoline to sit in. Yes, Mr. Rand, I did get some burns (2nd and 3rd) on my backside and shoulders. That stuff is really caustic. And it was just 110 Leaded. Glad I don't use rocket fuel. If it ever happens to you, get the suit off and rinse your body with water, immediately.

I'm feeling much better, thank you, and wish I could have made the entire show. This was to be my "swan song" in auto racing after 44 years of pleasure and pain. Heck of a way to say goodbye.

Thanks to all of you who made my FF40th a memorable event, in spite of the tragi/comic opera I was enduring.

Best regards to all, my car and equipment will be on the block shortly.
\
Mike

Damn Mike, I had no idea. Good to hear you're on the mend, but sad to hear that you are hanging it up.
I'm glad I had the chance to meet you, although you were busy with your gearbox issues at the time.
Get better,

Wes Tipton

Glad to hear you'll be OK Mike, gave us a scare when we heard that you were at the hospital.

Not sure if you recall, but in pre-grid of that race, one of the officials was asking about the oil in the belly pan of your car - I was the guy that came over to 'interpret' between driver and official. I had been meaning to get down to your paddock all weekend to have a chat.

Get well!

Gary

For your concern and for your "mediation" on the pre-grid. All that oil was from the qualifying session when an oil fitting broke.

Jim Lee and another fellow FF guy helped me get as much oil out of the cockpit as we could and made a slight attempt at getting the engine bay cleaned up.

By this time, I was about a half hour from kidney shutdown and was probably not in a mood to "discuss" the issue with the official.

Thanks again. I hope we'll meet sometime in the future.

Mike