Waterford Hills Vintage Road Racing

These are the good old days. Yes, I quote Carly Simon. Everyone has a favorite era, and everyone is correct. Today, there are endless amounts of cruises and car shows if you like that sort of thing, same with cars and coffee meets. In sports car/ road racing, it is the only growing segment for racetracks, while drag strips and circle tracks are dwindling. New " country clubs" are still being announced and built for the affluent segment. There are more options for road racers than ever. In Vintage , there are more sanctioning groups and events than ever. Hardly a weekend without a race or hill-climb somewhere. This weekend. club racers are out on track, and these are their good old days taking place regardless of if they are aware of it or not. Something for everyone. This is in fact, a " golden era" Is there a downside? of course, three always is. As cars enter a " valuable or desirable" status. they disappear from grids. Example once common, the Porsche 356 is now getting scarce on vintage grids. There have been others, and will be more as time marches on. We can all lament what might be gone, but it's easier to enjoy what is still here. Go enjoy what you prefer, while you can.

Common myth / misconception. Vintage Racing is a bunch of old guys parading around. Is there old guys ? Well yes of course. There are also middle aged, and young guys. We have gals too,( and if you are smart they are all no older than 29.) Car prep level can be a wide range, some are state of the art per the rules, some are super era correct. The drivers approach in vintage is a spirit that one should drive as hard as one is comfy with, but not to adversely effect others. Trust me, they all are sweating after they come off the track. In racing , a car just a few years old can quickly become obsolete, in vintage you can have a span of 50 years on track in one group, like say Formula Ford. So yes, it's a car show of sorts. but a show being driven in anger, not tucked away in a garage. For every session on track, there are hours and hours back in a garage, checking, inspecting, adjusting, repairing. The dedication behind the scenes that few see. I think that is why they smile so broadly when they arrive, that they made it to another event. Some of the finest drivers I know, are vintage racing. This weekend past, We had Nolan Allaer at age 24, we had new to us and good young guys in Sprites, we also had near and actual octogenarians, and everything in between. None of them were parading. All of them have hours and hours of work on the car to look forward before the next event. Anyone can buy a cool car and tuck it away. Vintage racers own cool cars, and work hard on and off track, just to live for the hobby. The love of the game.

When Vintage Weekend was revived in 2011, I had a lot of ideas, worries, concerns what have you. One of the biggest was how to get first time visitors comfy on our short narrow twisted tempest of a racetrack. Hard to have fun or key on safety if you are trying to figure the place out while drivers familiar with the place are all over you, all the time. I was thinking out loud, ( as I am apt to do) about it with Danny Kellermeyer, and before I could finish my thoughts he said " Stop, I know where you are going with this , and yes, We should do it, and I will lead it.". Waterford Hills Vintage weekend-First time drivers orientation. Danny would take all of them for a track walk on Thursday ( now a trailer ride, we are all getting older) Then Friday drive them around in street vehicles with a handful of assistant instructors ( The great Russ Theus no less) . Drivers who want more attention get it, sometimes all weekend long. FREE. One top tier Vintage driver looked at me on his first visit " you guys should charge for this, this is better than most Vintage Schools" One goal is inside a comment I often make, that Waterford Hills will make you better at other tracks. I have had more than one driver state that they did not believe it until it happened. One driver claimed he dropped 3 seconds at another track after visiting us. Yep, Danny is that good. Danny is better than simply a great ambassador of the track and sport. He is approachable, humble and helpful. I have stated several times, I could not do this event without him, and I won't do it without him. Yes, He has a long list of accolades, accomplishments, and awards, He never hangs his hat on them. He never wants more attention. He wants to help. Not to mention, It is Danny's efforts that provide the shuttles courtesy of Bowman Chevrolet.. Those shuttles are a lifesaver, they never stop moving all weekend long. If you need to put a face with the event, It's Danny. Thanks for everything up to now and in the future.

Well, Tuesday and most, if not all racers are back at home. We had a few who towed from Colorado. All such nice folks, and from all around the country and Canada. We have started on 2027, if fact we started officially during the weekend. Normally, I take a few or more months off to decompress, but with the additional help stepping up to the plate to assist with much of the " heavy lifting" there is less need for a long break. E-mails and messages have come in with thanks and praise, . Personally, I am emphatic during the drivers meeting and awards dinner that they thank every volunteer that one happens to cross paths with. You can thank me by thanking them instead, A lot of people give a summer weekend to pitch in and HELP, and it shall be acknowledged, We don't brag much, I don't see the need. However, it is ok to be proud. When our club hits on all cylinders, it is damned fine. I only worry about us, not comparing us to other clubs, and the staff should bask in the fact that our guest drivers marvel how welcoming and helpful everyone is. Waterford Hills Vintage, Efficient before officious. With all the good, I actually look forward to 2027 being even better all around. Onward to 2027. Cheers!

As was mentioned, The Michigan Auto Racing Fan Club award. Event chair's choice for " Drive of the Weekend ". Awarded Sunday during break, announced over the P.A. . This year, we have a gentleman, long time vintage attendee. Always happy to be there. Robert Blanchard. His long time vintage car came up broken not much more than a month ago. He then spent the last 30 some days reviving his other car, a car he raced at Waterford Hills in the 70's. Lets just say, Bob is no spring chicken. The car last raced here 47 years ago. The amount of effort he put forth is no less than amazing. It is not just a racecar, It is a stunning Formula Ford. When it was decided that Bob would get the award, all his fellow drivers were notified, and then informed they we all be called the tower to share in the event. They were all summoned to the tower as a group, as if a disciplinary discussion was it to take place. Everyone but Bob was in on it. Nolan Allaar, being 3 time National Champion in a Formula Ford, was asked if he wanted to join in and help award Bob. Nolan did not hesitate, and made a point to join in with his Dad ( Rob Allaer) to help out. Bob's " drive of the weekend" was simply getting there. The Ford group, The track record holder Pro Driver, and M.A.R.F.C., all there , to share the moment for Bob in the spotlight. Well done all, Well done Bob. You deserve it.

Monday morning afterglow. So much to cover, but let's start out with, Thank You. Thank you to drivers and crews for attending and having fun. Thank you, to the spectators , it is always nice to see faces at the fence. Thank you, to the club volunteers that turned out in force, a huge deal for yours truly. Thank you to Faygo, providing free admission and support of Nolan Allaer. Thank You, to R-M motorsports, and the Cooper and Allaer families. A pro outfit, never once a " diva" approach, they constantly wanted to make sure they never hindered the event, and took every chance to help and support the event, a true Waterford Hills old-school members approach. Thank you, to the Michigan Auto Racing Fan Club, a circle track club, who attends every year with a VERY nice embroidered drivers suit/helmet bag to award to the " drive of the weekend." We will inform the glorious details of that award in another post. We have already started planning 2027 in full force. Stay tuned.

Sunday morning. Always with coffee. Saturday was epic. Drivers, crew, and volunteers loaded with smiles. Always great to see so many spectators in the grounds. All race groups put on a fine show. I would be remiss to not mention Nolan Allaer also putting on a fine show, setting a lap below 57 seconds. We had fun at the Saturday night dinner and trophies. Today is more of the same but a tad less hectic. We will get a more casual start today, as everyone used a lot of energy yesterday. We must note the excellent club volunteer turnout. They answered the call to serve. Being understaffed creates crisis. Being well staffed allows everyone to enjoy the the event together. Last day. As always let make it a great day.

Saturday morning with coffee. Sunrise a few minutes away now. A full day of practice and qualifying is in the books. Per normal a few cars caught the bug of mechanical issues. Nolan and his Indy car ? Just fine thank you. Broke the one minute barrier on old tires while working car set up. New tires and good weather offers a fine show today. All the drivers are in good spirits and the staff is gathering to embrace the day. Might as well make it a good one.