The Mid-Ohio Vintage Grand Prix 2012 was held June 22-24 at the 13-turn, 2.258 mile Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, Ohio. Sanctioned by Sportscar Vintage Racing Association (SVRA) and sponsored by Mechanics Bank, the 30th annual historic races at Mid-Ohio offered a snapshot from many eras of motorsports.
“SVRA and the vintage event has been a staple at Mid-Ohio for 30 year which is more than half of the track’s history,” said Craig Rust, president of Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course.
The 2012 Mid-Ohio Vintage Grand Prix honored the ‘British Invasion’ as the featured marque, owing to the long and rich history of British car manufacturing. The race weekend featured be eighteen SVRA group races, a British Invasion race, a BMW/Alfa/Datsun Challenge race and two Enduros (hour-long multi-class races). Off-track, Saturday’s British Car Showdown and Sunday’s Concours d’Elegance took over the infield with hundreds of cars entered.
Professional racer Tom Yeager was Grand Marshal for this year’s Mechanics Bank Vintage Grand Prix of Mid-Ohio. Tom began his racing career in Marion, Ohio, racing the city streets in a lowered 1950 Mercury. Yeager turned professional in 1966 through SCCA’s Trans-Am series, where he and his co-driver Bob Johnson won at Virginia International Raceway and Mid-America Raceway. Currently, he competes in SVRA events in a number of cars such as Mustangs, Brabhams and more.
Notable entrants at the 2012 Mechanics Bank Vintage Grand Prix of Mid-Ohio included the 1981 March 817 Can-Am of David Nikolas; Henry Payne’s 1966 Porsche 906; John Higgins’ 1966 Porsche 910 and 1959 Porsche 718 RSK; 1955 Mercedes Benz 190SL of Doug Radix; 1964 Cooper Monaco driven by Jack Ruscilli; 1968 McLaren M6B of Robert Bodin; 2006 Ford GT of David and Andrea Robertson; among others.
Mid-Ohio Vintage Grand Prix 2012 – Photo Gallery (click image for larger picture and description)
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Mid-Ohio Vintage Grand Prix 2012 – Race Two Results
Group One – Race Two Results
1. Rick Haynes, 1966 MG Midget
2. Craig Chima, 1962 Lotus Seven
3. Pat Ryan, 1967 Triumph Spitfire
Group Two / Seven B – Race Two Results
1. Joe Blacker, 1969 Brabham BT29
2. Travis Engen, 1970 Chevron B17B
3. Bob Lima, 1967 Brabham BT21
Group Three / Four B – Race Two Results
1. Denny Wilson, 1962 Lotus Super Seven
2. John Higgins, 1959 Porsche 718 RSK
3. Vic Skirmants, 1961 Porsche 356 B Roadster
Group Four A / Five – Race Two Results
1. Ken Mennella, 1963 Chevrolet Corvette
2. Graham Adelman, 1962 Lotus 23B
3. Travis Engen, 1962 Lotus 23B
Group Six / Ten – Race Two Results
1. Jeff Bernatovich, 1990 Chevrolet Corvette
2. Sean Ryan, 1970 Chevrolet Camaro
3. Mark Rife, 1969 Chevrolet Corvette
Group Seven A – Race Two Results
1. Ben Sinnott, 1991 Lola T9190
2. John Kramer, 1985 Swift DB2
3. Richard Duffey, 1985 Swift DB2
Group Eight – Race Two Results
1. Todd Treffert, 1973 Porsche 911
2. Debbie Cloud, 1995 Ford Mustang
3. Tom Briest, 1970 Porsche 914/6
Group Nine – Race Two Results
1. Shelby Mershon, 1997 Lola T97/20
2. David Porter, 1997 Lola T97/20
3. Charles Monk, 1997 Lola T97/20
BMW / Alfa / Datsun Challenge – Race Results
1. Jim Lenehan, 1971 Datsun 240Z
2. Joe Maloy, 1968 Datsun 510
3. Curt Richards, 1991 BMW 318
British Invasion – Race Results
1. Max Heilman, 1958 Jaguar XK150
2. Charles Guest, 1968 MG Midget
3. Greg Miller, 1962 Morgan 4 + 4
Classic Enduro – Race Results
1. Travis Engen, 1962 Lotus 23B
2. Ralph Salomon, 1961 Ginetta G4
3. George Balbach, 1961 Porsche 356
Historic Enduro – Race Results
1. David Porter, 2007 Pescarolo Judd
2. Travis Engen, 2005 Audi R8 LMP
3. David and Andrea Robertson, 2006 Ford GT
[Source: SVRA; Mid-Ohio; Michael DiPleco]
I was lucky enough to work Grid Crew for the Vintage at Mid Ohio. Perfect weather, outstanding drivers and track conditions (albeit a little warm). Absolutely no better way to spend the weekend. To adapt a famous film line: “There’s nothing like the smell of unburned hydrocarbons in the morning!”
Thanks for the pics, Mr. DiPleco.