Savannah Speed Classic 2011 – Report and Photos

Report and photos by Dennis Gray

The Savannah Speed Classic 2011 was held October 28-30 at the 1.96 mile, 10-turn Grand Prize of America Track on Hutchinson Island in Savannah, Georgia. Situated next to the Westin Savannah Harbor Resort, the venue overlooks the Savannah River and the city’s famed River Street in the historic district.

Sanctioned by Historic Sportscar Racing (HSR), the 2011 Savannah Speed Classic is one of the events that make up the nearby Hilton Head Island Motoring Festival and Concours d’Elegance. With BMW as the featured marque for the Hilton Head Festival, the German marque also played a big role in the race weekend at Hutchinson Island.

A group of BMW CSLs were fan favorites on and off the track, including Henry Schmitt’s 1974 BMW 3.5 CSL Group 4 and the 1973 BMW 3.0 CSL Group 2 of Scott Hughes. The latter won its class and finished 11th overall at the 1973 Le Mans 24 Hours. Both were supported at the event by Bill Watson’s Road Rockets organization from Sonoma, California. In addition to the headline CSLs, former (and current) BMW pilots Boris Said, Joey Hand, and Bill Auberlen joined Hurley Haywood at the event.

In celebration of the Indy 500 centennial, along with the 100 year anniversary of Savannah’s own Vanderbilt Cup, historic Indy race cars were also highlighted at the 2011 Savannah Speed Classic. A few of the cars on exhibit were a Chaparral Pennzoil car driven by John Andretti and a 1986 Patrick Racing driven by Emerson Fittipaldi.

Savannah Speed Classic 2011 – Photo Gallery (click photo for larger picture and description)

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Savannah Speed Classic 2011 – Race Two Results

Group Two and Three – Race Results
1. Rob Parker, 1969 BMW 2002 Tii
2. Brian Johnson, 1970 Royale RP4
3. James Smith, 1962 Lotus Super 7 (lst Group Two)

Group Four – Race Results
1. Jim Dixon, 2002 Dallara Indy Car
2. Andrew Gilberg, 1987 March 87C
3. Mike Bernhardt, 1992 Lola Indy

Group Five and Seven – Race Results
1. Johan Woerheide, 1968 Lola T160
2. Jack Lewis, 1974 Porsche 911 Carrera RSR
3. Cody Ellsworth, 1972 Porsche 911 ST

Group Six and Nine – Race Results
1. Johan Woerheide, 2001 Lola B2K10
2. Peter Kirill, 1999 Chevrolet Camaro
3. Mickey Craig, 2003 Dodge Viper Comp

Group Eight – Race Results
1. Brian Norman, 2006 Dodge Charger
2. Larry Hoopaugh, 2000 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
3. Jack Finch, 2006 Dodge Charger

HSR Louis Chevrolet Enduro – Race Results
1. Johan Woerheide, 2001 Lola B2K10
2. Brian Johnson, 2001 Pilbeam MP84
3. Cody Ellsworth, 1972 Porsche 911 ST

HSR Small Bore Enduro – Race Results
1. Rob Parker, 1969 BMW 2002 Tii
2. Charles Kates, 1961 Lotus 7
3. Dennis Gonzalez, 1966 Austin-Healy Sprite

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[Source: Savannah Speed Classic; HSR; photo credit: Dennis Gray]