2023 Solo Nationals

[Ponder]

So, they made an allowance to include Heritage Classic Race(and stock) in this year's Solo Nationals at Lincoln. I thought this would the excuse to finally make the trip to nationals. I was hoping there would be a half dozen or dozen cars enter and i'd get to commiserate with other people who try to keep 50 year old race cars viable. Only three cars showed up (one of them originally in HCS) and only two ran. The 1600 had been really cantankerous for the last six weeks or so. And then, we added a codriver when his car cratered on the way to rid. Anyway, the car held up pretty well, with just a few hiccups.

So, won HCR by 1.8 seconds over a 1960 Lotus 7. My only goal was not to get towed off the course. Anything else was gravy.

S

[redroadster68]

That’s awesome….way to go

[Gregs672000]

Yeah! Great man! The car looks super cool, really a great ride! Smiles all the way!

[D P]

Congrats! Winning at nationals is no small feat no matter the class.

[drieseck]

Fantastic, congrats taking a national event for the family, just spectacular. Well done.

[gpdatsun]

Congratulations Ponder! A 50 year old roadster takes HCR on the 50th running of the Solo Nationals! Is that Dick Tillinger's old car? Very nice!

Nope, Mike Unger owns Dick's 2L. So what's the history of your car?

[gpdatsun]

ps. I won the 50th running of June Sprints for GP in my car in 2005

[Ponder]

Bill,

I bought the car from Chris Coker in 2005. It was originally built by Craig Chima in the 80's.

I bought a stock 4-speed transmission from you in around 2008-10 timeframe. I think I met you around South Bend Indiana. I think you might have been on your way to Mid-Ohio for the June Sprints, but my memories are very vague. I also bought a 5:13 rear-end from you a few years ago.

Again, it's a win, but it was pretty lucky. I was only 100th in Pax out of 1297. Still, I put in a reasonable amount of effort just getting there and I drove pretty well. If HCR isn't available, the car is classed in D prepared. I wouldn't have finished last in DP, so that's something.

Steve B

[gpdatsun]

Hell yeah, my memories are non-existent!

Chris Coker's old car and Craig Chima! Two guys I do remember pretty well and Craig had told me he used to have a roadster but I never made the connection.

Congratulations on your efforts again...a win is a win! As Woody Allen says, "80% of success is just showing up."

[Ponder]

To make sure I didn't misrepresent myself there, I mistyped there. I was 1000th on index out of 1297.

Thanks.

[Mike Unger]

Congratulations! I think a fellow named Don Webb raced that car in SCCA before Chris. I didn't know Craig built it.

[Ponder]

The only other owner Chris mentioned in his writeup was that he bought the car from Brant Lyall and that it had been dormant since 1992.