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News
6/22/06 MONTERY NEWS
Richard Utley from Central, Texas, a regular competitor in the British FIII series, is bringing His JBS - C&R
Norton over to run. Chris Frank is almost done with his ex Bob Wenz Cooper Mk IX - Beart Norton. He has an
entry. Charles McCabe has his ex Sterling Moss Cooper Mk X - Norton entered. John Streets has both his
Staride - Norton and his Tighte - Vincent entered. Anyone else let me know.
Beaver Run
As far as I know, I'm the only FIII entered. I'll be running with four FJr's and a hoard of FV's, should be
interesting.
Pittsburgh
Seven of us will be at Pittsburgh, yr hmbl serv Cooper Mk VIII, Denis McKenna Cooper Mk IV - Carlhiem JAP
V twin, Mark O'Brien Parker Kieft - JAP, Jim Lyle Cooper Mk VIII, Gary Ford Cooper Mk XI - Petty Norton
(driver- Dick Irish), Harry Gaunt Cooper - JAP V twin, and last and most amazing Jerry Greaves in the first run
in his rebuilt Emeryson - JAP.
I received an email from Nigel Ashman, from the 500 OA in England (new owner of Jack Mayes Kieft)
saying he will be visiting us at Pittsburgh.
POCONO VSCCA2006
In April, four cars arrived at Pocono Raceway for the Spring VSCCA event. An interesting mix, two
experienced formula drivers new to FIII, two cars returning to the track after long abstinences, our class's
most experienced driver and two cars that ran last year. Gary Ford brought his ex Senator Wood's Cooper Mk
XI with a fresh Petty Norton intermediate short stroke for his first drive in an FIII. Gary is familiar to those who
race Pittsburgh for his red OSCA. Jim Lyles also had his first drive in FIII, in Jerry Greaves Cooper Mk VIII
JAP 4B. This is the same car that Denis McKenna has driven for the last twenty years. Denis was there with
his Cooper Mk IV powered by the only running Carlheim JAP 8-80 v-twin. This car has not run since 1963.
Although I wasn't entered, I dragged along my Mk VIII. I ended up entering to run the afternoon race.
My weekend started on the previous Monday at Denis. Over the next five days we got Jerry's Mk VIII ready for
Jim, did a months worth of work finishing Denis Mk IV. We could only get the twin running on the front
cylinder. After pulling the timing cover, I discovered that the cams were timed at twenty five degrees and
the distributor was timed at one hundred and fifteen degrees. After resetting the distributor to twenty five
degrees, she fire right off on both cyl. On Friday we loaded Denis' and Jerry's cars on Denis', ex Willie
Gadwa, double deck trailer and my car on my single that I got with the car. That evening we met Jim and
Peg Lyles at the motel.
Saturday morning was warm and bright. It was inspiring to see four cars lined up in the paddock. Jim Lyles
and Gary Ford got out in morning practice. We got the Mk IV running, but Denis spit the master link out of
the rear chain on the way out of the paddock. Just about that time I got word that I could make a late entry
and run the rest of the weekend. We got a new master in Denis' chain and four us lined up to start the first
race when the pace lap started. The "Becker Starter" did yeoman duty starting all four cars, even
the stiff new twin. Denis stalled and Gary, started first, disappeared. I didn't see him again. With a fresh
Norton SS and new Dunlops, he has raised the bar considerably. Jim and I got out together. I followed him
around for a lap, while we both got dived-bombed by various sports cars. I passed Jim coming up on the
banking on the second lap, but we were still getting passed, right and left, by the sporty cars. After 10 laps,
the top came off my carb, making the next few corners rather exciting at full throttle. So the results for the
first race were: 1st- Gary Ford, 2nd- Jim Lyles, DNF Pete Becker, and DNS- Denis McKenna.I got the top
back on my carb, but I'd lost my spark. So three cars lined up in the paddock for the second race. Jim and
Gary got out, but Denis' twin shed the rear chain again, time for a bigger chain. Gary's Norton was running
lean on top end, even feathering it to save the motor,he was much faster then the JAP. The results for the
second race were: 1st Gary Ford, 2nd Jim Lyles, DNS Denis McKenna and DNS Pete Becker.
Sunday morning was cold and overcast. Jim and Denis decided to pack it in and head home, and since my
car was going with Denis back to VA that left only Gary for Sunday's race. I stayed on to help. We raised the
needle on notch and solved the leaning out. Gary went out and was flying, picking off one at a time all
those cars that were blitzing Jim and me. Just before the end, he thew off both chains and that was the end
of our weekend. After we got the car back to the pits, we discovered that the float bowel mount had broken.
Maybe the broken chains were a blessing in disguise.
So ended our first race of the season.
(first printed in The Tingler)
Beaverun Report
I was the only FIII running, but it was a major step forward. On Sat. I ran a qualifying session and a
twenty-five minute race finishing both! The first sessions I've finished since returning to the class a year ago.
On Sunday I ran a warm-up session and a fifteen minute race in the morning, finishing both. The race
started great, I finally got the gearing and mixture right and I was running right up the back of the FVs (until
the float bowels fell off). When I got back to the pits, I discovered an oil leak on the new motor. To be on the
safe side I swapped in my spare motor (Denis and I did it in 15 min.). We started it up and it sounded great,
but on the false grid it wouldn't start. The safety crew gave me a pull and it started, but entering the track it
stalled and I had to sit out the race. Back in the paddock we discovered the magneto was acting up again.
So I've got some work to do this week to be ready for Schenley Park.
Denis ran the MK IV around the paddock, it had all four gears and THE CHAIN (new 530 rear) STAYED ON!!!
On a more upbeat note, Jerry Greaves started the Emeryson for the first time yesterday and drove it around
the neighborhood. This morning he drove to VT to pick-up the body, so he will be at Schenley this weekend.
7-21-06
Several important additions: first, Gerry Greaves Emeryson is the first vehicle to move from the "Cars In
Process" page to the "Active Cars" page. second, there is a new car on the in process page. Third, new
photos from Stephen Vapaa on the current events page.
Richard Utley from Central, Texas, a regular competitor in the British FIII series, is bringing His JBS - C&R
Norton over to run. Chris Frank is almost done with his ex Bob Wenz Cooper Mk IX - Beart Norton. He has an
entry. Charles McCabe has his ex Sterling Moss Cooper Mk X - Norton entered. John Streets has both his
Staride - Norton and his Tighte - Vincent entered. Anyone else let me know.
Beaver Run
As far as I know, I'm the only FIII entered. I'll be running with four FJr's and a hoard of FV's, should be
interesting.
Pittsburgh
Seven of us will be at Pittsburgh, yr hmbl serv Cooper Mk VIII, Denis McKenna Cooper Mk IV - Carlhiem JAP
V twin, Mark O'Brien Parker Kieft - JAP, Jim Lyle Cooper Mk VIII, Gary Ford Cooper Mk XI - Petty Norton
(driver- Dick Irish), Harry Gaunt Cooper - JAP V twin, and last and most amazing Jerry Greaves in the first run
in his rebuilt Emeryson - JAP.
I received an email from Nigel Ashman, from the 500 OA in England (new owner of Jack Mayes Kieft)
saying he will be visiting us at Pittsburgh.
POCONO VSCCA2006
In April, four cars arrived at Pocono Raceway for the Spring VSCCA event. An interesting mix, two
experienced formula drivers new to FIII, two cars returning to the track after long abstinences, our class's
most experienced driver and two cars that ran last year. Gary Ford brought his ex Senator Wood's Cooper Mk
XI with a fresh Petty Norton intermediate short stroke for his first drive in an FIII. Gary is familiar to those who
race Pittsburgh for his red OSCA. Jim Lyles also had his first drive in FIII, in Jerry Greaves Cooper Mk VIII
JAP 4B. This is the same car that Denis McKenna has driven for the last twenty years. Denis was there with
his Cooper Mk IV powered by the only running Carlheim JAP 8-80 v-twin. This car has not run since 1963.
Although I wasn't entered, I dragged along my Mk VIII. I ended up entering to run the afternoon race.
My weekend started on the previous Monday at Denis. Over the next five days we got Jerry's Mk VIII ready for
Jim, did a months worth of work finishing Denis Mk IV. We could only get the twin running on the front
cylinder. After pulling the timing cover, I discovered that the cams were timed at twenty five degrees and
the distributor was timed at one hundred and fifteen degrees. After resetting the distributor to twenty five
degrees, she fire right off on both cyl. On Friday we loaded Denis' and Jerry's cars on Denis', ex Willie
Gadwa, double deck trailer and my car on my single that I got with the car. That evening we met Jim and
Peg Lyles at the motel.
Saturday morning was warm and bright. It was inspiring to see four cars lined up in the paddock. Jim Lyles
and Gary Ford got out in morning practice. We got the Mk IV running, but Denis spit the master link out of
the rear chain on the way out of the paddock. Just about that time I got word that I could make a late entry
and run the rest of the weekend. We got a new master in Denis' chain and four us lined up to start the first
race when the pace lap started. The "Becker Starter" did yeoman duty starting all four cars, even
the stiff new twin. Denis stalled and Gary, started first, disappeared. I didn't see him again. With a fresh
Norton SS and new Dunlops, he has raised the bar considerably. Jim and I got out together. I followed him
around for a lap, while we both got dived-bombed by various sports cars. I passed Jim coming up on the
banking on the second lap, but we were still getting passed, right and left, by the sporty cars. After 10 laps,
the top came off my carb, making the next few corners rather exciting at full throttle. So the results for the
first race were: 1st- Gary Ford, 2nd- Jim Lyles, DNF Pete Becker, and DNS- Denis McKenna.I got the top
back on my carb, but I'd lost my spark. So three cars lined up in the paddock for the second race. Jim and
Gary got out, but Denis' twin shed the rear chain again, time for a bigger chain. Gary's Norton was running
lean on top end, even feathering it to save the motor,he was much faster then the JAP. The results for the
second race were: 1st Gary Ford, 2nd Jim Lyles, DNS Denis McKenna and DNS Pete Becker.
Sunday morning was cold and overcast. Jim and Denis decided to pack it in and head home, and since my
car was going with Denis back to VA that left only Gary for Sunday's race. I stayed on to help. We raised the
needle on notch and solved the leaning out. Gary went out and was flying, picking off one at a time all
those cars that were blitzing Jim and me. Just before the end, he thew off both chains and that was the end
of our weekend. After we got the car back to the pits, we discovered that the float bowel mount had broken.
Maybe the broken chains were a blessing in disguise.
So ended our first race of the season.
(first printed in The Tingler)
Beaverun Report
I was the only FIII running, but it was a major step forward. On Sat. I ran a qualifying session and a
twenty-five minute race finishing both! The first sessions I've finished since returning to the class a year ago.
On Sunday I ran a warm-up session and a fifteen minute race in the morning, finishing both. The race
started great, I finally got the gearing and mixture right and I was running right up the back of the FVs (until
the float bowels fell off). When I got back to the pits, I discovered an oil leak on the new motor. To be on the
safe side I swapped in my spare motor (Denis and I did it in 15 min.). We started it up and it sounded great,
but on the false grid it wouldn't start. The safety crew gave me a pull and it started, but entering the track it
stalled and I had to sit out the race. Back in the paddock we discovered the magneto was acting up again.
So I've got some work to do this week to be ready for Schenley Park.
Denis ran the MK IV around the paddock, it had all four gears and THE CHAIN (new 530 rear) STAYED ON!!!
On a more upbeat note, Jerry Greaves started the Emeryson for the first time yesterday and drove it around
the neighborhood. This morning he drove to VT to pick-up the body, so he will be at Schenley this weekend.
7-21-06
Several important additions: first, Gerry Greaves Emeryson is the first vehicle to move from the "Cars In
Process" page to the "Active Cars" page. second, there is a new car on the in process page. Third, new
photos from Stephen Vapaa on the current events page.
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Montery Historics
Thanks to Doug Stokes there are new photos on the CURRENT EVENTS 1 page. I still don't
have a race report, but there were seven FIII 500cc cars entered. Six cars started the race,
Rodney Smith hat his rocker box come loose, and five finished.
Results: 1- Skip Streets '53 Staride Norton
2- Charles McCabe '55 Cooper Mk IX Norton
3- Richard Utley '51 JBS C&R Norton
4- Richard Frank '56 Cooper Mk X Norton
5- Tom Franges '57 Cooper Mk XI 650cc Triumph
DNF- Gary Simkin '51 Cooper Mk V Norton
DNS- Rodney Smith '59 Cooper Mk XIII Norton
Thanks to Doug Stokes there are new photos on the CURRENT EVENTS 1 page. I still don't
have a race report, but there were seven FIII 500cc cars entered. Six cars started the race,
Rodney Smith hat his rocker box come loose, and five finished.
Results: 1- Skip Streets '53 Staride Norton
2- Charles McCabe '55 Cooper Mk IX Norton
3- Richard Utley '51 JBS C&R Norton
4- Richard Frank '56 Cooper Mk X Norton
5- Tom Franges '57 Cooper Mk XI 650cc Triumph
DNF- Gary Simkin '51 Cooper Mk V Norton
DNS- Rodney Smith '59 Cooper Mk XIII Norton
May 07 VIR Govenor's Cup
Formula three in America has it's first third generation driver! My son Fredd passed his driver
qualification in my Mk VIII Cooper. He had never even started the car, but he went out and
finished the session. After another chalk talk, including an in depth line session, one corner at
a time, he went out and picked up the pace considerably. After an of course excursion and tow
in (first bump start) he finished the session.
On Sunday morning I took the car out for a session to learn the course myself. The car ran
beautifully and I had a ball. Too bad there couldn't have been some more 500's.
Formula three in America has it's first third generation driver! My son Fredd passed his driver
qualification in my Mk VIII Cooper. He had never even started the car, but he went out and
finished the session. After another chalk talk, including an in depth line session, one corner at
a time, he went out and picked up the pace considerably. After an of course excursion and tow
in (first bump start) he finished the session.
On Sunday morning I took the car out for a session to learn the course myself. The car ran
beautifully and I had a ball. Too bad there couldn't have been some more 500's.
April 08 General news
The bad news is two more cars have returned to England, My ex "Pop"Lewis-Evens Cooper Mk
VIII has been sold to Simon Ross of London and Jeff Morehouse's Cooper has gone to
Phillippe Gireon.
On the positive side Jerry Greaves completed the full race at Lime Rock in his Emeryson. He
complained that the muffler zapped the power of the J.A.P.
Denis McKenna's Mk IV has a killer new rear sprocket and chain and a stronger gearbox
mount. We backed down the compression and rolled the cams to fire the rear 310 degrees
after the front rather than 50 degrees before. It should run more like a twin the a gigantic single.
Great strides have been made with the Texas Mk XI and we hope to have it ready for Pittsburgh.
We completed the "MonsterStarter" to be able to start the Carlhiem twin. It has a 400cc engine,
a heaver chain, bigger clutch and shorter gearing. The prototype starter has passed along to
Phil Lamont along with a new quickjack.
The bad news is two more cars have returned to England, My ex "Pop"Lewis-Evens Cooper Mk
VIII has been sold to Simon Ross of London and Jeff Morehouse's Cooper has gone to
Phillippe Gireon.
On the positive side Jerry Greaves completed the full race at Lime Rock in his Emeryson. He
complained that the muffler zapped the power of the J.A.P.
Denis McKenna's Mk IV has a killer new rear sprocket and chain and a stronger gearbox
mount. We backed down the compression and rolled the cams to fire the rear 310 degrees
after the front rather than 50 degrees before. It should run more like a twin the a gigantic single.
Great strides have been made with the Texas Mk XI and we hope to have it ready for Pittsburgh.
We completed the "MonsterStarter" to be able to start the Carlhiem twin. It has a 400cc engine,
a heaver chain, bigger clutch and shorter gearing. The prototype starter has passed along to
Phil Lamont along with a new quickjack.