Vintage Auto Racing at Buttonwillow

Yesterday I headed for Buttonwillow to check out the Vintage Auto Racing Association's (VARA) "Oktoberfest" event. The weather was great with highs in the mid 80s, making it a great day to take in some classic auto racing. As you can see in the picture above, there was a big variety of vintage cars at the track. This event had a special race for German cars, so there was a large number of Porsche 911's, BMW 2002's and even some BMW 3.0CSi's. Besides the German cars, there was a gathering of English -built Ginetta sports cars. I did not know much about these cars before yesterday, but they are amazing cars.  They were available in both front and mid engine, powered by several different engines.

The orange one is the mid-engined G12. I'm not sure if you can see in the picture but these cars are LOW. The top of the roofline was pretty much even with my hip. 

In this photo you can see just how small these things are. I'm not quite sure my 6'2" frame would fit in one of these cars.

This is the front-engined roadster version. I think it's a great looking car.

There were plenty of non-European machines in attendance as well.

It was great to see (and hear) this high dollar Shelby GT350 Mustang out there.

Of course I didn't forget about the vintage Japanese machinery. There were plenty of Datsun 510's present to battle the rival BMW 2002. There was also a Datsun B110 1200, a Fairlady Roadster, and a lone S30Z.

This 510 looks like it was built in tribute to the John Morton BRE cars of the early 70's.

Another one of the many 510's on the track.

Although they were overshadowed in popularity by the 510, the smaller Datsun 1200 powered by the A series engine still had a following among racers. These cars were especially popular in Japan where they were sold as the Nissan Sunny.

I expected to see several S30Z's at Buttonwillow, but this blue & silver car was the only one present.

Here are a couple more photos-

Check out the full album of photos here . VARA holds event all over California and Nevada, so if you want to see vintage machinery being pushed hard on the track, I suggest checking them out. It may not quite be the Monterey Historics, but it's the next best thing.

Comments

[mbt sale]

This is their third public hearing, and the budget year started last Friday. But the decision is so tough, commissioners haven't been able to make it.

[coach bags]

County administrator Bertha Henry said to keep the tax rate the same, another $31.9 million in cuts would be needed.

[asics shoes]

And the sheriff would likely fight his cuts to the state Cabinet and governor.

[ugg sale]

Taking on his share from the last round of cuts would cost the county another $18.2 million, if he's successful in Tallahassee.

[christian louboutin]

Vintage Auto Racing at Buttonwillow looks so cool. Hope that this game can be carried out in our country.

[Beats by dre]

And the sheriff would likely fight his cuts to the state Cabinet and governor.

[restoration classic car]

I love these old cars..nice post.thanks!

[Nike Air Max]

I know admitted that part of getting over his first love meant realizing that he'd been "in love with the story"—the two of them met in the desert in Israel— I immediately recognized my own experience.