Report of the 32nd Monterey Historics at the Laguna Seca raceway, California 20th/21st August 2005

The featured marque at this year's Monterey Historics was "Chaparral" and "Great American Classics" race cars.  Most of the original Chaparrals were brought to the track from their home at the Petroleum Museum in Midland, Texas by Jim Hall, who was most gracious to everyone over the weekend giving interviews and sighing autographs.  He gave a wide-eyed Jay Leno a ride around the track in one of the winged Can Am cars.  Vic Elford also drove one of the winged Chaparrals in these demonstration laps. The "sucker" Cam Am car that had raced at Laguna, only to be banned, made a few laps, some saying it sounded like a lawn mower.  There were 400 cars at Monterey this year. No formula cars were entered with the exception of some Indy Roadsters

Bob Engberg leads a Ferrari round a corner

In my group (Group 2B), nine Lotus Elevens and three Lotus 15s made an appearance, along with an assortment of Ferraris, Porsches, Poopers, Lolas and Devin specials.

The newly rebuilt FWA in Lotus Eleven #202 (Peter Ross's 105 JMH) ran well at the Monterey Historics only up to 5500 rpm.  Pete Lovely had his 1959 S2 and was the fastest of the Elevens.  The Lotus 15 of Don Orosco was the fastest of all the 30 or so cars in the group, and led from the opening lap after polesetter Patrick Orosco dropped out on the parade lap with his Lola.  He was closely followed by Herb Wetanson in another Lola who finished 1.6 seconds behind.  As usual, the Lola Mk.1's and bigger engined Porsches finished ahead of most of the Elevens.

Bob Engberg in Eleven S1 Chassis #202

Group 2B – 1956-1960 Sports Racing Cars under 2500cc

Plus 25 others

Don Crawford's Lotus MK9 (Chassis 105) FWA. This car has had Climax, MG, Maserati and Buick engines in its history.

Don Crawford brought his Lotus Mk.9 to make its first appearance at the Historics.  This is the car that Rex Huddleston purchased in the fall of 1955 and brought to California. (Chassis 105).  Don did well in the FWA engined car and finished 7th in his group against many bigger engined cars.  The car was a new sight for most spectators and a crowd was usually seen around his Lotus.

Don Burrows presented his 1956 Lotus Eleven.  He believes it is chassis 164, the ex-Graham Hill car.

Don Burrows brought his Eleven for its first track appearance since its restoration in the 1980's. Don got the car from George Nuse of Atlanta, who had purchased it from Crosthwaite & Gardiner and had then placed it in his garage.   He had some overheating problems perhaps caused by a clogged radiator.

The engine/suspension of Don Burrow's Eleven.

Race organiser Steve Earle announced that "Cooper" will be the featured mark at the 2006 Monterey Historics, and that there will also be a celebration of the 50th anniversary of Laguna Seca.  He made no mention of featuring the Lotus Eleven but as it is also the car's 50th perhaps we will hear something in the future.  (I'll be in contact with him and Cris Vandagrif and let HLR know as soon as I do of any Lotus Eleven events over here.)

The organiser of the Le Mans Classique stopped by the paddock area where most of the Elevens were pitted, very interested in getting Stan and Mickie Anderes to bring their 1956 Le Mans running Eleven (chassis 212) to his event next June.  He extended the invitation to other Eleven S1 owners and to the Lotus Mk9.

The next event on the General Racing Ltd. calendar is Line Rock, to be followed by the Coronado Speed Classic in San Diego.

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