The Mitty at Road Atlanta (2014) – Recap & Photo Gallery

The Speedfest Classic Motorsports Mitty 2014 was held April 25-27 at Road Atlanta in Braselton, Georgia. Sanctioned by Historic Sportscar Racing (HSR), the 37th running of the Mitty saw more than 300 entries enjoy the challenging 12-turn, 2.54 mile road course. The honorary Grand Marshal was Brian Redman, who delighted all with stories from his long and successful racing career.

HSR grouped the vintage race cars into 10 classes, from vintage production through modern era global GT. Spectators were treated to everything from early 1950s sports cars through late model Porsches and Ferraris. Historic Moto GP bikes were also raced, adding to the diversity.

Among the more interesting cars this year were Chris MacAllister’s 1971 McLaren M8F and 1964 AC Cobra. Toby Bean and sons Theo and Patrick raced a 1990 Chevrolet Intrepid, a 1960 Aston Martin DB4 and a 2008 Courage Oreca. Christian Zugel brought his 2006 Porsche RS Spyder, resplendent in the DHL yellow colors and a Lotus 125 Exos that Gunnar Jeannette drove to set the fastest lap of the weekend. Dan Curry’s Porsche 962, Mike Smith’s Porsche 935/K3 and Max Heilman’s 1958 Jaguar XK150 were among some of the interesting cars raced over the weekend.

As always, HSR events provide plenty of action and good racing. Among the best races were Jody O’Donnell’s 1969 Chevrolet Corvette beating Mike Donohue in his 1963 Chevrolet Corvette in Group 5, in addition to Donohue’s Corvette nipping the 1961 Jaguar E-Type of Larry Ligas in the Bob Woodman Tires International American Challenge race. Young Theo Bean showed his growing skills in the Courage Oreca as he beat perennial Group 6 winner David Porter’s Pescarolo Judd.

The Mitty has evolved into more than a weekend of vintage racing. Spectators came with their interesting cars, many of them meeting up with like-minded enthusiasts. There were car club corrals for pretty much all sports cars. Others brought their exotics or their homemade creations which added to the atmosphere of this event. These spectators have their own stories about cars and racing (just ask them), but perhaps the most interesting story came from Santiago Uranga and Juan Manuel Rizzotti. They showed up in a 1964 Fiat 600, which they are driving from their native Argentina to Alaska. That they chose to drop by Road Atlanta and see the races and soak up the atmosphere was a great example of the celebration of cars that the Mitty has become.

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Similar to 2011, 2012 and 2013, photographer David Ferguson also documented the 2014 Mitty by HSR, offering the following picture gallery that highlight the diverse entrants. We split up David’s 225 pictures into two galleries. The first gallery starting below features our favorite images, all displayed in the full-width view of Sports Car Digest, while the second gallery can be found on the last page of the article and gives a comprehensive view of all the photographs.

Speedfest Mitty 2014 – Featured Photo Gallery

 

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Speedfest Mitty 2014 – Featured Photo Gallery Page Four

 

 

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Speedfest Mitty 2014 – Featured Photo Gallery Page Five

 

 

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Speedfest Mitty 2014 – Featured Photo Gallery Page Six

 

 

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Speedfest Mitty 2014 – Featured Photo Gallery Page Seven

 

 

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Speedfest Mitty 2014 – Featured Photo Gallery Page Eight

 

 

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Speedfest Mitty 2014 – Featured Photo Gallery Page Nine

 

 

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Speedfest Mitty 2014 – Main Photo Gallery (click image for larger picture and description)

 

Debbie Cloud, 06 Ford Fusion NASCAR

Andrea Robertson, 06 Ford GT Mk 7

Frank DePew, 93 Porsche 964 Turbo S

Scott Hughes, 73 BMW CSL 3500

Jeff McKee, 66/06 Bailey GT40

Jody O’Donnell and his 69 Corvette had a very successful weekend.

John McCormick, 85 Autocraft Cobra

Herb Wetanson, 60 Aston Martin Zagato

Melvin Andrews, 64 Porsche 904R

Jeff McKee, 66/06 Bailey GT40

Historic Moto GP entertained with some fast and well driven motorcycles.

Gary Haycock, 69 BMW 2002

Carl George leads an MG train in his 59 MGA.

Max Heilman, 58 Jaguar XK150

Rick Norris, 65 Corvair Monza

James Jackson, 64 Porsche 356SC

Richard Schnabel guides his 59 MGA into turn 5 ahead of a gaggle of Porsche Speedsters.

Wayne Baker, 67 Porsche 911

Michael Eberhardt, 68 Porsche 911

Lee Lydick, 63 Merlyn Mk6A

Brian Thomas, 70 BMW 2002

Carl George, 59 MGA followed by a Porsche and a Jaguar out of turn 5.

Ariel Dorra, 67 Alfa Romeo Duetto

Mark Irwin, 77 Fiat X1/9

Brian Farmer, 64 AH Sprite

Garron Haycock, 69 BMW 2002

Bonnie Foulds, 60 AH Sprite

George F. Balbach, 60 Porsche 356

Paul Swanson, Porsche 356 passing Derek Chima, MG Midget as they exit turn 5.

Steve Schultz, 59 MGA

Carl George, 59 MGA

Ernesto Bello in his well prepared and well driven 74 Opel Kadett.

Richard Taylor, 64 Triumph TR4

Stacey Schepens in her very quick 64 Morgan 4/4.

Max Heiman, 58 Jaguar XK150

Max Heilman, 58 Jaguar XK150

James Williams, 59 AH Sprite

Thomas Coryn, 65 MGB

Herb Wetanson, 61 Lotus Super 7

Paul Swanson, 58 Porsche 356

Leigh Derby, 68 Triumph Spitfire

Dick Rathbone, 66 Ford Mustang GT

Greg Dietz, 76 Datsun 280Z, leads an interesting assortment of cars into turn 5.

Paul Gelpi, 62 Bobsy SR2/3 leads Herb Wetanson, 60 Aston Martin Zagato.

Curt Richards, 91 BMW 318is

Craig Taylor, 68 Porsche 911

Blake DeFoor, 69 Porsche 911S

Byron DeFoor, 68 Porsche 911

Austin Jabaley, 71 Datsun 240Z

Debbie Graves, 99 Lotus Elise

Porsche 911, Spec Racer Ford, MBB/GT V8

Bill Warner, 71 Triumph TR6

Road Atlanta’s famous “Esses”.

Patrick Bean, 59 Aston Martin DB4

Raymond Boissoneau, 71 McRae GM1

Will Thomas, 67 Brabham BT21

Dave Swigler in his lovely 75 March 75B.

Barry Blackmore, 75 Lola T332

Robert Blain, 76 March 762

Thomas Murphy, 80 March 80A

Travis Engen, 70 Chevron B17b

Jim Kelleher, 80 March 80A

Travis Engen, 70 Chevron B17b

Andrew Barron, 69 Lotus 69 F/F

Daniel Helman, 72 Crossle 25F

Dave Swigler, 75 March 75B

Francesco Melandri, 96 Porsche 993 GT3 Cup

Don Ondrejcak, 04 Panoz GTS-Penske

John Pickle, 05 Lotus Elise

Rodrigo Sales, 10 Cayman S, leads a line of cars through the “Esses”.

Lori Cassling’s 09 Porsche Cayman S sports the famous ‘Pink Pig’ paint scheme.

Wayne Presley, 05 Lotus Elise

Hamilton Harris, Lotus Evora

Keith Faver, 09 Porsche Cayman S

Action in turn 5.

Lori Cassling, Porsche Cayman S

Dominique Le Queux, Porsche Cayman S

Marius Avemarg, 07 Porsche 997 GT3 Cup

Matt Dicken, Porsche Cayman S

Randal Cassling, 05 Porsche 996 GT3 Cup

The ‘Esses’

Gary Moore, 65 Shelby GT350

Chris McCalllister, 64 AC Cobra

Scott Jachthurber, 72 Porsche 911 ST/R

George Calfo, 92 Porsche 964 Cup

Craig Ross, 70 Ford Boss 302

Gary Moore, 65 Shelby GT350

Chris McCallister, 64 AC Cobra

Brian DeFoor, 73 Porsche 911S

Jody O’Donnell, 69 Corvette, surrounded by Porsches.

Clair Schwendeman, 68 Corvette

Mike Levine, V8 powered 65 Chevrolet Corvair

Mike Smith, 84 Porsche 944 GTR

Scott Jachthurber, 72 Porsche 911 ST/R

Samuel Le Comte, 70 Chevrolet Camaro

Scott Spencer, 93 Kudzu DG3

Mark Brannon, 01 Riley & Scott Mk lllC

Howard Turner, 88 Jaguar XJR8

Gary Stach, 92 Chevy Lumina, leads a group of historic stock cars through turn 5.

Jack Finch, 06 Dodge Charger

Maurice Hull, 06 Dodge Charger

Brent Bernath, 06 Ford Fusion

Kyle Shields, 02 Chevy Monte Carlo

Mike Smith, 79 Porsche 935/K3

Richard Howe, 89 Ford Mustang T/A

Andy de Cardenas, 75 Porsche 911 RSR. Larry Cope, 85 Buick Somerset

Ray Hill, 79 Mazda RX7

Don Soenen, 95 Ford Mustang T/A

Andrea Robertson, 06 Ford GT Mk 7

Frank DePew, 93 Porsche 964 Turbo S

Hartmut Von Seelen, 74 Porsche 911 RSR

John Starkey, 75 Porsche 911 RSR

Mike Smith, 79 Porsche 935/K3

Ron Valles, 06 Mazda RX8

Phil Lasco, 00 Ford Mustang T/A

Travis Engen, 01 Lola T97/20

Jacek Mucha, 06 Swift JMS016CP

Gaston Kearby, 01 Lola T97/20

John Burke, Swift 014a

Conner Kearby, 01 Lola T97/20

Bill Thumel, 67 Lola T70 Spyder

Ward Witkowski, 89 Lola T89/90

Mac McCombs, 68/09 SPF GT40

James Freeman, 67 Matich SR3

Johan Woerheide, 66 Lola T70 Mkll

Chris MacAllister, 71 McLaren M8F

David Jacobs, 66 Lola T70 Mkll

Bob Lima, 78 Lola T298

Steve Scullen, 85 Chevron B36

James Cullen, 68 Lola T70 Mklllb

Dave Gussack, 01 Carbir CS2

Tom Shelton, 65 Lola T70

Bob Lima, 78 Lola T298

Farrell Preston, 66 McLaren M1B

Peter Strasser, 13 Radical SR8

James Cullen, 68 Lola T70 Mk lllb

Chris Macallister, 71 McLaren M8F

Racing into turn 17.

Lilo Zicron, 67 McLaren M6b

Richard Taylor, 64 Triumph TR4

Tom Trabue, 65 Porsche 911

Bob Pickerill, 70 Porsche 914/4

Frank Cater, 76 MG Midget

Vic Skirmants, 61 Porsche 356

You can count on very close racing when the Porsche Speedsters are on track.

Gregory Dietz, 76 Datsun 280Z

Vintage motorcycles heading to turn 2.

Fire extinguisher on standby.

Meanwhile, up in the sky…

Mike Levine, 65 Chevrolet Corvair V8.

Jody O’Donnell, 69 Corvette

Mike Smith, 84 Porsche 944 GTR

Charles Rayhall, 71 Porsche 914/6

Byron DeFoor, 73 Porsche 911S

Chris MacCallister, 64 AC Cobra

Frank Beck, 72 Porsche 914/6

Davis Jones 72 Porsche 911 S/T

Robert Love, 89 Porsche 911 Carrera

Mike Donohue, 63 Corvette Roadster

Mike Donohue, 63 Corvette Roadster

Curt Vogt kicks up dirt with his 70 Ford Boss 302.

Fritz Seidel, 73 Porsche 911 IROC

Melvin Andrews, 64 Porsche 904R

Randy Proudfit, 73 Porsche 911RSR

Gordon Slingerland, 68 Pontiac Firebird 400

David Clemens, 66 Chevrolet Corvair

Jim matthew, 60 Porsche S90 Roadster

Wayne Baker, 67 Porsche 911

Stacey Schepens, 64 Morgan 4/4

Nathan Thompson’s 61 Lotus Elite does lean a lot.

Amos Smith, 24 year old Mazda Miata

Doug Campbell, 64 Ginetta G4 and Les Gonda, 73 MGB/GT V8

Doug Campbell, 64 Ginetta G4

Paul Gelpi, 62 Bobsy SR2/3

Robert Borden, 71 Porsche 911S

Robert Newman, 70 Porsche 911T

Harry Gentry, 64 Ginetta G4

Jake Kimbrough, 94 Toyota WSR

Dennis Clark, 99 Toyota WSR

Debbie Graves, 99 Lotus Elise

Doc Bundy, 64 Lotus 23b

Rich Grupp, 90 Kudzu DG2

John Burke, 99Riley & Scott MklllB

Toby Bean, 90 Chevy Intrepid

Dan Curry, 85 Porche 962

Gunnar Jeannette in Christian Zugel’s 13 Lotus T125 Exos.

Ron Green, 01 Dallara Indy

Christian Zugel, 13 Lotus T125 Exos

John Burke, Swift 014a

Christian Zugel going fast in his 2013 Lotus T125 Exos.

Johan Woerheide, 66Lola T70 Mkll

Chris MacAllister, 71 McLaren M8F

Tom Shelton, 65 Lola T70

Hawley Chester, 83 Royale RP38

Infield eye candy: Cobras

Infield eye candy: Minis

Santiago Uranga and Juan Manuel Rizzotti in front of the 64 Fiat 600 that they are driving from Argentina to Alaska.

Infield eye candy: Maserati Monteverdi

Infield eye candy: Olds Toronado

Honorary Grand marshal with HSR’s General Manager. Also known as father and son.

Craig Chima, 62 Lotus Super 7

Stacey Schepens, 64 Morgan 4/4

David Porter, 07 Pescarolo Judd closely followed by Theo Bean’s Courage Oreca.

Theo Bean, 06 Courage Oreca

Travis Engen, 05 Audi R8 LMP

Dan Curry, 85 Porsche 962

Dalton Zehr, 90 Shelby Can-Am

Dan Curry, 85 Porsche 962

The start of The Hawk Performance GT/GTM enduro.

Charging into turn 1.

Scott Hughes, 73 BMW CSL

Jaguar!

That’s all folks!

Juan Lopez-Santini showed his considerable talents in the 08 Porsche 977 GT3 Cup

Frank DePew, 93 Porsche 964 Turbo

Lori Cassling, 09 Porsche Cayman S

Robert Blain, 04 Corvette C6R

Jim Cullen, 07 Porsche 997 GT3 Cup

Phil Lasco, 00 Ford Mustang T/A

[Source: David Ferguson]