Opel Win and 3rd at MidOhio

[gtracer]

Congratulations to Ken Alderson and Chuck Kuhn who just finished 1st and 3rd at the SCCA regional races at Mid Ohio in their Opel GT's. Ken was driving the red one he bought from me earlier in the year and Chuck was in the black one that was pictured a couple years ago in the Grassroots article about our cars. Ken had to start toward the back since he had intended on running his Manta which developed mechanical problems. His crew fetched the GT and he proceeded to drive through the field besting 5 other FP cars and setting the race's fastest lap (faster than all cars in the group)!! Could Opels be making a strong racing comeback- when have we seen two on the podium in the same race?? Ken reports the car handled superbly (remember that leGere f'glass front spring!).

Stan C

[saxybiker]

Congratulations to you both.

Ken....All we can say is WOW and keep up the good work!

Vickie & Allen

[ConreroGT]

CONGRATS!!!!! THATS AWESOME!!!!

[crliwa]

Congrat's guys ... When / where are you racing next? Hopfully you will be racing at Lime rock next year.

[Manta Rallier]

Very well done! There was reason that the early 70's 1900 Asconas dominated SSA when the class was started!

Regards,
Mark B.

[okieopel]

Yeehaa! Way to go Ken and Chuck.

[IT Manta]

Good job guys, but I have to say it... This thread is useless without pictures!

[Tru-Craft]

Wow, Opel GT's 1st and 3rd!
You beat the competition back in the shop and on the track! Great work!
What cars do you compete against?
Lets see some pictures.
Proud GT owner.
Lyle

[benncojr]

Chuck Kuhn is the guy that got me started in GT's. He sold me his stock car (gray one in the garage) and all his stuff he had in his garage! I will give him a call and give him a "Way to GO!!".

Chuck's car has a "freshened" engine from what he told me last year. It is great to hear he has it running now!! I told me that this year he may come down to GA for the SCCA race and to Sebring. I hope so he still has some stuff for me!!

[opelgtguy]

WAY TO GO !!!!!

Rick

[greenopelgt]

Of course, I know you Ken but I didn't know you bought a racing GT. Way to go - Bro...
I don't believe I know you Chuck but I look forward to meeting you out on the Opel trail. Way to go ......also..Bro.

But, I have too second the motion......Pictures needed for this crowd. ASAP please.


Tom Adkins
Cincinnati
" Ms. Opel has to stay on the porch .....cause
..... she can't run with the dogs"

[svopel]

Thanks Stan for the write up and thanks all for your comments and interest. My daughter took photos ... on film, the old fashion way. As soon as I get them, I'll scan and post them. You guys know that winning involves more than the driver -- I believe I've found one of the smartest "setup" guys in the business -- (a former circle track driver). In practice I could not power throught the second fastest turn on the course without the rear end breaking loose. He changed the stagger by adjusting air pressure in the tires and during the race I was going through that turn flat out and the rear end didn't move -- which amounted to six-second faster lap times.

Again ... THANKS, your comments are appreciated and mean a lot to me ...

Ken

[davegt27]

way to go Ken and Chuck well done


Davegt27

[anastosmotors]

Well done guys. What class are you racing?
I still have problems with my engine. (ascona and manta GTLs)
Weak cyl head. The rocker arms are failing. I am working on new
cyl head, but not ready wet.
June sprints (nationals) at Road America finish 6, car had no power
Blackhawk, qualify 1st ( high 1.20 ). Broke rocker arm at second lap
Pete

[neuropel]

Awesome!! Way to go guys!

[svopel]

Pete .... We're in FP class. I'm running the FP engine that I got from Stan ... I hope it lasts for a long time ... lots of power.

Lyle ... In answer to your question about cars we compete against ... here's a break-out of cars by class in our race group last weekend: (Note: the makeup of classes in a group changes from race to race).

FP: Opel GT; Fiat Spyder; Honda CRX; Miata; Triump Spitfire

ITA: Honda CRX SI; Honda Civic SI; Honda Civic EX; Dodge Neon; Miata; Nissan NX 2000; Mercury Capri; Dodge Shelby; BMW 2002

ITB: VW GTI; VW Golf; BMW 318; BMW 2002; Toyota FX16; VW Scirocco; Volvo 240DL; Ford Pinto

IT7: Mazda RX7 (5)

GT Lites: Toyota Tercel; Lotus Elan; Ford Fiesta

The above classes totaled 36 cars.

Ken

[Gary]

Congrats Ken and Chuck! You do us proud!!!!

[svopel]

Ok, guys, photos are posted in "Member Albums"

[benncojr]

I talked to Chuck Kuhn today about his 3rd place finish. He said he had a great time.

His GT had not been out on the track for about 3yr so he was taking it easy on Sunday. He told me that he is still running the stock front leaf spring in the front and is about 300 pounds over the min weight for the class. He is planning to replace the leaf spring.

From his memory this was the "FIRST TIME" two Opel GTs finished 1st and 3rd in SCCA racing. (He has been involved for in SCCA for 30+ years).

He thinks he can do better next time

[cherokee]

I would like to try to get all of us together at a track sometime. I know for one I would make a pretty long tow to be part of a large group of Opels. It would be just fun.

[RallyBob]

Originally Posted by benncojr From his memory this was the "FIRST TIME" two Opel GTs finished 1st and 3rd in SCCA racing. (He has been involved for in SCCA for 30+ years).

A few years ago two Opel GT's at the same track (different classes), set the lap record in each respective class, and each won their race class as well. Tom Drake set the GT-4 record and Jim MacMahon set the ITB record at NHIS. Jim's record still stands.