The Vintage Racing League
Stan Mason
Male
Edwardsburg, MI
United States
Profile Information:
- About Me:
- In the 1950s I was considered the weird kid in my neighborhood that was a wanna be Furincar Gear Head who occupied his youth building plastic car models, enjoying Strombecker Slot Cars and reading Sports Car magazines while my friends were all normal American Kids with interest in hot rods.
1st Sports Car Race :
In 1965 @ age 16 I talked my Dad into taking me to Mid-Ohio to see my first Sports Car Race. This was a Professional USSRC race and the warm-up races before the main event were some Production SCCA classes including HP. Seeing how cool Bug Eye Sprites were racing together set my future goals, which could only be to get a Bug Eye as soon as possible (with intent of eventually racing).
1st Bug Eye:
When I graduated from High School in the Summer of 1967 (no cars before that point were the rules in my house) within the week I had purchased my first Bug Eye for $500. I was told by my American Car Buying Father that it was a piece of junk and that I needed reliable transportation to get to and from College that fall. I of course countered by saying it would be fine (knowing he was probably right). It just did not matter to me I was into the moment of having independence in a cool top down Sports Car with Summer drawing near. This Bug Eye had been painted black with a paint brush and had a wedged piece of 2 X 4 wood to replace the broken rear generator support. My first engine failure occurred a month later. This car became my main year around transportation for the next 3 years.
2nd Bugeye (Race Car #4):
In 1968 working part time at a gas station making $20 a week while attending college when a fellow gas jockey and college friend (Dave Braun) mentioned seeing an advertisement in the Newspaper for Sprite Racing Parts. An immediate phone call followed by a visit to the owner John Brase’s house. I examined the racing parts all of which were way more expensive than the $20 a week I could afford. He also had a Race Prepared Bug Eye BRG with Red interior. He asked if I was interested in a ride around the block. I of course gave him an excitable yes! He turned on the ignition switch triggering the sound of dual SU electric fuel pumps, as the clicked slowed after gaining pressure he pulled the starter cable, which resulted in a throbbing sound that only a race engine with headers and a straight exhaust can posses. After returning to his Garage I asked if he would be interested in selling the car (pretty bold for a $20 a week gas jockey). He explained that he was going on military duty in Germany for the next 3 years and would discuss with his wife. He called back after a week and said that it was important for him to sell his car to someone that really appreciated Bug Eyes, so yes he would sell it to me. I gulped deep and awkwardly explained that I only made $20 a week. He said, “No problem, just provide a $100 down payment and pay his Mom when I could”. I was able to pay off the car in the next 2 years with some of the pay off coming from the sale of extra race parts that were part of the deal (I wish I had those same parts today).
Present Day:
Thanks to John’s generosity I have owned this car ever since and enjoy Vintage Racing and Showing it at Sports Car Events. I am proud to say that every part of the car has been restored or rebuilt by me and I am only the 3rd owner. I kept my first Sports Car Program, and after buying the car I was surprised to see my new race car was listed as “Number 14 John Brase Fort Wayne Indiana”. - What car(s) do you own?
- 1955 Topolino Crosley H Modified unrestored race car (partially restored for sale)
1960 Austin Healey Sprite with VSCDA Era Correct sticker original 1965 SCCA H Production Race Car (restored)
1958 Elva MkIII Sports Racer 100/65 under restoration alloy body, Conventry Climax Engine with DeDion Rear axle
2001 Porsche Boxster - What do you like to do (e.g. vintage race with...)?
- I enjoy going to a couple of British Car Shows per year.
My real passion is Vintage Racing whether observing or racing my Bug Eye
Vintage Slot Cars and Racing with friends in various classes - What clubs do you belong to?
- Vintage Sports Car Drivers Association (Vintage Race Group)
Michiana Brits (British Car Club)
Austin Healey Club
Porsche Club of America - What would you like to do (e.g. go to race school; get into Vintage Racing)?
- Vintage Racing is the ultimate especially big events with all those cars that you saw in Sports Car Magazines that you can now, see, smell and hear. It is the third dimension beyond just a car show.
- Location
- 65790 Dailey Road
John E Entwistle
Apr 23, 2009
Bob Engberg
Oct 8, 2009
Stan Mason
I look forward to seeing some of your racing shots in motion.
Let me know how things turn out for the 55th. I have decided not to put myself and wife through the frustration of completing the Elva by next years event. My current Bug Eye eats up too much time trying to keep it running for racing. I will put off the MkIII until retirement which is somewhere from now until 2 years.
Hope things are going well for you.
Stan
Oct 26, 2009