VOLVO REPRESENTED AT TUSTIN THUNDER

BY GREG BLAKE

It was a hot day in Orange County on August 3, 1997 when I took this picture of not one, but two Volvos going into the last turn before the final straightaway at the start of the Vintage Races at Tustin Thunder. Taking up the rear in an 1800 Ken Rodenbush #68EP. I think? In the lead a driver not known to me either in a 144. Sorry folks I should have bought the program. In the end #68EP finished sixth or seventh. The 144 dropped out before the race was over for some reason, but he was in the lead for a while! A Morris Minor finished first.

Tustin Thunder is held at the soon to pass into history Marine Corp Air Station. Helicopters today. Dirigibles once upon a time. Soon all that will be left is a couple of really huge hangers. The base is closing.

My impression was that the races were more for fun than for competition. The announcer wasn't very good and neither was the P.A. system. It was hard to get information and this being my first Vintage race I did not completely understand what was happening. No matter, it was fun. And if you have never been to a vintage race, especially when there are Volvos racing, then you should go. I found it quite different from watching the NASCAR people and their costly high tech machines go at break neck speeds around an oval track on television. These were vintage sports cars and race cars some of which belonged in a museum.

In between races there was lots of other stuff to look at as well. The pits were open included with admission. Trick bicyclists, skateboarders and rollerbladers were putting on demonstrations that reminded me how old I've gotten. There were people in booths selling everything from wheels to sun glasses. And of course there were lots of cars including a display of new cars and concept cars from Chrysler and a vintage automobile show. Not a single Volvo to be seen anywhere, by the way, except for in the parking lot or the two on the track. Lots of GM , Ford and Chrysler cars. Even foreign cars and sports cars, but no Volvos. 

I'm not sure why. No interest in Orange County activities from The L.A. or San Diego Chapters? Maybe the cost was too high? $35.00 per car for the weekend. I don't think there was any judging, but the cost included two three day passes to the races. Not bad if you can handle three days of racing. Well maybe next year. Anyone interested mark it on your calendar for next August 1998.