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Please be patient - image intensive page ! |
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 Bill
was invited to drive for Seattle-based businessman Richard Mattei's Mad
Dog Racing team (from which our logo is
derived) and spent part of June and July in the
lovely Pacific Northwest region of the USA. Richard is co-founder of the
Society for Vintage Racing Enthusiasts (SOVREN) and
owns a collection fabulously exotic cars.
Needless to say Richard's collection includes a classic Mk1Cooper S
in race trim. The
engine, a 1293cc unit with an 8
port head was built and installed by
ourselves. Apart from enjoying Richard's
marvellous hospitality and renewing some
longstanding
friendships, Bill participated in SOVREN’s 13th Annual
Pacific Northwest
Historic Race meeting on 6-8th July at the Seattle International Raceway.
This superb 2.25 mile circuit is, strangely enough, located at Kent,
Washington and this was clearly a good omen. . After 
three days of qualifying heats, Bill blasted
away in the final 30 car race of the meeting. Richards’s car is
a real flyer and for awhile Bill led the whole pack. Eventually he ended
up first in class and third in overall,
conceding only to a Lotus 11 and a Lotus 7. Perhaps
more satisfyingly he ended up in front of old friend, racing rival and
Mini fanatic, Al Beebe.
All winnings and proceeds of
the
event went to children's medical
charities.
Bill would like to take this opportunity to thank Richard Mattei for his generosity and making the trip possible and hopes to see many of his American friends on this side of the Atlantic in the near future. |
