South Mountain Raceway – The Vintage Eliminator gang rolled into South Mountain Raceway for the second race of their season on June 7^th. And what a day it was for what is fast becoming perhaps the most interesting and fun class in all of drag racing! For those who’ve never witnessed this incredible group, it’s a bunch of guys and gals driving the kind of vintage iron that most in the sport have forgotten about. Led by the incredibly talented E.J. Kowalski of Kowalski Customs and his also talented sidekick Liz Leggett (almost like Batman and Robin, actually), these cars and people put on a show straight out of yesteryear in an amazing display that in many ways gives a glimpse into what the sport of drag racing was built upon. A foundation a lot of today’s racers aren’t even aware of.

The weather cooperated with gorgeous skies, and a full field of cars showed for today’s event. Before the main event could start, there was the business of finishing up the final round from the first race, when the sky dropped down a little liquid sunshine on the track and ended the racing for the day. In what would be an indicator of close racing to come, Brian Ketterer narrowly defeated Liz Leggett to earn the victory.

One thing you’ll quickly learn with this class. You won’t be overwhelmed with displays of big horsepower. No half-track burnouts, no wheelstands, just interesting and unique (at least unique these days; probably common back in the day) cars and drivers. Drivers who are focused on enjoying their cars as well as enjoying the competition. To them, getting the car down the track without any issues is often more important than being the first one to the finish line. No pressure to win because there’s a mountain of money invested in the car that needs the cost to be justified. Just fun. And camaraderie.

What this class lacks in horsepower and speed, it more than makes up for it in “smiles per mile.” Or maybe you could call it smiles per hour. There’s just nothing else like it out there. And if you think that’s exaggerating, show up and see someone like 87-years-young Bob Dauernheim racing his 1937 Essex Terraplane. Not many would even know there ever was such a car in existence, let alone still being raced.

In a day that featured close racing, it all came down to a final between two racers who had never made it to the final, guaranteeing a first-time winner. When it was all done, Austin Heister won his first race by defeating Sam Ruppert. And after the race, everyone was happy and smiling. Genuine smiles because this was real. The cars, the fun, the people, all genuine win or lose. Because they all feel like winners just by being there and being a part of the group. Look up the Vintage Eliminator schedule and make it a point to catch a race or two. It’s like watching a moving car/racing museum full of great people! Be there!

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