I don't quite know how to explain this, but I'll try without trying to sound boastful or arrogant. It just happened, that's all, and I'll try to explain it that way.
I struck up a conversation with George Stauffer at Road America this past week. I told him I had a signed lithograph of his P1046 hanging over my desk signed by Mr. Shelby, Chris Amon and the artist. (It was purchased at auction a number of years ago for a charity event. Not by me.) I said I get to look at that car every workday, I live with it every day, and it's a lot different seeing it in person.
I spoke with George several times over the weekend and helped move the car around by pushing and pulling. He also spent time explaining how it was that he took possession of the car. It's quite an interesting story in itself.
On Thursday he had offered me a short ride which by my own missed guided circumstances I missed out on. He saw me later and said he had looked for me to give me a ride but I had left already. I was screaming at myself from the inside to say the least.
Saturday, I happened to wonder into the historic pavilion where all the great cars were on display. George was standing next to his P1046 in his race suit on and holding his helmet. He walked over to me and said he couldn't leave because the track official weren't there to clear out the crowds. I said I could help take care it for him. He said he was just going to get in and start it up, people will move then. I went looking for the track workers who finally arrived and opened up the barriers in front of the car. I was standing there with my backpack on with Bill Musarra. I walked over to George and asked if I could ride out to the Start/Finish line with him. He said "Sure get in". I almost fell down, I couldn't believe what I had heard. I walked back to Bill and said "Can you hold my backpack?" Bill said "Sure.", but I'm not even certain Bill new why. I climbed into one of the "Holy Grails" if not the "Holy Grail" of GT40s. The goose bumps were stacked three deep on my arms, then four deep when George fire up the 427 sitting just south of my right elbow. He slipped it into gear, revved the engine and let out the clutch. All I remember of the pavilion was flashes from cameras going off and people moving aside as we rolled down the walkway.
I set my own camera on the dash to record the event and then realized it was in photo mode after I took a good picture of the backside of the windshield wiper from the inside of the car. What a "fruit cake" I am! I switched the camera over to video mode and held it on the dash. Then sat back just to take it all in.
Well, we got out in the paddock and immediately got stuck in paddock gridlock. I am thinking this is "bad", then "no, good, a longer ride for me to take it all in, YES!". There were people waiving, taking pictures, George is revving the engine, a golf cart was in front with kids on the back waiving. George smiled and waived. I waived out of delight of just being there. I am taking every second of it in! Once we got off the main drag of the paddock George picked it up. The paddock tents and people rolled by more quickly. We reached the entrance to the track and wheeled right. He punched the gas to let it out a little and covered the open space in a flash. We were directed to the end of the cars on the left line by the track official. George said shook his head "no" and pointed to the right lane which was empty. The starter worker caught on, then directed us right. Finally we wheeled it into the first starting position of the starting line, the line for the original 40s.
Everything seemed to be in slow motion as I was absorbing the feel, the smell, the gauges, the spectators, George talking to me, the mild roaring sound from the back seat.
I thanked George for his kindness, and tried to climb out but the door was stuck and wouldn't open (Damn!). George said "I guess you will have to stay" (joking?), I said "That would be fine with me". He said something like without a helmet or a suit this might not be a good idea. I finally popped the door open (Damn, no, double damn!)
I climbed out and slowly walked behind the fence with the rest of the paying public. I still had goosebumps on both arms. My body felt disconnected from my brain, I was literally numb.
Laying in bed Saturday night, I couldn't sleep! I realized at that moment, though I have an RCR 40 under build, friends and acquaintances with RCR 40s, Superformance 40s and even an original GT40, I had never driven or even had a ride in a GT40. I am telling it for the first time on the forum. My first ride in a GT40 was in P1046. I have been to the mountain top, where else is there to go, I might as well sell my car. It won't be the same!
It's Monday now and I still get goosebumps and an ear to ear grin every time I thing about it! I am pinching myself frequently, and my face hurts from this stupid, village idiot grin! :grinf:
George Stauffer, if you ever happen to read this, all I can say is "Thank You" many times over.
Ps. I accidentally erased the video, all I am left with is abstract art of the windshield wiper and part of the dash, a hint of the number 2 on the front and legs of spectators. See for yourself, if you were there, you will know...
this is real. If someone got some pictures from the outside while I was in it can you send them to me?
