A gaggle of RMVR’s finest Sports Racers.
Photo Credit: Wendell Young

Classes for Sports Racers range from A-SR (the big guns over 2.0 liters) thru D-SR (the smallest displacements, under 850cc). They cover a wide range of performance from cars competitive with small bore production cars up to the fearsome unlimited V-8 powered Can-Am race cars produced by McLaren or Chaparral, which are beholding to no one. Constructors range from well known companies like Lotus, Elva, or McLaren to one-off cars built in someone’s garage to such elite cars as the Cooper Monaco.

Since classification is determined solely by the car’s engine displacement, the engines can be tweaked to whatever degree the owner desires and still remain in its designated class (A thru D). The only construction restriction is that wheels must be covered with body work and the full width cockpits provide (at least in theory) for a second seat, a token reference to their vsport car” heritage.

Sports Racers may not always run in the same run group. Generally they run with the production cars, but in run groups commensurate with their speed. Unfortunately we seldom have enough Sports Racers to have an entire SR run group, but … there’s always hope! We’re seeing more and more of these lovely cars return to our events.

If you’d like more information on this eclectic group of cars, contact Bob Alder. For complete information on RMVR rules, and an application to submit a car for RMVR eligibility, see How to Apply for RMVR Car Eligibility, a detailed guide to RMVR’s eligibility process.

A good small bore battle at LaJunta. Braking hard for Andy Gould’s Flamingos?
Photo Credit: Andy Gould

Most agree, however, that the keys to good lap times are found and developed in the small bore run groups. When the throttle doesn’t do much despite the dent in the floorboard from the force of the foot, one learns to carry speed wherever possible; one learns to brake as late and smoothly as possible; one learns to draft and pass while reading the air currents around the preceding car down the Pueblo straight, and one learns where the so called vpower” band is when the green flag falls.

Small cars have somewhat smaller budgets as a rule. The tow vehicle and trailer can be smaller, less fuel needs to be hauled, tires are smaller and last longer than the big cars.

Thus, Small Bore racing is RMVR’s largest race group. So large, in fact, that on most all weekends it is necessary to have two run groups to accommodate all the cars. Generally one group contains the cars classified as EP, FP, and GP, and another race group is established for the faster CP and BP classes. It’s not uncommon for there to be 35-40 cars in each of the run groups. You may be assured that a good time will be had by all – always someone to race with, regardless of where you are in the pack.

For assistance and questions you may have regarding running cars in this group, you can email Greg Stanley, or John Brosseau (Austin-Healey Midgets), or Pete Myers (Mini-Cooper). Or, just come out to our events and look ‘em up. They’re more than willing to share their wisdom and enthusiasm for this fun-filled racing group.

Another great source of information is the RMVR Bulletin Board Small Bore Forum. Here you can post your questions, and all readers will take a shot at getting you an answer ASAP. For complete information on RMVR rules, and an application to submit a car for RMVR eligibility, see How to Apply for RMVR Car Eligibility, a detailed guide to RMVR’s eligibility process.

The RMVR Ladies Race Group (LRG) is a very unique conglomeration of women. It is the only group of its kind in the U.S.

The singularly unique Ladies Race Group
Photo Credit: Andy Gould Photography

In the Spring of 1986, sixteen adventurous, thrill-seeking women took Drivers’ School together at Second Creek Raceway, thus becoming the vLadies Race Group” of RMVR. Many of the women from the original Group are still racing in RMVR and continuing to enjoy the excitement and camaraderie of the sport. The number of licensed women racers grows annually as new ladies racers are encouraged to join in the fun.

Besides social functions during the year, at least once a year the LRG will even have their own race grid, combining cars ranging from MGs to Corvettes to Sports Racers. It’s quite a sight to see.

The Ladies Race Group, past and present, at Hastings in September 2007

If you have any questions regarding joining and participating, please visit the Ladies Group Forum on the RMVR Bulletin Board, which is exclusively devoted to discussions relevant to this unique run group. The Bulletin Board Forums are a very nice way to quickly reach many members with your questions.

The American Heritage^® Dictionary of the English Language: Fourth Edition:

sports car
Noun: An automobile equipped for racing, especially an aerodynamically shaped one-passenger or two-passenger vehicle having a low center of gravity and steering and suspension designed for precise control at high speeds.

The Wikipedia further expounds:

A sports car is a car designed for sporting performance. While opinions differ as to the exact definition, most sports cars have two seats and two doors, and are designed to excel at a combination of acceleration, top speed, braking, and maneuverability. Great emphasis is often placed on handling—the ability of the car to remain in the control of the driver under challenging condition such as when the car’s tires begin to lose their grip on corners.

Do YOU have what it takes for the NEW Historic Group?

Shortly after the first automobile hit the road, a second appeared. It was created for the express purpose of racing the first. This has been going on for more than a century now. Things have changed a great deal in that time. Speeds have increased; in general, engine displacement has decreased. Drivers used to be fat and their tires were skinny, today, most drivers are skinny and their tires are fat. Fifty years ago, stock car racing actually used a car that began life in an automobile dealer’s inventory. Today, they are not even real silhouette racers and bear no resemblance in technical terms to what they are purported to represent.

To a lesser extent, the sports car has suffered the same fate. Early on, the cars were run on their own merit, just as their factory’s engineers designed, and employees built them. People are, by nature, born to tinker; they cannot leave well enough alone. Even when the rules specifically prohibit tinkering, they will seek the unfair advantage and go to great lengths to get away with it.

Rocky Mountain Vintage Racing and the NEW Historic Group seek to return to the days of yesteryear when drivers drove their stock, standard, sports cars, fitted with some safety equipment, to the track. Unloaded spares, tools, supplies, lunch and refreshments; checked tire pressures, taped headlights and glass lenses, and took to the track for friendly competition with like minded individuals. No expensive modifications! No stripping of value! Close to stock vehicles, sliding about on the tires of the day. Now, those same cars, on today’s street tires, can reenact those times. Mastering the lost art of the four-wheel-drift again. Enjoying lower cost, higher value fun! With more smiles per dollar!

Cindy Hegy, at the wheel of Dennis McIlree's famous vLil' Bird

To be included in the Historic Group, your car need only be much as it was originally produced in terms of interior, engine, and appearance. Sport sedan/saloon cars are welcome as well! The list of cars in the Sports Car Club of America’s General Competition Rules (GCR) and Production Car Specifications (PCS) are eligible when preparation does not exceed the 1959 GCR/PCS for cars 1959 and older, 1967 GCR/PCS for cars 1960 through 1967.

Your car not listed? Ask eligibility! Not sure you comply? Ask eligibility!

Preparation is basic. The ubiquitous safety equipment: rollbar, occupant restraints, fire extinguisher and the like are required. Good and proper mechanical function for safe operation. Low cost and durable street tires. If your vehicle is licensed for street operation you are NOT required to fit a safety fuel cell! Personal safety equipment is as required for any other class or car.

If you or your friends and loved ones have such cars and the opportunity to participate in track sessions with low preparation and low operating costs appeals to you, contact RMVR Eligibility (Mark Robinson) at eligibility@rmvr.com, and/or the Historic Group (Ian Rainford & Bill Rosenbach) at historic-race-group@rmvr.com. For complete information on RMVR rules, and an application to submit a car for RMVR eligibility, see How to Apply for RMVR Car Eligibility, a detailed guide to RMVR’s eligibility process.

Since FV and FF are spec engines (e.g. motors cannot be vsouped upv) the open-wheel competition is extremely keen – a fact most apparent at the end of most races where first place is rarely more than a second over the 2nd place car. Qualifying times are often with hundredths of a second of each other and often several cars will be nose to tail at the finish line!

You might believe that with such close racing, friendships would be rare within this group. Not so. These drivers are great friends, exemplifying the vVintage Spiritv. Post-race vde-briefing” (aka BS) sessions will reflect the fun had by all while racing wheel to wheel. Someone break down? You’ll see all of them offering parts, help, or expertise to get them back on track in time for the next session.

But then, that’s how it is within all of RMVR – Help is there for the asking. If you have questions about open-wheel cars or racing, a good resource is the RMVR Bulletin Board, specifically the Open Wheel Forum. Just post your questions. You will get answers. Also, names of people to help with specific formulas are listed below.

The three groups of formula cars are Formula Vee (FV), Formula Ford (FF) and Large Formula cars. For complete information on RMVR rules, and an application to submit a car for RMVR eligibility, see How to Apply for RMVR Car Eligibility, a detailed guide to RMVR’s eligibility process.

Formula Vee

If you’d like to learn more about this very popular class, feel free to use these email links to contact some of our experienced, front-running drivers such as Reah vMort” Mortimer, Harley Van De Wege, or Bill Fleming. They’re anxious to help you with any aspect of FV racing.

Formula Ford

This is another spec engine formula class. FF uses the so-called Kent motor, a 1600cc, pushrod, four cylinder Ford engine. Chassis are tube frame with fully adjustable A-Arm suspension on all four corners. Once again, this is a vdriver’s series” since engines cannot be tweaked to win with horsepower – it’s all about the driver’s ability to prepare and tune the car and it obviously makes for very exciting competition and camaraderie. As with Formula Vee, many of the professionals now in major league open-wheel racing cut their teeth in a FF.

Two of our avid FF racers would be quite willing to help you with any questions you might have. Just use these email links to John Mihalich or Bob Darcey. Both are very, very knowledgeable about FF cars and they welcome your inquiries.

Large Formula

These are the vbig guysv. These various formulas have larger engines and usually the cars have wings and slicks.

There are a number of larger formula cars within this group. For instance, the FB class of cars are usually powered by the ubiquitous, and very powerful, 1600 TwinCam engines.

Then there is it Formula Super Vee (FSV) which, like their smaller brethren, are powered by a larger and more powerful VW engine.

And for the really power hungry formula racers, there are the huge F-5000 cars powered by big honking V-8 engines. Not for the weak of spirit or the beginner!

As you can see, there is variety in the large formula car group. However, contacting John Obialero (FB, et. al.) or Jerry Urban (FSV) will get you answers.

Clearly these cars are the crowd pleasers. When the big boys (and sometimes girls!) show up in these cars, everyone is aware of it and the spectators and other drivers watch the action. In the past couple of years, Keith Davidson has done an excellent job organizing the annual RMVR Trans-Am featured weekend at Pueblo. Significant cars and drivers from around the country come to this premier event.

Keith Davidson’s very fast and very unique Ford Falcon Sprint at speed.
Photo Credit: Bob Alder

If V-8 power and wheel spinning action is your desire, this is the group for you. However, be sure your car is prepared in compliance with the RMVR rules governing this group. The rules for preparing these cars are quite complex because there are classes that go beyond the 1967 cut off applied to most other RMVR production cars. Some classes of big bore cars are prepared using the 1972 GCR rules (SCCA’s rules bible), and some can be prepared to the 1981 GCR. Also, there are some unique big bore classes defined and developed uniquely by RMVR. For complete information on RMVR rules, and an application to submit a car for RMVR eligibility, see How to Apply for RMVR Car Eligibility, a detailed guide to RMVR’s eligibility process.

If you wish to gain insights into big bore cars, contact Walt Hane, Chip Hane, or Keith Davidson. They are very, very knowledgeable, congenial, and quite willing to help. Or you can go to the Big Bore Forum on the RMVR Bulletin Board to post your questions being assured that answers will be immediately forthcoming.