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Photos: Edward Wong, Tony Gentilcore, Jim Russell, John Gerdtz.
Photo right - Gerry Duttweiler, Ernie & Elaine Nagamatsu, Jim Russell
OY 2 owner/driver, Ernie demonstrated his professional driving skills, his greatest supporter, wife Elaine with the bubbling personality did all the hard PR yards, Gerry, OY 2’s racing mechanic made it look so easy and our club member Jim was in his element as guest Pit Crew for the event. All this shows in the photos.
We asked Jim for his thoughts about the experience and this is what he had to say.
”I was given the opportunity to be part of the pit crew for Old Yeller 2 on the weekend. A little bit different from the normal car club outing to say the least.
Saturday 2nd:
On arrival at the track and meeting the other pit crew members from the USA (only one person, Gerry Duttweiler) I was immediately pressed into service bleeding the brakes which had been erratic on the Friday’s racing.
Elaine and Ernie Nagamatsu, Old Yeller’s owners arrived and after introductions etc. the car was taken for a test drive. The rear brakes were still locking up which caused the car to spin out on braking on the first lap of its first race on Saturday.
Between races I was amazed at the number of people who said they remembered Old Yeller 2 from races in the USA in the past, and also seeing Old Yeller 2 at Goodwood Revival meetings in England. Elaine and Ernie made time to talk to everyone that even looked like showing some interest in the car, adults and children alike, giving souvenirs and period “Hershey” sweets to everyone.
Back to the car which wasn’t handling as it should while racing, Ernie had to withdraw from his second race in the afternoon. The rear brakes were still locking on brake application.
Sunday 3rd:
Virginia and I took the Riv and Green Hornet to the track this day and parked in the vintage display area and I then walked to the pit area. Virginia was going to sit in the grand stand and knit and read all day after meeting the Old Yeller 2 team however upon meeting them was heartily welcomed and didn’t leave the pit area all day accept to enjoy lunch with Elaine in the Corporate Dining area!
When I arrived at the pit area that morning, I found Gerry was already at work. Brakes were still locking, so we decided to start from scratch again. Beginning at the master cylinder, we found that the adjustment, (which was hidden by a rubber boot) to the front brake master cylinder was backed right off which in effect stopped the front brakes from operating. (This was probably caused by one of those GREMLINS that live in all our old cars and create havoc now and then for us.)
Front master cylinder adjusted properly, the car now started to handle reasonably well. With not much to do now and a vacant pit area next to Old Yeller 2, we managed to get permission to bring our 1918 Battastini – Moal Special (the Green Hornet) into the pit area and parked it next to the Max and Ina Balchowsky Special (Old Yeller 2) which made a good display of old and even older Buick Specials.
After lunch on the Sunday John Gerdtz presented Elaine and Ernie Nagamatsu with one of our Buick club’s large umbrellas as a keep sake for their visit “down under”. The gift was well received and very much appreciated by our visitors.
Over the weekend Old Yeller 2 unfortunately didn’t excel on the track but the number of people who came to the pit area with reminiscences of Old Yellers racing history, I think made the trip over here from the USA most worthwhile. Not only for Elaine and Ernie Nagamatsu and Old Yeller but for the people out here with the old memories the car brought back, evident in Ernie’s Trip Journal, with page after page of comments from interested people on the weekend.”
Posted 12/2006 |
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