Report and photos by Dennis Gray<\/p>\n
The Savannah Speed Classic 2011 was held October 28-30 at the 1.96 mile, 10-turn Grand Prize of America Track on Hutchinson Island in Savannah, Georgia. Situated next to the Westin Savannah Harbor Resort, the venue overlooks the Savannah River and the city\u2019s famed River Street in the historic district.<\/p>\n
Sanctioned by Historic Sportscar Racing (HSR), the 2011 Savannah Speed Classic is one of the events that make up the nearby Hilton Head Island Motoring Festival and Concours d’Elegance. With BMW as the featured marque for the Hilton Head Festival, the German marque also played a big role in the race weekend at Hutchinson Island.<\/p>\n
A group of BMW CSLs were fan favorites on and off the track, including Henry Schmitt’s 1974 BMW 3.5 CSL Group 4 and the 1973 BMW 3.0 CSL Group 2 of Scott Hughes. The latter won its class and finished 11th overall at the 1973 Le Mans 24 Hours. Both were supported at the event by Bill Watson’s Road Rockets organization from Sonoma, California. In addition to the headline CSLs, former (and current) BMW pilots Boris Said, Joey Hand, and Bill Auberlen joined Hurley Haywood at the event.<\/p>\n
In celebration of the Indy 500 centennial, along with the 100 year anniversary of Savannah\u2019s own Vanderbilt Cup, historic Indy race cars were also highlighted at the 2011 Savannah Speed Classic. A few of the cars on exhibit were a Chaparral Pennzoil car driven by John Andretti and a 1986 Patrick Racing driven by Emerson Fittipaldi.<\/p>\n
Group Two and Three – Race Results<\/strong> Group Four – Race Results<\/strong> Group Five and Seven – Race Results<\/strong>
\n1. Rob Parker, 1969 BMW 2002 Tii
\n2. Brian Johnson, 1970 Royale RP4
\n3. James Smith, 1962 Lotus Super 7 (lst Group Two)<\/p>\n
\n1. Jim Dixon, 2002 Dallara Indy Car
\n2. Andrew Gilberg, 1987 March 87C
\n3. Mike Bernhardt, 1992 Lola Indy<\/p>\n
\n1. Johan Woerheide, 1968 Lola T160
\n2. Jack Lewis, 1974 Porsche 911 Carrera RSR
\n3. Cody Ellsworth, 1972 Porsche 911 ST<\/p>\n