Some lessons to be gained from the 2021 HSR Mitty at Road Atlanta featuring the Corvette
Alert: This report is an interpretation based on first-hand information gathered from respected parties at this event and is meant to be constructive.
A combination of Mother Nature and Human Error dashed the hopes of Corvette racers and fans, revved up by last year’s tribute that was abruptly cancelled by the pandemic.
Rain washed out most all of Saturday and parts of other sessions; so in lieu of “normal” lap times put up in practice, Race Officials used times recorded under crazy weather conditions (or no lap times at all) to grid the cars for Sunday’s races. Some of the faster higher performance cars had to start from the back. That turned out to be a mistake.
In the all-Corvette race that went off at noon on Sunday, and for no conceivable reason, Harry Dinwiddie in his 1969 # 73 C3 SCCA BP wrecked the much quicker 1990 # 90 C4 GT1 of Jeff Bernatovich making his way to the front, resulting in Harry’s suspension by HSR. Watch the action at the end. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3b1-9s-1S1E
John Reisman was the overall winner in his 2014 # 33 C6 Grand Am GTP followed by Pierce Marshall in his 2016 # 3 C7 IMSA C7.R and Will Hubbell in his 2012 # 230 C6 Grand Am GTP.
Jody O’Donnell won the Classic Division in his 1969 # 46 big-block SCCA AP coupe followed by Clair Schwendeman 1968 # 37 SCCA BP and a remarkable third place by Dave Roberts 1956 # 57 solid axle coming from 7th in the oldest car of any kind in this year’s 43rd Mitty.
It was sad that Tom Mueller tore up his newly acquired 2014 C7.R 003 (cold tires on a damp track) and a chance for a friendly duel with Pierce Marshall in his similar version.
Another wreck happened, this one at high impact, in a combined Group 5 and 9 race that went off next. Placing slower cars ahead of Jody O’Donnell is cause to think again. Those cars and a smokescreen from a spin by 1965 # 4 Mike Levine Corvair V8 at the crest of turn 3 blocked his view, sending him into Brad Hoyt’s 1969 # 6 C3 SCCA AP roadster. Both Corvettes were badly damaged and Hoyt was hurt.
Patrick Sessions 1963 # 63 SCCA AP was wrecked by a Porsche in an earlier outing.
Clair Schewendeman teamed up with Alan Sevadjian to win their class in the Sunday morning enduro.
It was commendable of Pierce Marshall to display his Pratt & Miller C5.R and C6.R collection for the brave handful of fans who stuck it out.
And smiles from former GM Program Manager Doug Fehan inducted into the Corvette Hall of Fame on this same weekend.
While the 2021 HSR Mitty was a far cry from larger Corvette gatherings, # 64 Jim Heck, # 77 Dick Payne, # 3 Frank Morelli, # 64 Robert Blain, # 12 Dave Roberts and # 24 Bill Treffert emerged unscathed and stood out among the usual onslaught of Porsches.
Thanks to Larry Van Scoy, John Avery and Robin Thompson for photos.
All-Corvette results compiled by Jan Hyde
