2003 Bay Bottom Crawl

Roadster Rampage in the Florida Keys!

What’s so compelling about FFR roadsters and hot weather? Is there just something about screaming along in the soft, humid air that keeps us coming back to events that have you sweating before you light the fire under the hood?

The 44^th edition of the Bay Bottom Crawl in Key West was staged by the host, Ecurie Vitesse Sports Car Club, over another brace of sun drenched and steamy days on Sugarloaf Key, just up US 1 from Key West. A record seven FFRs turned out to be shared amongst nine drivers on the weekend of October 11^th and 12^th, 2003. By Saturday morning the Loop Road had been closed by the good citizens of Monroe County, the volunteers from the Monroe County Fire Department and Police were on hand to help control and feed us, the usual suspects, with up to 38 years of individual attendance, along with a bunch of newcomers, were primed and ready to experience the unique combination of high speed, hard acceleration and devilish handling problems that are the Bay Bottom Crawl.

The event is staged on an abandoned loop road through the mangroves. It’s normally unused, and is the venue for nature hikes and dog walking by the locals. Twice a year it’s closed for time trialing that is a blend of Solo 2 and Solo 1. Top speeds reach 130+ at the finish and there are nine handling problems set along the course to keep speeds down for safety, and to make it more than just a power event. The combination is a dream challenge for all around performers like the FFR Roadster. The mangroves come right up to the edge of the course and at over a hundred miles an hour become a green tunnel flashing past your head. Long slaloms demand rhythm and control and braking zones take you from well into fourth to the bottom of second to make the gates. Two sweeping right turns on bumpy sections demand courage and control.

It’s simply one of the great events in North America, and you’re not a complete Solo racer until you’ve tested yourself against the BBC course.

The FFR contingent was assembled from near and far. I came down for my fourth year from Toronto, despite leaving an ailing 1415 at home. David Borden was heavily recruited from Sacramento. (Were they nuts? Why not just pencil yourself in one place further down the finishing charts?) , and he flew in to Miami on Friday through a monstrous tropical thunderstorm. Neither of us could resist the relentless enthusiasm of John Phillips, famous Floridian legal mind, FFR arm twister extrordinaire, and the pilot of a gorgeous replacement for his famous 1152. The thought of spending a weekend racing with the cream of Florida’s FFR contingent clinched the deal. The local drivers responded in force to the outside challenge. Inman Lanier battled daunting job conflicts to show up at an event where his racing skill is legendary, Dave McIlvaney brought his “sea foam green” AP rocket, fresh from driving it to the SCCA Nationals, Road America and all the fast pavement in between.

Richard Bailey was there again with his gorgeous yellow roadster, along with Doug Huey and his astonishing Torch Red creation. (Cars that beautiful shouldn’t be that fast, it’s just not fair.) Chris Evans brought his silver AP screamer down from Orlando after a season of steady improvement that included some FTD days. Raul Iglesias had his twin turbo E Mod howler ready to scare the Porsches into permanent hiding.

The unusual suspects, blocking the FFR sign

The first day is given over to practice runs, and when the smoke cleared Dave McIlvaney had ripped off a 2:20. The previous fastest time ever by a car with fenders was 2:23, only open wheeled Formula cars had ever gone faster. People were astonished, and you started hearing some silly talk about how we were all running 600+ hp engines! Inman was running faster than ever in pursuit of Dave, hitting 2:25 despite running a very early Mk I sporting a four link configuration, and no slicks. Not quite stock, but pretty close! The FFR drivers could only shake their heads in amazement. How can he make that setup go so fast? I proved that mere mortals can’t do the same by rotating his generously loaned car into the mangroves while trying to keep up. FFRs are tough, as we all know and she came out scratched, but ready to race. Raul was battling fuel and air problems on his turbo setup, but managed to get ready for Sunday. Chris sorted out his setup and brought his times down in his careful, engineered way. Richard was aiming for improvement on last year’s time and was in position to do it. Doug cracked 3:00 on his first try with some borrowed and severely worn street tires, showing that his karting experience was going to make him competitive in a hurry. David Borden was co-driving John Phillips car and having a bit of trouble getting used to the difference between his AP racer and John’s well tuned, but stock IRS setup with DOT R tires. Caution was playing a factor too, as going off here is much more serious than on a normal Solo 2 course, or even a normal track. They both settled into the mid 2:30’s, a bit behind John’s times of last year.

After the practice runs we soaked in the pool at the world famous Sugarloaf Lodge to bring body temperatures down to near normal. The FFR guys then went to the event banquet, and got to see the slightly off center combination of humor and tradition that makes attendance a must every year. Corny songs, roasting of old and new drivers, reminders of the history of the event and a great Cuban meal were all well received. Many door prizes, including a considerable haul from Factory Five (thanks guys!) made it even more interesting, and the t-shirts and hats were in high demand. Everyone wanted to associate with those “beautiful, fast cars”. Some of the guys who were in the middle of a poker run in the Keys, as part of a separately organized roadster event, made an appearance and we had a chance to briefly compare our days.

Race day was even hotter and more humid. Drivers sweated over their last minute adjustments, and then the first group was launched one by one into the mangroves. Times started out a little slower than practice day, nerves and caution taking their toll. I took one “get back on the horse run”, but was too concerned about the differences in our setups and trashing Inman’s car to try to push the edge, despite his incredible and genuine desire to see me continue. I’d already had enough fun and was content to lead the cheering.

Chris Evans - Launching!

By the end of the second runs the battle between Dave McIlvaney and Inman was as tight as could be with both hovering in the mid ‘20’s and having some trouble with the little orange folks. David Borden was dropping his times as he familiarized himself with John Phillips car and they looked to go down to the wire for the last trophy. Chris Evans ran consistent, clean 2:33s. That’s a time that few drivers ever reach on this course. His AP setup was coming into it’s own and he was starting to trust the incredible grip it gave. Richard continually chipped away at his time and hit his target of improving on last year’s effort. With the same setup and same tires, this gave a good measure of his increasing experience with the tough course. Doug was dropping his times, having switched back to his BFG Radial T/As to try to get some grip (imagine!) and was targeting the low 40’s. On those tires, this is a remarkable feat. I can’t recall anyone ever getting out of the 2:50’s on T/As! Raul got his turbo EM car moving and we saw his time dropping back where he belonged – trouble was on it’s way for Dave and Inman if he got it sorted out in time.

At the end the results for the trophies were as tight as they could be. Dave ripped off a jaw dropping 2:19 and we all went nuts. He was only 3 seconds off the Formula car FTD leader! He rolled into the pit lane and promptly told us that he thought he had taken some cones in section 2. Checking with the officials, they assured us he hadn’t, but Dave was certain he had. Inman then posted an equally mind blowing, for a car on DOT rubber, 2:24. This set up a remarkable situation. If Dave had taken 2 cones, he would still have won, three gave it to Inman. In the end, without any further movement from the officials we all agreed (not that the officials asked) that Dave was a deserving winner and Inman graciously bowed to the new closed wheel course record holder. David Borden pulled out a one-tenth win over John Phillips for third, and no one was happier than John, despite being beaten in his own car.

BBC is something special and we left with plans for next year already forming. FFRs were ten percent of the entry list - wouldn’t it be great if we out numbered any other marque next year? To quote the spiritual guide for this event, long time racer and BBC devotee, the late John Kendrick: “Eat your dessert first, you never know what’s coming next.” Kendrick would have been a natural Roadster owner. See you at the BBC in 2004.

In memory of Barry Hebrank, who rode in spirit with us all that weekend,

John Hannaford

FFR1415