Start your engines!
The Cumberland (MD) Municipal Airport has never been busier than when sports cars raced around its runways. Yes, sports cars. Not airplanes. Each May from 1953 to 1971 racers from across the country would travel to Cumberland to test their sports cars against other top cars to see whose was the fastest. Roger Penske, Shelby Briggs and Carroll Shelby all raced at the Cumberland Airport. The races featured some of the greatest racing cars of the time: Birdcage Maserati, Ferrari Testa Rossa, D Type Jaguar, Porsche 356 Speedster, Cobra, Mustang, Camaro, Sunbeam Alpine, Austin Healy 100, and the Howmet Turbine Car. “It was a great time,” said Dave Williams. “A who’s who of American sports car racing came through Cumberland.” Williams watched many of those old races as a young man and he remains a racing enthusiast and promoter of Read more…
Speed Racer: Regie Johnson’s days competing in autocross
Gettysburg resident Regie Johnson looks like a sixtyish grandmother who you might see tending a garden or taking a stroll outside. However, put her behind the wheel of a sports car and watch what happens. She and her husband, Keith, were window shopping at a Jaguar dealership a while back. They showed enough interest in the cars that they were invited to a special luncheon hosted by the dealership. It was catered at a race track so that the guests could test drive one of three Jaguars models. Regie got behind the wheel and was driving around the crowded track. She told the salesperson who was in the car with her that she’d like to see how it would really perform. He was skeptical, but he set up a pylon course and cleared the track of other drivers. “Regie went Read more…
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