A practice start with Walt Hansgen in a Stanguellini F Jr next to barc driver Bob Bucher’s Lotus and Dolph Vilardi’s Asardo.
The second row has Jim Forno in his Elva next to Dick Stocton’s Lotus
Farther back the new Mk IV Elva of Frank Baptista, who would win the GM feature. #441 is John Willeck. On the far left is Dave Adams Lotus IX.
The wonderful Denise McLuggage raises her hand to let the starter know she is ready. She drives Cunningham’s 750 OSCA. Denise, as usual, beat most of the men and won HM.
John Zeitler visits the pits during a practice session. Zeitler would finish 6th in the feature in his aging Elva Mk II
This action during Friday’s GT & unrestricted race. Howard Hanna’s DB leads Paul Richards Fiat and Stutz Plaisted’s Cooper Formula 2.
Cortland NY car dealer Dean McCarthy’s Ferrari. We don’t know where McCarthy finished, but he raced that Ferrari all year.
Morrow Decker leads George Fogg’s Alfa. Despite the Alfa’s huge lean, Fogg would beat Decker and finish 2nd overall to Luftman’s Ferrari.
Dolph Vilardi raced this GT named an Asardo. It was a very limited production car that used Alfa mechanicals and a custom body. Vilardi would bring the Asardo home 4th in the GT race.
Stutz Plaisted in his Cooper T23 F2 car. Plaisted loved single seaters, especially Cooper’s. He led the GT & Unlimited race until troubles pushed him back in the field.
Paul Richards in a Team Roosevelt Fiat Abarth. Richards would win IP on Sunday for GP HP and IP. Richards raced in the GT event on Saturday but does not appear in the results.
#87 Fiat Abarth of John Norwood. Note the wires above the track. The American Legion members did a fantastic job in running wire around the entire track for communications. Norwood ran the GT race but he does not appear in the results.
Taken early on Saturday during practice. Hansgen’s Stanguellini was at Montgomery to show off the new concept of Formula Jr.
A fun battle with Jim Haynes pushing Paul Richards wide. John Gadwa takes a shorter line. All but two cars from the 11 car field dropped out of the race. Gadwa kept his going to win.
The great Jim Haynes in his Cooper FIII car. In 1959 these little 500cc bombs were nearing the end of their run. Haynes became the owner and savior of Lime Rock in 1964.
Paul Richards comes down pit lane. Richards did double duty at Montgomery in the Roosevelt Fiat Abarth and his Cooper FIII car.
We always loved listening to the deep throated growl of the 4 cam Porsche. Don Sessler’s RSK would push Bob Holber’s similar car to 4th overall and 2nd in FM.
Two of the great 50 & 60 drivers. Big Jake Bucher sits with Harry Carter (white shirt) as they watch the action.
Jim Haynes, always a very happy guy, thumbs his nose at the barc photographer. Note even in 1959 there was a 6 pak of beer in the back of the station wagon.
The Race Chairman parades around in his new 300SL convertable. Standing alongside is the lovely Mrs Jim Forno and one of the BARC founders Joe Tierno (straw hat).
As we left the track after practice, we snapped a forgotten and tossed bumper sticker. August 8-9, 1959
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