Hersey, PJ and Stretch. Two AAR alumni on hand today for another classified thing in progess, and the man that keeps the KMPR fleet in check.
The Eaglet motor, Ethel, was installed today. It just looks right, not that another Kent engine would, but it just does. More subtle changes were made to the Elden to force more speed out of it. Two AAR alumni who were in the area also helped Paul put it all together, so there is a hint of Santa Ana going into the final recipe.
All signs point to our issue from the WIC being eradicated. The chassis itself was prime last time out, and we might have ourselves a quick little Elden when September is over. [Andrew Milam Photo] Sjoukje Argetsinger, Peter Argetsinger and Michael Argetsinger at the Mainz-Finthen Airfield on either June 30 or July 1, 1973. Special thanks to Simon Kirkby for sharing the photo.
Mike's Elden is sporting #245, a number he sported only that weekend. In the race, 19 cars took to the grid, and #245 failed to finish. It was relegated to 18th in the final order. Two neat things about the Elden in this photo include the kill switch mount on the left-hand-side, which was later removed, and Mike's initials, MRA, aft of the AmEx stripe. But the real neat bit about the photo is seeing Sjoukje, Peter and Michael together, a little over 50 years ago. Pointing a F2 Brabham by on Friday morning, as I was working up to speed for the first time with the Elden around other cars.
But that wasn't just any old Brabham. I couldn't believe my mirrors when I saw the car in which Ian Raby was fatally injured in coming up behind me. Raby exported our Lotus Seven in late 1963 and suffered severe injuries at Zandvoort in 1967 in that very Brabham after his rollhoop failed. A bad blood transfusion did him in, sadly. The Elden was much quicker than the Brabham in the race, but a mechnical fault sidelined us. Better things ahead at the VSCDA ELVF. [Bill Nesius Photo] Until the next time, when Michael's American Express Elden lives up to its name.
[Phil Schroeder Photo] After some teething hiccups yesterday, we roll off 8th in VFF for today's qualifying race at 5:20 p.m. Lots of speed on the table for this little delight.
Cheers Mike. Cheers Michael, your car is a blast to drive.
However, your memory deserved better this weekend. Your amazing Elden deserved better. Paul Jay, the man who poured in two years of his life reviving your car, deserved better. Sadly, we were let down by something beyond our control, and it won't happen again. Ever. I won't go into details, but some changes are on the horizon. Your Elden is a ballistic missile, though, and I intend to get it to the front of the grid before long. Red socks were worn while piloting the Elden, and many of your friends stopped by to talk about you and recount stories of your life- and applaud Paul on his efforts. That part of the weekend was a win. Respectfully Yours, Jacques Michael's wonderful wife Lee messaged us on Wednesday and wished us all the luck in the world with her late husband's Elden. She mentioned that if it rains this weekend, Michael is thinking of us.
It rained on the way up. Cheers Mike. Qualified P5 in VFF in the first qualifying session, which we used as a big shake down run. More speed tomorrow. [Steve Zautke Photos]
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