Big Bend Open Road Race Results

[elmariachi]

The final timed results should be posted this week at www.bborr.com but I wanted to post about our attendance at the BBORR in Fort Stockton, Texas this past week/weekend. For those that don't know, this is a TXDOT-sanctioned event held annually on the 59-mile stretch of road between Ft Stockton and Sanderson, Texas. You race against the clock in one of several speed classes. Its a throwback from the Terlingua days and a seriously cool event now in its 13th year. There were Cobras, Vettes, Ferraris, Lamborghinis, GT40s, old muscle cars, BMWs, AMGs and a few oddball hot rods entered, spanning anywhere from 200mph down to 85mph. All totaled there were 160 entrants. Pics of the entire Saturday morning starting race grid are here.

Wednesday and Thursday involved tech inspection, rookie school, qualifying and then practicing on an 8-mile closed section of US Highway 90 West of Sanderson. The County Sheriffs block off the highway and let entrants run back and forth on the 8 mile closed stretch of road. I was navigator for Bill Swendsen in his Backdraft and Toney Jacobs brought his Lone Star with Larry Boatner co-piloting. Bill and I ran in the 105 mph rookie class and finished in second place with a time of 105.019, using only a $10 Wal-Mart stopwatch (no GPS). The Keith Craft-powered Backdraft gobbled up the course; I don't think Bill had to lift one single time and it was a real Six Flags roller coaster ride. As Bill said, "Its the most fun you can have with your clothes on." There were 7 Cobras of varying makes in attendance and 5 of them placed in several speed classes.

While in the area we also managed to arrange a personal viewing of CSX 3050, previously detailed in this thread. This is the Gulf orange S/C car with 10,900 original miles and undriven since 1976. Though completely unrestored, the car is spectacular in every way.

As part of race week we also visited a couple of elementary schools to show off the cars and attended the annual car show and race parade. The locals love the event, really support the racers and the Cobras are the real crowd pleasers (Tony's Lone Star won the people's choice award.) All in all it was a great week of racing, camaraderie and all around Cobra fun. Registration opens next January and fills up fast. I encourage anyone interested to sign up and join us. Team Cobra will be well-represented and the event is truly one-of-a-kind. Post up here or ping me offline if you have any questions.

Jim