Passing The Torch

The Fortech Mini returns to Competition

There are many aspects to this story; first of all, the passing of the torch as ownership of the famed Fortech MINI transfers from Mike Kearney to Andy & Rachel Nelson of Grimsby, ON, Canada. But the story goes deeper than that. The Fortech MINI has a long history of successful racing in SCCA National competition with some of the finest drivers and best crews. These major accomplishments were always against the toughest of competitors. Many of the numerous battles were fought out on the Northern California SCCA tracks of Sears Point, Laguna Seca, and Thunderhill. These were epic battles that went back and forth right up to the checkered flag. Many memorable battles were between fellow Mini driver Joe Huffaker Jr. in his Huffaker Mini and Doug Peterson driving the Fortech Mini. Those battles may have given one or the other bragging rights in the region but it was the SCCA Nation Runoffs and one final battle each year that really mattered to both racers. You will see throughout this story that many participated in the overall efforts for both teams and in some cases even drove or crewed for each other through the years. Now early

in 2016 at Thunderhill Raceway the next step in the car’s history evolved with a fitting celebration by some very old and dear friends coming to the scene of many great battles to watch the passing of the torch.

Mike Kearney and the Fortech Mini have a long history in Sports Car Club of America National Racing both as the driver and owner of the car and for Mike, it was a tough decision to let it go. But he was proud and happy to see it’s new owners full of excitement, passion and determination to carry on the winning tradition.

Andy and Rachel Nelson are both established race car drivers and builders in their own rights and racing the Fortech Mini in National SCCA competition is a dream come true for them. Previously having run Minis in Historic events SCCA racing is a new challenge to them, one they are taking head on!

This was more than just a race weekend, it was a celebration of many years of hard, close competition between the Fortech Mini and the Huffaker Mini. As we said, Joe Huffaker Jr and Doug Peterson have had some of the tightest battles in SCCA racing. They account for nearly twenty SCCA National titles between them and many battles just involved the pair of them making that number even more remarkable. The get together was not just for the drivers, but also the crews and close friends that made this rivalry so intense over the years. With over twenty attending the weekend in honor of both cars, drivers, and teams, it was one of the largest and friendliest groups in the paddock. There were plenty of old race stories and rivalries to be heard but on this weekend it was all about old friends and handing over the torch to the new owners. Andy & Rachel had flown in and were joined by Mike & Mary Kearney, Doug & Gail Peterson, Bob Beauchemin, Bruce Wiedman, Chris & Randi Kearney, Jay Kearney, Clair & Jack Holdaway, David Rhodes, Joe Huffaker Jr. Joe Carr, Mike Abramson, Randy Arbogast, Steve Maxwell, Terry Smith, Tony Lewis, Wayne Thom, and yours truly, Norman Nelson.

It was a great thrill to be included in this fine group. I had the pleasure to run along side, or should I say, behind and watch them battle many times, even though it was just a distant glimpse of their brake lights and exhaust pipes. They always fought a hard and close battle, but always clean. They remain friends to this day with great respect for each other.

FORTECH MINI #11 SPECS:

Class: SCCA GT5/GTLite History: Four-time SCCA GT5 National Champion (1986, 1989, 2003, 2004) Owner: Andy Nelson/Toybox Racing Driver: Andy Nelson Builder: Comptech Machine & Fortech Racing, 1986 Chassis Chassis: Full tube frame, rocker arm front suspension, IRS rear Body: Fiberglass & Carbon Fiber Weight: 1600 LBS Wheels: Panasport 13 X 7 Tires: Hoosier Brakes: Four wheel Lockheed Disc Motor: BMC A-Series 4 cylinder,

1380cc RPM: Redline @ 8,500 RPM BHP: 147 Carbs: Split Weber 48 DCOE, Fortech Manifold Exhaust: Fortech Headers with Flowmaster two-chamber muffler Ignition: Electomotive D.I.S. Gearbox: Jack Knight Diff: Limited slip 4.1 final drive

RACE RECORDS: Races: 112 Wins: 72 2nd: 20 3rd: 8 DNF: 11

SCCA Runoffs Wins: 4 2nd: 4 3rd: 1 DNF: 4

DRIVER HISTORY: Andy Nelson Doug Peterson Michael Kearney Duane Davis Bill Cooper Joe Huffaker Travis Duder Randy Arbogast

(Most recent first)

Mike Kearney says goodbye to old friends and welcomes new ones

Greetings, Fortech fans and Mini lovers! I have some news to share with all our Mini racing enthusiasts that have followed and supported the Fortech Mini for the past 40+ years: I am very pleased to say that the yellow Fortech Mini will once again be competing in SCCA Majors races, and hopefully qualifying for the 2016 SCCA Runoffs at Mid Ohio. As you may be aware, this Mini has, for all intents and purposes, been retired from SCCA racing since its fourth, and last, GT5 National Championship in 2004. For a long time I had been thinking that maybe, one day, we would get the old team back together and have another run at what is now the GTL Championship. Doug Peterson has always been a great friend and driver and we could never have chosen anyone better to take the Fortech Mini to the limit. Last year in 2014, when it was announced the SCCA Runoffs were to be at Laguna Seca, I felt that if ever we were going to run again, this would be the year. Sadly, that did not happen, and thus I have been thinking of other ways to get the Fortech Mini back on the track where it belongs. Watching Joe Huffaker finish first and second at the last two SCCA Runoffs in the GTL had me thinking our car could still be competitive under the right circumstances. I enjoy vintage racing, but cannot do two race programs at the same time. Seven’s main focus is on vintage and we are developing parts that will make our motors the best available in the USA to better serve our many vintage customers with both parts and track support. At the 2009 Can-Am Mini Challenge I thought the best solution to get the Fortech Mini back in action was a new owner, but who? It would take special people, “Mini People”, that have a great history in preparing race cars and the desire to run a Mini at the highest level. I think it was just meant to be, perfect timing for us both, that a new owner has been found and the deal is done. The next owners in the chain of custody of the Fortech Mini will be Andy and Rachel Nelson of Toybox Racing, who can take the Fortech Mini to the next level. Andy and Rachel will have an active website for all to follow in the upcoming season and Seven Enterprises will continue to be a sponsor of this famous Mini (for the 39th consecutive year!). For those who do not know the Nelsons, please visit www.toyboxracing.com. Part of me is sad, but that is overwhelmed by the excitement of seeing the #11 fly around the corners again. Even though the car has not actively participated in SCCA racing since the 2004 championship, technical development continued that would help keep it competitive in the event it ever did return to racing; I know it will be even faster once it officially gets back on the track. The first “Nelson” race will be at Thunderhill in April 2016, before migrating to its new home in Canada. The Nelsons have also decided that the Fortech Mini will compete at the 2017 Can-Am at Sears Point, despite the SCCA Runoffs being held on the same weekend at Indy. There’s no better thrill than racing with a huge field of classic Minis! I could have never achieved the five National Championships and run over 100 SCCA races without the Fortech Racing crew. Life changes for us all, and for me, it is just not the same without them. The countless preparation hours at Fortech, the thousands of miles traveling to races all played a major part in the cars success. Thanks so much to everyone that had a hand in making racing this Mini the most fun and rewarding experience in my professional life.

As Mike said Doug Peterson was a huge part of Fortech Racing. After 37 years at Fortech Racing, Doug Peterson has announced his retirement from competitive Mini driving effective October 6th, 2014. The good news is that there was one last chance to see Doug behind the wheel of a Mini. He had his last drive at the 2014 CSRG Charity Challenge, October 4 and 5 at Sears Point (Sonoma Raceway for you that don’t remember the track’s real name). I hope that if you have never seen Doug drive a Mini, you will come out and watch one of the best ever. Doug has accomplished more than any other Mini racer or GT5 racer in North America history by winning four SCCA GT5 National Championships and three second place podium finishes. From 2000 to 2004, the Fortech Mini finished first or second with Doug driving. Just a few of his ideas that were implemented at Fortech Racing: Redesigning the front suspension of the original black Fortech Mini to use 13-inch race tires, first to have good results

• First all coil over suspension on a Mini

• First tube frame Mini

• First rocker arm front suspension on a Mini

• Some secret stuff we don’t talk about The Fortech crew and I personally want to express our appreciation to Doug for thirty-seven years of dedication to Mini racing, and for all the extra things he did along the way. Thanks for the memories, Doug!

And for those of you who want to know about the new owners.

Andy Nelson has always been interested in anything mechanical, and he graduated from Technical College a “Red Seal” Automotive Mechanic at the age of 21. He worked as a licensed mechanic for over twelve years before following his other passion, flying. During his aviation career, Andy has flown many different aircraft, including the Piper Navajo, Mitsubishi MU2, Cessna Caravan, Embraer Bandeirante, and Boeing 727, 757, and 767. He is currently Captain rated on the B767, operating cargo flights out of Hamilton, ON throughout Canada and internationally. Andy’s combined knowledge of automotive and aviation systems has set the tone for his exacting attention to detail, with a focus on reliability and performance which serves him well in the fast-paced racing environment. In addition to restoring and servicing numerous Minis over the last 30 years and building two podium winning race cars, Andy has served as crew for several Minis prepared for Vintage racing and at Targa Newfoundland, where the car finished third overall in 2007. Andy began racing his own Mini in Vintage in 2005. He rapidly became a contender for class podium finishes, and is looking forward to competing in SCCA GTL in the Fortech Mini for the 2016 season