Rearview Mirror

POC HistoryIn The Rearview Mirror

By Don Kravig, Precision Motion

Last month, the POC conducted our annual tribute to LeMans, and at the podium we celebrated a tradition created by one of our early members the GREAT Dan Gurney, namely the Champagne dousing. The POC has always had a tradition of great competition, and family mentoring along with sportsmanship and some REALLY Fast women… Before we get to the FAST women, let me mention three things that have happened recently that speak to the traditions of the POC. If you had a chance to look at the results of our Utah event, you may have noticed that Anders Hainer won all three races in BSR. The very interesting sidebar to that was that he was assisting his fellow competitors to get faster, and while in the midst of that a PCA BSR racer walked up and wanted to know how the Hell somebody could beat him by 4 seconds on his home track. Oh by the way, just for fun Anders entered the PCA race as well and won that too (which really made him 4 for 4 for the weekend). If any of you care to look up Grand Am competitors from 2006 you will see the level of skill that Anders had to bring to Grand Am to win his championship. The people there are too numerous to name as they are essentially a who’s who of sports car racing. I invite you to just check it out. Which brings me to...the level of competition during the 1970s-1980s.

1979 photos that were featured on this 1980 racing program cover…Peter Gregg in front, Margie Smith-Haas in the yellow 914, and Big Don Kravig in the RSR just behind Margie. (Note bumper change after she T-boned us earlier)

Photos: Don Kravig

The POC in the 1970s had three extremely competitive classes, one of which FP or (F Production) was very similar to the BSR of today. It consisted of ‘67 to ‘72 911S models with free gear ratios, suspension setups, race tires, and jetting. The power to weight ratios were roughly 200hp in a 2,100 pound car. This is what my father threw me into at the age of 16 and little did I know, of the roughly 30 people in the class at that time, at least 18 of them competed in IMSA and TransAm during the next two decades. We also had class X (2.5 and under anything goes), and Z (2.5 and over anything goes). These classes were perfect for the GTU and GTO IMSA cars at the time. These classes were so competitive that it was very common for people like Al Holbert, Milt Minter, George Follmer, etc. to come race with us at a Riverside Raceway event in preparation for their IMSA races. I should also mention here that the POC used to do four club challenges at Riverside Raceway with the Corvette Club, the Ferrari club, Pantera Club, BMW Club and many others. They finally got tired of being beat by 914/4s and quit showing up. A simple glance at the entry sheet for the 1979 Times Grand Prix 6 hours of Riverside Raceway, showed all these POC competitors racing and finishing:

• Howard Meister • Rick Knoop (very well known 934, 935 and 962 competitor,

hangs out with Dwain Dement and competed in a recent Tribute)

• Bill Koll 914/6 • Tom Marks • Otis Chandler (owner of the LA Times and sponsor of the race) • John Thomas • Rick Borlase • Michael Hammond • Joe Korpiel • Milt Minter • Wayne Baker (first 914/4 to run a sub one minute 30 second time at WSIR) • Paul Haas • Mark Rothman • Dennis Aase • Big Don Kravig • Margie Smith-Haas

These are just a few of the 20 or so we found...Which leads me to…Margie Smith-Haas.

A few years ago I was invited to do a panel discussion at the old Riverside Raceway Museum, the IMSA Panel included Bobby Unser, Scooter Patrick and Margie Smith-Haas among others. She immediately dragged me off to one side and apologized (again) for T-boning our RSR in turn 6 in the 1978 IMSA 6 hour enduro. Oh by the way, she hit us with a 914/4. Even in today’s racing it’s common for a Boxster Spec to almost run over a 911 in certain corners (the old mid-engined advantage). Now back to Margie, a Daytona 24 hr and LeMans competitor. Margie had an amazing pro career that began with her sharing a car with her husband Paul, she also shared a car with Gene Hackman driving for Dan Gurney in the 1983 six hour enduro, raced a Porsche Kremer CK5 at Monza and also had numerous appearances in Europe, including LeMans, Brands Hatch and Mugello. She was the only woman to compete in the 1984 and 1985 races at LeMans running as high as 1st in the C2 Class. Margie was a fierce competitor with Movie Star good looks and enough personality for any three people. I will try and get her back to drive our pace car at next year’s Tribute which leads me to...Alexandra Hainer...

Margie Smith

3 generations of Kravigs at Riverside Raceway, 1978 6 hours of IMSA

Little Don Kravig (Left) and Big Don Kravig on the pre-grid 1980 24 hrs of Daytona.

Photos: Don Kravig

At Spring Mountain in April 2021, Alexandra won the GT2 Red Race going away, leaving all in the dust. It was an absolutely stunning drive to watch and she couldn’t deserve that win more. She has been hanging around the professional racing scene and professional racers since she was 8 years old (or probably even earlier). It’s been a joy to watch her work her way up through the Boxster Spec class, and now very skillfully handles a “full on” GT2. All while being approachable, humble and joyous to be out at the track. Look for big things from her in the future. She definitely has the skills! Which leads me to... FAMILY. Photo: Don Matz Anders’ obvious pride in his daughter’s accomplishments are echoed up and down the pits by all of us who have watched her grow. Looking around there are numerous multi generational family competitors within the POC. The J&J McLoughlins, Jim and Regan Steadman, Vali and Anna Predescu, Darin and Ryan Moore, Don and Scott Matz just to name a few. Take the time to share the club with your friends and family, this is a great place to make lifetime friendships and lifetime memories. Oh by the way, did anyone notice just how fast Ana Predescu is getting? She just graduated and is already kicking butt! Seeya on the track!

Photos: Luis Vivar and Alex Hainer