Vintage kart racing video from 1971 IKF Sprint Nationals

[steveohara]

Guys,

I finally got around to converting and processing the old 8mm movies Dad took 40 years ago at Camden, Ohio
This it what karting looked like in 1971 at the IKF Sprint Nationals. There were something like 70 entries in American Reed Light class and it was a real battle out there.
Steve O'Hara
Here are the links...
Heat #1
CLICK HERE to watch in Large HD Video mode (requires high speed Internet connection)
Heat #2
CLICK HERE to watch in Large HD Video mode (requires high speed Internet connection)
Heat #3
CLICK HERE to watch in Large HD Video mode (requires high speed Internet connection)

If the links don't work for you just search Youtube for... Vintage Kart Racing, 1971 IKF Sprint Nationals, Camden Ohio.

[Brian Thomas]

Great video Steve . Thanks for posting them .
Brian

[Mark Brubaker]

Wonderful videos Steve.. I left a couple of comments on Youtube..

[Jeff Campbell]

Steve,
Great stuff, and that is you taking first place with your signature pipe (sticking straight up in the air), right? That is a huge competitive field for sure, nice driving!

Jeff Brown is firming up a VKA event at Camden for 2012, watch for it ... old karts are going to be returning to G & J Kartways. Think about bringing out your winning kart.

Jeff

[steveohara]

Jeff,

Yes, I was running the straight up pipe until it got knocked off and crushed with two laps to go in the first heat. I was lucky to get 4th in the first heat and not get black flagged for losing the pipe. Walt Meyers quickly hacked up another and we got it on in time to make the second heat which I won. The replacement pipe only had about a 60 degree bend rather than the 90 degree bend in the original but it was enough to keep the end of the pipe within the width of the kart which was required by the rules.
The third heat was real exciting as I had to make a big comeback after getting punted off on the first lap coming out of the right hander leading onto the main straight. If you take the video frame by frame you can see I was hit hard and turned almost perpendicular to the direction of the track but somehow managed to save it and continue but lost something like 6 spots. I needed to get back to 2nd to guarantee the overall win and it was a sweet moment when I blew by the perpetrator of the punt job to regain 2nd a couple laps from the end.
It was my first entry into a National event and I learned a lot in a short time about what guys will do to win a big race. I had just turned 16 and had only been racing about three years so I was very naive when it came to the "rubbing is racing" concept. Where I did my early racing at Azusa, Ca contact was dealt with very strongly and it just didn't happen.
Sure with the old 8mm movie cameras could have recored the sound!
Regards,
Steve O'Hara