Yes indeed, it was a re-creation of a moment in time... like the “Laguna Beach Pageant of the Masters”, but much better. I had re-introduced Pete Lovely to Bill Krause at the Monterey Historic Races in August and the two “racing legends” talked of the great racing days of yesteryear... and then fast- forward to the race on Sunday at Coronado Naval Base on the Airport tarmac just like the original race- tracks of the 50s...
On the race grid, Pete was on the outside front row to the left in his Lotus 11 and the Birdcage Maserati Tipo 61 at the right front... Bill just knew laying in third with the Old Yeller II Buick Special and behind the Birdcage Maserati...that at the green, he could "smoke" the Lotus of Pete Lovely... so the flag drops and Bill splits the Birdcage and the Lotus down the front straight coming to the first right hand turn... takes second and holds it for about 3 laps and there was no holding back Pete with the very fast and very deep braking Lotus 11... but for the announcers and fans... it was total "goosebump" time, as one could just squint their eyes, as Pete and Bill were a "Mano a Mano" performance...like the bull fighters- “Dominguin” and “Ordenez” in the summer season of bull fighting chronicled by Hemingway in "The Dangerous Summer"... the brute horsepower sounds of the mighty Buick “Nailhead” and the high pitch soft wailing of the Lotus ... Bill powering away for a short stretch and then Pete was right along side "filling the mirrors" ... waiting and waiting for the chance... they are two drivers that can talk of great races of yesteryear... but to re-create the scene for all of us to witness... yes indeed - "pure Mano a Mano" at it's best for one precious moment ...and one can be moved to tears…if they as fans also indeed saw Bill and Pete race each other in the late 1950s and early 60s... ahhhh.
*** Pete Lovely eventually got by Bill Krause for second place and Bill took third place in the Sunday race at the Coronado Speed Festival.
1959 Balchowsky Buick Special 
