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Eric Wittenberg's Mexico Blue 3.2 liter engined RS clone during this weekend's Mountain Mille in up-state New York

Sometimes timing is everything. I wrote to my friend Steven in New York that family festivities would take me to the area of New York and whether lunch was in the stars. When I shared the dates with Steven, he responded enthusiastically and told me about the local R Gruppe’s 3 day rally through the Adirondack mountain range. He insisted I detach myself from the family matters for a couple of days and offered his Ivory White 2.7 RS clone (“Shivory”) for me to drive. Shivory and I had met in California a few years ago and this beautifully tuned, carburetted clone carried my wife and me around that state for a week. This offer could not be refused. The pink slip for 48 hours was obtained.

Departure of the Mountain Mille from Newburgh NY.

Jim Garfield and several of the local membership had produced the roadbook and selected the pitstops. We gathered at 8 on Friday morning in Newburgh NY and after a briefing, the caravan departed at a brisk pace North, in the direction of Lake Placid. The rolling country side became emptier as we proceeded further and further North and the sweeping bends were taken at ever increasing pace. Shivory screamed her little heart out, keeping up with bigger engined cars. This wonderful RS spec engine (except the MFI) runs so well and revs so well that the builder, Jerry MacCarthy, must be a master craftsman. Hayden Burvill of WEVO fettled the chassis, oil cooler set up and installed the 915 WEVO Classic shifter, turning Shivory into the lightweight, smooth driving machine she is today.

Shivory behind Shiroc and Eric Wittenberg's RS on the ferry across Lake Champlain

It is great to be welcomed whenever visiting fellow R Gruppe chapters elsewhere. This is truly a unique characteristic of our club and a function of its relatively small size and personality of the membership.

I’d like to thank Steven for his generosity in letting me borrow his wonderful ivory 911 once more and Jim Garfield and his chapter for welcoming me into their midst during their event!

Line up of the participating R Gruppe cars.