here's the story:
Post subject: BANDIT IS GONE....Posted: Mon Nov 08, 2010 12:27 pm
Joined: Sat Mar 25, 2006 7:29 am
Posts: 267
Location: Simpsonville, SC
It's true. Bandit is gone.
Bandit has been a wonderful machine and has been a true relationship story.... - George Bowland helped me locate it in Ohio in a garage in pieces covered in mildew.
- Jeremy Cox who brought Bandit back for me while returning from a wedding in PA
- TJ and I looked at it the first time and wondered what on Earth we were thinking to buy it. First night in my garage, I got in it around midnight and almost got stuck and spent the night in there. Original owner was 135 and 5'4".
- I got to know the original owner and designer, Jerry Kieft. He was so much help along the way.
- Steve Hampton of Chap Racing helped rebuild it and get it on hills to where I could compete. There are few crew chiefs around that can push you like he can and manage car, elements and environment. He is a brilliant engineer.
- Steve Eckerich for help with licensing, getting car legal and advice on getting quicker. He's pretty good that way...
- John Finger rebuilt the motor once to help me get to an event.
- Morgan Wilson of PHA gang talked me into coming up and running Polish Mtn. Hillclimb with Bandit. Wonderful guy and met many more great guys.
- I enjoyed running with great people like Stan Vann, Dave Cutchins, George, Willie, Richard Franklin, Scott Franklin, Gary, Dave & Scott, Barry, John Finger, Lars, JK and Chris, Steve & Vicki, Mark, John B., Eddie, Bill, Larry, Ray & Sheila, Darryl, Mark R., Craig, Nick and Rick Hallman and many others.
- My wife and son supported me and helped me campaign Bandit to three SCCA Southeast Division Championships in 2008, 2009 and 2010. While George mentored me and kept my rear out of the trees, my wife helped me keep my feet on the ground... I never had an off, finished in top 5 at every event I ran and managed my first King of the Hill at Crow Mountain last year. Even managed to run Bandit on the Robin Hood Rally with Per this year.
- A giant thank you to George. We spent many lunches and emails and phone conversations on lines, set ups and driving strategy. If you run a winged hillclimb special, there is no better source for help...and if you need a friend, he is always there... even when you do something stupid like taking the wings off.
The car was sold to Morg Wilson who is rebuilding it and taking it to a bigger power plant with 300+ HP. I wish him well with it and he has promised to come run some events down south with it next year. I am glad it is back to the North from whence it came.
What is replacing Bandit? I hate to keep you waiting and wondering but ... I am waiting and wondering too! There is a big hole in my garage and my heart right now. We'll see ...but count on TJ and I both running hillclimbs and other events next year and in separate cars and classes. I look forward to letting you know something soon. Thanks for all the support from SCCA and SCR, CCR and Highlands Club in the process of acquiring this piece of history called Bandit and helping me enjoying it so much. The car was wonderful, the events were unforgettable but the relationships formed were the best part of my experience. Thanks to you all.
http://www.highlandssportscarclub.com/message-board/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=3005