for the Porsche enthusiast

Davey's Recollections of Vasek Polak
By Davey Jordan
Page 4

Hans, Davey, Dieter and the Porsche 908 at Riverside 1971.

The last race was at Riverside Raceway, on the 3.2 course. The 908 was really at a disadvantage on this course as the straight was 1.1 miles long. I think this might have been the last professional Sports Car race held on the long course, as the faster cars were hitting 200 MPH. In practice we discovered that the two small spoilers attached to each corner of the rear body section, cost us 800 RPM in straight-line speed. We took them off, and couldn't tell much difference in handling through the fast "Esses". At this time Aerodynamics was really a "Black Art". In the race the car ran perfectly, and we finished 13th, with Milt lapping me at the checkered flag, "to save me from going another lap"? Milt had finished 6th. This was the last race of the season, and Milt was 6th in the year end point standings.

Vasek decided to send the 908 and me to a Club Race at Vaccaville in Northern California, going to help with the car was Dennis Toomy. Vasek was also sending his Porsche 910, with Burt Olander driving, Burt was a salesman at Vasek Polak Porsche/ Audi. Vasek was not able to come to this event, and we got ourselves into trouble. In practice we got a puncture in a rear tire. We had another set of rear tires, but they were a much narrower set, and slightly smaller in diameter. I didn't want to loose my one wide tire, so we mounted one smaller tire on the other side, hoping the stagger wouldn't be too much. In the race Burt was right on my tail and one of my rear tires threw its tread from overheating. At the time we had a couple V/8 powered sports racers ahead of us and it was likely Burt would have passed us too. He was driving very well. When Vasek heard of my tire choice, he gave poor Dennis a stern lecture. As it turned out this was the last competition event that I competed in for Vasek Polak.

Kurt Lanschutzer, Davey Jordan, Alwin Springer, Milt Minter, and Vasek Polak.

Turn up the calendar to 1982, the Monterey Historic Races were going to honor the Porsche mark at their August event. Vasek called and said he was taking a number of Historic Porsche Racing cars to Monterey, and would I like to drive the 908? I was thrilled. Vasek loaned Norma and I a Porsche 924 to make the trip from Orange County to Monterey, with accommodations at the Quail Valley Lodge, this was like a vacation. Vasek was taking an armada of 10 Porsche Race cars. For drivers Dan Gurney, Jack McAfee, Joe Playan, Carol Shelby and others. Vasek was a gracious host to the many employees that he had invited to be a part of "The Great Porsche Show". Carl Thompson had done a super job in choreographing the readiness of the fleet for their various races. Vasek had put on a wonderful show; it was an event I shall never forget.

Over the years my son David (now in his early 40s) and I would go to the Vintage Races at Monterey, Palm Springs and Pomona. When we would see Vasek we would always stop and say hello, and have some small talk. At the VARA Vintage Race at Pomona in I believe late1996, I stopped to talk to Vasek, he smiled and said, "Davey I have a nice Speedster would you like to drive it next time?" "Of course I would." Little did I know there would never be a next time.

Vasek gave many other young drivers and myself their first chance to drive a fast racecar, not to mention the training ground and incentive he provided for his employees. Just look at how many successful businesses are owned by graduates of Vasek's University. He was one of the most unforgettable people I have ever met. Mr. Polak we miss you.

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