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50 Vintage Indy Cars On Historic Track Delight Vintage Indy Car Crowd

Car owners gather with their cars for the traditional pre-event group photo.  [Russ Lake photo]

West Allis, WI (July 14, 2014) – On June 11th and 12th, the Harry Miller Club celebrated their 20th annual ‘Millers at Milwaukee’ vintage Indy Car event at the legendary Milwaukee Mile.  Founded in 1995 by ardent vintage Indy Car collectors David Uihlein, Chuck Davis and Bob Sutherland the Miller Club gathering at the Milwaukee Mile has become arguably the finest collection of vintage Indy Cars running on an oval track in the world.

This year 50 cars were on hand for the event which saw rain showers cut some of the track down for only the second time in its 20-year history.  A small shower on Friday cut about an hour of track time off the end of the first day, however many didn’t mind because it gave them a chance to gather early for cocktail hour before the Miller Club banquet that evening.  Held in the Crowne Plaza Ballroom in nearby Wauwatosa, the dinner was highlighted by Miller Club President, Dana Mecum thanking the participants for their entries and support as well as the backers of the Club.  Joe Freeman also spoke colorfully about his memories of the historic inaugural event in 1995.  The dinner was also highlighted with a silent auction featuring many exceptional and historic books, photos and collectibles.

Showers abbreviated some of Saturday’s session however many laps were turned under mostly cloudy skies in comfortable temperatures.

New cars are always encouraged to enter the Miller Meet and this year we had several including Mike Bauman’s John Zink Kurtis KK4000, Dan Davis’ award winning 16-cylinder Samson Miller, Ken Keilholz’s recently restored Eddie Sachs Watson roadster, Dana Mecum’s gorgeous 1947 Blue Crown Special, Mark Mountanos’ superb Demler Epperly roadster and Donald Wright’s unique Rasmussen roadster supermodified.

Many thanks to Eric Anderson, Mick Anderson, Lou Burmeister, Terry Castle, Ted Davis, Robert Dicks, Dick Dittman, Eldon Eby, Joe Freeman, Bill Hoff, Dennis Holloway, Charles Lawrence, Herb Lederer, Bob McConnell, Larry Pfitzenmaier, Phil Reilly, Gary Schroeder, Carl Schultz, Steve Sessions, Paul Scheerer, Bud Taylor, Donald Wright and the Revs Institute for their entries this year.

Once again this event saw substantial track time for many participants and their race cars and quite a few lucky ones got rides in the two-man cars. Bench racing was also in full swing as many old friends and acquaintances renewed friendships.  The Miller Meet also brings out a great cross section of cars in the paddock. Many hot rods, rat rods, collector cars, midget race cars and more were seen and are a welcome bonus. Former drivers were in attendance as endurance champion hall of fame driver Hurley Haywood took laps as well as National Midget driver Hall of Famer, Billy Engelhart. Other former drivers seen were Bay Darnell, Frank Burany (at 98 years-young), Jerry (Weeks) Baker. Engine builder Ron Hoettles and engineer Bob McKee were also in attendance.  I apologize in advance if I omitted any.

Don’t forget to mark your calendars for next year’s event which will be held on Friday and Saturday July 18-19, 2015.

 

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