This picture was always a favorite of mine on display at my father-in-law Paul Reinhart’s home in California. You can check out my first story about him here and there will be more to come. But this one is the best and it’s in his own words because it was his first win! So I’ll let Paul tell the story….
I’ve gone through driving school and had run Stockton (California), without much success. We finished Saturday and lost the coil Sunday. Never again left the key in the ignition so it can be left on. Entered Cotati (Raceways, California) and it was highly promoted and big entry list. We all belonged to N.C.C.A. (North California Corvette Association), one of the first and largest corvette clubs in the country. This club decided to promote a charity race. The charity was cerebral palsy and to get the crowd out, it was decided to get a big star as a trophy girl. For a sum of money, we got Jayne Mansfield.
The club was well organized and did a wonderful job promoting. Placards and handbills were everywhere. Every Corvette from the north was there – Ray Altman, Sandy Greenblatt, Bill Sherwood, Bob Eagleson, Neil Schraeder, Danny Raffetto, Red Faris, and probably Dave MacDonald from the south. Dave had been labeled a cheater at Stockton so he was going to show it was no fluke. There were others.
I was still driving my ’57 to the races, so it was street driven every day with a full windshield and bumpers. With all that weight we were not competitive yet so Saturday we were about sixth and hoping to finish about there Sunday.
As the Sunday race got started, I was running sixth and seventh and holding my own, but as the forty-minute race unfolded, one by one of the front runners broke or spun. Here I am leading and trying not to screw up. Against that competition, this street-driven Corvette won.
It was a big moment for me, even though Jayne Mansfield taking the victory lap made it special. We kissed for the photographers and the crowd loved it.
In those days as now, the Corvette race was as big as the main event itself. It was probably the largest amateur event to date on the West Coast so it got a lot of ink. It also made me realize that I could run with these guys. it was the beginning of a run of wins and near wins.
What a treasure to read stories in his own words. He never bragged but he was always happy to share if we asked!
It's All About Family 