Jim Harris readies his 356 Cab for a run at an autocross at Met Stadium
May 1971. Photo from the Skoglund Collection.
For many years the competitive driving season for Nord Stern kicked off with an autocross at Met Stadium. Early SCCA races were held there as well. For you youngsters out there, the Stadium in the background is where the Mall of America is now, roughly Nordstroms’s, and the car is where Ikea is today. Jim Harris was Nord Stern President the year this photo was taken, 1971. Jim attended the 2009 50th dinner.
The first bus converted to an RV was Jims. He had his kids with him, and they took over the bus (not a school bus, but a greyhound bus).
By the way Ron, I hear you have a video of the early days at BIR. I would love to see it or get a copy of it.
The first event at What is now BIR happened at Road America for the Chicago region, when Jack immer asked Dad if they could do the same thing at BIR. Dad said sure, but he had no way to get ahold of the tradk owner. Jack got ahold of them and dad convivnced them we could run it, setup the insurance and that fall the first event was held.
Just as a side note, the year is 1986, its the fall event now called the Fall Fling. There are 40 cars entered, four of them from one family. Very few cars were trailered back then, but Dad showed up with his 75 Targa with the slope nose, Jeff had his wide body 914/6 with the 2.5 liter motor, I had dads old 2 liter 911 running in I2 form. All three were trailered there. The interesting point was the fourth Langren car, my mom with her 1980 924 called Purple Passion. It would be her first ever autocross in her first Porsche she owned exclusively.