Octane Party
This past weekend there was a little party thrown out at Miller Motorsports Park. The man, the myth, the legend Zane Miller invited me out to it the night before it was thrown. Naturally I said yes. This wasn’t some house party rager, or casual cocktail affair. This was the Octane Party, and there were tens of millions of dollars worth of racing history just hanging out for all to see.
They emptied the museum and parked the contents on the grass behind the grandstands on Wind Up turn. Mustangs, Cobras, GT40s and a Daytona Coupe were carefully arranged so everyone could take in the heritage. They were clearly the bells of the ball, but they weren’t the only classics out on this day.
There was this gorgeous Porsche 914. The bright orange paint, along with it being the only 914 there, made it stand out among the Audis and lone 911 it was parked amongst. Another outstanding feature? the 1.7 liter motor has been ditched in favor of a 3.2 liter flat six. Suffice it to say that this car turns into an orange blur when let out on an auto cross course.
The Dodge Challenger is awesome. The Dodge Viper is awesome as well. What happens when you combine the two AND pop a supercharger in there for good measure? A big ole, fat sack of American kick ass is what! Ekins Garage built this for Menlove Dodge, a local dealer, and left no detail un-scrutinized.
Who doesn’t love a good rat rod? Chopped, channeled, and rusty is the way we like em. Also loud, and judging by the lack of anything resembling an exhaust I feel confident in giving this thing the CAM seal of approval.
Are super cars what do it for you? Well here’s an Underground Racing Lamborghini Gallardo that went 225mph, in the rain! Story goes that the rain began as soon as he left the line for his standing mile run. There are also some Ferraris in this picture, along with a Lexus LFA.
Are there better ways to spend a Sunday? Yes, but not too many. We’d like to thank Zane and the organizers of this party, along with Miller Motorsports Park for hosting. We’re looking forward to the next event Zane has planned, because that guy knows how to host a party.
Words and photos by Michael Chandler
