SVRA: Regogo Racing under the Grabber Blue awning

Race fans getting acquainted with the expanding sector of motorsport known as vintage racing are sometimes surprised by the investment and level of professionalism of teams in the Sportscar Vintage Racing Association paddock. This is especially true at marquee events like the SVRA national championships at the Circuit of The Americas this weekend.

Related Stories

No team in the COTA paddock draws more attention than the "Grabber Blue" adorned Regogo Racing. The visual cornerstone of its compound is "Big Blue," a 53-foot Featherlite trailer (ABOVE) hauled by a 2003 Custom Peterbilt Tractor with a spacious sleeper cab. When the team's awning is set up, spanning Big Blue and the Regogo motorcoach, the result is a huge footprint that invariably captures attention. That's partly because of its startling color scheme but also its stature, which outshines some of what you find at top-tier professional racing series.

Hoisted atop the impressive footprint are two flags, one for the Regogo Racing team and another carrying the brand of its favorite marque, Lotus. The team derives its name from owner Paul Rego, a racer who loves the role of orchestrating the effort, not the driving. For that he employs the services of Doc Bundy, who, along with Jim Busby, won the 1982 24 Hours of Le Mans GTO Class with a Porsche 924. Doc, who is signed to an annual contract, is a rare breed as a professional driver in the vintage paddock – but Regogo Racing is not an average team.

Among its attention-getting assets is the only car not draped in Grabber Blue (a Ford color). It's a Lotus 79, the same model that Mario Andretti piloted to the Formula 1 World Championship in 1978. That model also won the constructor's championship the same year. Understandably this machine maintains the iconic John Player Special black-and-gold livery of its heyday (LEFT, photo courtesy of Regogo Racing).

While the car was never driven in competition, both Mario and teammate Ronnie Peterson used the machine, known as Lotus 79/1, in testing. After Rego acquired the car in 2010, it spent nearly a year in England at Clive Chapman's (son of the Lotus Founder Colin) Classic Team Lotus shop. It emerged in America in perfect fashion as Mario drove her again during parade laps as part of the ceremonies leading up to the first United States Grand Prix at COTA in 2012.

Regogo's other racecars include a 1961 Lotus Elite and a 1964 Lotus 23B and both remain true to Grabber Blue. Bundy drives the 23B and Nathan Thompson, who doubles as primary mechanic on the Lotus 79/1, is wheelman for the Elite. Both have enjoyed success, picking off podiums and race wins. Included among several victories are Bundy's two SVRA national championships at COTA in 2013, one with the 23B and the other with the JPS Lotus 79.

ABOVE: Doc Bundy mastering COTA's tight turns in the Regogo Racing 1964 Lotus 23B. (Don Couch photo)

In addition to Rego (ABOVE), Bundy and Thompson, the Regogo team includes Team Manager Richard South; Race Shop Manager Joe Grassi; Big Blue Driver Leo Bouchereau; Chief Counsel Chris Pohl and Facilitator Peter Hoag. South, Pohl and Hoag all had a hand in helping Rego found the team. Pohl's official title, "Consigliere" (made famous in the classic mafia movie, "The Godfather") fits the playful vibe of a "boys night out culture" under the Grabber Blue awning but also belies how serious these guys are about their racing.

"I don't spend all this money to run at the back," Rego says. "I enjoy being a team owner, I drive fast enough on streets."

Among Rego's street cars are Lotus models – an Evora, an Elise, three Esprits and three Europas. He also owns Sports Car World, a Dallas-based business under the same roof as his race team. The company provides parts and service for Lotus owners. Their success in racing is pretty compelling evidence they are good people to turn to for help with a Lotus.

Rego's desire to succeed while remaining true to the no contact ethic of vintage racing is reflected in his decision to empower, not drive. When he formed the team with Chris Pohl's counsel and legal advice in 2010, he turned to Bundy (LEFT, with Rego) as not just a professional driver but also one who understands the nature of Lotus cars.

"He's brilliant – he's a pro," Rego says. "He'll tell you I got him out of retirement. I also like having him around because he tells great stories."

While Bundy drove Porsches for Al Holbert, a Rick Hendrick Corvette and a Jaguar during his career, a lot of his success came at the wheel of a Lotus. He was IMSA Bridgestone SuperCar series champion in 1992 driving a Lotus Esprit. Bundy worked for Lotus for several years in the 1990's and during that time cultivated an enduring friendship with Grassi and convinced Rego to bring him onto the team as chief mechanic.

Bundy won his first race for Rego at Watkins Glen in 2010 during the Bobby Rahal Legends historic weekend of racing. In fact, it was Rahal who assisted in making the connection for Rego to acquire the car Bundy drove, the Lotus 23B still in the Regogo Racing stable.

According to Team Facilitator Hoag, Bundy is generous with his time and knowledge. If a competitor is struggling, Doc has been known to coach them with tips on race craft.

"Doc wants to help the competition," Hoag says. "He wants everyone to do their best. I remember telling him he may be training his replacement some day, but he just says, 'It wouldn't be the first time."

"I've reached a point in time where I need to give back," Bundy adds. "I've coached, I've worked for the Porsche Driving Experience. Teaching, really, helps me learn to. By breaking it down, keeping it simple, I think through my own process.

Such generosity and helpfulness is core to the vintage racing credo. Among the hallmarks of Regogo Racing is their paddock fish fry (RIGHT) where another longtime buddy, Chef William Guthrie, serves up massive amounts of fried fish with French fries and slaw, complete with all condiments. The generosity is impressive as it is an open invitation to fellow racers and hundreds have been known to attend.

True to the vintage culture, Regogo pitches in when competitors have a need. Team Manager Richard South, another longtime Rego buddy, has been known to jump into the fray when another team is thrashing to make the show. With Rego's full endorsement, South not only lends a hand, but parts as well.

"Paul and Richard think alike," says Hoag. "They help people in need. They give people a taste of the dream. Paul is all about racing and good times but people should not think they can take advantage of him because they can't."

Rego's generosity extends beyond the paddock. He is well known in the local law enforcement community for his support of their fallen officers fund. During December he has hosted a Texas barbeque to raise funds for the "Toys For Tots" charity.

For some, Paul Rego can come across as an enigma. The same man who funds a race team, owns numerous cars and operates one of America's top Lotus parts and service businesses from two massive buildings can also lead a very basic life. You are more likely to bump into him flying coach to one of his races than to hear he chartered a jet.

"Paul can be kind of reserved until you get to know him," Hoag says. "Bottom line, he's just a guy. We have a lot of fun together, all of us. He's a great friend and his approach to life makes working for him a pleasure. We all want to right by him."