It’s not every day that you get a handwritten note from Larry Webb, one of the front-runners on fuel injection for Corvettes. For Jake, it’s how to communicate with his race team pit advisor, whether it’s an update about getting the car ready, or ordering another shipment of Jake’s Pickup’s coffee. From Webb himself, “It’s just so nice to sit and sip Jake’s Pickup Washington Leaded, while eating a delicious Jake’s Cinnamon Roll - staring outside at all of this wonderful snow!” Luckily, you don’t need a written note to order from Jake’s Pickup. Check out their website, where you can order items and have them shipped directly to you!

Jake is thrilled to have Webb on the crew team. However, it makes perfect sense; Jake is tenacious and thorough. Whether it’s a project car, a business, or a sandwich order he uses the best tools and ingredients at his disposal. As Bainbridge Island was hit with record snowfall and people were sipping hot chocolate in Snuggies, Jake was at Jake’s Pickup, serving homemade cinnamon rolls and cups of his very own coffee. The resulting quality is difficult to find anywhere else. The race car he’ll be driving is no exception.

Jake’s 1960 Corvette joins a long list of ‘Vette’s that have passed through his life, but none have the heritage or the history of this one. The ‘111’ Corvette was born and raised in racing and never saw the civilian life. Early in its development, Jake’s Corvette was tuned and modified for racing by the late NASCAR and Cobra racing legend Dave MacDonald. MacDonald, who started his racing career in Corvettes, helped install racing suspension and brakes alongside Bill Thomas, the mastermind behind the Chevy Cheetah. This car was purpose-built by some of the best in the business; a pure, unadulterated thoroughbred.

Dick Beck, who purchased the car and painted it black in 1961

As the car was passed between drivers over the years, it wore multiple numbers (#205, #60, #111) and a small variety of color schemes. When the previous owner, Rick Campbell, saved it from a junkyard it barely resembled a Corvette at all; just the red body and few parts remained. Campbell restored it to it’s previous glory, painted it silver and raced it through the late 1980’s and 1990’s. It became a well-known regular, and to this day when people find out Jake is racing a 1960 silver ‘Vette, they ask if it is Campbell’s old car!

Jake’s chapter began in September 2018 when he bought the car from Campbell as a 20th wedding anniversary present. In order to prepare it for the 2019 race season Jake and his wife Kristi have been working hard and it’s almost ready! As pit advisor, Larry Webb is overseeing the preparation and execution of all the steps leading up to race day. These include everything from steam cleaning to engine inspections to installing the last few parts. With the help from Mathewson’s Automotive, Webb and company will have the car looking better than ever for the 2019 race season.

The story of Jake’s #111 Corvette is what makes vintage racing special. With fingerprints of Dave MacDonald, Bill Thomas and now Larry Webb, it exemplifies the passion and dedication it takes to succeed in the sport. It’s history nearly died with the junk pile it became, until Rick Campbell saved it. Now, Jake has the opportunity to continue it’s story with his own chapter and crew.

As race day nears, stay tuned for more updates and a deeper look at Jake’s #111 Corvette!