Among vintage races, The Mitty stands heads and shoulders above those events which are more processions than actual competitions. The cars in attendance at this prestigious gathering might cost six figures, but the drivers still put their cars on the line, which is best shown in this heated onboard footage.

Todd Treffert is a master behind the wheel of his 1974 IROC RSR — 1 of 39 made — which is as bare-bones as a racing car can be. Perhaps the most modern accouterment is the shift light, which he uses to keep the 3-liter engine howling in the ideal rev range. Producing 320 horsepower and one of the best bits of music to ever leave a tailpipe, the engine is powerful enough to throttle-steer the car, but without a doubt, it’s still one of the less powerful cars in this bunch.

Reading the pack ahead smoothly, Treffert gives himself enough room to take an uninterrupted trip through a quick corner without his competitors impeding his progress.

Treffert’s clever driving compensates for the car’s comparative lack of straightline performance. Smooth and subtle with his inputs, he is able to drive off the corner quickly, cleanly, and consistently. However, more importantly, he reads the pack ahead and gives himself enough room to take an uninterrupted trip through a quick corner without his competitors impeding his progress.

This calculated read of the field ahead, when paired with some very bold braking maneuvers, allows him to keep in touch with the more powerful Mustang and Corvette in this top-five battle. Unfortunately, power reigns supreme at Road Atlanta, and Treffert can’t quite make it past the American iron, nor the other Porsche RSR, but he nevertheless shows us how it ought to be done: with a clear head, a careful approach, and sublime smoothness.