Can Am, endurance and other.

[tauruck]

There were posts on Milwaukee Midget's thread about Can Am and endurance racing and I had something to add but didn't want to hijack the thread.

In 1984 I was driving a F2 March but never had the money to employ a full time engineer (required if you wanted to win) so I struck a deal with Norman Thersby that I'd work with him in exchange for prepping my car.

Ken Howes (now head of Hendrick MS) built the Kreepy Krauly car here in Johannesburg to take to Daytona.
I helped Norman build the exhaust system. I was the gofer more than anything else.
The car won and that's how Ken ended up staying in the States.
Last I heard, Norman was living in Columbus, prepping a hangar full of classic/vintage race cars.

[manta22]

Nice looking car but that name is a hoot! 

Regards, Neil  Tucson, AZ

[Milwaukee Midget]

Now THIS is a thread I'll book-mark.

Seems there are a LOT of folks who have had prior lives in more traditional motorsports that eventually wind up in LSR.

The gentleman who owns the current I/GT record holding car is Martin McGlone.  It's an Abarth Bialbero, and I cannot for the life of me name who drove it in '92 - I think Stainless knows.

Anyway, I met Martin this year at Speedweek - he was driving the #3720 Shelby GT350 R in CBGALT.  I had no idea who he was when he came up to me and said -

"I/GT, eh?  Do you know what car holds that record?"  

I said, "Yeah, some damned Fiat Wop-Rod".

Martin said, "That's right - AND I OWN IT!"

I'm pretty proud of my response - I didn't miss a beat -

"I have a picture of your car on my dart board".

We've been friends ever since, and he intends to be back again this year.

As it turns out, Martin raced Sterling Moss' old Sebring Sprite at Le Mans a few years back -



There is just something magical about Bonneville.

It's a nexus.

[fordboy628]

Seems there are a LOT of folks who have had prior lives in more traditional motorsports that eventually wind up in LSR.

There is just something magical about Bonneville.

It's a nexus.

OR, maybe it's just a "black hole" of racing . . . . . . . . .

It certainly is, finance-wise.      I rest my case.
 
Fordboy

[superleggera]

Had some great fun in the IMSA GTP days and it is sitting in a friends shop today waiting to do battle again.

[Milwaukee Midget]

These two IMSA cars always interested me.  Saw them both at Road America.   Schroeder and Showket's twin sons of different mothers Dodge Daytonas.

http://home.comcast.net/~cvetters3/test1.htm

Just a fascinating experiment with the constants being essentially the same body and engines.  Both were beautifully prepared.

[tauruck]

Kreepy Krauly is a pool cleaning system that was very popular here.

I don't have a pool so I don't know if they're still around.

Wayne Taylor is into all things endurance. He's an ex SA boy that did good.

Wayne, if you're out there?. We still have some unfinished business.

[Peter Jack]

That was a really interesting article Chris. Thanks! 

Pete

[Peter Jack]

Kreepy Krauly is a pool cleaning system that was very popular here.

I don't have a pool so I don't know if they're still around.

Wayne Taylor is into all things endurance. He's an ex SA boy that did good.

Wayne, if you're out there?. We still have some unfinished business.

If you Google Wayne Taylor Racing you'll find the whole story. Wikipedia covers both Wayne Taylor and his race team fairly well.

Pete

[Dynoroom]

Seems there are a LOT of folks who have had prior lives in more traditional motorsports that eventually wind up in LSR.

There is just something magical about Bonneville.

It's a nexus.

Trying again......

Yep, in the 80's & 90's I did engine work in IMSA, SCCA, CART, & spent time working for Carroll Shelby (who didn't) & ran some vintage stuff. But being on the road traveling gets real old.

 During all that time I still ran Bonneville.....    Because it was FUN!

Who would have thought going to a blinding salt desert for a week where it exceeds 100 degrees and the weather can change in a instant would keep us coming back every year?

[Tman]

Seems there are a LOT of folks who have had prior lives in more traditional motorsports that eventually wind up in LSR.

There is just something magical about Bonneville.

It's a nexus.

Trying again......

Yep, in the 80's & 90's I did engine work in IMSA, SCCA, CART, & spent time working for Carroll Shelby (who didn't) & ran some vintage stuff. But being on the road traveling gets real old.

 During all that time I still ran Bonneville.....    Because it was FUN!

Who would have thought going to a blinding salt desert for a week where it exceeds 100 degrees and the weather can change in a instant would keep us coming back every year?

I love the irony of they Indycar sponsors Living Well Fitness and KFC!

[jl222]

Seems there are a LOT of folks who have had prior lives in more traditional motorsports that eventually wind up in LSR.

There is just something magical about Bonneville.

It's a nexus.

Trying again......

Yep, in the 80's & 90's I did engine work in IMSA, SCCA, CART, & spent time working for Carroll Shelby (who didn't) & ran some vintage stuff. But being on the road traveling gets real old.

 During all that time I still ran Bonneville.....    Because it was FUN!

Who would have thought going to a blinding salt desert for a week where it exceeds 100 degrees and the weather can change in a instant would keep us coming back every year?

I love the irony of they Indycar sponsors Living Well Fitness and KFC!

  When you have a bucket of KFC, mashed potatoes and gravy, coleslaw, biscuits and honey, you are Living Well.

  Well, allowed once a year for Fathers Day. Humm... Valentines Day

              JL222

[tauruck]

 

[Freud]

It's no wonder that LeFevers sets records..

Look at how many companies paid for his education.

FREUD

[Milwaukee Midget]

This one needs a larger audience, so I'm posting up a link here.  John Nikas does a great job in condensing the events at Le Mans in 1955 -

http://www.mossmotoring.com/tragic-victory/