The John Lacko Collection.

[khyndart in CA]

I had seen photos taken at Santa Barbara Airport during the Sixties by Michigan based, professional photographer, John Lacko, so I contacted him and I asked if he would mind sharing some of his photos on The Roaring Season site. He has kindly agreed and we will present them as I reduce them to the format to fit.
I hope you enjoy them as much as I do and a special big thanks to John.


(Ken H)

[khyndart in CA]

The first selection is of photos John took at the 1966 USGP at Watkins Glen.
Before F1 cars grew wings and things. I think there were eight main teams plus some private entrants and eight different engine manufacturers; BRM, including their complex H-16 version and the V-8, Repco-Brabham, Ferrari, Honda, Ford, Eagle- Weslake, Climax and Maserati, all adjusting to the new 3-liter engine formula in 1966 with Jack Brabham coming out on top for the season in his Repco powered BT 19. But his Repco engine failed during this race.

70041
Oct. 2, 1966. Jim Clark in a Team Lotus 43/BRM 3.0 H16 # 1. Started second and went on to win the 1966 U.S. Grand Prix at Watkins Glen.

70042

Finishing in 5th place over 3 laps behind the winner was Bruce McLaren in his McLaren M2B / Ford 3.0 V8 # 17.
Not exactly the best looking car on the track with that Ford V-8 hanging out the back !

70043


70044

( John Lacko photos )

[khyndart in CA]

Peter Arundel in his Team Lotus 33 Climax V-8 # 2 started 19th and finished 6th.
Along the way he had this incident during the race.
"John Surtees tried to get around Arundell on the pit straight, and again in The Esses, but as he pulled alongside, the cars touched and both slid across the grass, then headed for the pits. Surtees actually pulled in to the Lotus pit to confront Arundell and had to be restrained by Lotus mechanics. Having wasted several minutes there, he rejoined in thirteenth position, two and a half laps behind."

Imagine that happening today where a driver stops and wants to fight in the pits and then carries on in the race !
John Surtees was a determined man as was seen when Jody Scheckter wiped out his team at the 1973 British Grand Prix and John went after Jody and fortunately they did not meet up on that occasion !

70045

(John Lacko photo )




Ken H..

[Roger Dowding]

Good stuff Ken H,
55 years ago, I had just started my working life aged 18 [ late starter - kept failing at school and going back to eat my lunch !! ]
Good Kiwi connections in those days in F1, and that Aussie Jack B wasn't half bad either.

Your reply will be post # 3000 !! Go Ken.

[khyndart in CA]

1966 USGP.
Jochen Rindt in his Cooper-Maserati T 81 # 8. Started 9th and came in second as the car coasted over the finish line out of fuel !

70054
(John Lacko photo )


Lorenzo Bandini in his Ferrari 312-66 3.0 V-12. # 9. Started from 3rd and was leading the race until his V-12 engine blew on lap 34 of the 108 lap race.

70055
( John Lacko photo. )





(Ken H)

[khyndart in CA]

Mike Spence drove a Reg Parnell Team Lotus # 18 at the 1966 USGP, that started life as a Lotus 25 then it was upgraded to Lotus 33 specs as chassis R13.
Parnell had a 2 liter BRM P60 V-8 installed and Spence drove it during 1966 but without any success.
A year later it came out to NZ and was driven in the 1967-68 NZ and Tasman Series by Peter Yock, again without any success.

70061

70062
(John Lacko photos )

The same car at the start of the 1968 NZGP at Pukekohe.
Peter Yock in his Lotus 33 / BRM V8 2.0 # 10

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(Ken H..)

[Allan]

And later in the hands of Peter Hughes with a Daimler V8 and then a Ford twin cam fitted.

[Ray Bell]

Originally posted by Allan
And later in the hands of Peter Hughes with a Daimler V8 and then a Ford twin cam fitted.

Later still acquired by John Dawson-Damer and restored to original condition, with the exception of the gearbox because he couldn't find the right ZF unit. I think (I'm not at home so can't check Marc's book) it went back to Classic Team Lotus, but I'm not sure.

Whoever owns it now, however, has seen it win at Monaco Historic, the only Lotus 25 or 33 ever to win at Monaco as at the time of Marc's book - 2012.

[khyndart in CA]

Another team that did not have much success in 1966, was the Honda Team with their new RA 273 F1 car.
They now had a 3 liter V-12 engine that was loud, heavy and unreliable, but did do better at the higher altitude at Mexico City
The two F1 team drivers were Americans, Richie Ginther and Ronnie Bucknum.
Things improved for the team after John Surtees joined the team in 1967 and arranged to link a Honda engine to a Lola chassis.(RA 301)
After a disastrous 1968 F1 season Honda retired from Formula One competition until they began supplying F1 engines beginning in 1983.

1966 USGP. Watkins Glen. October 2nd 1966
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Ronnie Bucknum in Honda RA 273 # 14

70065
Richie Ginther in his Honda RA 273 # 12

(John Lacko photos..)


(Comment; That Honda exhaust system design department must have been busy back in 1966 !

The Honda engine department must have developed the right stuff, as the first 8 cars in the 2021
Indy car race at Nashville Tn. yesterday, were all powered by Honda engines. )



(Ken H)

[khyndart in CA]

Two more John Lacko photos from the 1966 USGP at Watkins Glen.

Taken at Turn 8 as the cars head back toward the start / finish line.

There was not much / no protection for the "flaggies" or photographers.
Note how some spectators used the poles !

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Jackie Stewart in his Owen Racing Organization BRM P83 H16 3.0 Liter # 4


70072
Dan Gurney in his Eagle Weslake V-12 3.0 liter # 15.
(Many consider this Eagle was one of the best looking F1 cars ever built but it had few results to show after two years in F1.)

That goes to show Roger, that good looks don't always get the best results !



(Ken H..)

[khyndart in CA]

At the start / finish line . 1966.

Jo Siffert turning onto the start area in his Rob Walker Racing Cooper T 81 Maserati 3.0 V-12. # 19

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John's photo from the back, just after the start.

70074
( John Lacko photos..)

Lining up for the start in this Alvis Upitis photo.
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The start of the 1966 USGP.
Jack Brabham on the left Lorenzo Bandini in the centre and Jim Clark on the right.

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OlgviVH77PE



(Ken H..)

[Steve Holmes]

Wow, beautiful Ken! These are just stunning.

[khyndart in CA]

In April 1967 John Lacko had moved West and was a photographer for the US Air Force and space programme based at the Vandenberg Air Force Base (About 30 miles from Los Olivos.) John went to Riverside Raceway to photograph the 1967 USRRC event there.
He has kindly shared some of his fine photos here.
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Here is a listing of entrants in that 1967 event.
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#7 Jerry Entin McLaren Elva Mark II Chevrolet Entin Bros. Racing
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Jerry Entin battling Jerry Grant who drove a Lola T70 MK 2 # 78 as they go through turn # 6 at Riverside.
70392
(John Lacko photos )




(Ken H)

[khyndart in CA]

April 1967.
George Follmer in a Lola T71 # 16 going through Turn 5 at the old Riverside course.

Five years later in 1972 George would be the Can Am champion driving a Roger Penske Team 917/10 TC.

70393

Masten Gregory in a McLaren Elva Mk 3 built by Trojan Works # 26.
Masten was an American driver replaced at the Cooper Car Company by a young Bruce McLaren in 1960.

70394





(Ken H...)

[Steve Holmes]

Superb images Ken. Early Group 7 cars are just so pretty, particularly the Lola T70s.

[khyndart in CA]

A John Lacko photo of a rare sports car at Riverside
An English built Piper powered by a Buick 215 V-8 prepared by Traco and taken out to 4500 cc. (A common race engine in the 1960s)
This car did not have much success even when driven here by Jerry Titus. # 5 ran out of fuel on the last lap.70395
(John Lacko photo.)

An artist rendition from the cover of July 1967 Sports Car Graphic magazine of the # 5 Piper Buick.
70396


Some sites on the Piper sports cars.
https://www.ultimatecarpage.com/car/4134/Piper-GTR.html

https://sites.google.com/site/thepiperclub/History/piper-car-history

http://www.piperracingcars.co.uk/1.html

From the Speedway Museum some Buick engine info.
" The 215 cubic-inch aluminum V8 was originally announced in 1960 as a lightweight economy engine for General Motors new line of compact cars; Buick Skylark, Olds Cutlass and Pontiac Tempest. The “215” first in the appeared in the 1961, with production ending in 1963 after ¾ million engines produced. There were two (2) versions available: Buick’s model and the Olds, which featured different heads, valve train and valve covers. Pontiac used the Olds version.

The reason that production ended so soon was a high rejection rate during the casting process, as GM used a pressure casting of the Reynolds 356 aluminum alloy around steel sleeves. A 2nd method was then tried by heat treating to T-6 condition, but the heat treating caused the steel sleeves to shift and rejection of the blocks continued.

GM cured the casting, but the advent of new thin wall iron casting soon rendered the aluminum motor too expensive and led to the cancellation of the “215” after the 1963 model year.

Rights to these engines were purchased by the British Rover Company and used in the 1967 Rover P5B that replaced the 3L straight six. Throughout the years, the Rover Co., which became part of British Leyland in 1968, continued improvement on the engine making it much stronger and reliable. The Rover V8 engine remained in production use for more than another 39 years. GM tried to buy it back later on, but Rover declined.
​
The 215 was also used in the Italian-American Gran Turismo Apollo in 1962-1963 as well as in the Asardo 3500 GM-S show car."


(Ken H..)

[Roger Dowding]

" The 215 was also used in the Italian-American Gran Turismo Apollo in 1962-1963 ".

Remember reading about the car back in 1963 in the November issue of " Road and Track ", which I still have.
They give the engine size in metric 3524 cc and real measurement for the Americans cu in 215.5.


70397

Have seen a recent photo of them in the USA would be quite collectible. There were a pair of them
[ Didn't note the photographer or the place posted ]

70398

[khyndart in CA]

Lola T70 Mk.1 #SL70/7 # 3 driven by Pierre Phillips.
70408
John Lacko photo.
Pierre was a popular driver who came to NZ and competed at the first Formula A / 5000 meet at Baypark Dec. 1968 in a 1968 Lola T 140.
Later he helped many drivers begin their careers and deal with race car purchasing at Portland, Oregon.
"Phillips Motorsports, Inc. was a year-round professional motorsports organization based in Portland, Oregon. The team's rich history in North American racing includes fielding cars for such notable drivers as Bobby Rahal, Patrick Carpentier, Anthony Lazzaro, Geoff Brabham and Felipe Giaffone, to name just a few."
Pierre passed away at age 87 in 2018

( Ken H )

[Ray Bell]

Both Jerry Entin and Pierre Phillips made me feel most welcome when I visited the US in 2012...

Pierre's career covered a wide range of cars, I recall talking to him about his Lola T140 and he had a Begg FM2, while smaller cars like a Brabham BT21 (run in Formula B) and a Lotus 27 (Formula Junior) were in his past. I'm pretty sure there was a picture of a smaller Surtees on the wall as well.

Jerry became a good friend, he and Carmen insisting that we spend at least one night with them at their Spring Lake, Michigan, home. He also introduced me to that intrepid collector of all things interesting, Bill Wiswedel. For many years Jerry posted some interesting stuff on The Nostalgia Forum as supplied by Willem Oosthoek, who had upset the management somehow and wasn't allowed to post any more.

[khyndart in CA]

Jerry Grant in Lola #78 at Riverside April 1967.
70436

Mark Donohue in his Lola T70 Mk3 SL71/47 # 6 during practice at Riverside.
Rear bodywork changes were made for the race.
(Note how close the Emergency vehicle is to the track and the cool guy blowing bubble gum as Mark flashes by !)
70437

Some details of the Penske Lola T70s in the 1960s at this site.
http://www.lolaheritage.co.uk/2018/scrapbook/035/scrapbook.html

USRRC race winner at Riverside, Mark Donohue, in his Lola Mk 3 # 6
70438

(John Lacko photos..)

Ken H

[khyndart in CA]

John is finding more photos in his files than he first realized. He is enjoying being able to share them with us on TRS and it is always a pleasure to call him up and listen to him describing some of the race tracks, events and drivers he has met. He has a wonderful memory and I feel privileged to be in contact with him. He is a busy man with with his photography business, being involved in many organizations in his home town of Kalamazoo, Michigan, including the local newspaper and doing a lot of work at the nearby Gilmore Car Museum or taking vintage car photos at tracks such as : Indianapolis Speedway, Lime Rock and Road America etc. at most weekends.
John wants to present his photos in chronological order and so far we are stiii on one of John's first meets at Riverside in 1967.

A site of the Gilmore Car Museum.
https://gilmorecarmuseum.org/

From photos of`early Can Am races to present day historic events John has a vast selection to sort through for me to enter here.
It may take a while but we both hope you enjoy John's work from over 50 years.
Two examples before John prepares them for TRS. Again thank you John.


70569
1968 Can Am race at Laguna Seca. Denny Hulme in the rain.

70570
Greg Thornton Lotus. 2017 Historic meet.


(Ken H..)

[khyndart in CA]

John has presented some more photos of the April 1967 Riverside, CA. United States Road Race of Champions. USRRC.

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Bob Bondurant driving through Turn 6 in his McLaren Elva MK 3. # 51

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Another of Bob Bondurant.

(John Lacko photos )

Sadly a few weeks later at Watkins Glen Bob had a terrible accident in this car when a suspension component broke and the car flipped 8 times. Bob's legs were badly broken and this led to his retirement from driving but also led to him starting up the well known
70592




(Ken H )

[khyndart in CA]

October 2021 Newsletter;
From Bob Bondurant;
BOB BONDURANT LATEST NEWS

Hello Fabulous Fifties Buddies,

Wow, it's been a wild year, and I can't thank my friends enough for reaching out and always checking up on me and Pat. Aside from the mandated vaccination in the assisted living home and my near death reaction to it, I have pulled out of it surprisingly sharper than I was before the seizure, stroke, and coma! I don't have an explanation for it, but I guess it's like another day on the race track, you just race for the win. I beat all odds and I'm here to tell about it!

(Photo: 2013 at Legends of Riverside event by Steve Johnson)

Another thing that keeps me going daily is the news my wife Pat shares with me on everything from fan mail to negotiations on the new Bondurant Racing School and potential partners. This exciting news allows me to draw up the original training facility that I wanted in the past but there was not enough land in Chandler, AZ to build it the proper way.

The idea of a new Bondurant School just gets me up every day looking forward to continuing to be able to save lives! Other exciting news is there was a fantastic article written on us in FORBES magazine in the July issue, so we must have been doing something right all these years to make FORBES...right?!

I don't know if any of you are following NASCAR, but two of my young Bondurant graduates that I instructed a few years ago, Chase Elliot and Kyle Larson, remain on the podium weekend after weekend, and I'm so proud that I personally instructed these two champions!

On another celebrity kind of note, one of my best experiences in training Hollywood actors from James Garner, Paul Newman, Tom Cruise, and Nicholas Cage for racing movies, I have to say Christian Bale has to be one of my favorite celebrities that I have trained! As you may not know, I trained Christian personally for the movie FORD V. FERRARI and gave him many hours of one-on-one stories of me and Ken Miles who I spent hundreds of hours with over several years as the only two test drivers for Carroll Shelby on the Cobras, GT350Rs, and the GT40. Christian was completely engaged in hearing the stories from the 50s and 60s racing days, which we both felt helped him understand the era of the movie he was making. The wonderful thing is that he checks in pretty frequently with us to see how I am doing, and that makes my heart grow really big.

I am happy to share that I am doing very well. I am in a beautiful assisted living home in Paradise Valley with a wonderful staff and I get to see Pat 3-4 times a week and she always has goodies, whether it's fudge or fan mail!

I hope this finds everyone as well and happy as I feel today and that you have as many fantastic memories of the Fabulous Fifties as I do!

All the best,

Bob Bondurant.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Bob's loss of the driving School is very sad and reminds me of the Bob Jane saga.

An article describing what has been taking place in Arzona.

https://www.eastvalleytribune.com/money/famed-ev-driving-school-takes-new-name/article_dea2ea1e-90ac-11eb-aecd-0fef67090964.html




(Ken H.)

[khyndart in CA]

Peter Revson in the other Dana Chhevrolet sponsored Mclaren Mk 3 # 52 going through corner 5 at the Riverside International Raceway.

70594
(John Lacko photo..)



Ken H

[khyndart in CA]

April 30th 1967.
Turn 6 at Riverside.
Mike Goth in his Lola T70 Mark 3 # 4 entering and exiting the turn.

70612

70613
(John Lacko photos.

Mike Goth was one of the first Formula A / 5000 foreign drivers to come out to NZ.
I found this rather interesting New York Times article regarding expenses in 1969 / 1970.

Jan. 1970 $ 16000.00 NZD = $ 17,920 USD
Oct. 2021` $ 16000.00 NZD = $ 11,417 USD !

https://www.nytimes.com/1970/01/04/archives/tasman-series-adopts-formula-a-racing-cars-under-new-format.html

Bay Park. Dec 1969
American driver, Mike Goth's Surtees TS 5 # 96
70614
( Ken H photo..)



(Ken H..)

[khyndart in CA]

Fred Baker had his team at Riverside from Florida.
70634
Fred Baker in his Porsche 906E # 22 followed by Mexican driver Moises Solano in his Lola T70 # 99

The other Baker Racing Team car was driven by Charlie Kolb.
It was Lola T70 # 12

70635
(John Lacko photos..



(Ken H.)

[Roger Dowding]

Ken H,

Reading the comment John Lacko started his racing photo's in 1967.
Question ?? In your vast collection of " Stuff " of others like Jerry Melton etc, - Would you have any photos or copies Programmes, etc for the 1955 Sebring 12 Hour Race - known also as the " Florida Grand Prix ".

I am putting together some information in connection with the Nash Healey's and mainly Austin Healey's [ 100S, many 100M several and 100's that raced in the event.

There were 7 100S entered 6 of which were all shipped from Donald Healey Motor Company in February 1955 in time for Sebring in March 1955 - the 7th car was a works car that was actually originally a modified 100 from 1953/54 that became an " S " ..

The 6 100S being readied for the shipment AHS3501 - 3506
70641

[Steve Holmes]

This is such a cool thread Ken, and I'm loving the amazing images and info for each. Keep 'em coming!

Its interesting to see how many Chevrolet dealers during the 1960s ran multiple cars in a variety of competitions. Dana Chevrolet, as well as the McLaren, was also campaigning a Camaro in 1967, prepared and driven by the great Dick Guldstrand. The ca still exists and races with the Historic Trans-Am group and is one of my all-time favorite racing cars: http://www.historictransam.com/Drivers/BruceCanepa67Camaro56.html


John has presented some more photos of the April 1967 Riverside, CA. United States Road Race of Champions. USRRC.

70590
Bob Bondurant driving through Turn 6 in his McLaren Elva MK 3. # 51

70591
Another of Bob Bondurant.

(John Lacko photos )

Sadly a few weeks later at Watkins Glen Bob had a terrible accident in this car when a suspension component broke and the car flipped 8 times. Bob's legs were badly broken and this led to his retirement from driving but also led to him starting up the well known
70592




(Ken H )

[khyndart in CA]

Roger,
Try this site, I think it will have most of what you are asking for.
Check the Gallery and Technical Data and programme etc.
70643

https://www.racingsportscars.com/race/Sebring-1955-03-13.html

https://www.racingsportscars.com/covers/_Sebring-1955-03-13e.jpg

( Note Stirling's co driver in A/H # 44 was Lance Macklin who was involved a few months later at the 1955 LeMans disaster.)
70642

Good luck with your project Mr Dowding,
Cheers,
Ken H.

[Milan Fistonic]

Roger,
Try this site, I think it will have most of what you are asking for.
Check the Gallery and Technical Data and programme etc.
70643

https://www.racingsportscars.com/race/Sebring-1955-03-13.html

https://www.racingsportscars.com/covers/_Sebring-1955-03-13e.jpg

( Note Stirling's co driver in A/H # 44 was Lance Macklin who sadly lost his life a few months later at the 1955 LeMans disaster.)
70642

Good luck with your project Mr Dowding,
Cheers,
Ken H.

Lance Macklin wasn't killed in the Le Mans crash. He died aged 82 in August 2002. I believe he lived in New Zealand for a time after he retired from racing.

[khyndart in CA]

Yes Milan, you are correct.
The Macklin car was involved in the LeMans crash but Lance managed to walk away from the wreckage.
His car at LeMans was chassis SPL 226B
The car # 44 at Sebring was chassis SPL 258BN


(From the A/H 100S Registry.)

SPL 226B 1B136878 7, 25 green green 100/100M/100S Donald Healey Motor Co. England Healey Motors NOJ393 Scott, Jack U.K.


SPL 258BN SPL258BN 23, wht/blue, spgrn rebuilt spruce green Donald Healey Motor Co. England Healey Motors OON441 OON441 Moore, Frank Brisbane Qld. Aust.



(Ken H)

[Roger Dowding]

Yes Milon, you are correct.
The Macklin car was involved in the LeMans crash but Lance managed to walk away from the wreckage.
His car at LeMans was chassis SPL 226B
The car # 44 at Sebring was chassis SPL 258BN


(From the A/H 100S Registry.)

SPL 226B 1B136878 7, 25 green green 100/100M/100S Donald Healey Motor Co. England Healey Motors NOJ393 Scott, Jack U.K.


SPL 258BN SPL258BN 23, wht/blue, spgrn rebuilt spruce green Donald Healey Motor Co. England Healey Motors OON441 OON441 Moore, Frank Brisbane Qld. Aust.



(Ken H)

Ken H,

Quite convoluted history to some of the Donald Healey Motor Company - 100S and " Special Test Cars " NOJ391 NOJ392 and NOJ393 " OON439/440/441 were all 100S but some were built as ordinary 100 models and rebodied. and as noted repainted from white over blue to green. In the Six that went to Sebring together from the DHMC factory only one was green - Jackie Coopers, AHS3504
Thanks,
I must checkout the Registry.

Have seen the website you mention and got a few photos, but not many of the 100 / 100M / 100S that raced.
Interesting the control the Officials had in the Main Race as some cars started and were " Flagged Off " as they had not qualified.
How did that happen ??

More work to do and thanks again Ken H.. will keep looking.
Some of the Healeys and others in a garage at the Sebring 1955 Race.
Car closest is not an S - drum brakes !!

70654

The Macklin Healey at Le Mans 1955 - the start

70655

with a Porsche

70656

The Macklin Healey at Le Mans 1955 after the crash
Cunningham #22 passing - the rather unusual car that ran an Offenhauser Engine.

70657
photo says Allan Dick archives but is on several websites

[ have 1;43 scale models of both the 100S #26 and the Cunningham #22

More to come on the Austin Healey thread, and Ken H- will "borrow "some of your information
Cheers
Roger

As an aside Joe Armour from Australia has been writing a very detailed record of the 100S cars for many years - still not finished but will be the " Bible " of the cars when completed.

Taking this information [ Post #32 ] and images to the Austin Healey thread too !

[khyndart in CA]

Riversde. April 1967.
Two well known drivers from the early days of Can Am events.

Sam Posey in a McLaren M1B # 2.

70658


Lothar Motschenbacher, competed in almost all Can Am races from 1966 t0 1974.

in his McLaren Elva Mark 2 # 11

70659
( John Lacko photos.)

[khyndart in CA]

The USRRC racing group thought they were competetive but they were not prepared for the Papaya Orange painted pair of cars from Colnbrook !
When the 1967 Can Am Series began in September 1967 at Road America there was no better prepared team than Bruce and Denny in their sparkling McLaren M6As. As Bruce's F1 effort had been delayed by the unavailability of the BRM V-12 engine, he had more time to develop the Can Am car. They did this so well that the series became known as the "Bruce and Denny Show"over the next two years.
At this first event McLaren's qualifying lap was a full 10 seconds than the previous best !
The new Can Am level had risen so much that Mark Donohue was quoted in "Road &Track " The USRRC series was fine, but it was like playing tennis with your wife !"

(Ken H )

[khyndart in CA]

A good description of McLaren M6A and what the 1967 Road America Can Am meant as a new era in racing began.

https://www.conceptcarz.com/vehicle/z11256/mclaren-m6a.aspx

The 1967 Road America Can Am event on You Tube.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Wf2oUfbw4M


(Ken H)






(Ken H)

[Steve Holmes]

Brilliant photos Ken. Lothar was one of the great Can-Am privateers, and raced several McLarens throughout. He managed to get his hands on a couple of the factory team cars after McLaren was done with them, including a 1969 M8B, which he raced and crashed a couple of times in 1970.

The Sam Posey McLaren was prepared by Ray Caldwell of Autodynamics. Caldwell and Posey were a partnership for several years in the Can-Am, and including the construction of the Caldwell D7, which I think was funded by Posey. He came from money, and could always afford top equipment.

Posey and Caldwell approached Chrysler Corporation about running a factory supported car in the 1970 SCCA Trans-Am series. Dan Gurney's AAR got the gig to run a pair of Plymouth Cudas for himself and Swede Savage, while Caldwell and Posey ran a Dodge Challenger for Posey. They had a pretty rough season, and never won a race, which Chrysler wasn't too impressed about. The relationship between Posey and Caldwell soured as a result, and I believe they split at the end of the year.


Riversde. April 1967.
Two well known drivers from the early days of Can Am events.

Sam Posey in a McLaren M1B # 2.

70658


Lothar Motschenbacher, competed in almost all Can Am races from 1966 t0 1974.

in his McLaren Elva Mark 2 # 11

70659
( John Lacko photos.)

[khyndart in CA]

[QUOTE=Steve Holmes;75379

Posey and Caldwell approached Chrysler Corporation about running a factory supported car in the 1970 SCCA Trans-Am series. Dan Gurney's AAR got the gig to run a pair of Plymouth Cudas for himself and Swede Savage, while Caldwell and Posey ran a Dodge Challenger for Posey. They had a pretty rough season, and never won a race, which Chrysler wasn't too impressed about. The relationship between Posey and Caldwell soured as a result, and I believe they split at the end of the year.[/QUOTE]

Steve, I found this article in a 1970 magazine regarding # 77 ( you may have to enlarge it to read it.)

70764

70773

70765

70766


70767
Taken in 1970

70768
Taken in May 2021. ( Ken H photo.)
(It may not have had much success racing but it was / is a magnificent looking machine, now prepared and driven by Richard Goldsmith


(Ken H. )

[Ray Bell]

An interesting sidelight to these Barracudas...

They used a unique version of the A833 4-speed gearbox, this one had an all-alloy case which was coated with something (iron filings?) which made them attract a magnet. I think it was one of these cars, or perhaps an earlier model, which was offered to Pete Geoghegan to replace his Mustang.

[khyndart in CA]

If things go as planned I am going to Laguna Seca on Friday and Richard Goldsmith has invited me to keep the wheels clean on his # 77 1970 Dodge Challenger and the drinks and snacks replenished at this Velocity Invitational Event.

https://velocityinvitational.com/

https://velocityinvitational.com/?page_id=394

70774

A chance for more photos. Is that ok ?

( Ken H )

[Paul B]

Hi Ken,
Some great pics there! Love the old Healey and Can Am shots.
Hope you are all well.

Cheers

[Oldfart]

Ken if you get a chance call through at the Cyclekarts, find Doug Varey and tell him you have come to drink my whiskey :)

[khyndart in CA]

Rhys,
Sorry to say I just went yesterday for the 1 day and did not see your message until this morning.

This is all I have of the CycleKarts, they are neat little units based on the styling of 1920s & 30s race cars.

70798

70799
Ken H photos..

A 2021 Velocity Invitational thread will be starting in the next few days as some of the camera results leave a bit to be desired.

[khyndart in CA]

I got a pleasant surprise yesterday when John Lacko sent me some photos he took of the May, 1967 USRRC sports car event at Laguna Seca. He mentioned he has been following the Roaring Season and likes the site and only wants his photos presented here.
I will do my best to do that, but it may take a while.
May 5th, 1967
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The Laguna Seca course in 1967. From the start it was all left turns up to Turn 6 (The Corkscrew Turn. ) at the last corner, Turn 9, the cars pulled off to the right to enter their pits on the outside of the track.
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Some unique spectator instructions as it was built within the area of Fort Ord army base and one was advised NOT to wander too far away from the assigned areas for bathroom reasons!
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A list of entrants for the 1967 event.
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One of them was Frank Matich in his SR3 # 76 powered at that time by a small 4.2 litre aluminum Oldsmobile V-8 prepared by Webster Racing Ent. (AUS).
Here slowing down toward Turn 9 to enter the pits on the outside of the track. (Note the band-aid on the fender!)
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(John Lacko photo.)


(Ken H)

[Ray Bell]

Looking forward to more, Ken...

[khyndart in CA]

Mark Donohue in his Lola T70 Mk 2 #6 with the Roger Penske Team.
Approaching Turn 9.
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07May1967 Mark Donohue dives into turn 9 in his Penske Sunoco Special Lola T 70/Chevrolet during the United States Road Racing Championship race at Laguna Seca. (John Lacko photo.)

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07May1967 Mark Donohue enters the pits at turn 9 in the Penske Sunoco Special Lola T70/Chevrolet during the United States Road Racing Championship race at Laguna Seca. Donohue finished third. (John Lacko photo.)

Fastest qualifier for this May 1967 event was George Follmer in a Lola T70 at 1.06.2 sec.
Fastest qualifier at the Sept. 1967 Can Am event was Bruce McLaren at 1.02.69 sec. Almost 4 seconds a lap quicker!
The "Bruce and Denny' show had indeed arrived!



(Ken H)

[khyndart in CA]

The winner of the May 1967 event.
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07May1967 Lothar Motschenbacher goes for the apex of turn 9 in his McLaren Elva Mk II/Chevrolet during the United States Road Racing Championship at Laguna Seca. Motschenbacher turned 84 laps to win the race.

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Lothar Motschenbacher, winner of the United States Road Racing Championship race at Laguna Seca goes for a victory lap with an unidentified passenger. (The spoils of victory!)
(John Lacko photos.)


(Ken H)

[khyndart in CA]

Popular driver, Jerry Titus in the rare Piper - Buick # 5
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07May1967 Jerry Titus walks to the start of the Laguna Seca USRRC race beside his Piper Buick being pushed by crew members. Titus went out of the race on the tenth lap.

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Jerry Titus goes for the apex of turn nine in his Wynn's Piper/Buick during the Laguna Seca United States Road Racing Championship race,

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Jay Hills McLaren-Elva Mk 2 # 81, slides through turn 9 during the United States Road Racing Championship race at Laguna Seca.


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Chuck Parsons gets pushed to the starting line in his McLaren Mk II/Traco Chevrolet # 10, for the Laguna Seca United States Road Racing Championship race. Parsons finished 11th.
(John Lacko photos )


(Ken H)

[khyndart in CA]

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In May 1967 rear wings were in their infancy.
George Follmer in his Lola T-71 #16 leads two cars through turn 9 during the United States Road Racing Championship race at Laguna Seca with #91 Skip Scott in his McLaren Mk I/Ford right behind.

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The name Laguna Seca is Spanish for dry lagoon: the area where the track now lies was once a lake, and the course was built around the dry lakebed. In the background you could see evidence of the lake after it rained in 1967. It is all built up now.

John Cannon in his McLaren-Elva # 62 approaching Turn 9.

A year later John famously won the 1968 Can Am race in this car when he chose the perfect Firestone tires in the pouring rain and beat all the "Big Boys"
(John Lacko photos.)


(Ken H)

[Allan]

Did John Cannon race in NZ in the early 1970s?

[Ray Bell]

Yes he did...

He contested the Tasman Cup series a couple of times, firstly in a McLaren M10 and later in a March.

[khyndart in CA]

Jerry Entin gets his door blown off!
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Jerry Entin in his McLaren Mk II/Chevrolet #1 and Sam Posey driving his McLaren/Chevrolet #2 tangle in turn 9 during the United States Road Racing Championship race at Laguna Seca.

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Bud Morley with his McLaren Mk II/Chevrolet #12 and Bob Bondurant driving his McLaren Mk II/Chevrolet #51 are the last two cars of a group going through turn nine.

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(John Lacko photos)
Pierre Phillips with his LolaT70/Chevrolet #3 follows Jerry Titus in his Piper/Buick through turn 9 during the United States Road Racing Championship race at Laguna Seca. Phillips finished tenth and Titus went out on the tenth lap.

(Pierre also drove a Lola T140 in the Formula A race at Bay Park in December 1968)


(Ken H)

[Ray Bell]

I met both Jerry and Pierre on my 2012 trip to the US...

Both were generous with their time, Jerry incredibly so. He wanted us to stay a week at his home in Spring Lake, Michigan, and he and Carmen welcomed me again on each of my succeeding trips. Unfortunately he won't be able to do that any more.

My first visit with Jerry is well-covered on post 20 of this thread:

https://dodgeforum.com/forum/members-rides/426498-ride-along-with-me.html

An absolute bundle of energy, it's hard to believe he's left us.

[khyndart in CA]

The last photos of this 1967 event.

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Fred Baker gets a little out of shape in turn 9 during the USRRC race at Laguna Seca driving his Porsche Carrera 6. # 22

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Fred Baker heads into turn 9 with his Porsche Carrera 6 #22 on the outside of Mike Goth's Lola T70 Mk III during the United States Road Racing Championship .race at Laguna Seca Raceway.

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(John Lacko photos. Thanks John for sharing these photos.)
Stan Burnett in his Burnett Mk II/Chevrolet #64 is on the outside of a Mclaren. # 74. As they exit Turn 9 and head along the front straight which looks much the same today as it did back then.


( Ken H. )