I was at Barbagallo Raceway today and saw John Glasson racing his latest sports sedan. John started racing in the late 1950s, and as far as anyone can work out he has never missed a full season since. He was out for about 3 meetings this year while he had his knees replaced. He's now 75 and still racing flat out (not in historics).
It's probably not a record, but it's impressive. He's getting very close to his 50th anniversary on the track! Are there very many who can top it?
Long non-stop racing careers
Started by
Terry Walker
, Aug 28 2005 15:28
23 replies to this topic
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#2
WHITE
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Posted 28 August 2005 - 15:55
Originally posted by Terry Walker
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It's probably not a record, but it's impressive. He's getting very close to his 50th anniversary on the track! Are there very many who can top it?
Really impressive !
I know George Follmer has an impressive career too: George started racing in 1960, winning his first championship in 1965, the USRRC - Road and Racing Championship.
In 1972, he won both the Can-Am and Trans-Am Championships and in 1976, again the Trans-Am. He also raced in Nascar, Formula 1, World Endurance, etc.
He is now 71, but I think he was still racing up to not long ago.
#3
Fiorentina 1
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Posted 29 August 2005 - 02:07
I think Hershall McGrith in Nascar must rank up there as well, so those Morgan Shepard.
In road racing, Hans Stuck jr, Klaus Ludwig, Jan Lammers, Jean Pierre Jarier and Elliott Forber-Robertson must rank up there as well.
In road racing, Hans Stuck jr, Klaus Ludwig, Jan Lammers, Jean Pierre Jarier and Elliott Forber-Robertson must rank up there as well.
#4
Mac Lark
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Posted 29 August 2005 - 02:25
Former F5000 driver in NZ has just stopped after 50 years of holding a licence while Kenny Smith vows to compete in the 2005/06 Toyota Series for the Amon Trophy because he's determined to also crack 50 - i think he's got 2 or at the outside 3 to go.
#5
Ray Bell
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Posted 29 August 2005 - 03:21
Is Murray Carter still going?
He started about 1955, was still racing four years ago, I don't keep a close enough check to know if he's still at it.
Then again, I think he had a break for a few years in the sixties.
He started about 1955, was still racing four years ago, I don't keep a close enough check to know if he's still at it.
Then again, I think he had a break for a few years in the sixties.
#6
David Hyland
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#7
RTH
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Posted 29 August 2005 - 07:55
Frank Tiedeman was racing his 1930 Austin 7 Ulster at Lydden Hill 2 weeks ago, he had his first race in 1950 at Silverstone (in the same car ) He is 85
#8
Terry Walker
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Posted 29 August 2005 - 08:19
Thanks, David, for the earlier thread on the same theme.
I'm fairly sure of Glasson's 1958 debut in a Standard Vanguard Spacemaster (!) which gave way to an Austin Lancer, thence to his first "special", through numerous home-built cars, eg 5 litre Escort Mark 1, etc, to his current Toyota Supra with a turbo V8 of 3528 cc (Rover...). And everyone seems to agree: never missed a season.
So, unbroken run...still looks good.
I'm fairly sure of Glasson's 1958 debut in a Standard Vanguard Spacemaster (!) which gave way to an Austin Lancer, thence to his first "special", through numerous home-built cars, eg 5 litre Escort Mark 1, etc, to his current Toyota Supra with a turbo V8 of 3528 cc (Rover...). And everyone seems to agree: never missed a season.
So, unbroken run...still looks good.
#9
Richard Line
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Posted 30 August 2005 - 08:12
Theres a chap racing a Lea francis with the VSCC in the UK who raced these cars in the 1930s. Cant remember his name sorry,
#10
David McKinney
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Posted 30 August 2005 - 08:43
Tom Delaney
But he doesn't really count, as he had a short break of about 60 years between
BTW, can any NZ TNFer tell me if Lester Reader and Morrie Hogan are still racing? Both started out around 1956 and were certainly still at it just a few years ago.
Or, come to think of it, did I hear Lester's not well these days?
But he doesn't really count, as he had a short break of about 60 years between
BTW, can any NZ TNFer tell me if Lester Reader and Morrie Hogan are still racing? Both started out around 1956 and were certainly still at it just a few years ago.
Or, come to think of it, did I hear Lester's not well these days?
#11
WHITE
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Posted 30 August 2005 - 09:26
May I mention Clay Regazzoni too ?
Clay started racing at the beginnig of the 60s. In 1980, he had a hard crash at long beach that confined him to a wheelchair however, continued competing ( Paris-Dakar, etc. ) until not long ago.
Clay's career may not be the longest but quite long anyway and, for sure, very remarkable given his limitations.
Clay started racing at the beginnig of the 60s. In 1980, he had a hard crash at long beach that confined him to a wheelchair however, continued competing ( Paris-Dakar, etc. ) until not long ago.
Clay's career may not be the longest but quite long anyway and, for sure, very remarkable given his limitations.
#12
ensign14
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Posted 30 August 2005 - 11:32
Well, no-one else has, so I will mention him: Herschel McGriff. Raced from 1946 to about 2002.
#13
Jim Thurman
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Posted 30 August 2005 - 21:01
Yes, but Hershel McGriff took a break of years where he didn't step into a race car. This is when he first came back from the Southern U.S. and the NASCAR circuit. It might have been as much as 8 years or he might have dabbled after 3 or 4. He didn't get very serious about his "comeback" until 1968 or 1969. That's when he really stepped up his schedule.
I am sure there are several short track competitors around the U.S. that I'm not even aware of who have raced continuously for many, many years.
One I am aware of, and mentioned in the other thread - Larry Damitz. I'm glad this thread came up as I can update that Damitz won a Late Model feature race in June and he's been racing since 1950!!!.
Well into his 70's and winning Late Model races on dirt.
I am sure there are several short track competitors around the U.S. that I'm not even aware of who have raced continuously for many, many years.
One I am aware of, and mentioned in the other thread - Larry Damitz. I'm glad this thread came up as I can update that Damitz won a Late Model feature race in June and he's been racing since 1950!!!.
Well into his 70's and winning Late Model races on dirt.
#14
Ray Bell
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Posted 30 August 2005 - 21:43
I'd have to ask Barrie Watt... but he has raced midgets for a long time...
He was very pleased to take out a feature this year too.
He was very pleased to take out a feature this year too.
#15
Terry Walker
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Posted 31 August 2005 - 15:47
Looks like Damitz trumps Glasson... 
#16
Warren Matthews
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Posted 02 September 2005 - 08:41
Originally posted by Terry Walker
Thanks, David, for the earlier thread on the same theme.
I'm fairly sure of Glasson's 1958 debut in a Standard Vanguard Spacemaster (!) which gave way to an Austin Lancer, thence to his first "special", through numerous home-built cars, eg 5 litre Escort Mark 1, etc, to his current Toyota Supra with a turbo V8 of 3528 cc (Rover...). And everyone seems to agree: never missed a season.
So, unbroken run...still looks good.
John's Spacemaster was actually a converted ute and was quickly nicknamed the Spaceship.
John also raced a Datsun Bluebird for Duncan Motors in the 1962 (?) Six hour at Caversham. Arnold Glass came over and I won job as his host-driving him all over Perth.
We went to Duncan's where Datsun was being prepared for Six Hour and I saw them welding inside of rims which I knew was a problem as they had thrown wheels at meeting in Victoria (I think). I was racing Simca so we were to be in same class.
To cut long story short they still lost wheels as weld was taken around rim to where weld started but did not overlap. I think they broke two or three times. Left hand front and once was going off long straight at Caversham. John as usual took it in his stride.l
#17
2Bob
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Posted 06 November 2005 - 01:01
Not a candidate for longest 'career' but my good friend Jim Doig started racing in August 1968 at Mallala in South Australia and will be racing there next weekend (37 years) and has missed only 2 meetings in that time. The 'longest' bit comes from the fact that he has been driving the same car since 1972 (or was it 73?). Car is the Motorlab ASP - a locally made ASP clubman style sportscar which was called the Motorlab Asp to provide his sponsor with 'free' sponsorship. Incidently still has the same sponsor - another record? When (if??) if he ever comes to sell it it will be a one owner only driven on Saturdays and Sundays on the bitumen (well mostly) deal! Currently still races in open sports cars as well as historic group R but is planning to go back to drum rear brakes so that it qualifies for group Q.
#18
Andretti Fan
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Posted 06 November 2005 - 12:26
If you strickly look at major international open wheel or sportscar series, then you have to give the nod to Elliot forbes Robinson. Not sure exactly what year he started, but i'm assuming it would have been the late sixties or 1970 at the latest. So thats at least 35 consecutive seasons at the top level of motorsport
#19
David M. Kane
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Posted 06 November 2005 - 15:50
George Follmer retired 2 years ago at the BRIC at Road America. They gave him a big send off.
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#20
Sharman
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Posted 08 May 2006 - 16:33
I'm very suprised nobody has mentioned Barrie Williams, every thing from a Minor 1000 via open wheel to tin top of all shapes and sizes, a 7 litre E Type and now pleasing the crowd in Historics. At least 47 years by my personal knowledge
#21
theunions
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Posted 08 May 2006 - 16:44
Didn't Len Duncan compete for some seven decades?
#22
Alan Cox
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Posted 08 May 2006 - 18:52
What about Dickie Attwood? Raced FJ and is still racing "F1".......
#23
giacomo
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Posted 08 May 2006 - 19:33
Austrian Dieter Quester started boat racing in 1956, motor cycle racing in 1963 and car racing in 1965.
#24
ggnagy
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Posted 08 May 2006 - 19:59
Randy Canfield started racing in 1961 and again this year is campaigning his Mk I AH Sprite. 5 SCCA Championships across 4 decades. He was also one for one at Sebring, with a class win in 1968.
I think he's on his 2nd or third bugeye chassis though, and I am pretty sure the numbers don't match.
I think he's on his 2nd or third bugeye chassis though, and I am pretty sure the numbers don't match.
