37 replies to this topic

[David M. Kane]

On July 13, 1967, I believe, Bob Bondurant had a massive accident on the main straight entering turn 4 at 150 mph, I believe, when a steering arm broke. Did anyone witness this accident? It was USRRC event, I believe. Jerry Entin were you an entrant/driver in this race or did any of your compatriots give a post race report?

I am currently in Indy on business and Robin Miller sends all of you his best.

I will also see if the IMRRC has an accident report when I return home this Sunday.

Thanks.

[JB Miltonian]

The date was June 25, 1967, for the USRRC event at Watkins Glen. The starting grid shown in Competition Press does not list Jerry Entin.

[Tim Murray]

Results here:

http://wsrp.ic.cz/usrrc1967.html#5

[oldtransamdriver]

I was there that weekend as a spectator and was watching the race maybe near the middle of the straight. My recollection is of a violent crash as the car came out of the uphill esses just starting down the front straight with the car flipping around several times. It looked very bad. I couldn't tell from my distance who the driver was, and I feared the worst.

Robert Barg

[David M. Kane]

I was there that weekend as a spectator and was watching the race maybe near the middle of the straight. My recollection is of a violent crash as the car came out of the uphill esses just starting down the front straight with the car flipping around several times. It looked very bad. I couldn't tell from my distance who the driver was, and I feared the worst.

Robert Barg

Thanks Robert! I'll get details from the IMRRC.

[WGD706]

However, in 1967, Bob suffered a horrific accident at Watkins Glen, New York, when a steering arm in his McLaren Can-Am snapped at 150mph. Bob shattered both legs and suffered serious internal injuries. Whilst in hospital, resigned to the fact he would probably never race again, Bob came up with the idea of running his own driving school.

http://www.datsun.or...y/Bondurant.htm

[Jerry Entin]

Bob Bondurant in his Dana McLaren right after the dust settled

David: I wasn't at Watkins Glen for this event. I of course have heard the details and Bob is very lucky to have got out of this terrible incident.

The above photo was lent this site by Phil Henny. who has written a great book on Bob Bondurant called,
Bob Bondurant: America's Uncrowned World Driving Champion.

photo: Phil Henny collection

Edited by Jerry Entin, 28 January 2012 - 11:41.

[David M. Kane]

However, in 1967, Bob suffered a horrific accident at Watkins Glen, New York, when a steering arm in his McLaren Can-Am snapped at 150mph. Bob shattered both legs and suffered serious internal injuries. Whilst in hospital, resigned to the fact he would probably never race again, Bob came up with the idea of running his own driving school.

http://www.datsun.or...y/Bondurant.htm

Thanks WGD706! Good stuff!

[David M. Kane]

Bob Bondurant in his Dana McLaren right after the dust settled

David: I wasn't at Watkins Glen for this event. I of course have heard the details and Bob is very lucky to have got out of this terrible incident.

The above photo was lent this site by Phil Henny. who has written a great book on Bob Bondurant called,
Bob Bondurant: America's Uncrowned World Driving Champion.

photo: Phill Henny collection

Whoa! Jerry it looks like he even knock out some teeth on top of a broken arm, broken leg and two broken ankles! OUCH!!!

Those corner workers look very concerned, stressed and seriously accessing the situation! I recognized that part of the track. It is on the inside of the main straight!

Thank you for your emails too. I just got back to the hotel in Indy.

How do I get a hold of Phill Henry?

Edited by David M. Kane, 28 January 2012 - 01:25.

[scags]

Bob Bondurant: America's Uncrowned World Driving Champion I'm sorry, but what world championship did he win?

Edited by scags, 28 January 2012 - 02:04.

[JB Miltonian]

From Car & Driver, August 1985, article "Risky Business":

"At the 1967 Watkins Glen USRRC, Bondurant's McLaren Mark 2-Chevrolet broke a steering arm at 150 mph. The Can-Am car hit a dirt embankment at high speed, peeling back the cockpit's aluminum floor and exposing Bondurant's feet. The car somersaulted, then cartwheeled eight times. Bondurant's right heel was shattered, both ankles and several ribs were broken, a vertebra was chipped and his forehead was gouged."

From Sports Car Graphic, September 1967:

"The race had its hairy moments, and the most frightening was Bob Bondurant's 150-mph, end-over-end flip. "I don't know what happened", Bob said from his hospital bed the next day. "All I know is that the thing suddenly went over and I blacked out." He was suffering with two broken legs, a broken shoulder, fractured ribs, concussion, and numerous cuts and bruises. A miracle saved Bondurant. A heavy rain fell earlier in the morning - a few sprinkles fell during the race, too - and softened the dirt shoulders around the course. When the remains of his Sunray DX-sponsored McLaren touched down the final time, it was in the mud, which cushioned the shock. Only one wheel off the wreckage was re-usable."

[raceannouncer2003]

How do I get a hold of Phill Henry?

His name is actually Phil Henny. See this thread:

http://forums.autosp...w...4&hl=Henney

Vince H.

[ReWind]

According to Radaris:
3110 107th, Portland, OR 97225 (503) 291-7101
11030 Valley Vista, Hillsboro, OR 97124 (503) 690-9094
Watch out: Next Tuesday, January 31st, will be his (69th) birthday. He may talk with a Swiss accent...

[Jerry Entin]

David: Phil Henny can be reached at: phihen@netzero.com

He would gladly autograph either his book on Bob Bondurant or his great book on Carroll Shelby for any Forum member that would like to purchase one from him.

Vince: I had a typo on Phil, I have corrected it above, as usual you are always right.

Scags: In 1965, Bondurant and his co-drivers won seven of 10 races in the World Manufacturers Championship series behind the wheel of a Carroll Shelby Cobra Daytona Coupe. That feat earned Ford the GT class title, the first international championship ever for an American automaker.

Had drivers as well as cars earned points, Bondurant would have been the individual world champion.

Edited by Jerry Entin, 28 January 2012 - 21:07.

[B Squared]

The remains of Bondurant's car being returned to the garages.

photo: IMRRC

[David M. Kane]

Bob Bondurant: America's Uncrowned World Driving Champion I'm sorry, but what world championship did he win?

He won the World's Manufacturer's Championship in a Ford-Cobra. I believe in 1965 or thereabouts driving for Carroll Shelby.

[RA Historian]

He won the World's Manufacturer's Championship in a Ford-Cobra. I believe in 1965 or thereabouts driving for Carroll Shelby.

To be more precise, Cobra, not Bondurant, won the Manufacturers' Championship, or whatever it was called back then. Bondurant was one of the several drivers who won points for Cobra. There was no recognition of the driver at that time.

I know, being a pedant...

[B Squared]

Scags: In 1965, Bondurant and his co-drivers won seven of 10 races in the World Manufacturers Championship series behind the wheel of a Carroll Shelby Cobra Daytona Coupe. That feat earned Ford the GT class title, the first international championship ever for an American automaker.

Had drivers as well as cars earned points, Bondurant would have been the individual world champion.

Jerry also covered it nicely a few posts back.

[scags]

Thanks- I knew Shelby won the Manufacturer's title, and Bob B drove for them, but I didn't put the two together.

[Lee Nicolle]

The remains of Bondurant's car being returned to the garages.

photo: IMRRC

Hoo boy, the car looked far better in the other pic. I was going to comment then that he was a very lucky man but that pic he was very very lucky.

[David M. Kane]

Phil Henny says Bob was very lucky that day! We are going to talk tomorrow evening.

Why was the Lola t-160 delivery so delayed? I gather deliveries didn't start until the late summer or early fall?

Edited by David M. Kane, 29 January 2012 - 23:42.

[RA Historian]

Why was the Lola t-160 delivery so delayed? I gather deliveries didn't start until the late summer or early fall?

I may well be confused about the inclusion of the mention of a Lola T-160 with Bob's crash since the Bondurant crash at the Glen was in 1967, while the Lola T-160 was a 1968 car.

[David M. Kane]

I may well be confused about the inclusion of the mention of a Lola T-160 with Bob's crash since the Bondurant crash at the Glen was in 1967, while the Lola T-160 was a 1968 car.

RA Historian I may be wrong but my impression was it was meant to be a '67 car. Some teams received them in the late summer or early fall. Several raced them then, i.e. LA Times GP. In Bob's own personal account of his accident in Dave Friedman's book he stated their T-160 cars were on order and production took longer than expected or something to that effect. I have phone conference with Phil Henny tonight and Bob Bondurant is in transit back from the 24-Hours of Daytona. I will also be calling Brett Lunger to get his side of the T-160 delivery issue. He also had one on order.

Bear with me Tom.

[RA Historian]

RA Historian I may be wrong but my impression was it was meant to be a '67 car. Some teams received them in the late summer or early fall. Several raced them then, i.e. LA Times GP. In Bob's own personal account of his accident in Dave Friedman's book he stated their T-160 cars were on order and production took longer than expected or something to that effect.

With all due respect, David, I think you have your years and cars confused a bit. The T-160 was a 1968 car. According to Dave Friedman's book, Lola, Can Am and Endurance Race Cars: "The Lola T-160 was introduced as the next generation Lola Can Am car in 1968." (Emphasis mine). Further, Friedman states that the first two did not arrive until just before the first 1968 Can Am at Road America, which was in September, 1968. They were for Carl Haas (Chuck Parsons) and Autodynamics/Sam Posey (Brett Lunger). Even John Surtees, who was semi-works, did not get one in time to make the first race.

The T-160 was not meant to be a 1967 car. In fact, Lola introduced the T-75 as the definitive 1967 Can Am car at the 1967 Road America Can Am. Three were present, for Donohue, Gurney, and Surtees.

You state that "Some teams received them in the late summer or early fall. Several raced them then, i.e. LA Times GP." As I said, none were even built in 1967, no teams received them "in late summer or early fall" in 1967, and of course it follows that there were none at the 1967 LA Times GP.

Dana Chevrolet, for whom Bondurant drove in 1967, did not have T-160s on order. On the contrary, they had two T-73s on order, which were debuted at the Sept. 1967 Road America Can Am.

There were 11, I believe, T-160s built, but only the Haas cars for Parsons and Scott, the Team Surtees car, the Autodynamics car, the Bignotti car for Andretti, the Brian O'Neill car, and the AAR car appear to have been raced in 1968. Dana never had a T-160.

Bondurant did drive a T-160, for the Smith-Oeser team, but not until his comeback in 1970.

Tom

Edited by RA Historian, 30 January 2012 - 23:20.

[David M. Kane]

With all due respect, David, I think you have your years and cars confused a bit. The T-160 was a 1968 car. According to Dave Friedman's book, Lola, Can Am and Endurance Race Cars: "The Lola T-160 was introduced as the next generation Lola Can Am car in 1968." (Emphasis mine). Further, Friedman states that the first two did not arrive until just before the first 1968 Can Am at Road America, which was in September, 1968. They were for Carl Haas (Chuck Parsons) and Autodynamics/Sam Posey (Brett Lunger). Even John Surtees, who was semi-works, did not get one in time to make the first race.

The T-160 was not meant to be a 1967 car. In fact, Lola introduced the T-75 as the definitive 1967 Can Am car at the 1967 Road America Can Am. Three were present, for Donohue, Gurney, and Surtees.

You state that "Some teams received them in the late summer or early fall. Several raced them then, i.e. LA Times GP." As I said, none were even built in 1967, no teams received them "in late summer or early fall" in 1967, and of course it follows that there were none at the 1967 LA Times GP.

Dana Chevrolet, for whom Bondurant drove in 1967, did not have T-160s on order. On the contrary, they had two T-73s on order, which were debuted at the Sept. 1967 Road America Can Am.

There were 11, I believe, T-160s built, but only the Haas cars for Parsons and Scott, the Team Surtees car, the Autodynamics car, the Bignotti car for Andretti, the Brian O'Neill car, and the AAR car appear to have been raced in 1968. Dana never had a T-160.

Bondurant did drive a T-160, for the Smith-Oeser team, but not until his comeback in 1970.

Tom

I stand corrected on all counts, my apologies. Thank for properly prepping me for my call to Phil Henny this evening. I can't go to my room because I've already been sent there!

[ray b]

he T-160 was not meant to be a 1967 car. In fact, Lola introduced the T-75 as the definitive 1967 Can Am car at the 1967 Road America Can Am. Three were present, for Donohue, Gurney, and Surtees.

You state that "Some teams received them in the late summer or early fall. Several raced them then, i.e. LA Times GP." As I said, none were even built in 1967, no teams received them "in late summer or early fall" in 1967, and of course it follows that there were none at the 1967 LA Times GP.

Dana Chevrolet, for whom Bondurant drove in 1967, did not have T-160s on order. On the contrary, they had two T-73s on order, which were debuted at the Sept. 1967 Road America Can Am.
Tom

what is a T73 OR T75

I know of these
T70MK3 not T73
and what is a T75 ? a T70MK3B ? or a T70MK2b ?

but those are group 6 cars not group 7 can-am cars

http://www.thelolare...om/registry.htm

said T70MK2 = T72 group 7 in 1966
and T70MK3 = T74? group 4+6 in 1967
and T70MK3B = T78 group 4+6 in 1968

Edited by ray b, 31 January 2012 - 00:55.

[David M. Kane]

what is a T73 OR T75

I know of these
T70MK3 not T73
and what is a T75 ? a T70MK3B ? or a T70MK2b ?

but those are group 6 cars not group 7 can-am cars

http://www.thelolare...om/registry.htm

said T70MK2 = T72 group 7 in 1966
and T70MK3 = T74? group 4+6 in 1967
and T70MK3B = T78 group 4+6 in 1968

The T74 is what most of us know as a Lola T70 Mk. 3 is my understanding.

[RA Historian]

According to the Lola internal numbering system, as opposed to the marketing numbering system, as indicated on Martin Krejci's site, the T-70 series full numbering is:

T-70 - first series open sports racers

T-71 - the T-70 Mk II

T-73 - the "Mk III" cars, both open and closed

T-75 - the "Mk III-B" Can Am cars of 1967, four built.

T-76 - the "Mk III-B" coupes, based on T-160 tub and mechanicals

I have always found it easier to use the T-number rather than the cumbersome Mk III-this or that. Just my preference.

[David McKinney]

I have always found it easier to use the T-number rather than the cumbersome Mk III-this or that. Just my preference.

I might have too, if I'd ever heard of them

[David M. Kane]

According to Radaris:
3110 107th, Portland, OR 97225 (503) 291-7101
11030 Valley Vista, Hillsboro, OR 97124 (503) 690-9094
Watch out: Next Tuesday, January 31st, will be his (69th) birthday. He may talk with a Swiss accent...

After talking to Phil Henny last night I am going to order the Bondurant today. I was very impressed with what he had to say about racing in those day. His next book is about Al Bartz who made the McLaren Can Am race engine. I understand now why Bob Bondurant was so keen to have Phil Henny pen his story.

[Jerry Entin]

Al Bartz and Gary Knutson

Dave: Just call me Carroll by Phil Henny is a very good read also. I highly recommend it. I am sure you will enjoy his book on Bob Bondurant also.
By the way, it is Phil Henny's birthday today. He is 69 years young as they say.

Al Bartz didn't make McLaren's engines in the CanAm. Gary Knutson of McLaren worked out of Al's shop in Van Nuys, California and Al Bartz dynoed the engines when they were done.

Al Bartz did make engines for many. He made the engine George Follmer used to win the USAC Indy type car race at Phoenix in 1969 and made CanAm and Formula F-5000 engines for quite a few of the teams in the 70's. He also made boat racing engines.

He made winning engines for Carl Haas Racing and Jerry Hansen and Graham McRae and Theodore Racing and many others.

Edited by Jerry Entin, 31 January 2012 - 21:26.

[David M. Kane]

Al Bartz and Gary Knutson

Dave: Just call me Carroll by Phil Henny is a very good read also. I highly recommend it. I am sure you will enjoy his book on Bob Bondurant also.
By the way, it is Phil Henny's birthday today. He is 69 years young as they say.

Al Bartz didn't make McLaren's engines in the CanAm. Gary Knutson of McLaren worked out of Al's shop in Van Nuys, California and Al Bartz dynoed the engines when they were done.

Al Bartz did make engines for many. He made the engine George Follmer used to win the USAC Indy type car race at Phoenix in 1969 and made CanAm and Formula F-5000 engines for quite a few of the teams in the 70's. He also made boat racing engines.

He made winning engines for Carl Haas Racing and Jerry Hansen and Graham McRae and Theodore Racing and many others.

Thanks Jerry I understand Al Bartz was from a small town in Wisconsin.

[raceannouncer2003]

By the way, it is Phil Henny's birthday today. He is 69 years young as they say...Al Bartz did make engines for many. He made the engine George Follmer used to win the USAC Indy type car race at Phoenix in 1969

And George Follmer is 78 years young as of last Friday.

Vince H.

[ray b]

According to the Lola internal numbering system, as opposed to the marketing numbering system, as indicated on Martin Krejci's site, the T-70 series full numbering is:

T-70 - first series open sports racers

T-71 - the T-70 Mk II

T-73 - the "Mk III" cars, both open and closed

T-75 - the "Mk III-B" Can Am cars of 1967, four built.

T-76 - the "Mk III-B" coupes, based on T-160 tub and mechanicals

I have always found it easier to use the T-number rather than the cumbersome Mk III-this or that. Just my preference.

ok BUT your numbers doNOT line up with the lola site I posted

http://www.thelolare...om/registry.htm

said T70MK2 = T72 group 7 in 1966 you say T71
and T70MK3 = T74? group 4+6 in 1967 you say T73
and T70MK3B = T78 group 4+6 in 1968 YOU SAY T75 OPEN T76COUPE/GT

i WAS A REAL TIME FOLLOWER IN THE 60'S
AND NEVER HEARD THE 70+ NUMBERS USED JUST THE MARK# WITH LETTERS

WERE THE MISSING NUMBERS ALSO USED BY THE FACTORY ?
IE IS THERE A T72 IN YOUR LIST

[RA Historian]

The numbering that I used is straight from the serial number prefixes, i.e., SL71/xx. SL75/xx, etc. In other words, right from the factory.

And you do not have to SHOUT!

[David M. Kane]

The numbering that I used is straight from the serial number prefixes, i.e., SL71/xx. SL75/xx, etc. In other words, right from the factory.

And you do not have to SHOUT!

Bob Bondurant contrary to what he has told me AND is stated In Phil Henny's book was NOT the 1st American to drive a Ferrari Fi in America. That honor it turns out according to RA Historian is fact to be Phil Hill at Sebring. My humble apologies.

[David McKinney]

Several people had driven F1 Ferraris in the US before Hill - Bob Said and Bill Holland at Daytona, Carroll Shelby at Mount Washington and Giant's Despair, not to mention several others at Indianapolis in 1952

[RA Historian]

True David, but I believe that David was referring to a World Championship F-1 race, and that was also the thrust of my reply to him (on another forum) to which he refers.
Tom