Jump to content


Photo

Jim Hall - USRRC Chaparral 2 at IMS


  • Please log in to reply
4 replies to this topic

#1 10kDA

10kDA
  • Member

  • 978 posts
  • Joined: July 09

Posted 26 May 2023 - 17:56

1965 as I recall, Jim Hall ran his Chaparral 2 USRRC car at the Indianapolis Speedway in a private test session. The car was equipped with data-gathering instrumentation, possibly provided by Chevrolet. Does anyone know if speeds and lap times from this session were ever made public?

Thanks in advance.



Advertisement

#2 Tom Glowacki

Tom Glowacki
  • Member

  • 522 posts
  • Joined: December 03

Posted 26 May 2023 - 21:06

According to the Falconer/Nye book, Chaparral, page 71, the car turned "consistent 145mph laps."  That year Foyt was on the pole at 161.223mph.  Clark averaged 150.686mph to win.



#3 10kDA

10kDA
  • Member

  • 978 posts
  • Joined: July 09

Posted 26 May 2023 - 22:49

OK, thanks



#4 Manfred Cubenoggin

Manfred Cubenoggin
  • Member

  • 975 posts
  • Joined: October 02

Posted 27 May 2023 - 10:50

I recall this occurrence in an article in Road & Track if I'm not very much mistaken.  I was intrigued to see Jim take the car to IMS for trials.  An image that sticks in my mind is one of a mechanic taking tin snips to the rear fenders to obtain some needed clearance as apparently the G-loads were causing the car to lean more than normal.



#5 10kDA

10kDA
  • Member

  • 978 posts
  • Joined: July 09

Posted 27 May 2023 - 19:59

I remember the article and that photo. I thought it was either Road & Track or Sports Car Graphic but I couldn't remember which. I had no conception of it at the time I saw the article, but thinking of the picture now, I wonder if some tire testing was also going on during that session. Maybe some non-typical sizes compared to the ones usually run on the Chaparrals. Maybe the data gathering gear was supplied by Firestone?