85 replies to this topic

[Jim Thurman]

All the discussion of compiling race results and info from various series got me to thinking (which can be dangerous! )...

Does anyone have or know of any online source for the USAC Sports Car races of 1959?.

I've seen magazine articles on the Lime Rock race (won by Rodger Ward in a oval track Midget car), and mention of other rounds like Pomona, but little or no race details let alone grid and results.

Seems this data should be compiled, after all, it was the first "professional" Sports Car championship in the United States.


Jim Thurman

[Martin Krejci]

Jim, I do have results od USAC Championship from 1958 and partly from 1963. Nothing else. I'd be also happy to find the other.

[cabianca]

Jim,
I recently copied USAC Sports Car Championship material out of the USAC yearbooks at the Watkins Glen Research Library. It was pretty much useless except for delineating the races that were in the championships, and I'm not even sure that was correct. For some races there were results, but in some years they only mentioned the champions. I can't lay my hands on the yearly schedules right now but will post them when I do. The good news is that when you get the schedules, the results are available in the mags of the day. I will try and post those results as well, over time.

[Don Capps]

Gents,

Welcome to the club. Hopefully, between us we can fighure this out.

Just another chapter in the story of American racing, which has sadly been relegated to the back of the line....

I can launch into a wonderful rant, but I think the point is clear...

Good luck, guys!

[Martin Krejci]

Here are my results it lists all races from 1958 and 1962. Bellow I suggested I have results from 1963 but I now I think it ended after 1962 season. Can anybody add the rest?

USAC Road Racing Championship Round: 1

USAC Lime Rock
Haybale, First Annual Lime Rock International Open, Lime Rock Park Date: 7.9.1958

Circuit lenght: Race distance: 224,502 km Winner's average speed:

1. - George Constantine (USA) Aston Martin DBR2 93 1:46:10,000 1. 1:05,210
2. - Bruce Kessler (USA) Ferrari 315S 93
3. - Alan I. Markelson (USA) Ferrari 500 TR
4. - Vic Meinhardt (USA) Porsche 550 RS
5. - Bill Rutan (USA) Porsche Special
6. - Bob Kuhn (USA) Maserati 200SI
7. - Ray Saidel (USA) Jomar 100
8. - Herb Swan (USA) Ferrari 2900
9. - Lloyd Ruby (USA) Maserati - Corvette
10. - Rodger Ward (USA) Alfa Romeo Disco Volante
11. - Jack Ensley (USA) Jaguar D-type
12. - Art Bunker (USA) Porsche 550 RS
13. - Marshall Teague (USA) Jaguar D Corvette
14. - W. Jacobs (USA) Ferrari Monza
15. - Bob Said (USA) Sadler - Chevrolet
16. - Eddie Johnson (USA) Kieft - Corvette

USAC Road Racing Championship Round: 2

USAC Marlboro
Marlboro Grand Prix, Upper Marlboro, Maryland Date: 21.9.1958

1. - George Constantine (USA) Aston Martin DBR2 40 1:12:33,000
2. - Bob Said (USA) Sadler - Chevrolet
3. - Art Bunker (USA) Porsche 550 RS
4. - Bill Rutan (USA) Porsche Special
5. - Alan I. Markelson (USA) Ferrari 500 TR
6. - J. Herrera (MEX) Chevrolet Corvette
7. - Ray Saidel (USA) Jomar 1100
8. - P. Kasperonis (USA) Kurtis - Buick Special
9. - Rodger Ward (USA) Porsche - VW
10. - J. Reimer (USA) Healey - Corvette
11. - Jim Rathmann (USA) Lister - Bristol
12. - Jack Ensley (USA) Jaguar - Corvette
13. - Roscoe Sarles (USA) AC - Jaguar

USAC Road Racing Championship Round: 3

USAC Watkins Glen
International Formula Libre Grand Prix, Watkins Glen Date: 28.9.1958

Circuit lenght: Race distance: 299,8208 km Winner's average speed: 157,3134 km/h

1. - Jo Bonnier (S) Maserati 250F 81 1:54:10,000
2. 3 Dan Gurney (USA) Ferrari 335S 0700 1. 1:36,000
3. - Bruce Kessler (USA) Ferrari 3800
4. - Vic Meinhardt (USA) Porsche 550 RS
5. - Bob Kuhn (USA) Maserati 200SI
6. - Bill Rutan (USA) Porsche Special
7. - Phil Hill (USA) Ferrari 412 MI
8. - George Constantine (USA) Aston Martin DBR2
9. - Alan I. Markelson (USA) Ferrari 500 TR
10. - Ray Saidel (USA) Jomar 1100
11. - Loyal Katskee (USA) Jaguar - Corvette
12. - Bob Said (USA) Sadler - Corvette
13. - Lloyd Ruby (USA) Maserati - Corvette
14. - Herb Swan (USA) Ferrari 2900

USAC Road Racing Championship Round: 4

USAC Riverside
Los Angeles Times Grand Prix, Riverside Internantional Raceway Date: 12.10.1958

Circuit lenght: Race distance: 326,696 km Winner's average speed: 142,896 km/h

1. - Chuck Daigh (USA) Scarab Mk.II Chevrolet 62 2:17:15,000 1. 2:04,030
2. 69 Dan Gurney (USA) Ferrari 375 Plus 62
3. - Bill Krause (USA) Jaguar D-type XKD519 A. R. Krause 62
4. - Jean Behra (F) Porsche RSK
5. - Richie Ginther (USA) Ferrari 250 TR
6. - Roy Salvadori (GB) Aston Martin DBR1
7. - Max Balchowsky (USA) Ol'Yaller - Buick
8. - Bill Pollack (USA) Lister - Corvette
9. - Ken Miles (USA) Porsche 550 RS
10. - Bob Drake (USA) Cooper - Climax
11. 88 Masten Gregory (USA)
Jo Bonnier (S) Ferrari 410S 0598CM
12. - Gordon Glyer (USA) Ferrari TR
13. - R. Ormsbee (USA) HWM - Chevrolet
14. - Harry Hanford (USA) Osca 1500S
15. - Alan I. Markelson (USA) Ferrari 500 TR
16. - Bill Cantrell (USA) Meyer-Drake - Offenhauser
17. - F. Becker (USA) Ferrari 500 TR
18. - Skip Conklin (USA) Lotus 11 Climax
19. - George Keck (USA) Porsche 550 RS
20. - Jean-Pierre Kunstle (USA) Porsche 356 Carrera

*****************1962***************************

200 mil Bossier City
Bossier City Date: 1.4.1962

Circuit lenght: 3,218688 km Race distance: 321,8688 km Winner's average speed:

1. - Dan Gurney (USA) Lotus 19 100
2. - Roger Penske (USA) Cooper Monaco
3. - Bob Donner (USA) Porsche RS61
4. - Charles Barnes Cooper ICF
5. - Chuck Cassel (USA) Porsche RSK
Other starters:
- Lloyd Ruby (USA) Lotus 1.
- Bob Schroeder (USA) De Tomaso
- Howard Cole (USA) Lotus ICF

Heat 1
Circuit lenght: 3,218688 km Race distance: 160,9344 km Winner's average speed: 112,6718 km/h

1. - Dan Gurney (USA) Lotus 19 50
2. - Roger Penske (USA) Cooper Monaco
3. - Bob Schroeder (USA) De Tomaso
4. - Bob Donner (USA) Porsche RS61
5. - Chuck Cassel (USA) Porsche RSK
9. - Charles Barnes Cooper ICF

Heat 2
Circuit lenght: 3,218688 km Race distance: 160,9344 km Winner's average speed: 107,7746 km/h

1. - Dan Gurney (USA) Lotus 19 50
2. - Bob Donner (USA) Porsche RS61
3. - Roger Penske (USA) Cooper Monaco
4. - Charles Barnes Cooper ICF
5. - Howard Cole (USA) Lotus ICF
6. - Chuck Cassel (USA) Porsche RSK

USAC Road Racing Championship Round: 2

Pike's Peak
Pike's Peak Hill Climb Date: 4.7.1962

Circuit lenght: 19,97196 km Race distance: 19,97196 km Winner's average speed: 74,35169 km/h

1. - Bob Donner (USA) Porsche RS61 1 0:14:23,300 1. 2.0
2. - Akton Miller (USA) Devin - Ford 1 0:14:29,400 1. +2.0
3. - Frank Peterson Chevrolet Corvette 1 0:14:57,000 2. +2.0
4. - Al Daniels Chevrolet Corvette 1 0:15:01,300 3. +2.0
- John Max Wolf AC - Bristol 1 0:16:23,700 2. 2.0
- Jack Guyn Porsche Super 1 0:16:30,000 3. 2.0

USAC Road Racing Championship Round: 3

200 mil Indianapolis
Indianapolis Date: 29.7.1962

Circuit lenght: 4,02336 km Race distance: Winner's average speed:

1. - Jim Hall (USA) Lotus ICF
2. - Rodger Ward (USA) Offy Midget
3. - Bob Swan Porsche RS60
4. - Hap Sharp (USA) Cooper ICF 1.
5. - Don Hulette (USA) Maserati 250F
Other starters:
- Harry Washburn (USA) Porsche RS60
- Bob Holbert (USA) Porsche RS60
- Dan Gurney (USA) Lotus ICF
- Roger Penske (USA) Cooper ICF

Heat 1
Circuit lenght: 4,02336 km Race distance: 160,9344 km Winner's average speed: 136,07 km/h

1. - Roger Penske (USA) Cooper ICF 40
2. - Dan Gurney (USA) Lotus ICF
3. - Jim Hall (USA) Lotus ICF
4. - Bob Holbert (USA) Porsche RS60
5. - Rodger Ward (USA) Offy Midget
6. - Bob Swan Porsche RS60
7. - Don Hulette (USA) Maserati 250F
12. - Hap Sharp (USA) Cooper ICF

Heat 2
Circuit lenght: 4,02336 km Race distance: 160,9344 km Winner's average speed: 132,4007 km/h

1. - Hap Sharp (USA) Cooper ICF 40
2. - Jim Hall (USA) Lotus ICF
3. - Rodger Ward (USA) Offy Midget
4. - Bob Swan Porsche RS60
5. - Harry Washburn (USA) Porsche RS60
6. - Don Hulette (USA) Maserati 250F

USAC Road Racing Championship Round: 4

200 mil Kent
Pacific North West Grand Prix 200, Kent Date: 30.9.1962

Circuit lenght: 3,621024 km Race distance: 321,868 km Winner's average speed: 143,473 km/h

Fastest lap: Dan Gurney Lotus 19 ? 146,4503 km/h

1. - Dan Gurney (USA) Lotus 19
2. - Masten Gregory (USA) Lotus 19 1.
3. - Lew Florence (USA) Lister - Chevrolet
4. - Jo Bonnier (S) Porsche 8
5. - Bill Krause (USA) Maserati T61
Other starters:
- Pete Lovely (USA) Lotus 23
- Innes Ireland (GB) Lotus 19

Heat 1
Circuit lenght: 3,621024 km Race distance: 160,9344 km Winner's average speed: 143,2316 km/h

1. - Dan Gurney (USA) Lotus 19
2. - Masten Gregory (USA) Lotus 19
3. - Lew Florence (USA) Lister - Chevrolet
4. - Jo Bonnier (S) Porsche 8
5. - Pete Lovely (USA) Lotus 23
7. - Bill Krause (USA) Maserati T61

Heat 2
Circuit lenght: 3,621024 km Race distance: 160,9344 km Winner's average speed: 143,7144 km/h

1. - Dan Gurney (USA) Lotus 19
2. - Masten Gregory (USA) Lotus 19
3. - Innes Ireland (GB) Lotus 19
4. - Lew Florence (USA) Lister - Chevrolet
5. - Jo Bonnier (S) Porsche 8
6. - Bill Krause (USA) Maserati T61

USAC Road Racing Championship Round: 5

200 mil Riverside
Los Angeles Grand Prix 200, Riverside Raceway Date: 14.10.1962

Circuit lenght: 4,184294 km Race distance: 322,1907 km Winner's average speed: 247,6029 km/h

Fastest lap: Jim Hall Chaparral - Chevrolet ? 160,4516 km/h

1. - Roger Penske (USA) Zerex Duralite Spl. F1/16/61 77 2:05:40,500 1.
2. - Jim Hall (USA) Chaparral - Chevrolet 77 2:05:54,500
3. - Masten Gregory (USA) Lotus 19 77 2:05:58,500
4. - Bruce McLaren (NZ) Cooper Monaco 77 2:07:13,000
5. - Innes Ireland (GB) Lotus 19 Monte Carlo Climax UDT/Rosebud Racing Team 75
6. - Ken Miles (USA) Maserati T61 74
7. - Augie Pabst (USA) Maserati 151 B. S. Cunningham 74
8. - Bill Wuesthoff (USA) Scarab 74
9. - Don Wester (USA) Porsche RSK 73
10. - Donner Porsche RS 73
Did not finish:
- Jo Bonnier (S) Porsche
- Ward Chaparral - Chevrolet
- Graham Hill (GB) Cooper Monaco
- Pat Pigott (USA) Lotus 23
Other starters:
- Walt Hansgen (USA) Cooper - Buick B. S. Cunningham
- Lloyd Ruby (USA) Lotus 19
96 Dan Gurney (USA) Lotus 19 Monte Carlo Arciero Bros
Did not start:
- Lance Reventlow (USA) Scarab - Buick

USAC Road Racing Championship Round: 6

200 mil Laguna Seca
Pacific Grand Prix 200, Laguna Seca Raceway, Monterey Date: 21.10.1962

Started: 28

Circuit lenght: 3,08994 km Race distance: 321,868 km Winner's average speed: 144,841 km/h

1. 6 Roger Penske (USA) Zerex Duralite Spl. F1/16/61
2. - Lloyd Ruby (USA) Lotus 19 Climax
3. - Bruce McLaren (NZ) Cooper Monaco
4. - Bob Holbert (USA) Porsche RS61
5. - Masten Gregory (USA) Lotus 19 Climax
Did not finish:
- Jo Bonnier (S) Porsche
- Tim Mayer (USA) Cooper Monaco
- Jim Hall (USA) Chaparral
- Innes Ireland (GB) Lotus 19 Climax UDT/Laystall
- Dan Gurney (USA) Lotus 19 Arciero Bros
Other starters:
- Brabham Lotus 23
- Jerry Grant (USA) Lotus - Buick
- Walt Hansgen (USA) Cooper Monaco Buick B. S. Cunningham

Heat 1
Circuit lenght: 3,08994 km Race distance: 160,9344 km Winner's average speed: 143,2316 km/h

1. - Dan Gurney (USA) Lotus 19 Arciero Bros 52
2. 6 Roger Penske (USA) Zerex Duralite Spl. F1/16/61
3. - Bruce McLaren (NZ) Cooper Monaco
4. - Lloyd Ruby (USA) Lotus 19 Climax
5. - Jim Hall (USA) Chaparral
6. - Masten Gregory (USA) Lotus 19 Climax
7. - Bob Holbert (USA) Porsche RS61
8. - Brabham Lotus 23
Did not finish:
- Jo Bonnier (S) Porsche
- Tim Mayer (USA) Cooper Monaco
- Innes Ireland (GB) Lotus 19 Climax UDT/Laystall

Heat 2
Circuit lenght: 3,08994 km Race distance: 160,9344 km Winner's average speed: 146,4503 km/h

1. - Lloyd Ruby (USA) Lotus 19 Climax 52
2. 6 Roger Penske (USA) Zerex Duralite Spl. F1/16/61
3. - Walt Hansgen (USA) Cooper Monaco Buick B. S. Cunningham
4. - Bruce McLaren (NZ) Cooper Monaco
5. - Bob Holbert (USA) Porsche RS61
6. - Masten Gregory (USA) Lotus 19 Climax
Did not finish:
- Jim Hall (USA) Chaparral 25
- Dan Gurney (USA) Lotus 19 Arciero Bros

[Milan Fistonic]

This is the full list of starters and qualifying times for the L.A.Times GP held at Riverside on 12/10/58. It is from the Jan 1959 Road and Track.

5 C.Daigh, Scarab 5500, 2:04.03
2 P.Hill, Ferrari 4100, 2:06.00
3 L.Reventlow, Scarab, 2:08.14
59 B.Oker, Aston Martin 3900, 2:09.69
69 D.Gurney, Ferrari 4900, 2:10.24
11 J.von Neumann, Ferrari 4100, 2:10.82
70 M.Balchowsky, Buick Special 5250, 2:11.05
159 R.Salvadori, Aston Martin 2922, 2:11.56
211 R.Ginther, Ferrari 3000, 2:12.30
172 J.Unser, Kurtis-Cad 5600, 2:12.44
27 B.Krause, D-Jaguar 3888, 2:13.57
110 A.Miller, Olds Special 6200, 2:13.67
7 J.Behra, Porsche RSK 1583, 2:14.30
88 M.Gregory, Ferrari Monza 4896, 2:15.16
14 B.Pollack, Lister-Chevy 5733, 2:15.47
78 C.Shelby, Maserati 4724, 2:15.63
229 C.Proctor, Chev Spcial 4640, 2:17.16
264 F.Knoop, Huffaker Special 5220, 2:17.68
50 K.Miles, Porsche RS 1596, 2:17.99
126 P.Pigott, Lotus Mark XI 1460, 2:18.64
155 S.Weiss, Ferrari TR 1990, 2:18.77
149 R.Crawford, Zuidar Spec. Corv. 5500, 2:19.84
125 P.Lovely, Lotus Mark XI 1098, 2:21.77
98 J.Rathmann, Maserati-Pontiac 6300, 2:22.90
127 S.Conklin, Lotus Le Mans Mk IX, 2:23.38
135 A.Markelson, Ferrari TR 2000, 2:23.76
9 B.Cantrell, Meyer-Drake Rdst. 1714, 2:24.02
49 B.Drake, Cooper-Climax 1498, 2:24.29
117 H.Hanford, Osca 1498, 2:24.33
4 L.Florence, Lotus Mark XI 1460, 2:24.58
129 R.Ormsbee, HWM-Chevy 4995, 2:25.34
96 M.Porter, Kurtis-Ford, 2:25.41
111 B.Unser, Special Chevy 5600, 2:26.30
121 F.Becker, Ferrari TR 1985, 2:26.34
26 G.Glyer, Ferrari TR 1991, 2:26.51
93 F.Burt, Buick Special, 2:27.36
122 T.Meeham, Cooper-Porsche 1488, 2:28.21
124 G.Keck, Porsche RS 1498, 2:28.32
259 B.de Creeft, Aston Martin 2922, 2:28.79
35 P.Woods, Osca 1996, 2:28.97
140 B.Cheesbourg, Kurtis-Buick, 2:30.13
23 J.Timanus, Lotus 1420 s/c, 2:30.37
118 J.Kunstle, Porsche GTC 1498, 2:34.15
138 B.Love, Duncan Special 2200, 2.35.31

[Milan Fistonic]

Pomona International Grand Prix - March 1959

International drivers entered

Maurice Trintgnant
Roy Salvadori
Ron Flockhart
Wolfgang von Trips

Professional drivers entered

Tony Bettenhausen
Jim Rathmannn
Jerry Unser - Mickey Thompson's Kurtis-Cadillac
George Amick - 181
Wayne Weiler -82

Amateur drivers entered

Dan Gurney - 69 -Frank Arciero's 4.9 Ferrari
Skip Hudson
Paul O'Shea - 4 - Sadler Special
Bruce Kessler - Sadler-Chevy Special
Ken Miles - 50 - Porsche
Bill Krause - 53 -Jack Brumby's 4.5 Maserati
Max Balchowsky - 70 - Buick Special
Sam Weiss - 55 - Porsche RSK Spyder
Carroll Shelby - 98 -Maserati
Jim Jeffords - 114 - Scarab
and many others

35 cars started the main race

1. 50 Ken Miles, Porsche
2. 55 Sam Weiss, Porsche RSK Spyder
3. -- Skip Hudson, Ferrari Monza
4. 53 Bill Krause, Maserati
5. -- Lloyd Ruby, Maserati 3-litre
6. -- Gordon Glyer, Ferrari TR
7. -- Joe Playan, Porsche RS
8. 6 Chuck Daigh, Kurtis-Buick
9. -- Ed Vincent, Ferrai TR
10. -- C.R.Haworth, Porsche Spyder
11. -- Frank Livingstone, Eliminator Chevy Special
12. -- Jack Nethercutt, Ferrari TR

no other finishers

[cabianca]

Martin
In 1963 the USAC yearbook mentions Al Holbert as "Sports Car Driver of the Year". However, the yearbook does not show any USAC sports car races for that year. My guess is that USAC was probably planning sports car races for 1963, but when the SCCA announced that it would run its first professional series in 1963, USAC just gave up. The SCCA called its series the United States Road Racing Championship (USRRC). It's name is the historic forerunner of todays France-family sponsored USRRC.

[Don Capps]

Michael,

Sure that wasn't "Bob" Holbert rather than "Al" for 1963?

Plus, your understanding is the same of mine for the USRRC which the SCCA sponsored from 1963 to 1968. USAC apparently was set to continue with its Road Racing series, but the SCCA finally relented and created a division for pro racing for 1963. I wish I could recall where I read about some this, but it was in several magazines from the late-1962/early-1963 period. Naturally, I was looking for something else and just happened to see the info and remembered the problems from the time.... so I will have to do some backtracking.

I will put that on my lengthy list to things to do....

[cabianca]

Don,
Thank you. It was Bob Holbert. Obviously Al a bit young to take on the stars of the day then.

[Martin Krejci]

Originally posted by cabianca
Martin
In 1963 the USAC yearbook mentions Al Holbert as "Sports Car Driver of the Year". However, the yearbook does not show any USAC sports car races for that year. My guess is that USAC was probably planning sports car races for 1963, but when the SCCA announced that it would run its first professional series in 1963, USAC just gave up. The SCCA called its series the United States Road Racing Championship (USRRC). It's name is the historic forerunner of todays France-family sponsored USRRC.

Bob Holbert was 1963 USRRC championship, so perhaps it was the reason they called him "Sports Car Driver of the Year". I think that OK and isn't in discrepancy.

By the way Bob Holbert SCCA National champion in 1958, 1960, 1961 and 1962 in his class and also 4th in USAC Championship 1962.

Milan:
Does your entry list from Pomona include only drivers that took part in the meeting or were they just listed in some provisional entries?

[Milan Fistonic]

Martin
The drivers I listed are those who were mentioned in the Road & Track report of the meeting. The report grouped them into "international", "pro" and "amateur". There is no mention of how the international drivers got on in the race. There is a photo of von Trips and Trintignant in the pits, so they were there.

Paul O'Shea was driving a Sadler Special and Jim Jeffords was driving a Scarab.

[Milan Fistonic]

This from the February 1963 Car and Driver.

Since the SCCA's National races have not been truly nationwide in scope, and especially since only 4% of the members eligible (National license holders) entered more than three National races in '62, a drastic change has been made. For 1963, the new series of National/Open races open to FIA license-holders (including foreign drivers who are not top-ranking) will constitute a triple championship series. There will be a manufacturer's championship for over-two-liter GT cars, plus separate driver's championships for over- and under-two-liter Appendix C sports cars.

[Milan Fistonic]

This from the April 1963 Car and Driver.

The brightest bit of news to come from SCCA in many a year is their announcement of a truly national calendar. Called the United States Road Racing Championship, this series of eight races should do much to add luster to SCCA’s prestige here and abroad. Each of the races has FIA National/Open sanction, and they will be open to both the up-and-coming GT category and the ever-fascinating sports-racing cars.
The first race of the series took place at Daytona on February 3 and will be reported in next month’s Car and Driver. We intend to cover the entire series, because we think the races will be of much greater importance to you, the reader, than much of the English stuff of similar stature that regularly appears in magazines like ours.
For the first time top-ranked American drivers will have some incentive to stay home and compete for the benefit of American crowds. European drivers below first rank will be able to run in these events as well, and it certainly augurs well for the race-going public. The class breakdowns, too, indicate that the fan’s fare will be a lot more palatable then ever before. Championship races will be divided into three classes, over- and under-two-liter FIA Appendix C sports and for SCCA “modified” sports cars plus Appendix J Grand Touring cars. No more hopeless attempts by the first-time race-goer to unravel the multitudinous modified and production classes, and no more races-within-races so dear to the race reporter’s heart. There will be three championships going; a Manufacturer class for the GT category and two Driver’s Championship classes for over- and under-two-liter sports cars.
The races are scheduled at Daytona; Pensacola, Fla,(May 26); Laguna Seca, Calif, (June 9); Watkins Glen, N.Y., (June 30); Kent, Wash, (July 21); Castle Rock, COLO, (Aug 18); Elkhart Lake, Wisc, (Sep 8); with one more yet to be announced. Best solution to America’s age-old problem of pro or no-pro. It has been obvious for some time that USAC was way out of its depth in road racing and, having learned all it could from USAC’s board-track-oriented mossbacks, it’s high time SCCA regained the initiative. We applaud this as one of SCCA’s most important steps toward its natural role of leadership in American road racing.
In the Driver’s Championship, points will be awarded in the familiar 9-6-4-3-2-1 system in both the over- and under- classes, regardless of the number of starters in either. At the end of the season, the one driver with the best six finishing positions, whether earned in one class or the other or both, will be the 1963 U.S. Road-Racing Champion.
At the same time, the traditional SCCA program of National races will continue, with a total, so far, of nine. These races, mostly in the Eastern states, cater to every class of “modified” and “production” sports car plus Formula Junior.

[Don Capps]

Milan, It probably was C/D where I saw the information. I also wonder if there was much in R&T or SCG. The C/D report on the Daytona USRRC was in the May issue, the one with the vivid red Maserati 450 Le Mans coupe on the cover.

Note the rather hostile tone which the C/D columnist (probably still Steve Smith at that time, I will have to dig out my old copies of C/D and check) attacks USAC. To many in the "sports car" world, USAC was the "evil empire." This despite providing the sanction for the US pro races for several years, races which otherwise would never have been run.

An irony about the SCCA is that John Bishop was one of those within the SCCA which initially fought "professionalism" within its ranks only to later reconsider and establish IMSA.

Few today realize just how excited many of us were that the SCCA had finally put a pro series together. However, without the USAC efforts from 1958 to 1962, I think it would have been a few more years before the SCCA went pro.

[Mike Argetsinger]

With all respect Don, I believe you are misinformed with respect to the role John Bishop played in the amateur vs. professional wars that tore at American road racing in the 50's and 60's. It was very much John who was in the leadership role at SCCA in 1962 when plans were made for the USRRC in 1963. This was nearly 10 years before he founded IMSA. Perhaps you are inferring that he was against professional (and really the issue was much bigger - it was also an anti-international attitude along with some other even more unsavory human instincts that characterized SCCA policy - official and unofficial - in that era) racing because he was on the staff while SCCA was still espousing "simon-pure amateur" racing. This too would be missing the true picture. Bishop was the voice within SCCA speaking for sense - but you don't turn an organization -that is as philosophically grounded in its image of the world as SCCA was - like that around overnight. The important point is that he ultimately brought them in the right direction. Had he stayed at SCCA - rather than founding IMSA - that organization (SCCA) would not be held in the low esteem it suffers from today in respect to professional racing. But that is another story. The important thing here is to leave a more accurate impression of John Bishop's position at that time on professional racing.

[Don Capps]

Mike,

Haste makes for misleading postings and I admit to relooking at what I wrote and what I intended to write -- and what I wrote just didn't make sense to me either! What was I thinking?

Yes, I did have another thought in mind (the SCCA mindset...) and somehow either had another serious bout of Alzheimers or completely got myself tangled up there somehow. As you are aware, John Bishop is one of those folks I truly Admire and Respect. Without John Bishop there basically would have been no USRRC, F/SCCA, Trans-Am, or Can-Am. The loss of John Bishop seriously hurt SCCA. Despite the herculean efforts of several folks to keep the club on the path John Bishop blazed, the damage was done and the SCCA just hasn't seemed to really get its spark back. One can only imagine if the effort that created IMSA had stayed on at the SCCA. However, I agree that that is another story....

[Milan Fistonic]

USAC Formula Libre Race - Lime Rock - July 25, 1959

Heat 1 - 20 laps

1 - George Constantine - 4.2 Aston Martin
2 - Rodger Ward - 1.7 Offy
3 - Chuck Daigh - 2.5 Maserati GP
4 - John Fitch - 2.0 Cooper Monaco
5 - Pedro Rodriguez - 3.0 Maserati
6 - Lance Reventlow - Cooper F2
7 - Russ Klar - 1.7 Offy
8 - Dick Thompson - 4.9 Sting Ray
9 - Bob Colombosian - 2.0 Lister Bristol
10 - Vic Meinhardt - 1.5 Porsche RS
11 - Ray Saidel - Jomar F2
12 - Loyal Katskee - 3.0 Ferrari Monza
13 - Denise McCluggage - 1.5 Porsche RS
14 - Bert Brooks - 1.7 Offy
15 - Gordon MacKenzie - 3.5 C-Jaguar
16 - Jokko Maggiacomo - 4.9 Ferrari-Corvette
17 - John Grimaldi - 3.4 D-Jaguar
18 - Paul O'Shea - 4.6 Bocar-Corvette
19 - Duane Carter - 1.7 Offy


Heat 2 - 20 laps

1 - Ward
2 - Constantine
3 - Daigh
4 - Fitch
5 - Rodriguez
6 - Reventlow
7 - Tony Bettenhausen (in Klar's midget)
8 - Colombosian
9 - Thompson
10- Brooks
11- McCluggage
12 - Saidel
13 - Maggiacomo
14 - Katskee
15 - D.Carter
16 - Grimaldi
17 - MacKenzie
18 - Meinhardt
19 - O'Shea


Heat 3 - 60 laps

1 - Ward
2 - Daigh
3 - Rodriguez
4 - Fitch
5 - Colombosian
6 - Brooks
7 - Thompson
8 - Reventlow
9 - Maggiacomo
10 - McCluggage
11 - Katskee
12 - Saidel
13 - D.Carter
14 - MacKenzie
15 - Boyle (in Grimaldi's car)

Final Standings

1 - Ward
2 - Daigh
3 - Rodriguez
4 - Fitch
5 - Colombosian
6 - Constantine
7 - Reventlow
8 - Brooks
9 - Thompson
10 - Klar/Bettenhausen
11 - Maggiacomo
12 - McCluggage
13 - Saidel
14 - Katskee
15 - MacKenzie
16 - Grimaldi/Boyle
17 - D.Carter
18 - O'Shea
19 - Meinhardt

From Sports Car Illustrated November 1959

[Jim Thurman]

Racing historian Gordon White was nice enough to look up race date info for the USAC Sports Cars. Hopefully these dates will help our researchers find full results. He also found schedules for AAA (that's right, AAA) sanctioned Sports Car. I'll post those later:

USAC Sports Car Events, 1958 - 1962

1958 Dan Gurney, Champion
9/7 Lime Rock Constantine
9/21 Marlboro Constantine
9/28 Watkins Glen Joakim Bonnier
10/12 Riverside Daigh

1959 August Pabst, Champion
3/8 Pomona Ken Miles
4/5 Daytona Roberto Mieres
5/31 Meadowdale, IL Jim Jeffords
6/6 Lime Rock Constantine
7/5 Meadowdale Jeffords
7/19 Riverside Richie Ginther
7/25 Lime Rock Rodger ward
9/5 Meadowdale Ed Crawford
August Pabst
Lloyd Ruby
9/6 Meadowdale Pabst
9/27 Vacaville, CA Pabst
10/11 Riverside Phil Hill
10/18 Watkins Glen Stirling moss

1960 Carroll Shelby, Champion
4/3 Riverside Shelby
6/26 Castle rock, CO Shelby
7/31 Elkhart Lake Jeffords
10/16 Riverside Bill Krause
10/23 Laguna Seca Stirling Moss
Moss

1961 Ken Miles, Champion
6/25 Indianapolis Ruby
Pabst
7/2 Castle Rock Miles
Bob Holbert
10/15 Riverside Jack Brabham
10/22 Laguna Seca Moss
Moss

1962 Roger Penske, Champion
4/1 Bossier City, LA Dan Gurney
Gurney
7/29 Clermont, IN (IRP) Penske
Jim hall
9/30 Kent, Wash. Gurney
Gurney
10/14 Riverside Penske
10/21 Laguna Seca Gurney
Ruby


Also, Gordon has a web site that might be of interest to researchers and folks interested in racing history:


www.crosslink.net/~gewhite/

[Milan Fistonic]

These are the qualifying times and the result of the April 3, 1960 race at Riverside. They are from Sports Cars Illustrated.

car no/driver/car/time

49 - Bob Drake - Maserati Type 61 - 2:05.24
27 - Bill Krause - D-Jag-Chev - 2:06.97
70 - Dan Gurney - Buick Spl.(Old Yaller) - 2:07.80
98 - Carroll Shelby - Maserati Type 61 - 2:07.94
3 - Jack Brabham - Cooper Monaco - 2:08.45
181 - Chuck Stevenson - Mercedes Corvette - 2:08.56
66 - Jim Hall - Maserati 4.5 - 2:09.27
67 - Chuck Howard - Huffaker-Chev - 2:10.77
58 - Tony Settember - 4.9 Ferrari - 2:11.40
46 - Dick Morgensen - 3.0 Ferrari - 2:12.08
45 - Lloyd Ruby - 4.5 Maserati - 2:12.22
50 - Ken Miles - Porsche RS 60 - 2:12.57
69 - Bob Bondurant - Maserati - 2:13.06
1 - Augir Pabst - Scarab - 2:13.08
166 - Jack Flaherty - Lister-Jag - 2:13.94
85 - Clem Proctor - Aston DB3S - 2:14.68
170 - Pete Woods - Devin-Chev - 2:14.70
82 - Jim Connors - Lister-Chev - 2:14.87
24 - Russell Cowles - 3.0 Ferrari - 2:15.24
10 - Chuck Parsons - Lotus-Ferrari - 2:15.30
18 - Carlyle Blackwell - Jaguar D - 2:15.52
6 - Alan Connell - 4.1 Ferrari - 2:16.42
152 - Jay Chamberlain - Lotus XV - 2:17.22
4 - Jack Graham - 3.0 Ferrari - 2:17.48
16 - Lance Reventlow - Scarab - 2:18.69
60 - Don Wester - Porsche RS - 2:18.95
97 - Rick Lewis - Chev Spl - 2:19.44
19 - D.D. Michelmore - Porsche RS - 2:19.86
25 - Jim Chaffee - Devin-Chev - 2:20.59
112 - A.J. Foyt - C-Jag-Chev - 2:20.84
102 - Jack Nethercutt - 3.0 Ferrari - 2:20.89
8 - Jack Matthes - Aston-Chev - 2:21.57
711 - Bill Dixon - Maserati 300S - 2:21.62
32 - Kurt Neumann - Lotus XI - 2:22.62
61 - Art O'Connor - Lola - 2:22.78
11 - Pedro von Dory - Porsche RS 60 - 2:23.10
126 - Jim Pigott - Lotus - 2:23.97
7 - Art Snyder - Elva Mk V - 2:24.10
21 - Ebb Rose - Kurtis-Corvette - 2:25.05
161 - Phil Carter - Talbot Spl - 2:26.26
199 - Jerry McGee - Kurtis-Corvette - 2:29.69
22 - Bob Challman - Lotus-MG - 2:37.16
77 - Bill Leyden - OSCA - 2:37.38

Rodger Ward was to drive Bill Murphy's Kurtis-Buick but the engine blew in practice. He the ran a Corvette-powered Devin SS owned by Al Bowman. He spun that car during qualifying and fried the clutch trying to recover. He then got into Ebb Rose's Kurtis-Corvette but that failed at the halfway point of the race.

Result -62 laps - 37 starters

1 - Shelby
2 - Miles
3 - Lovely in Nethercutt's 3.0 Ferrari
4 - Morgensen
5 - Cowles
6 - Brabham
7 - Dixon
8 - Wester
9 - Michelmore
10 - Lewis
11 - Connell
12 - Chamberlain
13 - Chaffee
14 - Eubank, 4.5-litre Talbot
15 - Blackwell
16 - Challman

Non-starters and non finishers

Reventlow - DNS
Pabst - diff
Gurney - harmonic balancer on lap 39
Ruby - engine on lap 50
von Dory - fatal accident on lap 59
Krause - engine
Drake - engine

[Martin Krejci]

Using Jim's list of races I can add following results:


1959:
-----
USAC Riverside
Kinwanis Grand Prix 150, Riverside Raceway Date: 19.7.1959

Circuit lenght: Race distance: 246,23 km Winner's average speed: 142,829 km/h

1. 211 Richie Ginther (USA) Ferrari 412MI 0744
2. - Weiss Porsche
3. - Ken Miles (USA) Porsche
Did not finish:
5 Rodriguez Ferrari 250 TR 0718TR von Neumann?
99 Skip Hudson (USA) Ferrari 410S 0596CM
Other starters:
12 Alan Connell (USA) Ferrari 250 TR 0714TR


USAC 200 mil Riverside
Los Angeles Times GP, Riverside Raceway Date: 11.10.1959

Circuit lenght: Race distance: 326,696 km Winner's average speed: 143,312 km/h

1. 2 Phil Hill (USA) Ferrari 250 TR59 0768TR 62 2:16:45,000
2. - Lloyd Ruby (USA) Maserati 61
3. - Ken Miles (USA) Porsche 1. S2.0
4. - Dick Morgensen (USA) Ferrari 250 TR 0756TR
5. - Sam Weiss (USA) ?
6. - Jack Flaherty (USA) ?
7. - Gordon Glyer (USA) ?
8. - Chuck Parsons (USA) ?
10. - Akton Miller (USA) ?
11. - Josie von Neumann (USA)
Richie Ginther (USA) Ferrari 335S 0700
12. - Loyal Katskee (USA) Ferrari
Did not finish:
63 K. Ward ? 1 Collision
69 Dan Gurney (USA) Ferrari 1 Collision
74 Jack Graham ? 1 Collision
- Stirling Moss (GB) Aston Martin Engine


USAC Watkins Glen
Watkins Glen, Formula Libre Race, Watkins Glen Date: 18.10.1959

Circuit lenght: Race distance: 370,1491 km Winner's average speed: 132,4007 km/h

1. - Stirling Moss (GB) Cooper - Climax
2. - E. Johnson Midget - Offenhauser
3. - Entwistle Lotus - Climax

I am not sure if Daytona 1959 race was the same as Daytona 6 Hours the same day that was won jointly by Anton von Dory and Roberto Mieres that is the winner on Jim's list. If it was the same race I can add TOP11.

1960:
-----

USAC Riverside
Los Angeles Grand Prix 200, Riverside Raceway Date: 16.10.1960

Circuit lenght: Race distance: 326,696 km Winner's average speed: 147,225 km/h

1. - Bill Krause (USA) Maserati
2. - Bob Drake (USA) Buick Special
3. - Augie Pabst (USA) Scarab
4. - Jim Jeffords (USA) Maserati
5. - Carroll Shelby (USA) Maserati
7. - Hill Ferrari 250 TR59/60 0774TR
10. - Jack Brabham (AUS) ?
Did not finish:
- Stirling Moss (GB) Lotus Monte Carlo
- Dan Gurney (USA) Lotus Monte Carlo
Other starters:
- Ginther Ferrari 412MI 0744
178 Jerry Grant (USA) Ferrari 250 TR 0704TR


USAC Laguna Seca
Pacific Grand Prix 200, Laguna Seca Raceway, Monterey Date: 23.10.1960

Circuit lenght: Race distance: 321,868 km Winner's average speed: 139,771 km/h

1. - Stirling Moss (GB) Lotus - Climax
2. - Augie Pabst (USA) Scarab
3. - Bill Krause (USA) Maserati
Did not finish:
- xxx Ferrari 250 TR 0754TR accident
- Jack Brabham (AUS) ?
Other starters:
- Jo Bonnier (S) Porsche 1. 2.0

Heat 1
1. - Stirling Moss (GB) Lotus - Climax

Heat 2
1. - Stirling Moss (GB) Lotus - Climax

1961:
-----
USAC Riverside
Los Angeles Times Grand Prix 200, Riverside Raceway Date: 15.10.1961

Circuit lenght: Race distance: 326,696 km Winner's average speed: 152,179 km/h

1. - Jack Brabham (AUS) Cooper Monaco
2. - Bruce McLaren (NZ) Cooper Monaco
3. 66 Jim Hall (USA) Chaparral 1 Chevrolet 001
7. - Bob Donner (USA) Porsche RS61
10. - Jack McAfee (USA) Porsche RS61
15. - Constantine Ferrari 250 TR 0746
Did not finish:
- Stirling Moss (GB) Lotus Monte Carlo


USAC Laguna Seca
Pacific Grand Prix 200, Laguna Seca Raceway, Monterey Date: 22.10.1961

Circuit lenght: Race distance: 321,8688 km Winner's average speed: 146,611 km/h

1. - Stirling Moss (GB) Lotus Monte Carlo
2. - Dan Gurney (USA) Lotus Monte Carlo
3. - Jack Brabham (AUS) Cooper Monaco
4. - Bruce McLaren (NZ) Cooper Monaco
15. - Bob Hurt (USA) Ferrari 250 TR59 0766TR
Other starters:
50 Ken Miles (USA) Porsche RS61
66 Jim Hall (USA) Chaparral 1 Chevrolet 001

My source for 1962 season has also Pikes Peak as part of the USAC championship. I don't know if and how it was counted to the USAC point standings.

[Milan Fistonic]

Here is the result of the 1960 Los Angeles Times - Mirror GP held at Riverside. It is from Road & Track.

1. - Bill Krause Maserati 61 2:13:10 (91.5 mph)
2. 70 Bob Drake Ol' Yaller 11 2:13:42
3. 15 Augie Pabst M-B Scarab 2:13:44
4. 3 Jim Jeffords Le Mans Maserati 61 2:14:30
5. - Carroll Shelby Maserati 61 2:15:00
6. - Roy Salvadori Cooper Monaco 1 lap 0:04 behind
7. - Phil Hill Ferrari TR 1 lap 0:11
8. 61 Walt Hansgen Maserati 60 1 lap 0:40
9. - Jim Hall 4.5 Maserati 1 lap 1:11
10. 60 Jack Brabham Le Mans Jaguar (D-Type) 1 lap 1:33
11. - Dr R K Thompson Sting Ray Corvette 1 lap 1:43
12. - Bob Bondurant Ferrari-Maserati 2 laps 1:07
13. - Ken Miles Porsche RS-60 2 laps 1:51
14. - Peter Ryan Porsche RS-60 2 laps 2:09
15. - Tony Settember Corvette-D Jaguar 3 laps 0:39

Pole Position Dan Gurney Lotus 19 2:00.93 (98.116 mph)

33 cars were allowed to start.

17 places for the quickest over 2 litre cars
10 places for the quickest under 2 litre cars
and the first three finishers from each of two consolation races.

Qualifying times

Dan Gurney Lotus 19 2:00.93
Stirling Moss Lotus 19 2:03.62
Phil Hill 3.0 Ferrari 2:06.97
Richie Ginther 4.1 Ferrari 2:09.38 (fastest car at 173.08 mph)
Bill Krause 2.9 Maserati 61 2:03.9
Carroll Shelby 2.9 Maserati 61 2:05.18
Jim Jeffords 2.9 Streamlined Le Mans Maserati 61 2:05.93
Walt Hansgen 2.0 Maserati 60 (Briggs Cunningham) 2:08.26
Augie Pabst Scarab 2:05.15
Dr Dick Thompson Sting Ray Corvette 2:06.88
George Constantine Lister-Chev 2:07.28
Bob Drake Ol' Yaller 11 2:07.81
Roy Salvadori Ecurie Ecosse Cooper Monaco 2:06.8
Paul O'Shea D-Type Jaguar 2:15.52 DNQ
Jack Brabham D-Type Jaguar (Briggs Cunningham) 2:10.2
Bob Donner Porsche RSK 2:11.6
Bob Bondurant Ferrari-Maserati no time given
Loyal Katskee 2.9 Maserati 61
Jim Connor 2.9 Maserati 61

Don Hulette (Lister-Corvette), Jack Brabham (D-Jaguar) and Bob Herda (Huffaker Chev Special) qualified by finishing 1-2-3 in the first consolation race. Alan Connell (2.9 Maserati 61), Chuck Stevenson (Mercedes-Corvette) and Tony Settember (D-Jag-Corvette) qualified from the second consolation race.

The under 2-litre class was all Porsches except for Hansgen's Maserati and Jay Chamberlain's Lotus 17 (2:11.54).
Drivers of note included Jo Bonnier, Ken MIles and Jack McAfee, Bob Holbert, Roger Penske and Peter Ryan.

Retirements

Moss - transmission/clutch - lap 10
Gurney - head gasket - lap 17
Constantine - blown engine
Ginther - gearbox

Martin - There is no mention of Jerry Grant in the R&T report.

[Milan Fistonic]

More info on the 1960 Pacific GP held at Laguna Seca from the Road & Track report.

Qualifying Times
1. 1 Stirling Moss Lotus 19 1:17.3 (2.4s under the lap record)
2. 53 Bill Krause Maserati 61 1:17.8
3. - Jim Hall Stan Sugarman's Maserati 61 1:17.8
4. - Jack Brabham Ecurie Ecosse Cooper Monaco 1:17.9
5. - Augie Pabst Scarab 1:18.02
6. - Carroll Shelby Maserati 61 1:18.9
7. - Jim Jeffords Le Mans Maserati 61 1:19.0
8. - George Constantine Lister-Chev 1:19.2
9. - Walt Hansgen Maserati 60 1:19.3
10. - Dr Dick Thompson Sting Ray Corvette 1:19.3
11. - Bob Drake Ol' Yaller 11 1:19.5
12. - Chuck Howard Lister-Jaguar 1:19.7

Under 2-litre times
- Walt Hansgen Maserati 60 1:19.3
- Bob Holbert 1:19.8
- Ken Miles Porsche RS-60 1:20.4
- Jo Bonnier Porsche RSK 1:20.4
- Rodger Ward Porsche RS-60 1:20.4 (Bob Wilkie's RS with RSK engine)
- Peter Ryan Porsche RS-60 1:20.9
- Roger Penske Porsche RS-60 1:21.3

Dan Gurney was not allowed to start after missing qualifying when stripped flywheel bolts put his Lotus 19 out of Sunday practice. Three "amateur" drivers refused to sign a petition to USAC to get Gurney into the field.

Heat 1 - 102.4 miles

1. Moss 86.4 mph
2. Hall
3. Constantine
4. Holbert (1st under 2-litre)
5. Shelby
6. Miles
7. Bonnier
8. Penske
9. Ryan
10. Ward

Retirements

Pabst - fractured brake line
Krause - slipped distributor
Hansgen - spun off

Heat 2

1. Moss 87.3 mph
2. Pabst
3. Krause
4. Shelby
5. Hansgen
6. Bonnier
7. Hall (who had been third until he was nerfed off by Krause)
8. Miles
9. Holbert
10. Ryan

Retirements

Brabham - no reason given

No overall result is given. Moss did receive $3000 for the overall win to go with the $2000 for each heat win. But the other prize money was paid out on the heat results alone. Holbert and Hansgen got $2150 each for winning the under 2-litre class. Hall and Pabst got $1000 each while Constantine and Krause earned $700 each for their third places.

The driver who crashed the Ferrari in practice was Jack Graham. He went off the Turn 4 precipice and was badly injured as the Ferrari bounced through the trees. Sam Weiss had been killed at the same corner some time earlier.

[Milan Fistonic]

More info on the 1959 LA Times GP at Riverside from Road & Track.

Qualifying

1. - Richie Ginther 4.1 Ferrari 2:06.97
2. - Chuck Daigh 5.7 Maserati 2:07.02
3. - Lloyd Ruby 4.5 Maserati 2:09.35
4. -
5. - Dan Gurney 4.9 Ferrari 2:10.05
6. 2 Phil Hill 3.0 Ferrari 2:10.06
7. 28 Stirling Moss 4.2 Aston Martin 2:10.15
- Augie Pabst Scarab 2:11.68
- Jim Jeffords Scarab 2:12.54
28. - Rodger Ward 4.4 Ferrari 2:18.59

Under 2-litre times

- Ken Miles Porsche 2:12.84
- Ricardo Rodriguez Porsche 2:12.85

Other starters

- Jack McAfee Porsche
- Sam Weiss Porsche
- Bill Krause D-Jaguar-Chev
46 Dick Morgensen 2.9 Ferrari Testa Rossa

27 fastest qualifiers won places on the starting grid; the other three from the consolation race. The winner of that race was Rodger Ward.

A startline crash caused the race to be stopped. Gurney's engine stalled and he was hit from behind by Jack Graham's Aston Martin-Chev. The Aston then ricocheted into Ward's Ferrari.

Result

1. Phil Hill 3.0 Ferrari
2. LLoyd Ruby 4.5 Maserati 1 lap behind
3. Ken Miles Porsche
4. Dick Morgensen 2.9 Ferrari Testa Rossa
etc

13 finishers

Retirements

Ward - crash
Gurney - crash
Graham - crash
Moss - engine
Ginther - engine
Rodriguez - engine (had been third)
Daigh - ? - unable to get car started for second start
Pabst - ?

[Don Capps]

All,

Now that I am cleaning my desk of many of my former projects, this one is now back in The Zone. I will make sure that during my next visit to Watkins Glen that I take a close look at the many periodicals/serials that they have and see what is in the archives as well.

Plus, I will cruise through my old R&T's, SCI's & C/D's, and SCG's plus other odds and ends for more.

I will also check out the AAA sports car races as well.

[David McKinney]

Can someone help me out here?
Martin Krejci's original posting of 1962 results differed markedly from the few I had, mainly in that my data for some races had Gurney in a Lotus 18 (not 19), Penske in a Cooper T53 (not Monaco) etc.
Then Jim Thurman's list of winners suggests there were sometimes two (or more races) at the same meeting.
Does this mean that separate libre races were held to give the single-seaters a run at some meetings?

[Don Capps]

David,

Your eyes did not deceive you. Gurney did drive a Lotus 18 and a Lotus 19 at various times in some of the USAC events. Ditto Penske and several others in similar vehicles of other marques. It was often an eclectic -- if not catholic -- collection of cars that assembled on the grid. USAC was still sponsoring libre events in 1963, to include the Hooiser GP at IRP.

And, yes, there were multiple event and heats and at times sorting them out is a challenge....

You were warned that this would not be easy.....

[David McKinney]

Thanks for your reply Don, but are you confirming my last question (about separate libre and sports races at the same meeting)?
I know USAC road races, at least some of them, ran heats and finals. I know Gurney raced open-wheel and sports Lotuses in the same years, ditto Penske with Coopers.
But we have the situation of Martin's data listing Gurney (Lotus 19) winning the 1962 Bossier City race from Penske (Cooper Monaco), whereas I have Gurney (Lotus 18) winning from Penske (Cooper T53).
The question is, are we both right?
I have to confess that whereas Martin's race is at Bossier City on 1 April, 'mine' is at Hilltop Raceway on 31 March. I usually try to avoid jumping to conclusions, but because it's the same weekend, and the same guys are involved, I presume Bossier City and Hilltop Raceway are two names for the same place.
The field for the Hilltop race also had Jim Hall with another Lotus 18 and Alan Connell in a second T53 Cooper.
Any clarification possible?

[Allen Brown]

David

I've been puzzled by this too. I asked a question about this very race back in June:

http://www.atlasf1.c...&threadid=21115

I have the same results as you, or bits of them. What's your source?

Allen

[Allen Brown]

I've gone back to have another look at this.

First thing: the date. In my thread on this, I tried to calculate the date given the reference to the Sebring race the previous weekend. I just added 7 days to 24 March and got 31 March - on closer inspection I find that Sebring was held on a Saturday so I should have added 8 days. 1 April was a Sunday so that's the right date.

As for the track: Hilltop Raceway is in the town of Boosier City, Louisiana. So same track too.

The report only talks about the buildup for this race and never mentions a separate one for sports cars. Also, the race I was reading about was for libre single-seaters and sports cars. So this is the same race.

Maybe Martin assumed the Lotus 19 and the Cooper Monaco when he saw Gurney's Lotus beat Penske's Cooper in the first round of the USAC Road Racing Championship. That's a reasonable assumption - I couldn't blame him.

Allen

[Don Capps]

Single-seaters and sports cars did -- and fairly often -- compete in the same events at the same time for the race win. USAC's idea was it was road racing and let it go at that.... Only the later Fall Pro Season events are "pure" sports car events. Otherwise, "run wotcha brung.." was a fairly reasonable assumption. Next chance I get, I will try to remember to scan Our Man Dan in a Lotus 18 at the Hooiser GP and all the fenders around him....

Hey, this is not run-of-the-mill stuff..... .....you really have to pay attention and dig for information -- once you find it, that is. And "knowing" is not always "knowledge" I have found to my consternation on more a few occasions....

[Allen Brown]

Here's another mixed single-seater and sports car race.

Third Annual Hoosier Grand Prix

Indianapolis Raceway Park, date unknown 1963.

1 Dan Gurney Lotus 18-Climax (Frank Arciero's) 2:31.74 79.11mph
2 Hap Sharp 1498cc Lotus-Ford (single-seater)
3 Bob Holbert 1700cc Porsche
4 William Wuesthoff Porsche
5 Ludwig Heimrath Porsche RS 60
6 Dave or Dean Causey 2.5-litre Lotus 19-Climax
7 Ed Hamill Cooper-Ford V8
8 Bob Markley Lotus 23-Ford
9 "Johnson" (either Eddie Johnson Porsche Spyder or Bob Johnson Ford-Cobra)
10 Herb Swan Elva-Porsche

Roger Penske practiced a 4600cc Coooper-Chevrolet but decided to swap to a 2.7-litre Lotus 24-Climax for the race. So he started from the back. He gave it up after three pit stops.

So the first three rows of the 2x2 grid were Gurney - Hansgen (#60 289ci Maserati-Ford); Washburn (2.3-litre Cooper-Maserati) - Daigh (2.5-litre Lotus 19-Climax); Sharp - Holbert. All 48 cars started and a photo of the grid shows at least two single-seaters way at the back. One of those was a "ex-Fangio" (surely not!) Maserati 250F pedalled by Don Hullete. So David, which one was that?

Report from Sports Car Graphic October 1963 pp66,73.

Allen

[David McKinney]

I knew my memory was fading, but I didn’t realise it was getting that bad. My source for the Hilltop/Bossier libre race must have been:
http://www.atlasf1.c...&threadid=21115

I wondered if Martin had made the assumption you suggest - until I saw Jim Thurman's list of winners, which shows Hall winning twice at that meeting. Could be once in the 18 and once in the 19?
I’d seen the SCG report of the 1963 Hoosier GP. Don Hulette’s 250F could well have been an ex-Fangio car, as 2529 and 2533, both of which the maestro had raced, went to the US in 1959/60.

[Milan Fistonic]

In the October 1962 Road & Track there is an article which lists the 1963 International events in the U.S.

There are four USAC road races;

Bosier City, La. - Mar 31
Clermont, Ind. - July 27-28
Kent, Wash. - Sept 28-29
Riverside, Calif. - Oct 19-20

The first three cater for Formula Libre, Sports Cars and Formula Junior while Riverside has just the sports and juniors.

"Of the four dates listed for USAC in road racing next year, three will be for anything (well, almost anything) on four wheels, a reflection of USAC's continuing attempt to encourage open-wheel cars in road racing. SCCA, perhaps through a desire to let USAC fall on its face, has shown almost no interest in encouraging the open-wheel variety, concentrating to the exclusion of all else on sports and GT cars."

[Milan Fistonic]

Originally posted by David McKinney
.... Don Hulette’s 250F could well have been an ex-Fangio car, as 2529 and 2533, both of which the maestro had raced, went to the US in 1959/60.

In the October 1962 Road & Track Chuck Nervine of Mobile, Ala. is advertising an ex- Fangio Maserati 250F.

"1958 Formula 1 250F Ex-Fangio "Nurburgring" Maserati. Last car owned and raced by Fangio. Engine, brakes, hoses, pumps, mags freshly overhauled. New transmission. Tires. All parts factory original including new bearings, seals, rings, wiring, etc. This car is absolutely ready to go. Registered with USAC for 1962 season. Tremendously fast and reliable. No expense spared to insure tolerance perfection. Trades considered. Financing arranged. Reason for sale, new son, no more"mon." Price $3650.

Eat your heart out!

[Martin Krejci]

Hi all. Thank you for a nice discussion. I didn't thought there would be so much confusion about 1962 results. But that is good, as we can come more close to the truth.
My results comes from some SCCA files that Karl Ludwigsen kindly sent me sime time ago. They included 1962 USAC results. There was also Pike's Peak race that wasn't shown in Jim's list.

Not, it is not my practice to add type of car of I don't know definitely or any other source shows it. But some people use to assume some things, and thus may appear in my data. However I don't believe it was this case. I should check these two cars. It is possible I saw wrong 19 instead of 18 but I couldn't mispelled Monaco with T53.

It is interesting to see that USAC continue some races in 1963. That exlains why Karl's files show in other place Dan Gurney as 1963 USAC Champion. I was quite confused with that and that was also reason I thought I have 1963, not 1962 results in my first post here.

I will be back with confirmation.
If you like I can put all so far compiled data here on my site, so that it would be easier to overview current state of research.

[Milan Fistonic]

The October 1963 Sports Car Graphic has a report on the Hoosier Grand Prix which includes three photos of Dan Gurney's car. It is definitely an open-wheeler and is described as a "converted Lotus 18". One photo is of the start with Gurney on pole, another is of the rear end of the car with the bodywork removed (Business end of the cobbled Junior; a 2.6 Climax and Colotti/Francis gearbox. The car is up for sale by owner Arciero) and the third shows Gurney pitting for the fifth time to take on oil and water.

[Martin Krejci]

1962 Bossier City:

I can now confirm that SCCA sources that I have definitely shows:
1. Dan Gurney - Lotus 19
2. Roger Penske - Cooper Monaco

Originally posted by Milan Fistonic
In the October 1962 Road & Track there is an article which lists the 1963 International events in the U.S.

There are four USAC road races;

Bosier City, La. - Mar 31
Clermont, Ind. - July 27-28
Kent, Wash. - Sept 28-29
Riverside, Calif. - Oct 19-20

Looking into my data I found only Kent matching this schedule. I suggest it was changed to:

31/3 Bossier City (no info on this race)
1/6 3rd Annual Hoosier GP, Indianapolis
29/9 Kent
13/10 - Los Angeles Times GP, Riverside

I doubt about the second and fourth race. Can anybody confirm if they were USAC races or not?

By the way, in the rules overview of USAC Road Racing there were mentioned also rules for years 1963-64 but I don't know about any races in 1964. There was definitely no '64 champion.

[Milan Fistonic]

This from Road & Track February 1961.

Carroll Shelby, with his 4th and 5th place finishes in the Pacific GP at Laguna Seca, Calif., clinched the U.S. Auto Club road racing championship for 1960. Augie Pabst, '59 champion was 6th in the final standings with 447 points.

1. Carroll Shelby 1035 points
2. Jim Hall 762
3. Jim Jeffords 646
4. Bill Krause 550
5. Ken Miles 458
6. Augie Pabst 447
7. Stirling Moss 400
8. Bob Drake 328
9. Dick Morgensen 326
10. Skip Hudson 320

[Don Capps]

More on the 1962 Hoosier Grand Prix at Indianapolis Raceway Park, in Claremont

In the November issue of Auto Sports (vol. 1, no. 2), I found a report on the race with photos by Paul and Dave Rees (pages 38 to 40).

There were eight open-wheeled cars in the field of 27. From what I could sort out here are some of the tidbits of the race. Although there were no photos from the first heat, there were several of the second heat so some numbers and so forth could be rooted out.

# 96 Dan Gurney, Lotus 18 Climax FPF In the story it is referred to as a ‘19’ but it quite clearly an 18.

# 66 Jim Hall, Lotus 19 Climax FPF Probably 371

# 95 Hap Sharp, Cooper Climax FPF Probably the 53 he drove at Watkins Glen, F1/15/61

# 6 Roger Penske Cooper Climax FPF Probably the 53 used at Watkins Glen, F1/14/61, although he also had in his possession F1/16/61 which was to become the Zerex Special

#11 Innes Ireland Lotus 21 Climax FPF Possibly 936 since Hall was to use it later that year at the USGP

Don Hulette, Maserati 250F Possibly 2529 according to some, but ….

# 4 Rodger Ward, Leader Card Offy Midget This is certainly the best road racing midget to come off the Kurtis Kraft line in Los Angeles! This is the 1946 chassis 010 which Bob Wilke bought from Bob Sowle in 1958. Before it was sold to Gene Willman in 1968, it certainly got its share of road racing – Lime Rock, Watkins Glen, and Sebring in 1959 and several other adventures on the road circuits.

That’s seven and the eighth was probably the Lotus of Bob Schroeder, the Mecom driver who drove a Lotus 24 (940) at the USGP later that year.

Others in the event:
Alan Connell in a Cooper, probably a Monaco Climax FPF
Tim Mayer, ditto
# 28 Bud Gates in a Corvette Special

Each heat was 40 laps and Hall was the only driver to complete all 80 laps which took a total of 2hr 25min 09sec and for which his efforts were rewarded with his share of the purse: $1,950.

The announced attendance was 10,000. The trophy and champagne were awarded by Governor Matthew Welsh.

[Mike Argetsinger]

Originally posted by Don Capps
More on the 1962 Hoosier Grand Prix at Indianapolis Raceway Park, in Claremont

Actually Don it is Clermont -- but you have the phonetic spelling correct. They don't pronounce it in central Indiana quite the same way they do in 'la belle Francais'!

All of this brings to mind many memories of the lesser known Indianapolis circuit which was built with great expectations and had powerful interests behind it.

My earliest IRP memory is of a young PFC (that would be me) on the parade ground in Okinawa - the commanding officer stops in front of this fine young example of American military fright - the young (did I mention handsome?) soldier expects the standard question on something or other in the Code of Conduct. Instead the CO barks out "Argetsinger, where is the U.S. Grand Prix going to be held this year?" "Watkins Glen, sir!" is the reply. "You're certain it won't be at IRP?" barks back Captain Saunders. "Yes sir, I'm very certain sir!" is the answer. "Very good soldier - carry on," is the final comment.

Much more recently I have done quite a few races on the IRP road circuit in a variety of race cars. It's a decent track as multi-purpose facilities go. Turns one, two and three are very fast and challenging coming as they do at the end of the drag strip straightaway. You enter them essentially as fast as whatever you are driving will go. So they are good value. In addition to using the drag strip the road course also encircles the better known three quarter mile oval. Otherwise it is flat as Indiana flat can be but, as I have said, not without its own virtues.

But it would have been a miserable venue for the USGP -- as that lonesome young soldier knew well.

[Don Capps]

I didn't realize that I had written it as "Claremont" until you pointed it out: having an Indiana connection (Kokomo), I certainly know better...

And, yes, I do recall the constant talk of moving the USGP to Indy -- IRP. I was not convinced of the wisdom of such a move and not too surprised when it failed to occur.

However, I once drove the track during a test session (another long story...) and found it better than I imagined -- and flat as flivver. I tried to imagine sharing the track with 25 other cars and then decided that perhaps it was better that I didn't.... one bobble in a pack of snarling machines all trying to enter Turn 1 nearly flat out and then it would be as Keith Jackson says, "Whoa, Nellie...!"

[Allen Brown]

Don

Could the eighth single-seater be Alan Connell, but in a Cooper T53? Connell had a T53 at Bossier City on 1 Apr 1962, almost certainly the same one he drove at the 1962 Mexican GP. Might he have driven that at Clermont (IRP) on 29 July as well?

BTW, the F1 Register books show Connell driving F1-15-61 in Mexico, as if he had bought the Sharp car after the 1962 US GP. But as Bossier proves Connell was running his T53 from much earlier in 1962, I am inclined to believe Connell had bought Sharp's earlier T53 - the ex-Indy spare car F2-12-60.

Allen

[Don Capps]

Allen,

My initial thought was the same, but there are no pictures of the first heat so it is a bear trying to pin the rose on the eighth person. Also, Connell was driving a Cooper Monaco in most of the pro events and that is what leads me to think it is a 50/50 for either Connell or Schroeder. But, there is always the unexpected....

[Joe Fan]

1958 LA Times Grand Prix at Riverside on October 12th, does anyone know why Masten Gregory shared a car with Jo Bonnier and why they finished 11th? I haven't been able to locate a race report for this race.

[Roger Clark]

Originally posted by Joe Fan
1958 LA Times Grand Prix at Riverside on October 12th, does anyone know why Masten Gregory shared a car with Jo Bonnier and why they finished 11th? I haven't been able to locate a race report for this race.

Autosport had a fairly detailed report, but it gives no clue as to the answer to your questions.

[Joe Fan]

Originally posted by Roger Clark


Autosport had a fairly detailed report, but it gives no clue as to the answer to your questions.

Not what I was hoping to hear. Thanks again Roger

[Milan Fistonic]

The Road and Track report on the race does not provide the answers either.
As I posted earlier in this thread Gregory qualified 15th but Bonnier is not listed as a qualifier though he is mentioned twice in the report. That is to do with him being one of several drivers - Behra, Salvadori, Hill, Shelby, Gregory and Bonnier - who were scheduled to go to Casablanca for the F1 race the following week.

[Joe Fan]

Originally posted by Milan Fistonic
The Road and Track report on the race does not provide the answers either.

Thanks again Milan! I guess I shouldn't buy any lottery tickets tonight, huh? I could try to find out from some of the competitors in that race but memories of smaller races unfortunately tend to get foggy.

[Don Capps]

Having recently worked with the IMRRC historian, Bill Green, on this topic, sometme in the next few weeks I will produce a document on what I have. In addition to Bill generously allowing me to make copies of what information he had on this series, also I managed to get copies of most of the Competition Press articles on the events. I also found some programs from the events and they provided some useful information as well.

Needless to say, it has been a bear trying to pin down information on many of these events. However, I think I have a fair handle on it now and have reduced the unknowns to a mere few hundred thousand items versus the millions as before.