Feb. 1966.
Sometimes there is a story to go with some of these photos.
(photo shows Jerry Titus sitting in a Shelby GT350, which was not eligible to use in the Trans-Am series.)
" The above pic of Jerry Titus has him sitting in an R-model Shelby (5R001) for the "South Polar Prix Sports Car Race" at Green Valley Raceway, February, 1966. Jerry was just beat out by Pedro Rodriguez in 5R108 at this event.
The above detail was confirmed through the national Shelby registrar, Howard Pardee. And here is more from Howard, further clarifying the reasons this is 5R001, and not 5R002 per some other accounts:
"The car is 5R001. You can tell from this photo that the passenger side window has a quarter window which 5R002 didn't have. Also, the instrument panel has six gauges and 5R002 had only five gauges. Titus only drove an R-Model at Green Valley in 1966." (Jon Mello)
Jerry Titus at work.
Bill Steele driving # 7 Mustang GT 350 before Pedro Rodriguez showed up !
" The owner of 5R108 at Green Valley was Gene Hamon Ford; Bill Steele was their driver who quit when he saw the Shelby American truck pull in with 5R001 and Jerry Titus. That's why Rodriguez was hired at the last minute."
Pedro had to learn the track in a hurry and what better way than to drive a Mini Cooper !
"Here is international racing star Pedro Rodriguez putting in some practice laps in one of the Purple People Eater Mini Coopers
prior to the actual race, when he switched over to run one of the Shelby GT350 Mustangs.
Pedro Rodriguez having fun in the Mustang GT-350 # 7
(Jerry Melton photos )
