SCCA regional events in Texas etc. 1960s-70s through the lens of Jerry Melton

[Steve Holmes]

Just a slight break in the action to ask questions regarding this 1978 Jerry Melton photo of a Formula 5000 car at a Michigan club race.
How did the driver get in or out in a hurry if he needed to ?
Is this an early version of a F1 type "halo" ?
(I eagerly await your answers. Thanks. Ken H )
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(Jerry Melton photo.)

This would scare the crap out of me!

[Paul B]

Agree Steve, (post #88) It looks like the frame was bolted on after he got in. But there is a rather large void in front of the steering wheel, but that would mean the whole steering column would need to come out to get in & out.
Beats me?
Good pic Ken!
Cheers

[khyndart in CA]

In 1968 the Formula B and C class cars did not have any wings and I always liked the look of them.
A McLaren M4-B for example.
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Or a Brabham.
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(This could be a scene from Renwick ,NZ but is in Ohio.USA.
(Jerry Melton photos..)


( Ken H)

[khyndart in CA]

1968 and the Formula B and C class open wheelers were without wings etc.and I always liked how they looked.
For example;
A McLaren M 4-B

A Brabham 21A

(This could be a NZ scene such as Renwick etc. but it is in Ohio. USA. Nothing fancy but it was all enjoyed by everyone and well captured by Jerry Melton.)


(Ken H)

[khyndart in CA]

Between the track and the parking lot, British engineering is very much on display here in mid America, in this photo, as the Lotus 51 # 22 takes to the grass inside the Brabham BT21 A # 76.

(Jerry Melton photo..)

[khyndart in CA]

The Lotus 51 back on the track with the tyres showing signs of being a bit in the rough.

A 1965 Cooper T 75 # 10

An Elva 300

An early Russell- Alexis # 2

(Jerry Melton photos)
Here is a site describing the Russell-Alexis story. (I like the look of that Mini Cooper beside it.)

http://www.britishracecar.com/JeffSnook-Alexis-Mk14.htm

(Ken H)

[khyndart in CA]

In the SCCA Sports car race a few Can Am cars were entered along with others including a Lotus 11 so there was a rather large speed differential !
The winner after 10 laps was Bob Nagel in his recently purchased 1968 Lola T70 Mk3 – chassis SL73/128.
( from Carl Haas who had drivers Chuck Parsons and Skip Scott drive it for him.) Bob was a privateer and drove in sports cars until 1977 and passed away a few years ago at the grand age of 91.
Bob had the original Bartz-Chevrolet 365cid 5900cc V8 engine replaced with a Ford 427cid 7000cc V8 and entered here for this event.
(One of the few events he had any success.) Car # 24

Jerry Melton photos.

This car has been on the market a couple of times and now here is your chance folks to purchase one of the last Lola T 70 Spider (Open cars ) built.
First at Bonhams in 2006. https://www.bonhams.com/auctions/14261/lot/227/?category=list

And today I think it is again for sale at this site (Just in time for Xmas !) in Belgium with a well documented history etc.
https://racecarsdirect.com/Advert/Details/87491/1968-lola-t70-mk3---chassis-sl73128


(Ken H )

[Bruce302]

These pics keep getting better, Thanks Ken.

[Paul B]

Agree Bruce,
I could only imagine sitting on the side line and hearing those Can Ams blasting away. Music to my ears

[khyndart in CA]

Paul,
The older McLaren Can Am cars would often be found at these SCCA sports car races. At this meet in Ohio there were two 1965/66 McLaren M1Bs that were chasing the 1968 Bob Nagel Lola T 70. One was driven by Don Eichstaedt in McLaren # 16 and the other was Dave Causey driving McLaren # 54.

Sometimes Causey tried a bit too hard !

The # 16 McLaren M1 B was driven by Don Eichstaedt and the next post will show what an interesting history this car had.
(Note;It had a 351-W Cobra/Ford V-8. The engine was equipped with downdraft Weber racing carburetors. )

(Jerry Melton photos..)

[khyndart in CA]

The Don Eichstaedt 1965 McLaren M1 B history.

https://1965mclarenm1b.weebly.com/historical-background.html



(Ken H )

[khyndart in CA]

A fine little British sports car was the Turner, but sadly the company went into liquidation in 1966
Here is a nice example captured by Jerry Melton in 1968.

I have to admit I did not know much about these cars but this site has a heap of info. especially if you do the power point presentation.
http://www.turnersportscars.co.uk/

(Ken H )

[Paul B]

Paul,
The older McLaren Can Am cars would often be found at these SCCA sports car races. At this meet in Ohio there were two 1965/66 McLaren M1Bs that were chasing the 1968 Bob Nagel Lola T 70. One was driven by Don Eichstaedt in McLaren # 16 and the other was Dave Causey driving McLaren # 54.

Sometimes Causey tried a bit too hard !

The # 16 McLaren M1 B was driven by Don Eichstaedt and the next post will show what an interesting history this car had.
(Note;It had a 351-W Cobra/Ford V-8. The engine was equipped with downdraft Weber racing carburetors. )
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(Jerry Melton photos..)

They are great looking machines Ken, that has got to be a bucket list thing to drive a Can Am car!
At decent pace!

[khyndart in CA]

Even though this is a 1966 listing, note how few if any US built cars competed in most SCCA classes except the "big banger""A & B classes in 1968-69.
Plenty of English & European vehicles before the "Asian Invasion " or " Too soon for Datsun" etc..

p.s. If anyone has tried to email me recently I am sorry we have not had email since Dec. 23rd and may not have it back until next year !

(Ken H)

[khyndart in CA]

Some of the British cars racing in 1968 at the Steel Cities Raceway event.

A Sunbeam Alpine driven by Nancy Frost.

An Austin Healey Sprite driven by Don Miller

Don Munoz in his MGB.

William Larson in his Lotus Seven.

Two Mini Coopers back in the day of "bungee cord" bonnet straps.

(Jerry Melton photos. )

[khyndart in CA]

Two of the Porsche at the 1968 event.

Jim Osborne in his Porsche 356 pulling into pit road while an MGA is being worked on in the background.

Fred Baker competing in his beautiful Porsche 906.
(Jerry Melton photos. )
The 906 Porsche has become a very sought after car today and worth over $ 2 million USD at some sales
(Do check this information on the Porsche 906.)

https://petrolicious.com/articles/here-s-how-the-porsche-carrera-6-helped-change-history-forever


(Ken H )

[khyndart in CA]

Jerry Melton often photographed events at the Waterford Hills circuit near Detroit, Michigan.
As you can see in these 1968 photos the track safety features left some room for improvement !

Shouldn't that picnic table and bench be at least on the other side of the fence ?

The rewards for winning the Formula V race !

Plus you might also have had the opportunity to get to meet Miss Michigan 1968.
Darlene Kurant Follett, Chevrolet Corvette Stingray, 1968
(Jerry Melton photos..)

[khyndart in CA]

Although he tried his best the driver of this Shelby Cobra 289 # 196 had some difficulty keeping his machine on the track.

(Jerry Melton photos)

[khyndart in CA]

In 1969 one of the vehicles competing at Waterford Hills was this Holman-Moody modified Ford Challenger # 3

(Jerry Melton photo..)

It was possibly one of these being built at the Holman-Moody workshop in 1968.(No the window pillar is slanted in the other direction.)

This 1967 photo shows what a fine facility Holman- Moody had for all their various Ford racing preparations.

(Ken H )

[Steve Holmes]

In 1969 one of the vehicles competing at Waterford Hills was this Holman-Moody modified Ford Challenger # 3
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(Jerry Melton photo..)

It was possibly one of these being built at the Holman-Moody workshop in 1968.(No the window pillar is slanted in the other direction.)
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This 1967 photo shows what a fine facility Holman- Moody had for all their various Ford racing preparations.
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(Ken H )

Brilliant pics Ken. The middle photo shows the new HM Ford Torino stock cars being built for the 1968 NASCAR season. These were built using a custom made frame onto which were hung steel body panels. I believe HM retained some of their 1967 Fairlanes which they then re-bodied as Torinos for '68.