May 2021. Laguna Seca. Trans Am Speedfest.

[khyndart in CA]

It was exciting to get back to the track again. It was decided not to allow spectators at the track or open the stands due to Covid precautions. I managed to get a pit entry ticket and set off early on my 200 mile drive. The parking was free but there was no programme or access to any of the areas to get action photos such as taken by Ray and Nigel in NZ.

So I have a few of what I call "paddock and pit pics".

I am a fan of the Historic Trans Am class and as there was an entry field of over 30 cars I did spend most of my time amongst them including my pit duties of cleaning the wheels and listening to all the stories etc..great stuff.

Once again my camera failed to charge properly but I had an older back-up one and I will share what I took during my one day" back at the track."

( Note the stands are empty but the field was full !)
Ken H photo

[khyndart in CA]

It was wonderful to once again see the beautifully prepared cars lined up in the paddock area.
Such as the cars of Bill Ockerlund.

The cars of Richard Goldsmith.

Bill and Richard, stalwarts of historic saloon cars in the US.

Two views of the Ken Epsman stable.
With the 1971 AMC Javelin # 2 in front of the 1984 Pontiac.
Ken is behind the Javelin in the orange driving suit.

Jim Hague drives the # 16 1971 Boss 302

1984 Pontiac Trans Am # 53


(Ken H photos.)

[Roger Dowding]

Good stuff Ken H ,keep,em coming ..

[khyndart in CA]

These original Trans Am cars have been fully restored. The glory days of the Trans Am are being recreated. It is fantastic stuff.

Bill Ockerlund has the 1970 Boss Mustang # 15 driven back then by Parnelli Jones.

Bill also has the 1970 Plymouth Barracuda # 42 driven then by Swede Savage.

(Ken H photos..)

[khyndart in CA]

Trundling to the track.

Jeff O'Neil in
1969 Ford Boss 302 Mustang #15
Originally Driven by Parnelli Jones and George Follmer

Craig Conley - California
1970 Boss 302 Mustang #25 (The only Trans Am car painted in "Grabber Green" from the factory.)

Ken Adams - CA
1969 Boss 302 Ford Mustang #45

(Ken H photos )

[khyndart in CA]

Dennis Singleton in 1970 Pontiac Firebird #92 - Originally driven by Jerry Titus.

Accelerating away from the pit lane over the hill toward Turn 1.

(Ken H photos )

[khyndart in CA]

Rick Jeffery. 1967 Z28 Camaro # 96

Karman Cusack. 1968 Mustang # 22

Ken Epsman. 1971 AMC Javelin # 2





(Ken H photos..to be continued )

[khyndart in CA]

Lance Smith in
1970 Chevrolet Camaro #48
Originally driven by Dick Hoffman

Gary Underwood , California in
1967 Dodge Dart #18
Originally Driven by Ron Grable and Jim Hensel

Tom McIntyre driving
1968 Sunoco Camaro Z/28 #6
Originally Driven by Mark Donohue.

Richard Goldsmith driving
1970 Trans Am Dodge Challenger #77
Originally Driven by Sam Posey.

Richard giving the "thumbs up" that all is well with his beautifully prepared Dodge.


(Ken H photos..)

[khyndart in CA]

Tomy Drissi was a busy man at Laguna Seca.
He drove the 1970 Chaparral Chevrolet # 1 - "Factory" Trans Am Camaro in the Historic Trans Am races.

Originally Driven by Jim Hall
Built by: Jim Hall's Chaparral Cars, Inc.

Then Tomy came out to drive in the modern day Trans Am series. (Almost running me over in the process!)

Camaro # 8

Veteran driver Boris Said in his Dodge Challenger # 2

Ernie James in his Ford Mustang # 98 was quick.

Chris Dyson in Mustang # 20 led most laps on Sunday until an incident near the finish forced him to come in for a tyre replacement.

(Ken H photos..)

[khyndart in CA]

Different fins and spoilers seen at Laguna.
From a 1956 Ford Fairlane 500. to a 2020 Chevrolet Camaro.

(Ken H photos.)

[khyndart in CA]

1970 Trans Am footage showing this actual Mustang # 15 of Parnelli Jones winning at Laguna Seca.

(Ken H photos..)

[video=youtube;hGvP2YdI0aM]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hGvP2YdI0aM[/video]

[khyndart in CA]

Back to the Pro Trans Am race on Saturday.
Tire change for Lou Gigliotti"s Chevrolet Corvette # 28

Mitch Marvosh leaving the course in his Ford Mustang # 29

Adrian Wiostowski's Chevrolet Camaro # 3 lost fuel pressure.

Doug Peterson's Ford Mustang # 87 had a rough day amongst the close racing !

Here is a short clip of the Sunday race which can lead into a full coverage of the controversial finish.
[video=youtube;81q_tceWulo]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=81q_tceWulo[/video]


(Ken H pics..)

[Roger Dowding]

Don't remember the " CORKSCREW " sign even though sat there for many hours back in August 1982. The hills do look familiar would have walked up and down them many times on the weekend.

[khyndart in CA]

Ah, but Roger as the Scots would say " Will ye nae come back again ?"
We could have a fun time poking around in the paddock / pit area but with my leg and back issues I will leave you to roam the hills "laddie"

Cheers,
Ken

[khyndart in CA]

A little something for Paul B

1963 Ford Falcon Sprint # 5 driven by Michael Eisenberg.
This was the only 1963 Bodied Ford Falcon to race in the Trans Am series. It competed in the August 14, 1966 Marlboro MD 12 hour Trans American Sedan race and the September 10, 1966 Green Valley TX 6 hour Trans Am race. The driver in both events was Jim Taylor.

Then it was time to go out and run with "all me mates !"

Sadly Mike Eddy was unable to run his 1964 Falcon # 17 due to a cracked cylinder head.

(Ken H photos..)

[Roger Dowding]

Ah, but Roger as the Scots would say " Will ye nae come back again ?"
We could have a fun time poking around in the paddock / pit area but with my leg and back issues I will leave you to roam the hills "laddie"

Cheers,
Ken

Ken H,

Not too sharp myself may need to borrow a Golf Cart to get up the Hills..
The Paddock Pit area - yes could spend all day there.

Love the Falcons, hope Paul B - has a look too !! Racing the 63 model in '66, already an old car by racing standards ??.

Cheers
Roger

[khyndart in CA]

This car was impressive on the day I was at the track.
John Hildebrand - California in his 1964 Pontiac Tempest/GTO #49
Winner of the Historic Trans Am race after a wonderful race with no one in the stands to cheer him on

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Each time they came around there was a different leader.

( Ken H pics..

[khyndart in CA]

It was a marvelous sight to see this just one lap from the end of the Historic Trans race heading onto the front straight.
An AMC Javelin, a Boss Mustang, a Camaro and John at the back of the group in his Pontiac.
A lap later the Pontiac came though to win the race.

John Hildebrand was so intense he did not realize it was the last lap and did not know he was the winner when he came back off the track !

It is just starting to sink in. He was very calm after a stirring drive.

( Ken H pix..)

[khyndart in CA]

Other class acts at Laguna Seca May 1st.

(Ken H pics..)

[khyndart in CA]

White and of British origin.

1961 Jaguar E-Type coupe # 99

A 1957 Lotus Eleven # 102

1963 Lotus 23 B # 21

(Ken H pics..)