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

[Paul B]

In 1968 the Corvette Sting Ray C2 was still a popular car in US regional events such as this.
( I always liked the look of these Corvettes )

[ATTACH=CONFIG]58897[/ATTACH]
Alan Barker in his C2 # 27


(Jerry Melton photos.)



(Ken H )

Agree Ken The short screens on the C2 Vettes are a great looking machine
cheers from down under

[khyndart in CA]

Thanks Paul.
Here is a good 1968 battle in Ohio between 3 Fords and a Corvette captured by Jerry Melton.

( Ken H )

[khyndart in CA]

Sometimes one plunks away not knowing who might be interested in what happened in Mid America in the 1960s and then I was rewarded with a call at work by someone who noted an old friend in one of Jerry Melton's photos who had gone off to Vietnam and not returned and was pleased to see him in a photo here on TRS.
So I will keep on plunking.

A popular Formula Vee in the US in 1968 was a "Zink" built by Ed Zink whose company went on to build many successful formula cars.
https://www.revolvy.com/page/Zink-Cars.

1968 FV Zink. in 1968
(Jerry Melton photo )

A 1968 Zink that was for sale in 2017.

https://www.hemmings.com/blog/2017/03/25/hemmings-find-of-the-day-1968-zink-formula-vee-racer/



(Ken H)

[Paul B]

Keep on plunking away Ken!
There is some neat stuff there and you always have something of interest for all.
Cheers

[Oldfart]

I agree with Paul, always worth a look. Ken do you have any contacts with SVRA in Seattle area?

[khyndart in CA]

Rhys,
The only one I know in that area is, Tony Garmey, who was originally from the Papakura area (I think.) A super guy and very talented.
You can reach him through this site. Horizon Racing.

http://www.horizonracing.com/

I hope that works for you. Cheers,
Ken

[khyndart in CA]

The Formula race in 1968 included Formula B open wheeled cars (1600 cc which became Formula Atlantic in 1979 ) and Formula C open wheeled cars (1100 cc max.), formerly Formula Junior. ( Formula A cars entered these Formula races more in 1969.)
A rare Formula C car at the Steel Cities event in 1968 was the Rassey "Hurricane" FC car
driven by Bob Clemens # 61.

( Jerry Melton photos..)

Here is some information from OldRacingCars.com;
" Bob Clemens (Roseville, Michigan) worked for Chevrolet as a chassis designer, and had raced a Triumph Spitfire in the SCCA G Production class in Central Division from 1963 to 1966. In September 1966, the 34-year-old appeared in a Formula C car, designed by Clemens, built by Rassey Manufacturing, and known as the Rassey Hurricane. Clements raced this car in both local SCCA events and in Pro events over the next couple of seasons. By 1970, Clemens was a chassis and suspension engineer in GM's Corvette division, and acquired a Corvette RS which spent a year as the family runabout before he and mechanic David L. Skibowski reworked it into a Trans-Am car. He ran that car in Trans-Am in 1971 and 1972. He then went on to design the Formula A car for 1974, but his race record in the car is as-yet unknown. "


(Ken H)

[khyndart in CA]

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 )

(Jerry Melton photo.)

[Allan]

With help from Martin-Baker?

[khyndart in CA]

In case anyone is wondering. " Martin-Baker supplies ejection seats for 93 air forces worldwide."

(Good one Allan.)

KH

[khyndart in CA]

Robert Clift was a brave driver indeed in these Kawasaki powered DSR M-F Specials # 13
First in 1968 he drove this one.

In 1969 Robert was driving this DSR-MF Special. # 13

(Jerry Melton photos. )

[John McKechnie]

Ran twin Kawasaki engines .
Wonder what they were as until 1969, Kawasaki didnt really have any quick engines.
500 Mach 3 was 1969, also 350 Avenger- twin cylinder- rotary valve was a flyer.
Good thing car ran a lucky number.
Another great Hot-rod is Gar Woods 6,400 HP Boat...4 V12 Packards-

https://bangshift.com/general-news/videos/8-ton-sledge-gar-woods-7000hp-miss-america-x-boat-owned-the-world-in-32-and-33-video/?fbclid=IwAR0Vt5NXxZdQhUj_vfAMkoUWsWrgYtJx

[khyndart in CA]

A car seen in 1968 events in the SCCA D Sedan class was the NSU 1000 TTS.
Did any of these reach "Down Under" ? I think NSU went on to become Audi ?

The open rear lid must have been an early type spoiler. (Note this one had the oval headlights..see note below. )
(Jerry Melton photos.)

I found this bit of info. regarding the NSU TTS. (Lane Auto Museum material.)
"NSU 1000 TTS-1967

The NSU 1000 represented a major change for NSU. This model has a four-cylinder, overhead cam engine which is air-cooled and located in the rear. You can see that the styling of the Prinz IV carried over. The 1000 is larger with an 88 inch wheelbase and an overall length of 150 inches. With the quad headlights, the 1000 looks even more like the Chevrolet Corvair. For the U.S. market, the NSU 1000 was altered with the use of quad, round, sealed-beam headlights (the original, oval headlights were still illegal in the USA). Front parking lights and turn signals were round and mounted below the bumper. The wrap-around front blinkers were replaced with a metal panel. Later, front seat headrests were installed, as were other safety features, like front seat shoulder belts and 4-way emergency flashers.

Specifications:
Manufacturer: NSU Motorenwerke AG

Country of Origin: Germany

Drivetrain Configuration: Rear engine, rear wheel drive

Engine: 996cc, 40 hp, 4 cylinder, air cooled

Transmission: 4 speed manual

Top Speed: 85 mph

Years of Production: 1964-72

Number Produced: 207,628

Original Cost: $2,595

https://www.lanemotormuseum.org/collection/cars/item/nsu-1000-tts-1967

Please check this Nashville Tennessee museum as it has some very interesting and unique information on all types of transportation. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

(Ken H)

[SPman]

The original Munch Mamut motorbikes used an NSU engine - up to a 1300 I think. Huge for the time, now, not so much...

[Oldfart]

I know of one NSU in the Waiuku area.

[khyndart in CA]

Rhys,
Was that Tony Garmey information of any use to you on post # 86 ?
Ken.

[Ray Bell]

In Australia the NSU Prinz was a runner in the Armstrong 500 with drivers like Doug Whiteford, Lex Davison, Paul England and hillclimb champion Bruce Walton in 1960.

Whether non-appearance in later races was due to withdrawal from the market or changes in the rules I don't know, but I have never seen anything more recent than the Prinz.

NSU and Auto Union merged in 1969.

[Oldfart]

Rhys,
Was that Tony Garmey information of any use to you on post # 86 ?
Ken.

Thanks, but I haven't tried yet. Needs to be very specific.

[Roger Dowding]

Re ; NSU 1000 TT TTS
A car seen in 1968 events in the SCCA D Sedan class was the NSU 1000 TTS.
Did any of these reach "Down Under" ? I think NSU went on to become Audi ?

Ken H, never seen a race one in NZ, but I have a 1;43 of one with the open engine cover - very Abarth idea, as have a Fiat 600 [ [ 1000 Abarth, and a Simca Abarth coupe with the same set up a great looking little car ..

[khyndart in CA]

The sports car race in 1968 at Steel Cities Raceway included a "Genie" Mark 8 with a Camaro V-8 engine, # 17 driven by Jack Ensley.

(Note the tiny roll bar compared to the later photo below.)

(Jerry Melton photos.)

The Genie was the creation of Joe Huffaker and there is some information at this site which also shows the beautiful craftsmanship involved in making these cars that still look great today.

https://girardo.com/available/1965-huffaker-genie-mk12-can-am/

(Ken H )