IMSAblog

1984 : the last thunder, part 2

The next race was to take place in California, for the traditional Los Angeles Times 6 Hour Enduro. Things were toughening for the bulk of the usual entry as the Bayside Disposal Team had his new Porsche 962 entered for Al Holbert and Derek Bell. It would be the sole time the car would sport the Lowenbrau colours. Holbert Racing would, later. The West Coast entry was quite varied with a lot of unusual cars. As the Ray McIntyre Chevrolet Corvette GTP was amongst the entrants. The AAR team had a pair of Toyota Celicas, but entered a Tom's Toyota 83C for Kaoru Hoshino and Masanori Sekiya. A brand new Ford Thunderbird, entered by Brooks Racing, and driven by John Bauer and Bruce Jenner. This car would dominate its class. The qualifying sessions saw all existing class records fall apart. Klaus Ludwig was on the pole with 1m34s061. It was more than two seconds off the previous mark. The race seemed to be a contest between three cars : the Bayside Disposal 962, the Zakspeed Ford Mustang GTP and the Blue Thunder Racing new March 84G Chevrolet, driven by Randy Lanier and Bill Whittington. As Gene Felton also shattered the previous GTO record, Elliot Forbes Robinson did the same in the GTU category with John Schneider's Porsche 924 GTR. The early stages of the race saw a big confrontation between Derek Bell and Bobby Rahal. This would last until lap seventy four when the Ford Mustang GTP would succumb to sheared wastegate bolts and a broken transmission. The Porsche 962 then took the lead but was able to be challenged by the Red Lobster March 83G Chevrolet, driven by Kenper Miller and David Cowart and the Conte Racing Lola T600 Chevrolet, driven by John Morton and Tony Adamowicz.

John Morton and Tony Adamowicz drove this Conte Racing Lola T600 Chevrolet to a fourth place finish at Riverside

Courtesy Tony Adamowicz

The two cars would then drop to third and fourth place. By mid-race, the Blue Thunder Racing March was now firmly holding the second spot, with a one minute and fifteen seconds difference with the leading Porsche 962, which seemed to have its very first victory secured. But the car was not completely sorted, and it would plagued with numerous teething problems. Derek Bell lost one minute and a half for a wheel change, the wheel needing to be hammered out of position. The Blue Thunder March 83G Chevrolet moved by the Bayside Disposal Porsche 962. The end of the race seemed to materialize into a duel between the two opponents. In fact, the March clinged to its position until the chequered, with a five second margin over the Porsche at the end. The GTO class was surprisingly won by the small Mazda RX7 entered by Mandeville Auto Tech and driven by Roger Mandeville and Amos Johnson, who finished eleventh overall. They were outpaced by the GTU winning car, which was the Porsche 924GTR driven by Elliot Forbes Robinson and John Schneider. At Laguna Seca, a very small field was to be displayed to the spectators, as only fourteen cars took the green.  The race seemed to undergo a Ford domination as the two cars led the race in the early stages, but unfortunately, they would both have to retire. Bob Wollek, who made his beginnings at the wheel of the Ford Mustang GTP , withdrew from the race with clutch problems. Klaus Ludwig was leading and retired one lap later. Sarel van der Merwe took back the lead but was to be passed by Randy Lanier and Kenper Miller, who had his best result ever, at the wheel of the Red Lobster March 83G Chevrolet. Bill Whittington, on the second Blue Thunder March 83G Chevrolet, was the first to retire from the race after six laps. The GTO-GTU race was quite interesting, with a very strong thirty three car field. It looked like four cars would be able to win that race, with John Bauer, driving the very fast Brooks Racing Ford Thunderbird, Walt Bohren at the wheel of the Dingman Bros Chevrolet Corvette, Gene Felton who did not drive the usual Stratagraph Chevrolet Camaro but the Round Table Racing Pontiac Firebird, Billy Hagan had chosen to drive the Stratagraph car, and George Follmer, who did make a very unusual appearance on his Trans Am Follmer Racing Chevrolet Corvette. The four of them seemed to be set for a big fight. In fact, the race was quickly set for the win as John Bauer, who dominated the practice sessions, rapidly took the lead of the race and escaped from the remainder of the field at a one second per lap rate. Behind him, three cars battled strongly, and it was Gene Felton, who emerged at the end, edging George Follmer and Fomfor, driving his own BMW M1, for second place. The GTU class was won by Jack Baldwin, who drove the CCR Racing Mazda RX7, who finished ahead of Logan Blackburn, who drove his Datsun 280ZX.
The next race was to take place on the high banks of Charlotte Motor Speedway, in Northern Carolina. A fantastic fifty car field was to be seen by a very huge and unusual crowd, as the week-end was hosting a NASCAR race. Al Holbert took his first pole position aboard the Holbert Racing Porsche 962, and he was followed by Randy Lanier and Bill Whittington, on the Blue Thunder Racing March 84G Chevrolet.

Al Holbert in the pits, waiting for his car to be ready for the race

Copyright Michael Crews

As the Porsche 962, driven by Al Holbert, took the lead tight from the start, at the end, it was once again the Blue Thunder Racing March 84G Chevrolet driven by Randy Lanier and Bill Whittington which emerged as the winner at the end of the race. The beginning of the race had been thrilled by the huge crash involving to GT cars, the Porsche 924GTR driven by Elliot Forbes Robinson and the Ford Mustang driven by Fernando Sabino. The action resulted in a big fire for the Porsche but none of the drivers were hurt. As the March won, the second and third place results belonged to the Group 44 Jaguar XJR5s. Bob Tullius and Doc Bundy finishing just ahead of Brian Redman and Pat Bedard. The GTO class saw a new victory for the Stratagraph Chevrolet Camaro. Gene Felton and Billy Hagan winning and the second place went to Walt Bohren and Billy Dingman in the Dingman Bros Chevrolet Corvette. The GTU class was a first victory for Dan Gurney's AAR team. Chris Cord and Jim Adams earned a well deserved victory, driving a Toyota Celica. They defeated Al Bacon and Charles Guest, driving the Al Bacon Racing Mazda RX7, who took the second place, while Clay Young and Doug Grunnet took a very encouraging third place in class, at the wheel of the Dole Racing Pontiac Fiero. Things were getting more and more interesting. As the Charlotte event did happen under a bright sunny weather, it was quite a different matter for the next round, held at Lime Rock. The race was split into three race, for each category. Each race was to be run under a very wet track, with a very scant field. Fourteen cars took the green of the GTP race, with Bill Whittington on the pole, once again.

Steve Cohen brought his beautiful Ferrari 512BB to Lime Rock.(take a look at the ground)

Copyright Jeffrey Payne

The race was to last one hour, and thanks to the track's state, the winner's average would not exceed eighty miles per hour. Sarel van der Merwe bought his Kreepy Krauly March 84G Porsche to his first victory of the season. Second was Randy Lanier, who brought his March 84G Chevrolet to a second place overall. He was more than one minute down at the end, but he was strengthening his dominant position for the title. The GTO race appeared to be the small engines' revenge, as Roger Mandeville won over Carson Baird, who drove a Datsun 280ZX. Billy Hagan was third, but this was probably due to the fact that only seven cars took the green, it was probably the smallest field ever in IMSA history.

Walt Bohren at Lime Rock, under a very wet track. He finished fourth overall and became one of the dominant drivers of the series

Copyright Robert Manley

An interesting entry, however, was that of Paul Pettey, who brought his Jaguar XJS to a sixth place overall. The GTU round was probably the most interesting, as Jack Baldwin took his Mazda RX7 to a new victory over Chris Cord, who finished only four seconds down. Third was Clay Young, whose Pontiac Fiero was getting more and more competitive.
The next round, held at Mid Ohio, brought the March-Porsche duel to its peak, with less than four seconds between the two opponents after six grueling hours of racing. Nonetheless, it was the very first victory in the US for the Porsche 962. It was no domination at all for the German car, and it was kind of a welcome information, as the Blue Thunder March 84G, driven by Randy Lanier and Bill Whittington, was by no means dominated. Bill Whittington even set the best race lap on the final lap! Al Holbert and Derek Bell won their first race at the
wheel of the Holbert Racing car. Third overall was the Bayside Disposal Porsche 962, driven by Hurley Haywood and Bobby Rahal, while two other cars appeared as potential winners, the Kreepy Krauly March 84G Porsche driven by Sarel van der Merwe and Tony Martin, who finished fifth, and the Conte Racing March 84G Chevrolet, driven by John Morton and Richard Spenard. Those two cars held the lead in the early stages of the race. The GTO class saw a new winner as Chet Vincentz brought the Electrodyne Porsche 934 which he shared with Dave White to victory, just ahead of Roger Mandeville and Amos Johnson, driving their usual Mazda RX7. The GTU class brought a new winner too as George Alderman and Lew Price defeated the Mazda contingent for the first time of the season. Bob Leitzinger and Bob Criss took the second place, also driving a Datsun 280ZX,while Jack Baldwin and Bob Reed had to be content with the third place.
The next race was held at Watkins Glen,  for the Continental double three Hour race. At the end, it was a new victory for the Al Holbert and Derek Bell, who were joined by Jim Adams, on their now familiar Porsche 962. Their strongest opposition appeared to be the Ford Mustang GTP, driven by Bob Wollek and Klaus Ludwig, but the car did not last more than seventeen laps.  Randy Lanier and Bill Whittington had one of their rare dnf of the season, and did not gather any point for this race. The GTO class saw a new victory for the Electrodyne Porsche 934, driven by Chet Vincentz, who was now co-driven by Jim Mullen. Billy Hagan and Gene Felton had to retire on lap ninety one. The GTU class  was won by Elliot Forbes Robinson and John Schneider, who drove their Porsche 924GTR to victory over Jack Dunham and Jeff Kline, who drove the Dunham Trucking Mazda RX7.
A new swing back to the west coast, at Portland, proved that the new Porsche domination was not completely settled down. During practice, Sarel van der Merwe had brought his March 84G Porsche into the pole position, just ahead of Randy Lanier and Bill Whittington, while Al Holbert and Derek Bell would start on the third row. The race featured the GTP and GTO cars while the GTUs would run a separate race. The race was quite fantastic between the three best cars. Sarel van der Merwe was the first to retire after six laps, and Bill Whittington then took over the lead. The Porsche seemed to become the right challenger, but the Group 44 Jaguar XJR5, driven by Bob Tullius and Doc Bundy was never to be forgotten. Relying on a better fuel consumption, the pair was able to finish at the second place, just ahead of the Porsche 962 driven by Al Holbert and Derek Bell. The Blue Thunder March 84G Chevrolet, driven by Randy Lanier and Bill Whittington, firmly held the lead until the chequered. The pair now clearly appearing as the one to beat. The GTO class was won by a newcomer, as the Double Eagle Motorsports Chevrolet Corvette, driven by David Schroeder and Tom Hendrickson, took a surprise victory while the Stratagraph Chevrolet Camaro had some minor troubles during the race, as they took a third place in class. Second place was taken by Roger Mandeville, whose consistency would bring him a wonderful surprise later in the season. The GTU was once again a battle between the three best regular drivers. Jack Baldwin finally won over Jim Adams, Chris Cord and Clay Young for a now usual Mazda-Toyota and Pontiac fight. The best Porsche 924GTR was not driven by Elliot Forbes Robinson, and John Schneider took a very descent fifth place.
The next race was to be held at Sears Point, with again a very thin field to be displayed. Again it was Bill Whittington who sat on the pole, while Randy Lanier was on the fourth spot. It was very strange to see Sarel van der Merwe at the wheel of the Holbert Racing Porsche 962, as the team owner was not present. Bill Whittington clearly took advantage of this fact and dominated the race, while the two Group 44 Jaguar XJR5s took second and third. Doc Bundy was just ahead of Brian Redman, while Sarel van der Merwe took an excellent fourth place on a car he did not know very much. The GTO-GTU race promised a lot of excitement, with the Brooks Racing Ford Thunderbird back at the track, and John Bauer driving. As for Laguna Seca, John Bauer again dominated the practice sessions, and the race. He finished ahead of Dennis Aase and Chris Cord, who were the best GTU drivers. In fact, Gene Felton was the next GTO finisher, but he took only a sixth place, after starting at the thirteenth place. Since Sears Point is a very tricky track, he had to work his way through the field and it was a great result, at the wheel of the Herb Adams Racing Pontiac Firebird. Jack Baldwin was third in GTU behind the two Toyotas.(to be continued)

1984 : the last thunder, part 3

The next race, which was due to happen in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin, saw a strong sixty car field. Not only was it one of the strongest one in the season, it was too one of the most varied one. Some new cars had appeared and added some excitement to the series, as the French Cougar, which was powered by a Ford engine, right from Le Mans. A new Polimotor Lola T616 was to take the green too, and it was a very remarkable car. It featured a revolutionary plastic engine! A lot of Marches were to be seen, as per usual, but three Porsche 962s were to face them. They were nowgetting stronger and were now clearly the cars to beat. Al Holbert and Derek Bell were on the pole once again, and they were trailed by Randy Lanier and Bill Whittington. Klaus Ludwig and Bobby Rahal were on third place on the Ford Mustang GTP. The two Group 44 Jaguar XJR5s were not far away, as well as the two other Porsche 962s. Bob Akin and John O'steen were running on the Coke 962 which needed to be developed. The race, once again, proved to be the usual confrontation between the Löwenbrau Porsche 962 and the Blue Thunder March 84G Chevrolet driven by Randy Lanier and Bill Whittington.
But the Porsche 962, driven by Al Holbert and Derek Bell, proved to be stronger, and was five laps ahead of the Bayside Disposal Porsche 962 driven by Bruce Leven and David Hobbs at the end.  The Blue Thunder March 84G Chevrolet was third overall, but still in the lead for the overall points. Porsche was to dominate the GTO class too with the Electrodyne Porsche 934, driven by Chet Vincentz and Jim Mullen finishing tenth overall, well ahead of the favorites, the Stratagraph Chevrolet Camaro driven by Billy Hagan and Gene Felton, which had troubles and were twenty second overall. The Pontiac Firebird driven by Dan Schott and Jim Fay had their best race ever, as the two drivers were second in class, four laps down the Porsche. In GTU, it was Mazda which took the class win but Jack Dunham and Jeff Kline had their first victory on their Dunham Trucking RX7. Second was the Rusty Jones Mazda RX7, driven by Don and Kelly Marsh, along with Ron Pawley, while Tim Selby and Earl Roe had a very good race of their own at the wheel of their reliable, if not fast, Porsche 914/6. The Porsche 924GTR driven by Elliot Forbes Robinson and John Schneider had dominated the early stages of the race, but was sidelined later in the race. The Cougar Ford, driven by Yves Courage and John Jellinek, retired after forty seven laps, while the Polimotor Lola did not run more than four laps.

The start of the race at Pocono, with Al Holbert leading the field, ahead of Bill Whittington

Copyright Jeffrey Payne

At Pocono, once again, it was Porsche who took the race honours. However, the March 84G Chevrolet entered by Blue Thunder Racing was on the pole, and proved to be a very tough contender. Unfortunately, the car had to retire short from the end of the race, and was however rewarded with a fifth place overall. Al Holbert and Derek Bell had a new win over the Group 44 Jaguar XJR5, driven by Bob Tullius and Doc Bundy. The second Blue Thunder March, which was in fact the previous year's car, and driven by Don and Dale Whittington, was third. The Kreepy Krauly March 84G Porsche was fourth with a fastest lap for Sarel van der Merwe. In GTO, a very close fight was to be set by Gene Felton and Chet Vincentz. This was to last for nearly all race long, with Gene Felton, who was driving the Gary English Chevrolet Camaro solo, emerging as the winner over the Electrodyne Porsche 934, always driven by Chet Vincentz and Jim Mullen. John Schneider and Elliot Forbes Robinson overcame a troop of rotary Mazda RX7s to win the GTU class. Jack Baldwin was second driving the CCR car. He was ahead of Jack Dunham and Jeff Kline, while Roger Mandeville and Amos Johnson were third in class.
The next event was to take on the Michigan International Raceway, which was a tri-oval course, coupled with an infield track. The race was split into two parts, with the GTPs and GTOs running together, while the GTUs would have their own race. The race would prove very much different from the previous venues, with the Blue Thunder March 84G Chevrolet back in winning form. The pole was to be gained by Klaus Ludwig, who drove the Seven Eleven Zakspeed Ford Mustang GTP. The Blue Thunder March 84G Chevrolet was second, just ahead of the Conte Racing March 84G Chevrolet driven by John Paul Jr and John Morton. The best Porsche 962 was only fourth, and it was the Löwenbraü car. Thirty three cars took the start of the race, which saw the Blue Thunder March emerge as the winner. Neither Porsche 962 appeared to be able to win the race, and the Holbert Racing car finished a lowly ninth overall, after experiencing troubles. Randy Lanier was comforting his leading position. Second overall was the Red Lobster Racing car, driven by Kenper Miller and David Cowart, who powered their March 84G Chevrolet to their best season result. Bruce Leven and Bill Adam were third on the Bayside Disposal Porsche 962. Once again, the GTO class went to the Electrodyne Porsche 934, who had a fantastic race, and finished an incredible fifth overall.

Chet Vincentz and Jim Mullen had a fantastic race at Pocono, finishing fifth overall at the wheel of their Porsche 934.

Copyright Mark Windecker

Their class victory is enhanced by the fact that they beat the Brooks Racing Ford Thunderbird, driven by John Bauer and Bruce Jenner, which was a very strong opponent. The Ford finished two laps down, just ahead of Al Holbert and Derek Bell, on the Porsche 962. The GTU race was a premiere, as it was the first ever victory for an American car. Clay Young was driving the Dole Racing Pontiac Fiero and he won over Bob Bergstrom, second at the wheel of his Whitehall Promotions Porsche 924GTR. Jack Baldwin was third and the best Mazda proponent. A very weak field of only twelve cars had taken the green.

Clay Young had his maiden victory at Michigan International Speedway,  where he drove his Pontiac Fiero to its first GTU victory.

Copyright Mark Windecker

The next race was a swing back to Watkins Glen, which hosted a  race for the second time this year. Fifty six cars were entered and again, the Porsche 962s were defeated. In fact, it was the race that gave the 1984 IMSA Camel GT Championship. Bill Whittington had set the number 56 car on the pole, but he would not finish the race, and retired on lap forty eight. As permitted in IMSA, Randy Lanier, who was listed as Bill Whittington's co-driver, then was affected as Dale Whittington's co-driver, on the second team's car, which eventually won the race. Al Holbert and Derek Bell did not finish the race, and saw the IMSA crown fly into the opposition. John Kalagian and John Lloyd were second, drjving the Kalagian Ardisana Racing March 84G Chevrolet, while Lyn Saint James and Howdy Holmes were third, driving an Argo JM16 Ford. It was their best result ever. The GTO class saw a new class win for the Electrodyne Porsche 934, driven by Chet Vincentz and Jim Mullen. They again defeated the Brooks Racing Ford Thunderbird, driven by John Bauer and Bruce Jenner. The GTU class saw a new victory for the new Pontiac Fiero, driven by Clay Young. Remarkably, he even finished ahead of the winning GTO car, and earned a seventh place overall. Elliot Forbes Robinson took the second place while the AAR Toyota Celica driven by Dennis Aase and Chris Cord was third. It was an interesting four different makes finish in this very disputed class.
The next race was the traditional Daytona Finale, with a huge seventy four car field. Nearly every car was present, and the IMSA winning car proudly displaying a number one on its hood. A new Porsche 962 was entered by Preston Henn, who drove the car with Bob Wollek. This time, it seemed that Porsche was willing to reverse the last races' trend, and it did! Al Holbert and Derek Bell were on the pole, with a new lap record at stake. In fact, they dominated the race, and were not threatened at all. They won the race over Brian Redman and Hurley Haywood, who drove the second Group 44 Jaguar XJR5. Bob Wollek and Preston Henn were third, on a brand new car. The two Ford Mustang GTPs were still competitive, but had to pit for minor troubles.

Bruce Leven and Bill Adam took a fourth place finish at the Daytona Finale.

Copyright Mike Smith

Klaus Ludwig and Tom Gloy were fifth at the end. The GTO class saw a new, and future very impressive entry, as Roush Racing was entering a Ford Mustang for the very first time. Driven by Willy T Ribbs and Wally Dallenbach, the car dominated the practice sessions and the race. Roush Racing would dominate the GTO class for many seasons, and the Ford Mustangs would become the cars to beat for many races. Willy T Ribbs and Wally Dallenbach won over Walt Bohren, who drove the Dingman Bros Chevrolet Corvette to a very strong second place, while Billy Hagan drove his Chevrolet Camaro, which he drove solo, to an excellent third place. The GTU class saw a new victory by the Porsche 924GTR driven by Elliot Forbes Robinson and John Schneider, who took the win by one lap over Jack Baldwin and Ira Young. Third was the AAR Toyota Celica driven by Chris Cord and Dennis Aase.
While Randy Lanier had clinched the GTP title at Watkins Glen, it was surprisingly Roger Mandeville who took the GTO title, at the wheel of his Mandeville Auto Tech Mazda RX7. With a car which was about 200 hp shy of the best GTO cars, it was reliablility which earned him the title. And it came to him as a surprise, but it was a well deserved one.
Gene Felton was second, driving mainly Chevrolet Camaros, while Amos Johnson took a third and Chet Vincentz, who started later in the season, took a fourth place in GTO. In GTU, Jack Baldwin easily won the title, and he was well over Jack Dunham and Jeff Kline, all of them driving Mazda RX7s. John Schneider was fourth, just ahead of teammate Elliot Forbes Robinson.
As a conclusion, it was a very strong season, with a lot of excitement. The Porsche 962 arrival brought many doubts amongst the usual contenders, and they fought very hard. However, it became clear that the Porsche 962 was to become the car to drive to win races in 1985. BF Goodrich, who entered Lola T616 Mazdas, had purchased two cars and would field them in the 1985 season.
The GTO class saw new cars fighting for the title, and the title was awarded to a very surprising car. Porsche, Chevrolet and now Ford and Mazda could win races, bringing a lot of excitement to this class. The same could be told from the GTU class, which saw Mazda, Datsun, Porsche, Toyota and now Pontiac fight with nearly equal chances for the title. The IMSA Championship had entered a new era, and races were becoming more and more exciting.

Sears Point 1988

Round eleven of the 1988 of the IMSA Camel GT was no different from the previous events. Nissan had got accustomd to dominating the series since the beginning of the season, but this time, they would have to fight hard. In fact, Jaguar proved it was a great contender, threatening Nissan for the first time. At Portland, Nissan had dominated the race from the beginning. A strong twenty eight car field was to be seen on the tight 2,5 mile course. Two Nissan ZX T GTPs were entered by Electramotive, and they would solo driven, by Geoff Brabham and John Morton. They were faced by two Castrol Jaguar XJR9s, driven by Martin Brundle-John Nielsen and Davy Jones-Jan Lammers. The Jaguar team was confident on this very tight course, which was perfectly suited for their normally aspirated V12 engine. Seven Porsche 962s were entered by different teams. The cars were no longer the reference of the series, but they were always a threat in the longer events, thanks to their reliability. Dyson Racing had a modified 962 entered for Price Cobb and James Weaver.

James Weaver and Price Cobb were the best Porsche contenders in their Dyson Racing car.

Copyright Van Zannis

Holbert Racing was here with Chip Robinson and Derek Bell, while Al Holbert was concentrating on his future responsibilities. Unfortunately, what laid in the future would seal his fate. Busby Racing had a specially built 962, which would be driven by Bob Wollek. The car was backed by BF Goodrich.  Gianpiero Moretti had entered two different cars : a Porsche 962 for himself and Scott Pruett, and a March 86G Buick powered for Michael Roe and Steve Phillips. John Hotschkis and Jim Adams had their Fabcar built car entered, while Bayside Motorsport was here with a car entered for Rob Dyson and Bruce Leven. Kalagian Racing had a 962 for Doc Bundy and John Graham. A Corvette GTP, driven by Sarel van der Merwe and Elliot Forbes Robinson, was still able to be a strong contender for the win. Two uncompetitive Ford GTPs were entered by Tom Milner Racing. Tom Pumpelly and Chip Mead drove the first car, while Dominic Dobson and Ruggero Melgrati drove the second car. A Pontiac Firebird GTP was driven by Bob Earl and Jeff Kline, with some ambitions. The Ball Bros team had a Spice Buick for Michael Brockman. The remainder of the field was all Lights cars. Six Pontiac Firebirds, which were Spice built. Dan Marvin drove the Huffaker Racing car while Don Bell had his own car, backed by AT and T. Skeeter Mc Kitterick, Charles Morgan, Frank Everett and Costas Los all drove similar cars. The opposition would come from th Spice SE88 Buick driven by Scott Schubot. Two Argo JM19s, entered by Downing Racing, for Jim Downing and Howard Katz-Hiro Matsuhita, would try to get the best from this race. A single Tiga GT287 Buick, driven by David Loring, would close the entry list. Geoff Brabham qualified on the pole for the seventh time this year, clearly proving once again he was the class of the field. He set up a new lap record for the Sears Point track in 1m23s139. Martin Brundle finally managed to settle for the second place in 1m24s033. That was still more than 0.8s slower than the Nissan. The second Jaguar was third on the grid but the exploit was accomplished by Bob Earl, on the Spice Pontiac Firebird, who managed to place on the fourth spot, quite as fast as Jan Lammers. He was ahead of the best Porsche driver, who appeared to be Price Cobb, driving the Dyson Racing car. The latter was followed by Bob Wollek and Derek Bell. Derek Bell complained about his car's speed, and he obviously could not run faster. The weather seemed to be different ftom the practice sessions', with thirty degrees plus. At the start of the race, Geoff Brabham jumped into the lead, and seemed to fly away from everyone. At the end of lap one, he had a two second plus advantage over Martin Brundle. The gap grew up to four seconds on the next lap, and it seemed that it would go on growing. But in fact, it would not be the case. Martin Brundle then began to eat this gap.

Martin Brundle and John Nielsen could have won, but Geoff Brabham was nearly unbeatable on this course.

Copyright Van Zannis

After eight laps, he was on the Nissan's heels. Then began a duel between the two men would last for about twenty laps. The Jaguar being slower on the main part of the track, but clearly faster in turn eleven, where the Nissan was quite agonizing. On lap thirty two, slowed by backmarkers, the Nissan was held up and the Jaguar took the lead. From that moment, Martin Brundle was able to build up a three second lead over Geoff Brabham. But the Nissan driver was having a plan. The Lights category was dominated by Dan Marvin, whose Huffaker Pontiac Firebird had shattered the previous Lights record by three seconds. Costas Los and Scott Schubot were the runner-up in that category. From the start of the race, Dan Marvin set up his dominance over the competition. He was fast enough to push the March 86G Buick driven by Michael Roe hard. In fact, Costas Los would settle easily for second place, while Scott Schubot was third. By lap thirty three, the flying Dan Marvin was lapping third place holder Charles Morgan. Skeeter Mc Kitterick had just retired earlier in the race. Then it was Costas Los who retired from the race, with a dropped valve. Scott Schubot was now second in class, but he was more than thirty five seconds down. He would for a security pit stop, that would prove disastrous. Spilled gasoline would catch fire in the cockpit. He would manage to fix this problem, and get back to the track just behind Don Bell, who had suffered minor troubles too. Scott Schubot then got past Don Bell, who did not know of his actual position in the race. But Dan Marvin was clearly faster than anyone, and his only trouble appeared to be the fatigue. But he would make it to the end. Back in the lead, John Nielsen had taken over the wheel of the leading Jaguar. When he exited the pits, he was still in the lead, but his tyres were cold. Geoff Brabham was still behind, but he waited for his time. In fact, he could overtake the Jaguar on when exiting famous turn eleven. The Jaguar could keep up the pace, but Geoff Brabham had the race for himself, and he won with a three second margin.

Geoff Brabham finally won the Sears Point race, but it was the hard way.
Copyright Van Zannis

Davy Jones took a third place finish, despite an off course right tbrough the end. James Weaver and Bob Wollek fought all over the race and James Weaver finally had the edge over his opponent, after sending him spinning in the closing laps. A quarrel resulted from this race action. The Pontiac Firebird cold not do better than seventh, after a disappointing race. At the end, it was a new Nissan victory, and the season ushered in a new era for the IMSA Championship.

The GTO-GTU race

The second race was a new Chevrolet-Mercury-Toyota contest between the three makes, but the race was just another story. The field was your classical 2-2-2 cars for each entrant. Pete Halsmer put his Merkur XR4Ti on the pole, while Wally Dallenbach put his Protofab Chevrolet Corvette in second place, leading teammate Greg Pickett. Dennis Aase was fourth, leading Willy T Ribbs, Scott Pruett and Roger Mandeville on his tri-rotor Mazda RX7. At the start, Pete Halsmer took the lead, but Wally Dallenbach was on his tail, waiting for the right moment to pass him. He did not have to wait for too long as he swept by in turn seven on lap two. Greg Pickett rapidly got past too while Willy T Ribbs soon was behind the two Chevrolet Corvettes. He could keep up the pace but spun off later, losing two places. Greg Pickett, running on one of his favorite track, built up a fourteen second lead over Wally Dallenbach in the next twenty laps. Then Greg Pickett spun, and Wally Dallenbach took the lead, but the two Chevrolet Corvettes, who were still in the lead, would have to pit for refueling. Then the race turned into some kind of nightmare when it was time to go to the pits. Greg Pickett missed his pits first, so he had to make an extra lap before refueling, then he went back to his pits, revving hard and burning out his new tyres. In the process, he managed to start with the driver's window net down, and he was black-flagged. Wally Dallenbach made a short pit stop, but he relinquished the lead to Willy T Ribbs, who was running cool, in order to have a pit-stop free race. Running smoothly, he could do it until the end of the race. The two Mercury Merkur
could have been a threat, but Pete Halsmer's car suffered from overheating, while Scott Pruett thought he could also make it to the end without a pit stop, but it seemed that his fuel light was just flickering, and the team called him to pit, then he pitted again with a front tyre cut. Pete Halsmer had to retire later, due to an overheating.

Dennis Aase finished fourth in the second AAR Toyota Celica.
Copyright Van Zannis

Dennis Aase finished fourth, while Dorsey Schroeder was fifth on his Dodge Daytona, easily winning the GTU class, just ahead of Roger Mandeville. Tom Kendall grabbed the pole on his Chevrolet Beretta, edging Dorsey Schroeder on his Dodge Daytona, while Max Jones was third on his Chevrolet Beretta, followed by Amos Johnson, who was driving the Team Highball Mazda RX7. At the start, Tom Kendall and Dorsey Schroeder were nose to tail, with Max Jones right behind, but he then made a mistake, and spun. Then a backmarker spun too, but it brought the pace-car. At the restart, Tom Kendall still led, just ahead of Dorsey Schroeder, Amos Johnson and Bart Kendall, who drove the Huffaker Pontiac Fiero. Tom Kendall managed to stay in front until lap eleven, when Dorsey Schroeder dived inside turn eleven. Then it was over.

Max Jones had an exciting race and finished second in the GTU class.

Copyright Van Zannis

Amos Johnson and Bart Kendall were battling for third place. While Dorsey Schroeder could build up a four second lead over Tom Kendall, Max Jones stormed back to third place, and passed the fighting pair. Tom Kendall then would experience trouble with his car. The Chevrolet Beretta coughed, and he suddenly could not keep up the pace. An unexpected pit stop dropped him to eighth place at the end. Max Jones was now in second place, but far behind Dorsey Schroeder. He was even lapped three laps from the end. Bart Kendall managed to finish third and Amos Johnson was only fourth, on the best Mazda. Dorsey Schroeder utterly dominated the GTU race at Sears Point, and was an outstanding fifth overall in the GTO-GTU race. Amos Johnson, with his fourth place finish, was now the GTU Series point leader, just ahead of Tom Kendall.