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1986 : Al Holbert last title, part 1

This would be the year of the outright Porsche 962 dominance. New entries featuring 962s would be registered, while BMW fielded two GTP cars which had been so promising the previous year. In fact, the cars were fast, but suffered from reliability problems. They would earn one single victory out of seventeen races. Group 44 was constantly outgunned in most tracks, but they closed their season with an encouraging victory at the Daytona Finale, with the Jaguar XJR7. Bob Tullius and Chip Robinson could have the best hopes for the next season. The Chevrolet Corvette GTP, driven by Sarel van der Merwe and Doc Bundy often set the fastest laps in practice, but the car was not up to the teams expectations during the races. The March 85 and 84Gs were definitely outpaced, and it was now obvious that Porsche had pulled the Championship onto a new level of competitiveness. They had to play second-fiddle now. The Lights class was now moving to a very interesting Championship within the main one. Many cars proved to be worth the competition, but Jim Downing again took the Championship at the wheel of his Mazda powered Argo JM19. He had to fight some new competitors, amongst which the new Spice Fiero announced what was in store for the future. Scott Pruett settled once again the Roush Racing domination in GTO, driving a Ford Mustang. The arrival of new cars, such as the new Oldsmobile Toronados, or the tri-rotor Mazda RX7, as well as the Peerless or Brooks Racing Chevrolet Camaros, poured new diversity to this exciting class. Tom Kendall would give CCR a new Championship to IMSA's most successful Mazda ever. The Huffaker challenge, with Bob Earl and Terry Visger, never faltered, and they took four wins in the season.
The first race of the season was the 24 Hours of Daytona, which were to take place shortly after the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster. The important media coverage of this accident stirred everyone's feelings. It really was a national tragedy. As Porsche was expected to dominate the race, the sudden withdrawal of the two BMW GTPs was some kind of bad news.

Al Holbert, Derek Bell and Al Unser Jr won a hard fought battle at the 24 Hours of Daytona.

Copyright Michael Crews

Fortunately, one contender looked able to give the Porsches a run for their money. The Chevrolet Corvette GTP, driven by Sarel an der Merwe, was easily the fastest qualifier. The only contender, during the practice sessions, appeared to be Bob Wollek, who drove the Bayside Disposal Porsche 962. However, it did not seem to reach the Porsche teams, who knew they had reliability on their side. The lonely Hendrick Chevrolet Corvette GTP faced no less than nine 962s. New cars appeared for this new season, as the Joest Porsche 962, with Gianpiero Moretti, Randy Lanier and Paolo Barilla(from Pasta fame). Brun Motorsport had a car entered for Thierry Boutsen, Oscar Larrauri and Massimo Sigala. Foyt Racing had entered a 962 too, with Danny Sullivan, Arye Luyendijk and AJ Foyt sharing the drives. The two Group 44 Jaguar XJR7s were the usual contenders, with Bob Tullius partnered by Chip Robinson and Claude Ballot Léna on the first car, while Brian Redman, Hurley Haywood and Vern Schuppan drove the number 04 car. Conte Racing fielded two March 85G Buick, and John Paul Jr, Chip Ganassi and Ivan Capelli drove the #45 car, Whitney Ganz, Ken Madren and Bob Lobenberg were on the other car. A handful of older and less competitive cars were to be entered, but they would by no means play any major role in that race. An old Lola T600, driven by Richard Anderson and Bard Boand, was even less competitive. Lew Price had a Chevrolet Corvette which was somewhat different from the semi-works car. James Mullen and Carson Baird would drive this car with owner-driver Lew Price. It was obvious that the win could not escape Porsche. The question was : which one? The Lights class had grown stronger, in its second year. A new and very fast Alba AR6 Ferrari was to easily set the fastest time. The car was driven by Carlo Facetti, Martino Finotto and Almo Coppelli. Charles Morgan and Logan Blackburn had a Tiga GT286 Buick, which proved to be a worthy competitor to Jim Downing, who was not entered. Deborah Gregg had a Tiga Mazda, which she shared with Michael Brockman and Steve Durst. Don Bell, too, had a Royale RP40 Buick, and he could do well in such a race. Craig Carter and Terry Wolters co-drove him. Frank Rubino, Ray Mummery and John Schneider entered an Argo JM19 Mazda which was not listed on the favorites list before the race. The GTO class was becoming more and more exciting as Ford was now facing a revamped opposition. Oldsmobile, via Rocketsports, had one Toronado, driven by Gene Felton, Paul Gentilozzi and Bob Bergstrom while the Calais  was in the hands of Benny Parsons, Terry Labonte and Harry Gant. The NASCAR men were present by the Ford side with Bill Elliott, Kyle Petty, Ricky Rudd and Ken Schrader. The race seemed to feature a Ford-Oldsmobile duel while no Chevrolet seemed to be able to give the Detroit iron a significant opposition. A BMW M1, driven by Steve Cohen, David Christian and Ed Congleton, added a little diversity to the field, as well as the two Morrison-Cook Chevrolet Corvettes, which were experimenting new ways for the future. The GTU class brought no excitement, this time being much more as a Mazda parade. It looked obvious to the IMSA spectator that the fields were getting weaker, especially in the small class. Roger Mandeville and Tom Kendall could fight it out for the win, while Amos Johnson awaited another class win. A single Porsche 911 would take the green, as well as a 924, entered by Ron Case. A sign of times?

Amos Johnson, Dennis Shaw and Jack Dunham took the GTU class win at Daytona.

Copyright Michael Crews

Before the start of the race, one conclusion : the change in the rules did not seem to be in favour of the home made products, much to the spectators' dismay. The start of the race was another disappointment for the spectators with the Chevrolet Corvette GTP not showing up on the grid. The car was being struck with vibrations, the replacement of the transmission costing at least three hours, the team withdrew the car. The start of the race saw Drake Olson quickly escaping from the rest of the field. Obviously he was not running the same race as the other competitors. After one hour, Drake Olson was always in the lead, with other Porsche 962s on the same lap. The Joest car had been delayed, as the Brun Motorsport car and Bob Wollek, who experienced turbocharger problems (a line making the connection between the turbo and the engine broke). The race quickly appeared to become very tough for the Porsche squadron, with Al Holbert losing five laps when the team discovered a crack in the left-rear brake, Jan Lammers losing ground on the leaders. Hans Stuck retired after hitting the wall from the rear. The Bayside Disposal car tangled with a slower car on the banking. The BF Goodrich car driven by Jochen Mass, Jan Lammers and John Morton felt out of contention after a fifty five minute stop for clutch repairs. The new Jaguar XJR7s suffered from various transmission and suspension troubles, which were probably due to the stiffer chassis. Just before dawn, the Al Holbert car, driven by Al Unser Jr, had to replace a throttle cable, to find itself twenty two down the leaders.. As the BF Goodrich was in the lead, the car broke a half-shaft. Then Darin Brassfield lost a cylinder, a nosepiece and fading brakes. The Preston Henn Porsche led by now, but soon was to experience problems. They had to replace a turbocharger wastegate and an oil leak. By now, the two cars were nose-to-tail, but the Holbert car took advantage of the two leading cars troubles. The end of the race was kind of heroic for everyone, with Al Holbert, Derek Bell and Al Unser Jr winning by just one lap over AJ Foyt, Danny Sullivan and Preston Henn. The BF Goodrich car was third, ten seconds behind the TBird Swap Shop car! Jim Busby, Darin Brassfield, Jochen Mass and Derek Warwick had a disappointing third place. Fourth overall and in GTO was the Roush prepared Ford Mustang driven by Lanny Hester, Maurice Hassey and Lee Mueller, who overcame the Scott Pruett, Bruce Jenner and Klaus Ludwig works car, who lost a great deal of time to repair an oil leak.

Lanny Hester, Maurice Hassey and Lee Mueller powered this Ford Mustang to a GTO class win at Daytona.

Copyright Michael Crews

The GTU class was taken by Amos Johnson, Dennis Shaw and Jack Dunham who drove the Team Highball Mazda RX7 to a second victory in a row. They placed eighth overall. They had to wait until the CCR Racing car, driven by Tom Kendall, Bob Reed and John Hogdal, collapse in the final stages of the race. The car took a tenth place at the chequered. The Lights class race had turned into a disaster for every favorite, as each car had to retire one by one. At the end, it was the Argo JM19 Mazda driven by Ray Mummery, Frank Rubino and Tom Schneider who took a very unexpected win. A dream come true, as Ray Mummery put it later.

Frank Rubino, Ray Mummery and John Schneider had a near perfect race and enjoyed their first ever Lights class win at Daytona.

Copyright Michael Crews

It was the race which was not to be missed by the spectators. The track was no longer located downtown but now had been moved northwards. Thirty cars were to start, and Sarel van der Merwe was on the pole, followed by Jo Gartner, in the Bob Akin Porsche 962, and  Bob Wollek, who drove the Bayside Disposal one.
Sarel van der Merwe jumped into the lead while Bob Wollek passed Jo Gartner. After six laps, the March driven by Al Leon found itself stuck in a dangerous place. The pace car was out. At the restart, Oscar Larrauri managed to take the lead but for two laps. Bob Tullius was to be black-flagged, as the car was losing oil. Later, a collision between the Chevrolet Corvette GTP and Pete Halsmer's Ford Probe led to the Corvette retirement. Sarel van der Merwe, still in the lead, retired later with an engine gone. Bob Wollek then took the lead, followed by Klaus Ludwig, on the Ford Probe, John Paul Jr, and John Kalagian. Emerson Fittipaldi, who drove the March 85G Chevrolet entered by Ralph Sanchez, retired just after, as well as Davy Jones BMW GTP. A new under yellow session was to happen after a new collision between the Sauber and a March. This was followed by a rush to the pits for refueling. At mid-race, and after everyone had refueled, Bob Wollek maintained his position, followed by Derek Bell, Jim Busby, Bob Akin and Klaus Ludwig. Derek Bell could overtake the Frenchman after a wrong maneuver. In fact, Bob Wollek quickly gained on Derek Bell, who reacted next. He had decided to widen the gap, but he unfortunately hit Gianpiero Moretti's car. He would lose six laps to change a uniball joint. Bob Wollek then pitted to lend his car to Paolo Barilla, who had a fifty five seconds advantage. The second would be hardly fought between Brian Redman, Hans Stuck and Danny Sullivan. While Hans Stuck had overused his tyres, Brian Redman would have to pit, and AJ Foyt and Danny Sullivan took a well deserved second place overall, behind Bob Wollek and Paolo Barilla, who had a somewhat easy race. Hans Stuck, Bob Akin and Jo Gartner were third overall. Yet another one, two, three for Porsche. Sebring was the second race of the year, and on that occasion, it was also the very last time the raceway would use the two high speed runways. It was also the year records would be set forever, and it did. Whitney Ganz, on a March 85G Buick entered by Conte Racing, set up a 2m11s41 lap time, which was to enter posterity. As for Daytona, the BMW GTP entries turned out to be a disaster. One car was destroyed by fire while the other one, driven by Bobby Rahal, flipped and was drstroyed too. The team withdrew from the race. Seventy six cars were to take the start of this race, with a record twenty nine GTP and Lights cars. The Porsche 962s were again the favorites, while the Conte Racing Marches and the two Jaguar XJR7s could provide a strong opposition. A single Chevrolet Corvette GTP, which was a private entry, was entered by Lee Racing, which Jim Mullen and Lew Price driving. From Europe came the Ford Cosworth turbocharged powered Tiga GT285, with Costas Los and Dudley Wood driving. The Lights class provided a strong field, with fourteen cars entered. The Argo JM19 Mazda entered by Jim Downing was the favorite, but Charles Morgan had entered his Tiga GT286 Buick and would provide a strong opposition. New cars appeared, as the Kendall Racing Lola T616 Mazda driven by Chuck Kendall, Paul Lewis and Max Jones. Brent O'neill drove the Deco Sales Argo JM16 Buick with Steve Shelton and Don Courtney. The Daytona class winning Argo JM19 Mazda was here too, with Ray Mummery and Frank Rubino. The Alba AR6 Ferrari had hopes for the win too with Carlo Facetti, Martino Finotto and Ruggero Melgrati. Mike Meyer fielded a Royale RP40 Mazda for Jim Rothbarth, Mike Meyer and Jeff Kline. It looked like everyone could win in this class. The GTO class was fantastic, with Chevrolet, Ford and Toyota competitors looking for a win on this particular track. Ford had four cars, three of them being true works cars. Bruce Jenner and Scott Pruett would have to fight against the NASCAR men : Bill Elliott and Ricky Rudd. Lanny Hester and Maurice Hassey had few hopes of making it two in a row after their Daytona triumph. Toyota had one single car entered for Chris Cord and Dennis Aase, but it was a very strong entry. The best Chevrolets were to be fielded by Spirit Racing who had a Camaro for Tommy Byrne and Wally Dallenbach Jr. Jack Baldwin and Jim Miller were driving the Peerless Racing car.

Tommy Byrne and Wally Dallenbach Jr drove this very competitive Chevrolet Camaro at Sebring. They ended up twenty eighth overall after experiencing ignition problems.

Copyright Dave Kutz

The other cars were less competitive. The Dingman Bros Pontiac Firebird driven by Tommy Riggins and Elliot Forbes Robinson was a real contender for the class win too. An Oldsmobile Toronado, driven by Bob Bergstrom, would take the green flag too, as well as an Oldsmobile Calais and a Buick Skyhawk. A handful of somewhat less efficient cars were part of the huge field too. In GTU, no question about the Mazda domination. Half the GTU field appeared to be Mazda RX7s. The best cars were there, and eagerly willing to take the class win. No Porsche 911 could resist the Mazda assault in terms of speed, but the drivers could count on their cars reliability. A very huge seventy six car field was to be seen, and a very large crowd was in attendance. The early stages of the race saw the two Porsche 962s driven by Al Holbert and AJ Foyt fight it up. The beginning of the race saw the two Jaguar XJR7s retire, a well as the Bayside Disposal car. By mid-race, the Löwenbrau Porsche 962 was always in the lead, but the Coke Porsche 962 driven by Bob Akin, Hans Stuck and Jo Gartner was now its most serious contender. The AJ Foyt car had been involved in a shunt with another car, and retired later with suspension problems. As the two leaders battled for the win, a blown turbo would definitively give the lead to Bob Akin's car. In fact, they would then cruise to an unchallenged victory.

Bob Akin, Hans Stuck and Jo Gartner had a great race, and easily won the race, ending it up on three wheels!

Copyright Michael Crews

The most remarkable fact was that the car ended up the race on three wheels, having lost its left front wheel in the last lap. They had an eight lap margin over John Morton, Jim Busby and Darin Brassfield BF Goodrich similar car. This was a well deserved win for Bob Akin, who had already won in 1979, but it was the first time as a team owner, as he missed the win the two previous years. Fourth overall and first in GTO was the fantastic Ford Mustang driven by Bruce Jenner and Scott Pruett. The end of the race was a little bit confused for the Roush team as Bill Elliott and Ricky Rudd led for the most of the race, but Bruce Jenner displayed a pitboard to Ricky Rudd, who came back to the pits, and lost the class victory. The two cars were separated by ten seconds on the finish line. The Lights class saw  a new car come into victory lane as Jim Rothbarth, Mike Meyer and Jeff Kline took their first ever victory, with a sixth place overall. In GTU, Roger Mandeville and Danny Smith took another class win after dominating the race and taking an eighth place overall.(to be continued)

1986 : Al Holbert last title, part 2

The next race was scheduled for Road Atlanta. For the first time, Porsche would not make the headlines as the home-made products proved to be not only fast but reliable too. This sudden rebirth brought a burst of oxygen to the IMSA series. The Goodwrench Chevrolet Corvette GTP, driven by Sarel van der Merwe, proved out of reach for everyone. Al Holbert managed to grab second place in practice, and John Paul Jr was expected to give him a run for his money. Unfortunately, he was given an unproper suspension set-up, so he had to settle for fifth. The race was looking exciting as it was by no means the usual Porsche domination with five makes running for an eventual win. The race started without one major contender as Bob Wollek destroyed his car in the morning warm-up session. The race was set with one BMW GTP catching fire in the very first lap of the race. Al Holbert took the lead of the race, which he kept for ten laps. John Paul was second, with Sarel van der Merwe in third place. Then John Paul Jr took the lead, with Al Holbert closely followed by Sarel van der Merwe. John Paul Jr could stretch away from his pursuers, and after twenty five laps, had a ten seconds margin over Al Holbert, then came Sarel van der Merwe, Pete Halsmer and Klaus Ludwig on the Ford Probes, and Chip Robinson on the Jaguar XJR5. Then John Kalagian would spin, bringing a full course caution period, and Sarel van der Merwe was the first to pit for fuel, Doc Bundy stepped into the Corvette.

The Road Atlanta race was quite exciting, with four makes fighting for the win.

Copyright Dave Kutz

While many other drivers would pit, Jochen Mass and Klaus Ludwig remained in their respective cars. Al Holbert kept the lead until lap forty six, but lost time when he lost his radio. Doc Bundy then inherited the lead. Then the pair was able to secure his position, while John Paul Jr and Whitney Ganz were now in second place, but the gap went increasing, and Sarel van der Merwe had lapped Al Holbert. The race, however, was breath taking, with a late pit stop for the leading car, and a very scant advantage at the chequered over the Conte Racing March 85G Buick. It was a very interesting race, and the very first victory for the Chevrolet Corvette GTP. The Lights class saw the debut of the new Spice Fiero driven by Bob Earl, who shattered the opposition in practice by dominating Lights champ Jim Downing.The race was another story with Bob Earl leading for the first thirty laps, then being sidelined with electrical problems. Then Jim Downing took the class lead, although he lost it when he pitted for fuel under the yellow, when he checked an alternator problem. Mike Brockman and Steve Durst finished second, one lap down after suffering from a slow puncture in the closing laps. 

Sarel van der Merwe took a well deserved win in his Hendrick Racing Chevrolet Corvette GTP.

Copyright Dave Kutz

The next race was to be held at Riverside, for the traditional LA Times 6 Hour race. Once again, it seemed that IMSA's top notch category was undergoing tremendous changes, with Porsche being challenged in practice. John Paul Jr set a new track record with 1m32s103, just ahead of Geoff Brabham, whose Nissan GTP ZX Turbo appeared much improved. Third was Klaus Ludwig, on the Ford Probe and only fourth came Al Holbert, on his Löwenbrau Porsche 962. The race could boast for a nice fifty six car field, with a wide variety of entries. The beginning of the race seemed to confirm the earlier impression that Porsche would have a hard time in Riverside, with John Paul Jr jumping in the lead. He was followed by Klaus Ludwig, Geoff Brabham and Pete Halsmer, on the second Ford Probe. Bob Lobenberg would then climb up to second place, driving the second Hawk Buick. John Paul Jr, whose car was smoking from the beginning, retired on lap fifteen with a turbo failure. Then the Nissan pitted on lap nineteen with engine vibrations, the car lost seven minutes, then hit the wall on lap thirty, bringing a first caution period. Many cars pitted for fuel during that period, and Al Holbert took the lead. Then on lap thirty six, a crash took place in turn one. Chip Robinson, Doc Bundy and Lyn St James. Chip Robinson spun and flipped violently, while Doc Bundy's Chevrolet Corvette GTP hit the guard rail. The Ford Probe driven by Lyn St James shot into the air. None of the drivers were seriously hurt, but this accident remains probably as the most memorable in IMSA history. A very long caution followed, then, at the restart, it was Bob Wollek in the lead, but he lost a wheel on the track. Then Klaus Ludwig and Tom Gloy were the new leaders, but Price Cobb, driving the Dyson Racing Porsche 962, overtook the Ford. However, Al Holbert was running strong and soon passed Price Cobb. A final race accident took place when Jeff Kline's Alba Buick tangled with Les Delano's Chevrolet Camaro. The Chevrolet went into the spectator fencing and two spectators were hurt. After this final caution period, four cars were still able to win.
Klaus Ludwig dropped from the possible winners with a broken driveshaft, while Paolo Barilla had a throttle linkage repaired. Derek Bell and Rob Dyson fought for the win. However, it was to be Rob's day as Derek Bell's car had a ring and pinion wore out. Rob Dyson and Price Cobb took the win with a brand new car. The Lights class saw Joe Varde lead the first thirty laps, then it was Bob Earl's Spice Pontiac who took the lead but a lengthy pit stop dropped the car. Once again, it was Jim Downing who outlasted his opponents, and he took the win over Ron and Kelly Marsh similar car. The GTO class saw a long battle between the Ford Mustang driven by Scott Pruett and Bruce Jenner and the Chevrolet Camaro driven by Jack Baldwin and Jim Miller. The two cars traded the lead throughout the race, but the Ford Mustang had to spend a long time in the pits for repairs, and the Chevrolet Camaro inherited the lead. The GTU class displayed a fantastic duel between Mazda and Pontiac. Bob Earl led for a while but lost the race because of a slipping clutch. Terry Visger and Roger Mandeville then had a long battle but the Mazda finally outraced the Pontiac.
At Laguna Seca, the Ford team finally found its way through victory with the Probe, a car which had been introduced one year earlier. A twenty car field took the green, headed by the Ford Probe driven by Klaus Ludwig. Al Holbert was second on the grid, followed by Elliot Forbes Robinson and John Paul Jr. Again it was four different makes in the top four spots. That looked a pretty promising race. It was all Klaus Ludwig, leading the race from start to finish. Al Holbert could not do better than fourth, while Chip Robinson and Hurley Haywood took a very encouraging second place overall, beating the Porsche 962s in the process. Price Cobb drove the Dyson Racing Porsche to third. Elliot Forbes Robinson had pulled his Nissan ZX T GTP out of the race after twenty three laps. The Lights class was taken by Bob Earl, whose Spice Fiero won over Jim Downing and Don Bell, who drove an Argo JM16 Buick.

Rob Dyson and Price Cobb took a well deserved victory at Charlotte.

Copyright Dwight Deal

The next race was to take place on the high banks of Charlotte Motor Speedway. A huge crowd of 43000 fans watched this seventh round of the 1986 IMSA round. The race was split in two separate races, featuring the GTP-Lights and the GTO-GTU in two events. Klaus Ludwig once again set the fastest lap in practice and would start on the pole, with Hans Stuck alongside him. Al Holbert was third with Drake Olson on the second row. On tenth place on the grid was the very fast Spice Fiero entered by Entech driven by Bob Earl, fastest Lights qualifyer. Twenty three cars took the green. At the start, Klaus Ludwig took the lead of the race, and he quickly pulled ahead of everybody. He managed to earn a twenty two second lead on his closest pursuer, but he burnt a piston on lap twenty eight. Drake Olson, who was in second place, inherited the lead, followed by Al Holbert and Sarel van der Merwe. Then Al Leon, driving a March Chevrolet, spun on the track, bringing a full caution period. The three leaders then came into the pits for a refueling session, and Hans Stuck took the lead of the race. Then, and for the first time since long, Al Holbert charged hard for the lead, but he burnt a piston on lap thirty nine, and retired. Drake Olson then was the new leader, stretching his lead on Doc Bundy, who had taken the wheel of the Chevrolet Corvette GTP to twenty one seconds.

Sarel van der Merwe and Doc Bi-undy could have won, but they had some trouble finishing the race at Charlotte.

Copyright Dwight Deal

The local Hendrick Racing car would experience some trouble while refueling on lap fifty nine. The car had to be push started, which warned the team of the trouble ahead. Behind the two leaders, Bob Akin was overtaken by Whitney Ganz, willing to surrender his car to Hans Stuck on lap seventy nine,but he missed his pit, and had to run for a new ten laps period. The race positions seemed to settle after a new refueling session, with Whitney Ganz, always in third place, soon to lose some ground with fading brakes. Sarel van der Merwe was now in third place, but he lost his boost. Hans Stuck could overtake the Chevrolet Corvette GTP three laps from the finish, and Whitney Ganz nipped the Goodwrench car on the very last lap. The race had been very entertaining, with a second race win for the Dyson Racing team.

Hans Stuck and Bob Akin had a great race of their own, and they took a well deserved second place overall at Charlotte.

Copyright Dwight Deal

Hans Stuck and Bob Akin took a well deserved second place overall but were two laps down at the finish. Jeff Kline, in an Argo Buick led early in the race in Lights, but his engine swallowed a valve. Then Jim Downing took the lead, but he was passed by Logan Blackburn, who drove Charles Morgan Tiga Buick, after the first caution period. The two cars would retire on lap sixty three and seventy five. Bob Earl, who had a bad start after spinning, went back to the lead on lap thirty two. He maintained this position until the chequered. Second were Jim Rothbarth and Mike Meyer, on the Sebring winning Royale RP40 Mazda, but they were five laps down.
At Lime Rock, twenty seven cars took the green. Drake Olson again was on the pole, as he was the previous year when he won his first ever race for Rob Dyson. Tom Gloy had a great practice session and put the Zakspeed Ford Probe in second place while Al Holbert was in fifth position on the grid. In the race, however, Al Holbert's strategy proved superior and he won the race solo, while Drake Olson and Price Cobb finished second, nineteen seconds down. Bob Wollek and Paolo Barilla were third on the Bayside Disposal Porsche 962. Sarel van der Merwe had a disappointing race, after starting tenth, he finished in seventh place. The Lights class saw a new winner, as David Loring dominated the race, beating up Steve Durst and Michael Brockman, who drove a Tiga GT286 Mazda. Bob Earl, who was the fastest qualifyer, ended up in third place in class.

Bob Tullius and Chip Robinson had a new 6,5L engine in their Jaguar XJR7. They had a very good race and finished second overall.

Copyright Mark Windecker

The next race took place at Mid Ohio, one of Al Holbert's favorite tracks. Starting from the pole was Hans Stuck, on Bob Akin's Coke Porsche 962. The race looked promising, but Hans Stuck's race would not last more than three laps when electrics failed him. Al Holbert had jumped into the lead right from the start, and never relinquished it. In fact, the good news for the race was the newly invigorated Jaguar XJR7, which was now powered by a 6,5L engine. With forty more hp, the car could now rely on a better torque. In the race, Drake Olson was to pit early in the race, for shifter repairs, losing one lap. Then, the team appeared to run at the same pace as the leaders, but could never get closer. Chip Robinson would come close to Al Holbert when the latter would try to pass Brian Redman, who was a lap down. He would never be so close, as Al Holbert and Derek Bell pulled ahead. The Chevrolet Corvette GTP had a good race, but was somewhat smashed from the possible winners with a greater fuel consumption. Sarel van der Merwe and Doc Bundy finished third yet.

Michael Brockman and Steve Durst clearly dominated the Lights class at Mid Ohio, winning their class with a five lap advantage over their pursuers.

Copyright Mark Windecker

The Lights class saw Steve Durst and Michael Brockman jump into the lead right from the start. The pair dominated the race thoroughly, and had a two lap advantage over Joe Varde and Tico Almeida, who drove an Alba AR6 Buick. Jim Downing and John Maffucci finished third, three laps down. "Just a perfect day" as Michael Brockman put it.
The next race was a new venue in the IMSA circuit. West Palm Beach was another street course with a race held in Florida. The Hendrick Team had a new car which driven by the usual Sarel van der Merwe and Doc Bundy. The car was put on the pole by Sarel van der Merwe, with Bob Tullius Jaguar XJR7 next to him. Oscar Larrauri was third, on the Brun Motosport Porsche 962, while Darin Brassfield and Jochen Mass were next. The race proved to be much disputed and the Chevrolet Corvette GTP won by less than half a second over the BF Goodrich Porsche 962 driven by Darin Brassfield. Doc Bundy was still second with less than half a mile to go! Four cars were on the same lap at the finish. A new winner could be seen in the Lights class.

The very fast Alba AR6 Ferrari driven by Ruggero Melgrati and Carlo Facetti took its first Lights win at West Palm Beach.

Copyright Michael Crews

The Alba AR6 Ferrari driven by Ruggero Melgrati and Carlo Facetti earned its first ever victory. Don Bell and Jeff Kline were second on the AT &T Argo JM16 Buick while Jim Downing and John Maffucci did not enter the race. (to be continued)

1986 : Al Holbert last title, part 3

The next race was to happen at Watkins Glen, for the Camel Continental race. Fifty two cars were entered, and you could find your classical GTP-GTO-GTU mix of cars. Again, the Hendrick Racing Chevrolet Corvette GTP faced a bunch of Porsche 962s. Again Sarel van der Merwe stuck his car on the pole. Bob Tullius and Chip Robinson were next, with the two best Porsche 962s behind them, that is to say, Oscar Larrauri on the Brun Motorsport car, and Al Holbert. The race appeared to be very tough, with Sarel van der Merwe losing twenty six minutes in the pits to have his steering repaired. Bob Tullius had some trouble following an incident while passing a backmarker, and he made several pit stops. The BF Goodrich cars were somewhat slowed down as Jochen Mass had to stop for tyres early in the race. The other car retired with a blown engine. Surviving this very hot race was the Holbert Racing car with Al Holbert and Derek Bell winning the race over Oscar Larrauri and Gianpiero Moretti taking an excellent second place, one lap down. Third overall was the Conte Racing car driven by Whitney Ganz and Jim Crawford, who replaced John Paul Jr. The two BMW GTPs finished at an encouraging fifth and sixth overall. Davy Jones and John Andretti leading their teammates John Warson and David Hobbs. It happened to be such a horrible week end for Dyson Racing, when Drake Olson had a terrible collision with Steve Durst, on a Tiga GT286 Mazda. The Porsche 962 was litterally written off while Steve Durst was seriously injured, suffering from a broken rib and cuts. Two race workers were injured too. This piece of dramatic action led to Drake Olson's being fired by Team owner Rob Dyson. The Lights class was won by the Tiga GT286 Buick driven by Charles Morgan who beat the favorite car, the Spice Fiero driven by Bob Earl and Ray Bellm. This car was slowed by fuel pressure problems. Jim Downing had trouble with the GTPs and was hit twice, only to finish third, far away from the winners. The GTO class was won by the Peerless Chevrolet Camaro driven by Jack Baldwin, who was partnered by Geoff Bodine. The Ford Mustang driven by Scott Pruett and Bruce Jenner led most of the race, but had to slow down following an engine problem. They finished second while John Bauer and Chet Vincentz took a strong third in their beautiful Porsche 930S. Willy T Ribbs had been the fastest qualifyer, but he broke his gearbox early in the race. The GTU class saw another victory by Roger Mandeville and Danny Smith. Second were Tommy Kendall and Bob Reed on the CCR Mazda RX7. Dick Greer and Mike Mees were distant third.
At Portland, a small twenty two car field would take the green. The fastest qualifyer was Geoff Brabham, whose Nissan ZX T GTP was getting better and better. The Chevrolet Corvette GTP driven by Sarel van der Merwe was just behind, for a new without any Porsche first row. But it was not to be the same story for the race, as Al Holbert once again outlastest his opponents. This time he edged Bob Tullius Jaguar XJR7 by 1.557 second. The Nissan took a third place overall, showing some great improvements in reliability, just ahead of the first BMW GTP driven by John Watson and David Hobbs. The first eight cars were on the same lap at the finish. Four cars only were entered in the Lights class, and Jim Downing, who had to fear Bob Earl early in the race, easily won his class when the Spice Fiero retired from the race. Second was Howard Katz, whose Tiga GT286 Chevy proved to be a worthy competition for the Argo Mazda.
At Sears Point, twenty one cars would take the green, with a very interesting field of GTP machinery. Bob Wollek proved once again that the California track was definitely one of his favorites as he took the pole in Bruce Leven's Porsche.
Second in practice was the Dyson Racing Porsche 962, driven by Price Cobb and team owner Rob Dyson. Al Holbert was further on the grid, while the two Ford Probes were on the second row, with Klaus Ludwig driving each of them, with Tom Gloy and Lyn St James. The two BMW GTPs were fifth and sixth on the grid.  It seemed that it would be a Porsche-Ford-BMW battle, but the Ford and BMW challenge quickly faded away. Rob Dyson and Price Cobb nursed their car home, while fighting with a faulty cool suit, and the team enjoyed a nice victory over Al Holbert and Derek Bell, who had a great race. Third was the Jaguar XJR7 driven by Brian Redman and Hurley Haywood, who finished just ahead of the Electramotive Nissan ZX T GTP driven by Elliot Forbes Robinson.

Elliot Forbes Robinson took the Electramotive Nissan ZX T GTP to a very encouraging fourth place overall.

Copyright Van Zannis

The car was clearly improving and was now able to finish races. Fifth was the BMW GTP driven by John Andretti and Davy Jones. The Lights class was taken by Jim Downing, again finishing ahead of Steve Phillips, who drove the Tiga GT286 Chevrolet entered by AMF Racing. Bob Earl was sidelined by minor troubles and finished fourth, two laps down.
Road America was the next race, and featured a sixty car field for the Löwenbrau Classic, which was a five hundred mile enduro. This smooth track was properly fitted for the Chevrolet Corvette GTP, which sat on the pole with a new lap record at 1m58s064. The Nissan GTP sat next, with Elliot Forbes Robinson and Geoff Brabham alongside. Davy Jones had stuck the first BMW GTP in third place, with teammates John Watson and David Hobbs next. Klaus Ludwig and Tom Gloy were in fifth place with Al Holbert and Al Unser Jr only sixth on the grid. It looked like Porsche would have some hard times, but it would not be really so. Davy Jones BMW GTP, trying to overtake the Nissan, crashed his car, which ricocheted on the guardrails, and hitting Sarel van der Merwe's car. The other cars were not quite involved in this accident but some were slightly hit by the two cars, and they had to pit for repairs. Geoff Brabham then was ten seconds away from the rest of the field, followed by John Watson, who drove the second BMW GTP. Then John Watson caught up the Nissan, and took the lead of the race. John Watson handed the leading car to David Hobbs, who was now followed by the two Jaguar XJR7s of Bob Tullius and Brian Redman. Their better fuel mileage was a strong advantage as they planned one less pit stop than the turbos. The Nissan was now in fourth place while Al Holbert and Al Unser Jr were now in fifth position. Then the Nissan's engine expired, and the leading BMW had one minute lead over Al Unser, who was ahead of the two Jaguars. Unfortunately for the Bavarian make, the engine quit on lap seventy one, and the car was parked at turn five. Al Unser was now in the lead, with Hurley Haywood now in second place. While the cat seemed to be able to pounce, it didn't as a half shaft snapped on lap ninety two. The Jaguar even lost second place in the closing laps, as Price Cobb and Rob Dyson managed to pass the Jaguar after experiencing problems early in the race. They were five laps down at the finish. The Lights class was won by the very fast Alba AR6 Ferrari driven by Martino Finotto, Ruggero Melgrati and Carlo Facetti. The beginning of the race saw the domination of David Loring, whose Denali had built up a one lap lead over his opponents. However, when he took back the car, his co-driver, Pierre Honegger, had lost the lead and in third place. He would be unable to regain his lead, and the pair finished third in class. Second was the Spice Fiero driven by Chip Ganassi and David Sears. The GTO class was a now traditional Ford versus Toyota duel, and Chris Cord and Jim Adams led most of the race, while Scott Pruett and Bruce Jenner swapped the second place with the other Toyota, driven by Rocky Moran and Dennis Aase. While Chris Cord broke a shift linkage, the other Toyota took the lead, but when Scott Pruett got back into his car, he was within a few seconds from the AAR car. At the finish, the Toyota was still ahead, but by only twelve seconds. In GTU, Roger Mandeville took an early lead, but he lost it after a long pit stop. Tom Kendall then could enjoy first place, then handed the car to Irv Hoerr, who was completely new to this type of car. Roger Mandeville, with co-driver Danny Smith, could catch up the CCR car and finally won his class.
The two cars were far away from the rest of the field as Helmut Silberberger and Dennis Krueger were five laps down.
The Watkins Glen Kodak Copier 500 race was a GTP-Lights race with a strong thirty one car entry. BMW had thoroughly tested and improved their cars on this very track, and they had gathered enough information to set their cars very well. In fact, they were one-two on the grid, with the youngsters ahead of their elders. That would be the perfect race for BMW, with Davy Jones and John Andretti lapping almost everyone, except second an third place finishers. Al Holbert and Derek Bell were second, while Rob Dyson and Price Cobb took a third place. The second BMW, driven by John Watson and David Hobbs retired from the race after suffering from an overheating. The Chevrolet Corvette GTP finished fourth, but started from fifteenth place, it did not appear able to win, while the best Jaguar XJR7 was fifth, and driven by Hurley Haywood and Brian Redman. The Lights class was won by the works Spice Fiero driven by Bob Earl, this time partnered by Chip Ganassi. Second was David Loring, who had a great race with his Denali Mazda. Third place'was taken by Skeeter McKitterick and Tim Coconis, who drove a Rocketsports Alba Oldsmobile.
The next race was to be held at Columbus, for a 500 Miler held on the street circuit. This event featured a very strong forty car field. The Nissan surprisingly took the pole with Elliot Forbes Robinson, Sarel van der Merwe was second. Klaus Ludwig and Pete Halsmer drove a Ford Probe, they were in third place while Jochen Mass and Darin Brassfield put their BF Goodrich Porsche 962 in fourth place.
The track was a street circuit and one man was particularly gifted for setting up his car on such a course. This man was Bob Wollek. The Bayside Porsche 962 was Bridgestone shod and Bob Wollek, who was partnered by Scott Pruett, had a great race. Starting from the twelfth spot, the pair built up a one lap advantage over Darin Brassfield and Jochen Mass.

Bob Wollek once again proved he was a great competitor by winning the Columbus race in great fashion. He was co-driven by Scott Pruett who won his first ever GTP race.

Copyright Mark Windecker

Brian Redman and Hurley Haywood finished third, one lap down. It was a very tough race with more than fifty per cent of the field out of the race at the chequered. Steve Durst and Michael Brockman took a new win at the wheel of their Tiga GT286 Mazda, with David Loring and Pierre Honegger again taking a second place finish in their Denali Mazda. Jim Rothbarth and Mike Meyer took a third place in a Royale RP40 Mazda. It was a perfect one-two-three for the Japanese make. Jim Downing did not finish the race, but he had already clinched his second Lights title in a row.
The Daytona Finale was the traditional season ending race, this time featuring GTP-Lights-GTO cars in a single race while the GTU cars would compete in a separate race. Sixty four cars were entered, and once again, Sarel van der Merwe set up the fastest lap, followes by John Watson and David Hobbs on the BMW GTP. Klaus Ludwig was third and Al Holbert and Derek Bell were fourth on the grid. The race was kind of exciting, with different makes capable of winning the race. In fact, it would be the sole victory for a non turbo engine this year. The BMW GTP led early in the race, but ran out of gas. The Chevrolet Corvette GTP ran well, but experienced troubles during the race, and Sarel van der Merwe and Doc Bundy finished a distant fourteenth, eight laps down. Al Holbert and Derek Bell didn't win the race, but Al had already clinched the Championship : he finished sixth. The Jaguar driven by Bob Tullius and Chip Robinson finally had its victory on the last race. A welcomed victory after a disappointing season. Rob Dyson and Price Cobb took the second place, with Darin Brassfield and John Morton third in the BF Goodrich car. The Lights class was dominated by the Alba AR6 Ferrari driven by Ruggero Melgrati, who set a new class record in the process.

Ruggero Melgrati set a new Lights class record at the Daytona Finale, but his race lasted only eight laps.

Copyright Michael Crews

The race was a different story, as the Italian car retired after eight laps. The Tiga GT286 Chevrolet driven by Howard Katz and Steve Phillips took the first ever victory for the GM in the Liggts class. Ron Canizares and Mike  Strawbridge took a second place in a Tiga GT286 Mazda, just ahead of class Champion Jim Downing, who drove his usual Argo JM19 Mazda with friend John Maffucci. The GTO class was to be a big fight between Toyota-Ford and Chevrolet. Ford did a special effort for this race, and had four cars entered, amongst which a Coors backed car for NASCAR star Bill Elliott. This time, Ford would beat Toyota as Scott Pruett won the race while Chris Cord took a second place in his Toyota Celica T. Bruce Jenner was third while Jack Baldwin could not do better than fourth in his Chevrolet Camaro. A very special car was to be seen as a road racing Porsche 961 was entered by Porsche AG for Gunther Stekkonig and Kees Nierop. Was this car a token of what laid ahead for the future? It was not to be.
Scott Pruett earned the GTO title driving a Roush Racing Ford Mustang. Bruce Jenner finally finished second in points for his best season ever. Jack Baldwin took a third place in his Peerless Racing Chevrolet Camaro. Things were to change thoroughly in 1987, with the arrival of new cars. The GTU Championship was  won by Tom Kendall, who took four wins at the wheel of his CCR Mazda RX7. A surprising title, as he would put it, with an ageing car. Nobody would have given him heavy odds to win the title. But he won, while Roger Mandeville finally fell short of the title by a mere seven points, taking eight wins. What a finish!

Roger Mandeville had a great GTU season, finishing second in GTU, but he introduced a brand new GTO tri-rotor car at the Daytona Finale.

Copyright Michael Crews

Al Holbert was the new Camel GTP Champion, and he proved once again he was a great driver, and a great strategist. Always smooth on cars, he outlasted his opponents. The new teams had proved they could become a real threat for the future, and BMW was probably the team to beat for 1987. Alas, and for some unknown reasons, BMW once again announced its withdrawal from the GTP scene. This announcement was a real shock amongst the racing world. The cars were being really sorted out, and they were becoming the cars to beat, but that's life.

The Red Lobster BMW M1

Kemper Miller has been an early IMSA contender, running a Chevrolet Camaro as soon as 1973, with brother Paul. He enjoyed little success, then switched to a variety of cars, ranging from the De Tomaso Pantera, Porsche 935 and 934, then a BMW 3.0CSL. David Cowart has run mainly in small Porsches, that is to say 911s and Carreras. He has been relatively successful, enjoying a GTO title in 1978. He campaigned that car again in 1979, but it happened to be outdated.
Kenper Miller entered his car in 1979 too, but it was becoming, as he would put it, long in the tooth, and he was looking for a new car to race. In many long distance races, his partner happened to be David Cowart, who was a stockbroker as Kenper was While fighting for the GTO title in 1978, David Cowart's only real competition was provided by Kenper Miller, whose car was more powerful. On the fast tracks, the BMW had the advantage, but on the more twisty tracks, the Porsche Carrera was out in front. They became friends and they decided to join forces for the next few years. Looking for a new car for the 1980-1981 seasons, their attention was caught by Jim Busby's M1, who posted some very interesting results in 1979. With some very good acquaintances with BMW North America,  Kenper Miller made inquiries about purchasing a M1. David Cowart and himself had reached an agreement about driving together and they were interested in driving a used ProCar. BMW did not reply immediately, but, at the end of the 1979 season, called Kenper back and responded favorably to their inquiry. Meanwhile, David Cowart had secured the Red Lobster restaurants sponsorship. He met Dick Munroe, the marketing man who represented the Red Lobster restaurants. As a former racer himself, he quickly appeared as the man who could provide the funding for their racing future. The sponsorship came as early as 1979, and although it was not a so good year, it would continue for many years.
BMW called Kenper and David to say they agreed their purchasing a ProCar M1. This was an ex BMW Italia car used in the famed series by Formula 1 driver Elio de Angelis. Osella maintained the car, which was apparently in pretty good condition. It had never been involved in any accident, and had not been used that much. Jack Deren could appreciate that fact. The car was to be entered in some of the 1980 IMSA races, but it would run against the big Porsche Turbos. With 460-480hp, it would not be able to fight for the win, of course, but it could do well in the long distance races.

The very first race of the Red Lobster BMW M1 was a disappointment.

Copyright Dave Kutz

At Daytona, for their very first race at the wheeléof the M1, Kenper Miller and David Cowart were partnered by Belgian female driver Christine Beckers, but they were out at the one third mark. At Sebring, it was Derek Bell who joined the team, only to finish thirtieth overall. At Riverside, it was even more disappointing, with the car retiring after only twenty two laps. Then the Red Lobster team would enter the car several months later, and used the Carrera for the twistier tracks. At the Lumbermen's 6Hour race, they took a very fine sixth overall, and third in class. They were rewarded with the same result at Road America, while David Cowart took a ninth overall at Road Atlanta. At the Daytona Finale, the duo took again a sixth overall, three laps down the winnjng Gianpiero Moretti-Reinhold Joest Porsche 935. The mitigated 1980 ended up with a feeling of what was held in store for the next season. In fact, the car had been purchased with a view towards the 1981 season. The car would be homologated in the GTO class, and was probably the best suited car for the title. The car then would undergo tremendous changes for the next season. Jack Deren did a fantastic job on the car. He lightened the bodywork, enlarged the grille to allow more hot air to exit from the radiator and made the car easier to service in the pits. The car was now faster, lighter and a GTO car. Two hundred pounds were won over the winter. It was now a full blown tubeframe GTO car. The first race, held at Daytona for the 24 Hour race, was a new disappointment, with the car retiring after 346 laps. The car, which was IMSA legal, aroused some other competitors suspicion.

Sebring 1981 was the last disappointing race for the 1981 season. Success was to become in the next races.

Copyright Dave Kutz

They argued that the car was not FIA legal, so the team had to make it legal for that particular race. At Sebring, Charles Mendez, who was the promoter for this event, joined the team, but the three of them were not more lucky as the former year, as they took a twenty seventh place, and ninth in class. The beginning of the season was some kind of disappointing, with the engine not supporting high rpms, the car suffered from crankshaft failures, once it was fixed, the problem went away, and the car became quite unbeatable. The shorter crankshaft obviously made the difference. At Road Atlanta, for the first IMSA sprint race of the season, David Cowart took an eleventh overall, and first in GTO. At Riverside, for the 6Hour race, David and Kenper went on to take a seventh place to win their class, beating the Montura Racing similar car driven by Tony Garcia, Albert Naon and Hiram Cruz. David went on to win the Laguna Seca event, running solo and making it three in a row. In this very race, he beat no less than Al Unser Jr, who drove Joe Crevier's M1.
Then the Red Lobster team, headed by Jack Deren had some kind of dream season. They went on to win the Lime Rock, Mid Ohio, Brainerd, Daytona, Portland, Mosport, Road Atlanta and the Daytona Finale. No car ever dominated a season the way the Red Lobster car did it. Competition between this car and the other BMW M1s was fierce, but no other car proved to be so efficient and consistent. Even the second place gained by David Cowart at Sears Point, when Dennis Aase passed him four laps from the finish, appeared to be a shock, as the team was so much used to winning! It was a  great year for the team, but moreover, they used only one engine throughout the season, which was really fantastic. At the end of the season, David Cowart was the GTO Champion, while Kenper Miller was second. David had won eleven races out of fifteen starts. It also was the first time the first two drivers used the same car. It really was an easy car to drive, with the best handling. As the other teams used BMW M1s too, it seemed that it was the drivers' talent that made the difference. "We had luck too, and it was a great year", Kenper Miller would put it later.

The Daytona 1981 Finale was the last race for the Jack Deren BMW m1. After a new win, the car would be sold to Diego Montoya.

Copyright Dave Kutz

The BMW M1 was a fabulous racecar, and the Red Lobster car was probably the best prepared one. At the end of the year, the car was sold to Diego Montoya, who enjoyed some success in 1982. For that season, the Red Lobster team had opted to go up to the GTP class. A much more difficult task to handle. They purchased a March 82G and installed the M1 powerplant in it. They would face Porsche and Chevrolet powered cars, and would face a much more ardent opposition. With 480hp, the task appeared to be very harsh, but that's just another story.