The next race was to be held at Watkins Glen, but it was no longer a 6Hour race. It was a 2H30 race which was held on the short course. Twenty three cars were entered, with the usual top cars ready to fight again. The track was extremely fast and the race would be incredibly intensive. Geoff Brabham and Chip Robinson would have to hold on a strong opposition from Porsche, with Bernd Schneider and James Weaver running fast. Dyson Racing had brought an entirely new car, which was radically different from the original cars. AAR had two cars driven by Juan Fangio and Rocky Moran. TWR entered two Jaguar XJR16s for Davy Jones and Raul Boesel. Wayne Taylor and Tom Kendall were running their Intrepid Chevrolet with the need to reiterate their New Orleans win. Tom Milner had two Spice SE89P Chevrolet with Brian Bonner and Jeff Purner along with Jeff Kline. John Hotschkis and Jim Adams were now familiar with their Spice SE90P Pontiac while Gianpiero Moretti and Derek Bell were trying to sort off the not so fast Momo C901 Audi. The Lights class seemed to feature the classical Spice-Kudzu duel. Parker Johnstone was still the class favorite. Jim Pace and Tom Hessert were the Essex entrants, while Erie Scientific had purchased a Kudzu too, which was powered by a Mazda powerplant. John Grooms would drive it. Ken Knott and Firmin Velez drove their usual car, which was now entered by HDF Motorsport. David Tennyson was still faithful to his Ferrari powered Spice, as well as Martino Finotto and Ruggero Melgrati. Carlos Bobeda and Andy Evans shared a Buick powered Spice. The only extra car was an old Tiga GT287 Mazda, entered by Conmec, which was driven by John Mirro and Tom Sedivy. The practise sessions were dominated by Bernd Schneider who stuck the Joest Porsche 962 on the pole for the first time since long. Chip Robinson was alongside and Davy Jones next. Again, Parker Johnstone would dominate his class with his Acura powered Spice SE90P. The start would be given under a cloudy weather. Bernd Schneider jumped into the lead, followed by Chip Robinson, soon to be overtaken by Davy Jones. Behind them Tom Kendall would be passed by Juan Fangio. Davy Jones was to close in on Bernd Schneider followed by Chip Robinson. Right behind them, Geoff Brabham, who started from the last position on the grid, had passed eleven cars during the first lap! He would pass Wayne Taylor and Rocky Moran in a row. Soon, the leaders would be lapping the slower Lights cars, adding thrilk to the race. While somewhat slowed down by traffic, Bernd Schneider was to be overtaken by Davy Jones, who had a very aggressive run. Losing three places, he was soon back to the pits. Ruggero Melgrati was also experiencing an engine misfire. Davy Jones opened up a more substantial lead over Chip Robinson and Juan Fangio while Bernd Schneider had his nose changed on his Porsche. Then Raul Boesel would have an off-course, with Geoff Brabham barely avoiding the collision. The Jaguar was destroyed after hitting the guardrail from the back. A full course yellow was set. The race was on on lap eighteen. Davy Jones was still ahead, followed by Juan Fangio. Tom Kendall was third, followed by Geoff Brabham and Wayne Taylor. The Lights class was severely contested by David Tennyson, who was leading, just ahead of Parker Johnstone. Chip Robinson would hit James Weaver and spin while attempting to pass him. The first row of pit stops occured later, and it allowed Geoff Brabham, who had pitted earlier, to take the lead. Just behind him were Juan Fangio and Davy Jones, still nose to tail, but Dan Gurney's team had been better this time. After sixty eight minutes, Geoff Brabham would pit for fuel. Juan Fangio was in the lead. Then Tom Kendall had a big crash when he lost control of his car in turn five. Losing a wheel, he would hit the fence very hard. A full course caution was set. Davy Jones would pit for fuel in an attempt to gain some extra time. On lap seventy five, the race was restarted. Juan Fangio was now followed by teammate Rocky Moran and Geoff Brabham. Davy Jones and Chip Robinson followed. Tom Kendall had been driven to the hospital. Davy Jones was suddenly back to his pits with a flat tire, losing a great deal of time. He would restart but very slowly. Geoff Brabham and Rocky Moran would put up a fight, but the Toyota would suddenly slow down. An ignition problem was probably what slowed him, but he would lose a great deal of time. Juan Fangio then had the race packed up. Geoff Brabham and Chip Robinson were second and third. Davy Jones would finish the race very strongly, when his suspension problem was fixed. The Lights class was finally won by Parker Johnstone, who disposed of David Tennyson and Firmin Velez, all on the same lap.
James Weaver had a brand new car for 1991. It was a completely new chassis built by Jim Chapman.
Copyright Mark Windecker
Laguna Seca was the next race, and it was highlighted by the debut of the new Toyota racer, which was the Eagle Mark III. Nineteen cars were entered, and the return of Perry McCarthy was awaited. Along with the sole Jaguar XJR16, driven by Davy Jones, Geoff Brabham and Chip Robinson would have to run very hard. Joest Racing entered his reliable Porsche 962, as well as Dyson Racing, whose new car was apparently more efficient. James Weaver was at the wheel while Gianpiero Moretti was back with his Porsche 962 too. The two Intrepid Chevrolet were there on a track which favored their huge downforce. John Hotschkis drove his Spice SE90P Pontiac solo, and Tom Milner still fielded his two Spice SE89P Chevrolet. Brian Bonner and Jeff Purner on the first car, and Jeff Kline on the second one. The Lights class provided no substance for excitement, as again Parker Johnstone would have to face David Tennyson and Ruggero Melgrati on their Spice Ferraris, and the two Essex Racing Kudzu DG1 Buick driven by Jim Pace, and Ken Knott who was partnered by Andy Evans. Hugh Fuller and Paul Debban shared the wheel of Carlos Bobeda's Spice SE90P Buick. Wayne Taylor used his car's abilities to set a new track record during practice, Juan Fangio was just behind him, with his brand new Toyota Eagle Mark III. The car was incredibly fast and impressive. In the race, Juan Fangio was not to be deterred by his opponents, and he took an early lead, which seemed to bring the victory on a silver plateau, but a penalty given to Juan Fangio for running the pit exit red flag dropped him to seventh. Davy Jones again was ready to squeeze yet another victory, defeating Geoff Brabham who took a second place. The Lights class saw a rare dnf for the Spice Acura, and it became a one-two sweep for the Ferrari powered Spices. Ruggero Melgrati and David Tennyson had a long fight and the former kept a three second margin at the chequered.
The next race was scheduled at Portland. The course was a fast one, and seventeen cars were entered. Nissan Performance had two cars, driven by Geoff Brabham and Chip Robinson. Juan Fangio was the sole AAR driver to use the new Eagle MKIII while Rocky Moran had to end the HF90 career. Davy Jones was the only TWR entrant since Raul Boesel's accident, his car having undergone some heavy damage. Two Porsche 962s were entered, with James Weaver driving the Dyson Racing car and Gianpiero Moretti-Derek Bell sharing the Momo-Joest car. Tom Milner was a consistant GTP entrant, and his two Spice SE90P Chevrolet were driven by Brian Bonner-Jeff Kline and Tim McAdam. Wayne Taylor drove the very effective Intrepid Chevrolet while Tom Kendall was not to be seen before many weeks while recovering from his huge accident. Jim Adams was at the wheel of the Hotschkis Racing Wynn's backed Spice SE90P Pontiac. The Lights class featured the Spice SE90Ps driven by Parker Johnstone, who had to beware of the Ferrari powered cars of Ruggero Melgrati and David Tennyson. Paul Debban and Hugh Fuller drove Carlos Bobeda's Spice SE90P Buick. Ken Knott and Andy Evans were now driving the Essex Kudzu DG1 Buick, along with Jim Pace. Wayne Taylor again won the pole position just ahead of Geoff Brabham. The race, however, proved to be a Toyota domination, with Juan Fangio had a very convincing win at the wheel of the Eagle MKIII Toyota. Geoff Brabham finished second, gathering points for the title chase. Rocky Moran came in third with the older Toyota,,just ahead of Chip Robinson. The Lights class saw another defeat for Parker Johnstone, who had to settle for second. Ruggero Melgrati won in his Spice SE90P Ferrari.
The next round took place at Road America. It would be a special race for Nissan Performance, which brought along three cars. In fact, defending champion Geoff Brabham would not even be able to stand his role, as he had a very serious accident during the first practice session. His car flipped and became airborne after blowing a tire. Geoff Brabham was sent to the hospital with broken ribs and a crushed vertebrae. The works team had no other choice than replace him for the race. Derek Daly would sub him. Chip Robinson and Bob Earl were the two other drivers. AAR still fielded two different cars, with Juan Fangio running the latest release, and Rocky Moran still relyihg on the Eagle HF90. TWR again had two cars, and Davy Jones and Raul Boesel were the contenders. Wayne Taylor was running the Intrepid Chevrolet, built by Pratt and Miller. Three Porsche 962s were still entered, which were the most commonly seen throughout the year. Dyson Racing was counting on James Weaver, Momo Corse had Gianpiero Moretti and Derek Bell, while Joest Racing was fielding a car for John Winter and Bernd Schneider. Tom Milner entered two cars, but the drivers' teams had been switched, with Brian Bonner running solo, and Tim McAdam and Jeff Kline in the other car. Jim Adams and John Hotschkis relied on the Spice SE90P Pontiac. The Lights class was still exciting, and Comptech entered two cars for the first time. Parker Johnstone and Dan Marvin drove identical cars. Ruggero Melgrati and Martino Finotto were on their very fast Spice SE89P Ferrari, as well as David Tennyson. Jim Pace had a Kudzu DG1 Buick, and Ken Knott, partnered by Charles Morgan drove the second Essex Racing car. Frank Jellinek and John Grooms had a Mazda poweeed Kudzu DG1. The race was due to last 300 kilometers.
Davy Jones had a flawless race at Road America, as he ran to a clear victory.
Copyright Mark Windecker
Davy Jones powered his Jaguar XJR16 to the pole, with a new track record. At the start, he jumped in the lead, followed by Wayne Taylor and Juan Fangio. Juan Fangio would pass Wayne Taylor in the second lap. Then, the two of them would run together until lap twelve. The Toyota moved to a halt at turn five, with a throttle cable snapped. Davy Jones was still ahead, now followed by Rocky Moran and Chip Robinson. It was not to be a lucky day for Toyota as Rocky Moran would retire later, when his differential failed. In fact, after the pit stop series began, the gap between Davy Jones and Chip Robinson would stabilize around twenty seconds. Wayne Taylor was third while Raul Boesel, who started dead last, had a very strong race and managed to finish fourth. Bob Earl was fifth. The Lights class, still dominated by Parker Johnstone's Spice SE90P Acura, seemed to belong to him again, but the team seemed to be plagued by bad luck. The team had brought their own fuel, which turned out to be bad fuel. Dan Marvin then took over, but he also had some fuel trouble in the next to last lap. Jim Pace took his chance and grabbed his very first win.
Jim Pace earned his first Lights victory at Road America, at the wheel of the Kudzu DG1 Buick.
Copyright Mark Windecker
The last race of the season was scheduled at Del Mar, which was a street course. For the first time, AAR had two Eagle MKIIIs, driven by Juan Fangio and Rocky Moran. Geoff Brabham was back and fighting for the Championship. Chip Robinson was driving the second car. Two Jaguar XJR16s were entered, but Davy Jones was partnered by Martin Brundle, this time. Perry McCarthy was also back and eager to do well, and he had strong hopes for this race. Wayne Taylor, also running solo, could do very well on such a track. Rob Dyson was the only Porsche competitor, and he had James Weaver driving his car. Tom Milner, as per usual, had entered his two Spice SE89P Chevrolet. Brian Bonner and Jeff Purner were in car #4 and Jeff Kline drove car #5. From Europe came a Spice SE88P Ford, entered by Euro Racing. Charles Zwolsman and Cor Euser would try to do their best against some more powerful machinery. John Hotschkis had entered his Spice SE90P Pontiac, and John Paul Jr was to drive this car. That would later be the surprise of the week-end. The Lights class was only six cars strong. Parker Johnstone and Ruggero Melgrati were the drivers. David Tennyson was the only Ferrari proponant, by the way. A Spice SE90P Buick was entered by Dianetics, for Philippe de Henning and Paul Debban. Essex Racing again fielded two cars for Ken Knott-Andy Evans and Jim Pace. The practice session again highlighted the tremendous downforce produced by the Intrepid Chevrolet, and Wayne Taylor set up a new track record. Geoff Brabham, still recovering, was next to him. The race would feature a domination from Wayne Taylor after an early lead from Geoff Brabham. Chip Robinson and Davy Jones suffered mechanical problems, and Geoff Brabham, running more conservatively, finally took a final third place. Once again, Juan Fangio had a great race, and he took the win while Chip Robinson lost six laps with a broken half shaft. That's where he lost the Championship. Running great was John Paul Jr, who finished second in the Wynn's Hotschkis Racing Spice SE90P Pontiac, the car's best ever result, for sure! Parker Johnstone won the Lights class, and he dominated the race from the start. He finished one lap ahead of David Tennyson. Ruggero Melgrati was third in the second Comptech car. The two cars displayed an additional front wing on the hood, to get more downforce, obviously. The 1991 Championship was over, and Geoff Brabham again won. It was his fourth, and last, in a row. He was extremely consistent, and it was what brought him his fourth crown. However, it became obvious that the domination he used to exert was over. So much the better. The losing team for this season was TWR, whose Jaguar XJR16 was the fastest of all. Davy Jones often dominated the races, but he suffered from mistakes or mechanical failures. He had to settle for third, despite five victories. Second was Chip Robinson, who led the points chase until the final round, but had some very bad luck. Wayne Taylor was the surprise of the year, with a car that was made for the tight courses. Many pole positions were set, but the car suffered from its downforce, which hampered the top speed. Things should have to be improved for the next season, with Chevrolet taking on the project. The next most successful team was AAR, with two victories with a very effective car, which should be a major contender in 1992. The Lights class was a total domination by a new competitor, in the name of Parker Johnstone, who garnered eight victories in his very potent Spice SE90P Acura. Comptech Racing was a professional organisation, and the engines provided by the Japanese manufacturer were certainly the most powerful in the class. Parker Johnstone, who certainly was no newcomer to auto racing, proved he matured as a real talent. He was more than one hundred points ahead of his closest competitor, who was David Tennyson, in a Spice SE89P Ferrari. The class was also outnumbered by Spices, which were challenged by the Kudzu DG1 Buick. Essex Racing was a strong effort, but they had to settle for runner up. The 1992 season was ahead, with a fierce battle looming up. It was now clear that the private entries were definitively out of contention for the GTP title chase. Things had changed, forever.
