Greatest looking Sports Cars - The IMSA GTP Years.

[mapguy]

Packing the house getting ready to move I found a whole stack of old programs from Mosport back in the 80's. For the next several hours I poured over my old IMSA programs. One thing about Mosport IMSA races in the 80's is that there were a lot of firsts. The first GTP car to compete in IMSA. Kent-Cooke's Lola T600-Chevy drivin by Brian Redmon. The first race for Jaguar in Group C competition with Brundle and Warwick sharing a TWR Jag in British Racing Green. But the most important was a personal first. Seeing my first racing Jag.

http://www.txchange.com/44jag.jpg



I know it is a cruddy pic but it is the best i could find.

[sadams]

Yup The Camel GTP series was some of the best looking and some of the best racing in a long time.

[Hink]

Mostly for the paint job: The Red Lobster March with the Lobster over the entire car.

The Vette was cool as was the Nissan.

[jcollins28]

That series was great to watch. If you have anymore pics please post them.

[jcollins28]

Whats funny is if you take a look at the Saleen S7's. The first time I saw that car I was like cool a Camel GTP series car for the street.

[mapguy]

Originally posted by Hink
Mostly for the paint job: The Red Lobster March with the Lobster over the entire car.



http://www.amazing43.com/A43_2002/images/NEWS/MarshModels/MM81_mag_test.jpg

[mapguy]

Here is a Lola T600. The first IMSA GTP car.

http://www.symbolicmotors.com/frames/images/Classics/CurrentClassics/1981LolaT600/images/lolaT600-03.jpg

[mapguy]

The Ford Probe GTP. (Still looking for the front engined one.)

http://gpma.org/Images/wbprobe.jpg

[mapguy]

For Hink. The Corvette GTP Funny enough this car was run by Rick Hendrick of NASCAR fame.

http://www.royhooper.com/HENDRICKSGTPCORVETTE.jpg

[lone_groover]

"....Sarel, Doc. Doc, Sarel"

ha ha

http://www.mulsannescorner.com/RX-promo.jpg

Mazda RX792P, campaigned in '92 by Price Cobb. Designed by one Lee Dykstra.

http://gto-racing.nexenservices.com/Nouveau_dossier/groupeGTP_CL_kudzuDG3mazda_1.jpg

Jim Downing's Kudzus were also very pretty; petite and curvy.

The early Spices were cute too, before they got too fussy and aerodynamic.

:)

[Jag_Warrior]

Right click, Save Picture As...

Sweet! Thank you all. :cool:

[oddlycalm]

Not only were the cars gorgeous, but they had serious power and went like stink. Sigh...

td

[Gurneyflap]

I don't know why, but this thread made me recall 3 of the greatest...that became piles of smoldering JUNK at Riverside one year ('86?)...Chip, Doc and St. James...3 cars into turn 1 didn't work...Bundy's "fault" if I recall...MONSTEROUS wreck. I wouldn't bring it up, except nobody even got hurt! Unbelievable. I have a video of it somewhere...anyone know of any pics to post here? It was the Jag, Probe and 'vette, right? I can't recall if I was watching it on live TV, but I thought they were all just gone. I have never been so relieved after any TV wreck I've ever seen! Phew!

[Gurneyflap]

Oh, and about "going like stink"?...by the time those little Toyotas came along, they were lapping faster than the Champcars. When PJ Jones could beat Michael's times at a place like Portland, you KNOW they were incredible cars. Flying wings! Nothing like a LOT of aero to help thing out!

[RaceGrrl]

GF, I remember that crash. It was horrific. We might actually have that on an old tape, not that I want to see it again. No photos, though.

[stymie]

http://www.racingsportscars.com/photo/1986/Sebring-1986-03-22-014.jpg

One of my favorites was Al Holbert's 962

[Hardpoint]

http://site.voila.fr/xjr14/photos_gtp/gtp_limerock_01.jpg

One of my favorites.

[Hardpoint]

http://962.com/other_racing_cars/nissan_gtp_zx/thumbnails/DSC_0009.jpg

Here is the other one.

[Hink]

Thanks for the pics mapguy. Do you know where I can find one of the Kreepy Krauly March?

[Lizzerd]

Good pic, stymie. And welcome to OC.

[cart7]

http://www.racingsportscars.com/photo/1989/Le_Mans-1989-06-11-002.jpg

Had to add this. 1989

[pchall]

Originally posted by Gurneyflap
Oh, and about "going like stink"?... When PJ Jones could beat Michael's times at a place like Portland, you KNOW they were incredible cars. Flying wings! Nothing like a LOT of aero to help thing out!

Speed like that got us the Festival Curves -- and champcars racing at Portland have suffered with them ever since.

[Chaos]

here's my pick:

Mercedes CLK GTR

http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/timcott/clk1.jpg


though I must confess, I'm not sure if this car was for IMSA or another series. Edit: It was for the FIA GT series. This is the 1997 car.

[Sean O'Gorman]

Originally posted by Jag_Warrior
Right click, Save Picture As...

Sweet! Thank you all. :cool:

Right click, save!? :saywhat: How bout open wallet, and buy this book:

http://www.bullpublishing.com/img/protocov.gif

$90, but worth every penny. I got it for a graduation present a couple years ago and it is one of my most cherished possessions. IMSA was my first exposure to auto racing back when I was only five years old, and since CART didn't come along in my life for another year or so, I always regarded the GTP series as my favorite as a kid. Seeing them race was the highlight of the summer for me, and it was great to think that there was a time where I could just go to a race and enjoy watching it without the frustrations of seeing politics ruin the sport or any of the disappointment from knowing the odds are 10,000:1 that I'll ever get to race at that level.

[Gurneyflap]

Ah, yes, the "Festival Curves"! PROGRESS. How many of you ever stood at the center of turn one for a Can Am race at Brainerd? They'll never do THAT again, either. Can't say ALL speed-control ideas are bad, though. Speed and safety are OFTEN at odds, aren't they?

[RichK]

This car was testing at Sears Point a few years ago:

http://www.team-orange.com/962d.jpg

[Gurneyflap]

I'm thinking some of you need to make serious plans to get to the Brian Redman International Challenge at Road America next summer. People still RACE some of these museum pieces, ya know! I mean, REALLY FAST! You won't have to search the archives for old pictures of old cars, you can take NEW pictures of old cars! (...that you already took pictures of) My wife says I'm nuts. I have to agree. I gotta tell ya, though, the cars haven't changed much in appearance, but Brian Redman sure has! Haven't we all!?

[calculus_entropy]

My first IMSA GTP experience was in 1985 at Portland. I LOVED the looks of the cars (especially the Lowenbrau Porches). I was very excited when Bently enterd back into LeMans with a closed cockpit GTP car. Looks sweet, IMO. BTW, I am glad I discovered this forum. I see many names I recognize and enjoy NOT seeing the D&G from the relative newbies at 7th gear (I used to post under the handle of GdFFan - not often, just when I had something to say).

[nrc]

Originally posted by pchall
Speed like that got us the Festival Curves -- and champcars racing at Portland have suffered with them ever since.

I don't know about Portland, but as I recall at Mid Ohio the GTP cars would often set a track record at the June race and the Champcars would break it in August. The lack of runoff at Portland would have forced them to add some kind of chicane eventually anyway.

[sadams]

GTP cars were faster at Road America. 3 words Carbon Fiber brakes.

[mapguy]

The original Eagle Toyota GTP. This one was driven by Drake Olsen who, according to l_g, is currently having coffee with David Tenneyson.

http://www.allamericanracers.com/fangal/hildreth-lime_rock_mkII98.jpg

[mapguy]

Here is the 2nd Gen Eagle Toyota.

http://jwtodd.com/1992_camel_continental/99a_1024.jpg

Forgot one thing. F Toyota!

;)

[sadams]

Many times at Lime Rock there were 3 classes on the track. Gurney's Toyota's, the rest of the GTP's, and the Light's !!! They would run off and lap the field only racing with each other.

[RichK]

One of my favorites:

http://www.johnstarkeycars.com/HTMLpages/CurrentListings/Momo_Nissan/momoniss02.jpg

[Turn7]

This isn't a GTP car and it never raced however, it did capture my imagination reading about its exploits in Ft. Stockton. It needs a "Honorable Mention".

http://www.fast-autos.net/oldsmobile/aerotech.jpg

[RaceGrrl]

Originally posted by mapguy
The original Eagle Toyota GTP. This one was driven by Drake Olsen who, according to l_g, is currently having coffee with David Tenneyson.


My pic of Drake Olsen... one of the drivers that I used to have a crush on.

http://mediaservice.photoisland.com/auction/Aug/20038142224593891666606.jpg

[nissan gtp]

Originally posted by Turn7
This isn't a GTP car and it never raced however, it did capture my imagination reading about its exploits in Ft. Stockton. It needs a "Honorable Mention".



wasn't the aerotech a march champcar (nee indycar) ???

the GTP cars and series is still my all-time favorite.... sure would like to see some of the races re-broadcast a la F1 Decade...

and guess which car I like ... :rofl:

http://www.selfstudio.com/images/paintings/IMSA_flavor/020_Nissan83.jpg

[nissan gtp]

and the 88 ....

http://www.selfstudio.com/images/paintings/IMSA_flavor/003_nissangtpzxt.jpg

[mapguy]

One of my all-time favourite enduro drivers. The late Bob Akin. He ran the Porsche 935K3 for the longest time and when the GTP's came to the fore he turned his 935 into a 'semi' GTP car. This was before the Porsche 962C became legal for IMSA. The Fabcar/Porsche:

{edit} Just read Sean O's post and decided that I didn't want to cause any problems. You can find Bob Akin's car at www.fastdetails.com

[mapguy]

Better pic of the Group 44 Jag.

http://www.hsrrace.com/03_sebring/fullimages/IMG_6058_f.jpg

[nz_climber]

Those are some nice cars, maybe i could get 1 for driving round town here ;) (i like the red #10 kenwood)

Would love to see some of those races :)

[Sean O'Gorman]

mapguy, I should probably warn you that Tim Crete doesn't like people linking pictures directly from his site (fastdetails.com) on other forums. Just a heads up before the photos disappear.

[mapguy]

Originally posted by SOG35
mapguy, I should probably warn you that Tim Crete doesn't like people linking pictures directly from his site (fastdetails.com) on other forums. Just a heads up before the photos disappear.

Thanks for the heads up. I just fired him an email apologizing.

[Racewriter]

http://www.public.iastate.edu/~thiett/ferrari/512M.jpg

My pick...

[Hink]

Who drove the red X?

JK - RW, what is that a picture of?

[Badger]

The car RW posted is Ferrari's answer to the 917 Porsche. I believe it is a 512M.

The Aerotech was based on a March Indycar.

[Racewriter]

Originally posted by Hink
Who drove the red X?

JK - RW, what is that a picture of?

Too funny - there's a guy around here, Ron Bolin, who's run a red X for 25 years on his car.:D:D:D

The pic is of the Ferrari 512M, in all its red glory.:cool:

[Hink]

Thanks - I couldn't see the pic before. The Ferrari 512 is a great looking car.

[Railbird]

mapguy, that Jag picture is a heartbreaker, one of the prettiest racecars I ever saw. And a great sound to boot.

The Hendricks Goodwrench Vette and the Kreepy Krawly March were both housed at one time or another in garages on Gasoline Alley here in Indy.

A fender from the Lobster car is mounted on the wall in the Classy Chassy.

My fav was the front engine turbo four Mustang. What a nutbag experiment!

[JT265]

R-Dub, isn't that 512M derived from the 512 F-1 model?

Those headers kinda make me think so.

[Badger]

Am I the only one that thinks the Mosler looks a lot like the old Group 44 Jags?

[Hink]

Originally posted by Racewriter
Too funny - there's a guy around here, Ron Bolin, who's run a red X for 25 years on his car.:D:D:D

The pic is of the Ferrari 512M, in all its red glory.:cool:

Got a pic of the red X car? (that shows up as a picture in a browser) Please post it.

Nice shots of the Ferrari, particularly the interior.

[Racewriter]

Originally posted by JT265
R-Dub, isn't that 512M derived from the 512 F-1 model?

Those headers kinda make me think so.

I don't think there ever was a 512 F1 car - the "5" was for 5 liters displacement. The car was derived from the 612 CanAm car that Chris Amon drove in 1969.