40 Years on, Trans-Am Lives

[Crusher45]

Trans-Am may not have quite the same ring to it as the other double-barreled series of the sixties but long after Can-Am departed the scene, the Trans-Am Series is still going strong.? In fact after 40 years it is now the longest running racing series in the USA.

Sanctioned by the Sports Car Club of America, who now hold the rights to the "Trans-Am" name, the series was operated by the Champ Car World Series right up to December of 2005, running the majority of its races in support of the parent open-wheel championship.

Trans Am has a proud tradition and VARAC, the Vintage Automobile Racing Association of Canada, has chosen to honour the cars of Trans Am as the feature at the 27th VARAC Vintage Racing Festival to be held this June 22 to 25th at Mosport International Raceway, Nr. Bowmanville, Ont. Canada.

This is your opportunity to thrill again to the ?big iron? cars ? Mustangs, Camaros, Javelins etc. and see how they compare with the many European and Japanese? Cars? - Porsche 911?s, BMW 2002?s, Datsun 510?s as they race around the challenging Mosport circuit. In addition to the Trans Am feature, all of VARAC?s other Vintage and Historic classes ? Monoposto, Production Sports Cars, Sports racers and Classic Sedan ? will be racing in a fun and excitement filled weekend.

In addition, on Sunday Morning we also host a Car Show on the infield odf the Circuit that ends with all Car Show participants taking a few parade laps around the circuit to experience its challenges and to show off their cars to the many spectators.

FOR FURTHER DETAILS, GO TO http://www.varac.ca/FESTIVAL/fest_welcome.html - THERE YOU WILL FIND A FULL LISTING OF EVENTS IN THIS FUN FILLED WEEKEND OR CONTACT elva7racer@rogers.com "

[Steve Moore]

We'll be there with the Big Cat!

It won the Mosport Trans Am race 25 years ago.

[inoverdrive]

We'll be there with the Big Cat!

It won the Mosport Trans Am race 25 years ago.

It sure did...I was there. :)

[Crusher45]

It sure did...I was there. :)
Kenny you were there when Ben Hur rounded the first turn at the Acropolis.

:D :D :D

[Crusher45]

We'll be there with the Big Cat!

It won the Mosport Trans Am race 25 years ago.
Good to see the big Cat out. So when's her premier? Don't tell me we have to wait until the Festival?

[Steve Moore]

Hopefully the May 13-14th weekend, we striped it down to the frame and went through everything and fixed the rear output shaft that had sheared. We found the car was still in its 82 Daytona 24hrs race set up, the last time it was professionally run. Everything is going back together now so we should have no problem making the first G70+ race of the year. :)

PS
Ken do you have any pictures from that race???

[inoverdrive]

We found the car was still in its 82 Daytona 24hrs race set up, the last time it was professionally run.

PS
Ken do you have any pictures from that race???



Steve..I was at the Daytona 24 Hour Pepsi Challenge in 1982. The Jag..# 444. was driven by BobTullius / Bill Adam / Gordon Smiley..

I was there giving moral support to Eppie Wietzes in the Cook Racing # 7 Lola T600..Driven by Ralph Cook / Eppie Wietzes / Jim Adams..

I have the Program from that event, which you can have if you want.
.
I'll check and see if I have any pictures of that car.

Ken

[Steve Moore]

Thanks Ken

We'd love to have the program, we ve already collected three programs from the 81 Trans Am Season. We have the original log books, race results and Group 44 set up notes for every track. While the car had a very short but successful race history, we'd like to have it fully documented.

The car was to be raced by Smiley in the 82 T/A Season however he was killed testing at Indianoplis that year and the car went into a private collection. And your right it ran as #444 at Daytona in the prototype class as it was deemed too modified to run GTO. (No doubt a very political decission)

Here's the Jag as it ran at Daytona, 193 mph on the banking!!!

http://www.justracing.com/images/profiles/625

[Transamdriver]

Sorry to say, the Trans-Am series is dead - can't see it coming back in its current format as expensive tube frame cars.

As an oldtimer who was lucky enough to race as a privateer in the early days, it would be great to see a new, maybe spec series, with the new retro pony cars (assuming that GM and Chrysler follow thru on their concept cars).

These are different days with other current similar series like Grand-Am and Speed GT, so it is doubtful that the T/A will be reborn.

The other factor is that the original series had some of the best drivers in the world, so perhaps it is just best to remember the series for what it was, and get out to the vintage events that will honour it.

Any chance that some of the original cars from 66-72 might show up for the VARAC race?

Robert Barg

[inoverdrive]

Sorry to say, the Trans-Am series is dead - can't see it coming back in its current format as expensive tube frame cars.

As an oldtimer who was lucky enough to race as a privateer in the early days, it would be great to see a new, maybe spec series, with the new retro pony cars (assuming that GM and Chrysler follow thru on their concept cars).

These are different days with other current similar series like Grand-Am and Speed GT, so it is doubtful that the T/A will be reborn.

The other factor is that the original series had some of the best drivers in the world, so perhaps it is just best to remember the series for what it was, and get out to the vintage events that will honour it.

Any chance that some of the original cars from 66-72 might show up for the VARAC race?

Robert Barg

Robert.
The Series did go through quite a few bad years...Like you said..Let's remember the great years and drivers.
Are you still planning being at Mosport for the Vintage weekend?
Ken G.

[Transamdriver]

Ken, yes, I have booked my flight and plan to be there that wknd. Not sure yet where I will stay. Some of the CMSHG guys were talking about a MH rental share. Other than that idea, which motel etc would you recommend?

When the most of the factories pulled out after the 70 season, the media started to bad-mouth the series. The promoters got scared and the 72 season schedule was cut back to only 7 races, even though the grids would have had lots of privateer cars. Then SCCA opened the series up to the Corvettes, Porsches etc. for 73.
Good idea, but it was too late. Lots of the racers had gone over to the new IMSA series and John Bishop (ex SCCA who founded IMSA). IMSA was very racer friendly and nothing was too good for the racers themselves, and they flourished during those mid 70 years. The Trans-Am almost died in those years but gradually came back to life again in the late 70's with the 2 category format which lasted till end of 79 - then back to Cat 1 only for 80 and 81 ( I drove 3 more races in 80). The tube frame era began in 82 and lasted till the end of 05.

As said, lots of ups and downs, but the original years from 66-72 were the ones that captured the public's interest. Those were exciting race days for both competitors and spectators.

Robert Barg

[inoverdrive]

Ken, yes, I have booked my flight and plan to be there that wknd. Not sure yet where I will stay. Some of the CMSHG guys were talking about a MH rental share. Other than that idea, which motel etc would you recommend?

Robert Barg

Robert.
Check " Around Town" on the Mosport web site. They have Hotel / Motel.and
B & B's listed
Other than that I don't know of anything..... I've always brought my own bed.!.
The idea of R V Rentals with the corner 2 group is OK if you don't need much sleep. LOL.
See you at Mosport. Ken

[Steve Moore]

Sorry to correct you Robert, but the Tube Framed Trans Am car era started in 1981 (our car being an example). And as a spectator who grew up on the newer T/A cars, it was very sad to see the series die. I heard a rumour that SWC was looking at taking the name from SCCA for thier series.

PS

Thanks again Ken!

[Transamdriver]

Hi Steve, my recollection is that by 82 most of the cars were tube frame cars, and I incorrectly assumed tube frame cars started when GM brought out the 3rd gen camaros and firebirds that year. I have done a bit of research and some print sources state that tube frame cars were allowed for 80? but I don't recall any. In 80 there was a weight handicapping formula that remained for at least 2 yrs I think. I raced that year with the original 71 Dick Hoffman T/A camaro (rebodied as a 75), and this car is still alive and being vintage raced, and I heard it is now for sale again for $60,000 US. It is not "restored" as most of that era cars are, but for that money would be a bargain, I think.

If your Jag was a full tube frame car in 81 it was one of only a few such T/A cars? What happened to it after that season? I don't believe it was raced in the 82 Trans-Am?

I will certainly enjoy seeing some of the T/A cars in the Mosport paddock and I hope that many of the "real" cars find their way there.

Also curious about the Eppie Wietzes 81 T/A winning corvette - is it around somewhere? Was it a full tube frame car?

Robert Barg

[Steve Moore]

Hey Robert

Well I am no expert on T/A but I have done alot of research that led up to us buying our car. Ive also learned alot since then, 1981 was the first year full tube framed chassis were allowed. This is what drew Bob Tullius back to T/A. He had moved onto running a TR8 IMSA GTO car in 1980. Our car XJR-4 was built by Group 44 for the 81 T/A season and first turned a wheel under its own power in the paddock at Charlotte where it finished 2nd. The car went on to win Mosport, Portland & Brainard. Teething problems with the new car forced several DNF's giving Eppie the title with only two wins but consistant finishes. The Jag ran the 1982 24hrs of Daytona and yes it ran the first race of the 1982 T/A season at Road Atlanta with Tullius filling in for Gordon Smiley who was killed earlier that month at Indy. The car then went into a private collection until 2000. It has been vintage raced since then.

As for Eppie's car, sadly it no longer exists, I understand it had a hard life and the original frame was so badly twisted it was thrown out. I dont know if it was a full tube frame car, maybe Ken can help with that one. As for your comment "real trans am cars" I m not sure what you mean by that but we are trying to get as many ex T/A cars as we can to show up at the Festival. Why dont you buy the Camaro and come join us!

[inoverdrive]

Yes, Eppie's 1981 Corvette was a full tube frame..Chassis was built by Murray Edwards..
Ken

FYI..1981 Season 9 Races...
Tullius had 3 wins..2nd..5th..21st 3 dnf..

Wietzes 2 wins..3 .2nds..2 3rds..7th..dnf

[Transamdriver]

By "real" cars I meant those that actually raced in the series, not replicas that were built 15 or 20 years later to run vintage, although I realize that most vintage grids are now filled with replicas, and that is ok, a long as there is some distinction made between them.

As to the Hoffman car, I wish!

Robert Barg

[DEK]

To "inoverdrive" what Trans-Am car was built by Ken Stewart at Linken ?
I had heard he/they built Eppies car.
DEK

[inoverdrive]

To "inoverdrive" what Trans-Am car was built by Ken Stewart at Linken ?
I had heard he/they built Eppies car.
DEK

Ken Stewart did build a Pontiac (wide body!) for Ken Silk and Eppie in.. I think ..1986..

[Cdnstunts]

Hi, I will attempt to be at the Trans Am fest in june. Just got the GT1 Corvette, ex Trans Am car. Race in 1985 to 1990 Trans Am, by Glenn Fox
and Michael Muh. West coast area, Riverside, Sears Point and some other
west coast raceways. In the 90's it ran GT1 SCCA national events.

Need to go through the hole GT1 car, before it hits the track.

[bumblebee]

The Swiss Chalet Vette that Eppie ran used much of the stock frame, it was not a full tube car, I know as I ended up owning it and chopped it up as the frame was toast and the body was long gone, several people owned it after Eppie and before myself, they "ran the wheels off it"......I ended up building a new car, eventually selling it.

[inoverdrive]

The Swiss Chalet Vette that Eppie ran used much of the stock frame, it was not a full tube car, I know as I ended up owning it and chopped it up as the frame was toast and the body was long gone, several people owned it after Eppie and before myself, they "ran the wheels off it"......I ended up building a new car, eventually selling it.

If that's the case I stand corrected. I got my information from someone who worked on that car in 1981.
Ken

[Steve Moore]

CDN Stunts nice Vette, we hope to see you out, Have a look at the VARAC supplementary for the Trans Am Race on the VARAC Site. They have split Trans Am cars 1966-1972 from the 1973-1987 cars, they will not allow all of the T/A cars to run together unless the earlier car drivers want to??? If there are not enough T/A entries they will run the later cars with G70+ and the earlier cars get there own race.

They also mention allowing ANY Trans Am style cars to run in the T/A Feature, so Robert looks like you might be right, if we cant get enough Real Trans Am cars they will just fill the grid with anything that looks like one.

As a T/A competitor interested in running at the Festival, I have asked VARAC that they allow the Trans Am Feature to be a race for real (ie History) T/A cars and have them all run together. Isnt this what everyone wants to see including Mosport?

Cdn Stunts feel free to contact us if you need any Historic Trans Am event info. SVRA & HSR are running several Trans Am Feature races this year at Watkins Glen, Mid Ohio and Road America.

Ken gave us a great site for T/A results www.motorsportsalmanac.com, another is www.racingsportscars.com

[Cdnstunts]

Thanks for the information on the fest. I will do my best have the corvette
ready for the event.

[Blue car]

Hey, I owned that vette for a couple of years. We called it "the Kendall Valdez" (it leaked a little, always from a new places) I did not drive the wheels off it, they fell off by themselves.
Cosgrove

[bumblebee]

Yeah John, it was pretty tough when I got it from you, I knew that Peter ran it pretty hard! When we put it on the chassis table and checked it for straightness we knew we had a problem. The "twang" when we cut a few rails to straighten it made Lionel's hair go white! As well,there was enough silicone in car (engine, trans, rear end) to interest an exotic dancer! I tuly believe that it was the "Kendall Valdez", that is one of the resons why we started over.

[Cdnstunts]

Hey John,
I hope your talking about some other corvette ?
You might have me worried.

Robert

[Blue car]

I am refering to the Eppie Wietzes/Brian Redman 1981 Trans Am championship car which I purchased from Peter DeMan in 88 89? This car taught me a lot. Humility, frustration, how not to do things, what not to spend your money on.
But it looked great! I was so glad to see the next owner transform it into a reflection of it's former greatness.

[Phil Strudwick]

I am the present owner of the sister car to Eppie Weitzes Corvette. A pair of Corvettes were built for Eppie and Murray Edwards to runin both the trans am and Imsa.

Eppie's car was the Swiss Chalet car and Murray's car was the Cavendish Farms car. Cavendish farms supplied the potatos to Swiss Challet.

The cars were built by Brad Francis at Performance Engineering and were built on the stock chassis. The cars were later modified by Ken Stewart at Linken and the rear sections of the cars behind the B pillars were converted to tube frame.

Gregg Clifton and I purchased the Edwards car in Nova Scotia in 1998.

Gregg ran the car and we prepared it for several years in Canada Challange Cup. He finished second in the championship and won several races.

The car continues to run on a regular basis and is driven by Blaise Czida and Malcolm Strachan on occasion. Clifton manages to shake off the cob webs about once a year and has a go at the car.

The car is known as Frankie at Strudwick Motorsports and continues to be my Favorite. Robbie the wrench has guided Frankie to victory at the 2005 vintage festival as well as the fastest laps at the 2004 Festival.

Frankie continues to rule and will be out to take on all challangers in 2006.

[J.C.]

Would anyone happen to know what happended to this 1976 Trans-Am Scirocco?

[Steve Moore]

Good old Phil with the smack talk again.

Tell ya what Phil, when I learn how to drive this car you fast, we'll see how fast your Vette is.

BTW
How many races did your Vette win in Trans Am in 1981??? ;)

[Phil Strudwick]

Talk about smack. You should stick to guns and dogs copper. By the time you learn to drive that CAT it will be a tired old pussy.

As to wins probably none but then again Strudwick Motorsports wasn't working on it back thaen.

You should drop up to the shop and look at Frankie before the season. If you don't take the time before the season it will only be a blurr as it burns off your fur.

I just had a thought. Maybe your dad should drive. He's old like me. Not such a dreamer as you.

The glove is now in your court.

Cheers Phil

[Steve Moore]

Hey Phil

Thanks for the offer, I would come look at your car if it had some significant race history. But from the look of it, it doesnt and looks like the hundreds of other Vette's you see still being raced.

Best result I could find for the Cavendish Vette was a 9th in 1983 @ Belle Isle, Edwards had a 9th place finish at the 1981 Laguna Seca round but not sure if it was the same car (Lamerts Sponsor)

As for taking on all comers at the Festival, good luck there are some very quick T/A cars, Peter's 86 Roush Mustang comes to mind.

As for the K9 stuff, your right that is my job and we are the best in the business, just ask the suspect from the Home Invasion in York Region we caught yesterday.

Racing is your business Phil, I'd be more impressed if you were gloating over winning Pro Races than Vintage Racing, kinda like a Pro Hockey player gloating over skating circles around Adult League players.

Racing is a hobby for us and we are running a historically signifficant race car, so win or lose we are having fun racing a piece of Trans Am History. :)

See ya at the Track

[Transamdriver]

Can't wait now to see this Cat vs. Vette shoot-out! I quit racing after 1980 but did spectate at the Portland Trans-Am in 81. Seems to me there was a yellow near the end of the race, and when the green came out, Tullius left Eppie in the dust. There was some discussion after the race that Tullius "jumped" the restart!

In 79 I towed Bill Adam and his Corvette to a few races, as their tow vehicle had died. That Corvette Bill drove had one of those rare aluminum 427 big block motors. Bill had teamed up with Dave Lenz (Lentz?) and they raced under the banner of "Dead Bear Racing". I'm sure there is a story behind that name. Bill, I believe, now lives in Florida. He would be a good guest for the Varac weekend. He sure could drive the wheels off of just about anything. Wonder where that car is? I believe the engine was taken out and the car was sold as a roller at some point later.

Robert Barg

[Transamdriver]

Steve, there are a few pics of the Cat on autocourse.ca and on racingsportscars.com

Robert Barg

[SE-R Racer]

As for the K9 stuff, your right that is my job and we are the best in the business, just ask the suspect from the Home Invasion in York Region we caught yesterday.


Geez, how's that dog for sniffing out marajuana? Wait, nevermind, even I can smell the stuff the kids are smoking two doors down...wanna bring him over anyways? :D

[Tigger Gal]

Yeah Steve you and your dog are welcome ANYTIME to get rid of those kids.

I'll buy the good doggie biscuits and everything. Premium bottled water.
Gourmet dinner for you.
Whatever! :)

-Amy

[Steve Moore]

Are you in Toronto??

Pm me with the details

Steve & Argus