CRG Discussion Forum

Model Specific Discussions => Promotional Events and Concept Cars => Topic started by: SMKZ28 on January 24, 2020, 07:16:47 PM

Title: Riverside: 1969 Camaro RS/SS 396 Conv. Pace Car USAC Rex Mays 300 Indycar 1968
Post by: SMKZ28 on January 24, 2020, 07:16:47 PM
A week after appearing during the ARRC at Riverside, the white 1969 Camaro RS/SS 396 convertible was used as the pace car for the Rex Mays 300 event held at Riverside International Raceway on Sunday, December 1, 1968.  This was the last race of the 1968 USAC Championship Trail (Indycars) and it was won by Dan Gurney from the pole.

Color pictures:
1) www.worthpoint.com
2) cropped version of #1
3) www.ebay.com
4) cropped version of #3
Title: Re: Riverside: 1969 Camaro RS/SS 396 Conv. Pace Car for USAC Rex Mays 300 Indycar
Post by: SMKZ28 on January 24, 2020, 07:18:45 PM
Notice the placement of the license plate in these pictures.
Title: Re: Riverside: 1969 Camaro RS/SS 396 Conv. Pace Car for USAC Rex Mays 300 Indycar
Post by: SMKZ28 on January 24, 2020, 07:23:53 PM
These photos of the Camaro on the pace lap came from the Petersen Automotive Museum Digitization Project: https://archive.petersen.org
Title: Re: Riverside: 1969 Camaro RS/SS 396 Conv. Pace Car for USAC Rex Mays 300 Indycar
Post by: SMKZ28 on January 24, 2020, 07:26:08 PM
These pictures show the car in pit lane.  Notice the car in between drivers Jerry Titus and Mario Andretti.  They can also be found here: https://archive.petersen.org
Title: Re: Riverside: 1969 Camaro RS/SS 396 Conv. Pace Car for USAC Rex Mays 300 Indycar
Post by: SMKZ28 on January 24, 2020, 07:29:23 PM
These 4 small photos came from the Dave Friedman Collection.  They are no longer available on the internet.  I downloaded them many years ago.
Title: Re: Riverside: 1969 Camaro RS/SS 396 Conv. Pace Car for USAC Rex Mays 300 Indycar
Post by: SMKZ28 on January 24, 2020, 07:32:38 PM
There is some cool color footage of the event that originally aired on ABC's Wide World of Sports.  In it you can see ABC announcer Jim McKay riding in the back of the 1969 Camaro RS/SS 396 convertible pace car during the pace laps.  From the back seat of the speeding Camaro, McKay announces the lineup for the race as the camera man shows the field behind them.

See the pace lap from 1:20 to 2:43 here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ljmfIhrSRdA
Title: Re: Riverside: 1969 Camaro RS/SS 396 Conv. Pace Car for USAC Rex Mays 300 Indycar
Post by: SMKZ28 on January 24, 2020, 07:36:15 PM
1) Souvenir Event Program cover: https://mgb1967.com/1968-rex-mays-300/
2) Event poster: https://www.mecum.com/lots/LV0116-236911/rex-mays-300-poster-riverside-december-1/
3) Event ticket: https://mgb1967.com/1968-rex-mays-300/
Title: Re: Riverside: 1969 Camaro RS/SS 396 Conv. Pace Car for USAC Rex Mays 300 Indycar
Post by: ZLP955 on January 25, 2020, 02:34:52 AM
Great photos. Wonder why the front license plate was mounted on the driver's side bumper and not on the factory plate frame.....