Messages

31

Trans-Am Camaros / Re: A 1967 Camaro in the 2015 Heritage Touring Cup Championship

« on: April 02, 2015, 09:04:03 AM »

The first race of the season is over. Vallelunga (Italy, near Roma) was a little difficult for us. Not the start of the season we expected.
We have experienced clutch problem early in the practice sessions and could not fix it. It was impossible to put the pedal down to the metal without clutch slipping.
So we used only half of the acceleration and got on the rpm gently. Very frustrating. But we decided to do the race nevertheless.
We qualified 18th out of 19 (No comment !) and started what was more cruising than hard racing.
It should be pointed out that Vallelunga is a very nice track but despite a first part that is quite fast, most of the circuit is quite slow with lots of corners we had to take in 1st, so in any cases in was the most difficult one of the season for our Camaro.
In the end due to lots of DNF, we finished 7th, quite unexpected ! We got back home with 15 points in the pocket and can't wait to express ourselves at Spa for the next round, where it will go muuucchhh faster !

Few pictures :

32

Trans-Am Camaros / Re: Camaro 1969 SCCA homologation sheet

« on: February 10, 2015, 07:07:15 AM »

Thanks for your inputs.

My idea is if I modifiy my car to Girlings, the FIA will require a proof that the system has been used in period. That might not be easy.

What's more, I don't have any idea on how the Girling would be better than the JL8 ?

33

Trans-Am Camaros / Re: Camaro 1969 SCCA homologation sheet

« on: February 09, 2015, 03:10:16 PM »

Thank you Jon.

This is very interesting. I guess the Girling would be superior to the JL8 but is there any mean to get a proof they have been used on a first gen Camaro back in the days ?

34

Trans-Am Camaros / Camaro 1969 SCCA homologation sheet

« on: February 09, 2015, 12:41:47 PM »

I have received the book "Camaro untold secrets 1967-1969" and interestingly there is a copy of the 1969 SCCA homologation sheet for the Camaro.
There are several mysterious parts listed as the alloy cylinder head or the roller rocker assy, but also something I am very interested in : the optional 12" Girling brake system.

It seems the parts were never available from GM but the Girling brakes are listed as an HD option on the homologation sheet. Specs are cast iron 12" discs with four pistons (1. 1/2 inch).

It seems Girling brakes had been used on other TransAm cars like the Javelins, but do you know if this system has ever been used in TA on a first Gen Camaro ?

35

Trans-Am Camaros / Re: Wanted : pictures of my Camaro in 1972-1979 A Sedan Championship

« on: January 26, 2015, 02:37:34 PM »

Earl Hurlbut just kindly sent me some period pictures he has found.
He confirmed : "The # 531 photos are from my first school and win at Mosport in Canada in the Spring of 1972.  Later that year, I began competing in the U.S. and affixed the Maple leaf décor to honor the Canadian experiences."

He doesn't recall any connection with Doug Duncan.

36

Trans-Am Camaros / Re: Wanted : pictures of my Camaro in 1972-1979 A Sedan Championship

« on: January 25, 2015, 07:51:18 AM »

The correct spelling of the first owners name is Harold "Hal" Beckwith.

37

Trans-Am Camaros / Re: Wanted : pictures of my Camaro in 1972-1979 A Sedan Championship

« on: January 24, 2015, 05:00:07 PM »

Yes, the first owner was Harold Becicwith who purchased the car from a dealer in Rome, NY. He started to build the car into a Transam racer but never finished.
The second owner was Neil Kassel, Syracuse, NY who seemed to only briefly own the car to resale it to Earl Hurlbut in 1971 who finished the car and first raced it in Mosport in 1972.

38

Trans-Am Camaros / Re: Wanted : pictures of my Camaro in 1972-1979 A Sedan Championship

« on: January 24, 2015, 10:12:30 AM »

Shame on me, I did not remember that there were few period pictures in the original logbooks !! I have just scanned them  :

1972 :

39

Trans-Am Camaros / Re: Wanted : pictures of my Camaro in 1972-1979 A Sedan Championship

« on: January 24, 2015, 08:36:12 AM »

Wow, thank you Mike.

How could we get further with the potential Doug Duncan connection ?

Earl Hurlbut bought the car in 1971 from Neil Kassel who lived in Syracuse, NY, obviously not so far from Canada. 

40

Trans-Am Camaros / Re: Wanted : pictures of my Camaro in 1972-1979 A Sedan Championship

« on: January 23, 2015, 04:16:33 PM »

I have had the chance to speak with Chip Boatright and exchange few emails with Earl Hurlbut. He purchased the car from the first owner in 1971. It had been prepared to TA specs from new in 1967 but never finished. Earl finished the car in 1972 and raced it at Mosport, Canada, hence the leafs on the car. Then it raced at Lime Rock, Watkins Glen, Blackhawk, Mid-Ohio, Indianapolis, ...

Earl recalls he had been champion in 1976 (probably SCCA Regional ) with the car. He thinks he still has some period pictures and will try to send them to me.

Thanks for your help.

41

Trans-Am Camaros / Re: Power steering on TA Camaro

« on: January 22, 2015, 06:11:47 PM »

We have 1 hour races which could be exhausting but apart from that the car is difficult to handle on slow corners due to the heavy steering. Could be much easier with PS. I still did not find the right kit though. My guess is that the smaller the ratio the better it is ?
What do you think ? 2 to 2.5 turns lock to lock is the right choice ?

42

Trans-Am Camaros / Re: Power steering on TA Camaro

« on: January 22, 2015, 08:56:28 AM »

Thank you.


I have been told the the GM500 GM600 systems are good but do they look like pre 72 systems and do you think they would fit racing application ?

43

Trans-Am Camaros / Power steering on TA Camaro

« on: January 21, 2015, 12:31:45 PM »

Hi,

Was power steering used on Transam Camaro. If so, from which year ?

Nowadays what would be the best system to use on a Camaro ?

What do you think of PS for racing application ?

Thanks for your inputs.

Eric

44

Trans-Am Camaros / Re: Wanted : pictures of my Camaro in 1972-1979 A Sedan Championship

« on: January 17, 2015, 04:02:54 PM »

From the paperwork coming with the car. I have sent an email to Earl Hurlbut and Chip Boatright but no answer so far. I might give a cal in the following days.

45

Trans-Am Camaros / Re: Wanted : pictures of my Camaro in 1972-1979 A Sedan Championship

« on: January 17, 2015, 08:21:45 AM »

You're welcome.  I wonder if it turns out there is some racing history before Earl Hurlbut owned it.

It seems it had been prepared as a TA spec car from the beginning in 1967/68 but the first owner did not finish the car and it was then sold to Hurlbut in 1971 who finished the car the car and raced it.