CRG Discussion Forum

Model Specific Discussions => Trans-Am Camaros => Topic started by: Jon Mello on March 25, 2012, 06:05:33 AM

Title: 1967 Las Vegas 350 Trans-Am --- Stardust Int'l Raceway
Post by: Jon Mello on March 25, 2012, 06:05:33 AM
This is a Trans-Am race which was the 11th of 12 T/A races on the schedule for 1967. There are not a lot of photos from this race because it began at 6PM (to beat the heat) and there was not a whole lot of daylight left by then. The program is impossible to find. If anybody out there has one, please contact me or post anything from it in this thread. There were 5 Camaros in this race - 2 Penske cars and three independents. Tony Settember was supposed to drive the Washburn Chevrolet sponsored Camaro in this event but for some reason, the car did not make it there and Tony drove a Cortina instead. Dick Guldstrand and his Dana Camaro were entered and did not make it either. Mark Donohue won this race in his Penske Camaro for his second win of the season.

Below is the Competition Press & Autoweek coverage of the event, courtesy of Ron Lathrop.

(http://i586.photobucket.com/albums/ss309/1967z28/More%20car%20stuff/CPA1967_10_21_001.jpg)

(http://i586.photobucket.com/albums/ss309/1967z28/More%20car%20stuff/LV350CPA-002.jpg)

(http://i586.photobucket.com/albums/ss309/1967z28/More%20car%20stuff/LV350CPA-003.jpg)

(http://i586.photobucket.com/albums/ss309/1967z28/More%20car%20stuff/LV350CP-004.jpg)
Title: Re: 1967 Las Vegas 350 Trans-Am --- Stardust Int'l Raceway
Post by: Jon Mello on March 25, 2012, 06:21:40 AM
Here is some never before seen documentation (OK, well maybe not seen for 45 years) from the Bob Sanders Collection, courtesy of Robert Lodewyk. Bob Sanders was a safety and emergency official with Cal Club back in the '60s and '70s and unfortunately Bob has passed away but Robert has acquired his collection and is kindly sharing some of it with us. Thank you, Robert!

(http://i586.photobucket.com/albums/ss309/1967z28/More%20car%20stuff/LV350-001.jpg)

(http://i586.photobucket.com/albums/ss309/1967z28/More%20car%20stuff/LV350-002.jpg)

(http://i586.photobucket.com/albums/ss309/1967z28/More%20car%20stuff/LV350-003.jpg)

(http://i586.photobucket.com/albums/ss309/1967z28/More%20car%20stuff/LV350-004.jpg)

Preliminary entry list
(http://i586.photobucket.com/albums/ss309/1967z28/More%20car%20stuff/LV350-005.jpg)

(http://i586.photobucket.com/albums/ss309/1967z28/More%20car%20stuff/LV350-006.jpg)

(http://i586.photobucket.com/albums/ss309/1967z28/More%20car%20stuff/LV350-007.jpg)

(http://i586.photobucket.com/albums/ss309/1967z28/More%20car%20stuff/LV350-008.jpg)

(http://i586.photobucket.com/albums/ss309/1967z28/More%20car%20stuff/LV350-009.jpg)

(http://i586.photobucket.com/albums/ss309/1967z28/More%20car%20stuff/LV350-010.jpg)

(http://i586.photobucket.com/albums/ss309/1967z28/More%20car%20stuff/LV350-011.jpg)

(http://i586.photobucket.com/albums/ss309/1967z28/More%20car%20stuff/LV350-012.jpg)

(http://i586.photobucket.com/albums/ss309/1967z28/More%20car%20stuff/LV350-013.jpg)

(http://i586.photobucket.com/albums/ss309/1967z28/More%20car%20stuff/LV350-014.jpg)

Later, more accurate version of the entry list
(http://i586.photobucket.com/albums/ss309/1967z28/More%20car%20stuff/LV350-015.jpg)
Title: Re: 1967 Las Vegas 350 Trans-Am --- Stardust Int'l Raceway
Post by: oldtransamdriver on March 25, 2012, 05:05:28 PM
Thanks to Ron, Jon, and Robert for this very complete summary of the above race.  I happened to attend this race with a friend on our way out to CA - an exploratory trip with the purpose of maybe moving out there.  I had acquired a press pass from Wheelspin News out of Ontario and actually sent them a race report.  I remember hanging around the Milt Minter pits for most of the race.  Minter was a hard charger who could give anyone a run for their money.

I note that Bernd Leckow was entered in this race.  He was the guy with the NSU that I had that great D sedan race at Mid-Ohio in October of 66 along with Chuck Dietrich.  Leckow just inched me out for 2nd.

I think this was the 2nd T/A race I attended, and I had no idea at that time I would be racing a camaro in 68.

Robert Barg
Title: Re: 1967 Las Vegas 350 Trans-Am --- Stardust Int'l Raceway
Post by: maroman on March 26, 2012, 01:54:18 AM
As always Jon, an interesting read. Some names I'd forgotten about listed there. Thanks!
Title: Re: 1967 Las Vegas 350 Trans-Am --- Stardust Int'l Raceway
Post by: Jon Mello on March 26, 2012, 04:24:18 AM
Thanks for the input, guys. Here's a small write-up on the race from a Sports Car Graphic annual called "Competition Year 1967".

(http://i586.photobucket.com/albums/ss309/1967z28/More%20car%20stuff/LV350CD2.jpg)
(http://i586.photobucket.com/albums/ss309/1967z28/More%20car%20stuff/LV350CD3.jpg)
Jon Mello Collection
Title: Re: 1967 Las Vegas 350 Trans-Am --- Stardust Int'l Raceway
Post by: Jon Mello on March 26, 2012, 04:30:59 AM
More rare and cool memorabilia from the Bob Sanders Collection, courtesy of Robert Lodewyk.

Dash plaques from Stardust.

(http://i586.photobucket.com/albums/ss309/1967z28/More%20car%20stuff/DashplaqueStardustTA.jpg)

(http://i586.photobucket.com/albums/ss309/1967z28/More%20car%20stuff/DashplaqueStardust.jpg)
Title: Re: 1967 Las Vegas 350 Trans-Am --- Stardust Int'l Raceway
Post by: Jon Mello on March 26, 2012, 05:07:32 AM
Taken from the 1968 "Stardust 150" program (Bob Sanders Collection, courtesy of Robert Lodewyk)

(http://i586.photobucket.com/albums/ss309/1967z28/More%20car%20stuff/LV350-091.jpg)
(http://i586.photobucket.com/albums/ss309/1967z28/More%20car%20stuff/LV350-092.jpg)
(http://i586.photobucket.com/albums/ss309/1967z28/More%20car%20stuff/LV350-093.jpg)
(http://i586.photobucket.com/albums/ss309/1967z28/More%20car%20stuff/LV350-094.jpg)
(http://i586.photobucket.com/albums/ss309/1967z28/More%20car%20stuff/LV350-095.jpg)
(http://i586.photobucket.com/albums/ss309/1967z28/More%20car%20stuff/LV350-096.jpg)
(http://i586.photobucket.com/albums/ss309/1967z28/More%20car%20stuff/LV350-097.jpg)
(http://i586.photobucket.com/albums/ss309/1967z28/More%20car%20stuff/LV350-098.jpg)
(http://i586.photobucket.com/albums/ss309/1967z28/More%20car%20stuff/LV350-099.jpg)
Title: Re: 1967 Las Vegas 350 Trans-Am --- Stardust Int'l Raceway
Post by: Jon Mello on March 26, 2012, 03:31:01 PM
(http://i586.photobucket.com/albums/ss309/1967z28/More%20car%20stuff/LV350lateshow.jpg)
Title: Re: 1967 Las Vegas 350 Trans-Am --- Stardust Int'l Raceway
Post by: Jon Mello on March 26, 2012, 04:07:52 PM
The opening lap of the Stardust Trans-Am race. This is a shot from mid-pack back. Bob Johnson in the second Penske Camaro
leads the way through turn 1. I've pointed out the other Camaro drivers besides Donohue's car (which has already passed by).

(http://i586.photobucket.com/albums/ss309/1967z28/More%20car%20stuff/LV350-midpack.jpg)
Photo by Don Hunter
Title: Re: 1967 Las Vegas 350 Trans-Am --- Stardust Int'l Raceway
Post by: Jon Mello on March 27, 2012, 10:43:18 PM
Mark Donohue's Camaro leading the Shelby team Mustangs of Jerry Titus and Ronnie Bucknum. Note the driving lights
installed due to the 6PM start time. From the Car & Driver Racing Annual 1968. Shared with us by Swede70. Thanks, Mike!
(http://i586.photobucket.com/albums/ss309/1967z28/More%20car%20stuff/LV350-MD6.jpg)
Photo by Cam Warren
Title: Re: 1967 Las Vegas 350 Trans-Am --- Stardust Int'l Raceway
Post by: OG69Z on March 28, 2012, 03:08:11 AM
Great compilation of the Vegas race, Jon! We really appreciate you taking the time to share this historic "blast from the past".  It really made my day, thanks again.
Bob
Title: Re: 1967 Las Vegas 350 Trans-Am --- Stardust Int'l Raceway
Post by: Jon Mello on March 28, 2012, 02:09:29 PM
Thanks, Bob. I'm still hoping I can add the program to this thread someday and hopefully more pictures too.

Copy of a newspaper ad found in the '67 Las Vegas Review-Journal.
(http://i586.photobucket.com/albums/ss309/1967z28/lv350.jpg)
Title: Re: 1967 Las Vegas 350 Trans-Am --- Stardust Int'l Raceway
Post by: Jon Mello on April 03, 2012, 02:32:40 AM
(http://i586.photobucket.com/albums/ss309/1967z28/More%20car%20stuff/PostGrid1.jpg)
(http://i586.photobucket.com/albums/ss309/1967z28/More%20car%20stuff/PostGrid2.jpg)
(http://i586.photobucket.com/albums/ss309/1967z28/More%20car%20stuff/PostGrid5.jpg)
(http://i586.photobucket.com/albums/ss309/1967z28/More%20car%20stuff/PostGrid6.jpg)

(http://i586.photobucket.com/albums/ss309/1967z28/More%20car%20stuff/PostGrid9.jpg)

(http://i586.photobucket.com/albums/ss309/1967z28/More%20car%20stuff/PostGrid8.jpg)

(http://i586.photobucket.com/albums/ss309/1967z28/More%20car%20stuff/PostGrid3.jpg)

(http://i586.photobucket.com/albums/ss309/1967z28/More%20car%20stuff/PostGrid11.jpg)
(http://i586.photobucket.com/albums/ss309/1967z28/More%20car%20stuff/PostGrid12.jpg)
(http://i586.photobucket.com/albums/ss309/1967z28/More%20car%20stuff/PostGrid14.jpg)
(http://i586.photobucket.com/albums/ss309/1967z28/More%20car%20stuff/PostGrid15.jpg)

(http://i586.photobucket.com/albums/ss309/1967z28/More%20car%20stuff/PostGrid17.jpg)
(http://i586.photobucket.com/albums/ss309/1967z28/More%20car%20stuff/PostGrid16.jpg)

(http://i586.photobucket.com/albums/ss309/1967z28/More%20car%20stuff/PostGrid7a.jpg)
(http://i586.photobucket.com/albums/ss309/1967z28/More%20car%20stuff/PostGrid7b.jpg)

All Post*Grid items from the Jon Mello Collection
Title: Re: 1967 Las Vegas 350 Trans-Am --- Stardust Int'l Raceway
Post by: Jon Mello on April 03, 2012, 03:02:59 AM
When I tried to copy these two articles off the microfilm from the Las Vegas public library they didn't
turn out very readable, hence I retyped them. The typos are those of the original author, not me.

(http://i586.photobucket.com/albums/ss309/1967z28/More%20car%20stuff/Stardust51.jpg)

Here's a race report from Car & Driver magazine, December 1967.
(http://i586.photobucket.com/albums/ss309/1967z28/More%20car%20stuff/Stardust50.jpg)
Jon Mello Collection
Title: Re: 1967 Las Vegas 350 Trans-Am --- Stardust Int'l Raceway
Post by: Jon Mello on April 03, 2012, 12:48:18 PM
Taken from...
(http://i586.photobucket.com/albums/ss309/1967z28/More%20car%20stuff/Stardust58.jpg)

(http://i586.photobucket.com/albums/ss309/1967z28/More%20car%20stuff/Stardust55.jpg)
(http://i586.photobucket.com/albums/ss309/1967z28/More%20car%20stuff/Stardust56.jpg)
(http://i586.photobucket.com/albums/ss309/1967z28/More%20car%20stuff/Stardust54.jpg)
                                                                                (http://i586.photobucket.com/albums/ss309/1967z28/More%20car%20stuff/Stardust57.jpg)

(http://i586.photobucket.com/albums/ss309/1967z28/More%20car%20stuff/Stardust52.jpg)
(http://i586.photobucket.com/albums/ss309/1967z28/More%20car%20stuff/Stardust53.jpg)
Jon Mello Collection
Title: Re: 1967 Las Vegas 350 Trans-Am --- Stardust Int'l Raceway
Post by: Jon Mello on April 04, 2012, 02:41:30 PM
From the November 1967 issue of Riverside Raceway magazine.
(http://i586.photobucket.com/albums/ss309/1967z28/More%20car%20stuff/RRwrapup1.jpg)

(http://i586.photobucket.com/albums/ss309/1967z28/More%20car%20stuff/RRwrapup2.jpg)

(http://i586.photobucket.com/albums/ss309/1967z28/More%20car%20stuff/RRwrapup3.jpg)
Jon Mello Collection
Title: Re: 1967 Las Vegas 350 Trans-Am --- Stardust Int'l Raceway
Post by: Jon Mello on April 14, 2012, 05:17:42 PM
Las Vegas 350 photo as seen in the Motor Trend "World Automotive Yearbook" covering the '67 racing season, courtesy of Mike K.
(http://i586.photobucket.com/albums/ss309/1967z28/More%20car%20stuff/BabyGrands001.jpg)(http://i586.photobucket.com/albums/ss309/1967z28/More%20car%20stuff/BabyGrands002.jpg)