Messages

286

Trans-Am Camaros / Re: Todco and McConnell Racing, Canadian Trans-Am racers

« on: February 23, 2012, 05:52:00 AM »

Very sorry to hear of John Todds passing.  I did speak to him on the ph. several years ago and we talked about the old T/A days.  He gave me a run-down of the cars he was involved with and I remember trying to write it down as we spoke.  May have passed this info on to Jon?

Loved that photo also of all the guys standing around the car.

Will I see this car at the Sonoma Festival this year?  Looks like there is another trip being plannned again

Robert Barg

287

Trans-Am Camaros / Re: TRACO Fans

« on: February 20, 2012, 04:09:32 AM »

As soon as I saw the author's name it rang a bell with me.  Gordon Chance was a well known race engine builder in the Toronto area operating  "CRM" engines.  The 69 camaro that we bought from Alfie had a CRM engine.

I spoke to him at the Monterey Historics in 07 I think, for several minutes - sort of met him by "chance".  Had never met him before, and we had an interesting chat about his CRM days.

No idea if he was a Canadian or not.

Robert Barg

288

Trans-Am Camaros / Re: Todco and McConnell Racing, Canadian Trans-Am racers

« on: February 19, 2012, 04:29:24 AM »

I'm curious to know if Don Duncan is related to Doug Duncan, the race car builder.

Robert Barg

289

Trans-Am Camaros / Re: "The Trans-Am Trail" by Sam Posey (race reports from the 1970 Trans-Am season)

« on: February 18, 2012, 06:36:24 PM »

This is terrific stuff.  Many thanks to Michael and Jon for posting this. Sure takes me back.

Robert Barg

290

Trans-Am Camaros / Re: For All of You That Want to Own A Trans Am Race Car

« on: February 17, 2012, 04:32:44 AM »

Hi Alex,

Jerry is a lawyer in the Cleveland area and you can probably find him thru Google.  I did speak to him briefly a few years ago but did not keep his number.

He was one of those guys who we met in the paddock and had some rapport with.  When you go to the track you are busy doing your own thing, so you don't get to meet everyone.  He had a motorhome which was not common in those days, especially for a privateer guy.

Robert Barg

291

Trans-Am Camaros / Re: For All of You That Want to Own A Trans Am Race Car

« on: February 16, 2012, 08:56:27 PM »

Lots of good parts and pieces, but where is the fuel cell? Can't race it without a cell unless some vintage groups allow it.

Robert Barg

292

Trans-Am Camaros / Re: 1972 Mosport race for "Trans-Am type" cars

« on: February 15, 2012, 01:26:30 AM »

Never ran at Sanair but I don't think you can compare it to the ups and downs of either St. Jovite or Mosport.  Hard to pick one over the other - certainly both are in my top five list.

293

Trans-Am Camaros / Re: 1972 Mosport race for "Trans-Am type" cars

« on: February 14, 2012, 05:05:26 AM »

These results have been supplied to me by a CMSHG member -

1)  Warren Tope  2)  Mo Carter  3)  Milt Minter  4)  Warren Agor 5)  Dick Brown  6)  Carl Shafer   

No surprises there - Tope was a great talent - Mo had the advantage of a home track, but remember, he was 52 already and still racing very hard.  Minter, Agor, Brown - all seasoned competors in Trans-Am. 

I remember when Carl Shafer first showed up in Trans-Am he was about the same speed as I was.  Just shows you what lots of seat time and good equipment can do.

Rick Stevens had mechanical problems with our recently acquired ex Alfie Ruys de Perez 69 camaro.  Must have been that the previous 6 hr Camel GT race we did at Mid-Ohio, created some problems.

If I remember, Mo Carter was the driving force behind this race - he got it organized and persuaded the drivers to support it.

Robert Barg

294

Trans-Am Camaros / Re: Todco and McConnell Racing, Canadian Trans-Am racers

« on: February 11, 2012, 07:18:21 PM »

Back to the 69 Sebring race - according to the Canadian "Track and Traffic" report, the Fisher/Adam Todco camaro barely made the starting line-up.  A last minute decision to enter meant they missed all the practice sessions and only arrived shortly before the start of the race - were scrutineered and allowed to run.  It was the first time out for the car. They had to replace a rear end near the end of the race and finished 30th.

Amazing that they were even allowed to start - must have "pulled some strings".

Robert Barg

295

Trans-Am Camaros / Re: Todco and McConnell Racing, Canadian Trans-Am racers

« on: February 10, 2012, 04:09:09 AM »

Hi Ken, glad you have joined us.  Always good to hear from someone who was involved.

I have the official results from the 69 Sebring 12 hr.  The Todco entry was listed as a white #93 camaro (does not give the year) and was driven by Serge Adam (they have Adams) and Craig Fisher - credited with 174 laps and 30th o/a (4th in the Touring class).  Rick Stevens and I finished 25th o/a and 3rd in the Touring class - did 180 laps and were 2 laps behind the Bruce Behrens  #17 camaro with Vince Gimondo and John Tremblay driving - they were 22nd o/a.  Class winners were the (Freeport) Bahama Racing team #94 camaro of Norberto Mastrandea and Robert Ormes.  The camaros were all in the 2-5 L Touring class with the exception of the Yenko and Grossman camaro who were GT class winners and 10th o/a.  Somewhere I have the entry list which would list the years of the cars.

I have the Sebring program as well as the poster, official results, lap chart book for all competitors, newspaper clippings etc.

Would sure love to go back there one more time to have a look.

Robert Barg
 

296

Trans-Am Camaros / Re: Original T/A racing photographs, late 60's & early 70's

« on: January 27, 2012, 06:04:42 AM »

This was a very well built car.  Al never raced it in a Trans-Am but it later was raced in 3 or 4 T/A races by Peter Wiseman of Toronto.  It passed thru my hands in 1980 as a roller (still had wind-up windows).  I, of course, flipped it for a profit, so I could go and race at the 1980 Hallet Trans-Am with the first ex Dick Hoffman 1970/71 T/A camaro   It was supposedly put back on the street, but I heard many years later from Al Mason that it ended up as a drag racer in eastern Canada - whereabouts unkown.

Robert Barg

297

Trans-Am Camaros / Re: Interview with Robert Barg, Trans-Am racer

« on: January 27, 2012, 05:55:04 AM »

Very interesting ad - who bought this car?  What was the date of that ad?  Possibly the car that Alfie Ruys de Perez raced in 71? and was later purchased by Rick Stevens and I in 72 - see the photo of the red camaro with Rick standing beside it.

Robert Barg

298

Trans-Am Camaros / Re: Photo Gallery for A/Sedan and A-B/Production cars

« on: January 21, 2012, 06:35:00 PM »

ah, a Cobra! As much as I liked my old camaros, there would be nothing a like a wind-in-the-face Cobra - no airbags, no modern electronic gizmos etc.

Anyone got a spare Factory Five kit they don't want? (I might put a 327 in it).

Robert Barg

299

Trans-Am Camaros / Re: 1967 Mt Tremblant 4-Hour race, May 21 1967

« on: January 21, 2012, 06:21:57 PM »

Many thanks Craig, and Jon, for posting this info - sure brings back some memories.

This track was/is one of the most challenging race tracks you will find anywhere.  I urge all those who are able, to do a track day, or take your race car there.

 That run down the front slightly downhill straight, then the dip, and up over the hump (full-tilt boogie at 120 mph plus), and then down that steep incline, then flattening out quickly for the turn 2 righthander under compression and heavy steering (remember, no ps in those days), before setting up for the turn 3 lefthander, will test anyone. That combination was the key to getting down the following straight. I never had much luck there - exhaust fumes in 70, flat tire in 71, and a very tired street engine in 77, but enjoyed every minute there - actually qualified there in 71 with a time that would have put me on the front row in 67!  The track is in a very picturesque part of "la belle provence".

Robert Barg

300

Trans-Am Camaros / Re: Photo Gallery for A/Sedan and A-B/Production cars

« on: January 21, 2012, 05:58:06 PM »

I have a vague recollection that there was a husband and wife team that drove Corvettes at WH, but can't recall their names or whether they shared one car or each had one.

Robert Barg