Author Topic: Oswego Speedway: 1969 Camaro RS/SS 350 Z11 convertible Pace Car for 1969 season  (Read 1634 times)

SMKZ28

  • Moderator
  • *****
  • Posts: 2827
    • View Profile
Just like in 1967 and 1968, R. M. Burritt Chevrolet provided a Camaro convertible to Oswego Speedway in Oswego, New York to be used as the pace car for the track for the entire 1969 season of racing.  This time it was a 1969 Camaro RS/SS 350 Z11 convertible with a 4-speed manual transmission. 

According to a write up that appeared underneath a picture of the car in the souvenir program for the 13th International Classic held on August 31, 1969, "the Official Oswego Speedway pace car is one of the special Camaros built for the Indianapolis 500.  It's a combination of the SS option and the Z-28 option.  The engine size is 350 C.I. 300 H.P. 4 speed with special suspension and wide oval tires and the window price on this car was $4,200 but I'm sure car sponsor Dick Burritt of R. M. Burritt Chevrolet on Route 104, just north east of the speedway can give you a super deal on the car."

It also goes on to say, "driving the pace car today is Floyd Wallace from Fulton, N.Y. and uncle to driver of the car No. 90 Ronnie Wallace.  He'll be pacing the field at a speed between 55 and 60 mph.  He's got the very important job of keeping the cars in line and when a caution situation arises during the race he goes out and picks up the leader so that order is maintained.  At the star of this Classic he'll have 40 cars right on his back bumper.  If he doesn't maintain a proper speed or the car faulters???  Well let's just say we'll have one bent Camaro pace car."

worthpoint.com
Scott
I don't have a 1st Gen but I have 1971 Z28 RS 4-spd, 1997 Z28 Z4C 6-spd, 2000 SS Convertible, 2010 RS 6-spd

SMKZ28

  • Moderator
  • *****
  • Posts: 2827
    • View Profile
Advertisement for the 13th International Classic held on August 31, 1969.

https://jakessite.com/
Scott
I don't have a 1st Gen but I have 1971 Z28 RS 4-spd, 1997 Z28 Z4C 6-spd, 2000 SS Convertible, 2010 RS 6-spd

SMKZ28

  • Moderator
  • *****
  • Posts: 2827
    • View Profile
Film footage of the 1969 Camaro RS/SS 350 Z11 convertible pacing the field during a caution period can be seen in a Youtube video documenting the 1st annual Modified Sportsman 150.  This event was held at Oswego Speedway on September 29, 1969.

See the footage here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9BLuMVMwj4M
Scott
I don't have a 1st Gen but I have 1971 Z28 RS 4-spd, 1997 Z28 Z4C 6-spd, 2000 SS Convertible, 2010 RS 6-spd

SMKZ28

  • Moderator
  • *****
  • Posts: 2827
    • View Profile
This advertisement for R. M. Burritt Chevrolet appeared in the Volume 6 #11 edition of a 1969 Oswego Speedway souvenir program.  Notice how it says, "you've seen our Burritt pace car on the track...But have you inspected the pacesetting values in our sports shop?  Like Camaro, selected two out of the last three years as official Indy 500 pace car."

Ebay
« Last Edit: September 13, 2022, 03:53:30 PM by SMKZ28 »
Scott
I don't have a 1st Gen but I have 1971 Z28 RS 4-spd, 1997 Z28 Z4C 6-spd, 2000 SS Convertible, 2010 RS 6-spd

SMKZ28

  • Moderator
  • *****
  • Posts: 2827
    • View Profile
Here you can see a photo of the Camaro on the pace lap for the first annual Modified Sportsman 150 event.  It appeared in the souvenir program for the 2nd annual Modified Sportsman 150 event held at Oswego Speedway on September 26, 1970.

worthpoint
« Last Edit: September 13, 2022, 04:43:34 PM by SMKZ28 »
Scott
I don't have a 1st Gen but I have 1971 Z28 RS 4-spd, 1997 Z28 Z4C 6-spd, 2000 SS Convertible, 2010 RS 6-spd

SMKZ28

  • Moderator
  • *****
  • Posts: 2827
    • View Profile
The same photo was used in an advertisement for upcoming race events to be held at Oswego Speedway during the 1970 season.

It came from the Oswego Speedway's Glory Days Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/710693368986615/media
Scott
I don't have a 1st Gen but I have 1971 Z28 RS 4-spd, 1997 Z28 Z4C 6-spd, 2000 SS Convertible, 2010 RS 6-spd

SMKZ28

  • Moderator
  • *****
  • Posts: 2827
    • View Profile
Here is a photo of a model of the Oswego Speedway pace car that might have been created by Pace Car Facebook page contributor, Pacecal.  I found it on the internet many years ago.  Whoever created it did not know that the car was powered by a 350, not the 396.  Perhaps the "396" on the front fender was already part of the original diecast car.  Still cool though!
« Last Edit: September 16, 2022, 02:37:19 PM by SMKZ28 »
Scott
I don't have a 1st Gen but I have 1971 Z28 RS 4-spd, 1997 Z28 Z4C 6-spd, 2000 SS Convertible, 2010 RS 6-spd

 

anything