Author Topic: Riverside: 1969 Camaro RS/SS Conv. Pace Car & RS Conv. Parade Car for 1968 ARRC  (Read 2697 times)

SMKZ28

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The November 14, 1968 newspaper article concerning the 1969 NASCAR pace cars that I posted in an earlier thread indicated that "the 1969 Camaro will open the calendar year by pacing the Motor Trend 500 at Riverside, Calif., January 19."  It seems that the track received their white 1969 Camaro RS/SS 396 convertible much earlier than that.  Pictures show that the car was performing official duties at the track about a week after the article was published.  These pictures show it participating in the events put on during the Sports Car Club of America (S.C.C.A) 5th American Road Race of Championships (A.R.R.C.) held at Riverside International Raceway, Riverside, California, November 22-24, 1968.

In a CRG thread, Jon Mello wrote that the A.R.R.C., "was an end of the year event (typically late November) that featured the top two points earners for each class in each division across the US.  The outcome of each race determined the National Champion for each class and there was a lot of prestige not only for the drivers but also for the manufacturers when you won one of these races."

In addition to the white pace car, a dark colored 1969 Camaro RS convertible was used as a parade car during the event.

In this first picture you can see the pace car in the background while one of the winning drivers sits in the parade car.  The rear of the Camaro can be seen behind the group of people in the second photo.

Both of these pictures are part of the Petersen Automotive Museum digital archive: https://archive.petersen.org/pages/home.php
« Last Edit: March 23, 2020, 03:05:46 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

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These picture were taken from a film created at the event.  I have it written down that the narrator mentioned that this was Jerry Hansen riding in the back of the pace car after winning the class A sports car race. 

The file name I created for the pictures tells me that I found it at the University of Virginia Library WSLS-TV (Roanoke, VA) News Film Collection, but I can not locate the original film there.  Perhaps I labeled the pictures wrong or maybe they took down the film since I viewed it. 
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

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A 1969 Camaro RS convertible was also used to carry winning drivers around the track on their victory lap after the conclusion of their respective races.  Notice that this car is not a Super Sport.  It is only a Rally Sport with standard wheel covers and a 327.

The first two pictures came from here: https://archive.petersen.org/pages/home.php

The last two came from the Feb/Mar 1969 issue of Corvette News.  Jon Mello posted it in his thread here: http://www.camaros.org/forum/index.php?topic=9346.0

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

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Several different class winning drivers were chauffeured around the track after their race victory.

These came from here: https://archive.petersen.org/pages/home.php
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

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More...
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

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According to Jon Mello, "Camaros competed in the A/Sedan class against other pony cars but this was amateur SCCA club racing and not professional racing, as was the case with Trans-Am. Many guys who did run in A/Sedan also did try their luck in the Trans-Am series. In the '68 ARRC event at Riverside, Dick Lang's Camaro won and he was crowned the SCCA A/Sedan Champion beating John Martin in one of the '68 AMC Javelin team cars."

The first picture is a color photo of Dick Lang sitting in the parade Camaro.  Notice that famous comedian and race enthusiast/driver Dick Smothers is there with him.  The car looks to be either a dark green or dark blue.  See it here: http://dicklang.blogspot.com/2008/05/1968-riverside.html

The second photo shows the Lang Camaro driving under the checkered flag to take the win.  It came from here: https://archive.petersen.org/pages/home.php

The last two color photos came from here: http://dicklang.blogspot.com/2008/05/1968-riverside.html
« Last Edit: March 08, 2023, 03:19:00 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

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Here is the souvenir program cover for the event.  Jon Mello posted it here: http://www.camaros.org/forum/index.php?topic=9346.0
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

KurtS

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Note that is a California manufacturer plate assigned to GM on the 69 RS.
Kurt S
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SMKZ28

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Found another picture of the white 1969 Camaro RS/SS 396 convertible pace car being used during the S.C.C.A sanctioned 5th American Road Race of Championships (A.R.R.C.)

It is part of the Dave Friedman Collection and I found it here: https://www.thehenryford.org/collections-and-research/digital-collections/
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