1969 Wolverine Trans-Am photos

[Jon Mello]

Once again, we have more racing photographs taken by Ron Lathrop but this time at the May 11th, 1969 Wolverine Trans-Am at Michigan International Speedway. As mentioned previously, Ron was a freelance racing photographer dating back to 1963 and did work for Sports Car Graphic, Competition Press, Road & Track, as well as a number of karting magazines and even Rod & Custom. He also was in the U.S Air Force from 1965 - 69 and again from 1972 - 92. MIS was pretty much a brand new racing facility that had only had its first race (a USAC open wheel event) in October '68. This Wolverine Trans-Am was the official opening race for the '69 Trans-Am schedule and it was a debacle from beginning to end that included rain, sleet, snow, bitter cold, cars stuck in the mud, a spectator death and several more injured. Thanks again Ron for sharing these new photos with us!


Photo by Ron Lathrop

Much of Saturday was spent in the garages trying to stay out of the inclement weather, although qualifying was done during a sleet storm on Saturday afternoon.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

Doesn't look like much fun, but a good way to see some cars up close.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

George Follmer and Bud Moore chatting inside the garages.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

Not much activity at the fueling station.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

1969 Camaro "Inspection Cruiser".

Photo by Ron Lathrop

Another shot of it. Jerry Titus' Firebird race car just beyond it.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

[Jon Mello]

Roger glances at his watch while talking to Mark. The "U.S.Racing" patch on Roger's jacket is for the recent (1969)
partnership between Penske and Carl Haas (plus Sunoco and Simoniz) to run 4-wheel-drive Lola T152s at Indianapolis.
(Canadian Terry Godsall was also involved with this Indy effort but wanted to stay under the radar, for various reasons.)
The month of May, don't forget, is Indianapolis time. This year was Roger's (and Mark's) first attempt to race at Indy.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

Bucknum's #9 Camaro up on jack stands in preparation for having its brakes bled. Donohue's #6 is behind.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

Neat shot of the Bucknum inner fenderwell. Holes were also incorporated into both ends of the door and through the
rear quarter panel and into the rear fenderwell.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

Neat details of the front suspension are visible. Wagner brake bleeder ball and the wrench still on the caliper indicates the job isn't finished.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

Somebody's crew member with a pressurized water tank.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

[Jon Mello]

Sunoco Camaro dash. Water temp gauge (270 max) over Amp gauge. Oil pressure gauge (100 max) with fuel pressure gauge (10 max) to its right.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

Penske fuel tower was waaaay up there in '69. It actually had a second drum below this one.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

Brake bleeding job done and tire going back on.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

More lug nuts getting installed.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

[Jon Mello]

George Follmer stands with the Bud Moore Mustangs in the pits during Sunday morning practice.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

Follmer and Parnelli Jones mill around their cars.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

Bud Moore and Parnelli getting ready for race day.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

Another shot of Parnelli.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

Follmer takes his car out during late morning practice.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

Craig Fisher takes his Todco Camaro out also.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

[Jon Mello]

John Martin, driver of the #4 Javelin. John did a lot of the testing for the Javelin team during the '68 season.
He was promoted to full-time driver when George Follmer and Peter Revson left the team at the end of '68.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

John watches an Alfa Romeo go by during Sunday morning practice. The #3 and #4 factory team Javelins were
late to the track and missed qualifying on Saturday. They both started the race at the very back of the grid. Not
a good way to start the season and, in fact, it was an early sign of how the season was going to go for them.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

Ron Grable takes his Javelin out for a shakedown run.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

"Hey Javelin" sticker was part of a '69 AMC advertising campaign for the car.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

[OCTARD]

Wow!  Ron's photos are really about as good as it gets. 

So many detail and personality shots that us early Trans-Am enthusiasts crave... And there all fresh images to most of us.

And Jon, thanks for posting and building out this great resource.

-Chad

[Jon Mello]

Thanks, Chad. I've got many more to post but am waiting for about 25 more (on top of those) to show up from Ron before posting them all.

[Sixteen Grand Sedan #56]

I AGREE, very very COOL pictures.

Can hardly wait for the others..................

[Jon Mello]

Bucknum heads out for Sunday morning practice.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

At speed.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

Roger Penske

Photo by Ron Lathrop

Peter Revson of the Shelby team looks relaxed and in good spirits.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

Fred Baker's #42 Porsche and Harry Theodoracopulos' #82 Alfa in the pits with Jim Corwin's '68 Camaro getting ready to unload.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

Musician/Comedian/Entertainer Dick Smothers was Fred Baker's co-driver this weekend.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

Bill Lowell's Mustang getting ready.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

[Jon Mello]

Penske fuel filler nozzle.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

Umbrellas come out. The weather was unpredictable.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

Tire change for the Bob Tullius Javelin.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

Tullius detail.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

Dean Gregson's '68 Mustang rear brake drum.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

[Jon Mello]

Goodyear rain tire for the Tony Adamowicz Porsche. Race reports say Firestone rain tires performed better in the wet than the Goodyears.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

Goodyear dry comes off and a Firestone wet goes on.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

Another angle...

Photo by Ron Lathrop

Stacks of race tires. I see the names Penske, Baker and Lang on some of these.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

[Jon Mello]

After 4 days of rain, this gives you an idea of how soggy the ground was.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

Map of the road race course.

Wolverine Trans-Am program

Ron was not at the S/F line at the start of the race but here is a photo from Competition Press right after the green flag fell. Among the
front runners, Jones, Follmer and Kwech in the Boss Mustangs were on dry tires. Rain drops started falling as soon the flag was waved.

Photo by Jack Brady

First lap, here they come. Ron is standing between flag stations 10 & 11. The cars are turning to their left where the people are at the guard rail.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

[Jon Mello]

Here come the leaders.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

Parnelli and Mark would be tied after the first lap but PJ was going to have to switch tires soon.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

George Follmer's Bud Moore Mustang.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

Ron Bucknum's Penske Camaro. Bucknum's car had power steering installed, first usage for a Trans-Am car, and it ended up causing him problems.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

Peter Revson in the Shelby Boss Mustang.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

Horst Kwech, Revson's team mate.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

[Jon Mello]

One of the Shelby cars and Ron Bucknum.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

Jerry Titus in the T-G Firebird.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

Canadian Dick Brown driving the same Firebird Craig Fisher had a successful season in during 1968.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

Rusty Jowett in his '68 Camaro.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

Three-wide! John Martin tries to move up quickly through the pack by splitting Fred Baker in the Porsche and Jerry Lagod in the Camaro.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

[Jon Mello]

Some mid-pack O-2 and U-2 cars.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

Things are getting wetter now. Here comes Donohue.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

Titus' Firebird.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

John Martin's Javelin.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

Martin's team mate Ron Grable.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

Bob Tullius' Javelin mixes it up with the Brad Dunn/Larry Harley Firebird, car #72.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

[Jon Mello]

Peter Gregg's 911.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

Don Yenko in the former Smokey Yunick Camaro gets crossed up in the wet.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

Wilbur Pickett leads Jim Netterstrom's 911.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

Don Yenko's Camaro and Peter Revson's Mustang.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

Parnelli Jones needs to come in for rain tires.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

Bob Tullius and John Martin.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

Ron Grable.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

Canadian Mo Carter.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

[Jon Mello]

Guillermo "Bill" Ortega (#25) from Equador with the Wilbur Pickett and Jim Netterstrom Porsches in hot pursuit.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

Peter Gregg and Gary Wright in Porsches.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

Looks like Netterstrom got by Pickett.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

Parnelli Jones.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

Mark Donohue is running in first place.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

[Jon Mello]

Firebird driver Rick McDaniel's day is done after only 4 laps.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

The Campbell/Gifford Porsche has got a "tire issue".

Photo by Ron Lathrop

Ron Grable's Javelin crossing the backstretch of the oval from the outer course back into the infield section.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

Titus in the T-G Firebird.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

Mark Donohue has really got that suspension under serious compression.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

Larry Bock's Camaro and Milt Minter's Firebird.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

[Jon Mello]

Notice the helicopter just off the track. Horst Kwech's Mustang went off the track on lap 8 at 120mph in the wet and went through the
fence injuring 12 people, one fatally. The helicopter was taking the most seriously injured man to the hospital but he did not survive.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

Looks like Revson's engine is smoking.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

Dick Brown's Firebird with Dick Lang's Camaro and Jerry Titus's Firebird in hot pursuit.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

Donohue in the curvy infield section.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

Jim Corwin's #26 Camaro passes Larry Bock's Camaro which has gotten off-course.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

Ron Grable shows a little dirt track style.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

The Ortega Firebird and Netterstrom Porsche.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

Ted Roberts Javelin zips through "the Esses"..

Photo by Ron Lathrop

[Bruce302]

More stunningly good photos, thank you Jon,  It looks like a dirty hard race for everyone involved.
Ron must have been at just about every vantage point of the track judging by the variety of shot locations.

Many thanks, to you and Ron.
Bruce.

[Jon Mello]

You're welcome, Bruce. Here's a shot of Parnelli Jones' Mustang showing body damage from contact made with
Milt Minter's Firebird on lap 6. Both cars ended up in the mud but Jones got out fairly quickly. It took Minter
7 more laps by the rest of the field before he was able to finally get it back on the course.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

Gary Wright's Porsche. This is where the infield course dumps back on to the speedway oval section (flag station 13).

Photo by Ron Lathrop

Looks like somebody drove into the RR corner of Grable's Javelin

Photo by Ron Lathrop

Doesn't seem like Revson's car is smoking here.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

Mark Donohue and Dick Lang. Lang owned a Chevrolet dealership in Xenia, OH.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

Titus goes around the outside of Jim Corwin's Camaro

Photo by Ron Lathrop

Bob Tullius comes up on the Ted Roberts/Dick Guldstrand Javelin.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

[firstgenaddict]

IS the number 19 Yenko (Former Smokey Yunick car) the black and gold one Cammie Edlebrock drives now?

[Jon Mello]

That's what I have heard, James. Here's Milt Minter's Firebird and Gary Wright's Porsche transitioning up on to the banking.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

Minter prepares to go by Fred Opert's Porsche.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

Dick Lang's Camaro does the same.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

Mark still cruising along in first place.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

Parnelli's Mustang was down 5 laps to Donohue at one point due to two long tire changes.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

Closer look at Donohue.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

[Jon Mello]

The Campbell/Gifford Porsche

Photo by Ron Lathrop

Parnelli again

Photo by Ron Lathrop

Mark again

Photo by Ron Lathrop

Jim Netterstrom's Porsche

Photo by Ron Lathrop

Brad Dunn's Firebird

Photo by Ron Lathrop

Rusty Jowett and Harry T.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

[Jon Mello]

The Ted Roberts/Dick Guldstrand Javelin comes in for a tire change.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

Other side getting done.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

Bud Moore's crew anticipates Parnelli's arrival.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

Looks like Parnelli has hit somebody or something else. Not unusual.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

Waiting for the crew to finish their job.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

Bud Moore clears PJ to head back out.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

[Jon Mello]

Jerry Titus and Bill Ortega in their Firebirds.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

New tire awaits Donohue visit to the pits.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

Donohue in for tire change.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

Strange tire chunking problem.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

Penske wants a closer look at a damaged wheel stud.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

The competition passes the pits.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

[Jon Mello]

A look at various stuff around the pits. Here's a stack of Goodyears by a fuel tower.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

Some wet weather Firestones, possibly for the Bud Moore Mustangs.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

Looks like some brake fluid cans. Who knows what sort of goodies are in the tackle boxes.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

A mounted Firestone ready to go.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

Various stuff on a creeper.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

More Firestone rain tires.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

Looks like a spare side exit exhaust in there.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

[Jon Mello]

Titus' car gets a blown left front tire changed. He had been running in first place at this point.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

Three different views of his blown out Firestone.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

View 2

Photo by Ron Lathrop

View 3

Photo by Ron Lathrop

Jerry Titus' Firebird roars back into action.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

John Martin's Javelin is out of the race due to a broken drive shaft as a result of an off-course excursion.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

Tullius and Ortega zip by the scene.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

[Jon Mello]

Dick Brown's Firebird ran as high as 4th place during the race.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

Russ Norburn/Pete Feistmann Porsche.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

Peter Revson would eventually get his Mustang stuck in the mud.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

Rusty Jowett's #92 leads Dick Lang. Lang ended up with a nice 5th place finish with Jowett placing 7th.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

Fred Baker/Dick Smothers car ran well. Would place 1st in U-2 after scoring error was sorted.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

Bert Everett's 911.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

[Jon Mello]

Firebird of Bill Ortega.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

Ted Roberts/Dick Guldstrand Javelin.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

Bob Tullius Javelin.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

Milt Minter and Dick Brown running neck and neck. Both cars have the Terry Godsall yellow-green color on them.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

The Gifford/Campbell Porsche.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

Jerry Titus' Firebird.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

[Jon Mello]

Parnelli is barreling along and has closed the gap on the leaders thanks to their pits stops for tire problems.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

Brad Dunn's Firebird and Rusty Jowett's Camaro.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

Bll Campbell #17 and Russ Norburn #77.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

Mo Carter's Camaro behind a couple of U-2 cars.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

Parnelli, driving the wheels off it.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

Bert Everett supposedly exited the race with a blown tire but with the engine lid up and on a tow rope, it almost looks like engine trouble.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

Penske shows the pit board to Donohue flashing by. He thinks they've won the race.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

[Jon Mello]

"Colorful" flagman Ed Houlehan does his thing. Ed also flagged at Mid-Ohio. Maybe other places as well.

Photo by Ron Lathrop


Photo by Ron Lathrop


Photo by Ron Lathrop


Photo by Ron Lathrop

[Jon Mello]

Pretty race queen (Miss M.I.S. Kandy Kaiser) awaits Donohue's arrival with winner's wreath in hand.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

Not a great day to be standing outside in attire like this.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

They seem to be making the best of it.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

Ron Bucknum's day ended early due to unrepairable issues with the power steering in his car.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

Gary Wright was flagged as the winner of the Under-2-liter catagory. Scoring errors were later corrected to give the U-2 win to Fred Baker and Dick Smothers.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

A team mechanic with Gary's car in the winner's circle area.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

[Jon Mello]

Donohue takes a moment before exiting the Camaro in victory lane.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

The wear of a long day behind the wheel is evident on his face.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

Finally out of the car to receive his accolades.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

Donohue with the winner's wreath on. (L-R) Track President: Lawrence LoPatin, Ron Bucknum, Sue Donohue, Mark Donohue, MIS Chief
Steward Gary Rossman and Miss MIS Kandy Kaiser. I see somebody in the crowd wearing one of those Javelin hats that Mike K posted in
our Trans-Am memorabilia section.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

Everyone wants a picture of the winner.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

Roger is a happy camper.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

Some congratulatory words exchanged, I'm sure.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

"This is fun but let's get outta here."

Photo by Ron Lathrop

Well, after the race was over Bud Moore protested to the race officials stating his scoring charts showed Parnelli as the rightful winner.
PJ had been turning faster lap times than anybody during the later part of the race and due to some extra pit stops for tire issues by
Donohue and Titus he had actually caught and passed them with only a few of the official scorers realizing it. Several hours after the
race was over and the crowd went home, Parnelli Jones was declared the official winner. Ladies and Gents, here is your winning car.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

[Pickle]

Fantastic Photos!!!

[Jon Mello]

Glad you enjoyed those. Donohue's autobiography states that Penske's own scorer (Judy Stropus) knew that they had NOT won the race but Penske decided to let the SCCA work that out on their own. Apparently he got her and her scoring records out of the track post haste once he knew the protest was filed by Bud Moore.

[oldtransamdriver]

I was going to add that Judy Stropus (ace scorer) knew exactly who won the race, but Jon beat me to it. Very clever on Roger's part to accept the glory and accolades on behalf of Donohue and Chevy (all part of the Unfair Advantage).  Moore and the Ford gang must have been ticked off.

Our gang had trouble keeping an accurate lap chart after about 30 minutes - not easy to do with lots of distractions. We didn't have a "pro" scoring person(s).

I'm sure it cost us a few places sometimes as we didn't know our position.  I could have gone from "cruise" mode to "speed up" later in the race.

Robert Barg

[OCTARD]

This from Michael Sedlak, after seeing the photos in this thread:

I was there that weekend.  We stayed at a unheated very small cottage motel about a mile from the track.  Race day it had all weather conditions from sleet and rain to sunshine at times.  The reason the track looks so barren is that they had just finished the final land balancing the week before.  Little known is how many cars lost oil pans, exhaust systems and the like in the "Moss" corner in the far back of the track.  You had to pick a lane either the severely banked lane on the inside or the pretty flat lane on the outside.  If you happened to straddle the lanes there was no transition and the cars would really scrape hard.  Most learned their lesson on Friday or Saturday.   Also the photos don't really show how bad the jump was coming back across the oval.  That really was the reason along with rain that Kwech lost control of the car.  If you look at the photos you can see the cars going light as they cross the hump then come crashing down.  Several cars over the weekend lost control there.  We had unlimited access to the garages and paddock through a mentor of mine with many introductions to the Ford drivers and cars as he was an exec at the glass house and a racer himself.  He ended up with 70-TA-01 after Tope finished with it.

Those pictures bring back many fond memories.

[JohnZ]

Great photos and commentary, Jon!

I still remember the awful weather that day - it actually snowed briefly earlier in the morning before the race; there was no way to escape the bone-chilling cold, sleet and rain except in the rest rooms under the grandstands or in the garages. I was with Chevrolet Engineering in those days, but I was just a "gofer" and observer at the race, and nobody needed anything I could help with; people with sweaters and warm jackets were marginally comfortable, and everyone else just shivered and tried to keep moving around.

The Ford guys protested Penske's vinyl tops, claiming they covered up acid-dipped roof panels, but it was disallowed; they also protested the Penske "tower" fueling rig, but that one didn't stick either. I left right after the finish, and didn't hear about the successful Ford protest of the finishing order until the next day. Coldest, wettest race I ever attended. At least with the smaller crowd they didn't have quite the traffic problems getting in and out like they had for the grand opening USAC race the previous season - THAT I really remember! Larry LoPatin was a banker, not a race fan, and didn't have a clue about providing for a crowd of race fans' needs; the Sheriff's auction of the bankrupt track a few years later solved that problem, and the Penske group really went to work and made the necessary changes.

[Jon Mello]

I appreciate the thoughts and recollections and I'm sure others do too. Here is a race report on the Michigan race from Competition Press & Autoweek.













          

[Steve Holmes]

Jon, these photos are just outstanding! Thank you for posting them. I have a couple of questions.

Is the Dick Brown Gagnon Springs Firebird the same car Craig Fisher drove in '68? And if so, I thought this car was repainted white and red? Or was this the Titus car?

Also, Bob Tullius ran a Javelin in the Nascar Grand Touring series in '69. Would he have run the same car in both championships?

[wrongwayron]

I don't know the history (I trust Jon on that).  In 1973 the Dick Brown Camaro was red and white. http://www.racingsportscars.com/driver/photo/Dick-Brown-CDN.html

[oldtransamdriver]

That photo is the Mo Carter car (ex Jim Hall camaro)) that Mo had been racing in 71 and 72 also with those same colours.  Dick Brown would have been the co-driver for that event.  In 73 that car was running a big block 427 if I remember, or a least a 350 - all new T/A rules in 73.

Robert Barg

[Jon Mello]

Steve,

Yes, the car Dick Brown drove in this Wolverine Trans-Am race was indeed the same car that Craig Fisher drove in 1968. The white and red car you speak of had been a Camaro driven by Jon Ward and Jerry Titus (in conjunction with Terry Godsall's racing team) converted it to a Firebird for the last Trans-Am race of the '68 season at Kent, WA (it was painted the same yellow-green as Fisher's Firebird but without any other accent color). For the '69 Daytona 24-hour Jerry Titus and Jon Ward co-drove the same car Jerry had driven at Kent but it was repainted back to the white with red top surfaces that Jon Ward had previously run. The Fisher/Brown car is not the same as the Ward/Titus car.

With regard to the question about Bob Tullius and the Javelin in '69, I honestly don't know if what he drove in the Trans-Am races that year was also what he drove in the Nascar GT races. Sorry I don't have a better answer than that.

[Steve Holmes]

Thanks for that info Jon. I know the red and white Firebird Titus drove still exists. Is anything known of the fate of the Fisher Firebird? Fisher drove a '69 Firebird in a few Trans-Am races in 1970. Could this be the same car with sheetmetal changes?

[wrongwayron]

I certainly wouldn't trust an ad such as this, but it's worth a look. It suggests NOT the same vehicle.
http://www.fantasyjunction.com/cars/773-AMC-Javelin%20Trans-Am-V8
However,
http://www.conceptcarz.com/vehicle/z16637/AMC-Javelin.aspx, sez that same thing.

[Jon Mello]

Ron, I took the liberty of correcting your links as you had them go directly to email rather than connecting to the website (url). Those links are pretty cool but do not reference the Firebird Steve was talking about. The ex-Fisher Firebird which was driven by Dick Brown in early '69 was wrecked at St Jovite in July of that year. It was replaced with a different Firebird which was built by the T/G (Titus/Godsall) team. Whether that ex-Fisher Firebird was rebuilt and sold is a question that nobody has been able to answer so far. That's my understanding anyway. If somebody knows different, please chime in.

[wrongwayron]

Yikes: Maybe, someday, I'll get my ducks (and links and e-mails) in a row.
 Thanks for fixing them for me.
Actually, I was addressing Steve Holmes question about the Javelin driven by Bob Tullius at MIS versus the one he drove in NASCAR Grand American (GT). Appears the MIS car was an '68 factory car made into a test mule ... with no reference to the NASCAR vehicle.

[wrongwayron]

And now I've crossed my own replies.
I got myself in a hurry with the Brown Camaro; and was quickly corrected by you and others.
Maybe I'll stick with sending you images and letting you caption them (so far, you've done a far better job then my memory allows). LOL
I may start rescanning the 1969 Mid-Ohio images and sending them ... soon.

[OCTARD]

Hello Ron,

Please keep contributing your thoughts and comments to the forum.  Your memories, from your perspective, are appreciated by folks like me. 

And your photos, well they're as good as it gets.

Thanks so much for sharing.

-Chad

[Jon Mello]

Another recap of the Wolverine Trans-Am, this one from Car Life Magazine.

[wrongwayron]

Gerald Melton has supplied the Sports Car Racing web site with b&w images of the 1969 MIS race. http://www.racingsportscars.com/photo/Michigan-1969-05-11.html

[OCTARD]

Thanks for pointing those out, Ron.  Who knows how long it would have taken me to see those. 

Some of the unclassified photos at the bottom of the page are particularly interesting.

-Chad

[Jon Mello]

Some more race reports for the Wolverine Trans-Am, courtesy of Ron Lathrop. Thank you, Ron!

This first report is from the July 1969 issue of Sports Car Graphic magazine...









This next report is from the August 1969 issue of Road & Track magazine...









Lastly, we have a short write-up from the July 1969 issue of Car & Driver...

[Jon Mello]

A couple of color photos taken at the Wolverine Trans-Am but found in the 1970 Mid-Ohio Trans-Am program.

Milt Minter's Firebird


Mark Donohue pit stop

[Jon Mello]

Adding some AMC Javelin photos from the Wolverine Trans-Am courtesy of "Javelin GT" and "klvn8r" from this AMC forum.

This particular photo shows the hood up and reveals the taller manifold and aircleaner used by the Javelin team at that particular race.
It is obvious that the blistered hood is necessary for clearance.


Also, there is a nice short interview with Ronnie Kaplan on tajavelin.com where he describes the special engine used by the Javelin team
to start the '69 season. This special engine based on the 343 block rather than the 290 and with a lower deck height, taller manifold,
dominator carbs, etc is the reason why they were so fast at that Michigan race. Sadly for the AMC team, somebody didn't properly
homolgate that engine (fill out the proper paperwork) so it couldn't be used for the rest of the season.


Here's Bob Tullius' Javelin back by the garages. I believe this car of Bob's was one of the team cars from the '68 season.


My understanding is that Tullius' Javelin was an official AMC team car at the beginning of the '69 season and these photos seems to support that.


Ron Grable's Javelin. Looks like Ron is suited up in the car.

[wrongwayron]

Both these "newer" articles say the Tullius MIS Javelin was Revson's 68 vehicle which became the '69 test mule.

http://www.fantasyjunction.com/cars/773-AMC-Javelin%20Trans-Am-V8

http://www.conceptcarz.com/vehicle/z16637/AMC-Javelin.aspx sez the same thing.

[klvn8r]

I believe that is correct.  Ted Roberts drove the other factory 68 car, in 1969.  It is located in the Dallas area.  That fantasy junction page has good pics....the other link won't open for me.

klvn8r

[Jon Mello]

Thanks for the info. I got Ron's other link working. How many Javelins did Ronnie Kaplan's shop actually build? They built cars for Nascar GT as well as Trans-Am, right?

[klvn8r]

You pose a very interesting question, Ron.  Both 1968 JRT Javelins are accounted for, one in Dallas TX, the other, in Canada, I believe.  Strangely, the 69 cars seem to have a somewhat checkered past.  I  have a few pictures from the 80s and 90s of one of the 69 cars at a reunion race at Watkins Glen, and another at Road Atlanta.  I also recall a story about one of the 69 team cars being stolen from its owner in the Pennsylvania area, about ten years (or more?) back.  There was some talk of it being 'cloned' when it disappeared.  That car on the Concept Carz page at one point, is/was owned by Craig Jackson.  What that car is, I'm unsure.  Appears to be a 69 chassis and paint, but the front clip is all 1970.  Note the ram air hood, and different style grille and bumper from 69 Javelins.  Is it the 'theft' recovered car?  Is it the other car?  I don't know....all I can do is speculate, at this point.

klvn8r

[Jon Mello]

When I saw that car of Craig Jackson's at the Sonoma Historics this year, there was a sign board that had some info about the car but I neglected to get a photo of it (feeling stupid now). It did say something about it being the #3 car from the '69 season and that it went to the Penske team and was used by them for testing and development (to the best of my recollection).

[klvn8r]

There are pictures of possibly a third car....it is #2, and has "DON WHITE" written on it.  I believe it may have been a promo car or possibly a back up car...who knows for certain.  There are pictures inside of Kaplan's shop showing at least three cars under construction, but I think he had orders to build 'customer cars' as well.  At this point, I think it would be hard to confirm anything unless Kaplan's records were thorough and available.  In any event, I'm pretty sure there is no proof that a 69 car was run with a 70 nose on it, an retained the 68/9 taillight panel.

klvn8r

[Jon Mello]

Don White was the an official AMC driver in Nascar's version of Trans-Am, which was called Nascar GT and later Nascar Grand American. John Martin also drove in Nascar GT with a Javelin and used car #4. Possibly the same #4 that was run in Trans-Am. I don't know for sure. Seems like Jim Pascal was the most successful Javelin guy in Nascar GT in 1969 but I don't know if his car was prepared by Ronnie Kaplan or not. I'm thinking it was not.

[klvn8r]

I haven't done much research about Don, or the GT series, but yes, Paschal was the success for AMC in that series.  I have some pictures of Paschal's car at Daytona, and its quite funny how it is assembled.  I'm 99% certain that the AMC unibody is cutaway underneath, and a GM front clip installed.  It is 'rear steer' (AMC's are front), the shock towers are gone (again, AMC suspension similar to Mustang) and other numerous oddities.  I highly doubt that the T/A cars ever saw any GT action, though anything is possible. 

klvn8r

[Jon Mello]

I would be very interested in seeing the photos of the Jim Paschal (pronounced like rascal) Javelin that you mention. There definitely were cars that raced in both the Trans-Am and Nascar GT series but that was usually just for the events at the Daytona Speedway such as the Paul Revere 250 and the Citrus 250.

[Jon Mello]

Here are the Jim Paschal Javelin photos from klvn8r. The Nascar GT cars are built in a style very similar to a Nascar Grand National
car of that era and are built to take the pounding of a high speed oval and also some of the dirt and asphalt short tracks on the
schedule. The first picture is from the '69 season and the last photo is from 1970. The engine photos may be from 1970 since
klvn8r tells me they are the heads with the dog-leg ports and those heads came out on the '70 AMC cars.

[klvn8r]

I wonder, if perhaps, the 'goofy' chassis (obviously not AMC) forced the homemade headers or if they are 'pre-production' dog leg heads.  Who knows....  either way, those are some FUNKY headers!!  Notice the weight jackers and shims on the left front suspension....not AMC.  Oddly, that seat appears to be stock Javelin.  The picture from 1970 I believe is the same car with a sheet-metal upgrade.  Thanks for posting this stuff, Jon.

klvn8r

[OG69Z]

I wonder, if perhaps, the 'goofy' chassis (obviously not AMC) forced the homemade headers or if they are 'pre-production' dog leg heads.

klvn8r

I'm not sure I'm following the dog leg head assumption. After blowing up the posted photos, I can't see anything definitive that one can say they are dog legs. There is tremendous speculation when it comes to these vintage AMC's, I hate to see it continually promoted. Can you please clarify?
Thanks,
Bob

[klvn8r]

I'm assuming the dog leg exhaust port based purely on my own theories....mainly, why isn't this a regular header flange.  The photos in hand APPEAR to be cast iron (approx the first 2" of header as it leaves the cylinder head).  AMC promoted that the dog leg exhaust flowed 50% better than the previous head.  Production dog legs arrived for the 70 model year cars....thus, I'm assuming that they were working on them in 1969.  You are right, I cannot say definitively that they are dog legs... 
 As far as other speculation, I'd love to help clarify some of it, if possible.  Is there something specific you're referring to?

klvn8r

[OG69Z]

klvn8r, Thank you for your response. As I partake in this forum, I have found it very evident of the professionalism shown here, and respect it as such. I'd like to see it continue with only facts, and not assumptions, as have been common on other venues. This very subject of dating AMC cars, or others by your assumptions can lead to erroneous conclusions. I appreciate your photos and input, but I will continue to question not just your or anyone's post that I feel some clarification is in order. 
  Again, Thank you for this clarification that this particular photo may not have been taken in 1970.
Bob

[klvn8r]

Bob,  those photos are all from a group that are 1969 Daytona, save for the pic of the 70 model.  I just included that one to Jon to show the differences between a 69 and 70 Javelin, since this is primarily a GM forum.  I have some others he can post, if he wants.  On top of that, the Baby Grand cars are quite "off topic" even in this forum, but somehow it was mentioned a few pages back that the T/A Javelins may have also been used in the Baby Grand series.  I guess my point here, "no, at least not THIS car".  Too many differences from the T/A cars.   You're right, facts are way better....I think the biggest gripe that I have is the Ford group's  "if we had been on the Goodyears, like Penske, we would have won in 69".   Yeah, and if a frog had wings, he wouldn't bump his...  :^)

[klvn8r]

Just for clarification, all of the B/W pics are 1969 Daytona, including the engine pics.  The color pic is 1970.   Also, 1970 is the year for regular production cars to get the dog leg from the factory.  I don't have a factual reason why the 69 car has such an oddball header flange.   Hope this isn't getting too confusing.

klvn8r

[Jon Mello]

These two photos also provided to me by klvn8r do a better job of showing the exhaust manifold/header on this Jim Paschal Javelin. Odd stuff.

[Jon Mello]

Ronnie Bucknum stands with his #9 Penske Camaro prior to the race. Looks possibly like Penske crew chief Chuck Cantwell in the background.


Jon Mello Collection

[Jon Mello]

More photos from the 1969 Wolverine Trans-Am.


Jon Mello Collection


Jon Mello Collection


Jon Mello Collection


Jon Mello Collection

[klvn8r]

Sure looks to me like the Camaro nose is 'drooped' like the Boss cars were done...  what do you think?? 

klvn8r

[Jon Mello]

Penske started drooping the nose on his second '67 Camaro, which first appeared at the Modesto Trans-Am.
I agree with you that the front end looks drooped on these two '69 Sunoco cars as well.

[Jon Mello]

A Titus pit stop at MIS.

Photo by Alex Walordy

A look inside his trunk at the fuel filler and the fuel cell. This fuel filler tunnel (for lack of a better name)
was modified as the season went on and actually held more gas, increasing the amount of laps that could
be run without modifying the fuel cell's capacity (itself) of 22 gallons. That was within the rules.

Photo by Alex Walordy

[Jon Mello]

We are very fortunate to have received a large selection of racing photographs from Jerry Melton. Jerry attended both Trans-Am races held at Green Valley, Texas and the 1969 Wolverine Trans-Am at Michigan International Speedway. Here's is a short bio about Jerry in his own words.

"I have been a strictly amateur racing photographer from my first days of college in 1962.  After hanging on the spectator fence at Green Valley Raceway in Texas taking photos without a telephoto for a couple of years, I became a corner worker until my move to Detroit Michigan (just in time to be welcomed by the riots that started the mass exodus from the city).  Upon joining the Detroit Region SCCA I was immediately pressed into service as their photographer, thus gaining passes to the races for a number of years until the birth of my son and a second job restricted my weekend commitments.   I continue to be a regular visitor to nearby Waterford Hills Raceway, where one needs no pass to be close to the action.

While in college, I was also a cartoonist for Sports Car Graphic Magazine until Jerry Titus became editor and eliminated ALL cartoons.  Until then the publication had been more of a club racing friendly mag, but Titus wanted to compete with Car & Driver and Road & Track.  So, where's SCG now?

I've been a Public School Art teacher for over 45 years and have long been teaching an added enrichment class in Sports Car Design to 10-14 year olds, where kids create shelf model concept cars from a 2x4 center with 1x3 fenders.  It keeps the job interesting."

Below are photos taken by Jerry at the 1969 Wolverine Trans-Am. This first selection of photos was taken during the Saturday practice session, most of which occured during a heavy downpour. The poor weather kept qualifying speeds way down from what they otherwise would have been. Thank you Jerry for sharing these!

The 1968 Camaro owned by Larry Drover and driven by Larry Bock.

Photo by Jerry Melton



Photo by Jerry Melton



Photo by Jerry Melton

Mo Carter's '68 Camaro

Photo by Jerry Melton

The Firebird of Robert Gagnon, driven by Dick Brown.

Photo by Jerry Melton

The Camaro owned by John McConnell, prepared by Todco Racing, and driven by Craig Fisher.

Photo by Jerry Melton

[Jon Mello]

Bob Grossman's Camaro, prepared by Randy Randazzo. #22 is the Porsche of Jim Netterstrom.

Photo by Jerry Melton

The Camaro of J.A. "Jerry" Lagod. (The entry list has a typo which shows the car driver as D.A. Lagod). #54 is Erhard Daum.

Photo by Jerry Melton

The Camaro of Dick Lang, a Chevy dealer out of Ohio. Dick was a successful Corvette racer.

Photo by Jerry Melton

The 1967 Z-28 of Levester Lewis. Levester bought this car from Dave Horchler and Dick Hoffman during the winter and got Horchler to co-drive with him at this race.

Photo by Jerry Melton

The T-G Racing Firebird of Milt Minter. Compare the number 37 on the door to what was seen on the car during Sunday's race.

Photo by Jerry Melton

The Penske Racing "Sunoco Camaro" of Mark Donohue.

Photo by Jerry Melton

These photos are taken where the infield course transitions back onto the banked oval and heads for the S/F line.

Photo by Jerry Melton

[Jon Mello]

Jerry Titus in his T-G Firebird.

Photo by Jerry Melton

Notice that the font of the number 27 is not the same style that was used in Sunday's race.

Photo by Jerry Melton

The '67 Camaro of Wayne Allen from Indianapolis, IN.

Photo by Jerry Melton

Don Yenko and Jerry Thompson drove this ex-Smokey Yunick Camaro.

Photo by Jerry Melton



Photo by Jerry Melton

[MO]

Any idea what that is coming off wing window and over the roof on the Wayne Allen car (40)?

[Jon Mello]

Fred, to me it looks like some duct tape that was originally running along the top of the windshield.


Still during Saturday's practice session, the Porsche 911 of Erwin Dollinger and Jim Osborne.

Photo by Jerry Melton

Ron Grable piloting one of the factory-backed Javelins.

Photo by Jerry Melton

Dean Gregson's red '68 Mustang.

Photo by Jerry Melton

Dean Gregson again.

Photo by Jerry Melton

Dean Gregson and Wilbur Pickett's Porsche.

Photo by Jerry Melton

Jim Harrell's Mustang ahead of Mo Carter's Camaro and others.

Photo by Jerry Melton

Horst Kwech in one of the Shelby team cars.

Photo by Jerry Melton

The Porsche 911 of Russ Norburn and Pete Feistmann. These guys raced a Shelby Mustang in Trans-Am previously.

Photo by Jerry Melton

A closer look.

Photo by Jerry Melton

The Porsche 911 of Peter Gregg.

Photo by Jerry Melton

Peter Revson in the other Shelby team car.

Photo by Jerry Melton

Almost an identical shot.

Photo by Jerry Melton

Bob Tullius in one of the factory Javelins.

Photo by Jerry Melton

The Porsche 911 of Herb Wetson and Tony Adamowicz.

Photo by Jerry Melton

William Lowell in an independent '69 Mustang.

Photo by Jerry Melton

[Jon Mello]

Horst Kwech cresting a hill at flag station #4 during Saturday practice.

Photo by Jerry Melton

Peter Gregg's 911 at the same spot.

Photo by Jerry Melton

Bob Bailey's Porsche.

Photo by Jerry Melton

Jim Harrell's Mustang.

Photo by Jerry Melton

Bob Bailey again.

Photo by Jerry Melton

Jim Harrell again.

Photo by Jerry Melton

Dick Lang's Camaro.

Photo by Jerry Melton

Porsche 911s headed to the Carousel turn.

Photo by Jerry Melton

Bob Tullius' skidding Javelin.

Photo by Jerry Melton

Don Yenko leads Peter Gregg and Milt Minter through the Carousel turn.

Photo by Jerry Melton

Jim Harrell's Mustang follows a pair of 911s through the turn.

Photo by Jerry Melton

Horst Kwech's Mustang.

Photo by Jerry Melton

[OCTARD]

Great additions to the site.  Thanks, Jerry, for allowing these photos to be posted to this forum!

Jon, thanks for all your efforts to further document these images.

-Chad

[Jon Mello]

You're welcome, Chad.

Here's Wayne Allen's car getting worked on in one of the track garages.

Photo by Jerry Melton

Ron Grable and team members push his car down pit road early Sunday, prior to the race.

Photo by Jerry Melton

Penske driver Ron Bucknum with crew member John "Woody" Woodard.

Photo by Jerry Melton

Penske crew chief Chuck Cantwell, team owner Roger Penske, and crew member John Woodard.

Photo by Jerry Melton

Rick McDaniel, driver of the #32 Hol-Arc Firebird.

Photo by Jerry Melton

Carroll Shelby is in attendance.

Photo by Jerry Melton

Carroll Shelby with a couple of track officials.

Photo by Jerry Melton

Ed Houlehan waves the green flag for the start of the race.

Photo by Jerry Melton

More cars taking the green for the start.

Photo by Jerry Melton

[wrongwayron]

Great pix

[Jon Mello]

Parnelli and Mark are neck and neck at the end of lap 1.

Photo by Jerry Melton

Here come Follmer and Revson.

Photo by Jerry Melton

Parnelli's got a definite lead now but Mark is right there.

Photo by Jerry Melton

Rain has come down and made for a slick racing surface. Here's Follmer's Mustang.

Photo by Jerry Melton

Ron Grable has steadily been moving his Javelin up from the back of the grid.

Photo by Jerry Melton

Here's Craig Fisher's Camaro.

Photo by Jerry Melton

Parnelli Jones.

Photo by Jerry Melton

Wilbur Pickett's Porsche.

Photo by Jerry Melton

Bob Tullius' Javelin.

Photo by Jerry Melton

The Porsche of Fred Baker and Dick Smothers.

Photo by Jerry Melton

Bob Grossman's Camaro. Randy's Rascals refers to car preparer Randy Randazzo and his guys. Notice the '67 vent window
on the passenger door. This car was built from two or three different cars from my understanding.

Photo by Jerry Melton

The combination of the slick racing surface and (literally) the leap from the outside of the track to the infield road course
has contributed to Horst Kwech's crash into a spectator's Javelin. There was one fatality and it could have been worse.

Photo by Jerry Melton

A second shot of the scene of the accident.

Photo by Jerry Melton

A third shot. There was not adequate protect for the spectators in the event of a car leaving the track surface.

Photo by Jerry Melton

[OCTARD]

Outstanding new additions for so many of us Trans-Am fans...  Though some of the accident images caused me to shrink back into my chair a bit.

Thanks again, Jerry and Jon.

[Bruce302]

Fantastic new shots, Thanks for posting them, and to Jerry for taking and allowing them to be shared.

Bruce.

[Jon Mello]

Mark Donohue on the banking.

Photo by Jerry Melton

Jerry Lagod approaches the banking from the infield part of the course.

Photo by Jerry Melton

Follmer's Mustang at the same spot. A nightmare if you get off course into the mud.

Photo by Jerry Melton

Peter Revson and Jerry Titus.

Photo by Jerry Melton

The Porsches of Peter Gregg and Gary Wright.

Photo by Jerry Melton

A different angle looking at the same corner (actually they are several feet back from there) and the roles are reversed.

Photo by Jerry Melton

Peter Revson's Mustang in about the same spot.

Photo by Jerry Melton

Now pivoting to the left to look at the banked oval section, heading to the S/F line.

Photo by Jerry Melton

[wrongwayron]

Jerry's pix just get better and better

[Jon Mello]

Exiting the esses and heading toward the banking...

Photo by Jerry Melton

Bill Ortega's Firebird leads another group of cars exiting the esses.

Photo by Jerry Melton

Dick Brown's Firebird works its way through the esses with Dean Gregson's Mustang hot on its heels.

Photo by Jerry Melton

Bob Grossman's Camaro comes through the esses with Mark Donohue, a Porsche and Ron Grable's Javelin right behind.

Photo by Jerry Melton

Don Yenko's Camaro leads one of the Firebirds.

Photo by Jerry Melton

Another look at Bill Ortega's Firebird.

Photo by Jerry Melton

Fred Opert's #73 and Bob Bailey's #52 mix it up.

Photo by Jerry Melton

Here comes Rusty Jowett's Camaro

Photo by Jerry Melton

Peter Revson's Mustang

Photo by Jerry Melton

Check out all the crud on the windshield of Tullius' Javelin.

Photo by Jerry Melton

Revson's smoking Mustang navigates the esses.

Photo by Jerry Melton

If you don't like doing body work, you probably should not be a crew member for Parnelli Jones.
Oh, and you probably ought to stay out of his way also.

Photo by Jerry Melton

[Jon Mello]

Other items, courtesy of Jerry Melton.






Preliminary entry list







Official entry list

[Jon Mello]

Michigan Int'l Speedway "RAM Regionals", April 27, 1969

Many thanks go out to Jerry Melton for his photograph contributions below.

Two weeks prior to the Wolverine Trans-Am, an SCCA regional race was run to see if there were any issues with cars running on the road race
course. This was a brand-new facility that had only put on one race prior to this. That was an open-wheel USAC race in late '68, won by Ron
Bucknum. The USAC race was run only on the oval and so the road course was an "unknown quantity".

Here's the winner of the A/Sedan category, John Martin in a factory-backed, Ron Kaplan prepared Javelin.

Photo by Jerry Melton

Notice the lack of the domed hood. This would indicate they were not using the special 304" engine which showed up for the T/A race.
Note also that the car is using a rear spoiler similar to the '68 Javelins, however this was the only race the Javelin team used it in 1969.

Photo by Jerry Melton

Here comes Martin's Javelin, going for a pass on the B/Sedan Porsche 911 of Erhard Daum. Both cars would be in the T/A race too.

Photo by Jerry Melton

The '67 Z-28 of Robert Barg and his co-driver Dick Hoffman.

Photo by Jerry Melton

Robert Barg (L) and Dick Hoffman (R)

Robert Barg Collection

Apparently they ran one number during practice and another during the actual race.

Photo by Jerry Melton

The '68 Camaro of Dick Lang, a Chevy dealer from Xenia, Ohio.

Photo by Jerry Melton

I'm not sure who Dick is waving at here.

Photo by Jerry Melton

Mark Donohue actually came to this regional race and drove Dick's car to get a feel for the track prior to the Trans-Am.

Photo by Jerry Melton

Another shot of Dick Lang's Camaro.

Photo by Jerry Melton

Notice that the side markers lights have been deleted from the side of the car.

Photo by Jerry Melton

The Camaro of Wayne Allen, from Indianapolis.

Photo by Jerry Melton

Wayne also entered his car in the Wolverine Trans-Am.

Photo by Jerry Melton

The Corvair of Bill Schmitt. Lots of tough competition for Corvairs in A/Sedan.

Photo by Jerry Melton

This B/Production Corvette, driven by Tom Simpson from Illinois, would be running a 327.

Photo by Jerry Melton

Another B/Production Corvette, this one driven by W. Mark Childs, also from Illinois. It finished 1st in class.

Photo by Jerry Melton

Ron Weaver in the A/Production class winning L-88 Corvette.

Photo by Jerry Melton

Looks like Erhard Daum's Porsche is getting passed again. Erhard would win the B/Sedan class.

Photo by Jerry Melton

The unusual Holman-Moody Challenger III ran in the A/Sports Racer class rather than A/Sedan. The driver is W. Scott Clawson.

Photo by Jerry Melton

The Shelby Mustang of Mike Murray out of NW Ohio.

Photo by Jerry Melton

The #77 Ford Mustang of John B. Addison out of the Detroit Region of the SCCA.

Photo by Jerry Melton

Ed Hinchcliff's Mustang got into an accident during this regional race and did significant damage to the passenger side of his car.
That damage was not repaired in time for him to make it to the Trans-Am event although he does show up on the entry lists.

Photo by Jerry Melton

Looks like Jim Harrell's Mustang was a Mach1 body that he was trying to convert to look like a Boss 302 (removal of the side scoop).

Photo by Jerry Melton

Jim Harrell's Mustang again. Jim was also in the Wolverine Trans-Am.

Photo by Jerry Melton

Brooke Doran's Lola T160 A/Sports Racer spins out between John Martin's Javelin and Dick Lang's Camaro. Martin and Lang finished 1-2 overall.

Photo by Jerry Melton

An article indicating who the '69 Javelin Trans-Am team drivers would be.


This is a brief article on the race and the results (winner only) of each class run. If anybody has the program, entry list
or more complete race results from this race, I would appreciate your contribution to this thread.


The track changes talked about below were a direct result of damaged oil pans which were occuring as a result of the
original layout of the road course. The cars for the regional event turned right immediately after the pit road exit and went
straight over the banked back straight. This caused them to slam down and smash the oil pans if they got going too fast.

[oldtransamdriver]

Jon,

 Dick and I shared the car but drove separate races, hence the different numbers.  I want to know who is the guy impersonating my body that wknd? (guy on the left in the photo).

Robert

[Jon Mello]

Thanks, Robert. Do you remember how you guys placed in your respective races?

[MO]

Great pictures... I've never seen the Challenger III, neat car.

[Jon Mello]

A photo of Robert Barg and his Camaro, taken at the April 27 MIS regional race.
He says this was his first Nomex driving suit, which he still has.

Robert Barg Collection

[Jon Mello]

An "Official Race Results" sheet for the RAM Regional at MIS.


Jon Mello Collection

[Jon Mello]

Dash plaque for the Wolverine Trans-Am.

Frank Dihartce Collection


A ticket for the Trans-Am race.

Frank Dihartce Collection

[musclecarmatt]

Love the photos...being 25 i wasnt even thought of yet lol.....looking at these photos must be awesome watching penske and donohue work on the track!

[Jon Mello]

Well, I got a surprise email today from Jerry Melton telling me he found more images from the
1969 Wolverine Trans-Am in an unexpected place so I will post them now. Thanks a lot, Jerry!

Tullius' Javelin on the approach to the banked oval.

Photo by Jerry Melton

Tullius' Javelin on the infield part of the track.

Photo by Jerry Melton

The Javelin of Ted Roberts. This was one of the AMC factory team cars during the '68 season.

Photo by Jerry Melton

Harry T's Alfa on the the banking heading toward the main grandstands.

Photo by Jerry Melton

The aftermath of the Horst Kwech crash.

Photo by Jerry Melton

The man who was sitting in the car with his wife understandably did not survive the impact.

Photo by Jerry Melton

The front end of another Javelin situated nearby.

Photo by Jerry Melton

The Mustang was also severely damaged. I don't know if this car got repaired later or scrapped.

Photo by Jerry Melton

Another look at the Mustang damage.

Photo by Jerry Melton

The Catalina wagon in the background may be an ambulance on the way to the crash site.

Photo by Jerry Melton

Larry Bock's '68 Camaro on the infield portion of the track.

Photo by Jerry Melton

Mark Donohue's Camaro.

Photo by Jerry Melton

Rusty Jowett's Camaro coming up onto the banking.

Photo by Jerry Melton

[klvn8r]

In 69, the Tullius Javelin was the 1968 Peter Revson car....Ted Roberts got the 1968 George Follmer Javelin for 1969.  The local AMC dealers were having a day at the track, hence the reason all of Javelins in the spectating areas.  The dead man was an AMC salesman, if I recall my old readings.

klvn8r

[Jon Mello]

Thanks for the input. Was Tullius' Javelin truly considered a "factory team" car or was he considered a "privateer"? He seems to have gotten a lot of attention at this race from the AMC officials and crew members.

[Jon Mello]

Dick Lang's well-prepared Camaro.

Photo by Jerry Melton

The Camaro of Bob Grossman has Fred Baker's Porsche hot on its heels.

Photo by Jerry Melton

Bill Ortega from Equador in a T/G prepared Firebird.

Photo by Jerry Melton

Jerry Titus' Firebird has Minilite wheels on in this photo.

Photo by Jerry Melton

Titus' car has American 200-S mags in this shot that shows him under hard braking on the infield part of the track.

Photo by Jerry Melton

Titus leads the Firebird of Larry Harley and Brad Dunn.

Photo by Jerry Melton

Dick Brown's Gagnon Spring Firebird shows some battle scars.

Photo by Jerry Melton

The '68 Mustang of Dean Gregson.

Photo by Jerry Melton

[Jon Mello]

The Dollinger and Osbourne Porsche on the infield portion of the track.

Photo by Jerry Melton

Bob Bailey's Porsche.

Photo by Jerry Melton

Fred Opert's Porsche powering through the last turn.

Photo by Jerry Melton

Fred Baker's Porsche.

Photo by Jerry Melton

The Hol-Arc Firebird of Larry Harley.

Photo by Jerry Melton

Peter Revson's Mustang and Fred Opert's Porsche.

Photo by Jerry Melton

Dan Furey's notchback Mustang with Bob Tullius looking to pass him on the inside.

Photo by Jerry Melton

A look down toward the pits.

Photo by Jerry Melton

The Ortega Firebird out in front of the Netterstrom Porsche and the Alfa of Ed Wachs.

Photo by Jerry Melton

Ted Roberts' Javelin leads a Porsche and Bill Ortega's Firebird back toward the banking.

Photo by Jerry Melton

[OCTARD]

Outstanding new photos! 

Beyond the obvious quality, Jerry Melton also captured so many of the cars that weren't leading the race.  All the cars that we haven't been able to see much of 'til now.

Both Jerry Melton and Ron Lathrop have really served the Trans-Am enthusiasts well.

And Jon, thanks for all your efforts to post and further caption all these images.

-Chad

[Jon Mello]

Thanks, Chad. I was reflecting upon that as I was posting these latest photos from Jerry Melton. We are indeed very fortunate to have benefitted from the kindness and generosity of both Jerry Melton and Ron Lathrop. I think we have photographs of every car that participated in this particular Trans-Am race and as a long-time researcher of all things Trans-Am related, I can tell you that that is basically unheard of. It is a real boon to the enthusiast and my thanks again go out to Jerry and Ron for sharing their wonderful photos with us.

[Jon Mello]

More photos from the Wolverine Trans-Am, as found in the '69 Riverside Trans-Am program.















Bob Sanders Collection, courtesy of Robert Lodewyk

[Jon Mello]

Another small race report, this time from my August 1969 issue of Motorcade.



Jon Mello Collection

[Jon Mello]

Dick Hoffman in the (ex-Mo Carter '67 Z) car he shared with Robert Barg during the '69 season.
These two shots are from the RAM Regionals at Michigan, 4-27-69.

Robert Barg photo


Robert Barg photo

[OG69Z]

In the last photo, there is just a glimpse of what appears to be the right front of a 1963 Ford Falcon. If I'm seeing correctly, it might be Mike E's  car originally driven by James Taylor, although I wasn't aware it was raced that late.
Robert

[OCTARD]

Hello Robert,

I believe that Falcon you're seeing is the Holman-Moody Challenger III that ran in the A/Sports Racer class. As noted elsewhere by Jon Mello, the driver was W. Scott Clawson.

Here is a re-link to a previously posted photo by Jerry Melton of this car (at the Michigan Int'l Speedway "RAM Regionals", April 27, 1969).

[OG69Z]

Hello Octard,
  OK that makes sense now. These period photos have so much history in them. I find myself starring not only at the cars but the buildings and people too!
Thanks for the correction,
Robert

[Jon Mello]

One of the nice things about those two color photos from Robert Barg is we can see that the hood on the car is in primer and that doesn't really make itself evident in the B&W shots seen previously. Robert's car still had a flat hood on it just a few weeks before while running at Sebring so this is the first appearance of the hood on the car. It appears to be the factory fiberglass unit and Robert did relay to me over the weekend that his car was running the crossram during '69. His car owner Al Richards reminded him of that recently.

[MO]

Curious if the wheels on the 48 are 8" Corvette or widened. The offset looks pretty deep.

[Jon Mello]

Fred, the rules said the wheels could be not wider that 8" so I bet they are Corvette wheels that have had the offset changed. I agree that they have a deeper look than a stock Corvette 15x8" rally wheel.

[oldtransamdriver]

That is my engine man from 68, Brian Robertson, who is leaning in the window talking to Dick Hoffman.  Brian was not a trained mechanic, but just a backyard Chevy guy, who built my 302 engine out of parts he had lying around.

The number 48 was one that Dick like to use.  You can see that the T for touring is still on the car from Sebring.  Usually the tech guys would have told him to remove that.

Robert Barg