Author Topic: 1970 Trans-Am season review (including "The Trans-Am Trail" by Sam Posey, etc) (Read 49638 times)

Jon Mello · « **on:** February 11, 2012, 06:13:50 PM »

Thanks to the kind generosity of our own Michael K. (aka Swede70), we have some great coverage of the 1970 Trans-Am
season as described by Sam Posey, driver of the #77 Dodge Challenger that season. Sam was writing these reports for the
often overlooked "Auto Racing" magazine, which offered some great stories but for some reason did not survive past 1971.
Coverage of the entire 1970 Trans-Am season will be posted here.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Preseason report

Race #1, Laguna Seca

Race #2, Dallas (cancelled due to inclement weather)

Race #3, Lime Rock

Jon Mello · « **Reply #1 on:** February 11, 2012, 06:25:30 PM »

Race #4, Bryar

Jon Mello · « **Reply #2 on:** February 12, 2012, 07:31:18 AM »

Race #5, Mid-Ohio

Jon Mello · « **Reply #3 on:** February 13, 2012, 05:29:33 PM »

Race #6, Bridgehampton

Race #7, Donnybrooke

Jon Mello · « **Reply #4 on:** February 14, 2012, 11:18:00 PM »

Race #8, Road America

Jon Mello · « **Reply #5 on:** February 15, 2012, 04:43:00 PM »

Race #9, St. Jovite

Jon Mello · « **Reply #6 on:** February 16, 2012, 04:52:31 PM »

Race #10, Watkins Glen

Jon Mello · « **Reply #7 on:** February 16, 2012, 05:06:40 PM »

Race #11, Kent (Seattle)

Jon Mello · « **Reply #8 on:** February 16, 2012, 10:06:38 PM »

Race #12, Riverside (Final race of the season)

Nice Trans-Am photo from 1970 season on this cover below but no race T/A coverage inside. Note polished lip on Minilites.
Good 4-page interview with Parnelli Jones part of this issue.

Jon Mello · « **Reply #9 on:** February 17, 2012, 11:25:12 PM »

This article by Dan Gurney is from Popular Mechanics and discusses the 1970 Trans-Am series. Can't think
of a better place to put is so it goes here for now. Many thanks to Michael K (Swede70) for sharing this!

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Motor Trend interview with Dan Gurney prior to the 1970 season, also courtesy of Mike K. (Swede70).

oldtransamdriver · « **Reply #10 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

Jon Mello · « **Reply #11 on:** April 19, 2012, 08:03:39 PM »

Motorcade magazine report speculating on who was going to be on what race team for the 1970 Trans-Am season.

Jon Mello Collection

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Preseason look at Trans-Am for 1970 as found in the April issue of CARS magazine, courtesy of Mike K (Swede70).

Jon Mello · « **Reply #12 on:** April 20, 2012, 01:19:34 PM »

Allan Girdler covered the 1970 Trans-Am season for Car Life magazine. These come courtesy of Mike K (Swede70).

Jon Mello · « **Reply #13 on:** April 22, 2012, 05:35:01 AM »

More from Car Life courtesy of Mike K (Swede70). Here's the second race of the season at Lime Rock.

Jon Mello · « **Reply #14 on:** April 23, 2012, 05:22:15 AM »

The third Trans-Am race of the 1970 season, courtesy of Mike K (Swede70).

Jon Mello · « **Reply #15 on:** April 23, 2012, 05:25:26 AM »

The fourth Trans-Am race of the 1970 season, courtesy of Mike K (Swede70).

Jon Mello · « **Reply #16 on:** April 24, 2012, 03:40:16 PM »

The race report for Bridgehampton, courtesy of Mike K (Swede70).

The rolled over Camaro of Paul Nichter is the same Camaro raced by Rusty Jowett in '69.
It was not destroyed by this crash and still survives today.

Jon Mello · « **Reply #17 on:** April 28, 2012, 05:02:45 AM »

More from Car Life, courtesy of Mike K (Swede70). Here's the sixth race of the season at Donnybrooke.

Jon Mello · « **Reply #18 on:** May 20, 2012, 05:37:52 AM »

Car Life magazine went out of business and obviously did not continue providing coverage of the 1970 Trans-Am
season beyond the Donnybrooke race. Now we go back to Laguna Seca thanks to Hot Rod magazine and Mike K (Swede70).

Jon Mello · « **Reply #19 on:** May 25, 2012, 07:48:46 PM »

More coverage of the '70 Laguna Seca Trans-Am courtesy of Mike K (Swede70).

These two tidbits from the May 2, 1970 issue of Competition Press & Autoweek are courtesy of Robert Barg.

More coverage of Laguna Seca, courtesy of Robert Lodewyk.

Jon Mello · « **Reply #20 on:** June 03, 2012, 10:35:23 PM »

More SCG coverage of the '70 Trans-Am season, courtesy of Mike K (Swede70).

Jon Mello · « **Reply #21 on:** June 07, 2012, 12:43:55 PM »

More SCG coverage of the 1970 Trans-Am season, courtesy of Mike K (Swede70).

Jon Mello · « **Reply #22 on:** June 08, 2012, 04:13:29 PM »

Further SCG coverage of the 1970 Trans-Am season, courtesy of Mike K (Swede70).
This report covers the Road America Trans-Am, where we lost racing great Jerry Titus.

Jon Mello · « **Reply #23 on:** June 12, 2012, 07:58:23 PM »

Editorial from the October, 1970 issue of Sports Car Graphic, courtesy of Mike K (Swede70).

Jon Mello · « **Reply #24 on:** June 12, 2012, 09:18:46 PM »

Abbreviated SCG coverage of the next two Trans-Am races, courtesy of Mike K (Swede70).

Jon Mello · « **Reply #25 on:** June 17, 2012, 06:21:36 AM »

SCG coverage of the 1970 Watkins Glen Trans-Am, courtesy of Mike K (Swede70).

Jon Mello · « **Reply #26 on:** June 20, 2012, 01:43:16 PM »

Remaining SCG coverage of the 1970 Trans-Am season, courtesy of Mike K (Swede70). For those
of us who are Camaro fans, it was not a great way to follow up the glory of the '68 and '69 seasons.

Jon Mello · « **Reply #27 on:** July 09, 2012, 05:31:15 AM »

Laguna Seca race report from Competition Press & Autoweek (Jon Mello Collection)

Jon Mello · « **Reply #28 on:** July 09, 2012, 04:31:13 PM »

Lime Rock race report from Competition Press & Autoweek (Jon Mello Collection)

Jon Mello · « **Reply #29 on:** July 10, 2012, 12:14:58 PM »

Bryar race report from Competition Press & Autoweek, courtesy of Robert Barg.

(That is not Craig Fisher's Firebird in the photo above. I believe it is Gordon Dewar's Camaro.)

Jon Mello · « **Reply #30 on:** July 12, 2012, 03:07:16 PM »

Mid-Ohio race report from Competition Press & Autoweek, courtesy of Robert Barg.

Jon Mello · « **Reply #31 on:** July 13, 2012, 01:32:21 PM »

Bridgehampton race report from Competition Press & Autoweek (Jon Mello Collection)

Jon Mello · « **Reply #32 on:** July 14, 2012, 05:04:45 AM »

Donnybrooke race report from Competition Press & Autoweek (Jon Mello Collection)

Jon Mello · « **Reply #33 on:** July 14, 2012, 06:42:34 AM »

Road America race report from Competition Press & Autoweek, courtesy of Ron Lathrop.

More photos and race coverage from RA can be seen here

A race report from Americana magazine, courtesy of Mike K (Swede70).

Jon Mello · « **Reply #34 on:** July 15, 2012, 05:50:38 AM »

St. Jovite race report from Competition Press & Autoweek, courtesy of Robert Barg.

Jon Mello · « **Reply #35 on:** July 16, 2012, 05:39:39 AM »

Watkins Glen race report from Competition Press & Autoweek (Jon Mello Collection)

Jon Mello · « **Reply #36 on:** July 17, 2012, 12:55:34 PM »

Seattle (Kent) race report from Competition Press and Autoweek (Jon Mello Collection)

Jon Mello · « **Reply #37 on:** July 18, 2012, 01:53:22 PM »

Riverside race report from National Speed Sport News (Jon Mello Collection). Final race of the 1970 Trans-Am season.

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Riverside race report from Competition Press & Autoweek (Jon Mello Collection).

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Riverside race report from Motor Trend, courtesy of Mike K (Swede70).

Jon Mello · « **Reply #38 on:** July 21, 2012, 06:52:53 AM »

Season Review (Jon Mello Collection)

Jon Mello · « **Reply #39 on:** July 22, 2012, 06:31:28 AM »

More from the CP&A Season Review (Jon Mello Collection)

Jon Mello · « **Reply #40 on:** February 03, 2013, 06:44:40 AM »

Season Review from Circle Track & Highway magazine, courtesy of Mike K (Swede70).

Jon Mello · « **Reply #41 on:** February 24, 2013, 06:23:55 AM »

Courtesy of Mike K (Swede70).

SMKZ28 · « **Reply #42 on:** November 03, 2014, 07:32:24 PM »

I found scans of an article previewing the 1970 Trans Am season that appeared in the March 1970 edition of Motor Trend. Included in the article is a cool rendition previewing the Owens-Corning Fiberglass Camaro that I have never seen before. Enjoy!

Click on the following links to see each page.

1) http://public.fotki.com/nitram22/auto_racing/magazine-scans/1970s-motor-trend/1970-03mt005.html

2) http://public.fotki.com/nitram22/auto_racing/magazine-scans/1970s-motor-trend/1970-03mt006.html#media

3) http://public.fotki.com/nitram22/auto_racing/magazine-scans/1970s-motor-trend/1970-03mt007.html#media

4) http://public.fotki.com/nitram22/auto_racing/magazine-scans/1970s-motor-trend/1970-03mt008.html#media

5) http://public.fotki.com/nitram22/auto_racing/magazine-scans/1970s-motor-trend/1970-03mt009.html#media

6) http://public.fotki.com/nitram22/auto_racing/magazine-scans/1970s-motor-trend/1970-03mt010.html#media

Jon Mello · « **Reply #43 on:** November 04, 2014, 01:12:58 AM »

Thanks, Scott. I could have sworn I posted those but can't seem to find them, so maybe I never did.

group/7 · « **Reply #44 on:** March 31, 2017, 03:12:28 PM »

Waking this thread up, Jon, or any one else have any info about the April 26th. 1970 Dallas Trans-Am that was cancelled due to rain. In particular any results from practice ? I have some info that states the Under-Two-Litre cars had two practice sessions, and the big cars had one. Follmer and Jones in the Mustangs had the fastest times, followed by Posey in the Challenger. I went through all I've found there isn't very much, due to the race not being run. I do have some scans of the program, ticket stubs etc. I can't get to my Autoweeks from that time at the moment.
Here is a link to some photos from the "Ford" site by Dave Friedman.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/thehenryford/sets/72157632998151945/

Mike

Jon Mello · « **Reply #45 on:** April 01, 2017, 04:38:47 AM »

Mike, I don't have much on that Dallas event due to it being cancelled. I don't think much got into print as far as practice results and that sort of thing go.

SMKZ28 · « **Reply #46 on:** February 01, 2018, 09:21:12 PM »

I just found this newspaper advertisement for the upcoming Trans-Am race at the Dallas International Motor Speedway to be held on April 25-26, 1970. As we know it was cancelled to to weather. It came from The North Texas Daily (Denton, Tex.), Vol. 53, No. 70, Ed. 1 Friday, April 24, 1970. I found it at The Portal to Texas History: https://texashistory.unt.edu/

SMKZ28 · « **Reply #47 on:** February 01, 2018, 09:23:40 PM »

Here is an article for the upcoming Dallas race from The North Texas Daily (Denton, Tex.), Vol. 53, No. 69, Ed. 1 Thursday, April 23, 1970. It also came from The Portal to Texas History. To read the larger version click here: https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth326436/m1/4/zoom/?q=%20%22Dallas%20International%20Motor%20Speedway%22%20date:1970-1970&resolution=3&lat=5068.5778812984445&lon=3902.428347141447

Oldtimer · « **Reply #48 on:** February 02, 2018, 03:34:00 PM »

I was supposed to work Timing and Scoring at the Dallas Trans Am race, and was there from day one. I've slept a couple of night since then, but I honestly don't recall any on-track activity. I have several press packets from the weekend stored away somewhere. Will see if I can find them, and offer up some scans for this thread.

Jon Mello · « **Reply #49 on:** February 03, 2018, 05:07:37 AM »

We'd love to see that stuff if you can find it. Thanks!

group/7 · « **Reply #50 on:** February 04, 2018, 04:27:04 PM »

I looked through the thread, but I can't remember if I had posted this photo before of the Chaparral Camaros waiting in the rain at the Dallas race 1970.

(autoweek photo)

Jon Mello · « **Reply #51 on:** February 04, 2018, 05:52:53 PM »

That had not been posted previously so thank you for doing that now, Mike.

Looks like a miserable weekend.

Oldtimer · « **Reply #52 on:** February 06, 2018, 02:43:46 PM »

Quote from: Jon Mello on February 03, 2018, 05:07:37 AM

We'd love to see that stuff if you can find it. Thanks!

Here's the first Press Kit I found, have it out as I am trying to make a custom 1/18 scale diecast of the car.

[/url]

Also found this while I was rummaging around.

I'll try to find more this weekend.

Trans Åm · « **Reply #53 on:** February 08, 2018, 03:49:41 AM »

I am really excited about that cool Firebird bird on the cover of the pack, and of course the picture of the Firebird itself.

Thank you for posting!

Oldtimer · « **Reply #54 on:** February 17, 2018, 04:32:30 PM »

Not sure what happened to three of the pictures in my last post, but here they are again. I found a Second Edition (1976) Chevy Power book in with some of my other memorabilia.

Oldtimer · « **Reply #55 on:** February 17, 2018, 06:29:49 PM »

Found two more items from the Dallas International Motor Speedway Trans Am.

First, here's the race Press Kit, along with copies of Press Releases during the rain event.

And here is the Penske Javelin Press Kit.

Not sure how many more I have, going through a lot of boxes.

If anyone wants better resolution pictures, please PM me.

group/7 · « **Reply #56 on:** February 17, 2018, 07:18:06 PM »

Oldtimer, thanks for posting the TODCO item and the others, that is neat stuff !

The two links in your last post for the race Press Kit & the Penske Javelin item aren't working for me

Mike

Oldtimer · « **Reply #57 on:** February 17, 2018, 09:00:43 PM »

DIMS Press Kit: https://flic.kr/s/aHsmb25Cgq

Javelin Press Kit: https://flic.kr/s/aHsm6Z6L49

See if these work. I'm not sure how I messed up the initial post.

Sorry about that!

Jon Mello · « **Reply #58 on:** February 18, 2018, 03:34:46 AM »

Some cool stuff there. Thank you for posting!

group/7 · « **Reply #59 on:** March 16, 2021, 12:29:45 AM »

Does any one have a clearer image of this decal (arrow) or what it might say on this Owens Corning '70 Camaro at I think

Bridgehampton 1970. A guess ? I think it says Test Car "engineered for cleaner air" Has a Chevy bow tie at the top.

Mike

Can't seem to make the image smaller

the decal is at the right side of the photo

(photo: Racing Sportscars)

Jon Mello · « **Reply #60 on:** March 20, 2021, 02:03:03 AM »

Here's a shot of the decal as seen on the ex-Jerry Thompson car, now owned by Ron Tredway.

Engineering For Cleaner Air

News:

Author Topic: 1970 Trans-Am season review (including "The Trans-Am Trail" by Sam Posey, etc) (Read 49638 times)