1967 Las Vegas 350 Trans-Am --- Stardust Int'l Raceway

[Jon Mello]

This is a Trans-Am race which was the 11th of 12 T/A races on the schedule for 1967. There are not a lot of photos from this race because it began at 6PM (to beat the heat) and there was not a whole lot of daylight left by then. The program is impossible to find. If anybody out there has one, please contact me or post anything from it in this thread. There were 5 Camaros in this race - 2 Penske cars and three independents. Tony Settember was supposed to drive the Washburn Chevrolet sponsored Camaro in this event but for some reason, the car did not make it there and Tony drove a Cortina instead. Dick Guldstrand and his Dana Camaro were entered and did not make it either. Mark Donohue won this race in his Penske Camaro for his second win of the season.

Below is the Competition Press & Autoweek coverage of the event, courtesy of Ron Lathrop.

[Jon Mello]

Here is some never before seen documentation (OK, well maybe not seen for 45 years) from the Bob Sanders Collection, courtesy of Robert Lodewyk. Bob Sanders was a safety and emergency official with Cal Club back in the '60s and '70s and unfortunately Bob has passed away but Robert has acquired his collection and is kindly sharing some of it with us. Thank you, Robert!









Preliminary entry list




















Later, more accurate version of the entry list

[oldtransamdriver]

Thanks to Ron, Jon, and Robert for this very complete summary of the above race.  I happened to attend this race with a friend on our way out to CA - an exploratory trip with the purpose of maybe moving out there.  I had acquired a press pass from Wheelspin News out of Ontario and actually sent them a race report.  I remember hanging around the Milt Minter pits for most of the race.  Minter was a hard charger who could give anyone a run for their money.

I note that Bernd Leckow was entered in this race.  He was the guy with the NSU that I had that great D sedan race at Mid-Ohio in October of 66 along with Chuck Dietrich.  Leckow just inched me out for 2nd.

I think this was the 2nd T/A race I attended, and I had no idea at that time I would be racing a camaro in 68.

Robert Barg

[maroman]

As always Jon, an interesting read. Some names I'd forgotten about listed there. Thanks!

[Jon Mello]

Thanks for the input, guys. Here's a small write-up on the race from a Sports Car Graphic annual called "Competition Year 1967".



Jon Mello Collection

[Jon Mello]

More rare and cool memorabilia from the Bob Sanders Collection, courtesy of Robert Lodewyk.

Dash plaques from Stardust.

[Jon Mello]

Taken from the 1968 "Stardust 150" program (Bob Sanders Collection, courtesy of Robert Lodewyk)

[Jon Mello]

[Jon Mello]

The opening lap of the Stardust Trans-Am race. This is a shot from mid-pack back. Bob Johnson in the second Penske Camaro
leads the way through turn 1. I've pointed out the other Camaro drivers besides Donohue's car (which has already passed by).


Photo by Don Hunter

[Jon Mello]

Mark Donohue's Camaro leading the Shelby team Mustangs of Jerry Titus and Ronnie Bucknum. Note the driving lights
installed due to the 6PM start time. From the Car & Driver Racing Annual 1968. Shared with us by Swede70. Thanks, Mike!

Photo by Cam Warren

[OG69Z]

Great compilation of the Vegas race, Jon! We really appreciate you taking the time to share this historic "blast from the past".  It really made my day, thanks again.
Bob

[Jon Mello]

Thanks, Bob. I'm still hoping I can add the program to this thread someday and hopefully more pictures too.

Copy of a newspaper ad found in the '67 Las Vegas Review-Journal.

[Jon Mello]

All Post*Grid items from the Jon Mello Collection

[Jon Mello]

When I tried to copy these two articles off the microfilm from the Las Vegas public library they didn't
turn out very readable, hence I retyped them. The typos are those of the original author, not me.



Here's a race report from Car & Driver magazine, December 1967.

Jon Mello Collection

[Jon Mello]

Taken from...





                                                                               



Jon Mello Collection