RETRO: Revisiting Team Scandia’s Drivers line-up – Americana’s

With a diverse background, spanning from Mexico to New York, and in-between…

 

Team Scandia’s final three drivers, according to their 1996 Indy 500 car numbers. Feature a winning Champ Car driver, a Super Modified champion, and a Bonneville Land Speed record driver.

 

Michel Jourdain Jr.

(1996 Indianapolis 500 results

Car No. 22, Start: 8th, Finish: 13th; Running, 177-laps

Michel Jourdain Jr began racing cars at the relatively late age of 12, in Mexico’s Junior formulae. Graduating to Mexico’s Formula K and Formula 2 series before joining Team Scandia in 1996, as a teenager.

 

Michele made His Indy Racing League (IRL)  debut in Round 2 at Phoenix International Raceway; presumably a “tune-up” for the Indianapolis 500. Which Michel contested as a 19 year old rookie.

 

Jourdain saved His best result for Team Scandia in His final outing. Finishing runner-up to Richie Hearn at the Fall (1996) Las Vegas Motor speedway race. With teammate Michele Alboreto finishing fifth.

 

Interestingly, Jourdain also contested the rival CART PPG IndyCar World Series for Dick Simon Racing in 1996, before joining Payton/Coyne Racing the following three years.

 

In 2000, Michel joined Bettenhausen Racing for two years, before moving to Team Rahal. Jourdain would have His best results at Team Rahal between 2002-03, the first season being a consistent top ten finishers, and tenth overall.

 

2003 would be Jourdain’s breakout year, claiming six podiums, including two wins. As Michel claimed His debutante IndyCar win on the Milwaukee Mile, leading most laps. Then a second victory at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve enroute to a career best third overall.

 

Jourdain’s final Champ Car season for RuSPORT in 2004, as rookie A. J. Allmendinger’s teammate surely was a disappointment, finishing 12th overall, with two podium finishes; including runner-up at Vancouver.

 

For 2005, Jourdain competed in the NASCAR Busch series, followed by the World Touring Car championship. (WTCC) Then returned to Open Wheel Racing in the 2007 A1 series, driving for Team Mexico.

 

Jourdain ran His second and final Indianapolis 500 for Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing in 2012, finishing 19th, before failing to qualify the next year. With His maiden Indy 500 driving for Team Scandia being His best result.

 

Joe Gosek

Car No. 43, Start: 31st, Finish: 22nd; Radiator, 106-laps

Joe Gosek is a native of Oswego, New York, racing mainly as a Super Modified’s driver. Gosek made His lone start for Team Scandia in the 1996 Indy 500, before failing to qualify for the race with Liberty Racing in 1998.

 

Reportedly, Gosek’s nickname is “Double-O Joe” for running the number 00 in racing. Having been a prolific winner at His home track’s Oswego Speedway. Including winning its crown jewel, the International Classic 200 three times. Along with being a multi-time champion on the International Challenge Association’s Modified tour.

 

Racin Gardner

Car No. 90, Start: 25th, Finish: 25th ; Suspension, 76-laps

According to oldracingcars.com, Racin Gardner was given the name after His mom went into labour during a race at Ontario Motor Speedway. While His father Slick was also a racecar driver. Although two different sources give two different names for His father, i.e.; Slick or Dennis, and what racing series He dabbled in? Either being NASCAR or SCCA?

 

Born in Buellton, California, where His father owned a ranch. Uhm, Beef. Its what’s for dinner? Eventually racing in the High Desert Racing Association between 1991 to 1993. Making me think He’d be a perfect member of that ‘Ol Mears Gang, along with Robby Gordon and ‘Ol JJ’, nee Jimmie Johnson…

 

The most interesting part of Gardner’s Bio is that according to Wikipedia. Racin tested a Green Monster jet racer at Bonneville for four years before at age 16, becoming the youngest person to exceed 500mph on the Salt Flats in 1988!

 

Walt and Art Arfons were legendary Land Speed Record racers, battling with Craig Breedlove for supremacy oat Bonneville.

 

Art bought a General electric J-79 jet engine from a scrapyard out of a F-104 Starfighter jet, having been scrapped due to ingesting a bird! After crashing this version of the Green Monster at 610mph! Art bult another Green Monster jet car and apparently sold it to Slick Gardner.

 

Racin Gardner also raced in the short lived American IndyCar Series. (AIS) Devoted to stock block engine IndyCars, where Gardner was Rookie Of the Year in 1992.

 

Having failed His rookie test twice at Phoenix International Raceway due to engine failures, He made His one and only Indy Racing League start in the 1996 Indy 500 as Team Scandia’s seventh and final driver. Replacing Lyn St. James who’d driven the No. 90 in the first two IRL races, before running into funding issues.

 

St. James would then race for Zunne Group Racing aboard its No. 45 entry that May.

 

Racin then made one start in ARCA at Charlotte in 1997 before retiring from racing. Becoming a stunt driver for television and movies, along with various driving instructor roles, including off road.

 

Whilst reportedly, Racin and His father ran into legal problems and the ranch was sold, albeit Garner still lives in the “Sunshine State”.

 

VIDEO: All IndyCar’s Racin Gardner Bio 

RETRO: Revisiting Team Scandia’s Drivers line-up

As where did thirty years go?

 

Yeah, your Humble, yet Haggard No Fenders scribe Tomaso has gone down another deep, dark Wabbit’ Hole. Ostensibly due to it being the Month ‘O May and traipsing down memory lane thirty years after that Oh, so controversial 1996 Indianapolis 500.

 

As I thought I’d take a “Deeper Dive” into the drivers who comprised Team scandia’s record seven Indy 500 entries that year.

 

Ten years later, Uhm what’s that ‘Ol Pink Floyd song Time about, Eh?

 

R100: Pacific Northwest Racing Teams - Scandia/Simon

 

Eliseo Salazar

(1996 Indianapolis 500 results)

Car No. 8, Start: 3rd, Finish: 6th; Accident, 197-laps

Eliseo Salazar raced in formula 1 between 1981-83, for March, Ensign, ATF and RAM Racing. He scored a total of three points, with sixth in the 1981 Dutch Grand Prix. And a career best fifth in the 1982 San Marino Grand Prix.

 

Yet Salazar’s moment of fame came in the 1982 German Grand Prix after having collided with the overtaking leader Nelson Piquet, with Piquet punching and kicking Him afterwards!

 

Salazar joined Dick Simon Racing for the 1995 CART PPG IndyCar World Series and finished fourth as a rookie in that year’s Indianapolis 500.

 

Salazar remained with Simon as they transitioned to the Indy Racing League, (IRL) driving for the new Team scandia for two years. With Eliseo scoring the team’s only IRL victory at the Loas Vegas Motor Speedway in 1997.

 

Salazar would remain in the IRL through the 2002 season, with a career best third place finish for A. J. Foyt Enterprises in the 2000 Indy 500. Before a serious accident testing at IMS caused Eliseo to decide to retire from IndyCar racing.

 

Alessandro Zampedri

Car No. 8, Start: 7th, Finish: 4th; Accident, 199-laps

Alessandro Zampedri made His IndyCar debut for Euromotorsports at Surfers Paradise, Australia in 1994, after having raced in the International Formula 3000 championship; pre-cursor to today’s Formula 2 series.

 

For 1995, He drove for Payton/Coyne Racing, before joining Team Scandia in 1996 for that year’s Indianapolis 500.

 

Alessandro was involved in a major accident at the race’s end, being caught-up  in a wreck involving Roberto Moreno and Team Scandia teammate Eliseo Salazar.

 

Zampedri’s car went airbourne and struck the catch fencing! With Zampedri needing to have part of His left foot and three toes amputated.

 

Zampedri returned for the 1997 Indy 500 with Team Scandia. But an oil leak led to engine failure on the formation lap, with the Italian classified 35th and last with 0 laps.

 

Zampedri made one further IRL start for Team Scandia at the following Texas Motor Speedway round, before returning to Europe. Eventually becoming the 2005 Porsche Supercup champion, the first Italian to win the championship.

 

Michele Alboreto

Car No. 33, Start: 12th, Finish: 30th; Gearbox, 43-laps

The most decorated of Team Scandia’s seven man band. Michele Alboreto rose thru the ranks to the pinnacle of motorsports, entering Formula 1 in 1981.

 

The Italian began His F1 career driving for Tyrrell for 1981-83, before moving to la Scuderia, nee Ferrari between 1984-88. Followed by stint at Larrousse, Arrows, footwork, Scuderia Italia and Minardi. Amassing a total of 185 F1 starts between 1981-94; with five wins, two poles, 23 podiums and five fastest laps to His credit.

 

He scored his maiden Grand Prix victory at the oft, maligned and forgotten Caesars Palace in Las Vegas in 1982.

 

Alboreto holds the distinction of winning the last Ford Cosworth 3.0-litre normally aspirated DFV derived victories. Winning then Cosworth’s 156th victory at Detroit with a short stroke DFY development lump’. Being the sport’s final normally aspirated victory until their return in 1989.

 

Having won twice for “Uncle chopper”, (Ken Tyrrell) Michele’s crowing achievement in Formula 1 was driving for Il Commendatore, nee Enzo Ferrari and Scuderia Ferrari for five seasons and 80 Grands Prix. Netting a further three wins and contesting the 1985 F1 title, before finishing runner-up to Alain Prost. With the Frenchman replacing Him for the 1989 season.

 

Michele made His return to Open Wheel Racing when contesting the entire 1996 IRL season driving for Team Scandia,  finishing fourth upon debut at Walt Disney Speedway.

 

Also competing aboard Scandia Engineering’s Ferrari 333 SP in that year’s 24 Hours of Daytona and 12 Hours of Sebring.

 

Alboreto claimed His sole podium finish in the IRL for Team scandia at Loudon, New Hampshire Speedway’s fall ’96 race. Finishing third, then capped His Team Scandia career with a fifth place finish at Las Vegas’s 1996-97 Round 2.

 

Michele dabbled in DTM and Touring cars, along with multiple stints in Sports Cars pre and post Formula 1. With the Italian returning to Circuit de la Sarthe between 1996-2000.

 

Alboreto won the 1997 24 Heurs du Mans in the Joest Porsche WSC95 Spyder, alongside ‘lil Stevie Johnson, aka Stefan Johansson and Mr. Le Mans, ergo tom Kristensen.

 

Sadly, Alboreto lost His life in a testing accident at the diabolical Lausitzring, driving an Audi R8. Having somehow forgotten that Alboreto died on April 25, 2001 at the same track that almost cost Alex Zanardi His life nearly five months later…

 

Remembering Michele Alboreto: F1 Ace, Le Mans winner and a Good Man

 

 

 

 

 

Fermin Velez

Car No. 34, Start: 28th, Finish: 21^st; Engine Fire, 107-laps

Fermin Velez is another driver I know very little about, or how the Spaniard rose to be a premiere Sports Car racer. Other than knowing of His two wins for Team Scandia at the 1995 and 1997 12 Hours of Sebring. Having a  framed 1995 Randy Owens serigraph with Velez’s, Eric van de Poele and Andy Evan “John Hancock’s” upon thoust Bungalow’s wall.

 

Velez was also a two-times World Sports Car Group C2 champion, and made six starts in the 24 Heurs du Mans between 1986 and 1998. Claiming two class wins, first in 1987 in Group C2 for Spice Engineering. And then in 1998 in LMP1. Driving for Doyle-Risi Racing alongside Wayne Taylor and Eric van d Poele in a Ferrari 333 SP.

 

Having spent one season in the International Formula 3000 series, with less than promising results in 1988, I can only Arse-sume this led to Fermin focusing upon a Sports Car career…

 

Fermin made His Indy Racing League debut at Phoenix International Raceway during the inaugural IRL season, finishing 19th for Team Scandia, presumably a “tune-up” for the impending Indianapolis 500.

 

Velez would make another four starts for Team Scandia during the IRL’s second 1996-97 season, including His best result at the Brickyard, finishing tenth. And then capping His IRL career at the following Texas Motor Speedway round in 25th .

 

Sadly, Fermin died from cancer at the age of 43, just shy of His 44th birthday. 

Team Penske Celebrates 60th anniversary in Style

Mark Donohue’s No. 6 Trans Am Javelin racecar on display at IMS Museum. (The Tomaso Collection)

 

Although should we break out  Thin Lizzy’s “The Boys are Back” song for Team Penske’s IndyCar operation yet?

 

Talk about pressure, as the weight of Team Penske sweeping the “Desert Double” at Phoenix Raceway fell solely upon Ryan Blaney’s shoulders. Yet the 2023 NASCAR Cup Series Champion didn’t faulter, even after suffering two Pitstop miscues. Including a penalty for being outside of His Pit Box!

 

 Turned on Thy Telie’ with some twelve laps remaining. Planning to “watch”, Err listen again to the We’ve lost Dale Earnhardt 25 Years later program slated for 4PM Pacific.

 

But due to the race having a record 12 cautions, as typical, it went long! And thus I got to hear the FOX TV Booth Boyz’ prattle on about what Blaney needed to do to win the race, who was the favourite after winning last November at Phoenix.

 

Thus I heard Mike Joy say that Blaney had passed 49 cars enroute to victory! His 18th win, capping a “Clean Sweep” weekend for El Capitano’ at Phoenix during His 60th Anniversary celebration.

 

As Friday, High Noon saw Team Penske debutante David Malukas capture His maiden IndyCar pole. Before Josef Schlick’ Newgarden won the IndyCar race Saturday afternoon, with “Big Dave” (Malukas) finishing third.

 

Joey “Sliced Bread” Lagano claimed the NASCAR pole Saturday, before Blaney dramatically swooped past then leader Ty Gibbs with some nine laps remaining for His and Team Penske’s first win of the season…

 

Knowing that Penske Racing didn’t make its Indianapolis 500 debut until May of 1969, I was slightly Cornfuzed over this being El Capitano’s, nee Roger Penske’s 60th year of racing. Although knowing He had “dabbled” in Trans Am with the late Mark Donohue in those nasty Sunoco Chevrolet Camaro Z/28’s,albeit those weren’t until 1967.

 

Thus I’d either forgotten, or more likely unaware that Penske Racing made its “official” debut as a racing team at the inaugural 24 Hours of Daytona on February 5, 1966.

 

Penske entered Chevrolet’s first L88 big block 427cid V-8 Corvette racecar with drivers Dick Guldstand, Ben Moore and George Wintersteen finishing 11th overall and first in the GT Class. Then followed up by finishing an impressive ninth overall and first in the GT Class at the notorious 12 Hours of Sebring!

 

1966 No. 9 Roger Penske Development L88 Corvette restoration

 

As of the “Desert Double” at Phoenix Raceway, Team Penske has amassed a staggering tally of 660 wins! With multiple drivers titles and an unprecedented 20 Indianapolis 500 victories.

 

Mark Donhue scored Penske Racing’s first USAC Championship Car win at Pocono Raceway in 1971. With Newgarden’s w’ being the team’s 247th victory, Aye Darumba!

 

According to my porous Open wheel Racing records. I’ve got Team Penske and Chip Ganassi Racing tied with 17 National Championships apiece, i.e.; USAC, CART, IRL, CCWS and IndyCar. But that’s just my unofficial reckoning…

 

On the NASCAR front, I always associate Rusty Wallace in the Miller Beer No. 2 Stock Car with Team Penske…

 

Thus it was funny learning that Penske Racing actually made its NASCAR debut at Riverside in 1972. With Mark Donohue driving a patriotic red, white and blue AMC Matador, “affectionately” known as the Flying Brick due to its over-square shape.

 

The team dabbled off ‘n on before running its first full season effort with Bobby Allison in 1976, finishing third overall.

 

Rusty Wallace made two starts for Penske in 1980, before the team went on hiatus for eleven years.

 

Penske returned fulltime to NASCAR in 1991. When Wallace brought His Miller Beer sponsorship to Penske from the suspended Raymond Beadle Blue Max operation. With Penske fielding Pontiac’s for Wallace…

 

Ryan Newman scored Team Penske’s first Daytona 500 victory in 2008. With Brad Keselowski scoring the team’s first Cup championship in 2012, its final season with Dodge. Having run the “blue Oval” (Ford) since 2013.

 

Joey Lagano has scored all three of His Cup titles driving for El Capitano aboard those iconic yellow Pennzoil/Shell No. 22 racecars. While the team has  won the Daytona 500, the sports crown jewel three times. As Lagano won in 2015, and Austin Cindric, son of then Team Penske president Tim Cindric was a shock winner in 2022.

 

Mike Joy was quick to point out it was Team Penske’s 157th win when Blaney crossed the stripe Sunday afternoon at Phoenix.

 

Yet Rick Hendrick and His eponymous Hendrick Motorsports have triple Team Penske’s Cup titles with 15. Along with double the Cup victories at 320. As I know sometime last year? Hendrick surpassed “The King”, nee Richard Petty and Petty Enterprises for most career wins in NASCAR.

 

While I would have loved being the proverbial “Fly on the Wall” during the Penske celebration held at His Scottsdale facility. Arse-sumedly His Penske Racing Museum where all six current Team Penske drivers gathered for this momentous occasion…

 

Inside the Hidden Gem of Team Penske Racing History

 

Adding icing to the cake. Porsche Penske Motorsport hqas swept the “36 Hours of Florida” this year. Beginning with a Three-peat for the team’s No. 7 Porsche 963 and Felipe Nasr at the Rolex 24.

 

And then the No. 7 won again at the 12 Hours of Sebring, where Roger Penske was serving as the Grand Marshall. Capping the team’s 661st victory… 

And now, All the remaining Open Wheel Seats are Filled

Testing-Testing, 1-2. Has Dale Coyne actually named His second driver, Cough-Cough?

 

Yeah Ladies ‘n Germs’, your two left Thumbs Scribe Tomaso is another day late, and definitely many dollars shorter after another enjoyable trek to thee Valley of the Sun! Without even realizing I was visiting during the IndyCar test at Phoenix Raceway.

 

Hence no riveting St Pete IndyCar recaps here Folks…

 

Perhaps its just Mwah, but does anybody ever notice how “Sharp” formula 1 is? And doesn’t waste time making decisions or announcing changes. Which perhaps is partially due to the scope of it being a multi-billions, as in “B” business…

 

Although we know that Dale Coyne will have to name its second, Err “lead” driver by February 8th, since IndyCar holds it’s first Open test on Sebring’s “Short” road course February 9-10, Righto?

 

Although perhaps Valentines Day is the new Halloween for Dale Coyne, Hya!

 

Meanwhile, Wayback’ on December 2nd, Red Bull announced the expected. That F1 rookie sensation Isack Hadjar would be moving up to the Big Bulls, replacing Yuki Tsunoda. And that 18yr old Arvid Lindblad would graduate to the ‘lil Bullz’, aka Racing Bulls as Liam Lawson’s new teammate.

 

While Tsunoda’s confined to the dubious role of test and reserve driver at Red Bull. And Arse-sumedly Racing Bulls? As Tsunoda’s contracted to Red Bull for 2026.

 

On Dec 4th, Haas announced that beginning in 2026, it would be renamed as TGR Haas F1 Team, thanks to an expanded partnership with Toyota. Who Haas already has a technical partnership with.

 

As TGR stands for Toyota Gazoo Racing, who are also title sponsors for Hitech’s Formula 2 and Formula 3 teams, beginning last year.

 

As Mucho Attenzione will be focused upon Hitech TGR’s F2 team this year, since Colton Herta will drive the team’s No. 3 entry. With rising Japanese Star Ritomo Miyata aboard the No. 4 spec Dallara F2 2024 Mecachrome racecar.

 

Then two days after season’s end, when the Post Abu Dhabi GP Young Drivers test was being held. (Dec 9th) Der Helmut’, aka Helmut Marco, Red Bull’s longtime special advisor and Junior Driver Impresario tendered His resignation after 20 years with Red Bull. Having been instrumental with bringing Sebastian Vettel and Max Verstappen to Red Bull Racing.

 

Helmet Marco leaves Red Bull

 

Although Der Helmut was also famously known for discarding Red Bull Junior drivers like tepid bathwater, Ja Volt!

 

Slinking back across thoust Gory Puddle. Stateside, Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing (RLLR) gave IndyCar rookie Mick Schumacher his first Oval test at Miami’s Homestead 1.5-mile Speedway, on February 4th.

 

“It was a great first day”, as Mick Schumacher completes first Oval laps at Homestead

 

The above article was posted on Racer.com, which refuses to update its website to comply with current Web Content Accessibility Guideline standards. Specifically WCAG 2.2 to enable ease of access for Blind or Visually Impaired readers.

 

Then as noted, the whole Enchilada gathered in Florida. When IndyCar held its first Open Test on Sebring’s “short” road course layout February 9-10.

 

Then, ten of the  previous year’s eleven IndyCar teams, excluding Prema Racing sent their transporters off to thee Valley of the Sun one week later. When IndyCar held its second Open test at Phoenix International Raceway. (PIR) Yeah, I know its just Phoenix Raceway or whatever now? But old habits die hard, especially having gone Thar over 30yrs ago for a CART IndyCar race, when Jack Vanilla, ergo Jacques Villeneuve tried taking out the Goodyear pedestrian crossover bridge!

 

VIDEO: 1994 Phoenix Hiro Matsushita Jacques Villeneuve Crash

 

Uhm, IndyCar held court on Phoenix’s 1.0-mile “Crooked” (Dog-leg) Oval between February 17-18, with new & improved Flintstone front tyres.

 

Interesting how IndyCar and Formula 1 pre-season testing overlapped, before IndyCar’s St Pete season opener on March 1st. Where ’Ol DJ WillyP’, ergo Will Power hop to be celebrating His 45th birthday in style with another trophy!

 

Then Formula 1 heads Down Under to Bloody Melbourne on March 8th for its season’s kickoff Australian Grand Prix. Where everyone whose got Apple TV will be curious over the new fangled F1 machinery…

 

And saying What About Me? MotoGP kicked off its season in Thailand on March 1st at Chang International Circuit in Buriram, another “Tilkie”, ergo Herman Tilke designed race course.

 

Oh yeah, almost forgot. Wasn’t that worth the wait to find out Romain Grosjean is Dale Coyne’s second driver? 

The Andretti “Curse” Rolls On?

Who says the Andretti’s have a lock upon victory curses, Eh?

 

As everyone in Ye blogosphere is currently lamenting the retirement of Marco Andretti ending the family’s legacy at Mother speedway, my mind was elsewhere…

 

Nope, I didn’t “watch” the whole G-Damn race, But! I did tune-in at the start and pitter-pattered about until some 30-plus laps to go in Stage 2. Up until A.J. Allmendinger smacked the Wall! Reportedly His second hard crash of the weekend.

 

As its still weird to Mwah hearing Leigh Diffey’s voice calling NASCAR races. Tuning into the Playoffs finale, where I could only stomach so much of Jeff Burton’s nasually, ear splitting reed tonal voice! Switching over to “watching”, Err listening to The Sting on Turner Classic Movies instead…

 

As I’d say the irony of The Sting wasn’t lost on Mwah some 24 hours later!

 

Whilst I suppose due to my deteriorating eyesight, having “seen” the movie many times before. I instantly recognized Spicoli’s favourite High School teacher Mr. Hand’s voice. With Ray Walston playing J.J. Singleton, which I’d never noticed before, but I digress…

 

When I left the broadcast, Denny Hamlin was still out front by some three seconds and had led an astounding 157-laps!

 

Thus you could imagine my surprise to learn Monday morning that Hamlin, who led a race leading 208-laps and was leading by three seconds with three laps remaining, came up short! Err was visited by the Ghost of the Andretti’s…

 

As Kyle Larson finished third and Hamlin P6 on the Rucky Dawgs’ Checkers or Wreckers race restart. Courtesy of Larson’s Hendrick’s teammate, and fellow Championship Contendah’ William Byron, who blew one of Goodyear’s new, softer tyres, CoInky-dense?

 

Hamlin won six races this year vs. Larson’s three. With Larson having been winless since May, albeit notching some 18 Top-5’s and 22 Top-10’s, but still, not winning since May, say what?

 

As Hamlin said if you can’t win this one, He doesn’t know how you’re gonna win one, i.e.; Championship that is. As Hamlin, age 44 was trying to win His first title in 20yrs, not to mention reportedly His father is dying…

 

But seriously? Why did NASCAR let Goodyear bring brand new softer rubber to the Championship deciding race in The Valley of the Sun?

 

As I’m pretty sure that Hamlin takes little solace over having won His 60th NASCAR Cup race this season. Tying Him for 10th overall with Kevin Harvick. And just three wins behind Rowdy Holmes’, err Kyle Busch. Whilst the late Intimidator’, Err ‘Ol Ironhead’,

 

nee Dale Earnhardt ranked 8th overall, has 76 wins… 

Bob Bondurant Instructs No More

Although He certainly left his mark upon the Thousands who went thru His Driving School’s Doors…

 

Suppose it was most appropriate that I first heard the news of Bob bondurant’s passing during this year’s Petit Le Mans when listening to John Hindhaugh, Jeremey Shaw, Johnny Mowlen and Shea Adam via IMSA Radio. As it was a Choked Up Jeremy Shaw announcing his Death, as we now know that Bondurant Died on November 12^th in Paradise Valley, Arizona at the Age of 88.

 

And I’ve long known some of the exploits of the man I called Bondo’ due to his stint at Shelby American as one of ‘Ol Shel’s Ace Cobra Drivers.

 

Since we All know that Bondurant’s crowning motorsports achievement was winning the GT Class in the 1964 24 Heurs du Mans, when he and Co-Driver Dan Gurney finished 4^th Overall aboard one of Carroll Shelby’s Nasty Cobra Daytona Coupes. For which Bondurant then helped Shelby American win the 1965 FIA GT Manufacturers Championship in these All Conquering 289cid V-8 Daytona Coupes which Decimated Enzo Ferrari’s 250 GTO’s that year. Being the Only American marque in History to ever win this Championship!

 

Yet Bondo’ first cut his teeth racing Indian Motorcycles on Oval Dirt tracks as a teenager before being noticed for winning an SCCA B Production West Coast Championship behind the wheel of his 1957 Corvette in 1959, winning 18 of 20 races!

 

This impressed Santa Barbra, California Chevrolet Dealer Shelly Wasburn who hired Bondurant to drive his #614 Corvette beginning in 1961 to 1963.

 

Ironically, I now feel I’ve seen one of these #614 Vette’s racing in some SOVREN Vintage Racing Historics in the past without knowing the significance of the racecar. Perhaps at the hands of Susan Armstrong? Whose Hubby’ tom Armstrong was part of the formation of PacWest Racing.

 

As I Swear I saw that Vette’, and certain it was a light blue and may be a ’63 Splint Window? Ah, how thoust Memory plays Tricks upon Yuhs when you cannot See Anythingy’

 

Reportedly Bondo’ won a stellar 30 of 32 races between 1960-1963! Including winning the ’62 Los Angeles Times Grand Prix aboard one of Washburn’s Corvettes. With some of his most memorable battles being against another Corvette racer named Dave MacDonald.

 

Interestingly, both MacDonald and Bondurant’s services were snapped up by Carroll Shelby for his soon Dominant (Shelby American) Cobra race team, which now makes me wonder what lured them away from their Bowtie’ rides. Hmm, cubic Dollars or the fact that the Corvettes were No match for the Cobras?

 

As Bondurant claims Shelby had been promising to build the Cobra awhile and that it would beat the Corvettes to which Bondo’ said bullshit! Then it finally happened and Carroll told Bob he’d be driving a Cobra in Colorado in ’63 where Bondurant won first time out…

 

Although Sadly, Indianapolis 500 Diehards will know that 27 year old MacDonald perished in the 1964 Indy 500 along with Eddie Sachs in a Fiery Accident.

 

While I always forget that Bondurant was a Formula 1 Driver, albeit briefly with just nine starts between 1965-1966 for Ferrari’s U.S. Importer’s North American Racing team, (NART) Reg Parnell’s BRM and Dan Gurney’s Anglo American Racers, the European Arm of (AAR) All American Racers. With Bondurant’s best finish being fourth place in the 1966 Monaco Grand Prix in a Privateer BRM.

 

Bob also drove a Ford GT40 Mk II and Ferrari 365/P2 amongst the many racecars he “Strapped On” during his career.

 

But surely bob’s better known for his Bob Bondurant School of High Performance Driving, which he formulated his plans for while recovering from a Mega Shunt at Watkins Glen during a 1967 Can Am race. As bondo’s McLaren flipped eight times after suffering a mechanical failure at 150mph! And Doctor’s told him He may Never Walk again…

 

As the idea came to Bob in Hospital bed after he’d taught Actor James Gardner how to drive racing cars for the iconic 1966 movie Grand Prix. As Bondurant’s Driving School opened in 1968 at Orange County International Raceway and two of his first pupils were Paul Newman and Robert Wagner for their upcoming Film Winning. While tom “I Feel the Need, The Need for Speed” Cruise, Nicholas Cage and Christian Vale were just a few of the apparently Half Million Students to seek tutelage at Bondurant’s school over it’s 50-plus years before filing for Bankruptcy in 2019.

 

Yet for Mwah, I have two personal memories regarding Bondo’. As the first is still seared into Thy Memorex’ some 26 years later! As it was my Debutante outing to whatever will be Sears Point Raceway for Mwah. The event was the 30^th Anniversary of those legendous Cobra Daytona Coupes Championship at the Mollie Stone’s Historics at Sonoma Raceway.

 

In the paddock, for which I’ve got the pictures “Squirreled” away in a photo album, resplendent in Thar glorious Guardsman Blue paint with twin White stripes in the gleaming California Sun sat four of the six Cobra Daytona Coupes parked side-by-side!

 

I watched transfixed in sheer amazement from behind the “ropes” as Bondo’, apparently wearing his original Cobra team jacket signed an autograph for somebody by using the roof of one of the Daytona’s as his “Clipboard!”

 

As Bondurant’s “John Hancock” was the one signature I always coveted from those 1960’s “Heros” but never got. As I just thought it would be ultra cool to have it along with ‘Ol Shel’s, (Shelby) Phil Hill’s and Dan Gurney’s, for which I’ve gotten All of over the years when I could still See…

 

As I Don’t really care about the autographs per sai, rather I just enjoy the actual meeting of the Drivers instead, with some of my fondest memories being from meeting Stefan Johansson, Billy roe, Adrian Fernandez, Didier Theys and countless others at various Legend’s Day outings at Mother Speedway with Indy 500 Sherpa Carpets!

 

Meanwhile it’s hard to believe it was 24 years ago when I traveled to The Valley of The Sun to watch Blogmeister Miguel partake in a One Day outing of Bondurant’s Driving School at Phoenix International Raceway, when Bob’s School was under the Auspices of the Blue Oval. As I was even allowed to “Shadow” Miguel during the initial Driver’s briefing before they got into their respective Formula Ford Single Seater mounts.

 

And then I had the privilege of Ridin’ Shotgun in one of the school’s Ford Taurus SHO “Sedan” Pace Cars with (then) School Instructor and Racing Driver Tim Moser.

 

As one of his fellow Instructors casualy told me while Belting me into the front passenger seat said: Wait until Turn 3 and ask him about racing a Dodge viper! As Tim obliged and quicly told me about his adventures of racing one of those Narly Chamberlin Engineering FIA GT2 Viper GTS/R’s while pacing the row of Formula ford Cadets behind him…

 

So even though your Blind Word Butcher never got his “Dream” of driving a racing car, I do feel like an Honourary Bondurant participant thanks to Joyce who made my day also special at PIR nearly a quarter centry ago! Not to mention Snowbyrd MJ’ who bought me a Bitchin’, as No Fenders Moniker King Randal would say Bondurant  Driving School Windbreaker…

 

Salute Bob!