Guessing many forget that Mario Andretti once
drove for El Capitano’, nee Roger Penske. Including wielding this Bad Arse IROC
Camaro when capturing the 1978-79 IROC VI championship!
Photo C/O Blogmeister’ Miguel
Is this the car that Roger Penske Jr drove at
the recent Historic IROC Class reunion this August during the Monterey
Motorsports Reunion at Laguna Seca?
Photo C/O Blogmeister’ Miguel
In what must have truly been an Amazing sight to
Behold! Wit no seven wonders Jokes here…
This August, the Monterey Motorsports Reunion’s
massive “roll Call” of evocative racing machinery featured the once, highly
popular International Race Of Champions (IROC) Class. With the series competing
between 1973 to 2006.
Although 26 entries were listed, it appears
that only 24 cars actually competed. With Dario REO Speedwagon Franchitti
strangely being listed as the driver of two entries, Huh? With the latter 1977
IROC Camaro, and Carlos de Quesada’s 1974 Porsche 911 both having
“goose-egg’s”, Err 0 laps completed for the 10 lap event.
This staggering field of IROC History was represented
by 11 IROC Pontiac Firebirds ranging from years 1996 to 2006.
A further 8 Chevrolet Camaros from 1975-85 were
joined by 4 Dodge Avengers. (1984-95) A
solitary Dodge Daytona (1990) and two 1974 Porsche 911 Carrera RSR’s.
Although I’m
Arse-suming the year noted for vehicles above represents their corresponding
year of IROC Championship. Since the Porsche 911 Carrera RSR’s were from 1973…
Although I subsequently learned that the first
seven series were bi-annual events, before switching to single year format in
1984.
Ray Evernham who worked as a mechanic during
the IROC era, noted this was the first time ever that all seven generations of
IROC racecars were present at once. Beginning with the Porsche 911 Carrera RSR
during the inaugural 1973-74 season. Colloquially known as IROC I.
This was followed by production based Chevrolet
Camaros fitted with rollbars and other enhancement the next two seasons, ending
in 1976.
Next, the series turned to tube frame “Silhouette”
Camaros built by the legendary Banjo Mathews between 1977-78. Culminating in
1980, with the conclusion of IROC VII.
The series returned in 1984 with the arrival of
the new Camaro IROC Z, which body style competed for five years, before the
introduction of the Dodge Daytona body style in 1990
For 1994, IROC introduced the Dodge Avenger
Body, which raced for two years before the arrival of the Pontiac Firebird,
which raced until the series demise at the end of 2006.
Seven
Generations of IROC racing at Monterey
As these IROC racecars have staggering Driver
history behind them! Ranging from Formula 1, IndyCar, Sports Cars and NASCAR,
which I recall tuning out of this racing series when it became NASCAR centric
during the end of its lifetime. Better known as the RASSCAR’ Invitational!
Losing interest after ‘Ol Ironhead’ v ‘lil al, ergo Dale Earnhart vs. Al Unser
Jr era.
Yet just one example of some of these racecars
provenance is Zak Brown’s pristine 1977 Banjo Mathews “GEN-3” (third
generation) Camaro. Having been raced by NASCAR Champions Cale Yarborough and
Darrell Waltrip. Along with Actors Clint Eastwood, Paul Newman, Gene Hackman and
James Brolin all having driven it during a Media Day at Sonoma.
Ran across the following ten-plus minute video of
Marshall Pruett doing a “Grid Walk” with Ray Evernham perusing the various
entries for this year’s Historic IROC Class at Laguna Seca…
VIDEO: Star
Studded IROC field Steals the Show at Monterey Motorsports Reunion
Especially loved the “Bit” Evernham recants
about Niki “The Rat” Lauda getting the call from Uncle Bernaughty’, nee Bernard
Charles Ecclestone to not compete in the IROC event He was entered in.
Yet being contractually obligated to compete.
Lauda went ahead and burnt His car’s clutch to the ground, and Presto Chango, problem solved!
As this year’s Historics race had a bevy of
Stars participating. With six NASCAR Drivers competing, i.e.; Mark Martin, Bill
Elliot, Jeff Gordon, Kurt Busch, Bobby Labonte and Ken Schroeder.
IndyCar was represented by the aforementioned
Dario Franchitti, Scott Pruett and Danny Sullivan. Although Pruett’s more
widely known for His Sports car prowess. Along with Bad Arse Patrick Long also representing
Sports Cars.
McLaren CEO Zak Brown, Scott Borchetta and
Roger Penske Jr headed the “Celebrity” roll call, with other “gentlemen”
drivers making up the field.
As Brown and William “Chip” connor II traveled
farthest from Across thoust Gory Puddle, i.e.; Bloody England.
For the initial season of IROC I, 1973-74, 15
identical Porsche 911 RSR’s were ordered from Weissach in a rainbow of colours.
As Connor’s 1973 Porsche 911 Carrera RSR in
Mexican Blue has a great pedigree. Having been raced in IROC I by 1967 F1 World
champion Denny Hulme, “The Silver Fox”, aka Three-times NASCAR Champion David
Pearson; second All-time NASCAR career wins with 105. And USAC Champ Car driver
Roger McCluxkey.
On an interesting sidenote. Originally ‘Ol
superTex’, nee Anthony Joseph Foyt Jr had declined to participate in IROC I due
to it being contested only on road courses.
Yet Foyt ultimately competed as the Wee Scot’,
aka Jackie Stewart’s replacement. After Sir Jackie had immediately retired from
racing following the death of Tyrrell F1 teammate Francois Cevert at Watkins
Glen.
Kurt Busch claimed the fastest lap of 1:35.112
aboard a ’03 Pontiac Firebird on the race’s final lap. While two other drivers
behind the keyboards of 2006 Pontiac Firebirds finished ahead of Busch.
Dario Franchitti finished second, while a
relatively forgotten name won. As Tony Drissi, a longtime Trans Am driver from
the early Ought’s stood atop the podium.
Drissi, who runs a Hollywood Advertising
Agency, was the 1999 Trans Am rookie Of the Year, and the 2009 Trans Am
Champion. Who currently competes in the SCCA Pro Racing Trans Am series, a
quarter century later…
Jeff Gordon was fourth, while impressively,
Scott Borchetta was fifth. Patrick Long was sixth, followed by Danny Sullivan
and Bobby Labonte. With the Top-10 rounded out by the unknown Ross Merrill and David
Roberts.
Scott Pruett (P11) led Zak Brown in 12th. With
Bill Elliott P14, Mark Martin one spot behind and Kenny Schroeder P19.
Interestingly, it appears that only 23 cars participated, since 2009 F1 World Champion Bloody Jense’, aka Jenson Button was listed with 0 laps completed. While I just wish I could find a video of this race…
Which once, truly featured a host of International
Drivers…
Ran across an article in Car & Driver
Magazine via my NFB Newsline for The Blind telephone service. As try saying
that fast five time, Undelay!
The article was by CD’s Elana Scherr, and
begins with Her querying Pretty boy Floyd’, aka Jeff Gordon, who’d just
finished fourth in that year’s Monterey Motorsports Reunion’s IROC class, about
who were the best drivers in the world? With Gordon replying “That Argument
will never be Solved”. As rightfully, how can one compare thee Pinnacle ‘O Motorsports,
nee Formula 1 vs. NASCAR? Whilst IndyCar as typical, is overlooked…
Hmm, how come
nobody ever mentions how RASSCAR is imitating CART? Going for the diversity of
multiple racing venues, i.e.; Short Tracks, Super Speedways, Road Courses and
Gasp, Street Circuits, Just Sayin’
How
IROC tried to find the Best Drivers in the World
Since until stumbling upon this August 31st
article, I was totally unaware that the just concluded Monterey Motorsports
Reunion had featured a staggering 24 car IROC field.
The International Race Of Champions (IROC) was
created by Les Richter, whom was the longtime manager of Riverside
International Raceway. Worked for NASCAR and International Speedway Corp. (ISC)
Along with playing in the NFL for the Los Angeles Rams, wearing the number 48.
Plus El Capitano’, nee Roger Penske and Mike Phelps. With the format of drivers
from around the world, and different racing disciplines competing aboard
identically prepared racecars.
The first year’s champion was appropriately
Mark Donohue, who’s “Day Job” was driving for Penske. With IROC I commencing on
October 27, 1973 in California. Which hosted the first three rounds over the
weekend of October 27-28.
Donohue led Peter Revson, (F1) Bobby Unser,
David Pearson, George Follmer, A.J. Foyt, Emerson Fittipaldi, (F1) Denny Hulme,
(F1) Bobby Allison, Richard Petty, Gordon Johncock and Roger McCluskey in the
standings.
“Captain Nice”, (Donohue) won the inaugural
title based on prize money won over the four races. Three held at Riverside
International Raceway. With the finale held on Valentines Day upon the Daytona
International Speedway’s infield road course.
Donohue won $54,000 in the only year that IROC
was contested solely on road courses. Along with the solitary season that
Porsche 911 Carrera RSR’s were used. With a total of three drivers representing
Formula 1, including two World Champions.
Year two, 1974-75 saw for F1 drivers competing,
i.e.; Emerson Fittipaldi, Ronnie Peterson, Graham Hill and Jody Scheckter.
As a total of seven eventual F1 World Champions
would participated over the first seven years thru 1980. With the
aforementioned Fittipaldi, Hulme, Hill and Scheckter. Being joined by James
Hunt, Mario Andretti and Alan Jones.
After a three year hiatus, IROC VIII began its
running of a single year format in 1984. Beginning on June 16th at Michigan
International Speedway. (MIS) Followed By Burke Lakefront Airport, (July 7th)
Talladega Super Speedway. (July 28th) And then returned to MIS (Michigan) for
the finale on August 11th.
As all four rounds served as “Undercard”, i.e.;
support races held on Saturday. Preceding their respective racing series, i.e.;
NASCAR and IndyCar. And were televised on CBS, before shifting to ABC/ESPN in
1987 for the remainder of competition.
Yet the tide had shifted in 1984. Being the
first time the series hosted zero Formula 1 drivers. With Derek Bell and Jacky
Ickx both representing World Sports Prototype Championship. Whilst EMMO’
(Fittipaldi) had become a CART/PPG IndyCar World Series driver instead.
As the field was comprised of five NASCAR
Winston Cup drivers and five CART/IndyCar drivers, plus the two aforementioned Sports
Car drivers for that year’s field of twelve participants. With NASCAR’s Cale
Yarborough winning the Championship.
And although it lacked any Foreign drivers, the
1989 running of IROC XIII was certainly a Who’s Who of drivers! Featuring ‘Ol
superTex’, nee A.J. Foyt and The King, aka Richard Petty leading the way. With
Petty being joined by fellow Roundy round’ drivers ‘Ol Ironhead, thee Intimidator,
(Dale Earnhardt) eventual IROC XIII Champion Terry Labonte, rusty Wallace and “Awesome
Bill from Dawsonville”. (Elliot)
Foyt led the IndyCar ranks, joined by Rick
Mears, ( ‘lil al (Unser Jr and ‘Ol
Hollywood, aka Danny Sullivan.
Scott Pruet represented IMSA Camel GTO. Whilst
Hurley Haywood from SCCA Pro Racing Trans Am and Geoff Brabham from IMSA Camel
GTP rounded out the Tintops’ ranks.
As I’ll confess that I only perused the first
16 running’s of IROC for my compilation of Foreign drivers, most notably
curious about Formula 1 participants. Which as of the 1992 IROC XVI, I believe
that Martin BillyBob’ Brundle was the last Foreign competitor, also the last
Formula 1 driver to contest what once was truly International…
I believe that Folklore claims it was ‘Ol
Ironhead’, aka thee Intimidator’, ergo Dale Earnhardt whom gave Brundle the
moniker of Billybob’ after Brundle won at Burke Lakefront Airport? Although I
don’t know the exact christening of His nickname, since perhaps it came upon
Brundle’s first IROC Oval experience at Talladega Super Speedway?
As Brundle finished third overall in 1990,
behind only Earnhardt and Vice Champion ‘lil Al’, aka Al Unser Jr. Whilst I
believe that only Brundle and EMMO’, nee Emerson Fittipaldi were the only two
Foreign drivers to win a round of IROC. With Fittipaldi winning the second
round of IROC II at Riverside on October 26, 1974.
Guessing I last watched IROC during the mid to
late 1980’s, before it became totally RASSCAR’ Centric! For which the series
rightly garnered criticism for, especially the last ten years of competition!
With the final IROC championship featuring seven NASCAR drivers…
Mark Martin won a series leading five titles,
including a Hat trick between 196-98. With Dale Earnhardt winning three times,
while Al Unser Jr, and A.J. Foyt won twice. With Unser Jr being the last no
NASCAR IROC Champion in 1988.
The Unser’s, ergo Big Al and son ‘lil Al appear
to be the only Father-Son duo who raced together between 1986-91. Along with
being the first of two Father-Son duo’s to win IROC Championships. The other
being Bobby and Davey Allison.
Whilst Terry and Bobby Labonte appear to be the
only brothers to win the Championship, which spans from 1973-74 to 2006.
As you could argue that the short lived Superstar Racing Experience (SRX) series between 2021-23 tried to rekindle the majic of IROC. While I suppose its only logical that Ray Evernham heads today’s Historics IROC series, which hopes to race a few times each year…
Where did All the Goblins ‘n Ghouls go? (The Tomaso
Collection)
Ah, where’s good 'Ol Vincent Price
when Yuhs needs him, since after all, It's just A Thriller Ha-Ha-Ha-Hah…
“The foulest stench is in the air
The funk of forty thousand years
And grizzly ghouls from every tomb
Are closing in to seal your doom
And though you fight to stay alive
Your body starts to shiver
For no mere mortal can resist
The evil of the thriller”
As it’s back like a Bad rash, or a Zombie on Elm Street…
I was working on the “Confuzer” late
Monday night
When my eyes beheld an eerie sight
From my monitor a scary picture began to show
And suddenly to my surprise
A Zombie-like Kurt Busch apparition Onscreen
began to singHe did the mash
He did the RASSCAR mash
The RASSCAR mash
It was a graveyard smash
He did the mash
It caught on in a flash
He did the mash
He did the RASSCAR mash
From my humble apartment’s abode
To the room’s cathode ray glow
And amongst the Nabors dwellings
Where the vampires feast
The ghouls all came out from their alcoves
Chanting “Jimmy! Jimmy! Jimmy!”
Hoping to snatch a peak
Of some Roundy-round racin’
Flickering on my TV
(Thru the patio’s window)
They did the mash
They did the RASSCAR mash
The RASSCAR mash
It was a graveyard smash
They did the mash
It caught on in a flash
They did the mash
They did the RASSCAR mash
And although The “Junior Nation” zombies were in foul Despair
Over 'lil E's Shrewd 'N wise move
To rest his Aching Head
Nonetheless, 'lil Ironhead invited the
likes 'O
Kenny Wallace, Larry MacReynolds, Mr.
Goodbar, Kyle Petty
And other assorted friends to join in
Upon this little party
As the building was rockin', everyone
having to put up with the blare
of the next door neighbor’s surround sound TV wailing a pitiful noise
That sounded like Rusty Wallace
scratchin’ a chalkboard
While a pair ‘O Beagle’s howled in
misery
As Dusk turned to Night
And the little Coffin-Bangers were
soon to arrive
With their candy bags and dressed up
While BOOGITY-BOOGITY-BOOGITY! ‘Ol DW',
Kevin Harvick, Smoke and Rowdy Holmes All Bobbed for Crabapples
Thoust Television’s kept blarin' out that Monster RASSCAR
Mash
They did The Mash
The RASSCAR mash
The RASSCAR mash
It was a graveyard smash
As the TV blared the mash
It caught on in a flash
As it played the mash
It continued to play the RASSCAR mash
Out from my room, my voice crackled loudly
As once again I was disgusted
Yelling loudly and shaking my fists
I screamed, How long do we have to listen to this?
As the drone of ‘lil Trick ‘N Treaters
knocked on the door
As the next door TV still blared the mash
Except It's now more commonly known
As the RASSCAR mash
The RASSCAR mash
But it's almost over
That Monster Y’all know
As Duh Chase, Get Up!
Or if Y’all are in the
mood to check out some original, unique Ghoulish music, visit the link below…
Original lyrics
Thriller
Single, 1984
Title
track From the album Thriller (Nov, 1982
Performed
by: Michael Jackson - featuring Vincent Price
(Written
by: Rod Temperton)
Monster
Mash, 1962
Performed
by: Boris Picket and the Crypt Kickers'
(Written by Bobby (Boris) Picket and Lenny Capizzi)
Who shared more than just their Good looks
Onscreen…
The recent passing of Robert Redford at age 89
on September 16th. For reasons unknown, made me Flashback to a passage in Shawn
Levy’s Paul Newman: A Life Biography, that I extensively chronicled here upon
No Fenders in Gory 2022.
The portion I fondly recalled, involved a
certain Sports Car being mischievously given as a gift to one of our two
Hollywood Hunks. Although I searched the All knowing Intrawoods’ to “See” if I’d remembered correctly?
Since after all,
everything on Al gore’s wonderous invention is true, Righto?
Yeah, Redford indeed pulled a massive prank
upon ‘Ol Blue Eyes, ergo Paul Newman for His 50th Birthday in 1975! As Newman
was born January 25, 1925, and Redford born August 18, 1936.
As I’d never before been curious of their
respective age difference, with Newman being some 11.5-plus years older, with
Redford still being 38yrs old when pranking Newman…
Both Redford and Newman were huge
Porscheaphiles’, as I didn’t know until Redford’s death. That He’d once owned
an ultra rare 1964 Porsche 904 Carrera GTS, which He purchased in 1966, and
owned for some ten years.
Thus Redford owned this ultra rare racecar some
three years before His breakthrough to Stardom in Butch Cassidy and The
Sundance Kid, which debuted on September 23, 1969. Following Paul Newman
starring in Winning, which was initially released on May 17th. With both films
being produced by Newman Foreman Company.
Redford became annoyed with how much Newman
incessantly talked about racing and cars. And thus, for Newman’s 50th Birthday,
Redford had a wrecked, totally scrapped Porsch delivered to Newman’s home!
Reportedly, Redford says they were both living
in Connecticut then, and He called a local towing service. Asking if they had
any crushed cars, specifically Porsche’s on hand?
Funny you should ask that. We just so happen to
have a Porsche that was totally crushed by a car falling upon it sitting here.
To which Redford said hold it. I want to wrap it in paper and put a bow on it. Then
He asked if they could deliver it to Paul Newman’s house and put it on His back
porch!
Next, Newman retaliated. As a few weeks later,
a large wooden crate was surreptitiously delivered to Redford’s rented
Connecticut House. Which when Redford opened the crate, contained a wrecked
Porsche automobile that had been crushed into a cube!
Yet undaunted, Redford had the last laugh of
this prank. Having a sculptor friend turn the Porsche cube into a piece of
Garden Art which you guessed it. Was immediately placed in Newman’s garden…
As the best thing about this, and presumably
other countless ensuing pranks. Is that neither man ever mentioned one iota
about them to each other.
You can read my Paul Newman book review in the
following No Fenders link…
Paul
Newman’s A Life Book review
Or pass “GO”, without collecting $200, and skip
directly to my Paul Newman racing career tome instead…
Diving
into Paul Newman’s Racing career
(Info source: rennlist.com)
For which I’m still astounded over…
Have “watched”, Err listened to the past two
Formula 1 races in Austin and Mexico City from two different locations. For
which I must say overall, they both were somewhat “Dull”, i.e.; processional…
Recall how the current F1 technical regulations
were supposed to make it easier for the trailing car to overtake the leading
car?
Although think it was Herr Toto Crying Wolff’
who said this year’s championship would become a Qualifying race instead, Eh?
What most astounded me, and still did a week
later was Sky Sports lead F1 Pundit, Err Presenter’s quip about Circus
Maximus’s domination at the Circuit Of The Americas, where Max Verstappen led
wire-to-wire from pole.
As Kroftie’, ergo David Kroft incredulously said
that it looked like Max was out on a Sunday Stroll pushing the Pram, I Kids Yuh
Not!
Yet if that was what Max Blunderhead’s romp in
Austin looked like, then what was Lando Norris’s at the following Mexico City
round? As Lando spanked the Competizione by a whopping 32 seconds! And points
leader Oscar Piastri continued His Shrinking Violet act. Finishing a distant
fifth and losing the points lead to dreaded McLaren teammate Norris by one
point, Urgh!
Meanwhile the crowd seemed most receptive to
Verstappen, who you could hear the crowd roaring for during the closing stages
of the race. Along with getting the largest applause during the post race
podium interview. As who’d Ah thunk It?
As I still find it amusing when thee Mayor ‘O
Hinchtown’, ergo James Hinchcliffe conducts these F1 post race podium
interviews…
Whilst Ollie’, aka Oliver Bearhan deservedly was voted Driver of the Day upon His fine fourth place finish in Mexico. His career best F1 finish, driving for the smallest team on the grid.