Mid-Ohio: 1968 Camaro RS Convertible Pace Car for Trans Am and USRRC

[SMKZ28]

A white 1968 Camaro RS convertible was used as the pace car for several major events held at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, Ohio during their 1968 racing season.  The interesting thing about the car is that it is not an SS but it does have Rally Wheels with whitewall tires, front & rear spoilers, front nose stripe and twin Z28 style stripes.  The name of the Chevrolet dealer that provided the Camaro is written on the rear quarter panels.  It states "Courtesy of Earl Davis Chevrolet."

The first major event that the Camaro RS convertible paced was the SCCA Trans Am event held on Sunday, June 16, 1968.  Mark Donohue won this event in his Penske Chevrolet Camaro Z28.

Photos:

1) http://ovr-scca.org/gallery/?file=Historical/
2 & 3) Youtube
4) cropped version of #1

[SMKZ28]

1) Program cover for Trans Am race (worthpoint.com)  I'm not sure why the program has the dates June 8-9 on the cover when the race took place on June 16.  Perhaps Jon Mello can clarify?

2) Ad for Earl Davis Chevrolet (provider of Camaro pace car) inside Trans Am program (Jon Mello CRG)

[SMKZ28]

The same Camaro RS convertible was used again as the pace car for the USRRC (United States Road Racing Championship) races held at the track on Sunday, August 18, 1968.  The first picture shows the Camaro in pit lane as the race cars zoom by.  This was the last race of the series and it was won by Mark Donohue in his Penske McLaren M6A Chevrolet.  Starting 2nd on the grid, this win sealed the Championship for Donohue and Penske. 

Photos:

1) www.timhayes.com
2) You can see a bit of the Camaro RS convertible pace car behind the Caldwell D7 of Sam Posey in this picture from autosport.forums.com
3) Program cover (worthpoint.com)
4) Poster (worthpoint.com)

[SMKZ28]

Here is a fantastic color shot of the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course 1968 Camaro RS convertible pace car.  Not only is this photo a color close up shot but Mark Donohue is actually driving the car!  He must have taken it around the course for his victory lap after winning either the Trans Am or USRRC race.  I'm not sure which race this photo was taken at.

http://ovr-scca.org/gallery/?file=Historical/

[SMKZ28]

This color photo shows the Camaro RS convertible pace car on what appears to be a pace lap but I'm not sure which event.

1) worthpoint.com
2) webstagram.one

[Jon Mello]

1) Program cover for Trans Am race (worthpoint.com)  I'm not sure why the program has the dates June 8-9 on the cover when the race took place on June 16.  Perhaps Jon Mello can clarify?

As written in the SCCA publication "Sports Car"...
"The race was delayed a week out of deference to the President's request that June 9 be a national day of mourning for Senator Robert Kennedy. Still a sizable number of people didn't get the well-advertised word and showed anyway."

Senator Kennedy had been campaigning in California while trying to win the Democratic nomination for President when he was assassinated by Sirhan Sirhan.

[SMKZ28]

1) Program cover for Trans Am race (worthpoint.com)  I'm not sure why the program has the dates June 8-9 on the cover when the race took place on June 16.  Perhaps Jon Mello can clarify?

As written in the SCCA publication "Sports Car"...
"The race was delayed a week out of deference to the President's request that June 9 be a national day of mourning for Senator Robert Kennedy. Still a sizable number of people didn't get the well-advertised word and showed anyway."

Senator Kennedy had been campaigning in California while trying to win the Democratic nomination for President when he was assassinated by Sirhan Sirhan.

That's right, I should have known that.  Thank you Jon.