Author Topic: 1969 Mid-Ohio Trans-Am photos  (Read 103381 times)

Jon Mello

  • CRG Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 4413
    • View Profile
1969 Mid-Ohio Trans-Am photos
« on: August 13, 2011, 06:29:15 AM »
Once again, we have more racing photographs taken by Ron Lathrop but this time at the June 8th, 1969 Mid-Ohio Trans-Am near Lexington, Ohio. As mentioned previously, Ron was a freelance racing photographer dating back to 1963 and did work for Sports Car Graphic, Competition Press, Road & Track, as well as a number of karting magazines and even Rod & Custom. He also was in the U.S Air Force from 1965 - 69 and again from 1972 - 92. Mid-Ohio was a challenging course that had been on the Trans-Am schedule beginning in 1967. Most of the drivers had already raced at the track previously, but not Parnelli Jones. This was his first visit to the racing facility. Thanks again Ron for sharing these new photos with us!

Sunday morning during warmup practice session. Penske Camaro getting jacked up...

Photo by Ron Lathrop

Penske crew member readies new tires.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

Super interesting shot revealing the vented inner fender well in the rear quarter. Compare it with the front fender well as seen at the Wolverine Trans-Am.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

Donohue's car awaiting service

Photo by Ron Lathrop

Mark has time for a photo op with a young lady. The Camaro looks like the same "Inspection Cruiser" seen at Michigan.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

Penske crew chief Chuck Cantwell leans in to talk with Ron Bucknum.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

Looks like Bucknum is getting ready to take the car out for some practice laps.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

Penske ramp truck holds their Can-Am car. Maybe they rented the track for some testing earlier in the week.

Photo by Ron Lathrop
Jon Mello
CRG

Jon Mello

  • CRG Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 4413
    • View Profile
Re: 1969 Mid-Ohio Trans-Am photos
« Reply #1 on: August 13, 2011, 06:43:17 AM »
Bud Moore's Mustangs getting ready for action.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

Looks like the fender needs some "gentle persuasion" with a hammer to avoid tire rub blistering the paint.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

Ron Grable's AMC Javelin getting some new rear tires.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

The Javelin fueling tower.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

The helmets of the two Javelin team drivers.

Photo by Ron Lathrop
Jon Mello
CRG

Jon Mello

  • CRG Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 4413
    • View Profile
Re: 1969 Mid-Ohio Trans-Am photos
« Reply #2 on: August 13, 2011, 06:42:54 PM »
The Firebird contingent gets things ready while a camera man seeks out the perfect detail shot. All the Firebirds were built by T/G Racing
but notice the quarter panels on the white Jerry Titus Firebird are a little wider at the very back then the blue Hol-Arc team cars behind it.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

Goodyear tire rep Mike Babich talks with the normally Firestone-shod Jerry Titus. Titus improved his lap times by a full second by switching to Goodyears for this race.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

Porsche driver Bruce Jennings strikes up a conversation with Roger Penske.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

I believe this is Jennings' helmet...

Photo by Ron Lathrop

...and Jennings' Porsche getting new tires installed.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

New tires for the back too.

Photo by Ron Lathrop
« Last Edit: August 18, 2011, 03:38:04 AM by Jon Mello »
Jon Mello
CRG

Jon Mello

  • CRG Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 4413
    • View Profile
Re: 1969 Mid-Ohio Trans-Am photos
« Reply #3 on: August 13, 2011, 07:00:42 PM »
Spectators heading for their parking spots. Nice '69 Z/28 and Corvette!

Photo by Ron Lathrop

Hey, where'd the Z go?

Photo by Ron Lathrop

Remember when people drove these sorts of street cars everyday?

Photo by Ron Lathrop

Fred Baker in his Porsche 911 getting ready to head out for morning practice.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

Dick Smothers was Fred's co-driver but I don't believe he was there for this particular race.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

No idea who the guy with the headset is but that's Rusty Jowett's '68 Camaro in the background. In front of Rusty's car
is the white '67 Camaro of Tom Lynch. Lynch had to scratch his car from the race due to a blown head gasket and an
oil leak which could not be fixed in time. This allowed the '67 Z-28 of Levester Lewis and Dave Horchler to make the grid.

Photo by Ron Lathrop
Jon Mello
CRG

Jon Mello

  • CRG Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 4413
    • View Profile
Re: 1969 Mid-Ohio Trans-Am photos
« Reply #4 on: August 13, 2011, 07:23:22 PM »
Let's take a look around at the various pit/paddock "accoutrements".

Goodyear Bluestreaks on American 200-S mags

Photo by Ron Lathrop

Looks like some Porsche pipes

Photo by Ron Lathrop

Stacks of tires by one of Bud Moore's trucks.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

Even more tires...

Photo by Ron Lathrop

Boss 302 header pipes.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

More tires on their way...

Photo by Ron Lathrop

Somebody's side exit exhaust pipe.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

The ubiquitous pit wagon...

Photo by Ron Lathrop
« Last Edit: December 23, 2011, 05:37:32 AM by Jon Mello »
Jon Mello
CRG

Jon Mello

  • CRG Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 4413
    • View Profile
Re: 1969 Mid-Ohio Trans-Am photos
« Reply #5 on: August 13, 2011, 09:15:07 PM »
"Accoutrements", Part Deux

Firestone "Drys"

Photo by Ron Lathrop

Goodyear's version of the same.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

Penske rear tire, 6.00/12.30-15. The sidewall of the tire is designed to get max tread-width on an SCCA mandated 8" max-width wheel.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

Apparently Camaro racer Wayne Allen figures if he can't find his wheel chocks, Pete Harrison's Porsche will do just fine.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

Where's Fire Marshall Bill when you need him?

Photo by Ron Lathrop

Battery powered pump, presumably for water since gasoline was strictly gravity feed.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

T/G Firebird fuel filler nozzle.

Photo by Ron Lathrop
« Last Edit: August 13, 2011, 09:57:55 PM by Jon Mello »
Jon Mello
CRG

Jon Mello

  • CRG Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 4413
    • View Profile
Re: 1969 Mid-Ohio Trans-Am photos
« Reply #6 on: August 14, 2011, 03:10:07 AM »
Parnelli and Mark on the front row during the pace lap. That's our own Robert Barg in the #50 Camaro right under the "N" on the bridge.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

The green flag has waved and here they come...

Photo by Ron Lathrop

Parnelli's got the jump on Mark as they come roaring in to turn #8.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

Peter Revson's very close behind in the #1 Shelby Mustang.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

John Martin and Jerry Titus follow the other three through turn #8.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

Follmer, Kwech, Bucknum and Lang behind the first five.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

Dick Lang's "independent" #85 Camaro is doing a great job hanging with the lead group of cars.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

Vic Provenzano's lone Alfa with a whole flock of 911s and a Camaro in hot pursuit.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

Mark is still hot on the tail of PJ's Mustang...

Photo by Ron Lathrop

It looks like Follmer has gotten by Titus' Firebird.

Photo by Ron Lathrop
« Last Edit: August 18, 2011, 03:47:34 AM by Jon Mello »
Jon Mello
CRG

Jon Mello

  • CRG Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 4413
    • View Profile
Re: 1969 Mid-Ohio Trans-Am photos
« Reply #7 on: August 14, 2011, 03:34:31 AM »
Peter Revson maintaining third place.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

Jerry Titus' Firebird ahead of Horst Kwech and Ron Bucknum.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

Vic Provenzano and friends.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

Parnelli can't shake Mark.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

Looks like Peter Gregg's Porsche is coming up to challenge Vic's Alfa.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

Donohue is still filling Jones' rear view mirror...

Photo by Ron Lathrop

Don Yenko's Camaro now leads Dick Lang and Rusty Jowett.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

Peter's got him!

Photo by Ron Lathrop

Very common for cars to get airborne as they crest the hill between turns 9 and 10, as shown by Mr. Jones.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

George Follmer's Mustang.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

Vic is up as Peter is coming back down.

Photo by Ron Lathrop
« Last Edit: August 22, 2011, 11:32:13 PM by Jon Mello »
Jon Mello
CRG

Jon Mello

  • CRG Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 4413
    • View Profile
Re: 1969 Mid-Ohio Trans-Am photos
« Reply #8 on: August 14, 2011, 03:57:21 AM »
Bert Everett's dark blue Porsche.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

Jones and Donohue again.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

Peter Revson.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

Bucknum and Kwech.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

Jerry Titus is having transmission problems and will have to pit to fix them.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

Fred Baker's red Porsche.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

Donohue is still all over Jones.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

John Martin's Javelin is having a good run and is able to keep George Follmer behind him, even though Follmer is all over him right here.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

Vic's not letting Peter Gregg get away.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

Russ Norburn's Porsche.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

Fred Baker's Porsche looks like it's about to get in a rear-ender...

Photo by Ron Lathrop
« Last Edit: August 19, 2011, 07:17:00 PM by Jon Mello »
Jon Mello
CRG

Jon Mello

  • CRG Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 4413
    • View Profile
Re: 1969 Mid-Ohio Trans-Am photos
« Reply #9 on: August 14, 2011, 04:26:51 AM »
Robert Barg's '67 Z-28 kicks up a little dirt.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

Gregg and Provenzano head in to turn 11.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

Norburn and Baker do the same.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

Jones and Donohue again...

Photo by Ron Lathrop

followed by Revson, Martin and Follmer...

Photo by Ron Lathrop

and Kwech and Bucknum.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

The Bob Bailey/Jim Locke Porsche in pursuit of Provenzano and Gregg as they come out of turn 11.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

Jones and Donohue put Russ Norburn's Porsche a lap down.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

John Martin keeps George Follmer at bay as they exit turn 11 and head for a part of the track called "The Chute".

Photo by Ron Lathrop

Back to turn 9 for a more direct look as Jones and Donohue exit turn 8.

Photo by Ron Lathrop
« Last Edit: August 15, 2011, 12:34:40 PM by Jon Mello »
Jon Mello
CRG

Jon Mello

  • CRG Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 4413
    • View Profile
Re: 1969 Mid-Ohio Trans-Am photos
« Reply #10 on: August 14, 2011, 05:15:58 AM »
Two old friends out for a Sunday drive...

Photo by Ron Lathrop

A heck of a battle for U-2 bragging rights.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

John Martin, George Follmer and Peter Revson are having their own heavy duty battle for control of third place.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

When you are this close for this many laps, somebody's going to make a mistake...

Photo by Ron Lathrop

Martin and Follmer.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

I think this is Peter Revson and Peter Gregg.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

A look through the trees up to turn 7.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

Looking at turn 8 from the outside of the track (Ron crossed the Valvoline bridge).

Photo by Ron Lathrop

Martin and Follmer come down the hill from 7...

Photo by Ron Lathrop

...then round turn 8.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

Provenzano's Alfa is still keeping the pressure on.

Photo by Ron Lathrop
« Last Edit: August 15, 2011, 12:36:56 PM by Jon Mello »
Jon Mello
CRG

Jon Mello

  • CRG Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 4413
    • View Profile
Re: 1969 Mid-Ohio Trans-Am photos
« Reply #11 on: August 14, 2011, 05:54:09 AM »
Looking from the outside of turn 8 up the hill toward turn 7.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

Martin and Follmer look to put one of the Hol-Arc Firebirds a lap down.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

Milt Minter's Firebird.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

Horst Kwech's Mustang with Ron Bucknum's Camaro, Wilber Pickett's Porsche and Ron Grable's Javelin in pursuit.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

Gregg and Provenzano.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

Bert Everett, followed by Don Yenko, Bob Bailey, Fred Baker, Rusty Jowett and Dick Lang.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

Jim Corwin's Camaro gets a couple of wheels off the track as he comes out of turn 7.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

Corwin (26) recovers in time to stay ahead of Russ Norburn's Porsche.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

The '67 Camaro of Wayne Allen/Nick Engles is about to get lapped by the leaders.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

Peter Gregg, Vic Provenzano and Don Yenko.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

Jones and Donohue, again.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

Martin and Follmer go to the inside of Ron Hunter's Javelin.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

Gregg and Provenzano approach turn 7.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

Donohue (3rd car back) finally got by Parnelli on lap 20 as PJ went a little too wide on turn 14 and had to back off to correct his line.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

Bert Everett has now gotten in front of the Bob Bailey Porsche...

Photo by Ron Lathrop

... and the U-2 class is a 4-car dog fight for first.

Photo by Ron Lathrop
« Last Edit: September 10, 2011, 03:53:30 AM by Jon Mello »
Jon Mello
CRG

Jon Mello

  • CRG Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 4413
    • View Profile
Re: 1969 Mid-Ohio Trans-Am photos
« Reply #12 on: August 14, 2011, 06:18:14 AM »
Obscured view of the Levester Lewis/Dave Horchler Camaro.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

Peter Gregg and Vic Provenzano coming down the hill from 7.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

Bert Everett and Bob Bailey/Jim Locke.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

Ted Roberts' Javelin exiting turn 6.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

A Firebird and a Boss 302 in turn 6.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

More turn 6 action.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

Peter Revson's Mustang.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

Turn 6.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

Follmer and Kwech.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

Follmer's front end is smashed as a result of ramming into the Bob Bailey/Jim Locke Porsche.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

Jowett and Lang trail the Ted Roberts Javelin.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

Donohue opened up a 20-second lead pretty quickly after getting by Jones.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

Roger waits at the pit guardrail for Mark to come around.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

Could Roger's instructions be any more clear? Go!

Photo by Ron Lathrop
« Last Edit: August 19, 2011, 07:19:15 PM by Jon Mello »
Jon Mello
CRG

Jon Mello

  • CRG Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 4413
    • View Profile
Re: 1969 Mid-Ohio Trans-Am photos
« Reply #13 on: August 14, 2011, 06:42:43 AM »
The U-2 front runners blast through turn 8.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

Then go under the bridge to turn 9.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

The nose of the Larry Bock Camaro (11) barely breaks into the photo.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

Peter Revson's Mustang bodywork showing some scars now. This Trans-Am game is serious business.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

Mark Donohue exiting turn 7.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

Parnelli Jones.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

John Martin's Javelin.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

Vic Provenzano's Alfa.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

Those U-2 front runners again in turn 8.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

Ron Bucknum exiting 7.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

Horst Kwech's Shelby team car.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

Ron Grable's Javelin.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

George Follmer's Bud Moore Boss.

Photo by Ron Lathrop

Revson comes down the hill toward turn 8.

Photo by Ron Lathrop
« Last Edit: August 15, 2011, 12:39:57 PM by Jon Mello »
Jon Mello
CRG

Jon Mello

  • CRG Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 4413
    • View Profile
Re: 1969 Mid-Ohio Trans-Am photos
« Reply #14 on: August 14, 2011, 03:40:47 PM »
Parnelli Jones in turn 7

Photo by Ron Lathrop

Jerry Titus

Photo by Ron Lathrop

George Follmer

Photo by Ron Lathrop

John Martin

Photo by Ron Lathrop

Peter Gregg

Photo by Ron Lathrop

Horst Kwech

Photo by Ron Lathrop

Ron Grable

Photo by Ron Lathrop

Peter Revson

Photo by Ron Lathrop

Mark Donohue

Photo by Ron Lathrop

Vic Provenzano

Photo by Ron Lathrop

Fred Baker

Photo by Ron Lathrop

Milt Minter

Photo by Ron Lathrop

Peter Revson again

Photo by Ron Lathrop
« Last Edit: August 15, 2011, 12:41:02 PM by Jon Mello »
Jon Mello
CRG

 

anything