1969 Mid-Ohio Trans-Am photos

[Bruce302]

That looks to be the pics behind the reports, Both cars are # 37 but it certainly looks like Jerry in the car. I wonder if they kept trying to run the spoilers until the SCCA relented. I will have to trawl through all the on track Firebird shots and see which had this type of spoiler.
I am also weary of relying on the book photo captions.   Jerry was using his #13 at Bridghampton

Bruce.

[Jon Mello]

Bruce, the NNJR SCCA (Northern New Jersey Region) tech sticker on the outer RH headlight is what I used to speculate about where those two photos were taken. It wasn't on there at Mid-Ohio and has been seen on other cars at Bridgehampton.

[Bruce302]

Hi Jon,

I had a look at the Freidman book and the Bridgehampton section has Jerry with the big old 13 on the door, but I'm open to correction,

Bruce.

[Jon Mello]

Bruce, I stand corrected. The photos with the NNJR stickers are from the Lime Rock, CT race on May 30, 1969.

[royal67rs]

Jon, I had a lot of fun checking out these pictures. The detail was incredible. Thank you. Bob

[Jon Mello]

You're welcome, Bob. We owe a debt of gratitude to Ron Lathrop for sharing those wonderful photos with us. Hopefully you have had a chance to look at Ron's photos from the Bryar and Michigan Trans-Am events as well. They are also outstanding.

[Jon Mello]

Entry list

Jon Mello Collection


Jon Mello Collection


Grid sheets

Jon Mello Collection


Jon Mello Collection

[Jon Mello]

This photo shows the engine that Jerry Titus apparently used in his car at this particular Mid-Ohio Trans-Am race. Titus did use two
Holleys on a cross ram normally but went with two Holley "Dominators" on a low tunnel ram style manifold for this one race.

Photo by Dave Friedman

The manifold is listed as an optional item for the Firebird in the SCCA Recognition Forms seen at the link below. (5th page of form)
http://www.camaros.org/forum/index.php?topic=8075.0

[Jon Mello]

Ron Lathrop's actual passes from this Trans-Am race.

[Bruce302]

Those photo passes are great Jon, What neat souvenirs. 

Just a note on the above Jerry Titus engine shown above. It was built by Dave Billes, at his Performance Engineering Ltd business in Canada.


Bruce.
 

[oldtransamdriver]

Performance Engineering was run by Dave Billes, a member of the well-known Canadian Tire family of stores, originally mostly auto parts and tire related, but now much more than that.  Lots of stores everywhere in Canada.  Dave is a member of the Canadian Motorsports Hall of Fame.  He was a Corvette racer in the early sixties, before opening his shop in Barrie Ontario (about an hour's drive north of Toronto).

He sponsored a Can-Am car run by John Cordts and later a CART Indy car for Jacque Villeneuve (the "Uncle") under the Canadian Tire umbrella. Some othe family members also went drag racing.

Performance Engineering was probably the best known Canadian engine prep shop in those days.  I believe it is still operating. Gord Chance worked for Dave at one time and later opened his own business known as CRM  Gord later moved to CA  with his engine prep business.


Robert  Barg

[Bruce302]

Thanks for the added background Robert.

Dave's Can Am McLaren is back out on the track in the old color scheme. It is now owned and run by a Kiwi who is living in Washington State.
Dave moved his business from Barrie a few years ago. He re opened elsewhere with a slightly different focus. I exchanged some emails with him a while back and he was very gracious with his help and knowledge about the Titus engines.

Bruce.

 

[oldtransamdriver]

Yes, I've met Tony Garmey who has the McLaren.  He races with the SOVREN vintage group out of Seattle. and gives it a good ride. 

Robert Barg

[JoeC]

wow
 that is a lot of cfm with two Holley Dominators. They were normally 1150 cfm unless it was a custom made smaller carb

It looks like a cut down drag racing tunnel ram intake

[Todd Lang]

Thanks to Ron for posting those fantastic images.  I've never seen the ones of my Dad before --fantastic stuff.