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This site is aimed at preserving the IMSA Camel GT series. Its purposes are mainly historical and informative. Any valuable information may be sent to me and every contributor will be properly credited.

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Dyson Racing

Dyson Racing

Team patriarch Rob Dyson started his racing career in the Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) in 1974 with a Datsun 510 sedan soon after he graduated with an M.B.A. from Cornell University. The car was half built and he purchased the parts from the competition department. He was then a successful entrepreneur in the radio broadcasting business. In 1974, he won his first SCCA race, a regional at Watkins Glen. He was soon joined by Pat Smith, an auto mechanics teacher, and started running nationals in 1977. He told his wife that it would last one year, but one championship led to another one, and he would be here many years later. Dyson won a national championship in 1981 with a Nissan 200 SX and then decided to move up to IMSA's GTO class and selected Trans Am races with a Pontiac Firebird with moderate success. The first race took place at Lime Rock, and the car was to run in GTP. The car was not at the top of the class, but it was a good learning experience for the team. They ended up in third place at Road America, which was their best result in 1983. It was time for the team to move up to GTP. He considered purchasing a March GTP, but Bob Akin, who was a good friend, said that Porsche was the only way to go. Dyson set his eyes on the series' top class, GTP, and after consultation with fellow racer Bob Akin, purchased a Porsche 962 from privateer Bruce Leven. Dyson bought chassis No. 101 and still owns it today. Pat Smith quit his teaching job and joined Dyson Racing full-time. Alwin Springer showed the team how the engine worked and explained the chassis setups, and how to run the car. Trying to go quicker was always what made the team go ahead, and they succeeded! The team would evolve with time, very slowly and carefully. Dyson and co-driver Drake Olson arrived at Lime Rock Park for their debut in 1985 and promptly won the race! In doing so, they would be part of Goodyear's free tire program. Drake Olson was hired as the lead driver for the 1985 season and very committed. He would finish sixth overall in 1985, running only 10 races out of 17. The car would be fitted with a 3,0L engine later in the season. In 1986, the car was to be wrecked twice. Rob Dyson ordered another car : 962-120. Drake Olson would destroy it at Watkins Glen. He was fired shortly afterwards. Price Cobb joined the team and proved extremely fast and reliable. He would finish second overall in GTP points. Dick Yagami joined the team and reworked the 962 nose, improving the car's downforce and efficiency. No one ever realized what had been on the car until 1988. The team was also the first one, with Holbert Racing, to use a 3,2L engine from Andial. Price Cobb ended up second in points in 1987 too, losing the title in the last race when Johnny Dumfries stuck the car into the wall. In 1988, it was the beginning of the Nissan domination, and the team would score the two Porsche victories recorded that season. 1989 was not to be run by the team, who had a go at IndyCar racing. But Rob Dyson quickly found he would spend too much in IndyCar, so he was back to IMSA racing in 1990, with a brand new car : Box Stock Betty. The Porsche factory had insited on the fact that the car should not be modified. Rob Dyson was then the last owner-driver to enter GTP racing, so a dinosaur would be painted besides his name on the car. Then the team would again revamp the car, which no longer used genuine parts. James Weaver had joined the team and was doing well, but the car was now outrun by the factory cars. He would finish sixth in GTP points. In 1991, things did not improve as the Nissan and Toyotas were clearly the class of the fields. The Rain-X sponsored car was again driven by James Weaver, who ended up 15th in points. 1992 was not to be competed by Dyson Racing, whose sponsor deal fell prior Daytona. The car would be sold and the GTP was to be history for Dyson Racing after Daytona 1993. The team would borrow the car to his owner, and take his best result in this race ever, finishing second. The team was to be dismantled, however, as the new WSC championship was to be set up. After beginning with a hybrid car, they would become a force to be reckoned with when things came to R & S cars. The team expanded and scored ten overall wins against formidable competition in IMSA's Camel GT series through the 1991 season. In addition, drivers Drake Olson and Price Cobb won four straight Porsche Cup North America titles awarded to Porsche's North American top non-factory driver, while Rob Dyson earned the "most improved driver" award in 1986. Still active today, the team is the most successful private entrant ever.

Rob Dyson standing by one of his successful Porsche 962.

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