Talladega 1969

IMSA had just been launched and set a modest program for Formula Ford and Formula Vees. While things threatened to fail from the outset, John Bishop managed to run his First race at Pocono, which attracted 349 spectators. The second race took place on the high banks of Talladega, Alabama. Another Formula Vee race was held, as well as a Formula Ford. The very First sedan race sanctioned by IMSA would be held, and it attracted some 22 cars. Cars were closer to Group 1 specs than Group 2, but they would provide some close Racing. Two Alfa Romeo were entered one Guilia Super for Gaston Andrey and a GTV for Rasey Feezell, a bunch of Austin Coopers would also show up with Carson Baird, Anthony Milne, David Harris, Lewis Fuller, R.L Anderson and William Webb. Two BMW 1600s driven by Herb Swan and John Patrick, two Ford Cortina Lotus driven by Don Gwynne and Warren Matzen, a long with two Ford Cortina GTs driven by Bill France Sr and Jr! One Volkswagen Beetle run by Windle Morgan, a pair of Renault 8 Gordinis for Barry LeFave and Larry Sturgis. Paul Fleming entered his Fiat 124, which would be seen for a while. Ralph Tolman had a Datsun 510, M.K Filsinger a rotary NSU and Amos Johnson, soon to become one of the GTU stars, a nifty Opel Kadett. A relatively interesting field, but the race would not attract more than 500 spectators. Racing was close and everyone had fun, and the winner was Gaston Andrey, a Swiss born who had settled in Massachusetts. He drove his Alfa Romeo Guilia Super and averaged 144km/h for the 20 laps race. Second was Carson Baird, who drove an Austin Cooper while Herb Swan took third in a BMW 1600. Fourth was Don Gwynne, on a Ford Cortina Lotus, who managed to finish the race without brakes and a broken windshield. The three First events ever held by IMSA had been a relative success, and the new decade was to begin with an optimistic note. The future of the series was at stake, and great decisions would be taken very soon, setting a bright future for IMSA. A $10000 purse was offered in prize money and contingency awards.

Don Gwynne took fourth overall in a Ford Cortina Lotus.