Cars that did not start

Al Holbert with a smile

A thin 18 car field was to take the green for the sixth round of the 1985 IMSA Championship. Racing was expected to be fierce with four cars in less than 0.4s. Bob Wollek took the pole in the Bayside Disposal Porsche 962. John Paul Jr was right behind him in the Conte Racing Hawk Buick, then came Klaus Ludwig in the new Ford Probe, Al Holbert Porsche 962 and Bob Tullius-Chip Robinson in à Jaguar XJR5. A handful of Lights cars were entered, with Jim Downing and John Maffucci leading the field. The start of the race saw John Paul Jr jump into the lead, while Bob Wollek failed his race start. John Paul Jr was to be fined with a five second penalty for his supposed too quick start. He was leading the race easily when he was about to lap Pete Halsmer on lap 25. While attempting to pass him, he tore up his suspension. Darin Brassfield had dropped from the race after 15 laps. Klaus Ludwig, whose car was running great, suddenly lost his fuel pressure. Bob Wollek, who ran also steadily, began closing in on Al Holbert. He was 16s back, but was running more and more fast. By lap 44 however, his turbo failed. Al Holbert was now leading the two Jaguar XJR5s, and he pitted for fuel on lap 60. Bob Tullius and Chip Robinson took 2nd place while Brian Redman and Hurley Haywood finished 3rd. Pete Halsmer and John Morton finished 4th, ahead of their teammates Jim Busby and Rick Knoop. Bill Alsup ran solo and took his first Lights victory, driving Charles Morgan Royale RP40 Buick. He ran most of the race behind Jim Downing, but did not miss the opportunity to pass him during his pit stop.