Cars that did not start

Fastest race ever

One of the fastest race ever to be run. It was run on the short course, which allowed high speed. The race was also a reason to celebrate for both teams wining the two classes. While the field was reduced to 25 entries, the decision was made to run on the short course. The lap times were just under 1m 03s, which made it the fastest Road course in America. Cars had to be set up differently from the original configuration, with the bumpy straightaway being crossed every minute or so. The top cars were the two Holbert cars, the Dyson car, the Nissan and the Corvette GTP. The latter car set up a 1m01s054, a little over 205mph. But the front Line was all Holbert, with Al Holbert and Derek Bell ahead of everybody. The Nissan was behind Sarel van der Merwe. The race was very promising, with Sarel van der Merwe darting from the second row and grabbing first place in the back straight. Price Cobb was back in fifth place and already prodding the Nissan, driven by Elliot Forbes Robinson. On the fourth lap, the Nissan's tire would explode and shatter the rear bodywork : it was the First retirement. The yellow was set and John Morton would stop to have dust removed from his windshield. He would stop later with gear linkage problems. Derek Bell would then stop with gearbox problems, a fourth gear, to be precise. Kenper Miller also limped to his pits with a broken turbo on his Alba Buick. Al Holbert was not to be detered, and would pass Sarel van der Merwe. He held it for thirteen laps. Then, the Corvette was back a gain in first place, until Sarel van der Merwe hit a piece of debris. The car was stranded on course, and a yellow was set. The cars all Potter for fuel and Chip Robinson was now a full lap ahead of Vern Schuppan, who was in for Price Cobb. Pete Halsmer soon retired, leaving GTP cars to three. Chip Robinson only had to cruise to victory, and grab another victory, but it was not to be. However, after 79 laps, the car suddenly went into the tire wall, end of the story. Price Cobb reclaimed the lead, and cruised to the chequered, two laps ahead of John Hotschkis Porsche 962. The Jaguar and the Ford ended up behind the entire Lights field.

The Chevrolet Corvette GTP prior to the race.

The Lights race was more exciting, with Don Bell jumping into the lead at the start. Steve Phillips was next, followed by Steve Durst and David Loring. Phillips and Bell coasted to a duel, while Jim Downing passed David Loring. While the cars pitted for fuel during one of the yellow sessions, Steve Durst would take advantage of the mix-up. Jim Downing and Don Bell pitted earlier. Steve Durst was now in the lead while Don Bell and Jeff Kline were now fighting for second place. But the latter would hit Ken Knott's Argo, and end up in eleventh place. Steve Durst and Mike Brockman earned the race over Jim Downing and John Maffucci, while David Loring soloed to third place. The Alba Ferrari driven by Martino Finotto and Ruggero Melgrati ended up fourth.