As much as I’d like to post all 569 action shots I took of the 10-lap Trans-Am event on Saturday afternoon at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, I can’t. For a number of reasons. Including the 33-shot sequence of Michael Martin spinning through the corkscrew behind the wheel of his 1970 Boss Mustang (once driven by Gary Mathews back in the day). That said, I can provide a taste of what the scheduled 40-car field looked like on that sunny Saturday.
Jim Francis, of Northridge, California, piloted this 1967 Mercury Cougar to a 21st place finish. What’s interesting is that it was the only Mercury entered, and it was in its as-raced condition from the 1968 season. Driven by Mark Waco and Nels Miller in 1967, together they raced up six wins in 10 races, and in ’68 another six in 17 races entered. According to the Historic Trans-Am club, only three of the seven Cougars that competed are known to exist.
Keeping with the Ford theme, Gary Goeringer, of Nipomo, California, pushed this 1968 Mustang to a 33rd place finish, completing six of the 10 laps. The car was driven by Bill Maier for a number of years with minimal success on the Trans-Am circuit in several starts, but competed regularly in numerous regional events.
Terry Miller is behind the wheel of this 1967 Camaro that had – over the years – felt the hands of Gary Gove, Mark Donohue, Skip Scott and Max Dudley, the latter of which raced it in regional SCCA A-sedan events. Terry ended the day with a hotly contested fifth place finish.
Your eyes do not deceive you; this is a 1963 ford Falcon, and it was the oldest entrant in the Trans-Am event. it was driven by Michael Eisenberg, from Northridge, California, to a 13th place finish. Additionally, we confess that we don’t know any of the car’s history. Do you? Drop us a line.
Long history here, but it’s a sure bet some of you will recognize the car based on the paint scheme alone. Yup, Smokey Yunick built this car, and had his share of run-ins with SCCA officials along the way. Christi Edelbrock is driving it here, on her way to a 23rd place finish.
Jere Clark slings this 1971 AMC Javelin through the corner at the top of the corkscrew on his way to a 16th place finish. Part of the only AMC factory-backed Penske team, it was driven by racing legend Mark Donohue to several wins, a single second place finish and one DNF in nine events.
Remember that mention of a hotly contested fifth-place battle? Here it is. Tommy Drissi, in the 1967 Camaro #56, finished third, while Bruce Canepa finished fourth behind the wheel of the 1970 AMC Javelin breaking traction while passing Terry Miller.