OldRacingCars.com

CASC North American Formula Atlantic Series Race

Long Beach, 29 Mar 1980

ResultsLapsTime/Speed
1 Tom Gloy Ralt RT1 - Ford BDD Jennings
#1 Lane Sports (see note 1)
50 1h 15m 30.18s
81.867 mph
2 Kevin Cogan Ralt RT1/78 - Ford BDD
#33 Ralt American/Theodore Racing
50 1h 15m 37.39s
3 Bob Earl Ralt RT1/78 [146] - Ford BDD Jennings
#19 Earl Motor Racing (see note 2)
50
4 Jacques Villeneuve Sr March 80A [5] - Ford BDD Race Shop
#6 Douglas Shierson Racing
50
5 Rogelio Rodriguez Ralt RT1/79 [147] - Ford BDD Jennings
#11 Lane Sports
50
6 Bruce MacInnes Ralt RT1 - Ford BDD
#57 John Connolly Racing
49
7 Steve "Gas" Saleen Ralt RT1/79 [165] - Ford BDD Jennings
#69 Gas Saleen Racing
49
8 Takao Wada March 79B [78B-15] - Ford BDD
#7 Bill Brack Racing
49
9 Paul Grundrich Ralt RT1/78 - Ford BDD
#15 BTG Investment
49
10 Robert Silvestro Ralt RT1/78 [129] - Ford BDD
#99 BTG Investment (see note 3)
48
11 Rick Koehler March 80A [17] - Ford BDD
#51 Ecurie Excalibur
47
12 Bob McGregor March 78B [13] - Ford BDD
#71
47
13 Wally Farrell March 79B - Ford BDD
#96 Blumenthal, Farrell & Kennedy
47
14 Whitney Ganz Ralt RT1 - Ford BDD
#39 Clayton Racing (see note 4)
47
15 Warren "Bud" Pauge Brabham BT38 [‘33’] - Ford BDD
#92 (see note 5)
46
16 John Connolly Ralt RT1/76 [10] - Ford BDD
#56 John Connolly Racing (see note 6)
46
17 Steve Jizmagian Ralt RT1/79 [167] - Ford BDD
#74 Steve Jizmagian Racing
43
18 Charles Cass March 80A [8] - Ford BDD
#8 Douglas Shierson Racing
40 Overheating
19 Bob Schader March 80A [11] - Ford BDD
#16
37 Puncture
20 Jeff Wood March 80A [14] - Ford BDD Willis
#2 Jeff Wood Racing
35 Gear linkage
21 Mike Buckenham Chevron B34 [34-76-34] - Ford BDD
#34 (see note 7)
34 Retired
22 John Mortensen March 80A [9] - Ford BDD Race Shop
#9 Douglas Shierson Racing (see note 8)
23 Wheel
23 Juan Carlos Bolaños March 79B - Ford BDD
#79 B.M.B. Racing
23 Headgasket
24 Dan Marvin March 80A [21] - Ford BDD Hasselgren
#70 Marvin Clegg Racing
15 Collision with spinning back marker
25 Fred Whitehead March 78B - Ford BDD
#81
15 Broken wheel
26 Tom Stewart March 80A [10] - Ford BDD
#3 Pierre Phillips Racing
15 Brakes
27 Ed Donnelly Ralt RT1/76 - Ford BDD
#32 Concrete Concepts Building Co Inc
(see note 9)
13 Engine
28 Carlos Bobeda Ralt RT1/76 [11] - Ford BDD
#57 (see note 10)
13 CV joint
29 Price Cobb March 80A [20] - Ford BDD
#22 Jon Norman Racing
12 Rear suspension
30 Geoff Brabham Ralt RT4/80 [178] - Ford BDD
#43 Psachie Racing
11 Overheating/handling
31 Dave McMillan Ralt RT1/76 [36] - Ford BDD Hart
#47 David McMillan Racing (see note 11)
11 Collision with Cobb
32 Ken Dunn Ralt RT1/78 [109] - Ford BDD
#27
8 Engine
33 Tommy Grunnah March 80A [16] - Ford BDD
#53 Relco Racing
5 Suspension
34 Garth Pollard March 78B [17] - Ford BDD
#20 NSF Racing
2 Accident
35 Danny Sullivan March 80A [24] - Ford BDD
#4 Fred Opert Racing
0 Collision with Villeneuve
36 Joe Sposato March 79B [13] - Ford BDD
#28 Sposato Motor Racing
0 Accident
37 Ralph Manaker March 80A [4] - Ford BDD
#23 RM Racing
0 Accident
38 Terry Knight Ralt RT4/80 [180] - Ford BDD
#88 Terry Knight Racing
0 Engine
39 Peter Kuhn March 79B - Ford BDD
#40 Hot laps/Titmas Racing

DNS Carl Liebich Lola T560 [T460 HU18] - Ford BDD
#54 Liebrau Racing (see note 12)
Did not start
DNS Peter Greenfield March 79B [3] - Ford BDD
#17
Did not start
DNS Skeeter McKitterick Ralt RT1/78 [136] - Ford BDD Jennings
#12 AME Racing (see note 13)
Did not start
DNQ Colin Tuckey Chevron B45 [45-78-03] - Ford BDD
#26 (see note 14)
Did not qualify
DNQ J O 'Jocko' Cunningham March 80A [22] - Ford BDD
#55 Performance Racing
Did not qualify
T Jeff Wood March 79B [17] - Ford BDD
#2 Great Plains [Jeff Wood Racing]
(Only used in practice)
DNA Jean-Pierre Alamy Ralt RT1/79 [148] - Ford BDD
#13 J-P Alamy Racing
Did not arrive
DNA Doug Titus March 79B - Ford BDD
#14
Did not arrive
DNA Mike Follett Ralt RT1/78 [128] - Ford BDD
#21 Follett's Mountain Sports (see note 15)
Did not arrive
DNA Len Campbell March - Ford BDD
#24
Did not arrive
DNA James King March 79B [16] - Ford BDD
#25 Raggedy Ann Racing (see note 16)
Did not arrive
DNA Ken Briggs March 79B - Ford BDD
#30 Briggs Racing
Did not arrive
DNA John David Briggs March 79B [19] - Ford BDD
#31 Briggs Racing
Did not arrive
DNA Frank Bramante March 79B [78B-4] - Ford BDD
#44
Did not arrive
DNA Giuseppe "Joe" Castellano Ralt RT1 - Ford BDD
#66
Did not arrive
DNA Robert J. Nelkin March 80A - Ford BDD
#67 Nelkin Racing Organisation
Did not arrive
DNA Bob Hoff Ralt RT1/77 [79] - Ford BDD
#68 Gas Saleen Racing (see note 17)
Did not arrive
DNA Rick Bell Ralt RT1/78 [127] - Ford BDD
#78 Bell Racing (see note 18)
Did not arrive
DNA Patrick Garmyn unknown
#86
Did not arrive
DNA Mark C. Engler unknown
#91
Did not arrive

All cars are 1.6-litre F/Atl unless noted.

Qualifying
1 Tom Gloy (F/Atl) 1.6-litre Ralt RT1 - Ford BDD Jennings 1.27.331
2 Geoff Brabham (F/Atl) 1.6-litre Ralt RT4/80 [178] - Ford BDD 1.27.613
3 Dan Marvin (F/Atl) 1.6-litre March 80A [21] - Ford BDD Hasselgren 1.27.977
4 Price Cobb (F/Atl) 1.6-litre March 80A [20] - Ford BDD 1.28.037
5 Jeff Wood (F/Atl) 1.6-litre March 80A [14] - Ford BDD Willis 1.28.056
6 Kevin Cogan (F/Atl) 1.6-litre Ralt RT1/78 - Ford BDD 1.28.159
7 Dave McMillan (F/Atl) 1.6-litre Ralt RT1/76 [36] - Ford BDD Hart 1.28.235
8 John Mortensen (F/Atl) 1.6-litre March 80A [9] - Ford BDD Race Shop 1.28.686
9 Bob Earl (F/Atl) 1.6-litre Ralt RT1/78 [146] - Ford BDD Jennings 1.28.737
10 Jacques Villeneuve Sr (F/Atl) 1.6-litre March 80A [5] - Ford BDD Race Shop 1.29.206
11 Steve "Gas" Saleen (F/Atl) 1.6-litre Ralt RT1/79 [165] - Ford BDD Jennings
17 Rogelio Rodriguez (F/Atl) 1.6-litre Ralt RT1/79 [147] - Ford BDD Jennings
18 Takao Wada (F/Atl) 1.6-litre March 79B [78B-15] - Ford BDD
20 Bruce MacInnes (F/Atl) 1.6-litre Ralt RT1 - Ford BDD
22 Rick Koehler (F/Atl) 1.6-litre March 80A [17] - Ford BDD
24 Whitney Ganz (F/Atl) 1.6-litre Ralt RT1 - Ford BDD
25 Paul Grundrich (F/Atl) 1.6-litre Ralt RT1/78 - Ford BDD
28 Robert Silvestro (F/Atl) 1.6-litre Ralt RT1/78 [129] - Ford BDD
33 Bob McGregor (F/Atl) 1.6-litre March 78B [13] - Ford BDD
36 Warren "Bud" Pauge (F/Atl) 1.6-litre Brabham BT38 [‘33’] - Ford BDD
38 Wally Farrell (F/Atl) 1.6-litre March 79B - Ford BDD

Notes on the cars:

  1. Ralt RT1 (Tom Gloy): Tom Gloy (Lafayette, CA) acquired a Ralt RT1 of unknown vintage as a spare to his newer RT1/79 for the 1979 season, when he was run by Lane Sports. Retained by Lane Sports for 1980 when it was driven by Gloy and by Kip Penske. CT
  2. Ralt RT1/78 [146] (Bob Earl): A white Ralt RT1/78 invoiced to Ralt importer Brian Robertson in early December 1978. To Bob Earl (Novato, CA) ad raced at a SCCA National at Riverside in February 1979, where it was described as new. However, when Earl raced it at Long Beach in April, it was called "ex-Cogan". Raced by Earl in the 1979 North American series, sponsored by National Treaty Services and entered by NTS Racing. Raced by Earl at Macau in November 1979. Retained for the 1980 North American series, when it was entered by Earl Motor Racing, and again raced at Macau as part of the Flying Tigers Racing Team. Towards the end of 1980, it was again described as a ex-Cogan. Sold to Andy Mahood (Vancouver, BC) and raced in ICSCC and SCCA events in 1981 and 1982. Sold to Martin Pang (Seattle, WA) and raced in WCAR events in 1984, 1985 and 1986. CT
  3. Ralt RT1/78 [129] (Robert Silvestro): A blue and white Ralt RT1/78 invoiced to Ralt importer Brian Robertson for Pierre Phillips' Pierre's Motor Racing in mid-May 1978. It is believed to have been used as a spare car for Phillips' drivers Bobby Rahal and Chip Mead, but exactly how it was used in 1978 remains uncertain. At some point during 1979 it was sold to BTG Racing, but BTG had three cars (one being the very similar RT1/78-111 and the third being an older bolted-hoop car), and exactly how they were used in late 1979 and in 1980 remains uncertain. Chassis 129 is believed to have been the car raced by Robert Silvestro once in late-1979 and twice in early 1980. All three of BTG's car went to Tim Fortner during 1980, but chassis 111 quickly moved on, leaving Fortner Lucini Motorsports with 129 and the older bolted-hoop car in 1981. Chassis 129 is believed to have been raced by Bob Earl at Long Beach and by Riley Hopkins later in the season. CT
  4. Ralt RT1 (Whitney Ganz): Whitney Ganz raced a Ralt RT1 in 1980, but its identity has not been determined. It could be a 1978 or 1979 car. Nothing more known.
  5. Brabham BT38 [‘33’] (Warren "Bud" Pauge): A "new chassis" replacing the ASCA team's Brabham BT38 wrecked by Jean-Pierre Jaussaud at Rouen. It was raced by teammate Adam Potocki at Imola, where Potocki failed to qualify, and was then Jaussaud's car for the rest of the season. ASCA entered Jaussaud in the Brazilian F2 Torneio, but he was involved in the startline accident at the second Interlagos race, and the Brabham was badly damaged. According to Chris Townsend's research, this car was acquired by Fred Opert Racing and raced by Héctor Rebaque in the Caracas Formula B race in March 1973, then by Brian Robertson in the JAF Grand Prix in May 1973. It is not clear what else Opert used it for in 1973, but in January 1974, he sold it to John Bernadine (Tulsa, OK) for SCCA Formula B. Then to Warren Pauge (Hacienda Heights, CA) in August 1975, replacing his well-used Brabham BT21. Pauge retained the BT38 for many years, even running it as a Can-Am car once in 1982. After he finally stopped racing it in 1988, he sold it to Marc Bahner, then it went to George Steven in 1992, Tom Stapleton about 2008, and Paul Skilowitz (Stuart, FL) in 2016.
  6. Ralt RT1/76 [10] (John Connolly): New to Team Gunston for Roy Klomfass at the end of 1975 and used through the 1976 South African Formula Atlantic season in South Africa, during which time it was extensively modified. In early 1977 it was sold "to a guy in Los Angeles". This must have been Kevin Cogan (Torrance, CA, in southwestern Los Angeles County), who raced his newer RT1/76-33 in 1977 but kept chassis 10 as a spare car for the first part of 1977. It was borrowed by Pierre Phillips at Mosport Park in May for Juan Cochésa to race after the Venezuelan crashed his intended car in practice. Then very probably the car acquired from Brian Robertson by John Connolly (Brooklyn, NY) and raced by him at Trois-Rivières in September. The car is thought to have remained with Connolly until advertised by him in early 1982, but he also had a newer RT1/78 and a Ralt RT4. CT
  7. Chevron B34 [34-76-34] (Mike Buckenham): New to Fred Opert Racing and believed to be the car raced by Alan Jones at Trois-Rivières in early September. To Butch Owsley (Aptos, CA/San Jose, CA) and raced in the IMSA race at Laguna Seca in early October. Retained by Owsley for SCCA Nationals and Regionals in 1977. Then raced by Bob Earl (Novato, CA) at a couple of late-season SCCA Regionals. The car was bought by actor James Brolin and run for Earl to drive by Ron Tourte's Tourté Racing in 1978, then Earl raced it in Pro events and SCCA Nationals. Earl did not get the results he expected, and also raced Doug Dreager's March 76B in one race, and ended the season in one of Fred Opert's newer Chevron B39s. The B34 went to Mike Buckenham (Stockton, CA) for 1979 and he raced it in SCCA Nationals until 1982 at least. The car was then taken by Joe Ordoqui (Boeing, CA) in partial payment for his March 80A. Ordoqui recalls that the Chevron sat in his garage for a couple of years but he is not sure where it went. Subsequent history unknown.
  8. March 80A [9] (John Mortensen): Run in 1980 by Doug Shierson Racing for John Mortensen in North American series then to Howard Cherry for 1981 and 1982 (prepared and run by Dennis Eades of Competition Preparation). Sold to an Italian-American 1982 and disassembled; to John Barrett 1990 and rebuilt with the help of Ed Midgley but not raced; to Jim Ozane 1999 (used in vintage racing); to Christian Forrer 2005 (US vintage racing); to Kim Jones (Australia) 2008.
  9. Ralt RT1/76 (Ed Donnelly): Ed Donnelly (Long Beach, CA) scored six points in Southern Pacific Division Formula Atlantic in 1979 in a Ralt. This was presumably the Ralt RT1 he raced in the North American Formula Atlantic series in 1980. He finished seventh in Southern Pacific Division that season, with 17 points, then finished second in the Division in 1981, qualifying for the Runoffs. He raced it again in 1982, when he ran at Long Beach, and it was still being raced by Donnelly in 1985. CT
  10. Ralt RT1/76 [11] (Carlos Bobeda): New to Chip Mead (Dayton, OH) and raced by him in the 1976 Players Canadian Formula Atlantic series, run for him by Cavanaugh Racing in dark blue livery. Retained by Mead for 1977, when it was run for him by Pierre's Motors. It was then sold to Rick Shea Racing but unused as Shea ran a newer Chevron B45 for hire drivers. Retained by Rick Shea Racing for 1979 when it was used by Mark McCaig at Long Beach, although his regular car that season was Shea's Chevron B45. To Carlos Bobeda (Northridge, CA) late 1979 and raced by him in 1980 and 1981. It was rebuilt on Marc Bahner tub during this time. Sold to Stu Hayner (Yorba Linda, CA) for 1982. CT
  11. Ralt RT1/76 [36] (Dave McMillan): To Cavanaugh Racing and run for Kevin Cogan in two late-season 1976 Canadian Formula Atlantic races. Sold to David McMillan and raced in the 1976/77 New Zealand Gold Star season, and in the January 1977 New Zealand International Formula Pacific series. Taken back to Canada for McMillan to race in two Canadian series races in 1977, then back to New Zealand for the 1977/78 Gold Star series and the January 1978 International series. Retained by McMillan for the 1978/79 and 1979/80 seasons, while also used in a handful of North American races in 1979 and 1980. Rebuilt as a Formula Super Vee for McMillan in 1980. McMillan moved to Ray Lipper’s Centreline Wheels team in 1981 and the old RT1 was raced by Lipper that season. CT
  12. Lola T560 [T460 HU18] (Carl Liebich): New to Carl Liebich (Plymouth, WI/Two Rivers, WI) for Canadian and IMSA Formula Atlantic races late in the 1976 season. Liebich was said to have a new T560 for 1977, but it appears it was his nearly-new T460 updated. Retained for 1978, 1979, and the start of 1980. Chris Townsend's research shows this car was sold to Chuck Dietrich in 1980 and used by him in SCCA Central Division Formula Atlantic until 1982. It was then retained unraced by Dietrich until sold to Lowell Blossom (Zionsville, IN) in 1995. Raced by Blossom at Lime Rock in May 1996 and at Grattan Raceway in August 1997. It was sold by Blossom to Dave Jordano (Indianapolis, IN) in 2005. Subsequent history unknown, but believed to be the T460/T560 raced by Tom Thornton in HSCC Derek Bell Trophy races in 2010 and 2011.
  13. Ralt RT1/78 [136] (Skeeter McKitterick): A white and blue Ralt RT1/78 invoiced to Ralt importer Brian Robertson in August 1978. To AME Racing for Skeeter McKitterick (San Diego, CA/Woodland Hills, CA), debuting at Trois-Rivières in early September. Also raced by McKitterick at the Macau Grand Prix in November as part of the Flying Tigers team. Retained by McKitterick for 1979, when he had sponsorship from CAM 2 Motor Oil. Raced in the North American series and again in Macau, entered by Flying Tigers Dunhill Racing Team. Entered a few times in 1980, but rarely seen. Sold to Kyle Buxton (Trabuco, CA) who raced it in Formula Atlantic in 1981 and 1982, then fitted a sports car body for Can-Am racing later in 1982, using a Ford BDP engine. To Dennis Brisken, and used in ASR class racing in 1984, but later wrecked at Sears Point. Sold to Carl Olsson (San Diego, CA) and rebuilt as a FC, and later as a CSR. Then to Tom Nelson (San Francisco area, CA) who rebuilt it again as an improved CSR. CT
  14. Chevron B45 [45-78-03] (Colin Tuckey): New to Rick Shea Racing and in North American Formula Atlantic in 1978, with backing from Jethro Tull. Raced by Shea at the first round, and by Marcel Talbot, Skeeter McKitterick, Bob Earl and Tom Gloy at later races, Retained by Shea for 1979 and raced by Mark McCaig (Calgary, Alberta) in the Pro series. To Colin Tuckey (Calgary, Alberta) for 1980, and entered in the Pro series by FBM Racing. Retained by Tuckey for 1981. Later raced by David Farmer (Niagra Falls, Ontario) in 1983. The car ended up with another Chevron in a museum in Canada, until 1989, when they were spotted by Peter Hemming. The B45 was acquired by Ed Swart in February 1993, and prepared for historic racing. He raced the B45 from October 1993 with a BDA engine in the Formula Atlantic class, and after about five years ran it with a 2-litre BDG engine in F2 classes.
  15. Ralt RT1/78 [128] (Mike Follett): New to Mike Follett (Lewiston, Idaho) and raced in the North American Formula Atlantic series from 1978 to 1980. He kept the car until the end of 1983 when he crashed heavily in a WCAR race at Sears Point. CT
  16. March 79B [16] (James King): New to James King and first raced in June 1979. Raced primarily in SCCA Nationals but also used in the CASC Pro races at Road America and Montréal that year, at Long Beach and Road America in 1980, and at Road America again in 1981. Sold to Dennis Eade at Comprep after the 1982 season, but Eade was only interested in the engine and the car remained stored at Comprep for some time. Bought by Barry Rosenblum from Eade at some point and used in historic racing.
  17. Ralt RT1/77 [79] (Bob Hoff): New to Gilles Léger (Lachute, Quebec), first appearing at Trois-Rivières in September 1977. Raced by Léger mainly in the Canadian rounds of the Labatts Formula Atlantic Championship in 1978. Then used as a rental car by Léger for Marc Dancose to race at Quebec in June 1979 and Monique Proulx at Montréal in September. Sold to Bob Hoff (Long Beach, CA) for 1980, when it was run for him in the North American Formula Atlantic series by Gas Saleen Racing. CT
  18. Ralt RT1/78 [127] (Rick Bell): New to Rick Bell (Lakeville, CT) and used in the 1978 Labatts Formula Atlantic championship. Retained for 1979, again in the North American Pro series. Retained for a third season in 1980, and again raced regularly in the North American Pro series. In 1981, he sold the car, and believes it went through three other drivers until it was bought by a friend of Bell's. Bell has been racing the car in historic racing, mainly at Lime Rock, since then.

Sources

Note that the identification of individual cars in these results is based on the material presented elsewhere in this site and may in some cases contradict the organisers' published results.

North American Formula Atlantic race results have been compiled by Chris Townsend based on material in Formula and On Track, information drawn from Canadian newspapers and results sheets where available.

All comments, clarifications, corrections and additions are most welcome. Please email Allen (allen@oldracingcars.com) if you can help in any way with our research.