This 911 is being driven by a famous person, made famous partially for his prowess in piloting Porsches. Do you know who he is?
I didn’t take the photo because of it… I just like this particular style of photo, as many of you know. I call it “the hero shot” as it makes any car look heroic. It is easier to look at than it is to take however, as it involves some derring-do out the side of a fast-moving car, risking life, limb, and camera gear in the process. In this case I tripped the shutter just a tad too late, but it’s still a good shot.
Shaun Redmond is ineligible as he was with me on this event.
Peter Gregg?
Nope. Here’s a hint: He’s noted for having raced in virtually all forms of circuit racing: USAC, F1, NASCAR, SCCA, TransAm & CanAm.
Mario Andretti?
Jerome
Nope, not Mario.
his son then – Michael?
Jerome – who really doesn’t know these classes of US racing…
Aaaargh! A Porsche -take it away!
Looks like Caroll Shelby with glasses on.
No, not Mr. Shelby.
Some hints: Drove a 917, and another famous (but too unique to name) car in CanAm. The later team also fielded F1 cars, which our subject also drove. The unique company that ran these teams is now part of Honeywell… oddly enough.
Mark Donahue and Chapparal!
Didn’t Donahue die in 1975? As for Chaparral, I can only recall Jim Hall driving his own cars… but I was pretty young back then. 😉
No, it is not Mark Donahue.
Dan Gurney? I’m getting close to the end of my knowledge of America’s in F1….
Jerome
Vic Elford!
I like vroomie’s answer.
Nope. Another hint: He’s been inducted into the Motorsports Hall of Fame.
Ok my last US F1 racer …. Phil Hill – before he died of course….
Jerome
Guys… this person is still living. I took this photo in September of 2007. Some judicious use of the archive links at the right side of the page will reveal all! 😉
another guess…. Brian Redman
Jerome
Like I said, I like Jerome’s guess:)
I was thinking it was Vic Elford too but that one’s been scratched. Is it Alan Jones (Aussie) who raced Porsches, Can Am and for the Shadow and Williams teams?
Getting warmer. An American, not an Aussie.
And there I was thinking that your hints would make it obvious. So if it was someone from the Shadow team, the only American remaining is founder Don Nichols and I don’t think he raced much himself. Peter Revson is long gone as is Welshman Tom Pryce so they are obviously ineligible. Jackie Oliver is still around but he’s a Brit. So if Shadow F1 race team is the clue I’m stumped.
How about George Follmer?
It is George Follmer! Honestly I didn’t cheat. I’ve just looked in your archives but only after I made the suggestion (#22) above. Actually i have a minor connection with Shadow. My driver on the upcoming Monte Carlo Historique, Bill Richards, has a Metro silhouette race car with massive front brakes that were obtained from an ex-Shadow car that was sold off for parts. Nobody ever our brakes Bill on the circuit…
Finally… yes, it is George Follmer. =)
Wow…had no idea he was still pressin’ the loud pedal! I got to see Follmer drive a Trans-Am car at CDR, in the late 60s. Good driver, gooder guy!
Nice guy too. He was along with us on the 2007 GTTSR. He spoke to us as a group one evening too. His public speaking skills aren’t so great, but one-to-one he’s a very pleasant guy.
Here’s a B&W shot of the car I saw GF drive; the color photo just proves the *best* styling of the Mustang was the ’69, and now that it’s a *decent* car, I’d even own one!
http://www.aarcuda.ch/images/follmermustang1970transam.jpg
http://tinyurl.com/9qes74