Pontiacs in Trans Am

McLowry · 25 Jul 2003, 10:41 (Ref:670958)

Where there any Pontiacs racing in Trans Am series during 1964 to 66.
If so where can i find info and pics.
Thanks McLowry

**Peter Mallett** · 25 Jul 2003, 10:55 (Ref:670971)

Welcome aboard McLowry.

Hopefully we've got somebody here who can assist you.

TimD · 25 Jul 2003, 11:00 (Ref:670974)

Welcome to the forum!

Unfortunately, I can only tell you that the Trans American Sedan Challenge started in 1966, and that according to my records no Pontiacs took part that year.

Nordic · 25 Jul 2003, 11:18 (Ref:670997)

Nothing for 64-66 however look at www.vintagemotorphoto.com and a search for trans am will give you some great shots of 1970

**Peter Mallett** · 25 Jul 2003, 11:47 (Ref:671022)

Lovely!

McLowry · 25 Jul 2003, 12:26 (Ref:671052)

Thanks for the kind greetings and info
I'm a sim racer and have been following a thread in one of sim communities forum about some pictures of a Tempest being raced at Lime Rock era mid 60's .
Apparently a team had did a quick prep of one of the members wife's car as a joke but the car did better than expected
http://forum.racesimcentral.com/atta...postid=1047350
http://forum.racesimcentral.com/atta...postid=1047421
I Quote from the forum.

The Tempest was running second at Lime Rock when the engine went, finished 4th at Bryar, 5th at Mid-Ohio, and 5th at Michigan.

The car handled much better than it should have, because they managed to put negative camber in the rear wheels. Sure, it was underpowered, but the thing handled like a Porsche.
Thanks again McLowry

TimD · 25 Jul 2003, 13:36 (Ref:671105)

Ah, amazing what a little lateral thinking can do. The key word was "Tempest".

There was a '64 Tempest in the Trans Am series. But it was entered by Bob Tullius in 1971!!

It was known as the "Gray Ghost", ran as number 49, and could indeed have won its race at Lime Rock Park if the engine had not let go.

EERO · 29 Jul 2003, 11:50 (Ref:674202)

Though its a couple of years later, Herb Adams ran a black Firebird Trans Am in 1972 after the factories had bowed out.

I found the following link to the 1971 Trans Am at Lime Rock with a picture of Tullius' GTO.

http://www.javelinamx.com/JavHome/articles/limerock.htm

**Peter Mallett** · 29 Jul 2003, 15:15 (Ref:674387)

Saw a Trans Am in Ankara last night.

bevilan · 31 Jul 2003, 13:33 (Ref:676307)

I was looking at Trans-Am The Pony Car Wars 1966-1971 by Dave Friedman at a bookstore last night. The back of the book lists the results of all the races. The first entry I saw for a Pontiac was a Firebird in the seventh race of the 1968 season.

KA · 1 Aug 2003, 19:58 (Ref:677450)

Quote:

Originally posted by TimD
Ah, amazing what a little lateral thinking can do. The key word was "Tempest".

There was a '64 Tempest in the Trans Am series. But it was entered by Bob Tullius in 1971!!

It was known as the "Gray Ghost", ran as number 49, and could indeed have won its race at Lime Rock Park if the engine had not let go.

more on the 'Gray Ghost':

http://www.javelinamx.com/JavHome/articles/limerock.htm

KA · 1 Aug 2003, 21:32 (Ref:677500)

....which of course is exactly the same link EERO posted...

It's been a long day.....

flatlander_48 · 3 Aug 2003, 04:08 (Ref:678322)

My guess was that the '68 Pontiac competitor was Craig Fisher. There was a loop hole that allowed it to run as the Canadian Firebird used the Chevy 302.

Bruce302 · 4 Aug 2003, 06:12 (Ref:679231)

Craig Fisher was indeed the first Firebird racer in T/A. Subsequently Jerry Titus (Editor of Sports Car Graphic at the time)
managed to put a factory (tech) backed team together with Canadian
businessman Terry Godsell providing finances.
During the '69 year there was 6 (or 7) Titus/Godsell (T/G Racing)built cars (3 team cars, and 3 onsold) on the T/A circuit along with some other privateers Pontiacs. Drivers included Jerry Titus, Milt Minter primarily, but Bob Tullius and Johnny Rutherford also filled in where needed. Unfortunately the very talented Craig Fisher was moved out of the team and raced a variety of cars, mostly Camaros, but also a Fiat Abarth, in the 69 and '70 seeasons.
For '70 Jerry was the sole T/G Team driver, 2 cars were built, a primary, and later a "lightweight". Sadly Jerry Titus died of injuries sustained midyear in one of these Firebirds.
From there on it didn't get much better for Pontiac.

flatlander_48 · 5 Aug 2003, 01:34 (Ref:680090)

Hmmm, kinda-sorta.
Jerry Titus was recovering from his crash injuries (broken leg?) and doing well in the hospital when he died from a blood clot in his lungs...

Bruce302 · 5 Aug 2003, 07:28 (Ref:680209)

Thanks flatlander
I had only ever read the 'implication' that it was resultant from head injuries (one report cites the possibility of the pitman arm
being not tightened sufficiently and leading to loss of steering, but that can only be speculation at this stage)
I live and learn, this is a great forum. Thank you.
Bruce.

flatlander_48 · 6 Aug 2003, 00:42 (Ref:680899)

I don't remember the cause of the accident, but I do remember that somebody stopped (Parnelli Jones?) after the accident and went to Titus to help. Good thing too, as he was not breathing because he swallowed his tongue. All things considered, Titus' injuries were pretty manageable until he had that blood clot. Very tough and tenacious racer. Multifaceted too as he was the editor for Sports Car Graphic.

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