This Week in Motoring: Feb. 1-9
Check out some of the highlights of motoring history for the week of Feb. 1-9! Photo gallery follows at the end of the post
February 1
Bobby Rahal, Brian Redman, and Bob Garretson drive a Porsche 935 K3 to victory in the 1981 24 Hours of Daytona – the first IMSA GTP race. (image Rahal Redman…)
Brian Redman finishes both 1st and 2nd in the 1970 24 Hours of Daytona when two Porsche 917Ks he co-drove take the top two spots on the podium. 1st place was shared with Pedro Rodriguez and Leo Kinnunen, while 2nd was split with Jo Siffert. (image Rodriguez.Redman…)
February 2
The very first Cobra roadster prototype reaches the shops of Carroll Shelby in southern California – 1962.
Al Holbert, Derek Bell, and Al Unser Jr. drive the famous #14 Lowenbräu Special Porsche 962 to the 1986 24 Hours of Daytona win. (image #14 Holbert…)
February 3
Paul Goldsmith, driving a Smokey Yunick-prepared Pontiac, wins the last stock car race run on the beach at Daytona – 1958. (image Paul Goldsmith…)
February 4
Sir Malcolm Campbell drives “Bluebird” to a land speed record of 174.833 mph at Pendine Sands, Wales – 1927. (image sirbw27)
Peter Gregg and Hurley Haywood drive their lightweight 2.8 liter Porsche 911 Carrera RSR to victory in the 1973 24 Hours of Daytona, besting the 3 liter entries from Ferrari, Matra, and Mirage-Ford.
February 5
Derek Bell, Bob Wolleck, and John Andretti give the Porsche 962 its 50th win in the United States at the 1989 24 Hours of Daytona.
February 6
“The Little Mexicans”, brothers Ricardo and Pedro Rodriguez (ages 12 and 15, respectively), take part in their first automobile race in Mexico, 1955. They were already accomplished motorcycle racers.
The BMW M1c, modified for IMSA GTP competition, rolls out of the March factory, 1981. (image hobbs81b)
February 7
Bruce McLaren wins the Argentine Grand Prix in Buenos Aires in 1960.
February 8
A revised Ferrari GTO Series II is granted homologation papers by the FIA thanks to some “creative” chassis numbers assigned by Ferrari, 1964. 3 cars were produced, along with 36 Series I cars – a far cry from the requisite 100 cars required by the FIA.
February 9
Carl Fisher, James Allison, Arthur Newberry, and Frank Wheeler form the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Corporation in 1909.
Lane Motor Museum is home to the largest collection of European cars and motorcycles in the US! Approximately 150 cars are on display that represent countries from around the world!