Back in the late 1980's and early 90's I was blessed to be able to race these great cars in IMSA's Firestone Firehawk series. Long story short, one of my teammates was a guy by the name of Bill Warner. Today Bill is best known for putting on the Concours d'Elegance in Amelia Island FL. This year, he has graciously invited me to bring my 1985 IROC IMSA race car to the show. Back in 1987, my dad, Bill, and I were racing the car at the 24 hr. race in Watkins Glen NY when I got struck by lightning in the pits. Jack Baldwin stepped in to take over for me and we ended up finishing 5th place overall out of a field of more than 100 cars.

The car was built by Bill Mitchell's Special Vehicle Developments in CT. It raced competitively in '86 &'87 before going into semi-retirement where it was used by Mitchell for 1LE brake testing work at Lime Rock CT. We had several other race cars in '88-'91 but always held onto our first which is this '85 model year...

I hope by bringing this car to Amelia Island, more people will take an interest in our great cars. Please come say hello if you are at the show. The show is March 13, 2005.

Here's an old picture taken at Watkins Glen back in the day...my car is the yellow, white, and black on - # 60.

 

Can you give me more information about the show? Where in Florida is this? where to get tickets?

 

It's too bad I'm so far away or I'd come out for that. I'd love to see a real race version of our cars.

 

Here's the link:

www.ameliaconcours.org

 

A 3rd gen at a concours event? Some would consider that blasphemy, but not us tgoers
Amelia Island is beatiful, watch out for the golfcarts though (they share the roads)
1LE Prototype: Great pic, do you have more?

 

Awesome news, congratulations!!!!

 

1LE Prototype

I know this is a little off topic, but related.
I am building a "road race" car out of my '87 Z28 and was wondering where all of these cars have gone. I see at least 9 of these race cars in your picture alone, but I have never really come across any of these cars. Where did they all go? Are they stored in some sheds somewhere? Museums? I was flippin thru the channels the other day and McGyver was on and they were racing 3rd Gens on the show. There must have been hundreds and hundreds of these cars converted into SCCA, IMSA, and other organizations road racing cars. I just figured since you were there and raced them you might know......
Sweet car by the way!!!!!

 

I saw this car and spoke with 1LE Prototype for a few minutes yesdterday. The car is currently on display at the WCC/CCI WinterNationals in Olde Towne, Kissimmee, FL. We are having our annual national gathering and he showed up with the car while I was doing the tech check portion for the 1000 point judging classes. I'll try to get some pictures, but I'll be judging cars today and don't know if I'll get the time. If any FL guys have time, stop by Old Towne today and see the fine display of 55-72 Checys and all 67 to 02 Camaros. There are also a few Firebirds on display!!

 

Just got back from Amelia Island and it was awesome. I got a great response from everyone about the car…hopefully this helped to bring some attention to our third gens. and their collect ability.

On Friday night, they rolled my car into the Grand Ballroom at the Ritz Carlton for the GM small block seminar. A talk was given by a GM engineer on the 50 year history of the small block and they had a panel there to take questions (Junior Johnson, David Hobbs, George Perris, and a couple of others. It was moderated by David E. Davis). My car was one of 4 there – the other three being the new Corvette, the Stingray prototype, and a 50’s vette race car. They also had a cool display of engines through the years.

I have the pictures from Friday night in another camera so I can post later but here are a few from the show. My car wasn’t eligible for judging as it was made after 1974 – I was just part of the GM small block display on the field. That’s me standing next to the car in the yellow t-shirt.

 

another

 

another 1

 

another...

 

again...

 

...and here's one of my dad (Charlie McCarthy) and Brock Yates joking around. Dad has known Brock since the early 70's - he ran a Mercedes (also built by Bill Mitchell's SVD) in the 1979 Cannonball race (the last one)- he came in 8th - 36 hours and 11 minutes.

 

LOL!!! Yes I have 100's of pictures. I'd post 'em all here but these files sizes are way too small...tough to resize etc.
Anything special you want to see? Cars? Tracks?

 

3rd Gens look best in motion, which hardly any of the pics on this site are. Somebody please host them all.