ASCAR series

Hi guys.. I was trawling through the Super saloon thread, and just wondered if any of the forum members have any photos or info from the ASCAR series?.. My '67 camaro was driven by Rob Potter (I believe it won the series in its inaugeral year?) although wiped its tail off at Paddock Hill Bend at the start of the following year..

Anyone recall who crewed for Rob?.. I have spoken to Rob a couple of times but his memory is a little hazy..

Any pics of the Potter Camaro (Silver with blue Z28 stripes) would be really appreciated, as would any recollections as to where the car came from before Rob found it in a London lock-up?..

Jeff

Hi guys.. I was trawling through the Super saloon thread, and just wondered if any of the forum members have any photos or info from the ASCAR series?.. My '67 camaro was driven by Rob Potter (I believe it won the series in its inaugeral year?) although wiped its tail off at Paddock Hill Bend at the start of the following year..

Anyone recall who crewed for Rob?.. I have spoken to Rob a couple of times but his memory is a little hazy..

Any pics of the Potter Camaro (Silver with blue Z28 stripes) would be really appreciated, as would any recollections as to where the car came from before Rob found it in a London lock-up?..

Jeff

The ASCAR series ( now SCSA) started in 2001 and has raced at Rockingham and Eurospeedway. The series website is www.scsaracing.com. In 2006 the series will be racing on road courses for the first time.

There was an ASCAR series running for American 'big-bangers' before then ascarmarshal - to my (limited) knowledge of that era it ran in the late 1980s and possibly early 1990s.

I remember that AMOC Intermarque series which had big American cars in it, but the only ASCAR series I know of is the SCSA US Stock Car series.

I can dig out the programmes if you like! :)

ASCAR ( American Saloon Car Auto Racing ) started in 1979 organised by the BRSCC. A few 'pilot' races took place in '79 with a Championship proper in 1980, won by Robin Gray. They raced at Aintree, Brands Indy, Combe, Donington, Mallory Oval, Oulton Fosters, Silverstone Club and Snetterton. Back to front grids and the 'selling plate' regulation at a couple of designated races, where any competitor could bid to buy any rival's car, up to a max £4K. Camaro's were the majority with a few Falcon's in the field.

I was at the 1st ever ASCAR race, at Mallory, late May '79. 9 starters all Camaros, Rob Potter won from Jon Fletcher, then Robin Gray, Richard Fagan, Chris Davis, and last Davide Bertorelli. It was held on the then new "Mallory oval", ie the short track, and it p----d it down all day !!

I was there as well Dan, went to look as I was building a Mustang to race in the series before me wife put the mockers on it (I hide them better these days). I believe the series was started by Brian Sheridan who later (with me) started the Mod Prods then Formula Saloons. I turned up as the race was finishing, I remember a white Camaro with a red and blue stripe streaking around, I also (as Jeff the thread starter knows) have one of those original IROC cars in my garage at the moment, this is one of two imported by Brian Rice from Penske racing to run in the series.

I remember Rob had an old camaro bodyshell at the back of Think Automotive for years as we were always trying to hassle him for it!

Yep, thats the series..started in '79.. real mixed bag of cars.. Jon Gray and Bertorelli are names I havn't heard in a long long time..So did anyone get any pictures?

Interesting link to Al's comment.. There was actually two camaros that Potter had in "store".. The guy who bought what is now my car had actually gone to see Rob about buying the other (newer) camaro..(I have some notes on that car somewhere...) and ended up finding the earlier car which he eventually bought and restored.. I THINK that the other car was burnt out or maybe I'm getting stories mixed up.. Al' can probably throw some light on that one!

No Jeff it was not burnt out as i recollect it just had a nice film of red surface rust and dust all over it in fact there were no distorted panels and the shell was very straight and sound which is why we wanted it. It may have even been a new shell and just stored there! I may have a shot of one of the Camaros on an old program may have ben the Bertorrilli car.

Be great if you could dig it out Al!!..

I saw a coupl;e of the races in '84, one was at Thruxton supporting F3/BTCC in May?

I remember Sheridan and Brian Powles and some other guy in a Boss Mustang, Roy Yates' i think (helluva beast that thing!!) but that's about it? I know there wasn't many cars but it was a good idea because these sorts of cars although thirsty, would have been reasonably cheap to buy and maintain i guess..

Have a look at this link: http://trevc.net/spedeworth/barrylee/opics.html
I don't know if this is the same thing or not?

I was at Mallory on that wet day that you've mentioned, and remember the race happening, although I was only 8 at the time so I can't really offer any detail.