a tad too much gas in the Penske Camaro

https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1442043164598702&set=a.717965483673144

an extensive and terrific list of all the cheating methods and devices in racing, some are pure genius, some are incredibly imaginative innovations. I posted just my favorites, the rest are at the link

https://www.facebook.com/groups/808547945893612/posts/24926999833621753/

My favorites are:

cars that picked up the start clock signal and released the cars from the stage start with zero drivers reaction times, but the FIA had a hunch they were doing it so just before the actual start signal, they broadcasted a fake one that got all of the cheaters to jump the start at the 1999 European grand prix

Skip the first 45 seconds

titanium hubs sprayed with metallic paint so the magnet would stick.

traction control chip in the MSD box.

frame rail and fire extinguisher filled with nitrous

Pro stock would run weak oil rings and loose guides so they consumed oil. Then used Used Top Fuel Oil contaminated with Nitro Methane

Alan Johnson Top Fuel car using huge amount of connection wiring from ignition control unit changing the rev limiter ceiling

Ryan Newman engineered a carburetor that didn't go against NASCAR rules but was ultimately banned because it had lower CFM to optimize fuel mileage with only a 2 HP loss. Hence gaining 7 extra laps on a tank of fuel

Gary Nelson’s pumps inside the gas dump cans to speed up the fueling time, had mercury switches so when can was upside down it turned on

SCCA late 50's into the 60's cars with tail light cut out switches to suck competitor's deeper into the corners, causing them to spin

Jim Hall’s Chaparral had a switch mated to the accelerator, which activated when the throttle pedal was deactivated. The tail lights came on before the brake pedal was ever touched, giving the impression that the brakes were applied before the brake pedal was depressed. The following car would therefore brake before the Chaparral.

Penske’s TransAm Camaros and Javelins with two gallon filler necks on the fuel tanks, because the rulebook only specified the size of the tank

Smokey's extra tall front bumper that effectively was an air dam

Stirling moss actually synchronized his watch with that of the starter. Other drivers watched for the flag to drop, Stirling was watching the second hand on his watch.

the Lancia rally team manager paid for a bunch of salt spread on roads overnight, then next morning Lancia were the only team on proper tarmac tires, everyone else expected snow on the roads.

SCCA spec racer w/ spec chassis and suspension. An accident 'repair' led to a narrowed chassis that added negative camber. Took a while for inspectors to catch it.

Knaus/Johnson getting caught drilling 1/128” holes in valve stems so the tires could be filled to the “hot” psi and as the tire heats up it bleeds off excess pressure to maintain optimum pressure.

Penske used 25kg, 55lb mufflers, to move the weight lower in the can in Australian touring cars.

Penske Automotive Group Inc. said on July 3 it completed its acquisition of a Ferrari dealership in Modena, Italy. The retailer said it expects the dealership, now called Ferrari Modena

With this addition, Penske now operates 29 retail locations across Italy and nine Ferrari dealerships globally, including the exclusive distributor of Maranello Classic Parts.

https://www.cbtnews.com/penske-automotive-acquires-ferrari-dealership-in-modena-italy/

https://www.autonews.com/retail/mergers-acquisitions/an-penske-buys-ferrari-dealership-italy-0707

Roger Penske, famous for the "unfair advantage" since the Mark Donohue days, just fired his top 3 execs for getting caught at cheating

As a result of this latest cheating episode, Team Penske has announced the “departure” of:

team president Tim Cindric, who’s had that position since 2006 and has been a part of Team Penske since 1999,

the team’s managing director Ron Ruzewski,

and general manager Kyle Moyer.

https://www.racingjunk.com/news/its-only-cheating-when-you-get-caught-team-penskes-legacy-under-fire-at-indy

Here's one I just learned about the Penske Donohue rapid fueling rig (I've already posted about the supercooled fuel) they started with a fuel drum 10 feet off the ground to test the race track's response to the new gadget during quals, THEN raised it to 20 feet for the race, for FASTER fuel loading!

Above the short tower, and by the looks of the pivot points, might even be articulated for height adjustment! Wouldn't that be amazing to learn they could lower it like with a crank that scissor jacked it from low to high, install fuel into the drum, and dry ice, then jack it up to height for the improved gravity drain?  

https://www.facebook.com/choppertown/videos/445945861441681

https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1271044631698557&set=a.717965483673144

Ever heard of how Penske and Donohue got the unfair advantage with the Javelin?

They took Porsche 917 brakes (Girling manufactured) to the AMC people, had AMC part numbers made for the Porsche brake parts, then had those Porsche 917 brakes sold over the counter to meet the SCCA regulations

https://theamcforum.com/forum/penskedonohue-javelin-replica_topic78747_page3.html

https://www.canepa.com/museum/1970-amc-javelin-trans-am/

Team Penske en route to 1966 Sebring, with an L88 and a Gran Sport Vette

 https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=10220783830705875&set=gm.2456777411182161&idorvanity=527146584145263

great photo

https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=25013014254979290&set=pcb.2385685708291332

glory days of SCCA when crazy money and talent went to the extremes to be competitive with cars bought at dealerships and factory manufactured, but had race cars made of them by the time they touched the tracks

https://lateral-g.net/forums/showthread.php?t=56177&page=42

Roger Penske driving a GTO at Goodwood following Jack Sears in an E-Type

 https://www.clubroadster.net/threads/doep-sh-tzzz.1962/post-5903706

the Penske Camaro could refuel in 4 seconds. Spills must not have been regarded as a nearly deadly hazard, they way I regard them, based on al the race car drivers I've seen on fire

https://www.facebook.com/groups/505973489414476/permalink/4415174538494332

Here's a cheat that I haven't heard of before, 2 race cars, one under the minimum allowable weight, the other in spec. The underweight can pull better qualifing times, but isn't legal to race... Penske cheated to solve the problem

Notice the numbers for each car, 15 and 16.

Each car in the photos below wears the opposite number than it did in the actual race. The car with the vent window (wind wing) in the door is the '67 lightweight car from the previous season.

It was under minimum weight and did not get run through tech inspection. They ran the '68 through tech inspection twice by changing the car number in a closed airplane hangar between each inspection.

http://www.camaros.org/forum/index.php?topic=7779.90

I think I may have posted these photo years ago when I read Unfair Advantage by Mark Donohue. They swiss cheesed the inner fenderwells and doors for free flowing air on the Sunoco Camaro

http://www.camaros.org/forum/index.php?topic=8485.0

 Holes were also incorporated into both ends of the door and through the rear quarter panel and into the rear fenderwell.

http://www.camaros.org/forum/index.php?topic=8328.0

coffee and donuts video for audio enjoyment. You might want to watch from the beginning, or look up other coverage of the Amelia Island Concours, it's probably the best car show in America

by the way, the name of the guy that posted this vid to youtube, Dan Scanlan. That's the same name as the Pixar director 

Don Lee built an exacting replica of the Penske superchilled fueling tower, "Big Rig", and placed it on display at the 2020 Amelia Island Concours in Florida.

https://www.hagerty.com/articles-videos/articles/2020/03/12/nothing-bends-rules-like-this-penske-fueling-tower

you might remember that I posted about this before:
http://justacarguy.blogspot.com/2013/03/how-to-cram-more-gas-into-race-car-step.html
http://justacarguy.blogspot.com/2019/04/racing-photographer-ron-lathrop.html

Before he was a old man and corporate name, Roger Penske was a hooligan, and a race car driver, and in 1961 bet Augie Pabst 100 bucks (worth a 1000 back then before inflation) he wouldn't drive his rental car into the hotel pool

https://patganahl.com/2019/04/29/deep-six/
https://quotefancy.com/quote/1720682/Brock-Yates-They-still-talk-about-the-night-that-Augie-Pabst-a-fresh-faced-heir-to-the

the hotel is on the golf course, and is now the Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel And Spa On Del Monte Golf Course

Roger Penske receives Presidential Medal of Freedom

Roger Penske received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honor, from United States President Donald Trump on Oct. 24 at The White House.

Guided by his father’s favorite phrase, ‘effort equals results,’ Mr. Penske built his one car dealership into Penske Corporation, a leader in global transportation services. On the track, Mr. Penske built and led Team Penske into the most successful motorsports team in history.

Team Penske, Penske’s motorsports team across various series, has won more than 530 races and 35 championships in its 53-year history.

Penske becomes the second person in the motorsports industry to earn the honor. NASCAR Hall of Famer and seven-time champion Richard Petty received the honor from President George H.W. Bush in 1992.



https://www.nascar.com/news-media/2019/10/24/roger-penske-presidental-medal-of-freedom-donald-trump-president

racing photographer Ron Lathrop captured photos of the prominent racetracks and their drivers in America during the late 1960s, before going into the Air Force from 1965 - 69 and again from 1972 - 92.

Sunoco's 1969 Camaro "Inspection Cruiser". Huh, even though it's just a 307, it's still a 1969 Camaro, and that would be mighty cool to see show up

Above is the famous frozen fuel of the Penske Donahue Camaro... dry ice was used to super chill a barrel or drum of gas, which when loaded into the Camaro, was helpful in packing more fuel into the gas tank, and lower the fuel air mix temp at the carb, possibly lowering the engine temp - but certainly packing more oxygen atoms per cfm for more power

here's a better look at the drum in a barrel, being supercooled, and frosting the bottom half of the barrel

Ron was a freelance racing photographer dating back to 1963 and did work for Sports Car Graphic, Competition Press, Road and Track, as well as a number of karting magazines and even Rod and Custom.

https://bangshift.com/general-news/thursday-time-killer-a-massive-treasure-trove-of-vintage-late-1960s-trans-am-photos/
http://www.camaros.org/forum/index.php?topic=8309.0

Kettle Moraine Preservation & Restoration, dedicated to the integrity and preservation of the history of motorsports, ranging from fully race-ready vintage cars to the trophies they may have won 'in the day.'

Above, Penske CHOSE the KMPR team to restore the Mark Donohue raced 1972 Gurney All American Racers Indy Eagle #7225.   Here they are at the 2016 Milwaukee Concours d'Elegance, where KMPR's work won Best in Class for Race Cars.


Thirty minutes outside Milwaukee, there is a small warehouse in the back of a quiet industrial park. It is one hour south of Road America, one of the greatest and most storied road courses on this continent, and not by accident. There is no signage, nothing to identify the business, just a few parked trailers and a small gravel parking lot. The grass out front is neatly kept but slowly subsuming the rocks.

And then you walk inside, and there are Indianapolis race cars. There are also race car parts, from loose gears on a bench to shelves full of hand-lettered bodywork, the chassis attached to the latter long ago crashed or broken up.

Rick and his son Jacques are historians. The work of their shop, Kettle Moraine Preservation and Restoration (KMPR), has been showcased at Indianapolis Motor Speedway and lauded by Dan Gurney and Roger Penske.

Penske’s outfit asked the Dresangs for help when restoring one of the team’s enormous 1970s International Fleetstar transporters. Penske himself requested a Dresang-rebuilt Penske Eagle—the ex-Mark Donohue 1972 example shown here—to be present in 2016 when he received a lifetime achievement award from the International Motor Racing Research Center in Watkins Glen. Staff at Gurney’s All American Racers shop in California have referred to Kettle Moraine as “AAR East,” due to the store of Gurney blueprints and cars, and the Dresangs’ devotion to sleuthing the team’s past.

Even with those ties, KMPR is an odd bird in the world of motorsport: a top-shelf restoration facility with no customers. The shop was founded to maintain and share the Dresangs’ vehicles, but it’s more than just a collection of machinery.

“The sport is a flushing toilet, and only a few people make it to the rim. It’s like anything—if a war’s fought, we want to know about the losing side. At Indy, there are 32 losing sides.”

“We just want to share the stories,” Jacques says. Preferably, he adds, those from outside the spotlight.

It’s why the KMPR trophy cases are full of vintage cups, from America to Europe, engraved with obscure names. Why Jacques hunts down crew members from C-level teams, or even their relatives, gently inquiring about the past.

“When I started this, I just started calling people, collecting data,” Jacques says. “Cross-referencing things, crew-member A to crew-member B. I’m an ass for the truth. I don’t care if it’s not what I want it to be, I just want to know what it was."

The work may be tedious, but the result is valuable insight into the sport’s dimmer corners—that unglamorous zone where journalists and historians rarely tread.

The Dresangs have day jobs and thus mostly deal with Kettle Moraine business in after hours. Evenings and weekends of research, mechanical work, or simply helping the odd well- known driver sort through his history.

“Take David Hobbs . . . it was funny. We were going through old photos at his house with a bottle of wine. I was asking, Who’s this guy, who’s that guy? He said, ‘Why do you want to know about him?’ I said, Because he did this and this and this, with nothing. He goes, ‘You really like the little guys, eh?’

“Yes. Because they tried. And you if you go to the Wikipedia page, there’s nothing, and it bothers me.”
https://www.roadandtrack.com/car-culture/a13930479/the-wisconsin-shop-that-keeps-forgotten-indy-500-history-alive/
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In 2009, the team found an ultra-rare 1977 All American Racers Eagle DGF Formula Ford in California.

After a year of restoration, the car took to the track at the SCCA Kettle Moraine Regionals, winning one of the two sprint races. The season-ending Fall Sprints Regional event at Blackhawk Farms Fall Sprints proved difficult for the team, losing longtime friend and team member Loyd Haslee to cancer the morning of qualifying. Dresang and the team went 10-10ths for their lost friend, capturing pole position, winning all three heat races and the feature event in a car many had thought was past its prime.

 Since 2011, the team primarily focuses on vintage open-wheel car racing and restoration, mainly with AAR Eagles as their specialty

http://kmvintage.net/news/coming-soon-to-road-track
http://www.kmvintage.net/about.html

Found and restored, Penske's Blue Hilton

After an exhaustive restoration process, Team Penske has unveiled one of the most unique pieces of its history, a customized 1972 International Fleetstar truck known in the racing circles as “The Blue Hilton.” The truck was one of the first known enclosed transporters used for racing purposes. It served the team in various capacities from 1972-1983.

the Blue Hilton transported the No. 66 McLaren that Mark Donohue drove to victory in the 1972 Indianapolis 500 – the first of Team Penske’s record 16 wins in the “Greatest Spectacle in Racing.” In conjunction with its sister transporter, “The White Hilton,” it was used to transport the powerful, championship-winning Porsche 917s that dominated the landscape of the Can-Am Series in the early 1970s with George Follmer and Donohue before it was sold in 1983.

Until Jerry Breon, a long-time Penske team member, located the sales listing in an automotive trade magazine in the fall of 2015, this historic vehicle was thought to have been scrapped. The truck was purchased from George Boyd of Urbana, Illinois, who had utilized it while competing in various racing series until retiring it to a spot on his property.

 He was the only owner of the truck after its days at Team Penske. After verification and removal from the Boyd property, the Blue Hilton was towed to the Penske Truck Leasing (PTL) Collision Center in Ft. Wayne, Indiana where the restoration began with the help of Donohue’s original blueprints.

They took it to truck body manufacturer Morgan Corporation, who was able to supply many of the original extrusions used in building the box section. One Morgan employee had been with the company when the Blue Hilton was constructed in 1972, and provided invaluable advice during the rig’s restoration. While the aluminum skin of the box section appeared well-preserved, much of the internal steel structure had corroded after decades parked in an Illinois field.

“When you talk with the crew members that drove and worked out of this transporter over those years, and you look at the photos from the many cars it carried, you see how the Blue Hilton was an integral part of our history,” said Bernie King. “It’s certainly very much a part of the Team Penske heritage. Everyone at Penske Truck Leasing that was involved did a fantastic job of restoring this truck to how it was when it ran and carried many of the team’s winning cars.”

http://www.teampenske.com/news/index.cfm/a/666/53212/TEAM_PENSKE%20RESTORES%20ICONIC%20TRANSPORTER
https://www.hemmings.com/blog/2017/02/27/team-penskes-1972-international-transporter-the-blue-hilton-lives-again/