corvetteinfocenterrh.jpg

SCCA Trans-Am Corvette
Home
C7.R
Corvette DP
GT4 C6
GT3 C6 Z06-R
GT2 C6.R
C6.R
C5-R
GT1 C4 ZR1
Callaway SuperNatural
Corvette Challenge
Corvette GTP
Trans-AM
1968 L-88
1967 L-88
Grand Sport
1963 Z06
1962 Sebring Racer
1962 Gulf Oil Corvette
1961 Gulf Oil Corvette
1960 LeMans Racer
1960 "Race Rat"
1959 Purple People Eater
1957 Corvette SS
1956 Sebring Racer
Corvette SR-2
1956 Daytona

1987-88 SCCA Trans-Am GTO Class

1988transam.jpg

The first car to be delivered went to the Tommy Morrison team, who did the final build and set-up for Greg Pickett and Tommy Riggins (# 2 MOBIL 1 Polyvoltac). This car ran under the Morrison banner for two years before being sold. In the first year (1987) the MOBIL 1 sponsor colors were dominant. Greg Pickett was the lead driver and the car was entered under the Protofab banner. By the end of the season, the car was under Mobil 1/Mid America banner. Two cars were entered by the end of the season, with ally Dallenbach Jr in the second car. In 1988, POLYVOLTAC increased their sponsorship and the car wore the now-famous black and white POLYVOLTAC colors. For 1988 IMSA driving was largely assumed by Tommy Riggins and John Jones. Wally Dallenbach (Jr) ran the car in both IMSA and Trans-Am races in 1988 but only one race in 1989. For Trans-Am, Greg Pickett, Jack Baldwin and Tommy Riggins would drive at different races. In late 1988, the car was sold (by Protofab) to John and Hunter Jones, who owned Kuala Springs flavoured water. The Kuala Springs team also bought the # 5 Dallenbach car. The Kuala Springs business was sold, around the same time, to Seagrams, on condition that they would have sponsorship for the race car for one year from Seagrams. A fall-out amongst partners in the team (Richard Andison versus the Jones boys) resulted in the two cars going in different directions. Also in 1990, Rick Mancuso bought the # 2 car and then re-sold it to what is reported to be a gentleman from South America. At this time, however, it would seem that this might have been Luis Mendez, from the Dominican Republic. Luis ran one IMSA race (Miami) each year for several years. This is under active research. In 1993, Mendez picked a ride with Irv Hoerr's Oldsmobile and contracted the Corvette to Tommy Riggins, to drive in the Miami race. Subsequent cars were delivered to Jerry (Darin) Brassfield (car # 88), Wally Dallenbach (car # 5), possibly Greg Walker Racing (cars #68 and 69), and others.

Engine: Although there was a general requirement for a stock type engine in this era, the actual eligibility of an engine was determined by a displacement to weight formula. Engines for this car varied. Although the car began its racing career with normally aspirated induction, it is believed that it was also run with a turbocharged V6. Driveline: SCCA mandates a 2500 pound minimum weight. The addition of ballast would be calculated based on the engine and fuel systems being used, as well as other competition factors. Weismann 5-speed transmission GM rack and pinion steering GM Delco shocks Brembo brakes 47 inches tall 65 inches wide 96 inch wheelbase. As matters turned-out, GM did not end-up being the supplier. Instead, the chassis for the new C4 IMSA/SCCA tubeframe race cars would be built-to-order by Bob Riley, in his PROTOFAB shop

Rear Axle/Brakes: Weismann 5-speed transmission GM rack and pinion steering GM Delco shocks Brembo brakes 47 inches tall 65 inches wide 96 inch wheelbase.

PICTURES: Trans-Am Corvette

Corvette Racing History is not associated with GM or Chevrolet Motor Division
This site is best viewed with Mozilla Firefox