[Chevy454]

I doubt if any knows for sure how many races Don participated in, but I know the total would be in the 100's, with many wins, as he was a very successful as a racer. According to Don, he did not drive/race a Stinger becuase he did not want to compete against his own cars. He said that he would rather support others in their efforts. Don knew that the real money was in selling cars, not racing.
Don's first race was in 1957, at New Smyrna Beach near Daytona, FL. in a stock 3 speed Vette with modified exhaust. He was on vacation and saw a sign that read " Enter for Sports Car Racing Here", bluffed his way into racing by giving an imaginary competition driver's number to the girl at the gate and found himself driving between veterans Paul Goldsmith in a four speed Vette (Don had never seen one) Marvin Panch in a Thunderbird with a bellypan and GMC blower. Because of transmission problems, Don ran the entire race in second gear. He crossed the finish line in third place, with a 3-4 foot flame coming from the rear of his car. The modified exhaust on Don's car was aimed at the rearend hosuing and had set it on fire. Don had caught the racing bug and now was a "racer". His first full year of racing he blew up 5 engines at such courses as Cumberland, Dunkirk and Akron. In 1961 Don finished national runnerup and easily won the national championships in his Corvette in '62 and '63. In 1964 he won the Northeast Divisional championship and was runnerup in the same league in '65. By 1966 he was driving for Gulf Oil and just missed winning the national championship at Riverside because of an official error. He had numerous class wins at the 12 hour Sebring race and the grueling Daytona 24 hours (1971 4th overall and 1st in class) and even raced at LeMans. Don is best known for winning the Citrus 250 at Daytona in 1969, during what we now call "speed week". The race was similar to IROC, as there were drivers from several different racing bodies. Don, representing SCCA racing, was racing a 1969 Camaro against such drivers/cars as Parnelli Jones/'69 Mustang, Loyd Ruby/'69 Camaro, Joie Chitwood/'69 Camaro, and Bob Tullius/'69 Javelin. Don's first place plaque and related newspaper articles from Don's scrapbook were displayed at the last Supercar Reunion. Tom @ sYc