Apology to Chevy Supercar purists

[Jeff Murphy]

Bill,

Have you had the chance to read Paul Van Valkenburgh's book called "Chevrolet= Racing?: 14 Years of Raucous Silence! 1957-1970"? You'd love it if you haven't.

Actually, I'd recommend it to any site member that likes the old racing stuff. Not too much drag racing, but the book has extensive coverage of Duntov's early projects up through the Grand Sport program, Jim Hall's Chaparral operations, Penske/Donohue, Smokey Yunick, Yenko's Stinger program and the development of the Can-Am/ZL-1 engine... And even better, it was written by an insider. Van Valkenburgh was an insider at Chevrolet Research and Development as an aerodynamicist in competition vehicle dynamics.

Great stuff. I managed to find a 1972 first edition for a decent price, but they've done a recent reprint.

[JoeC]

That is a great book. He messed up on the Yenko Stinger history but still great overall book to read. Smokey Y's books are great to and tell some of the story of "Chevy Racing". When I had Donna Mae on the phone I asked about Vinnce Piggins and the Chevy Racing underground and she said she remmembers engineers (in suit and tie) comming to the track dropping off special parts. Yenko, Grady Davis (Gulf Oil), and Zora, worked together (with many others) to dominiate SCCA B/Production winning 1961, 1962, 1963. Don had '62, 63 and should have had 61 but was suspendened so Dick Thompson took over and was 61 points champ. Gulf Oil spent big bucks on engine developement. They said it anyone had more HP then the Gulf Oil B/P Corvettes (61 62 63) they were cheating. Nickey Chevy/Jim Jeffords won B/P in the purple people eater Corvette before Don.