Need Answer To Porsche Trivia Question
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Do you know what type of Porsches this American race car driver raced in?
Not sure about car #33
But Bob Holbert (USA) was one of the United States' first Porsche dealers and a prominent Porsche race driver in the 1950s and '60s
Also, Harry Blanchard (USA) was one of the other first Porsche dealers and he even was a factory 718 RSK driver for Porsche. Harry Blanchard ran a large car dealership in Greenwich, Connecticut, and used to race Porsche sports cars as a hobby. In 1959 he won the US production sports car championship with a Porsche 550A and, with the help of his mechanic Karl Kaihofer, had a second hand 718 RSK Spyder sports car converted into a single-seater race car. This car had no resemblance with the factory’s own single-seater designs and was a completely independent development.
Born: 13 June 1929, Burlington, USA
Not American race car drivers, but #33 Porsche....
1957 # 33 Porsche 550A RS S/N 0131 - Hermann / von Frankenberg at Le Mans
Not sure about car #33
But Bob Holbert (USA) was one of the United States' first Porsche dealers and a prominent Porsche race driver in the 1950s and '60s
Also, Harry Blanchard (USA) was one of the other first Porsche dealers and he even was a factory 718 RSK driver for Porsche. Harry Blanchard ran a large car dealership in Greenwich, Connecticut, and used to race Porsche sports cars as a hobby. In 1959 he won the US production sports car championship with a Porsche 550A and, with the help of his mechanic Karl Kaihofer, had a second hand 718 RSK Spyder sports car converted into a single-seater race car. This car had no resemblance with the factory’s own single-seater designs and was a completely independent development.
Born: 13 June 1929, Burlington, USA
Not American race car drivers, but #33 Porsche....
1957 # 33 Porsche 550A RS S/N 0131 - Hermann / von Frankenberg at Le Mans
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another one....
Peter Gregg, USA e Sten Axelsson, S - Porsche System Engineering, D, #33 Porsche 906/6 Carrera 6, Flat 6 (1991cm3), Sport Class.
Günther Klass, D e Rolf Stommelen, D - Porsche System Engineering, D, #58 Porsche 906/6 Carrera 6, Flat 6 (1991cm³), Sport Class.
Peter Gregg, USA e Sten Axelsson, S - Porsche System Engineering, D, #33 Porsche 906/6 Carrera 6, Flat 6 (1991cm3), Sport Class.
Günther Klass, D e Rolf Stommelen, D - Porsche System Engineering, D, #58 Porsche 906/6 Carrera 6, Flat 6 (1991cm³), Sport Class.
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Johnny Von Neumann imported early Porsches and raced in the 50s. At Torrey Pines in San Diego Nov.27 1954 he raced a Porsche 1500S with the number 33.
George
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Thanks Dede and George. The clues given to me so far are:
The driver is an American
He drove Porsches with the #33
He drove Speedsters in the early 50's with the number 33
He started out racing MG's
I'll be surprised when I find out who it is.
That's all I've gotten.
The driver is an American
He drove Porsches with the #33
He drove Speedsters in the early 50's with the number 33
He started out racing MG's
I'll be surprised when I find out who it is.
That's all I've gotten.
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Holbert started racing in 1953 in an MG, then switched to Porsches in 1957
Robert Holbert
U.S. Porsche pioneer Bob Holbert dies
Robert Holbert
Robert McCormick Holbert, one of the United States' first Porsche dealers and a prominent Porsche race driver in the 1950s and '60s, died in his native Warrington, Pennsylvania, on Nov. 12.
Holbert was born in Warrington in 1923, and he opened a garage in the late '40s. The business moved to the more famous Holbert's Garage building across the street in 1951, when Holbert started a repair and parts business specializing in foreign and sports cars. In 1954, Holbert's Garage became one of the first authorized Porsche dealers in the country, and it continues today as one of the most well-known and oldest Porsche dealerships in America.
Holbert's love and knowledge of cars included a distinguished racing career, with awards ranging from the New York Times' "Best Sports Car Driver" for three separate years to top finishes in the 12 Hours of Sebring. He drove to a record six class victories at Sebring, including second overall in 1960. Holbert started racing in 1953 in an MG, then switched to Porsches in 1957 after seeing driver Jack McAfee pass seven drivers--all in cars with bigger engines--in a Porsche 550 Spyder at Cumberland Raceway. His subsequent racing activities in Porsche's RS-550 and RSK led to four SCCA national championships and a podium finish at Le Mans with Masten Gregory. Holbert also sold Roger Penske his first race car in 1958.
"Through his dealership and racing successes, Bob Holbert helped establish the Porsche brand in America," said Peter Schwarzenbauer, president and CEO of Porsche Cars North America. "He was a true American Porsche pioneer."
Holbert later became a Shelby Cobra team factory driver, winning the first United States Road Racing Championship title in 1963. He and frequent co-driver Dave McDonald won the GT class at Sebring in 1964. McDonald's death in a racing accident at Indianapolis several months later was a major factor in Holbert's decision to retire from racing later that year.
Holbert's son Al helped run the dealership and was the president of Porsche Motorsport North America. He had a strong racing career of his own, winning Sebring twice (1976 and '81), the 24 Hours of Le Mans three times and multiple IMSA titles before his career was cut short by a 1988 plane crash. Holbert's other son, Larry, has been the president and general manager of the family-owned dealership for the past 25 years.
Holbert's son Al helped run the dealership and was the president of Porsche Motorsport North America. He had a strong racing career of his own, winning Sebring twice (1976 and '81), the 24 Hours of Le Mans three times and multiple IMSA titles before his career was cut short by a 1988 plane crash. Holbert's other son, Larry, has been the president and general manager of the family-owned dealership for the past 25 years.
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I have looked too on all his cars (pictures). I don't see a #33, or you sure you have the right number?
Ok I have sent messages yesterday to my friends Lee Raskin, Lew Bracker and Susann Miller...all informative Porsche historians and writers or race car drivers themselves.
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I have looked too on all his cars (pictures). I don't see a #33, or you sure you have the right number?
Ok I have sent messages yesterday to my friends Lee Raskin, Lew Bracker and Susann Miller...all informative Porsche historians and writers or race car drivers themselves.
Thanks Dede, yes that is the number I was given. Did the driver's wear numbers separate from the cars? Could that be it?
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Lew Bracker, a successful west coast racer in the mid 1950's drove a Porsche Speedster #113. He was good friends with James Dean.
MESSAGE FROM Lew Bracker
June 23, 2010 at 10:01am
Re: Need Answer To Porsche Trivia Question
I can't recall any top driver with that number. Both Jimmy and I wanted #13 but both the Cal Club and the SCCA would not allow a car to race with #13 (how provincial) so I took #113 and Jimmy drove with #131.
Picture was taken at Pomona in October 1956. In the back is Lew Bracker's Porsche Speedster (No. 113).
Carrera Speedster (82833) Provenance by Jeff Gamble
http://pcasar.com/history/Gamblespeedster.html
MESSAGE FROM Lew Bracker
June 23, 2010 at 10:01am
Re: Need Answer To Porsche Trivia Question
I can't recall any top driver with that number. Both Jimmy and I wanted #13 but both the Cal Club and the SCCA would not allow a car to race with #13 (how provincial) so I took #113 and Jimmy drove with #131.
Picture was taken at Pomona in October 1956. In the back is Lew Bracker's Porsche Speedster (No. 113).
Carrera Speedster (82833) Provenance by Jeff Gamble
http://pcasar.com/history/Gamblespeedster.html
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Ok I just got some more hints.
The driver in question died early and therefor never reached his potential that others thought he would.
He only raced in California.
The number is significant because of who he was not the car.
Unless James Dean raced under another number than #130 (my number assigned to me by GGR by the way) it couldn't have been him and I can't think of anyone else who died early in their racing career.
The driver in question died early and therefor never reached his potential that others thought he would.
He only raced in California.
The number is significant because of who he was not the car.
Unless James Dean raced under another number than #130 (my number assigned to me by GGR by the way) it couldn't have been him and I can't think of anyone else who died early in their racing career.
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Lee Raskin message
My email conversation with Lew Bracker and Lee Raskin
Lew Bracker
June 23, 2010 at 10:01am
Re: Need Answer To Porsche Trivia Question
I can't recall any top driver with that number. Both Jimmy and I wanted #13 but both the Cal Club and the SCCA would not allow a car to race with #13 (how provincial) so I took #113 and Jimmy drove with #131.
Message from Lee Raskin - Porsche Historian, James Dean at Speed
Lee Raskin
June 23, 2010 at 7:21pm
Re: Need Answer To Porsche Trivia Question
A pix of James Dean driving #33 at Santa Barbara, Memorial Day Weekend is found in James Dean At Speed. Photo was taken just before Jimmy blew a piston by overreving his engine on a down shift after he spun into some hay bales. Note by the pix in the book...Dean's #33 has a nice crease on the right rear fender from some metal to metal contact!
Dede...for the record, Porsche introduced the Speedster for the 1954 production year. First race was at Torrey Pines in 1954. Lee Raskin, author James Dean At Speed.
Lee Raskin
June 23, 2010 at 7:15pm
Re: Need Answer To Porsche Trivia Question
Hi..wanted to chime in Lew, et al. The 'provisional' race numbers James Dean took as a CSSC rookie were 23 at Palm Springs, 3/55, 123 at Bakersfield, 5/55; 33 at Santa Barbara 5/55 (DNF); and 131 at Santa Barbara, 9/55 ( DNS). Jimmy applied for SCCA membership for the Salinas Road Races 10/1/55 in his new 550 Spyder with the provisional number of 130. A lot of folks speculate why Jimmy chose the number 3 in all his provisional race numbers.
It wasn't until I was writing James Dean At Speed and was at the Fairmount Historical Museum that I realized that Jimmy's Fairmount HS basketball numbers were 3 for JV and 13 for Varsity. How's that for some trivia. More can be found in James Dean At Speed, 2005. On ebay and Amazon Inscribed and signed by the author, thats' me...Lee Raskin
Lee Raskin
June 23, 2010 at 7:27pm
Re: Need Answer To Porsche Trivia Question
I am away on the road....but found a pix on my archives file...a very rare image of JD having just loaded the DNF #33 at Santa Barbara, 5/55 onto a transporter.
Photo credit to Frank Worth.
Under copyright by CMG, Worldwide, Indianapolis, IN.
Lee Raskin, Author, James Dean At Speed, 2005 on Ebay and Amazon
Lee Raskin
June 23 at 4:59pm Reply
Correction..had to text a JD book owner for the answer to Lew's answer. Sorry Lew....too confusing. But yes you were #113 in the former James Dean Speedster and your black Carrera Speedster with weber carbs!
Santa Barbara race #2 Sept. Labor Day, 1955. Lew was registered as #232 and was his initial race. James Dean was not #131 as Lew recalled, but #233. JD's provisional races numbers were #23, 123, 33, 133, and 130. Verified!
Lee Raskin
June 23, 2010 at 7:33pm
Re: Need Answer To Porsche Trivia Question
Dede...away in Motown at Ford Museum for a few days on business. Answered your question along with a pix I had on my computer file ..unpublished of #33 on the transporter at Santa Barbara 5/55 as a DNF. Lee
My email conversation with Lew Bracker and Lee Raskin
Lew Bracker
June 23, 2010 at 10:01am
Re: Need Answer To Porsche Trivia Question
I can't recall any top driver with that number. Both Jimmy and I wanted #13 but both the Cal Club and the SCCA would not allow a car to race with #13 (how provincial) so I took #113 and Jimmy drove with #131.
Message from Lee Raskin - Porsche Historian, James Dean at Speed
Lee Raskin
June 23, 2010 at 7:21pm
Re: Need Answer To Porsche Trivia Question
A pix of James Dean driving #33 at Santa Barbara, Memorial Day Weekend is found in James Dean At Speed. Photo was taken just before Jimmy blew a piston by overreving his engine on a down shift after he spun into some hay bales. Note by the pix in the book...Dean's #33 has a nice crease on the right rear fender from some metal to metal contact!
Dede...for the record, Porsche introduced the Speedster for the 1954 production year. First race was at Torrey Pines in 1954. Lee Raskin, author James Dean At Speed.
Lee Raskin
June 23, 2010 at 7:15pm
Re: Need Answer To Porsche Trivia Question
Hi..wanted to chime in Lew, et al. The 'provisional' race numbers James Dean took as a CSSC rookie were 23 at Palm Springs, 3/55, 123 at Bakersfield, 5/55; 33 at Santa Barbara 5/55 (DNF); and 131 at Santa Barbara, 9/55 ( DNS). Jimmy applied for SCCA membership for the Salinas Road Races 10/1/55 in his new 550 Spyder with the provisional number of 130. A lot of folks speculate why Jimmy chose the number 3 in all his provisional race numbers.
It wasn't until I was writing James Dean At Speed and was at the Fairmount Historical Museum that I realized that Jimmy's Fairmount HS basketball numbers were 3 for JV and 13 for Varsity. How's that for some trivia. More can be found in James Dean At Speed, 2005. On ebay and Amazon Inscribed and signed by the author, thats' me...Lee Raskin
Lee Raskin
June 23, 2010 at 7:27pm
Re: Need Answer To Porsche Trivia Question
I am away on the road....but found a pix on my archives file...a very rare image of JD having just loaded the DNF #33 at Santa Barbara, 5/55 onto a transporter.
Photo credit to Frank Worth.
Under copyright by CMG, Worldwide, Indianapolis, IN.
Lee Raskin, Author, James Dean At Speed, 2005 on Ebay and Amazon
Lee Raskin
June 23 at 4:59pm Reply
Correction..had to text a JD book owner for the answer to Lew's answer. Sorry Lew....too confusing. But yes you were #113 in the former James Dean Speedster and your black Carrera Speedster with weber carbs!
Santa Barbara race #2 Sept. Labor Day, 1955. Lew was registered as #232 and was his initial race. James Dean was not #131 as Lew recalled, but #233. JD's provisional races numbers were #23, 123, 33, 133, and 130. Verified!
Lee Raskin
June 23, 2010 at 7:33pm
Re: Need Answer To Porsche Trivia Question
Dede...away in Motown at Ford Museum for a few days on business. Answered your question along with a pix I had on my computer file ..unpublished of #33 on the transporter at Santa Barbara 5/55 as a DNF. Lee
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Thanks Dede, Lew and Lee for the trivia on JD. I had never seen that picture before it must be a rare one.