IMSA Camel GTP Road Atlanta 1986

The IMSA Atlanta Constitution-Journal 500 from Road Atlanta in Braselton, Georgia on ESPN Speedworld. The world's best road racers are in attendance behind the wheel of the exotic GT Prototypes. Also included are the Camel Lights.
Hosted by: Bob Varsha and Bill Adam
Pit Reporter: Ron Kendrick
All rights belong to ESPN.

[@seankrainik2270]

My father took me to this race and I was a huge Corvette fan as my dad used to race them in the 70's at Elkhart/Blackhawk. Super cool to see this on youtube

[@pkp4911]

I lived in Atlanta during the mid to late 80's and worked for Brumos Porsche Audi (sister store in Jax, FL). This was our home track and I have incredible memories of this track before they did the changes to slow the cars down before the bridge...I was at this race in my VW Vanagon Westy which I was able to park just after the bridge--looking down on the cars as they exited--and were quite often in a drift all the way down which couldn't be appreciated watching on TV. This was a great race...thanks for posting...

[@andyhamilton8940]

Wouldnt Daytona be considered Brumos home track?

[@racertrader]

Thanks for the memories...I left the track early that weekend to see my future wife. Such a great track, and always loved racing there (held a class track record there for a number of years in the late 2010s).

[@scottlathrop66]

I was there all weekend. Saw Drake Olsen trash the 962 on an open test day at 11. Was also there when Wolleck destroyed his 962 during Sunday morning warm up.

[@mauownage]

Old Road Atlanta was a driver's circuit. Even today it is, but this is a whole different shebang back then!

[@Stinger430]

Thanks for this video! This is my favourite era of racing, and my favourite race car, the Corvette GTP.

[@beyond_the_infinite2098]

Thanks for posting this. Next to the original Trans-Am and Can-Am , GTP is my favorite class of cars with their ground effects and turbos. The Vette was the best looking GTP imo

[@andyharman3022]

My second-favorite era of sports car racing in the US, behind the '66-73 CanAm. Ford, Chevy, Buick, Porsche, BMW, and Jaguar all had factory efforts in GTP, soon to be joined by Nissan as well. My favorite was the V6 turbo powered Corvette GTP fielded by Hendrick Motorsports. The 3.0L Chevy V6 had 780HP @ 7800 rpm, but was capable of much more. Ryan Falconer told me years ago that he had tested it at 1300 HP (uncorrected) on the dynamometer. Good also to see the 2nd place by the Buick GTP driven by John Paul Jr. (RIP, his life should have been so much better, but for his drug-dealing father.)

[@gloobnord]

Thanks, man for posting this (I know I'm way late.) You know what dropped my jaw was Bob Varsha. What a baby! Dig it.

[@RandyDubin]

THANK YOU!!!!! I had this race at one point, but I accidentally deleted it off of my hard drive. -_-

[@andyhamilton8940]

Dont forget to stop by the trailer on the backstretch for a little "package" to go.

[@christianponicki9581]

(4:14) Funny how even back in 1986 some people were complaining about how the cars were "too fast" and "too expensive". Idiots like this are the reason behind the hyper-regulated, super expensive state of motorsports at the moment; "Cost-cutting" regulations put motorsports in a stranglehold by severely limiting competition and creativity, inevitably backfire, then you end up with the cars going from $500,000 (1986) to $50,000,000 (2015). So shut up, Bruce Leven, and enjoy your Porsche 962 while you still have it.

[@Mistertbones]

I agree completely.

[@livefire666]

Perfect example of when people wine and want "governing authority" to fix it......they just make it much worse!:(

[@petertimowreef9085]

I think you see it way too much as a conscious choice. I think it has far more to do with technological advancement than anything else, cars have gotten so sophisticated that small gains require massive investments.

[@andrewrcmadwilkinson6999]

WELL SAID SIR

[@3PumpChumper]

Cars cost 50 million in 2015? I seriously doubt that. A full season factory effort yes, but a single car no. While I agree “FIA Homologated” cars and parts have made for boring cookie cutter cars that race on mostly boring cookie cutter Tilkedromes, what’s the alternative? I’ve watched a few cycles of explosive growth, a pinnacle of a season or two, followed by rapid decline and years of thin fields until the next upswing. If costs can be capped in a reasonable manner then the sport will be consistently more healthy year to year. I’m curious to see how the budget cap will work in F1.

[@cfoster81]

BMW #12, the commentator's car with Watson & Hobbs

[@joserosario5431]

I remember the headline in autoweek, hand grenades 1and 2.

[@philliprally]

awesome video, thanks

[@stalledrain4093]

Did the GTO/GTU class race with them?

[@Mistertbones]

You're welcome.

[@andyhamilton8940]

Wow a rebel flag at a racetrack!

[@jetengnexd4348]

Yup. Back then it wasn’t seen as racist.

[@tokyosmash]

Sponsored by the Atlanta Journal constitution about 10 years before ruining Richard Jewells life 🥴