Laguna Seca Spring Classic - Trans-Am 1966-1972 2.5 liter

Alfa Romeo versus Datsun battle in the Trans-Am race

One of best supported races at the Laguna Seca Spring Classic was that for 1966 to 1972 Trans-Am cars of up to 2.5 liters.  The Trans-Am series began in 1966 and its golden era was until 1972 when a number of the big teams quit.  It was a series for what Americans call Sedans and us Europeans call Touring Cars.  Mixed in with this were some GT cars.  Overall victory was often the preserve of the big bangers but there was always a class for 2 litre cars and for the final two seasons of the golden era this was increased to 2.5 litres.  Races in this class were often a battle between Datsun and Alfa Romeo.   Over 30 cars turned up at Laguna Seca with a great variety of these little cars racing.  I watched and photographed the two Saturday races.

The field comes around for the start of the Saturday afternoon Trans-Am race.

The second part of the field...

...and then some more...

...aand most of the rest of the field.

Troy Ermish took both Saturday race wins with this 1971 Datsun 510

Mid field battle at the Corkscrew. Alfa, Triumph, Alfa, Datsun, BMW.

Second place in both races went to Michael Anderson in this 1968 Datsn Fairlady

Sam Smith in the 1972 BMW 2002 just avoids to be rammed by a Datsun.  Sam scored a third and fourth place on Saturday.

Alan Terpins also drove to a podium finish in this 1967 Porsche 911 T/R

1967 Alfa Romeo GTA

Alfa versus Datsun.

1967 BMW 2002 at the top of the Corkscrew.

Terry Forland finished fifth in race 2 in this 1968 BMW 2002

My favourite car in the race was this 1970 Triumph Vitesse driven by Chuck Gee.

1969 Datsun 510

1971 Datsun 510 exiting the last turn followed by an Alfa.

1967 BMW 2002

More last turn action with 1969 Datsun 510, 1972 BMW 2002 and 1966 Porsche 911.

1967 Alfa Romeo Giulia Super

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Datsun Roadster 1600.