In memory of Mark Donohue

[unstable bob gable]

This coming Sunday, August 19, 2007, marks the 32th anniversary of the tragic death of Mark Donohue. For those that don't know, Mark was one of the greatest drivers to ever don a racing suit, and he won races in many different aspects of motorsports. He was a very successful driver in the Trans Am series, winning championships in both Chevrolet Camaros and AMC Javelins. He is also a local, as he was born in Summit NJ, and is also buried there. So, this weekend when you fire up that Camaro, remember Mark. I know when I climb behind the wheel of my Javelin this weekend I will try to drive it in a way that would make Mark proud.

For anyone who wants more info on Mark Donohue:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Donohue

[fastback79]

Summit NJ, no freakin way. This guy was the TRANS AM series back when trans am used Real cars. This guy should have a shrine or a museum.

[unstable bob gable]

Originally Posted by fastback79

Summit NJ, no freakin way. This guy was the TRANS AM series back when trans am used Real cars. This guy should have a shrine or a museum.

Yessir! It pains me that he is never mentioned when people talk about famous Jersey-ites. When I get some time I want to see if Summit has any kind of tributes to him. BTW, his son David was born in Morristown. And David is a pretty good racer in his own right!

[WildBillyT]

Originally Posted by fastback79

Summit NJ, no freakin way. This guy was the TRANS AM series back when trans am used Real cars. This guy should have a shrine or a museum.

Yep. Mark Donohue is/was the man. My avatar is actually a shot of the wheel on one of the Trans Am Camaros.

[unstable bob gable]

Originally Posted by WildBillyT

Yep. Mark Donohue is/was the man. My avatar is actually a shot of the wheel on one of the Trans Am Camaros.

That guy could be given a shopping cart to work with, and he'd find a way to win with it!

[Blacdout96]

Well let me give you a little backround on Mark's tragic crash that took his life, and UBG you'd drool seeing some of the guys I just saw today including Parnelli Jones, and Bobby Unser. Mark died practicing for an F1 race two weeks after he set the record for average closed circuit speed at 221mph in a Porsche 917/30 can am car. He was a great driver, adn a few of his cars are here at the track. I believe it was forthe austrian GP that he was practicing for whe nhe crashed. He is missed in this community of drivers that set the benchmark for what racing is today, and yet, will never be matched compared to the racing of the 50's, 60's and 70's.

[unstable bob gable]

Originally Posted by Blacdout96

Well let me give you a little backround on Mark's tragic crash that took his life, and UBG you'd drool seeing some of the guys I just saw today including Parnelli Jones, and Bobby Unser. Mark died practicing for an F1 race two weeks after he set the record for average closed circuit speed at 221mph in a Porsche 917/30 can am car. He was a great driver, adn a few of his cars are here at the track. I believe it was forthe austrian GP that he was practicing for whe nhe crashed. He is missed in this community of drivers that set the benchmark for what racing is today, and yet, will never be matched compared to the racing of the 50's, 60's and 70's.

You are right about Mark crashing while practicing for the Austrian GP. A sad day in racing. But yep, racers like Parnelli and Bobby U will make ubg drool! Bobby Unser was another favorite of mine growing up. My nickname was "Bobby," and I liked to think I was named for Mr Unser.

[fastback79]

It would be cool if chevrolet made the new camaro with a special limited Mark Donohue edition car complete with the original trans am paint scheme and american racing mags. After all, Ford did a Parnelli Jones mustang tribute.

[unstable bob gable]

Originally Posted by fastback79

It would be cool if chevrolet made the new camaro with a special limited Mark Donohue edition car complete with the original trans am paint scheme and american racing mags. After all, Ford did a Parnelli Jones mustang tribute.

Cool idea. And Mopar could do a T/A Challenger

[jims69camaro]

RIP mark

[chevyt454]

RIP