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REVIEWED: The History of the Trans Am Series 1966-1995 DVD
Written by: Gregg Leary   
05/05/2008 - 04:47 PM
Charlotte, NC
 
SPEEDtv.com rates this DVD of classic TRANS AM tales 3 out of 5 lug nuts. ยป More Photos


The DVD jacket promises “The REAL Story of an American Legend.” Parnelli Jones says, “The TRANS AM Series was-and still is- one of the greatest American road racing series ever.” The eloquent Sam Posey concurs. “No racing has ever equaled the early TRANS AM for cut-throat competition among major manufacturers and the drivers delivered thrilling and sometimes desperate performances.” Sam talks about one of his “desperate performances” against Peter Revson on the DVD.

It’s a classic. The DVD is “packed with historic film and photos” and candid interviews with Roger Penske, Parnelli Jones, Sam Posey, Dan Gurney, David Hobbs and others. Running time is 75 minutes but it seems to fly by.

TRANS AM was originally billed as “The Trans American Sedan Championship” and began on March 25, 1966 as a support race for the 12 Hours of Sebring. There were 44 entries. A.J. Foyt won the pole in a Ford Mustang. Jochen Rindt won the U2 Class (Under 2 Litre) and was first across the line in his Alfa Romeo. Bob Tullius won the O2 Class (Over 2 Litre) in a Dodge Dart.

Bob had a real problem with Rindt being declared the “Overall Winner.” Tullius said: “There’s no such thing as an OVERALL winner. If I were racing him my strategy would have been different and I may have been “overall” winner, but I was making no effort to do that. He won his class and I won mine.” Initially points were awarded to the make of car rather than the driver. The first “Drivers Championship” didn’t officially happen until 1971.

Curtis Turner made his only Trans-Am start at Virginia International Raceway. Other legendary NASCAR drivers who ran Trans-Am…Richard Petty, David Pearson, Wendell Scott, Cale Yarborough, Lee Roy Yarbrough.

Dan Gurney tells of his Green Valley, Texas win in 1967. It was his only Trans-Am win and was “the most painful race I ever had without hitting anything.” He won
by a few inches over teammate Parnelli Jones in a Bud Moore Mercury Cougar…”after 4 ½ hours in 110 degree heat…I ran out of water 45 minutes from the end…it was like working in a furnace…it took me three weeks to recover.”

Sam Posey has two great stories in the DVD. He tells of a fight with Peter Revson after an on track incident at Riverside. “Peter was white hot mad, slightly foaming at the mouth and his eyes were burning cinders.” Strangely, after the fight they became good friends. Sam was a teammate of the legendary Mark Donohue. As Sam puts it…”I was on the team, but not ON the team. He was not the good guy, the friendly guy people thought. As his teammate I got NO help.”

Other notable accounts on the DVD:

Roger Penske tells a funny story about why they really put a vinyl top on one of their Penske Camaros.

This Trans-Am Champion won the first Trans-Am race he entered, even though he started last. (Scott Pruett)

The Michigan Trans Am race in 1970 was the last for both Mark Donohue and Peter Revson.

This Trans Am showman was best known for his victory dances on the roof of his racecars. (Willy T. Ribbs)

In 1992 this champion completed every lap en route to the title. (Jack Baldwin)

This Hollywood legend took pole and led wire to wire at Brainerd in a Nissan 280 ZX. (Paul Newman)

Janet Guthrie was the first woman to race Trans-Am. Lyn St. James said: “We need more women in racing but they need to do well to make a difference. It’s not important that we’re just there…we need women to be competitive. That’s what will make a difference.”

“The History of the Trans Am Series: 1966-1995” makes a nice addition to your racing DVD library. It rates three out of five lug nuts.
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