Bob Earl

13/1/1950

Record updated

Bob Earl
Bob Earl started racing in 1972 and has since established himself as one of the most competitive drivers in North America, as well as an excellent test driver and driver coach. Earl's major successes include: 24 career victories in the International Motor Sports Associations Camel GT Series (in 86 starts) Two victories and one second in six attempts in the 24 hours of Daytona. One Victory and three seconds in five attempts in the 12 hours of Sebring. 13 Solo Camel GT victories Macau Grand Prix Champion Formula Ford National Champion. 2001-current-Freelance Driver Coach, Invented the Virtual Racing Chassis, Lead instructor for Jim Russell Racing School Mechanics Training Program. 1996-2000 - Started and was Director of instruction for the Derek Daly Performance Driving Academy, also the chief coach in the Team Kool Green Academy driver search. 1994-1996 - Freelance Driver Coach 1993 - Drove Acura Spice Camel Lights sponsored by Motorola with 2 wins, 3 thirds, and two pole positions. 1990-1992 - Drove for the Nissan Performance Technology Inc. GTP team with victories in Miami, Watkins Glen, and the 12 hours of Sebring, and second place finishes as West Palm and Mid Ohio (1990). Second place finishes at Daytona and Sebring (1991). In 1992, led Daytona and Sebring, and finished third at Miami after substituting (with no practice time) for Chip Robinson. Lead development driver on P-35 V12 Group C car. 1989 - Won Daytona and finished 2nd at Sebring Driving the Roush Lincoln Mercury GTO car. Drove a Chevy Spice for Jim Miller's MTI Vacations GTP team for 11 races, earning seconds at Watkins Glenn and Tampa, third at Del Mar, and three other top five finishes. 1988 - Drove for the factory Pontiac Spice GTP Team and was consistent top 6 qualifier with one third, one fourth ( 12 DNF's due to engine development problems). 1987 - Won first 24 Hours of Daytona event ever entered (pole position), driving a factory Pontiac Spice GTP Light car. Drove the factory Pontiac Fiero in GTO series, with two victories (including the cars debut in Miami) and consistent high finishes resulting in third place for the season in point standings. 1986 - Hired by Spice Engineering to drive factory backed GTP Light entry. In 11 races, earned 8 pole positions (5 qualifying records), three victories (led 8 races), and six fastest race laps. 1985- 1986 - Drove factory backed Pontiac Fiero for Huffaker Racing in IMSA GTU division. In 27 races, earned 16 pole positions (nine records), scored ten victories ( led 23 races), and set ten fastest race laps, (6 records). 1980-1984 - Macau Grand Prix Champion 1981, (only American ever). Bosch Gold Cup Super Vee Champion at Riverside (1980 & 1981), and Charlotte (1980). Third place in Super Vee standings (1981). Won Professional Formula Atlantic Race at Elkart lake and third at Long Beach (1980). Development Driver for Hayashi Cars and Anson Super Vees. 1979 - In first professional series, scored Formula Atlantic victory at Elkart lake. Finished fifth in the Championship standings with one victory, three thirds and one fourth. 1978 - Two victories in two attempts in National Formula Atlantic competition. 1972-1978 - Started racing Formula Ford and won numerous races, including the National Championship (1972). Earned the Bert Hawthorne trophy for Formula Ford Competence, and the Northern California Motorsports Writers "Driver of the Year", honors (1973). Divisional Champion (1974). The only driver to win the "first ever" races for six different Formula Ford Chassis. 1972-1986 - Was chief instructor for the Bondurant School of high Performance Driving at Ontario Motor Speedway and Sears Point Raceway.

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