1983 IMSA Camaro

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Last car raced by Don Yenko

Don Yenko, Jery Thompson and Jerry’s son Chris had been competing in the IMSA Camel GT and American Challenge series since the late 1970’s. For the 1983 season IMSA changed their rules allowing purpose built tube frame cars to compete. Dillon Race Works in Indiana was selected to built this car. This was the first of several road race cars that Dillon would built.

This car was raced at numerous tracks across the US, including Daytona, Sebring, Lime Rock, Mid-Ohio, Sears Point, and Road Atlanta.

In 1983 the team competed in 8 of the 18 IMSA Kelly American races, their best finish was a second at Pocono followed by a third at Lime Rock. They finished the year ninth in the championship. The car was still competitive in the IMSA Kelly American Challenge in 1985, which included a third at Road America and a fifth at Columbus.  

In 1983 this car was state of the art with its tube chassis, dry sump oil system, rack and pinion steering, and quick change rear end. With IMSA having no rules on engine size, just that cars must weigh 10 pounds per cubic inch, the car ran both a V6 and a V8, depending on the length of the track.

The car retired from competition and put in storage in 1987. It retains most of its original parts. The car has many interesting features, but one of the most unique is the water injection system used to cool the brakes.

When the car was taken out of storage the car was complete with the exception of the engine and transmission. Tom Clary and Maurice Wiggs restored the car back to its original colors and installed a Chevy V8 and Muncie transmission. Once complete it was inspected by and passed by SCCA for current vintage racing.

 

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