Chaparral Fans

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A place for everyone who appreciates the white winged wonders that Jim Hall created in Midland, Texas.

Website: http://www.chaparralcars.com/
Members: 19
Latest Activity: Jan 28, 2013

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Comment by Andrew S. Hartwell on July 1, 2009 at 5:27pm: I would love to see some of those photos! Can you scan them and upload here?

Comment by DJ Martin III on July 1, 2009 at 5:19pm: I was also there about the same time. I had just terned 18 and I was so excited. The only camara I had was a little polaroid. The photos are very poor quality, but I have kept them still. The team was pushing the car from the garage out to the track.

I also remember when it hit the track that first time. After coming down the back straight, it was throwing high rooster tails going into the Carousel. No one wanted to be behind it in the corners!

I want to go to Midland someday. I can only hope!

Comment by Andrew S. Hartwell on July 1, 2009 at 4:56pm: DJ:
I was at the Glen in '70 when Jackie Stewart took the 2J out for its maiden run. Two things about that day: 1. During one of the practice sessions, my friend Fred and I were standing in pit lane as the crew rolled the car up right next to us. It was incredible to be that close to the car on that day.
2. Jackie took the car out and he kept forgetting it was an automatic. He kept pressing the brake pedal thinking he was engaging the clutch. I remember one of the mechanics nearby kept mumbling "That's the friggin brake, Jackie!"

Now here is the icing on the cake: A few years ago I stopped by the International Motor Racing Research Center in Watkins Glen. I was looking at the photos on the wall when I saw a pit scene from that day. In the picture is Jim, Jackie my friend Fred, and me, from the side! THAT blew me away!

PS - Make plans one day to visit the Chaparral Gallery in the Petroleum Museum in Midland. Definitely worth the trip!!

Comment by DJ Martin III on July 1, 2009 at 12:54pm: I grew up with Jim Hall and his Chaparral race cars. I remember watching him win the 12hrs of Sebring on TV as well as the 2E's first race in the new Can-Am. My greatest joy was showing up at Watkins Glen in 1970. It was Friday and the 2J was just going out on the track for the 1st time. It was as if a UFO had come down to earth and joined the race! Everyone was rushing to the fencing to catch a glimpse this strange contraption. Only Jim Hall could set the racing world on it's ear that way. It was think, more than unlimited money, that made Chaparrals special. At the time, we thought a new era was coming. Unfortunately, we were right. It just wasn't the direction we hoped. How far the racing world has fallen. We miss you Jim Hall!

Comment by Bob Dompe on May 3, 2009 at 8:16pm: Always thought it was neat that a small team in Texas could make such an impact to racing history.

I've always taken the 2J as my favorite. When it appeared at Laguna Seca, I arrived for the race early enough to catch some of the morning practice. The 2J was out on course and I grabbed a couple of (B&W) shots. It was rainy, as I recall, so I saved my color film for later in the day. Then, it was reported as pulling off the course (between turns 1 & 2, as I recall). I was at the Corkscrew. Then the word came down that the snowmobile motor or its drive had failed and there was no fixing it!

Gone for the day. Drat!

Comment by Daniel Mensinger on March 29, 2009 at 2:37pm: Saw the Chaparrals at the Monterey Historics a couple of years back and was suprised to see how small they were compared to the McClarens and Lolas. Just proves good things come in small packages.

Comment by Norman Nelson on March 11, 2009 at 2:08pm: I was amazed by the Chaparrals at Laguna Seca. I had been a big fan of the USRRC Chamionships before the Can-Am series began. Got a chance to help out in the Chaparral pits on Thursday/Friday during a race in 1967/8. Only to move tires and lug around tools but it was a thrill. I know I have several photos from those days and I will hace to dig them out and post.

Comment by Daniel Mensinger on March 8, 2009 at 3:32pm: The Chaparrals have to be the most ahead of the time cars on the track. Speaking of old photos,I have some from Riverside Raceway showing the cars on their open,single axle trailer. Times sure have changed. We used to be able to talk to the drivers in the paddock, now we are lucky to even catch a glimpse of one of them. Favorite Chaparral----the 2J. There has been nothing to touch that car for advanced thinking.

Comment by Dennis Gray on March 8, 2009 at 11:53am: I have two choices. The Chaparral 1. June 1961 I was at Laguna Seca for the cars first race. Fell in love with the shape even with that ugly nose. The 2G again at Laguna Seca in the rain. I have a shot of Jim in this car on my page. Take a look notice how narrow the rear rain tires are compared to those rear fender flairs.
In 2007 I was attending the Danville d'Elgance car show and got to talk with Phil Hill about his driving the Chaparral 2E at Laguna in 1966. He described the how the front wing/flap inside the body was controlled with his left foot and was connected with the rear wing. Phil captivated us all with his description of the two heat races. I believe this was his last professional race.

Comment by Andrew S. Hartwell on March 8, 2009 at 9:06am: Just curios to know your favorite Chaparral and perhaps a story about how you came to be a fan.

For me, the #1 Chaparral has to be the 2E. I remember seeing photos in magazines, and an odd race or two on TV, when I was a young teenager. FInally got my dad to take me and my brother to Bridgehampton for the 1968 Can-Am. After the race, Jim - in the 2G - pulled up right next to me on the front straight and I was the first to shake his hand!

About a year ago, I was on EBay and someone was selling pictures from that race. When I viewed the gallery I couldn't beleive my eyes - someone had taken a photo of Jim climbing out of the car and there I was standing next to him!! That photo hangs on the wall in my office!

PS - We were there for the grand opening of the Chaparral Gallery in Midland. We watched Jim drive the 2F from his Rattlesnake Raceway compound out onto the highway to deliver it in person to the gallery!! WOW!!