1971 Questor Grand Prix

Questor Grand Prix

Ontario Motor Speedway

Ontario, California

Lola T192

Grid: 10

Result: 17th overall (out of 30)

The Questor Grand Prix was a non-championship race for Formula One and Formula 5000 cars held on 28 March 1971 to inaugurate the Ontario Motor Speedway in California. Because of the smaller fuel tanks of the F5000 cars, the race was run in two heats of 32 laps, and the final result decided by a points system. Hopes for a regular fixture rapidly faded due to financial problems; the Questor Grand Prix remained a one-off event and the Ontario Motor Speedway was never again host to Formula One cars.

Built in 1970, the Ontario Speedway cost $25 million dollars (close to $200M in 2023 $) and was built by the Questor company, a US conglomerate. The track was 3.21 miles in length, following the standard USAC oval configuration, with a road circuit section infield. Seating was provided for some 140,000 spectators.

Tony’s Questor badge

My start with Roy Woods and American Racing Associates began in 1971, at the Questor Grand Prix in a new Lola T-192. It arrived in Ontario California in crates and was literally assembled for the first time right there in the garages. The car arrived late and was incorrectly assembled with the rear hubs on the wrong side. With no practice, the rear hub nuts came loose in the race. We still managed to finish tenth in my heat.