1989 24 Hours of Daytona

24 Hours of Daytona (Sunbank 24)

Daytona International Speedway

Daytona Beach, Florida

Result: DNF (266 laps)

Three years later, I returned for a little fun at Daytona driving a GTP Light Tiga with a Mazda engine. It was for the 1989 24 Hours with Al Rocca, Tomas Lopez (owner of Canada Shoes) and Tomas’ brother, Aurelio.

This IMSA GTP Light Tiga (GT286-342) with a Mazda (13B rotary) engine was the last professional race Tony drove. Tiga Race Cars Ltd. was a British auto racing constructor founded by Australian Tim Schenken and New Zealander Howden Ganley.

Adamowicz collection

Adamowicz collection – Mark Windecker photo

Tony’s nowhere in sight in this photo, but it’s a good one of the car and its other drivers.

We were leading our class at about the 13th hour, when fog rolled in. A long yellow light session ensued, and Aurelio the least experienced driver, didn’t think to watch the temperature. At low RPM and water flow, steam pockets formed in the engine, overheating it until the water seals failed. Unfortunately, the engine broke before they stopped the race.

I had almost forgotten that feeling of disappointment!