1996 -2005
After finishing his career as a professional race car driver, Tony remained active in vintage racing activities throughout the United States. Below are a few select events or projects Tony participated in.
1996
The Dodge Vintage Festival was held on Aug.30 -Sept 2, 1996. It was the largest vintage festival in the Northeast and featured the cars and drivers of the Continental Championship. Tony was invited as the Grand Marshal.
A short YouTube video of Tony at this event can be seen here.
1999
Tony was an honored guest at the Petersen Automotive Museum’s “Tribute to Trans Am” 1999 event.
2001
The 2001 Rennsport Reunion at Lime Rock, Conn. provided a chance to meet many old friends and some new ones. I was able to share some memories and ramblings of my contact with Steve McQueen at Le Mans in 1970, with his son Chad.
I told him of his father asking for a retake of my major spin at the end of the pit straight, ending sideways in the middle of the track under the Dunlop bridge, at night in a driving rainstorm. It’s posted here on the website.
Also shared some memories from Willow Springs, 1970 prior to Steve’s Sebring ride in the 908. It was a toss between Revson and me as to who would get the ride. Steve had broken his leg and drove with a cast. The Revlon name won out, and Peter got the ride with Steve, and did most of the driving.
It would have been good for me to have shared that ride for the publicity. Years later Peter told me, he never got paid for the ride or reimbursed expenses. Go figure.
Biography from 2001 Rennsport program.
Legendary drivers and historic Porsches descend on Lime Rock Park for the 2001 Rennsport Reunion, at Lime Rock. Here, Tony meets Steve McQueen’s son, Chad.
Adamowicz collection
Tony was an honored guest at the Petersen Automotive Museum’s “Tribute to Can Am” in 2001.
Tony attended the 19th annual Vintage Festival at Lime Rock in 2001.
2003
2003 Monterey Historics
I met Steve Foster at the Monterey Historics, while browsing through his display and artwork. I was amazed at the quality of work he did with watercolors, depicting race scenes, remembering various aspects of racing.
His print work was outstanding, most of all his T-shirts, emblazoned with his watercolor art, were outstanding.
Steve mentioned he wanted to do a shirt and art print on the 68 Trans Am Championship with the #7 911.
We debuted his work at his booth in Coronado, Naval air base, San Diego at the Historic Vintage event there. I agreed to step in and autograph 250 numbered prints depicting the championship, plus 25 of Artists proof prints. It was a great opportunity to meet a lot of new and old acquaintances. Needless to say, his work is exceptional in quality. We had a great time that weekend.
Steve Foster print (swbstudios.com)
Adamowicz collection
Steve Foster and Tony signing prints at Coronado in 2003.
Tony in McLaren at Willow Springs in 2003
Adamowicz collection – David Johnson photo
2004
2004 Alfa Romeo Club event at Willow Springs
At Willow Springs for an Alfa Romeo Club event as an instructor.
Adamowicz collection
Old friends Kas Kastner and Tony were instructors at Willow Springs for a 2004 Alfa Owners Club event.
Adamowicz collection
Adamowicz collection
2004 Laguna Seca
Driving Randy Thomas’ well-prepared 3 liter twin plug RS at Laguna Seca Raceway in 2004
Adamowicz collection
2004 Monterey Historics
Artist Steve Foster followed up his 1968 Porsche print with another fantastic print depicting the #65 Ferrari 365 GTB4 driven by Tony and John Morton at the 1979 Daytona 24 Hour race.
Steve Foster artwork – swbstudios.com
Adamowicz collection
A frequent co-driver of Tony’s, John Morton, with Steve Foster and Tony at a 2004 Monterey signing of Steve’s print debut of the Ferrari 365 GTB4 they drove in 1979.
Tony and John Morton signing prints.
Adamowicz collection
Adamowicz collection
Tony and Derek Bell at Laguna Seca in 2004.
Noted automotive artist Nicholas Watts created this “1970 Steve McQueen at Le Mans” limited edition print memorializing Steve McQueen’s epic motorsports motion picture. Tony signed prints along with several other 1970 Le Mans participants.
Adamowicz collection
2004 “Gambler’s Run 50”
The August 23, 2004, Gambler’s Run 50 was run six miles from Elko, Nevada on State Road 225, and headed north to the town of Wild Horse for 50 miles. This was a round trip open road race. After everyone had run the south to north route, they then ran the north to south route. Team driver and navigator could exchange roles on the return run. A team was scored for the full round-trip distance. Tony and the team placed 3rd in class in Tony Mazzagatti’s 911 SC.
Adamowicz collection
Adamowicz collection
Petersen Automotive Museum tribute to Phil Hill
In November of 2004, Tony attended the Petersen Automotive Museum’s Tribute to Phil Hill.
Adamowicz collection
Adamowicz collection
Phil Hill and Tony
World famous motorsports photographer Bernard Cahier shares a laugh with long-time friend Tony Adamowicz at the event.
Adamowicz collection
2005
2005 Buttonwillow 3hr National Auto Sport Association night Enduro
Button Willow 3hr NASA night enduro with Joe Catron’s Porsche 3.2 RS, June, 2005
Adamowicz collection
Joe was my co-driver and owner of the car. We started on the front row, finished 8th overall. Joe was overheated, made two unscheduled pit stops, one for windshield oil cleaning, and one for me to get back in at the end. We required two fuel stops to the winning BMW M3’s one stop for the race. No way we could have won.
Adamowicz collection
Tony makes a fuel stop. Note the legend “In Memory of Milt Minter” on the front fender.
2005 Monterey Sports and Classic Car Auction
In August 2005, Ferrari 512S chassis #1006 was auctioned in Monterey, California. RM auctions asked Tony to drive the car up on the auction block. From the catalog:
“This Ferrari 512-S has chassis #1006 and is one of 25 Berlinettas completed in 1969. This 512 was converted to a Spider by the factory and sold to Luigi Chinetti’s ‘N.A.R.T.’ team. It has been driven by several N.A.R.T. drivers at seven international races. Its best finish was Bucknum/Adamowicz’s 2nd overall at the 1971 24 Hours of Daytona.”
Adamowicz collection
I wish my co-driver Ronnie Bucknum could have been here tonight!
Adamowicz collection
Adamowicz collection – Steve Knoll photo
Monterey Plaza – rear view of Tony’s 512S
Adamowicz collection
Adamowicz collection – Randy Thomas photo
In conjunction with the 2005 Monterey Historic Races, David Bull Publishing held a book signing for the newly released Ferrari Prototype Era: 1962-1973 in Photographs by Alan Henry. Tony caught up with Luigi Chinetti Jr. at the event.
Adamowicz collection – Steve Knoll photo
Adamowicz collection – Kerry Morse photo
Adamowicz collection – Steve Knoll photo
The 2005 Monterey Historic Races featured Jim Hall’s Chaparral cars. Jim Hall and Tony shown here at Laguna Seca in 2005.
December 2005 3rd annual National Auto Sports Association (NASA) 25-hour sports car race, Thunderhill Raceway Park
Adamowicz collection
Tony co-drives the San Diego Racing Team’s BMW M3 at the 2005 winter 25-hour Enduro at Thunderhill
Happy Drivers and Crew
Adamowicz collection
Adamowicz collection
Another podium finish finds Tony all smiles at the BMW team’s 2nd in class finish for the 2005 Thunderhill 25-hour race. In the “winner’s circle” photo from left to right are, Tony a2z; Paul Kramer who was our fuel guru; Ralph Warren, team manager; Mickey Miller, driver and owner of Bullet Performance, our primary sponser, Marc Ghafouri, team principle and driver; and Travis Worthstien, driver.