Introduction to Can Am

 

July 26, 1970 

Klondike 200 Can Am, Edmonton International Speedway

Alberta, Canada

Lola T-70

Result: Qualified, but did not start race (engine)


I raced my first Can-Am car for owner Willy Nelli, who had a great looking Lola T70 Mk3B Spyder Can Am car (SL75/122).  Willy was a female car owner in Can Am and later married famed Corvette racer Dick Guldstrand.  I made two starts with the Lola, which brought me into a new opportunity to drive for Oscar Koveleski in Bruce McLaren’s 1969 Championship car.

My friend Vic Elford continued on with the Lola, I joined the newly formed Jerobee Mclaren PRDA team for 1971.

The Lola T-70 was a limited piece of machinery.  Lots of big block power, but poor handling.  By the way, Vic Elford also drove the car, his start in Can Am as well.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Vic Elford drives Nelli’s beautiful Lola T70 #SL75/122

Vic Elford collection

Adamowicz collection – Barry Tenin photo

 

 

 

 

 

 

Willy Nelli talks to Tony

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Car owner Willy Nelli with her stopwatch

Adamowicz collection – Barry Tenin photo

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

September 13, 1970 

Road Atlanta Can Am

Braselton, Georgia

Lola T70

Result: DNF


 

 

Adamowicz collection – Michael Keyser photo (autosportsltd.com)

 

Adamowicz collection – Michael Keyser photo (autosportsltd.com)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tony gloving up in the Lola

 

Adamowicz collection – Michael Keyser photo (autosportsltd.com)

 

Adamowicz collection          

 

 

 

October 18, 1970 

Laguna Seca Raceway Monterey Grand Prix

Salinas, California

McLaren M12

Result: 7th


My friend Lothar Motchenbacher, offered me an opportunity to drive his 2nd McLaren Mk12, to run a two-car effort for Riverside and Laguna Seca. I was hooked on the big bore engines and the unlimited class of Can Am racing.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Adamowicz collection – Peter Borsari photo

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tony moves up to Lothar Motschenbacher’s newer big block Chevy McLaren M12:  Monterey, Turn 6.

 

 

 

 

 

Adamowicz collection – photo courtesy of Bob Tronolone

Adamowicz collection – photo courtesy of Bob Tronolone

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Monterey, Turn 6

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tony leads John Cannon through Laguna’s Turn 9

Adamowicz collection – Dave Friedman photo

 

 

 

Adamowicz collection – Competition Press & Autoweek

 

 

Adamowicz collection – Competition Press & Autoweek

 

 

 

 

Adamowicz collection

 

 

November 1, 1970 

Riverside International Raceway

Riverside, California

Mclaren M12

Result: 7th


 

 

 

Adamowicz collection – Peter Borsari photo

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tony in the Chevy McLaren for the 1970 season finale at Riverside

 

 

 

Adamowicz collection

Adamowicz collection

 

Adamowicz collection – Competition Press & Autoweek

 

 

 

Adamowicz collection

 

 

Adamowicz collection

 

 

Adamowicz collection – Competition Press & Autoweek

 

Adamowicz collection – John Wilson photo