How do Powell "School Cars" fit into the equation??

[*89x2*]

During the time of the Corvette Challenge racing series, John Powell was running his driving school and using Corvettes as "classroom cars."

Were these cars leftover Challenge cars, or were they simply Corvettes with some of the equipment that Challenge cars might have had??

Were they mostly 1988 cars, or were the dozens of 1989's that were never converted, used for this purpose?


Thanks in advance, for any insight!

[67HEAVEN]

I can't help with your question, Chris, but I can add a "John Powell" story of my own.

In 1978 or 1979 (if memory serves), I assisted John in conducting a high-speed driving school for the Canadian Council of Corvette Clubs, as the C.C.C.C.'S Competition Director. The event took place at the Mosport road race course near Toronto.

John was very critical of Corvette handling and let us all know it. However, a few years thereafter, Powell Motorsport campaigned two Corvettes in the SCCA Playboy series with future stars such as Ron Fellows, Scott Goodyear, R.K. Smith, and Richard Spenard driving for them.

Powell Motorsport competed in the SCCA series until the end of the 1987 season, claiming multiple top threes, and a win at Sears Point in 1985. For Powell Motorsport, the next few years were spent with team leader John Powell developing, promoting, and organizing the very successful Corvette Challenge series.

Who says you can't teach an old dog new tricks? ;)

[67HEAVEN]

I even found a (terrible quality) old photo........

http://i2.tinypic.com/8elkv0m.jpg

:w

[*89x2*]

That's cool stuff!!



There was a dark blue "school car" for sale last year, an 88.

It had a cage in it and some other goodies - not sure if it was an ex-Challenge car, or not... ;shrug

[Hib Halverson]

I can't help with your question, Chris, but I can add a "John Powell" story of my own.
(snip)

Who says you can't teach an old dog new tricks? ;)

(giggle)
It wasn't a case of teaching Powell any new tricks. It was a case of GM replacing the ill-handling C3 with the much better handling C4.

[67HEAVEN]

(giggle)
It wasn't a case of teaching Powell any new tricks. It was a case of GM replacing the ill-handling C3 with the much better handling C4.

We don't always need complete reality, Hib. ;)