1970 Trans-American Sedan Championship

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The 1970 Trans-American Championship was a motor racing series organised by the Sports Car Club of America for SCCA Sedans. It was the fifth Trans-Am Championship. Ford (Thanks to Parnelli Jones and George Follmer) and still potent Alfa Romeo won the Over 2 Litre and Under 2 Litre titles respectively.

Contents

With Porsche's 911 moving to a 2.2L engine, the year marked the resurgence of Alfa Romeo as dominant in the Under 2 Liter class. The year also marked the first win for American Motors, with Mark Donohue driving a Penske Racing-prepared AMC Javelin, winning three races. Also winning for the first time was BMW, in the Under 2 Liter races at Bryar and Bridgehampton.

Schedule

The championship was contested over eleven rounds with separate races at each round for Under 2 Liter and Over 2 Liter cars.

Ford won the 1970 Trans-American Championship Over 2 Liter division with the Mustang FollmerMustang.jpg
Ford won the 1970 Trans-American Championship Over 2 Liter division with the Mustang
RndDateCircuitDistanceOver 2.0 Winning CarUnder 2.0 Winning Car
Over 2.0 Winning Driver(s)Under 2.0 Winning Driver(s)
1April 18
April 19
Laguna Seca Raceway, Monterey, California 85.5 mi (137.6 km) (U2L)
171 mi (275 km) (O2L)
Ford Mustang Alfa Romeo GTA
Flag of the United States.svg Parnelli Jones Flag of the United States.svg Lee Midgley
2May 9 Lime Rock Park, Lakeville, Connecticut 1 Hour / 84.15 mi (135.43 km) (U2L)
2 Hours, 30 Minutes / 223.38 mi (359.50 km) (O2L)
Ford Mustang Alfa Romeo GTA
Flag of the United States.svg Parnelli Jones Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg Gaston Andrey
3May 31 Bryar Motorsports Park, Loudon, New Hampshire 1 Hour / 72 mi (116 km) (U2L)
2 Hours, 30 Minutes / 223.38 mi (359.50 km) (O2L)
Ford Mustang BMW 2002
Flag of the United States.svg George Follmer Flag of the United States.svg Peter Schuster
4June 7 Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, Lexington, Ohio 72 mi (116 km) (U2L)
180 mi (290 km) (O2L)
Ford Mustang Alfa Romeo GTA
Flag of the United States.svg Parnelli Jones Flag of the United States.svg Bert Everett
5June 20
June 21
Bridgehampton Race Circuit, Sag Harbor, New York 99.25 mi (159.73 km) (U2L)
199.5 mi (321.1 km) (O2L)
AMC Javelin BMW 2002
Flag of the United States.svg Mark Donohue Flag of the United States.svg Hans Ziereis
6July 5 Donnybrooke International Speedway, Brainerd, Minnesota 99 mi (159 km) (U2L)
210 mi (340 km) (O2L)
Chevrolet Camaro Alfa Romeo GTA
Flag of the United States.svg Milt Minter Flag of Australia (converted).svg Horst Kwech
7July 19 Road America, Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin 100 mi (160 km) (U2L)
200 mi (320 km) (O2L)
AMC Javelin Alfa Romeo GTA
Flag of the United States.svg Mark Donohue Flag of Australia (converted).svg Horst Kwech
8August 2 Circuit Mont-Tremblant, Saint-Jovite, Quebec 79.5 mi (127.9 km) (U2L)
185.5 mi (298.5 km) (O2L)
AMC Javelin Alfa Romeo GTA
Flag of the United States.svg Mark Donohue Flag of the United States.svg Lee Midgley
9August 16 Watkins Glen International, Watkins Glen, New York 96.6 mi (155.5 km) (U2L)
209.3 mi (336.8 km) (O2L)
Chevrolet Camaro Alfa Romeo GTA
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Vic Elford Flag of Australia (converted).svg Horst Kwech
10September 20 Seattle International Raceway, Kent, Washington 90 mi (140 km) (U2L)
202.5 mi (325.9 km) (O2L)
Ford Mustang Alfa Romeo GTA
Flag of the United States.svg Parnelli Jones Flag of the United States.svg Bert Everett
11October 4 Riverside International Raceway, Riverside, California 89.25 mi (143.63 km) (U2L)
201.45 mi (324.20 km) (O2L)
Ford Mustang Alfa Romeo GTA
Flag of the United States.svg Parnelli Jones Flag of the United States.svg Bert Everett
[1]

Championships

Points were awarded according to finishing position. Only the highest-placed car scored points for the manufacturer. Only the best 9 finishes counted towards the championship. Drivers' championships were not awarded in Trans-Am until 1972.

1st2nd3rd4th5th6th
964321

Over 2.0L manufacturers

1970 was the first and only year that every Detroit "pony car" manufacturer has a factory-backed team in TransAm.

PosManufacturer LAG LRP BRY MDO BRI DON ELK MTB WGL SEA RIV Pts
1 Ford 1111225231172 (78)
2 American Motors 213231191122359
3 Chevrolet 5244414615640 (42)
4 Dodge 632352020342932418
5 Plymouth 4101421215228618415
[1]

Under 2.0L manufacturers

PosManufacturer LAG LRP BRY MDO BRI DON ELK MTB WGL SEA RIV Pts
1 Alfa Romeo 1121211111181 (93)
2 BMW 2316132432352 (56)
3= Fiat Abarth 685143
3= British Motor Corp. 58967914113
[1]

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References

  1. 1 2 3 "1970 Trans-Am Box Scores" (PDF). Sports Car Club of America. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 7, 2016. Retrieved April 29, 2011.