One of Momo’s long time mechanics from Italy works on the Costin Lister. A rare look at the huge fuel tank made for Sebring and long distance racing. No fuel cells in 1959
Westfield Walt Hansgen raises his hand most likely signaling he is headed into the pits. Walt was not challenged until later in the race when Don Sessler got close.
Don Sessler in his RSK Porsche. Sessler was having one hell of a year. Finishing 4th at Sebring, winning overall at the national race at Marlboro and he kept Hansgen honest and harried him here and later at Cumberland finishing close behind.
Sessler tails Allan Connell’s pontoon Ferrari. Sessler went by on his way to catching Hansgen. Connell finished 4th.
Allen Connell, a west Texas native and Ft. Worth oilman was a solid racer. Quite an athlete, he was also a bomber pilot in WWII. He started in a Maserati 250S, but when it broke he bought this black 57TR but sold it soon after and finished the yea
Dick Thompson’s new Bill Mitchell Sting Ray was not ready for VIR. Briggs put him in the #61 Lister. Early in the race Thompson got woozy from exhaust fumes and came into the pits and turned the car over to Briggs, who brought the car up to 7th.
Jim Place drove this Ferrari 500TR many times from 1958 to 1960. The car had quite a history by Carroll Shelby, Bill Helburn and Boris Said. Rarely a top finisher, Place was a good journeyman racer who owned Auto Parts stores in IL.
Bill Burroughs in another Ferrari 500TR with a long history from Olivier Gendebien and Marquis dePortago through Masten Gregory and raced many times by Chet Flynn. These strong 4 cyl, 2 liter cars were very reliable.
Gene Parsons drove this Maserati A6GCS 2 liter against the two 500TR’s in E Modified and split them finishing 13th. Parsons drove this Maser and later Ferrari’s almost all 2 liter versions.
An unusual but stunning rear photo of Hansgen at speed. Yes, that is a tree very close to the track. VIR held its first race in late summer 1957. VIR, Lime Rock, Laguna Seca all opened in 1957 and there were no guidelines as to safety or construct
.Roger Penske continued in the 550 and finished 5th and 2nd in F Modified. Weeks before he finished 3rd overall and another 2nd in FM behind Sessler. Thanks to VIRhistory for this photo, also by Harlon Hadley
Two Porsches fight it out. Good friends E. E. Hobbs #56, did well finishing 2nd behind Bruce Jennings
Brigga looks inside his OSCA HM car. Briggs finished 2nd at VIR. This car was very busy during the racing season as Denise McCluggage and Phil Forno would drive it as well as Briggs.
Jessie Wyllie, more commonly known as Doc Wyllie in his Lotus 11 was no match for the newer Elva MkIVs of Art Tweedale and Frank Baptista.but Wyllie managed 2nd in class and 8th overall.
Frank Baptista is pushed back to the paddock. Frank had been running close with eventual winner Art Tweedale when his motor quit. Frank tried to push the Elva back but collapsed from exhaustion. Looks here like he got some volunteers to assist.
Sessler races beneath the original bridge over the esses. That series of corners is among the most challenging in the US. Spectators still sit on the bank and watch though the bridge is long gone.
The racing is finished but there is a lot of work for the Cunningham crew loading the teams cars and thinking about the next race.
59 VIR poster.jpg
prev / next