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1969 MICHIGAN CAN AM

The CanAm series begins to grow. From its start in 1966 the CanAm had 4 races a year. For 1969 that schedule nearly doubled to 11 races. Michigan International was the 8th race held on September 28. While not a superb track, it was the first to use a combination of banked oval and road course. The ‘69 season was not competitive as the McLaren team of Bruce McLaren and Denny Hulme won all 11 races. Porsche broke out a special 917PA for Joe Siffert, Lola advanced with a new T163, Ford appeared with its G7A and Ferrari brought a big motor 612 for Chris Amon. But nothing could touch the orange crush McLarens.

 

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1969 Michigan.jpg
 Bruce raises his hand in victory with mate Denny Hulme behind him.  This was the 8th win in a row for McLaren.  Nobody could touch them.

Bruce raises his hand in victory with mate Denny Hulme behind him. This was the 8th win in a row for McLaren. Nobody could touch them.

 What a feeling.  A winner for the 4th time in 1969.  Bruce’s car is pushed into victory lane.

What a feeling. A winner for the 4th time in 1969. Bruce’s car is pushed into victory lane.

 Stirling Moss is among the press interviewing the race winner.

Stirling Moss is among the press interviewing the race winner.

 How much better does it get.  Four Hall of Famers with Denny Hulme, Bruce McLaren, Stirling Moss and Dan Gurney.  Wow

How much better does it get. Four Hall of Famers with Denny Hulme, Bruce McLaren, Stirling Moss and Dan Gurney. Wow

 The winner Bruce McLaren looks so small in his huge Mk8B.  Revson follows early in the race.

The winner Bruce McLaren looks so small in his huge Mk8B. Revson follows early in the race.

 Denny Hulme in his #5 McLaren 8B finished 2nd behind his boss.

Denny Hulme in his #5 McLaren 8B finished 2nd behind his boss.

 Dan Gurney took over McLaren’s third car when his could not start and protected Bruce and Denny to finish 3rd.

Dan Gurney took over McLaren’s third car when his could not start and protected Bruce and Denny to finish 3rd.

 Gurney leads #99 David Hobbs in an older Mk6 McLaren.  Hobbs did all he could with the older car finishing 10th.

Gurney leads #99 David Hobbs in an older Mk6 McLaren. Hobbs did all he could with the older car finishing 10th.

 The Siffert car was a special 917, chassis 028 made for CanAm.  The car used a very 908 style body with a short, cut off rear section.  It used the same flat 12 580 hp engine as the LeMans cars.

The Siffert car was a special 917, chassis 028 made for CanAm. The car used a very 908 style body with a short, cut off rear section. It used the same flat 12 580 hp engine as the LeMans cars.

 Chuck Parson in the Carl Haas Lola finished a strong 6th.

Chuck Parson in the Carl Haas Lola finished a strong 6th.

 Andrea deAdamich in a Chapparal entered McLaren was back a few laps but 5th overall.

Andrea deAdamich in a Chapparal entered McLaren was back a few laps but 5th overall.

 Peter Revson’s Lola leads Jo Siffert’s Porsche 917.  Both cars qualified in the top 4.  Revson dropped out but Siffert took the underpowered Porsche to 4th

Peter Revson’s Lola leads Jo Siffert’s Porsche 917. Both cars qualified in the top 4. Revson dropped out but Siffert took the underpowered Porsche to 4th

 Canadian Geroge Eaton’s Mk12 McLaren.  George finished 8th.

Canadian Geroge Eaton’s Mk12 McLaren. George finished 8th.

 Jack Brabham in a rare Ford G7 CanAm car entered by the Agapiou Brothers.  The brothers bought Ford J car unfinished chassis and built the G7.  Black Jack qualified the Ford 10th but lost a wheel in the race.

Jack Brabham in a rare Ford G7 CanAm car entered by the Agapiou Brothers. The brothers bought Ford J car unfinished chassis and built the G7. Black Jack qualified the Ford 10th but lost a wheel in the race.

 Bob Nagel in his Thermo King Lola T-70 is being hunted down by Gurney in his McLaren.

Bob Nagel in his Thermo King Lola T-70 is being hunted down by Gurney in his McLaren.

 George Eaton leads a pack through Michigan’s infield, & outfield circuit.  The track in 1969 was 3.31 miles

George Eaton leads a pack through Michigan’s infield, & outfield circuit. The track in 1969 was 3.31 miles

 #51 Dave Causey’s McLaren Mk6 is closely tailed by #75 Bob Dini’s Lola.  They stayed close the entire race with Causey 9th and Dini 11th on the same lap.

#51 Dave Causey’s McLaren Mk6 is closely tailed by #75 Bob Dini’s Lola. They stayed close the entire race with Causey 9th and Dini 11th on the same lap.

 CanAm stalwart Lothar Motschenbacher blew a head gasket on his Chev after only 11 laps.

CanAm stalwart Lothar Motschenbacher blew a head gasket on his Chev after only 11 laps.

 Canadian Kris Harrison goes up on the banking in his Ecurie Canada McLaren.

Canadian Kris Harrison goes up on the banking in his Ecurie Canada McLaren.

 A shot to show pit entrance just below the front straight banking.  Bob Nagel brings his Lola T-70 in and signals with his hand up.

A shot to show pit entrance just below the front straight banking. Bob Nagel brings his Lola T-70 in and signals with his hand up.

 A long shot showing David Hobbs entering the banking from the infield course.

A long shot showing David Hobbs entering the banking from the infield course.

 Revson checks something in the cockpit.  Revson was one of many drivers to stay with the open face helmet.

Revson checks something in the cockpit. Revson was one of many drivers to stay with the open face helmet.

 Spankey Smith was good friends with Revson and he took a lot of photos.  Here is one of the best ones.

Spankey Smith was good friends with Revson and he took a lot of photos. Here is one of the best ones.

 Peter Revson waits on the grid in the T163 Lola.  The car was super fast, qualifying 4th but failed to finish.

Peter Revson waits on the grid in the T163 Lola. The car was super fast, qualifying 4th but failed to finish.

 Jack Brabham consults with his crew chief as another checks tire pressures.  The Ford G7 was extremely unreliable and only finished one of the 15 races it was entered in.  Brabham had a wheel come off after 46 laps.

Jack Brabham consults with his crew chief as another checks tire pressures. The Ford G7 was extremely unreliable and only finished one of the 15 races it was entered in. Brabham had a wheel come off after 46 laps.

 David Hobbs sits in his McLaren Ford.  Hobbs did well to finish 10th

David Hobbs sits in his McLaren Ford. Hobbs did well to finish 10th

 Dan Gurney in the McLeagle.  His AAR team modified a McLaren Mk6  and nicknamed it the McLeagle.  The car never started the race and Gurney took over the third factory McLaren

Dan Gurney in the McLeagle. His AAR team modified a McLaren Mk6 and nicknamed it the McLeagle. The car never started the race and Gurney took over the third factory McLaren

 While the Michigan facility is mostly a huge oval, the road course was the biggest part of the 3.1 mile circuit.  See the track map at the top of the page.

While the Michigan facility is mostly a huge oval, the road course was the biggest part of the 3.1 mile circuit. See the track map at the top of the page.

 An unusual shot taken from the starters box of George Eaton going by at speed

An unusual shot taken from the starters box of George Eaton going by at speed

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 The back is off Revson’s Lola and the car is finished for the day.

The back is off Revson’s Lola and the car is finished for the day.

 Early in the race Revson is pushed hard by Joe Sifferts Porsche

Early in the race Revson is pushed hard by Joe Sifferts Porsche

 Bobby Rinzler stand high above the other pit onlookers

Bobby Rinzler stand high above the other pit onlookers

 Gurney and Siffert about to lap a backmarker.  Spectators had a good view walking on the outside of the banking.

Gurney and Siffert about to lap a backmarker. Spectators had a good view walking on the outside of the banking.

 You can barely see Jo Siffert’s nose he sits so low in the Porsche 917PA.  It would not be long before the monster 917’s would dominate the CanAm.

You can barely see Jo Siffert’s nose he sits so low in the Porsche 917PA. It would not be long before the monster 917’s would dominate the CanAm.

 Gurney in the McLaren sits a bit higher.

Gurney in the McLaren sits a bit higher.

 Clif Appel starts a big spin on the oval.  Andrea deAdamich’s McLaren is just behind.

Clif Appel starts a big spin on the oval. Andrea deAdamich’s McLaren is just behind.

 Clif stand by while his stranded McLaren gets what appears to be a small fire put out.

Clif stand by while his stranded McLaren gets what appears to be a small fire put out.

 The cars are finishing the pace lap and headed onto the banking. Bruce leads Denny in the team McLaren cars with Revson #31 and Siffert just behind.

The cars are finishing the pace lap and headed onto the banking. Bruce leads Denny in the team McLaren cars with Revson #31 and Siffert just behind.

 Black Jack Brabham brings the Ford G7 onto the banking.  The Ford was totally unreliable, mostly engine problems.  But here at Michigan poor Jack lost a wheel.

Black Jack Brabham brings the Ford G7 onto the banking. The Ford was totally unreliable, mostly engine problems. But here at Michigan poor Jack lost a wheel.

 A journalist wears a “Bruce Wears Jockey Shorts” button.  While we can’t confirm, Spankey Smith made a lot of fun buttons.

A journalist wears a “Bruce Wears Jockey Shorts” button. While we can’t confirm, Spankey Smith made a lot of fun buttons.

 We’re not sure what Gurney is looking at as he comes back towards the oval or the pit entrance, but he’s interested in something.

We’re not sure what Gurney is looking at as he comes back towards the oval or the pit entrance, but he’s interested in something.