This article first appeared in the September, 2016 edition of SportsCar Magazine. SCCA members can read the current and past editions of SportCar digitally here after logging into their account; To become an SCCA member and get SportsCar mailed to your home address monthly in addition to the digital editions, click here.

Monte Shelton
Oregon Region
SCCA Member Since 1960

“In 1955 I saw The Racers with Kirk Douglas and Bella Darvi, where they raced at Monaco – that’s when I knew I wanted to race. In 1960, I was finally able to afford it. I initially raced at Shelton, Wash. I had a novice permit and had to do three or four races to get a National license, and I’ve maintained a National license every year since without a waiver. I don’t know how many races I’ve done, but it’s been fun.

I raced the USRRC since day one, I did one or two Can-Am races a year (I had a lot of fun doing that), and I did 40 or so Trans Am races. In 1980, I started 10th and finished first in a Trans Am race at Road America. I got passed on the last lap, but got it back and took the win. There were over 50 cars in that race. That was pretty special.

I’ve done 10 of the Rolex 24 at Daytona races as well. The first one I went to was 1979. Bruce Canepa called because I’d been doing well in Trans Am and he had a Porsche 934 that needed drivers. One of the other drivers was Rick Mears – he was really good.

During that race, a wheel and tire came off the car in the middle of the night. Rick took an hour to get through the infield to put a wheel back on, and we still finished third overall. There’s nothing like that 24-hour race.

I also always tried to buy the best cars. I had an FIA Cobra, full race prep. I bought Peter Revson’s M8F that he won the Can-Am with, and took it to Road Atlanta and finished second to Jerry Hansen by a door handle. I’ve raced Formula 5000 cars. In fact, I can’t think of anything I haven’t raced. I’ve had a good time.

I’m 83 this year and I still seem to be able to do it. I may not be as fast as I used to be, but I’m still having fun.”

 

Image by Jason Isley