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The Cars => CSX 2000 Series => Topic started by: deathsled on June 04, 2021, 03:36:27 PM

Title: When was the Cobra's first race
Post by: deathsled on June 04, 2021, 03:36:27 PM
As I was born in June 1963, I am curious to know when the Cobra first raced. Was it before the Dave MacDonald victory at Riverside in February 1963 or before that? I wasn't finding a definitive answer online.

Thank you,

Richard E.
Title: Re: When was the Cobra's first race
Post by: trotrof1 on June 04, 2021, 04:42:25 PM
Out of Dave Friedmans book (Shelby American racing history), Riverside 3-hour enduro race OCT 13, 1962. #98 Bill Krause driver. DNF.
Title: Re: When was the Cobra's first race
Post by: shelbydoug on June 04, 2021, 04:43:52 PM
I seem to remember that it was Bob Johnson who won the first Cobra race. I remember the car when Ken Eber had it. It had the early pre IDA Webers on it.

I don't remember where it was but I think Johnson raced in the Midwest region? 1962.
Title: Re: When was the Cobra's first race
Post by: 98SVT - was 06GT on June 04, 2021, 04:45:41 PM
It started from this driveway one dark night in 1962. https://www.google.com/maps/@33.9345747,-118.0726746,3a,75y,79.38h,92.62t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sMVclxaPjBpKOtjsP6S_Y7g!2e0!7i16384!8i8192

I seem to remember an interview with Shelby where he talked about how much fun he was having tearing around the countryside and forcing himself to slow down and quit risking the only Cobra he was betting his future on.
Title: Re: When was the Cobra's first race
Post by: trotrof1 on June 04, 2021, 04:51:52 PM
First Cobra win #198 Dave McDonald, Pacific Coast Championship- Riverside Feb2-3, !963. Again same resource.
Title: Re: When was the Cobra's first race
Post by: deathsled on June 04, 2021, 04:55:05 PM
Out of Dave Friedmans book (Shelby American racing history), Riverside 3-hour enduro race OCT 13, 1962. #98 Bill Krause driver. DNF.
So theoretically I was alive when the Cobra first raced (without getting into political issues of what constitutes life). So it also appears that 63 was a good year for the Cobra. My birth connection to the car.
Title: Re: When was the Cobra's first race
Post by: deathsled on June 04, 2021, 04:59:29 PM
It started from this driveway one dark night in 1962. https://www.google.com/maps/@33.9345747,-118.0726746,3a,75y,79.38h,92.62t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sMVclxaPjBpKOtjsP6S_Y7g!2e0!7i16384!8i8192

I seem to remember an interview with Shelby where he talked about how much fun he was having tearing around the countryside and forcing himself to slow down and quit risking the only Cobra he was betting his future on.
Good one! Yes, Dean Moon. All those places are borderline religious sanctuaries to American Hot Rod culture. I still think that 1042 Princeton Drive should be invaded and taken by force and turned into a Shelby Museum. If I get word anyone wants to tear it down, I will get admitted pro hack vice to the California Bar and file my preliminary injunction to stop it.
Title: Re: When was the Cobra's first race
Post by: jguyer on June 04, 2021, 05:00:42 PM
This is one of those question that just caused me trouble. Billy Krause at Riverside, everybody knows that, but when? Leaf Spring Cobra Registry just says "October 1962". Yeah, but when? I'll go to my first source, "The Cobra Story". So I go to my bookcase, I can't find it. I still can't find it AND trotrof1 answered the question. Now how long do I look for the lost book? I was happy, going to do a little yard work. Do I just wait and find the book when I look for something else or seriously search for it.
Title: Re: When was the Cobra's first race
Post by: trotrof1 on June 04, 2021, 05:05:41 PM
Yeah, I just happened to have that book out and grabbed it for a quick reply. Will help when I can.
Title: Re: When was the Cobra's first race
Post by: Richstang on June 04, 2021, 05:09:48 PM
This is one of those question that just caused me trouble. Billy Krause at Riverside, everybody knows that, but when? Leaf Spring Cobra Registry just says "October 1962". Yeah, but when? I'll go to my first source, "The Cobra Story". So I go to my bookcase, I can't find it. I still can't find it AND trotrof1 answered the question. Now how long do I look for the lost book? I was happy, going to do a little yard work. Do I just wait and find the book when I look for something else or seriously search for it.

My notes say Saturday October 13, 1962 was the first race (Yes at Riverside with Bill Krause driving)
Title: Re: When was the Cobra's first race
Post by: deathsled on June 04, 2021, 05:13:44 PM
So, I was born June 14th which means counting backward to October 13, 1962, that my dad and mom were, well, you know. But on a negative note, maybe my conception (if it happened on that October 13, 1962 day) caused the Cobra to lose. Every day is Friday the 13th where I am involved.
Title: Re: When was the Cobra's first race
Post by: deathsled on June 04, 2021, 05:17:48 PM
This is one of those question that just caused me trouble. Billy Krause at Riverside, everybody knows that, but when? Leaf Spring Cobra Registry just says "October 1962". Yeah, but when? I'll go to my first source, "The Cobra Story". So I go to my bookcase, I can't find it. I still can't find it AND trotrof1 answered the question. Now how long do I look for the lost book? I was happy, going to do a little yard work. Do I just wait and find the book when I look for something else or seriously search for it.
I'd go look for it now. It was meant to be that my email alerted  you to the MIA status of your book. I suspect you will have an uneasy rest of the day knowing you can't find it. I am the same way in that regard.
Title: Re: When was the Cobra's first race
Post by: kranky on June 04, 2021, 08:30:18 PM
The first race to actually have a Cobra on the track for a "road racing event" was at Connellsville (August 25/26, 1962).  The entry was by Ed Hugus and the Cobra is 2001....it broke in practice due to teething issues (overheating?) and did not race on the weekend.

"Hill Climb racing" Cobras seem to appear around mid-1963.

"Drag racing" Cobras seem to appear around early-mid 1963.

"Autocross, Slalom, Gymkhana, etc." Cobras seem to appear around the mid-later part of 1963.

There could possibly be earlier events, but newspaper articles, etc., only reported the top finishers for events.
Title: Re: When was the Cobra's first race
Post by: honker on June 04, 2021, 11:16:36 PM
This is one of those question that just caused me trouble. Billy Krause at Riverside, everybody knows that, but when? Leaf Spring Cobra Registry just says "October 1962". Yeah, but when? I'll go to my first source, "The Cobra Story". So I go to my bookcase, I can't find it. I still can't find it AND trotrof1 answered the question. Now how long do I look for the lost book? I was happy, going to do a little yard work. Do I just wait and find the book when I look for something else or seriously search for it.

Quote from "Cobra Pilote:The Ed Hugus Story" by Robert D. Walker,  page 99, says Saturday, Oct. 13th. '62.

Mike
Title: Re: When was the Cobra's first race
Post by: honker on June 04, 2021, 11:22:15 PM
What kranky says in post # 12 matches what is said in the Cobra Pilote book, this was the first Cobra to race in a "sanctioned"

competition. Also says, quoting from the book  "that overheating was the reason for retirement, because the early cars had

standard Ace radiators, suitable for the Six cylinder engine, only marginally adequate for proper cooling with the Ford 260"


Mike
Title: Re: When was the Cobra's first race
Post by: 6R07mi on June 07, 2021, 12:42:28 PM
The first race to actually have a Cobra on the track for a "road racing event" was at Connellsville (August 25/26, 1962).  The entry was by Ed Hugus and the Cobra is 2001....it broke in practice due to teething issues (overheating?) and did not race on the weekend.

"Hill Climb racing" Cobras seem to appear around mid-1963.

"Drag racing" Cobras seem to appear around early-mid 1963.

"Autocross, Slalom, Gymkhana, etc." Cobras seem to appear around the mid-later part of 1963.

There could possibly be earlier events, but newspaper articles, etc., only reported the top finishers for events.

From the "kranky Cobra Race History" ??

Riverside, Ca.-3/4/1962
csx2000-demo laps-Shelby American

Waterford Hills, Mich-SCCA Regional-8/25-26/1962
csx2002-demo laps by Ford Engineers/Test Drivers

Connellsville, Pa.-SCCA Regional-8/25-26/1962
#?-csx2001-DNR-practice laps only-Ed Hugus

Riverside, Ca.-3-Hour Invitational-10/12-14/1962
#98XP-csx2002-DNF-Bill Krause-broken rear hub

jim p
Title: Re: When was the Cobra's first race
Post by: 98SVT - was 06GT on June 07, 2021, 08:08:03 PM
Ed Hugus assembled some Cobras on the east coast. Is there a breakdown on which ones? Did ALL Cobras go through SA in CA locations or did some go direct from Hugus to east coast dealers?
Title: Re: When was the Cobra's first race
Post by: honker on June 07, 2021, 08:42:27 PM
Ed Hugus assembled some Cobras on the east coast. Is there a breakdown on which ones? Did ALL Cobras go through SA in CA locations or did some go direct from Hugus to east coast dealers?

I'll leave it to those with a lot more knowledge to explain, there is conflicting information between the Hugus "Cobra Pilote" book

 and the some of the SAAC registries, mine the 4th edition, maybe more info in the later ones ? as to who built up some of the cars

 on the East coast, Hugus or Tasca Ford.
Title: Re: When was the Cobra's first race
Post by: CSX2259 on June 08, 2021, 01:05:51 AM
98SVT - was 06GT

The first batch of Cobras from AC were shipped directly to Hugus and completed by his dealership Continental Motors. Hugus also completed the first competition specification Cobra CSX2001. Hugus entered it in races to work the bugs out and then sold CSX2001 to his goof friend and fellow racer Dr Milo. At the time Shelby did not have the facility to readily produce the Cobras, Hugus became the East Coast distributor for the Cobra.