Al Holbert

[wedge]

I've recently been watching old IMSA races and had suddenly realised Holbert never featured in the late 1980s and early 90s and just discovered he died tragically in a plane accident after leaving a race meeting - RIP.

I know he dabbled in NASCAR and Indycar but it was at IMSA sportcars where he truly excelled and was a great driver. Watching him race has left me awestruck because he was usually the class of the field, often driving by himself with no driver changes - the Ironman!

Even though he was a multiple winner at Le Mans and was part of the Porsche dream team of Derek Bell and Hans Stuck, I get the feeling this guy was well and truly under-rated never got the recognition/limelight he truly deserves.

I have only seen a mid-race segment feature of him and he instantly reminded me of Jim Clark - soft spoken, humble and down to earth.

Can our brethren across the Atlantic tell me more about Al Holbert? Are there any good stories to tell?

[SportscarBruce]

He and Derek Bell won the very first IMSA race I attended, the memories of that absolutely beautiful Lowenbrau Porsche 962 shaking the ground and ripping through the air are as fresh today as they were 22 years ago.

http://themotorsportgallery.co.uk/miami%20reduced.jpg

[Bob Riebe]

I've recently been watching old IMSA races and had suddenly realised Holbert never featured in the late 1980s and early 90s and just discovered he died tragically in a plane accident after leaving a race meeting - RIP.

I know he dabbled in NASCAR and Indycar but it was at IMSA sportcars where he truly excelled and was a great driver. Watching him race has left me awestruck because he was usually the class of the field, often driving by himself with no driver changes - the Ironman!

Even though he was a multiple winner at Le Mans and was part of the Porsche dream team of Derek Bell and Hans Stuck, I get the feeling this guy was well and truly under-rated never got the recognition/limelight he truly deserves.

I have only seen a mid-race segment feature of him and he instantly reminded me of Jim Clark - soft spoken, humble and down to earth.

Can our brethren across the Atlantic tell me more about Al Holbert? Are there any good stories to tell?
His father was a well known, in U.S. racing forty plus years ago, racer.

Al came up during the time when many U.S. racing rags were crying puppy dog tears with loss of their heros-Donohue, Revson, Follmer, Jones, etc. from the Trans-Am to be replaced with "unknowns" such as Greenwood, Holbert, Holmes, Shafer, Agor etc. in the Trans-Am and new upstart IMSA.
The fact that the fans did not stop attending races, and the racing was as good or better than ever finally forced the racing press to give Holbert and the others the credit they deserved, but it took a few years.
Holbert died when he was in his prime, but the fact he was not a F-1 or CART car star, meant he was not a world renowned name inspite of his success.

[wedge]

His father was a well known, in U.S. racing forty plus years ago, racer.

Al came up during the time when many U.S. racing rags were crying puppy dog tears with loss of their heros-Donohue, Revson, Follmer, Jones, etc. from the Trans-Am to be replaced with "unknowns" such as Greenwood, Holbert, Holmes, Shafer, Agor etc. in the Trans-Am and new upstart IMSA.
The fact that the fans did not stop attending races, and the racing was as good or better than ever finally forced the racing press to give Holbert and the others the credit they deserved, but it took a few years.
Holbert died when he was in his prime, but the fact he was not a F-1 or CART car star, meant he was not a world renowned name inspite of his success.

Ahhh, tis a shame.

The fans certainly took to IMSA fondly, Brock Yates and Bob Varsha certainly showed great affection towards Holbert at that time.

Would've been interesting if he raced in Europe/World Sportscar Championship with his strong links with Porsche.

[dj4monie]

Ah Uncle Al

He finished 3rd at Indy (I didn't need Google for that). He had been a fixture in IMSA since the mid 70's. He was a dominate driver for sure, I wish IMSA would get off its arse and get all this IMSA footage out there for the youngins to see...

Not that I am all that old - :D

[wedge]

Ah Uncle Al

He finished 3rd at Indy (I didn't need Google for that). He had been a fixture in IMSA since the mid 70's. He was a dominate driver for sure, I wish IMSA would get off its arse and get all this IMSA footage out there for the youngins to see...

Not that I am all that old - :D

This dude here has some great stuff from the past. A great antidote for getting over the winter off-season blues, reminisce/know more about the great days of IMSA GTPs

http://www.youtube.com/user/racingfan99

[jimclark]

I have only seen a mid-race segment feature of him and he instantly reminded me of Jim Clark - soft spoken, humble and down to earth.


Can our brethren across the Atlantic tell me more about Al Holbert? Are there any good stories to tell?


wedge -

'Reminded me more of a combination of Jimmy and Mark Donohue.
You might enjoy this brief IMSA Holbert bio: http://alex62.typepad.com/imsablog/2006/04/al_holbert_exce.html

He is mentioned throughout the wonderful IMSA History: http://alex62.typepad.com/imsablog/auto_racing/index.html

I don't know how many pages it is but it is a good read. Having followed IMSA from it's inception, and having been to many of it's races from inception 'til now, I thoroughly enjoy perusing it from time to time...hope you do also. :)

[jimclark]

Additionally, let us not forget his foray into the second version of the CanAn in the years 1978-82....
http://www.wspr-racing.com/wspr/results/canam/nf_canam_home.html
wherein, besides seventh in '79, he was 2nd twice and 3rd twice in the championships...typical Holbert consistency at the pointy end.... ;)


Holbert's IMSA AAGT Monza
http://alex62.typepad.com/photos/uncategorized/2008/04/06/holbert76a.jpg

[Brendo]

from wikipedia - a good summary of al holbert. a class act we used to watch in IMSA - also a colleague of Hurley Heywood

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al_Holbert

[jimclark]

"hEy"!!! That's Hurley hAywood... ;)