Barn Find Hunter Attends the IROC Revival
The International Race of Champions (IROC) was founded in 1973 to bring the best drivers from disparate racing series into an NBA All Star–style exhibition race. Although IROC was dissolved in March 2008, the legendary race series was reincarnated when Ray Evernham and Rob Kauffman announced it would relaunch in 2024. They were true to their word, and Barn Find Hunter Tom Cotter was there for the inaugural run at Lime Rock Park last month.
In his latest video, Cotter talks with the new owners about their memories of the former series and their new plans for it. He also had the opportunity to speak with IROC legends like Bobby Labonte, Mike Joy, and Jay Signore about what this prestigious race series means to them.
Best of all, Cotter was invited to drive one of the first IROC Camaros (a second-generation model) in the series. And this 1974 Camaro was the perfect choice, as it is still in barn-find condition: Evernham purchased it from a New Orleans collector as an unrestored race car. After getting suited up, Cotter goes for a few hot laps in the original IROC race car for this exhibition race, noting its massive heft and primitive dynamics relative to newer race cars, but ending on the note that it was truly fun to drive. And he was honored to drive what might be the most original IROC to race that day, as it still has the patina and wear from being a true barn-find classic.
Car 12 is a 1975 not a 1974. I owned a street version that was prepared by Bill Mitchell in Cheshire CT.
Yes, I agree. That car in the video is not the same body as in the black and white picture of the # 12. The wrap around back window is 1975 and newer. I bought a new Camaro in 75, my friend had a 74 . The rear window is a dead giveaway to identify.
I loved the IROC format from its beginning with the Porsches; but it seems to me that peak IROC was with those Camaros, since they were more relatable in the US – and likely easier to drive in anger for the NASCAR guys. The visual connection to early TransAm cars is a massive bonus, too. It’s also an arguably more relatable series than the dirt cars. I think it would be really cool to see the series revived in the ’70s configuration – the cars and notable guest drivers – and run at various road courses around the US; but funding would of course be a monumental hurdle.
Fun at Lime Rock. I am a VSCCA member and run my 1966 Mustang TA in preservation class
Join the fun!!
IROC Camaro vintage racing reunions sound fine. Evernham, much to his credit, does love old race cars and their history etc. I’m also fond of Lime Rock so. Just as long as it doesn’t try to become some new old version of SRX (Super mod, Super dirt or whatever those things were) that landed and ended with dull thud. Giving your retired buddies a place to race on occasion is fine but if you think the gates will be packed? Honestly, who watches (d) senior golf?
My brother had a neighbor with one of these cars. Lots of fun.
Super “Thanks” to Tom Cotter & Hagerty for the IROC feature. I followed the series from its inception and passed my passion to our son who found this link for me. Having raced American Sedan with the SCCA and living near Bakersfield my wife found a Kevin Harvick championship IROC dicast Firebird years ago for my birthday! How special!! Kudos!! to All!!
Back in the 1980’s a group of us were just getting started in SCCA racing and a good friend, Ben, found a tired ’74 IROC Camaro for sale back East. Like many old race cars, it was no longer competitive and with a modified body was running in SCCA GT1. He restored it to its original IROC look except for the paint color. He liked the Orange IROC #12 car and painted it Orange even though it was originally the silver IROC car. It looked terrific but was a beast to drive. Big and heavy but with lots of power. He installed a small passenger seat, so I had the fun of some hot laps with him driving at a Willow Springs club event where we were clocked at 150 MPH+ down the front straight. After a few laps he turned the driving duties over to me, but the seat was fixed mounted for his long legs and too far back for me, so I was never able to get comfortable enough in the car to drive it anywhere near its potential. Ben could drive it well including drifting it at 100 mph plus through Turn 8. It was very predictable and with its tremendous power quite a thrill to drive and ride in. With it’s huge flares and tires and wheels it was, and still is, a great looking car. It didn’t fit an SCCA class, so we went on to race newer Camaros and it sat in the back of a garage for a number of years partially dissembled gathering dust. A friend bought it, and I helped Ben get it reassembled, running and driving, and off it went. I understand the new owner restored it back to its original condition including possibly its original silver color. I never saw this IROC Camaro again, but I won’t forget it. By the way, regarding the ’74 vs. ’75 rear window. This car was a ’74 but the rear sale panels had been modified to install the ’75 style rear window. It was a simple modification. I was told this was done to other ’74 IROC cars also.