Posted (01/15/2003) -
As printed on TheRaceSite.com:
North Canton, OH -- There are not many drivers in the Grand-Am Cup who have been driving for as long as Joe Nonnamaker, having started in a Corvette in 1971. From there he has driven; Ford Pinto, VW Scirocco, VW Rabbit, Datsun 280ZX Turbo, Nissan Stanza, Toyota MR2, Honda CRX, VW Golf, VW Corrado, Mazda MX-6, Mazda 626, Mazda RX-7, BMW Z3, Porsche 911, Porsche 911 Cup, Corvette ZO6, Dodge Neon, AGT Chevrolet Corvette, Acura Interga GSR, Acura Integra LS. In 2002, Joe achieved his lifetime dream of not only racing a Corvette, but winning a race overall in a Corvette. Additionally in 2002, Joe drove in four different race cars in Grand American competition.
For 2003, Joe will focus his efforts on the Grand-Am Cup GS II class where he will be driving Planet Earth Motorsports' SpeedSource Porsche with support from GOJO and ORISON Marketing. His co-driver will be his youngest son Wayne, the 2002 ST II class champion. Currently they will be the only father/son combination in the series.
THE BASICS Series - Grand-Am Cup Series Class - Grand Sports II Team - Planet Earth Motorsports Car - #41 SpeedSource Porsche 911 Date of Birth - July 1, 1949 Occupation - Subways
2002 RACING HIGHLIGHTS Won GS I race at Phoenix Cup race Won GS I invitational race at Mont Tremblant Rolex 6 hours 2nd Place in GS I at Mont Tremblant Cup race 3rd Place in ST II at Virginia II Cup race with son Wayne Drove AGT Corvette at Watkins Glen and Paul Revere Daytona Rolex races
IN HIS OWN WORDS...
TheRaceSite.com: When did you begin racing?
Joe Nonnamaker: I started in 1971 with a 1967 Corvette 327/350HP in gymkanis (what has now become known as Soloing). The first experience in real racing was in 1974 in a Ford Pinto in showroom stock.
My career in endurance racing started at Nelson Ledges in 1979. This was the first ever endurance race for showroom stock; as it later became infamous as the Longest Day. We won our class, showroom stock SSC, in a VW. In 1996, I was lucky enough to campaign the last Longest Day ever run with my sons as co-drivers in nothing else but a Volkswagen.
TheRaceSite.com: Which track is your favorite and why?
Joe Nonnamaker: I would say Mid-Ohio because it was a sort of first love. This was my first track on which I raced. It is close to home and I remember going there as a kid with my brother to watch the Cobras and Corvettes go at it. I was there the weekend that they brought the Chaparrals to race.
TheRaceSite.com: Which track do you find most challenging? What makes it challenging?
Joe Nonnamaker: Mosport. The track has changed character over the past few years with track widening, taking out the bridge and the trees at Moss. These changes did not change the character, which is a very fast track with high speed corners, hills and off camber turns.
TheRaceSite.com: What is the most enjoyable part of racing?
Joe Nonnamaker: The family. I started in 1971 with the Corvette Coupe and took my wife and oldest son, Will, to all events. When I got the Pinto I also acquired a van so that the family could go. In 28 years my wife has missed only three races. Kristine has always fed the crew, timed the cars and helped drive the rig to and from the track.
At the track, my sons have been to almost all of the races. When we went the boys were there with us. They have missed very few races and have been at the track for races versus attending high school graduation, they have attended when they had mono, and in Wayne's case he attended his first race when he was three weeks old.
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