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1976 Trans-Am Championship, driven by Al Holbert
Al Holbert kept himself very busy during the 1976 season, contesting both SCCA Trans-Am and IMSA Camel GT races... Sometimes participating in both series within a single weekend!
George Follmer and Hurley Haywood provided stiff competition in their Porsche 934s. In fact, the turbocharged Porsches were dominant throughout the 1976 Trans-Am Championship season, with all the 934 drivers being very closely matched.
The 1976 Trans-Am season opener at Pocono International Raceway, PA, suited the Porsche Turbos nicely. A horsepower course with plenty of straights and only 10 turns, they were the class of the field. Haywood and Holbert swapped the lead repeatedly. Officially there were 10 lead changes, based on the times the pair cross the start-finish line. Unofficially, however, there were many more passes than that! The Pocono event was an exciting one, and a grand introduction of the 934 to Trans-Am competition, ending with Haywood, Holbert and Follmer claiming the podium in their 934s. Less than a second covered the three 934s, followed by a pair of Carrera RSRs and then another 934. Holbert also set the fastest race lap.
Holbert's commitment to IMSA Camel GT paid dividends: he earned that Championship in his similarly painted #14 Chevy Monza. It would prove to be his first of five IMSA Camel GT Championships, and he remains the winningest driver in IMSA to this day.
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