Generation: C4
Year: 1987
VIN:
Race Numbers: 2
Ownership: 1. Tommy Morrison (1987 to 1998) 2. John and Hunter Jones, Richard Andison (1989) 3. Rick Mancuso(1990) 4. Luis Mendez (1990-1993)
Sponsors: Mid-America MOBIL 1 Polyvoltac Silicone Foam Koala Springs bottled water Cerveza Presidente, Castrol, Seaboard Marine, Nitto
Drivers: # 2 - Greg Pickett and Tommy Riggins (1987-88) # 87 - Greg Pickett (1987 Trans-Am) # 2 - Tommy Riggins,John Jones, Jack Baldwin (1988 # 21 - Pickett (Detroit GP - 1988 Trans-Am) # 2 - Richard Andison, John Jones, Hunter Jones (1989 Daytona) # 42 – John Jones – 1989 Trans-Am (Koala Springs - 1990) - Pickett (Detroit GP - 1989 Trans-Am) ??????
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Original Color: white w blue/red
Tires/Wheels: Wheels/Tires: BBS wheels 12.5 x 16 (front) 14 x 16 (rear) Goodyear Eagle racing tires 25 x 12.5 x 16 (front) 27 x 14 x 16 (rear)
Engine: Although there was a general requirement for a “stock” type engine in this era, the actual eligibility of an engine was determined by a displacement to weight formula. Engines for this car varied. Pickett drove the Detroit race (and won) using a 9:1 compression engine displacing 358 cu in and generating roughly 550 HP. As driven by Lagasse, in its later years, the car ran a 355 cu in displacement, with 13:1 compression and generated 600 HP.
Driveline: Chassis/Driveline/Transmission: SCCA mandates a 2500 pound minimum weight. The addition of ballast would be calculated based on the engine and fuel systems being used, as well as other “competition” factors. Weismann 5-speed transmission GM rack and pinion steering GM Delco shocks Brembo brakes 47 inches tall 65 inches wide 96 inch wheelbase
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Unique Characteristics: GM had determined that there was an opportunity to assist more racers to carry the Chevy banner if they had a viable C4 tubeframe car that teams could “buy”. To this end they had Bob Riley design and sell the chassis. Aerodynamic body parts were developed and put in the parts supply line. As matters turned-out, GM did not end-up being the supplier. Instead, the chassis for the new C4 IMSA/SCCA tubeframe race cars would be built-to-order by Bob Riley, in his PROTOFAB shop. Riley may have produced as many as eight of this series of cars for various racers. With very few exceptions the ownership trails are obscure.
Modifications:
Notes/Race History: It is possible that the first car to be delivered went to Morrison Motorsport, who did the final build and set-up for Greg Pickett and Tommy Riggins (# 2 MOBIL1 – Polyvoltac). This car ran under the Morrison banner for two years before being sold. In the first year (1987) the MOBIL 1 sponsor colors were dominant. In 1988, POLYVOLTAC increased their sponsorship and the car wore the now-famous black and white POLYVOLTAC colors. For 1988 IMSA driving was largely assumed by Tommy Riggins and John Jones. For Trans-Am, Greg Pickett, Jack Baldwin and Tommy Riggins would drive at different races. At this point in time, we think that the car was taken back by Protofab and sold. this means that the subsequent Trans-Am entries by Morrison Motorsport would be in a different car. We have tentatively created a new entry for car # 97 driven by Pickett, Lagasse and Heinricy from 1989 to 1993. This decision is subject to change but readers can treat this as our best interpretation at this time. The story for # 2 continues, as follows: In late 1988, the car was sold (by Protofab) to John and Hunter Jones, who owned Koala Springs flavoured water. The Koala Springs team also bought the # 5 Dallenbach car. The Koala Springs business was sold, around the same time, to Seagrams, on condition that they would have sponsorship for the race car for one year from Seagrams. A fall-out amongst partners in the team (Richard Andison versus the Jones boys) resulted in the two cars going in different directions. In 1990, Charles Hance bought the # 5 car from the Jones brothers. That car is still sitting in his showroom at Coast Corvette. Charles also bought a brand new chassis (and built a second car with a spare body that he had on hand. That car was fitted with a V6 turbo engine (developed in the GTP program) and then offered it for sale a few years later. The car was purchased by a collector/racer in Japan, named Ken Azawa...owner of West Racing. Ken did not want the turbo V6 so he had Charles Hance contact Doug Rippie to install a big block. Hance paid Rippie to travel to Japan to assist Azawa in the set-up and tune of the car. Also in 1990, Rick Mancuso bought the # 2 car and then re-sold it to what is reported to be a latin American gentleman. At this time, it seems likely that this might have been Luis Mendez, from the Dominican Republic. Luis ran one IMSA race (Miami) each year for several years. This is under active research. In 1993, Mendez picked a ride with Irv Hoerr’s Oldsmbile and contracted the Corvette to Tommy Riggins, to drive in the Miami race. Subsequent cars were delivered to Jerry Brassfield (car # 88), Wally Dallenbach (car # 5), Greg Walker Racing (cars #68 and 69), and possibly others.
Registry ID Number: 356

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