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Generation: C3 Year: 1968 VIN: Race Numbers: 30, 3 Ownership: Tony DeLorenzo, Jerry Hansen, Gary Bergman, Mike McCarthy, Bud Hickey (1988), John Thompson Sponsors: Sunray DX Oil (1968) Owens-Corning (1969-70) Troy Promotions Inc. (TPI) Goodyear Koni Drivers: Tony DeLorenzo Jerry Thompson Status: Restored and shown at various shows and historic racing events. Original Color: blue, white, red (Sunray DX colors) Tires/Wheels: Initial configuration: 15 inch American Racing Torque Thrust wheels 15 inch Goodyear Blue Streak R Subsequent years: 15 inch Minilite wheels 15 inch Goodyear blue streak racing slicks (as they became available) Engine: 427 L89 rebuilt to L88 spec Driveline: M-22 "Rockcrusher" four-speed, 3:36 positraction; J56 big brake Top: Interior: Originally black, mostly stock as per FIA regulations for GT category. Car is now much more in the "race" condition. Condition: Car is restored to its # 12 Owens-Corning configuration and is used in historic racing URL: Dick Lang (driver) web site reference: http://dicklang.blogspot.com/2008/05/1968-mid-ohio_04.html Unique Characteristics: The #30 Sunray DX configuration for Tony DeLorenzo's 1968 car is deeply shadowed by the fame of the Owens-Corning configuration. But, in 1968, the three Sunray DX cars definitely made their mark at Daytona and Sebring endurance races. The Sunray DX sponsorship deal was originally designed for Daytona and Sebring only. Whatever hopes the team had for a continuation of the deal rapidly evaporated when the Sunray DX company was bought out by Sunoco. Tony and Jerry ran the two “DeLorenzo-owned” cars in several more races, mostly SCCA “Nationals” in 1968, and rented it out to various other drivers when the opportunity arose. The cars would be changed-out to run whatever class or series rules required. By mid-season 1968, and with the assistance of Dollie Cole, DeLorenzo obtained a sponsorship deal with Owens-Corning Fiberglass and (by Mid-Ohio) the cars appeared in O-C livery. Tony also ran the 1968 car as # 4 in the ARRC race at Riverside. Modifications: Although purchased as a white/black car, it was immediately painted blue, white and red (Sunray DX colors) for the 1968 season. The original team modifications to a stock Corvette included balancing and blueprinting the engine, fitting a unique 850 cfm Holley carb, adding roll bar (not cage) and fuel cell, taking down the windshield (for appropriate series), replacing the suspension bushings with heim joints, cutting notches in the trailing arms to fit bigger tires, and rewiring the car. Notes/Race History: During the 1967 SCCA season, Tony DeLorenzo became close friends with racer, Jerry Thompson. Mid-year, 1967, the pair were offered an opportunity to run with the Sun-Ray DX team, at Daytona in 1968. Tony decided that they would bring two cars. They would update the 1967 that he had been running to 1968 FIA specs and they would also obtain a new 1968 roadster and rebuild the L89 engine to L88 spec. Although the 1968 car wasn’t actually an L88 from the factory, it passed SCCA inspection as being a production offering. Thus, at the FIA-sanctioned 24 Hours of Daytona, 1968, the SUNRAY DX team had three cars. Two 1968’s and the old 1967. The older 1967 DeLorenzo car was assigned # 31. The DeLorenzo 1968 was assigned # 30 and the Yenko prototype L88 ran as #29 for the Daytona race. It was the 1967 that won the GT class. At Sebring the older 1967 ran as Sunray DX # 4, while the other (1968) Delorenzo car ran as # 3. The Yenko car ran as # 2. At Watkins Glen, only the Yenko car ran, listed as # 9. After the first two endurance races, Tony and Jerry ran the two “DeLorenzo-owned” cars in several more races, mostly SCCA “Nationals” in 1968. They would occasionally have other drivers who would, effectively, rent the car when the opportunity arose. The cars would be changed-out to run whatever class or series rules required. By the end of the season (when the Sunray DX sponsorship disappeared) DeLorenzo ran the 1968 car as # 4 in the ARRC race at Riverside…painted in his own paint scheme. It was around this time that Dollie Cole managed to put Tony DeLorenzo and the Owens-Corning company together for a new sponsorship deal. Tony decided to run the 1968 car and to acquire another newer 1969 L88 for the upcoming season. But finding enough financing to keep two cars was always an issue and, with the decision to purchase a new 1969 L88 (one of the first four “second-generation” L-88 cars) for the 1969 season, it was necessary to sell the 1967 car to Don Yenko. The Owens-Corning cars made their debut at the 1969 FIA 24 Hours of Daytona. Tony DeLorenzo and Dick Lang drove the new car, listed as # 66, while Jerry Thompson and Jim Harrell drove the 1968 car, listed as # 67. At the Sebring event, DeLorenzo and Thompson drove the # 1 car, while Dick Lang and Gib Hufstader drove the # 2 car. For events where only one driver was required, Tony DeLorenzo would normally drive the newer 1969 L88 and Jerry Thompson would drive the older 1968 car. The cars were numbered variously, according to the various events. The car continued to be campaigned for many years under several owner/drivers. This racing history is covered under a separate data entry for the Owens-Corning car. Registry ID Number: 582 View Original Size  Tony DeLorenzo |