When was the Cobra's first race

[deathsled]

As I was born in June 1963, I am curious to know when the Cobra first raced. Was it before the Dave MacDonald victory at Riverside in February 1963 or before that? I wasn't finding a definitive answer online.

Thank you,

Richard E.

[trotrof1]

Out of Dave Friedmans book (Shelby American racing history), Riverside 3-hour enduro race OCT 13, 1962. #98 Bill Krause driver. DNF.

[shelbydoug]

I seem to remember that it was Bob Johnson who won the first Cobra race. I remember the car when Ken Eber had it. It had the early pre IDA Webers on it.

I don't remember where it was but I think Johnson raced in the Midwest region? 1962.

[98SVT - was 06GT]

It started from this driveway one dark night in 1962. https://www.google.com/maps/@33.9345747,-118.0726746,3a,75y,79.38h,92.62t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sMVclxaPjBpKOtjsP6S_Y7g!2e0!7i16384!8i8192

I seem to remember an interview with Shelby where he talked about how much fun he was having tearing around the countryside and forcing himself to slow down and quit risking the only Cobra he was betting his future on.

[trotrof1]

First Cobra win #198 Dave McDonald, Pacific Coast Championship- Riverside Feb2-3, !963. Again same resource.

[deathsled]

Out of Dave Friedmans book (Shelby American racing history), Riverside 3-hour enduro race OCT 13, 1962. #98 Bill Krause driver. DNF.

So theoretically I was alive when the Cobra first raced (without getting into political issues of what constitutes life). So it also appears that 63 was a good year for the Cobra. My birth connection to the car.

[deathsled]

It started from this driveway one dark night in 1962. https://www.google.com/maps/@33.9345747,-118.0726746,3a,75y,79.38h,92.62t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sMVclxaPjBpKOtjsP6S_Y7g!2e0!7i16384!8i8192

I seem to remember an interview with Shelby where he talked about how much fun he was having tearing around the countryside and forcing himself to slow down and quit risking the only Cobra he was betting his future on.

Good one! Yes, Dean Moon. All those places are borderline religious sanctuaries to American Hot Rod culture. I still think that 1042 Princeton Drive should be invaded and taken by force and turned into a Shelby Museum. If I get word anyone wants to tear it down, I will get admitted pro hack vice to the California Bar and file my preliminary injunction to stop it.

[jguyer]

This is one of those question that just caused me trouble. Billy Krause at Riverside, everybody knows that, but when? Leaf Spring Cobra Registry just says "October 1962". Yeah, but when? I'll go to my first source, "The Cobra Story". So I go to my bookcase, I can't find it. I still can't find it AND trotrof1 answered the question. Now how long do I look for the lost book? I was happy, going to do a little yard work. Do I just wait and find the book when I look for something else or seriously search for it.

[trotrof1]

Yeah, I just happened to have that book out and grabbed it for a quick reply. Will help when I can.

[Richstang]

This is one of those question that just caused me trouble. Billy Krause at Riverside, everybody knows that, but when? Leaf Spring Cobra Registry just says "October 1962". Yeah, but when? I'll go to my first source, "The Cobra Story". So I go to my bookcase, I can't find it. I still can't find it AND trotrof1 answered the question. Now how long do I look for the lost book? I was happy, going to do a little yard work. Do I just wait and find the book when I look for something else or seriously search for it.

My notes say Saturday October 13, 1962 was the first race (Yes at Riverside with Bill Krause driving)

[deathsled]

So, I was born June 14th which means counting backward to October 13, 1962, that my dad and mom were, well, you know. But on a negative note, maybe my conception (if it happened on that October 13, 1962 day) caused the Cobra to lose. Every day is Friday the 13th where I am involved.

[deathsled]

This is one of those question that just caused me trouble. Billy Krause at Riverside, everybody knows that, but when? Leaf Spring Cobra Registry just says "October 1962". Yeah, but when? I'll go to my first source, "The Cobra Story". So I go to my bookcase, I can't find it. I still can't find it AND trotrof1 answered the question. Now how long do I look for the lost book? I was happy, going to do a little yard work. Do I just wait and find the book when I look for something else or seriously search for it.

I'd go look for it now. It was meant to be that my email alerted  you to the MIA status of your book. I suspect you will have an uneasy rest of the day knowing you can't find it. I am the same way in that regard.

[kranky]

The first race to actually have a Cobra on the track for a "road racing event" was at Connellsville (August 25/26, 1962).  The entry was by Ed Hugus and the Cobra is 2001....it broke in practice due to teething issues (overheating?) and did not race on the weekend.

"Hill Climb racing" Cobras seem to appear around mid-1963.

"Drag racing" Cobras seem to appear around early-mid 1963.

"Autocross, Slalom, Gymkhana, etc." Cobras seem to appear around the mid-later part of 1963.

There could possibly be earlier events, but newspaper articles, etc., only reported the top finishers for events.

[honker]

This is one of those question that just caused me trouble. Billy Krause at Riverside, everybody knows that, but when? Leaf Spring Cobra Registry just says "October 1962". Yeah, but when? I'll go to my first source, "The Cobra Story". So I go to my bookcase, I can't find it. I still can't find it AND trotrof1 answered the question. Now how long do I look for the lost book? I was happy, going to do a little yard work. Do I just wait and find the book when I look for something else or seriously search for it.

Quote from "Cobra Pilote:The Ed Hugus Story" by Robert D. Walker,  page 99, says Saturday, Oct. 13th. '62.

Mike

[honker]

What kranky says in post # 12 matches what is said in the Cobra Pilote book, this was the first Cobra to race in a "sanctioned"

competition. Also says, quoting from the book  "that overheating was the reason for retirement, because the early cars had

standard Ace radiators, suitable for the Six cylinder engine, only marginally adequate for proper cooling with the Ford 260"


Mike