C.C.G.D. Who's Who - Lars Connelly

As a teenager growing up in Canton, Ohio, I would buy junk cars for $15. , fix them up just a little and sell them for $25. I built my first Hot Rod, a 1937 Dodge coupe, with a V-8 in 1957.  Drag racing was popular as well as cheep to get started. I started a car club called "Squires of the Stick", named for the transmission and a part of the male anatomy. My parents were so embarrassed that they built me a separate garage hidden from view behind the house for my growing desire to race these old jalopies.  The neighbors could hear me tuning engines at all hours of the night. I had no respect for the rules of peace and quiet.

I was sent away to school in Cleveland, Ohio, where my grand parents lived and where I was a classmate of Roger Penske. Wow, I could not believe it when his Dad bought him a 1957 Corvette....... and later sponsored his racing.  My Dad, on the other hand, would have nothing to do with me and my folly. I had to go it alone.

I could not afford a Corvette until my Father passed away. After that I would drive to Ohio during the summers and care for my Mother and buy Vettes, transport them to S. Florida, and resell them for a fast $5,000. profit. Occasionally I would get stuck with a car that I could not sell so I would just drive it myself and wait for the correct timing. The pictures attached are some of these "keepers".

After a few years of hauling Corvettes I decided (mid-life crisis) to go to competition driving school. I attained several licenses including SCCA, IMSA, and SVRA. I was on a budget so I had no pit crew. I would drive the Maroon '66 Corvette while towing a Mini Cooper to the track (Moroso in W. Palm Beach). Each car was in a separate class so I could drive in several races during the day. Afterward I would hitch up the Mini and drive back home reminiscent of the good old days.  I raced against Paul Newman, Stirling Moss, and Michael Andretti and was fortunate to race several times at Sebring. It was fun to race my $25,000 rig against their millions. I was in the Miami Gran Prix as well as the Palm Beach Gran Prix, both of which I had my worst finish of 4th. My 427 big block was really a tricked out 454 with 680 HP. Everyone cheated so my tricks were nothing new. Smoky Yunick was a big help with some fuel line issues. He was The master engineer of racing.

After a few years of hauling race cars around the country and after a near disaster at the Daytona Speedway I quit racing and sold everything. I had lost my courage and I knew it was over. I even tried motorcycle racing but again I had lost my courage and had to quit after 2 laps on the Daytona speedway. I sold the race bike (BMW) right after that race and went home "empty".

In many ways it was a relief to have quit. My heart just wasn't in it anymore. I guess age and the fear of getting hurt had taken over. It was fun and a part of my history. I would not trade anything for the experience.  My heart still pounds whenever I dream of those races. And, a small part of me still dreams about: "what if my Father had sponsored Me and given Me his encouragement", where would I have gone ........