Many consider the true glory days of the SCCA Trans-Am series to be those of its early years, from 1966 through 1972. Much of the reason for this was because, not only were the cars directly related to those race fans could own and drive on the street, but also because this was the era in which all four US auto manufacturers got behind the series. Indeed, icons such as the Z28 Camaro, Boss 302 Mustang, AAR Cuda, T/A Challenger, Pontiac Trans-Am, among others, exist purely because of the Trans-Am series.
But while its easy to wax lyrical of the impressive factory support the series boasted during this period, the Trans-Am really only survived thanks to its many unsung heroes, the independents who jumped on board to support this multi-million dollar travelling road-show when it came to town.
1970 was the year the Trans-Am finally received full participation from each of the ‘big four’ auto makers, and factory race teams from Ford, Chevrolet, American Motors, Plymouth, Dodge, and Pontiac all went to war to fight for the honour of their respective brand. But even in 1970, the number of factory race cars on the grid barely hit double digits, and indeed, only Ford, Chevrolet, and American Motors committed to full-time two-car squads throughout the season, with others such as Plymouth and Dodge only doing so sporadically.
Fact is, the Trans-Am series lived, grew, and prospered thanks to the support of hundreds of small independent teams. These were the weekend warriors, the guys and gals who held down day jobs, and spent their weekends racing predominantly in local SCCA A/Sedan and B/Sedan competition. And a couple of times a year, when the Trans-Am came to town with its million dollar race teams, professional drivers, and bulging race purses, the independents jumped on board to test themselves against the big boys, and maybe pick up a few bucks prize money.
There were a great many stand-out independent teams running A/Sedan and limited Trans-Am programs during this period, and among them was the hugely enthusiastic Ware family, based out of Leucadia, California, who raced a beautifully presented 1968 Z28 Camaro. The team combined the whole family, plus close friends, and really typified amateur racing of the era.
The Ware family team was made up of John Ware Snr (known to friends and family as ‘Jack’), his wife Helen, and their sons Johnny and Chris. This truly was a family of petrol-heads.
It was Jack and Helen who ordered and bought the handsome British Green with white stripes 1968 Z28 with Rally Sport package from Courtesy Chevrolet, in San Diego. Helen chose the color, which was a one-year only offering, for 1968. It didn’t stay standard for long. Almost immediately, Jack began tinkering. Although it’d go on to spend most of its life as a road racer, it was on the ¼ mile drag strip the Camaro got its first taste of competition.
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