IMSA GTO 1985 Buick Somerset Laguna Seca vintage race 1

1 of 2 -- start of the race
April 12-13th 2008 Laguna Seca SCCA Vintage event, feature race on Saturday. The car is a 1985 Buick Somerset built by Tommy Riggins in 1985 to be raced in the
IMSA Kelly American Challenge and IMSA GTO series from 1985 to 1989. Raced in 1987 24hr of Daytona and 12hr of Sebring. Won the 1987 and 1988 Texas Race of Champions with Tommy Riggins driving. Original drivers, Tommy Riggins, Craig Carter and Harold Shafer current owner Shaun Coleman. For more information on the car see my website at http://www.KellyAmericanChallenge.com

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• IMSA
• GTO
• RACE
• LAGUNA
• SECA
• SCCA
• auto
• motor
• sport
• GT1

[WorldChallenge]

How did the boring Buick Somerset end up as a Trans Am car?

[orionbbs]

@WorldChallenge Several Buick Somersets and Regals raced in SCCA Trams AM and IMSA GTO/Kelly American Challenge during the 1980s and through the 90s in fact. They were the only 2 door models Buick had. A I'm sure you know Buick was huge in racing in the 80s mostly in GTP/GTP Lights, but they also did a lot of GT racing. You can see many photos of these on racingsportscars(dot)com under buick

[Eisnable]

da könnt ihr sagen was ihr wollt, aber ein audi 90 imsa gto klingt da 1000 mal geiler

[orionbbs]

@Eisnable -- indeed, my german (I believe thats German) is a bit rusty but I think you are saying an Audi 90 IMSA GTO car sounds better? Hmm... heh... turbos do sound cool with the whistling they make, and you've gotta love the flames they shoot out but IMHO you can't beat the sound of a big-ol' American V8 ;)

shaun

[orionbbs]

Its about 720hp (which is plenty to light the tires in most gears including 4th ) actually and yep still has the same engine :)

shaun

[fritzkat]

old school trans am cars from the 70"s are bad ass but in this case the technology is to far apart and the modern imsa/gto.trans am spec car dominates

[fritzkat]

one of tese cars is for sale

[WorldChallenge]

@orionbbs Actually, I'm too young to remember IMSA GT at all. The Somerset was new when I was in diapers.

[tokyosmash]

My ears are ringing with the sound of this car and I dont want it to stop.

[alceuzinho]

@orionbbs Well, I love the big V8 angry roar, but I think the 5 cyl turbo Audi sounds better. And there is nothing to do with its turbocharger.

[btmiller88]

Love this car and the Audi 90...but I think this car was to much for the 60's Trans Am cars to run with.