1981, John Morton Racing

IMSA GT/World Sports Car Championship

Firestone Ford Mustang

February 1, 1981

21st, 8th in GTX class

John co-drove this Firestone Ford Mustang with Tom Klausler. IMSA’s Grand Touring Experimental (GTX) was a classification maintained by IMSA between 1977 and 1982. Some cars were based on FIA Group 5 rules; such as the Porsche 935, and some cars were based on FIA Group 6 regulations, such as the Lola T600. The class rules allowed specified turbocharging and supercharging on engines up to a size of 6.0 L; with engine design and number of cylinders being free and unrestricted. Engines over 6.0 L were required to be naturally-aspirated.

Morton collection – Ed Wheatley photo

12 Hours of Sebring

IMSA GT/World Sports Car Championship

Firestone Ford Mustang

March 21, 1981

40th, 11th in GTX class

John co-drove the Firestone Ford Mustang again with Tom Klausler.

Morton collection

Riverside International Raceway

LA Times Grand Prix of Endurance

April 26, 1981

John was originally scheduled to drive a Vasek Polak Porsche 935 in this race, but the engine failed during practice. BMW then asked him to sign on as a reserve driver for their March BMW M1/C driven by David Hobbs and Marc Surer, but John did not drive the car.

24 Hours of Le Mans

Circuit de la Sarthe

Ferrari North American Racing

Ferrari 512 BB/LM (Chassis 35527)

June 14, 1981

DNF – 247 laps (accident)

John drove this with Alain Cudini and Philippe Gurdjian at Le Mans for Luigi Chinetti’s North American Racing Team. This was John’s second drive at Le Mans. Unfortunately, a late race incident with Gurdjian at the wheel ended the race for the team.