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North Lake History

Bo Harris

April 22, 2019

July 7th 1963 – Dave MacDonald and the Shelby American team at Lake Garnett Kansas

Bo Harris///April 22, 2019

Original Article Credit: https://www.davemacdonald.net

July 7th 1963 – Dave MacDonald and the Shelby American team arrive at Lake Garnett Kansas and a full blown Cobra vs Corvettebattle is about to go down. Dave will run Shelby team Cobra CSX2128

Legend has it that racer Bob Johnson – fresh off a June 30th 1963 victory at Watkins Glenn NY, was hauling his independant Cobra out to Kansas for the July 7th Lake Garnett Grand Prix. Johnson had just won the USRRC event in NY finishing just ahead of two Shelby American Cobras driven by Dave MacDonald & Ken Miles. Johnson was going to run solo against the Corvettes in Kansas.

The Corvette gang – seeing this as an opportunity to beat up on a lone Cobra – decided to rally the troops and call in some big guns. They were locked & loaded for Johnson with racing greats Don Yenko, Grady Davis & Dick Thompson bringing in a modified Corvette, and two lightweight Corvette Stingrays

With the Cobra transport rumbling toward LA, Shelby suddenly gives the order to detour to Kansas. SAI hauler arrives in Lake Garnett and driver Dave MacDonald hops up to unstrap the Cobra beasts. Also shirtless is Ken Miles.

MacDonald, Miles & Holbert will do the driving at Lake Garnett in support of Bob Johnson and his independant Cobra. Suddenly the game had changed for the Corvette contingent! MacDonald up top while Miles continues to supervise.

Carroll Shelby (L) discusses a game plan with Ken Miles. Dave MacDonald is to Ken’s left (back turned).

Less than a mile into the race the Cobras start to seperate from the field as Johnson, MacDonald & Miles jump to the lead. All three drivers led the race at one point or another and midway through the race they had built 80 second lead over the 4th place car. It was a dominating performance by the Cobra Roadsters as Johnson MacDonald & Miles turned in a clean 1-2-3 sweep.

Ken Miles’ Cobra CSX2129 readied to go back on the transporter after a very successful SAI weekend in Kansas

Before they leave Kansas, Shelby crewmember Al Dowd (sunglasses) builds a mock grave for the Corvettes.

News articles recapping the July 1963 Lake Garnett race

Sports Car Graphic article on the Lake Garnett Race

Shelby American notes describing race day

Sidenote: A full scale riot broke out after race testing on Saturday. Thousands of youths from all over decended on tiny Lake Garnett Kansas and the local authorities were not equipped to handle the drunken, rowdy crowds.

Mighty Cobra Roadster wound up winning the 1963 USRRC Championship! Photo Pete Brock

Chuck Brandt and the gang take a few Cobra’s out to Lake Garnett in late 2005. They attempted to recreate the vintage race photo posted above but they had one problem … they didn’t bring any Corvettes!