In 1961, Rootes Dealership "Sports Car Forum" in Columbus, Ohio, began to prepare a Series I Alpine to compete in F-Production, The team consisted of Don Sesslar as driver and Shorty Bickel as chief mechanic. By 1963, Dan Carmichael joined the team and competed in the Divisional races while Don continued racing in the National races. Their effort would eventually lead to factory support and one of the most successful teams competing with an Alpine. By the time Chrysler purchased Rootes in 1967 the team had won; an F-Production National title in 1964, tied for an E-Production National title in 1963, a Divisional Title, and placed in the top 3 for points in other years, 1961-67, in both National and Divisional competition.
Sports Car Forum, the dealership, changed ownership during the mid-60's. Claude Gains and H.J. Meyer were owners/partners prior to 1966. Eventually, Bill Koch became a owner/partner in the dealership later in the 60's. One of the original buildings for Sports Car Forum is still standing in Columbus, Ohio.
The team actually prepared two cars over the years they were racing Alpines. Initially they started out in a Series I for the 1960 season. This car was used until the beginning of 1964 when the team prepared a 1964 Series IV Alpine. The Series IV would be raced until 1967 and then retired.
It is thought the Series I Alpine's last race was at Mid-America in 1968, I have collected many images of the first Alpine which Sports Car Forum raced some which are in color. (Actually, Sesslar did run an Alpine in 1960 at Lawrenceville, Road America, and a one or two other races in 1960.)
In 1964, the team prepared a Series IV Alpine that would replace their Series I Alpine. The 1964 Series IV car would go on to win a National Championship in F-Production driven by Don Sesslar. This car's success continued until late 1967 with Dan Carmichael as driver. In 1968, Dan Carmichael sold the Series IV and it was then parked in a garage in Illinois. Early in February, 2000, the Series IV was moved out of the garage and traded off. I purchased the car in the spring of 2000. Upon unpacking the multiple boxes of parts, the true history of the car was discovered.
Please go to the links below and follow the entire history of the team while racing Alpines in the 60's.
 |
 |
|
 |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||