by Geoff Piggott
The Can-Am (Canadian-American) series is simply the stuff of legends. From 1966 to 1974 these were the fastest, most powerful sports cars in the world, running under nominal-rules that allowed much innovation and led to (mostly) hotly contested racing. And they were driven by the best racing drivers on the planet, including champion racers from Formula 1, Indy-car, and endurance racing and even the occasional NASCAR star.
Why? That’s easy, they were following the money. A convergence of scheduling, imaginative rule-makers, and a massive influx of cash from series sponsor Johnson Wax — eager to connect with an expanding car-racing fan base — drew the drivers, teams, car makers, sponsors, and fans to North America’s premier road-racing venues. Incredibly, over the nine seasons, horsepower rose from around 600 to more than 1200 and even 1500.
The Can-Am series ran between 1966 and 1974, apart from a lapse post the oil crisis, recommencing from 1977 through to 1987. The high profile series attracted many of the world’s great drivers including John Surtees, Bruce McLaren, Denny Hulme, Chris Amon, Jackie Ickx, Phil Hill, Dan Gurney, Peter Revson, Al Holbert, Mark Donohue, Mario Andretti and Keke Rosberg to name a few.
Initially a Formula Libre series for Sports Cars with minimal regulations and engines putting out up to 1500bhp in qualifying trim, it attracted international manufacturers including McLaren, Porsche, Shadow, Lola and a host of high-profile teams and sponsors. The series was conducted at circuits in North America and Canada including Watkins Glen, Mosport, Riverside and Laguna Seca, attracting large crowds and television audiences.
The initial series in 1966 was won by John Surtees in a Lola. From 1967 to 1970 it became known as the “Bruce and Denny Show” with McLaren and Hulme winning the annual series in their McLarens, with Peter Revson winning in 1971 in another McLaren, before Porsche dominated in 1972 and 1973, and Shadow in 1974. When the series recommenced in 1977, second generation regulations were introduced based on Formula 5000 open wheel cars but with closed-in bodies, largely using modified Lola tubs and Chev V8 engines and capable of over 320 kph.
One such car from that era is owned and raced in Group Q&R Sports in historic racing here in Australia by AMHF Supporter Andrew Kluver based in Sydney. Andrew has been racing in historics since around 2001 and has owned a variety of cars including a Lola F5000 and a Milano GT.
Andrew’s car is one of four “Spyder” cars developed in Santa Barbara California as “NF-10” and “NF-11” models in 1978 and 1979. The car was confirmed by the then owner Bill Freeman and Crew Chief Jeff Johnson as the only original “Spyder” car remaining in the world, proof of which is the inscription on the front bulkhead of the car and signed letters of authenticity from both Bill and Jeff. The car was fully restored in Australia by Andrew with advice from former team members in the US who originally built the car.
The car was part of the then Paul Newman and Bill Freeman (NF) Racing Team. It was sponsored by Budweiser “King of Beers”, the Edmonton Oilers ice hockey team and Goodyear. Initial team drivers were Keke Rosberg (who went on to win the World Driver’s Championship in 1982 and father of Nico who also became a World Champion) and capable and well-known US driver Elliot Forbes-Robinson (“EFR”) with other team drivers including Bobby Rahal, Patrick Depailler and Randolph Townsend. Andrew’s car is in the exact same livery and spec as in 1979 when Keke drove it.
The NF-10 version of the Spyder cars performed well in 1978 with EFR finishing fourth in that year’s Driver’s Championship. Keke won the 1979 opening round in Road Atlanta in one of the NF-11s with EFR third in another NF-11. In the next race at Charlotte, EFR was second and Keke third. At Mosport, EFR came second whilst Keke and Townsend both crashed out. At the following round at Mid-Ohio, Keke took second and EFR third (Townsend did not run). Keke went on to win the Watkins Glen round with both EFR and Townsend finishing down the order due to mechanical issues. EFR came second in the overall 1979 series and Keke fourth with the Newman-Freeman Racing team taking the overall Teams Championship (beating the Carl Haas team by a single point).
The “Budweiser” as it is affectionately known takes quite a bit of preparation work before and at race meetings. It’s my pleasure to be part of Andrew’s team. The car can be seen at historic events at Sydney Motorsport Park, Phillip Island and elsewhere. It always attracts plenty of attention both in pits and on the track. Do come and visit our pit garage and have a look at it. Our next event will likely be the VHRR 2025 Phillip Island Classic in March.
