Afer a period of time, I am back to following the RX-7 Club. I raced Mazda rotaries from 1975-1982 in IMSA. Initially I raced in the RS Sedan Series in an RX-2 I purchased from Car and Driver Mag, winning that Championship in 1978. Then Mazda introduced the RX-7 to IMSA racing and I was a driver on that team with Downing and Mandeville. The next year I won the Camel GTU championship driving the excellent RX-7 for Racing Beat. It was one of the best racing seasons that I had. The next year I drove the Kent Racing car with Lee Mueller as my teammate and main competitor. Another successful season.

 

Welcome Walt.

Most of the racer types hang out in the Race sub forum here:
https://www.rx7club.com/race-car-tech-103/

If you are still racing, post up some pics of your race car.

Cheers

 

I will have a look over there on the sub-forum where us racer types hang out.

 

OMG!

Walt...so good you took the time to chime in. I'm not afraid to say some of us worshipped you back in the day.

I'm bought my first new RX3 in '73 and an RX2 right after that.

I was "Walter (Bohren) Mitty" from then on.

We grew up at Mid Ohio finally moving to SoCal in '79. I'm a big Racing Beat groupie, too. I was even bold enough to look you up in Flemington one time in '75, found your Dad who was nice enough to talk about you for a great visit.

Only a few days ago I did a search for you on facebook and the net. It doesn't surprise me that your living another dream.

You look great in your silver hair!

Let me be one of the first to invite you to the Sevenstock gathering next year. It's the best! Berny Herrera and the SoCal club organizes 500+ RXs each year and VIPS that show up...nothing like it. I think I have Don Sherman talked it to it for his first visit.

Before I stop, look up the Racing Beat website as they've recently posted up so good old photos.

Allan Rodgers

licenseframeman@gmail.com

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I always enjoyed meeting other rotary enthusiasts. They are a special and dedicated group!
Who is that guy in the red uniform with brown hair?

 

I think that's the driving instructor?

 

Another Bohren fan paying his respects to one of the finest, along with Jack Baldwin et al., Mazda road racers around. My dad brought me to a round of the 1980 Camel GT, and after seeing his AKAI/Racing Beat RX-7 dominate on their way to the IMSA GTU Championship, I became, at 6 years old, one of Walt Bohren's younger fans.

Hopefully some of Mr. Bohren's wisdom [and period photos!] will find its way onto the Racing forum's virtual pages.

Michael Henk

BTW, I can't be the only RX-7 fan who'd love to see one or more of the Racing Beat cars [1980 or '86, perhaps] at the new Monterey Historics, or even better, racing with SVRA or HSR.

 

Thanks, WhaleTail.
I know my #7 Racing Beat car won't be showing up in Historics. Unfortunately, it was totaled at Mosport when Jim Downing passed out from heat exhaustion in a fast and unforgiving part of the track. Mederer always put side windows in on the fast tracks for more speed, but with the rotary exhaust at 2000 degress, the interior got really hot. Jim started the car, and I sat and waited to see it #7 or #17 was in the best position to win. It turned out to be a good strategy because after Jim's crash, I got in the #17 with Jeff and John Morton and scored a much needed win.

 

Sorry to bring up an old thread but I believe this is a picture of the #7 Racing Beat car that Walt was talking about.

Wish you were still with us Walt!

 

Thanks for that image.

Happy Birthday, Walt...RIP

 

Walt Bohren is a true rotary legend. Wonder what became of the RX-2 built by Roy Woods Racing, Car and Driver, and Racing Beat. It was so dominant that IMSA banned it after a year of racing and only a couple of wins. Don Sherman