jimgessner

Great Texas Corvette Race driver DELMO JOHNSON passed on Thursday May 14, 2015.

http://forums.autosport.com/topic/19...o-johnson-rip/

He had an impressive record.
Year: 1959
Date Race No. Car Drivers Entrant Result
11.10.1959 SCCA Regional Midland [BM+CM+DM+EM+FM+GM] 96 Jaguar XKSS Delmo Johnson 4th
11.10.1959 Preliminary Midland [BP] Chevrolet Corvette Delmo Johnson 1st
11.10.1959 Preliminary Midland [BM+CM+DM+EM+FM+GM] Jaguar XKSS Delmo Johnson 4th
11.10.1959 SCCA Regional Midland [BP+CP+DP+EP] Chevrolet Corvette Delmo Johnson 1st
8.11.1959 Oklahoma Petite GP 136 Chevrolet Corvette Delmo Johnson DNA
1959 Preliminary Galveston [Novice] 71 Lister Delmo Johnson 1st
Year: 1960
Date Race No. Car Drivers Entrant Result
31.1.1960 SCCA Regional Hondo [race 4] 36 Jaguar XKSS Delmo Johnson raced
6.3.1960 Preliminary Mansfield [BM+CM+DM+EM+UR] 36 Jaguar XKSS Delmo Johnson 1st
6.3.1960 SCCA Regional Mansfield [BM+CM+DM+EM+UR] 36 Jaguar XKSS Delmo Johnson 2nd
26.3.1960 12 h Sebring 5 Chevrolet Corvette Johnson / Morgan Johnson Chevrolet Co. 35th
5.6.1960 SCCA Regional Hilltop [Modified+FJr.] Jaguar XKSS Delmo Johnson 2nd
4.7.1960 Preliminary Galveston [BP+CP+DP+GM+FJr.] Chevrolet Corvette Delmo Johnson ?th
4.7.1960 SCCA Regional Galveston [BP+CP+DP+FP+GM] Chevrolet Corvette Delmo Johnson ?th
5.9.1960 Hilltop [Main] Chevrolet Corvette Delmo Johnson raced
6.11.1960 Oklahoma [Modified +] Jaguar XKSS Delmo Johnson 1st
Year: 1961
Date Race No. Car Drivers Entrant Result
19.2.1961 SCCA Regional Green Valley [CM+DM+EM+BP+CP] Jaguar XKSS Delmo Johnson 1st
19.2.1961 SCCA Regional Green Valley [CM+DM+EM+FM+BP+CP] Chevrolet Corvette Johnson 2nd
19.2.1961 SCCA Regional Green Valley [Main] Jaguar XKSS Delmo Johnson 2nd
11.3.1961 SCCA Regional Mansfield [Main] Jaguar XKSS Delmo Johnson raced
25.3.1961 12 h Sebring 4 Chevrolet Corvette Johnson / Morgan Johnson Chevrolet 11th
9.4.1961 Hondo [BP+CP] Chevrolet Corvette Delmo Johnson 1st
9.4.1961 Hondo [Main] Chevrolet Corvette Delmo Johnson DNF
23.4.1961 Preliminary Stuttgart [BM+CM+DM+EM] Chevrolet Corvette Delmo Johnson 3rd
7.5.1961 SCCA Divisional Mansfield [Main] Jaguar XKSS Delmo Johnson 2nd
2.7.1961 SCCA Divisional Galveston [Main] Jaguar XKSS Delmo Johnson 3rd
23.7.1961 SCCA Regional Opelousas [CM+DM+EM+FM+GM] Jaguar XKSS Delmo Johnson 2nd
29.10.1961 SCCA Regional Muskogee [BM+CM+DM+EM+FM+GM+BP+CP+FJr.] Chevrolet Corvette Delmo Johnson ?th
29.10.1961 SCCA Regional Muskogee [BM+BP+CP+DP+EP] Chevrolet Corvette Delmo Johnson 1st
19.11.1961 Hammond [Main] Chevrolet Corvette Delmo Johnson 3rd
Year: 1962
Date Race No. Car Drivers Entrant Result
11.2.1962 3 h Daytona 25 Chevrolet Corvette Morgan / *Johnson Johnson Chevrolet 21st
18.2.1962 SCCA Regional Green Valley [AP+BP+CP] Chevrolet Corvette Delmo Johnson 1st
4.3.1962 SCCA Regional Mansfield [Main] Jaguar XKSS Delmo Johnson DNF
24.3.1962 12 h Sebring 4 Chevrolet Corvette Johnson / Morgan Johnson Chevrolet 21st
1.4.1962 USAC Hilltop Jaguar XKSS Delmo Johnson DNS
29.7.1962 USAC Indianapolis De Tomaso Delmo Johnson ?th
16.9.1962 SCCA Divisional Galveston [AP+BP+CP+DP] Chevrolet Corvette Delmo Johnson DNF
Year: 1963
Date Race No. Car Drivers Entrant Result
16.2.1963 250 mile Daytona 12 Chevrolet Corvette Delmo Johnson Delmo Johnson DNQ
17.2.1963 3 h Daytona 12 Chevrolet Corvette Delmo Johnson Delmo Johnson DNS
23.3.1963 12 h Sebring 3 Chevrolet Corvette Sting Ray Johnson / Morgan Johnson Chevrolet Co. 16th
Year: 1964
Date Race No. Car Drivers Entrant Result
21.3.1964 12 h Sebring 3 Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport Johnson / Morgan Johnson Chevrolet Co. 32nd
19.4.1964 SCCA Divisional Green Valley [Modified] Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport Delmo Johnson 1st
19.4.1964 SCCA Divisional Green Valley [Main] Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport Delmo Johnson DNF
19.4.1964 SCCA Divisional Green Valley [Formula Libre] Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport Delmo Johnson 1st
19.4.1964 SCCA Divisional Green Valley [GP+HP+GT] Renault Delmo Johnson Snuffy Smith 1st
17.5.1964 SCCA Divisional Hammond [CM+DM+EM+FM+GM+FL] Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport Delmo Johnson DNF
5.7.1964 SCCA Divisional Galveston [CM+DM+EM+FM+GM] Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport Delmo Johnson 6th
13.9.1964 SCCA Regional Green Valley [Main] Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport Delmo Johnson Terlingua Racing Team 1st
Year: 1965
Date Race No. Car Drivers Entrant Result
14.2.1965 Green Valley [CM+FM+AP] Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport Delmo Johnson 2nd
27.3.1965 12 h Sebring 1 Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport Johnson / Morgan Ridgeway Racing, Inc. 36th

jimgessner

I met DELMO in 1987 at the MONTEREY HISTORIC races when Chevrolet celebrated its 75th Anniversary. He was always a great story teller, especially around the campfire. His driving was always first class. He teamed with DAVE MORGAN at SEBRING and they even drove the GRAND SPORT in MEXICO. Hard to believe that the COLLIER BLUE #4 GRAND SPORT is the same car today.

Need to do a book on these drivers.

Dr L-88

Another Corvette racing icon gone. R.I.P. Delmo

Mr. Wizzard

Delmo's driving displays are what endeared me to the Grand Sport early on. He was the king of cool.

RIP

Black 03 Z06

Rest in Peace Delmo.

What an outstanding competition record. This gentleman was talented for certain.

SIXTYTWO

This was my favorite Delmo Johnson Corvette

3JsVette

RIP Delmo

OldKarz

RIP

00fxd

Jim, thanks for your historical updates. They are interesting and informative.
Frank

jimgessner

JOHN NEAS, said this morning,

''Marlene and Dave Morgan let me know Thursday about Delmo. He fell asleep in his chair and did not wake up. We should be so lucky. However he has been somewhat immobile the last years but would not get replacement. I believe there may have been some other complications. What a CHARACTER!!!''

I hope when my time comes, I can be so lucky as to TAKE A NAP

tuxnharley

What a life - living in a blur of speed and passing at rest. We should all be so lucky!

RIP, Delmo!

richscorvettes

Jim,

What an amazing record and list of accomplishments!

I think the comment from Richard Prince captures him well:

"He loved racing, flying, chasing women, traveling, history,
politics, cats, photography, business, building things...he loved life."

He sure lived a full life and, as you've said, when it's our time we all hope we can go as peacefully.

Rich

desertpilgrim

Since Chip's first "Racer Reunion", I have told people that if you see Delmo Johnson & Dave Morgan casually sitting and talking, go get a washtub full of ice and a supply of whatever Delmo's favorite libation is and a folding chair and just listen......maybe interject a casual question when needed....and pay the price the next day when your chest and ribs ache from laughing and your mind will marvel at what a great life he led. He was as BIG as Texas!
I asked him he had any idea where his black car from 1960 Sebring was and he said "There's a fellow in Texas who says he has it, but I don't think so.". Stand by.

TCracingCA

Everytime i visit their site i am surprised that they would cover some of the less known, but still notable drivers! i am happy that they do! I wish we could get the entire careers documented, because he'Delmo" drove at alot of the local tracks in all kinds of stuff and I think a Team Owner. i think his total driving career spanned 22 years!

C2Racer

RIP Delmo.

I had a friend, who has passed also, who knew Delmo in the 60's and he use to go down to his Dad's Chevrolet dealership in downtown Dallas every time he got a new race car or car to build into one. He was hooked up and always got the best of the best. John said there would be a group of friends and admirers of at least 10 - 15 people just standing around with their mouths wide open. Quite a show.

I drove up to an open track day in March for a group of college kids who prepared a 65 Mustang for a La Carrera Panamera run and Delmo and Charlie Barnes were suppose to show up. I went to get to see Charlie who I know and meet Delmo. Charlie came but Delmo never showed up. Very sad now.

Steve

jimgessner

These last few years, DELMO was slowing down. I have tried to make the last two OCTOBER RACER REUNION gatherings at Soldier Creek Ranch, owned by former SCCA exec and race driver J. David Jones and his wife Sherri. The cast of characters attending has been a ''who's who'' of racing in the SOUTHWEST and AMERICA in the 50's, 60's and 70's.

Author WILLEM OOSTHOEK has written a series of books called RACING IN THE SOUTH. Excellent book with photos from Bob Schroeder and Bob Jackson never before seen.

Among the attendees, Sandy and Jim Hall, Glenna Lamb, who was married to the late race driver Ed Lamb, and Bill Janowski, well known for the car he built and raced: the Janowski Special, later renamed the Monsterati. It is still a regular entry at the Monterey Historics.

Coming down from Oklahoma was Enus "Sonny" Wilson, who raced a Corvette and various Maseratis [including two Birdcages] around the Southwest. Enus' last race came at Sebring in 1964, racing a Chevy-powered Iso Corsa with Bill McLaughlin. Dave Morgan, who co drove with Delmo at many SEBRING events is from Tulsa.

Frank Lance with John Matlack.
In his days Frank Lance wrenched for a number of different teams: Jim Hall, Ebb Rose and A.J. Foyt. And SHELBY in Europe and America. Another great person.

And Bob Jackson 1964 Pulitzer Prize winning photographer. Bob's photos are featured thruout
Willem Oosthoek's new book: Sportscar Racing in the South

hundriver

I met Delmo back in the early '70's when he was flying competition aerobatics in his Pitts Special. He was just as great a pilot as he was a driver and after a few empty beer cans at his hangar in Addison, he could tell tales all night long. He never met a stranger and was a good friend and mentor to many. His relationship with Chevrolet goes back many years as his father owned one of the largest Chevy dealerships in the Southwest. His airshows were real "barnburners". RIP