The Racing Community Lost an Early Star
11-24-2008, 07:11 AM
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The Racing Community Lost an Early Star
Robert L. Johnson, 1927-2008
On October 16, 2008, 'Columbus Bob' Johnson passed away. (Not to be confused with 'Marietta Bob' Johnson).
His racing career spanned over decades.
Bob drove the following race cars:
1. His personal Corvettes, Cobra and Ford Falcon A sedan.
2. Shelby GT350R, 427 Cobra and Daytona coupe for Carroll Shelby.
3. Several Chaparrals for Jim Hall.
4. Camaro Trans-Am, 24 hour races for Roger Penske.
5. Corvette factory L88s for Doug Bergen.
Bob was dubbed 'Columbus Bob' Johnson to differentiate him from 'Marietta Bob' Johnson. This was due to them being co-drivers in the same car.
At Watkins Glen, on July 14, 1968, both Bob Johnsons drove Doug Bergen's factory L88 in the International Manufacturers Championships, 6 Hour race. The placed 11th overall and 1st in the GT+2000 class and set the track record for Group 3 (02L)-loop. In August, 1968, Bob drove the same car at Mid Ohio in the preliminary race to the USRRC from pole to pole, and won 1st overall. Both Bobs again drove Bergens 69 L88 in the 1970 24 Hours of Daytona.
Bob's last race was in Bergens '69 L88 (#3 car) at Sebring in the Worlds Championship of Makes, 12 Hours, in 1970. They placed 2nd in GT and 11th overall. Sixty eight cars entered the race.
Bob was owner and president of Johnson's Industrial Caterers. His wife, Nancy, now operates the business.
'A beautiful life that came to an end. He died as he lived, everyone's friend.'
NOTE:
So as not to confuse you:
Marietta Bob Johnson is in great health and usually attends several Corvette gatherings each year with his long time friend, Doug Bergen.
Marietta Bob drove the following cars:
A 1966, 427 Corvette coupe (black # 8 car), 1968 factory L88 (dark green # 12 car), and a factory L88 (black #3 car), for Doug Bergen.
2. Fred Semon's SCCA - B Production Corvette. Bob finished in 1st place in the central division SCCA, ahead of Alan Barker, in 1972. The car had problems at the Atlanta run offs and he finished 3rd.
3. The celebrated Corvettes - 'The Rebel', #57 car and the #4 LeMans racer currently residing in Mike Yager's MY Garage Museum, for Dana and Toy English.
4. The #29 car at LeMans, and # 48, #49, and #7 cars owned by John Greenwood. He also co-drove with John Greenwood in the #48 and #7 cars when they were painted black with a few red and blue stripes.
On October 16, 2008, 'Columbus Bob' Johnson passed away. (Not to be confused with 'Marietta Bob' Johnson).
His racing career spanned over decades.
Bob drove the following race cars:
1. His personal Corvettes, Cobra and Ford Falcon A sedan.
2. Shelby GT350R, 427 Cobra and Daytona coupe for Carroll Shelby.
3. Several Chaparrals for Jim Hall.
4. Camaro Trans-Am, 24 hour races for Roger Penske.
5. Corvette factory L88s for Doug Bergen.
Bob was dubbed 'Columbus Bob' Johnson to differentiate him from 'Marietta Bob' Johnson. This was due to them being co-drivers in the same car.
At Watkins Glen, on July 14, 1968, both Bob Johnsons drove Doug Bergen's factory L88 in the International Manufacturers Championships, 6 Hour race. The placed 11th overall and 1st in the GT+2000 class and set the track record for Group 3 (02L)-loop. In August, 1968, Bob drove the same car at Mid Ohio in the preliminary race to the USRRC from pole to pole, and won 1st overall. Both Bobs again drove Bergens 69 L88 in the 1970 24 Hours of Daytona.
Bob's last race was in Bergens '69 L88 (#3 car) at Sebring in the Worlds Championship of Makes, 12 Hours, in 1970. They placed 2nd in GT and 11th overall. Sixty eight cars entered the race.
Bob was owner and president of Johnson's Industrial Caterers. His wife, Nancy, now operates the business.
'A beautiful life that came to an end. He died as he lived, everyone's friend.'
NOTE:
So as not to confuse you:
Marietta Bob Johnson is in great health and usually attends several Corvette gatherings each year with his long time friend, Doug Bergen.
Marietta Bob drove the following cars:
A 1966, 427 Corvette coupe (black # 8 car), 1968 factory L88 (dark green # 12 car), and a factory L88 (black #3 car), for Doug Bergen.
2. Fred Semon's SCCA - B Production Corvette. Bob finished in 1st place in the central division SCCA, ahead of Alan Barker, in 1972. The car had problems at the Atlanta run offs and he finished 3rd.
3. The celebrated Corvettes - 'The Rebel', #57 car and the #4 LeMans racer currently residing in Mike Yager's MY Garage Museum, for Dana and Toy English.
4. The #29 car at LeMans, and # 48, #49, and #7 cars owned by John Greenwood. He also co-drove with John Greenwood in the #48 and #7 cars when they were painted black with a few red and blue stripes.
