Olympia Charger

Great 1976 Le Mans photos by Ron Zuehlke

Thanks to Dick Pierson's recent TV appearance on the Seattle local news, Ron Zuehlke had some memories coming back to him. Ron was at the Le Mans 24 Hours in 1976 and took these two excellent pictures of Hershel McGriff and the Dodge hurdling toward Dunlop. Thank you so much, Ron. I just love it when this whole story keeps growing thanks to contributions like yours!

Doug and Hershel McGriff with Oly Charger

Thanks to Randy Ayers Modeling Forum's member Sundance, we just received this great picture of Doug and Hershel McGriff before their 1976 Le Mans start, found in a vintage issue of SCR magazine. I suspect that is was taken at Bridal Veil, just before Dick Pierson trucked it cross country to Sealand for its shipment to Le Mans. Judging by the title, I'd guess that the article relates to his DNF in the race. However, one question still remains: where is the original Oly Express Charger these days?

Hershel McGriff racing a Ford at Daytona !?!

This is really one for the experts! Now, y'all know that Hershel drove mostly Mopars, like the West Virginia Almost Heaven Charger when he teamed up with Richard Petty. Judging from the picture that François Breton, an Oly fan from France, dugg out on the web, Hershel also raced a Ford at the famous Florida track. Which race was it and what year? Whoever gets it right first, wins a 2008 Oly Express team shirt!

Hershel McGriff at Langley by Reg Royle

Murray Jones just sent us a couple of photos from the Reg Royle collection, which were donated to the Langley Speedway Historical Society. These pictures of Hershel McGriff at Langley's International Drivers Challenge on July22nd, 1972, came from negatives (Y'll know those thingies from the 1900s).

Courtesy: Reg Royle Collection

Hershel McGriff back at Le Mans

Today was sure a day to remember for Team Oly Express as Hershel McGriff came back to the Le Mans track. After racing the Charger here in 1976 and one of Billy Hagan's Camaro's in 1982, Hershel, alongside with wife Sherrie, daughter Marilyn and son-in-law Tex Powell (yes, THE Tex Powell), came to France, 25 years after his last 24 hours drive.

1976 Picture of Dodge Charger at Le Mans

Alain Jourdainne has recently put his private Le Mans photos from 1971 to 1981 on this great Le Mans picture site. Among those is this shot of Hershel McGriff at the wheel of the Charger. Since the car has not yet the outside rearview mirrors, it must be a picture taken during qualifying. The real Le Mans experts among you might be able to identify on which part of the track it was shot.

Courtesy Photos 24 H Le Mans dot Free

Racing to win: only possible as a team

We were always pretty lucky because Hershel was always a good strong qualifier so he usually started near the front of the pack. Most of the time everybody gets through the first few laps pretty well.

You got to make that race in Phoenix

I remember once in Ontario California, we had qualified for the Permatex race to be held on a Saturday (set the track record that stood until the track was torn down in the 80’s). NASCAR decided to make this an impound race at the last minute, therefore once we qualified the car we were done until race day.

When NASCARs big guns came to town

Once at the track all bets were off when the big guns came to town, Petty, Allison, Pearson, Yarborough, didn’t matter who, they were the guys to beat. So roll up the sleeves Winston West regulars, get your wrenches in hand gentlemen, we have some racing to do. I remember days in Riverside California when we would run lap after lap making sure the car was perfect, looking for those small problems that could cost us the race.

Hershel's other Dodge Charger at Daytona

Much better known to the general NASCAR fan than the Oly Express, is Hershel McGriff's "Almost Heaven" Dodge.

Hershel McGriff host Dinner in Portland

Following his introduction in the Motorsports Hall of Fame, Hershel McGriff hosted a dinner party in Portland for his family, friends and former team members. Alongside Hershels youngest daughter Gina and his grand-grand-baby-grandson, a total of 42 people attended, most of which were involved in the racing.