Olympia Charger

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

Top Le Mans drivers like the Oly Express

Quite a few top Le Mans Series drivers visited our garage during the Monza week-end. Among those was Stephane Ortelli (1998 Le Mans overall winner) and Soheil Ayari (2 top ten overall finishes at Le Mans). Both were stunned by the Charger. Stephane said it was like a predecessor of the Saleen that they both drive this year.

As you can see, we are in good company!

Running the good stuff supplied by Petty

Because we usually ran Petty equipment, we ran the same set up as Richard Petty generally when at a Cup event. Petty Enterprises was our supply line for most of our Winston West NASCAR series equipment.

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.

2007 Schedule is taking shape

While we considered various possibilities to race the Oly Express Charger in 2007, in terms of track speed, cost, media interest and fun, the Classic Endurance Racing series emerged as a clear favourite. We plan to enter three of the five races: Spa, Nürburgring and Monza. Practice will be either with the LMES at Paul Ricard track in Le Castellet (F) or at the Bugatti circuit in Le Mans (F). We are looking forward to see y'all at the races!

Pro Drivers look at Oly Express for 2007

Thanks to our excellent media coverage, the Oly Express is being looked at by a lot of people. Among those are a couple of pro drivers, who would like to race with us in 2007.

Hershel McGriff in Motorsports Hall of Fame

We learned with great pleasure that Hershel McGriff is now a member of the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America. The induction ceremony was held on August 17th, 2006 in Novi, Michigan.

The other Olympia Dodge: #96 Ray Elder

Next to the McGriff's, Ray Elder was also sponsored by Olympia Beer. Know as the 'racing farmer" from Carruth, California, Elder raced all sorts of Dodge Chargers, like the 1966 fastback, the 1969 Daytona and the 1974 coke bottle shaped model. Like Herschel McGriff and Jim Insolo, Ray Elder also made a few excursions from Winston West to the Grand National circuit during the seventies. Since 1976, he is the last Winston West Champion to win it in a Dodge Charger. I just wonder why the pit crew is still in their pyjamas!

photo Bill Wood of Motorsports Forum

Olympia Beer Bronco Off Roader

Next to the Charger and Hershel McGriff's Nova and Chevelle, Olympia sponsored also the famous Stroppe/Jones Ford Bronco. Built by Stock Car specialist Bill Stroppe (aka the "Holman Moody of the West Coast"), it was entered at the gruelsome Baja California off road race. Parnelli Jones took over the driving chores, while Bill Stroppe himself acted as navigator. Olympia Beer sponsored the whole act of what was, as vintage expert Sam Barer calls it, the "Superbird of Off-Road Racing"!

Read more about it on the Baja Bronco website!