American Wheel Man
By Tom Madigan
Like many American racing drivers of his generation, George Follmer would drive anything, anywhere at any time, and consequently crafted a career of remarkable diversity and accomplishment. His list of championships includes the USRRC, the Trans-Am (twice) and the Can-Am, and in 1972 he became an unprecedented double champion, claiming both the Can-Am and Trans-Am crowns. Beyond those he also raced in F1, Indycars, Formula 5000, NASCAR and IMSA, winning in all but F1 and NASCAR. He even won an IROC race.
Perhaps the greatest assessment of Follmer’s talent came in 1972, when Roger Penske asked him to take over for the injured Mark Donohue in Penske’s brand-new Porsche 917-10 Can-Am car.
In his Foreword for this book (a second is penned by Parnelli Jones), Penske writes: “He had never seen the car when he arrived at Road Atlanta, but he stepped into that Porsche 917—which was a very powerful and difficult car to drive—and went out and won the race.” Roger doesn’t mention that in addition to not having seen the car, George had never been to Road Atlanta either!
All of this, how he got there and how his peers perceive him, is contained in this exceptional book available for US$59.95 from enthusiast bookstores or direct from ejje Publishing Group at www.ejjeus.com
