Augie Pabst: Behind the Wheel
By Robert Birmingham
Augie Pabst grew up an heir to the family brewing business, and one day in 1952 found himself, literally and figuratively, at a road race on an airport course in south central Wisconsin. The hook was set that day, even though four years would pass before he drove his first race.
Author Birmingham traces Pabst’s life as a racer from his first competition license in 1956 to his 2011 induction into the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America, documenting his career at the top of American road racing. His boyish charm and ready smile were perfect complements to the speed he demonstrated behind the wheel, earning him rides with the best teams of the day, including Meister Brauser, NART, Cunningham, Holman-Moody, Mecom and Shelby American.
Especially valuable is an appended log of his racing endeavors, beginning with his Triumph TR-3 entry in a 1956 SCCA Regional at Milwaukee’s State Fair Park road course, and closing with a 1987 IMSA sedan race at Watkins Glen in an Acura. In between he drove a long and varied list of cars that included AC Bristols, Corvettes, Ferraris, Mercedes-Benz, Jaguars, Scarabs, Fords, Porsches, Maseratis, Lotuses, Lolas, Coopers, Brabhams, Cobras and Chaparrals.
Perhaps even more interesting is a “Scrap Book” of press clippings from his career, including his role in the licensing squabble that ultimately resulted in the SCCA adopting professional policies toward its racing.
This welcome offering about a key player in U.S. road racing history is superbly ilustrated with some 500 period photos and is available for US$79/£55 from enthusiast bookstores or direct from publisher Dalton Watson Fine Books at www.daltonwatson.com
