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Jonathan Ornstein is a vintage racer who has enjoyed lapping tracks for 20 years. After riding sport bikes for over 30 years he began vintage racing in a 1973 Porsche 911 running his first race at Phoenix International Raceway. Since that first race Jonathan has raced a wide variety of vintage race cars including a B Sedan Datsun 510 to a Mario Andretti Formula 5000 Lotus 70. While racing primarily in California at Laguna Seca, Sonoma, Fontana and Willow Springs, Jonathan has also raced at road America, COTA, Sebring, Daytona and Watkins Glen. He had the honor of being invited to race in Australia at the incredible Phillips Island Formula 1 track. Jonathan’s favorite race cars are his 1978 Datsun 710, 1989 Oldsmobile Cutlass Trans Am car, and the striking, polished aluminum bodied 1964 Webster Special.
SHOW SPONSORS
American Collectors Insurance • Linkage Magazine • Techforce Foundation • RPM Foundation
INSPIRATION
Chris Hines, a former NASCAR driver, has been very helpful keeping Jonathan’s racing on track. Another is the Datsun mechanic Les Cannady who have been very helpful for Jonathan’s racing. And of course Larry Risley who Chris worked with in the aviation business.
CHALLENGE
Getting enough seat time in a vintage car is a challenge and it’s not an inexpensive sport so start with an inexpensive car to operate.
SPECIAL VEHICLE
A Datsun 710 race car and his 1985 Corvette race car
BOOK RECOMMENDATION
Lost in Time: Formula 5000 in North America by John Zimmerman
WORDS OF INSPIRATION
If you have a passion for cars there is no better way to experience a car than through vintage racing.
SHARE THE INSPIRATION
If you enjoyed this show, please go to Apple Podcast and leave me a five-star review. That would help tremendously in getting the word out and help others to be inspired by Cars Yeah. * indicates a past Cars Yeah guest.