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We lost doug hooper today

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  • James G.
    Extremely Frequent Poster
    • May 31, 1976
    • 1556

    We lost doug hooper today

    At 10 AM today, Doug Hooper passed quietly after a 8 month battle with kidney failure.


    2007 Corvette Hall of Fame Inductee Doug Hooper began racing in 1959 behind the wheel of his 1957 Corvette. A regular participant at Cal Club and SCCA Events, Doug's achievements note him as a world-class racer and one of the first drivers to have brought the Corvette to the international stage as a winning racing machine following his win in the “Times Grand Prix” in Riverside, California on October 13, 1962.


    Chevrolet introduced the new Sting Ray Split Window Z06 racing option in October 1962 at Riverside Raceway. Dave MacDonald, Bob Bondurant , Jerry Grant and Doug all drove Z06 Split Window Corvettes. Billy Krause drove the first Shelby Cobra ever to race that day, but the Mickey Thompson sponsored Z0-6 driven by Hooper won the three hour race of 46 cars averaging 84.06 mph in front of 78,000 spectators.


    In December 1962, at a special Z0-6 brake test session at Sebring, Zora Arkus-Duntov approached Doug and asked him to test his new secret project – the Grand Sport. After the test, Doug was scheduled to co-drive the Corvette Grand Sport with Billy Krause at Lemans in June 1963.


    Doug drove at the 3 hour Continental at Daytona in mid February 1963, and after the race, the GM sponsored race program ended.


    In the summer of 63, Doug raced all over the West and had many wins and opened “Doug's Corvette Service” in North Hollywood , California and created one of the premier Corvette and Rochester Fuel Injection repair shops in the country.


    In 1989 in addition to the shop and racing, he added to his busy life and became a Reserve Police officer for L.A.P.D.


    In 1993, Doug continued to stay active in racing and was asked to prepare and tour the country in the original #001, 1963 Grand Sport – the same car he had tested at Sebring some 30 years earlier!


    Under Roger Penske's ownership in 1966, this Grand Sport, one of the original five, had a 427 L-88 big block motor installed and was previously driven by Corvette Hall of Fame legends, Dick Thompson and Dick Guldstrand at Sebring in 1966. Doug toured the USA Vintage Race events in the 1993 season with the car and raced it with great respect and admiration of the public.


    Numerous books and magazine articles have been published acknowledging Doug's winning career and accomplishments. Notably winning the SCCA Pacific Coast Championship five times.


    He was a great friend and strong Corvette competitor. We drove cross country in 2009 to CARLISLE. I need to write a book about that trip. I will miss Doug. He was one of my heroes.

    DOUG STARTED RACING IN HIS 1957 CORVETTE in 1959. This car used to be black and was owned by Scott Briley. Dan Gurney raced this car at the first TIMES GP at RIVERSIDE in 1957 and won. That limited Corvette drive got Dan into the ''big league'' of racing. (DOUG HOOPER Photo)





    The MICKEY THOMPSON 63 Z0-6 CAR that Doug drove at Riverside in October 1962 and won. Doug drove the same car at DAYTONA in February 1963.(DAVE FRIEDMAN photo)





    JOE FREITAS, PAUL REINHART, AND DOUG HOOPER AT THE MONTEREY HISTORIC RACES IN 2002 WHEN CORVETTE CELEBRATED ITS 50TH BIRTHDAY. (JIM GESSNER Photo)







    JOE FREITAS, SHERRY MACDONALD (DAVE MACDONALD'S WIFE), BOB BONDURANT, DICK GULDSTRAND, DOUG HOOPER, SKIP HUDSON, and PAUL REINHART, At the JULY 1991 NCRS National Convention Anaheim, California. ALL GREAT FRIENDS UNITED FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE THE MID 60'S. (Maggie Logan photo)





    MONTEREY HISTORIC 2008, Doug's last race in a STINGRAY. Dick and Willy Guldstrand visiting with Doug before the race. DOUG drove the old 1964 DAVID REX well known Midwest Corvette racer owned today by FRED YEAKEL. (FRED YEAKEL Photos)

    DOUG AND SON MARK HOOPER GET READY AT PRE-GRID


    Last edited by James G.; October 3, 2013, 10:20 AM.
    Over 80 Corvettes of fun ! Love Rochester Fuel Injection 57-65 cars. Love CORVETTE RACE CARS
    Co-Founder REGISTRY OF CORVETTE RACE CARS.COM
  • Anthony S.
    Very Frequent User
    • September 3, 2007
    • 107

    #2
    Re: We lost doug hooper today

    RIP and thoughts and prayers to his family and friends
    There are two kinds of friends; the friend you call to bail you out of jail and the friend sitting next to you in the cell saying "Damn, that was great"!!!

    Comment

    • Rick A.
      Extremely Frequent Poster
      • July 31, 2002
      • 2147

      #3
      Re: We lost doug hooper today

      RIP Mr. Hooper! Lost another one of the good guys to his Lord.
      Rick Aleshire
      2016 Ebony C7R Z06 "ROSA"

      Comment

      • John S.
        Very Frequent User
        • May 4, 2008
        • 424

        #4
        Re: We lost doug hooper today

        RIP Doug Hooper. True Corvette icon. Thanks for the update Jim.
        John Seeley
        67 Black/Teal
        300 hp 3 speed coupe
        65 Maroon/Black
        35k mile Fuelie coupe

        Comment

        • George J.
          Very Frequent User
          • March 1, 1999
          • 775

          #5
          Re: We lost doug hooper today

          Jim, Great tribute. Thank you for posting.

          Comment

          • Tim G.
            Extremely Frequent Poster
            • March 1, 1990
            • 1375

            #6
            Re: We lost doug hooper today

            Jim, thank you for letting us know. I met Doug at Road America in the mid 90's when he was asked to race Grand Sport #1. He was very kind and had lots of time to visit with me.

            Thank you also for the good shots of my old Dave Rex car.

            Comment

            • Michael J.
              Extremely Frequent Poster
              • January 27, 2009
              • 7122

              #7
              Re: We lost doug hooper today

              A great man and a great loss to the car world, RIP Doug, thanks Jim.
              Big Tanks In the High Mountains of New Mexico

              Comment

              • Bob B.
                Very Frequent User
                • March 1, 2003
                • 831

                #8
                Re: We lost doug hooper today

                Hi all,

                Those of you who attended Hampton may recall that Doug Hooper and Dick Guldstrand were originally scheduled as speakers. I got them on the recommendation of Fred Yeakel, one of the drivers of my '57 race car under restoration. I was fortunate enough to be able to have a couple of approximately one hour conversations with Doug prior to his falling and injuring himself in the spring, after which a previously existing kidney condition took over. I also spoke with Doug about a month ago and he sounded fine and told me that he and his wife were able to visit with their daughter who lived about a half-hour away.

                Doug was a wealth of information on both Corvette racing and Corvette tuning and he loved sharing it. I took notes the three times we spoke! He will be missed, but as Rick noted, we can be comforted that he is with his Lord.

                Bob

                Comment

                • James G.
                  Extremely Frequent Poster
                  • May 31, 1976
                  • 1556

                  #9
                  Re: We lost doug hooper today

                  Originally posted by Dr L-88
                  Don't mean to hijack your thread Jim, I just want to pay my respects to a GREAT Corvette racer........


                  We've lost a very significant part of Corvette racing history, but more importantly, a good man. I met Doug at the vintage races at Mid Ohio in 1993 and he and Dr. Dick Thompson were kind enough to autograph a poster and talk to me about the Penske Grand Sport he was racing that day. And RACE it he did!!!!!! I was very impressed that day with how hard Doug drove the car..........................just like he always raced.................like a champion.


                  R. I. P. Doug :sadangel:





                  Doug in the original Grand Sport at speed, and I mean he got the most out of that car that day..............at Mid Ohio 1993



                  Thank you Rex for adding these neat pieces of history.Doug brought many smiles to many people.


                  He always talked about that time in 1993-94 when GRAND SPORT owner at that time GENE SCHVIONE was so generous with the car to not only bring Doug an offer a drive the car in vintage events, but also allow Doug to restore the car to ''as raced'' 1966 condition at Sebring.


                  In 2009 I wanted to go back to CARLISLE for the RACER REUNION that Chip Miller created in 1999 as a every 5 year event. I also wanted to drive rather than fly and visit with great Corvette friends along the way. Doug called and said. ''CAN I DRIVE''.... knowing full well that my abilities are limited.


                  We has a great 18 day trip. One stop was at Harry Yeaggy's collection to see the GRAND SPORT that Doug drove and restored.






                  The ''original'' 377 inch all aluminum engine.





                  WE were on our way to the CORVETTE MUSEUM after this visit and Doug showed us all his 1963 RIVERSIDE LA TIMES Trophy that he considered donating to the museum. We all agreed that day he should keep it. Doug's son Mark got the trophy.....and Doug's 65 fuel injection convertible he owned since the early 1970's.
                  Over 80 Corvettes of fun ! Love Rochester Fuel Injection 57-65 cars. Love CORVETTE RACE CARS
                  Co-Founder REGISTRY OF CORVETTE RACE CARS.COM

                  Comment

                  • Loren L.
                    Extremely Frequent Poster
                    • April 30, 1976
                    • 4104

                    #10
                    Re: We lost doug hooper today

                    Well deserved and nicely done, JG. Thanks.

                    Comment

                    • Joe R.
                      Extremely Frequent Poster
                      • July 31, 1976
                      • 4550

                      #11
                      Re: We lost doug hooper today

                      Jim,

                      Thanks for the memories!

                      JR

                      Comment

                      • George J.
                        Very Frequent User
                        • March 1, 1999
                        • 775

                        #12
                        Re: We lost doug hooper today

                        Originally posted by Bob Baird (39424)
                        Hi all,

                        Those of you who attended Hampton may recall that Doug Hooper and Dick Guldstrand were originally scheduled as speakers. I got them on the recommendation of Fred Yeakel, one of the drivers of my '57 race car under restoration. I was fortunate enough to be able to have a couple of approximately one hour conversations with Doug prior to his falling and injuring himself in the spring, after which a previously existing kidney condition took over. I also spoke with Doug about a month ago and he sounded fine and told me that he and his wife were able to visit with their daughter who lived about a half-hour away.

                        Doug was a wealth of information on both Corvette racing and Corvette tuning and he loved sharing it. I took notes the three times we spoke! He will be missed, but as Rick noted, we can be comforted that he is with his Lord.

                        Bob
                        Bob, consider putting those notes into an article for the Restorer. I would personally love to see it.

                        Comment

                        • William L.
                          Very Frequent User
                          • December 1, 1988
                          • 944

                          #13
                          Re: We lost doug hooper today

                          RIP and thoughts and prayers to his family and friends. He was truly one of the icons.
                          Bill Lacy
                          1967 427/435 National Top Flight Bloomington Gold
                          1998 Indy Pacecar

                          Comment

                          • Steven B.
                            Extremely Frequent Poster
                            • June 30, 1982
                            • 3990

                            #14
                            Re: We lost doug hooper today

                            Thanks for letting us know of Doug's passing and thoughts and prayers to the family. He will be missed. I remember one discussion at Monterey when he was paddocked close to the Armstrong/Reinhart Z-06 and we discussed his brakes. I asked about his set-up and how much better he stopped than my '57. Doug said he used :Velvetouch. I told him I had a set in the box---and he said they weren't worth a crap and he would take them off my hands. I still have them. He shared a lot of good info and was always a great guy to talk to. And the secret he told me never to tell at M-O. I never did and never will. RIP Hero.

                            Comment

                            • James G.
                              Extremely Frequent Poster
                              • May 31, 1976
                              • 1556

                              #15
                              Re: We lost doug hooper today

                              FOUND SOME MORE PHOTOS





                              THESE TWO PHOTOS SHOW THE PROFESSIONALISM THAT DOUG AND HIS TEAM DISPLAYED IN THE 1993-94 VINTAGE RACE SEASONS WHEN GENE SCHIVOINE AND DOUG TOURED AMERICA WITH THE GRAND SPORT # 001 ROADSTER SO ALL AMERICA COULD HAVE A CHANCE TO SEE THE CAR IN ACTION AGAIN.





                              ONE OF THE BEST LITTLE CAR SHOWS WAS THE FABULOUS 50'S RACE CLUB CONCOUR dPROVENANCE. EVERY OCTOBER FOR 5 YEARS WE GATHERED FOR A FUN SUNDAY SHOW OF RACE CARS ONLY. JUDGING WAS BASED ON ''PROVENANCE'' AS WELL AS THE CAR. OWNERS WOULD BRING THEIR TROPHIES, OLD DRIVING SUITS, PHOTO ALBUMS OF DAYTONA, SEBRING, LAGUNA SECA, RIVERSIDE ETC. WHERE THESE CARS RAN BACK IN THE DAY.



                              DOUG, AND DICK GULDSTRAND AND I HAVING A LAUGH EARLY IN THE MORNING DURING SET UP. WE THREE WERE ALWAYS ON A TEAM OF JUDGES FOR THE 50-60 OVER 2.0 LITER CLASS OF CARS.

                              JERRY GRANT, BOB DRENNAN AND DOUG LOOKING AT THE 60 SEBRING # 6, 62 #4 DENVER DR. RALLINS RACER.

                              IN 2008, THE PETERSEN MUSEUM CELEBRATED CORVETTES. A RACER SEMINAR WAS PRESENTED DURING THE DAY AND A BEAUTIFUL DINNER THAT NIGHT. THE STARS ALL RECEIVED A PLAQUE. THIS LOUSY PHOTO SHOWS ALL, BUT I CAN ONLY RECOGNIZE PAUL REINHART, TONY DELORENZO, DICK GULDSTRAND, LOU GIGLIOTTI, JOHN FITCH, JIM JEFFORDS, BILL POLLACK, BOB BONDURANT, JOE FREITAS, SHERRY MACDONALD, DOUG HOOPER, SCOOTER PATRICK, DON MELINE, BOB D'OLIVO, FRED SUTHERLAND, REEVES CALLAWAY, JOHN HEINRICY. I am sorry if I forgot a few I can't see well.





                              In 2009 DOUG AND I DROVE TO CARLISLE TO THE RACER REUNION. WE COVERED 7388 MILES OVER 18 DAYS OF ADVENTURE VISITING COLLECTIONS AND FRIENDS. WE SPENT TWO DAYS IN MICHIGAN WITH GM ENGINEERS WHO SHOWED US TECH CENTER AND WIND TUNNEL THAT MOST PEOPLE HAVE NEVER SEEN. OUR TWO DAY HOST ENGINEER OWNS THE MICKEY THOMPSON BILLY KRAUSE 63 Z0-6.WE TALKED TO THE WEE HOURS ABOUT THOSE 63 RACING DAYS.


                              WE EVEN SAW GETTYSBURG WHICH HE REALLY ENJOYED. HE SAID JIM, ''IN THE RACE DAYS WE JUST WENT FAST ACROSS AMERICA. NEVER HAD ANY TIME TO SMELL THE FLOWERS''



                              I INTRODUCED THE STARS ONE EVENING THAT INCLUDED L/R DOUG, TONY DELORENZO, JERRY THOMPSON, ''MARIETTA'' BOB JOHNSON, RON DEPPERT, ALLEN AND DON BARKER, DOUG BERGEN and others
                              Last edited by James G.; October 5, 2013, 03:26 PM.
                              Over 80 Corvettes of fun ! Love Rochester Fuel Injection 57-65 cars. Love CORVETTE RACE CARS
                              Co-Founder REGISTRY OF CORVETTE RACE CARS.COM

                              Comment

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