Schuppan’s American dream

Vern Shuppan, born 19 March 1943 in Booleroo Whyalla, Australia, sits in his F5000 Eagle at Mid-Ohio in 1975 (picture-above). See how the drivers’ feet and legs were hardly protected, in that period of time. The Australian finished a good fifth in Ohio in his All-American Racers Jorgensen Eagle 755-Chevrolet.

The 1975 USAC Formula 5000 was contested over a nine race series. Brian Redman, in a Carl Haas-entered Lola T332-Chevrolet V8, took four victories and the championship with 227 points, after a season-long battle with Mario Andretti, who also took four wins for Vel’s Parnelli Jones Racing, but finished second with 165 points. Vern Schuppan showed speed in his Dan Gurney-entered Eagle, like here-below at Mosport Park and finished eighth in the standings.