George Follmer

George Follmer (born 27 January 1934) is an American former car racing driver, and is one of the most successful all-rounder of the 1970s. He raced successfully in the USAC Championship (former IndyCar), in Can-Am, Trans-Am, Nascar, Le Mans and even Formula 1.

The American raced in the USAC Car Series in the 1967-1971 and 1974 seasons, including the 1969-1971 Indianapolis 500 races. He finished in the top ten 11 times, with his one victory in 1969 at Phoenix International Speedway.

In 1973, Follmer competed in Formula One with Don Nichols’ UOP Shadow team. He took part in his first Grand Prix in South Africa at the age of 39 (picture below), making him F1’s oldest debutant in history. But he did well. In 13 championship races, his best results were 6th in Kyalami and a podium with 3rd in Spain, in his first two races! He scored a total of five championship points.

Follmer also had success in other series. He won the Trans-Am championship in 1972, winning four races in an AMC Javelin, and again in 1976, driving a Porsche 934 Turbo. The same year, Follmer was the Can-Am champion, substituting for the injured Mark Donohue in the powerful Penske Racing’s Porsche 917/10. He was vice-champion in 1973 and 1974, driving for Shadow. Follmer collected a total of 6 wins and 13 podiums in these three years.

George continued to race intensively. In 1974, he appeared in 13 NASCAR races, and collected three top 5 finishes and a pole position. In 1974 and 1975, he participated in the Race of Champions, where he won a race. In 1977 and 1978, he returned to Can-Am where he won the 1978 St. Jovite race in Canada and retired from racing.

After his retirement, Follmer came back to racing for the 1986 24 Hours of Le Mans, obtaining a prestigious third place in a Porsche 956. Nowadays, the American still competes in vintage races, often driving the very same cars in which he competed in his heyday. A great champion, George Follmer.