Car #12

Owner Name: Rick Ross

Email Address: rmross at carolina dot rr dot com

Location: Charlotte, NC

Car Model: Swift DB-4

Year: 1989

Chassis Number: 036-89

History of car: Delivered 12-1989 with Toyota kit. Was the second new car sold to Graeme Lawrence Racing here in N.Z. for the 1990 Peter Jackson F.Atlantic series. He ran it with these drivers:

1990 driven by Robbie Groff or Jovy Marcelo? Groff was 3rd at Manfield & Lady Wigram race (at Ruapuna Raceway) behind Craig Baird & Ken Smith (all in Swift DB4's). Jovy didn't have much luck in the Cosworth car in the series. (see pic of two cars).

1991 driven by Mark Smith (U.S.A.). He was 4th in the Lady Wigram Trophy race (at Ruapuna) behind Ken Smith, Craig Baird & Paul Radisich (all kiwi's). Think the best finish he had was 2nd at Teretonga. Was on pole at Pukekohe but didn't win! (enclosed at photo of Mark Smith #1 on pole at Pukekohe over Craig Baird-1st. & Ken Smith, 1991.)

1992 driven by Julian Westwood (U.K.) He was 2nd in the Lady Wigram Trophy race to Craig Baird (in a Reynard). He was 3rd in the earlier race behind Baird & Ken Smith (032-89). He was 2nd to Baird at Bay Park (see pic on grid at Bay Park of Westwood #3 in orange helmet & Smith #11 Castrol car was 3rd).

1993 was one of the cars driven by Jos Verstappen, the Dutchman who came out here for the series but crashed both cars at Wigram! He qualified 4th. But he won races at Timaru, Teretonga & Manfield but not sure in which car? More than likely your car which was the later one. (the other car was 018-88) He finished 4th in the series behind Baird, Stuart Crow & Charles Nearburg (both in Ralt RT40's).

After that Lawrence sold the car in the States as the N.Z. F.Pacific/Atlantic series finished and was taken over by F.Holden (V6 powered F.3000 cars)

--m. mac

Brooks O’Brien bought the car from Sandy Dells Racing in 1996 after it was imported from Australia. It was previously raced in the Tasman series from 1990 to 1993 with Graham Lawrence Racing, where the car was driven to several wins by Jos Verstaapen.  Brooks raced the car in various SCCA races from 1996 thru 2006.  In 2005 the car was completely overhauled and the tub was replaced with the last brand new DB4 tub made, and Ohlins 4-way shocks replaced the old Penskes.  In 2007 the car was purchased by Rick Ross of Charlotte, NC for use in SCCA and vintage events.