Profile of David Hobbs and role of Corvettes in his exceptional racing career

Corvette racing fans might enjoy this profile of David Hobbs, born on June 9, 1939, as the affable witty Brit who drove a silhouette-bodied 1984 C4 tube frame Corvette that first appeared in the Trans Am series.

The Neil DeAtley team out of Portland Oregon felt the new C4 offered Hobbs a better chance to defend their Trans Am title won a year earlier in a Camaro.

They lost out in 1984, mainly because John Dick, former INDY Car engineer was slow to adapt the adjustable tube frame chassis over the course of the season.  Mind you, electronic data collection, simulations, and the like were some years off in the future.

Hobbs on occasion drove a Corvette GTP for the up-and-coming Rick Hendrick in 1986 & 1987.

Hobbs and Jack Baldwin shared rides in the Peerless Corvette GTP in 1989.

 What makes Hobbs exceptional is that no driver who ever sat behind the wheel of a Corvette, has ever, nor likely will, come close to his appearances in other major categories of racing.

These milestones include 1974 Formula 1 in the Yardley McLaren M23 (Italian and Austrian Grands Prix) and 1974 at Indy in the McLaren 16C/D.

They also include Can Am, NASCAR, Le Mans, F5000 and of course the Trans Am.

During this time, David Hobbs gained acclaim on TV as a sportscaster, often hilarious, appearing with Sam Posey, Chris Economaki, Ken Squier, Andrew Marriott, Steve Matchett, Brock Yates, Bob Varsha, Leigh Diffey and others.

We offer an autographed copy of his book for $ 30, shipping included, to the FIRST reader who signs up, winner take all.  https://www.registryofcorvetteracecars.com/membership

Photo credits: Brent Martin, Dave Nicholas, Tony Mezzaca, Mark Spaulding, IMS