1982 Stowe Grand Prix
The 1982 Stowe Grand Prix was a Formula One motor race held on July 12, 1982, at the Stowe Speedway in Stowe, Vermont, United States.
History/Background
The Stowe Grand Prix was part of the inaugural season of the USAC Championship Car Series' American Road Racing Association (ARRA) series. The event took place on a 2.5-mile road course that included a portion of Route 108 in Stowe, Vermont.
Track Layout
The Stowe Speedway was designed by Donald Davidson and built in the late 1970s. The track featured two long straights, a banked turn at the top of the hill, and a high-speed corner near the end of the straight.
Key Concepts
The Stowe Grand Prix was the first major American road racing event held under the auspices of the ARRA series. It featured a unique combination of sprint cars and Formula One-style cars, showcasing the talents of both American and European drivers.
Rules and Regulations
The 1982 Stowe Grand Prix was governed by the USAC Championship Car Series rules. The event featured a grid system where drivers would start in reverse order based on their qualifying times.
Technical Details
Distance: 100 laps, approximately 250 miles (402 km)
Track Length: 2.5 miles (4 km)
Average Speed: 70 mph (113 km/h)
Lap Record: 1:04.25
Results
Driver Results:
- Al Unser Jr.
- Graham Rahal
Time Qualifying Leader: Al Unser Jr.
Pole Position: Al Unser Jr.
Winning Driver: Al Unser Jr.
Applications/Uses
The 1982 Stowe Grand Prix was an experimental event designed to attract a new generation of American drivers to the sport. It served as a proving ground for the ARRA series and its unique format, paving the way for future road racing events in the United States.
Cultural Significance
The 1982 Stowe Grand Prix marked a turning point in American road racing history, demonstrating the potential of sprint cars alongside Formula One-style cars. It showed that the USAC Championship Car Series could compete with European and international drivers on an equal footing.
Related Topics
USAC Championship Car Series - The ARRA series that hosted the 1982 Stowe Grand Prix.
Formula One - The premier open-wheel racing series where many of the 1982 Stowe Grand Prix drivers competed.
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