Paul Newman At The 1978 SCCA Runoffs Part 1

This is Part 1 of a brilliant documentary by Datsun focusing on the 1978 SCCA Runoffs at Road Atlanta, and in particular, the efforts of famed Hollywood actor Paul Newman. Newman had only started racing six years earlier, already in his mid-40s. At the '78 Runoffs he raced two cars; a Datsun 200SX and Datsun 280Z. Here in Part 1 we feature the 200SX in B/Sedan competition.

[@evanliberman3971]

My uncle raced Formula V in the 60s and 70s. One night he ran into Newman in a hotel in NH and approached him at the bar. Paul’s only request was that they not discuss Hollywood but rather racing. They talked for hours about racing, never mentioning movies at all. Just two strangers chatting about a shared passion.

[@clarkwnicholls252]

It was these 16mm movies put out by Datsun and also British Leyland in years prior to 1975 that spurred me to travel from Massachusetts to Road Atlanta to work as a Pit Lane official in 1975. The beginning of a week long tradition that lasted for me and several of my New England/Lime Rock friends as long as the CSPRRC/Runoffs stayed at RA (thru 1993). Great memories. I'm happy to see this film once again after all the years! Thanks!

[@Commander-McBragg]

Bob Sharp Racing was an amazing operation. I worked for Skip Barber so I got to see Gene Crowe and Paul a lot at Lime Rock. He was truly serious in pit lane. I loved his old, blue bike with the wire basket on it. He was a big part of SCCA and IMSA and for his busy schedule, he did a ton of races.

[@mikejohnson5900]

Thanks for this. I remember when Paul Newman started racing and thought what you said: rich actor buys himself cars and teams to race, not interested in paying his dues. He turned out to actually be a driver interested in working working his way up and learning the ropes to become a decent racer and team owner with Haas.

[@guyherman5764]

Thx, That was fun :) Had 4 510's and helped build 11 in the Glendale area way back when. Late '70's early '80's :)

[@buckodonnghaile4309]

Check out Paul Newman's 1971 TV Special called Once Upon a Wheel, it's a great racing doc and the footage is just phenomenal. Cheers

[@PaulCuenin]

Really cool film thanks for sharing

[@tommyboston1453]

you mean the race car driver who acts in movies on occasion

[@leegraves101]

No, the one that sells that salad dressing

[@JohnJohn-zn8ib]

Either way he is good at what he does, acting mainly.

[@craigyirush3492]

So good! Where did you get this from?

[@williamcap2236]

Dam ! Doc Hudson gets around !!

[@metrichotrods1763]

I dont think the "33" was ever a coincidence.

[@caribman10]

(1) Actually applied himself enough to win championships (2) never knocked his wife unconcious. Two things separating Newman from McQueen.

[@scudfarcus4343]

And, (3) the Rolling Stones wrote and recorded a song that mentioned Steve McQueen getting oral sex from a groupie.

[@caribman10]

Too bad there's no footage of him driving that sprint car at Perris....

[@68orangecrate26]

Fitzgerald: “I could probably support TWO women for what it costs me to race cars”🤣🤣🤣. Sounds like some airline pilots I know😉.