Ron Grable sweeps down the famous Corkscrew, at Laguna Seca, during the 1970 L&M Continental Formula 5000 race. He not only won this race, but also set a lap record in his Lola T-190.
Ron Grable did not fit the normal profile of a race driver. Not only did he begin his racing after graduating from college, he raced sports cars, stock cars, formula cars, production cars, IMSA Prototypes, Trans-Am and Can-Am cars. He raced at tracks all over the United States, at Le Mans, in New Zealand, Australia, Japan, and South America. Over the course of his three-decade career, Grable won championships in sports cars, sedans and formula cars. Throughout this period, he was an engineer for several high-tech firms and a technical writer for several well-known automobile, airplane and motorcycle magazines. Oh, yes, he also operated a restaurant and flew a Pitts Special Bi-Plane in aerobatic competition. Clearly, Ron Grable was cut from a different cloth.
Raised in Southern California, after completing high school, Grable enrolled at San Diego State in 1957 with aspirations of becoming an engineer. During his college days, there was nothing to indicate that a career in racing was in his future. Upon graduating with an engineering degree in 1961, Grable bought himself a graduation present—a Porsche Speedster. Unbeknownst to him, this vehicle would become much more than just daily transportation.
Become a Member & Get Ad-Free Access To This Article (& About 6,000+ More)
Access to the full article is limited to paid subscribers only. Our membership removes most ads, lets you enjoy unlimited access to all our premium content, and offers you awesome discounts on partner products. Enjoy our premium content.
