May 10, 1964 Pacific Raceways Kent Wash. - Dave MacDonald & Shelby American return to Kent for the US Road Racing Champion-
ships. They bring with them a King Cobra and the new King Cobra Lang-Cooper. The Lang was owned by Olympia Brewery Heir Craig
Lang but raced under the Shelby American flag. Dave was originally entered to drive a Mercury Marauder in the Rebel 400 NASCAR
race held at Darlington, but Carroll convinced Ford that Dave was needed to fend off Hall's Chevy Chaparrals and regain the lead in the
USRRC Drivers Championship.
Dave was slated to drive the King Cobra Lang-Cooper here at Kent but because he was also preparing to drive for Mickey Thompson in
the Indianapolis 500 on May 30th, he was flying back and forth between the two tracks. While he was qualifying at Indy, Bob Holbert took
the Lang Cooper out for a tire test and lost control in the rain...the car was totalled and withdrawn from the race
Shelby American would be down to one King Cobra to battle the two Chaparrals and the rest of this loaded field.
The Skip Hudson owned Cooper Chevy was severely damaged and out as well. Photo courtesy of Sports Car Graphic magazine
With the Lang-Cooper destroyed Carroll Shelby decided that Dave MacDonald would step into the King Cobra originally slated for Bob
Holbert. Below: Jim Hall (pole) & Hap Sharp in Chaparral's take the first two grid positions while MacDonald rounds out row 1.
Race gets underway and Jim Hall grabs the early lead with Dave MacDonald close behind. Photo Julian Veovich
By lap 7 the hard charging MacDonald had rumbled past Hall to take the lead and the fight was on. Photo Julian Veovich
Lap 10 has Jim Hall & Hap Sharp running 2nd & 3rd and chasing down Dave MacDonald's King Cobra. Photo Julian Veovich
Back in the pack Alan Grant (8) and Jerry Titus (16) in Cheetah's prepare to move on Chuck Parson's Lotus. (Sports Car Graphic)
Charlie Hayes in an Elva Porsche fights off Ken Miles in the Cobra Roadster. Photo courtesy of Sports Car Graphic magazine
Lotus 23B trifecta - Tony Settember going through turn 5 ahead of Bob McLean (101) & Frank Monise (44) all driving Lotuses. Photo
courtesy of Motor Sports News
Dave MacDonald flying down the back straight at Pacific Raceways and still ahead of Jim Hall.
Lap 31 and MacDonald & Hall continue to lap slower traffic. In the sequence below the two come in hot behind Dick Guldstrand and Mac-
Donald gets loose in the dirt and spins. Hall slips by as Dave does a full 360 and gets right back on it to quickly go after the new leader.
Lap 61 - Mike Eyerly running a strong race and currently has his Porsche 904 GTS in 7th just ahead of Don Westor in another Porsche
MacDonald never gave up and his persistance paid off as he repassed Hall on lap 65. Hall dropped out on the next lap when his fuel pump
failed and Dave cruised to victory. No driver finished closer than 2 laps behind MacDonald. Photo Pete Biro
A jubilant Hap Sharp acknowledges the crowd as he crosses the line in 2nd place. Photo courtesy Sports Car magazine.
Tony Settember is pleased with his 5th place finish. Photo courtesy Sports Car magazine.
Dave MacDonald wins the 1964 US Road Racing Championships at Kent and then in a true display of sportsmanship scooped up Jim Hall
on his cool down lap and brought him back to the start line.
The two friends talked for a moment and then ...
Dave invited Jim to share in the victory lap. The two racing icons also shared the same birthday ... July 23rd. Photo Dave Friedman
Dave gives a wave of thanks to the crowd. Photo courtesy of Motor Sports News
This race - the US Road Racing Championships at Kent Washington on May 10th, would be Dave MacDonald's final race before his death
three weeks later in the Indianapolis 500 ... it's fitting that Dave would be victorious ...
Results for the 1964 USRRC Championships at Kent Washington
News articles recapping the 1964 US Championships at Kent WA.
Article continued
Sports Car Graphic magazine
Motor Sports News magazine
Associated press newswire
Bob Holbert was hurt but escaped serious injury when he lost control of the King Cobra Lang-Cooper during a practice run
USRRC driver standing after the Kent race show Dave MacDonald & Jim Hall tied for the lead
Dave MacDonald's paycheck for this race
These are the latest Dave MacDonald inspired die cast models to hit the retail market (Summer 2011). One of these beautifully crafted
models captures Dave and Jim Hall as they shared Dave's final victory lap
