April 18th 1964 - Phoenix FIA US National Open - Dave MacDonald in the King Cobra Lang-Cooper's maiden voyage at the newly
constructed 2.5 mile road course at Phoenix International Raceway. This was the inaugural race for PIR as well

A dedicated family man, Dave took the family to many races. Below: In the pits preparing for a Phoenix qualifying run. (Dave Friedman)

Dave returns from a blistering fast qual run and Wally Peat tells Dave his time of 1:44.4 is a new track record. Photo Dave Friedman

Unfortunately the engine blew in the process and would need replacing. The car had yet to be painted its trademark bright orange color and
Craig had a little fun by writing "Olympia Beer Spl" on the side of the car. Craig's family owned Olympia Brewery. Photo Dave Friedman

MacDonald qual time was fastest and he would be awarded the pole position - but they had precious little time to replace the engine.

Dave was a gifted mechanic and he and the crew worked tirelessly to get the Lang-Cooper ready for the race. Photo Dave Friedman

Dave (R) Craig (hat), and the crew complete last minute preparations while little Richie supervises. Ed Leslie's #15 Cobra in front

Richie gives his Dad some last minute advice before the race. Photo Dave Friedman

MacDonald positions the King Cobra Lang-Cooper in the pole position and awaits the grid to fill behind him. Photo Dave Friedman

Race starts and Skip Hudson gets the hole shot in his Nikey Chevrolet Cooper Monaco. Titus is next in the Cheetah followed closely by
Chuck Parsons in a Cooper-Buick. Dave got jumped and was 4th at the first turn. Photo Jack Brady, J.L. Hollenbeck, Toby Palmieri

Still lap one and MacDonald running 4th just ahead of Rick Muther in his Lotus 23B. Photo Jack Brady, J.L. Hollenbeck, Toby Palmieri.

By lap 4 MacDonald has moved into 2nd place and was preparing a move on the leader Skip Hudson. On the following lap Dave would
rumble past Hudson to become race leader. Photo Jack Brady, J.L. Hollenbeck, Toby Palmieri.

Ken Miles driving a Cobra Roadster slips past Titus' Cheetah and they run 3-4 early. (Photo Brady, Hollenbeck, Palmieri)

Cars maneuver through the scenic Arizona road course. Photo Jack Brady, J.L. Hollenbeck, Toby Palmieri.

Lap 45 Dave MacDonald drifts through a turn while putting a lap on Miles' Cobra Roadster. Photo Dave Friedman

MacDonald continues to run away from everyone but Hudson & here he puts another lap on Frank Monise. (Brady, Hollenbeck Palmieri)

Three laps to go and Dave MacDonald streaking toward the finish - minus his door. Photo Jack Brady, J.L. Hollenbeck, Toby Palmieri.

Dave MacDonald took the lead on lap 5 and never relenquished it. Here he roars across the line and gives the King Cobra Lang-Cooper its
first-ever victory...in its very first outing! Hudson was 2nd and the only driver in the field on the same lap as Dave. Photo Dave Friedman

Dave, Wally Peat (holding flag) & car owner Craig Lang celebrate the win with a victory lap. Photo Dave Friedman

John Morton looks on as MacDonald, Lang & Peat debrief after the race. Photo Dave Friedman

News articles recapping the 1964 Phoenix Open

Sports Car graphic magazine.

Continued

PIR was kind enough to comp Dave's hotel room

The Shelby King Cobra-Lang Cooper slot car