Sharing this Porsche 935 K3/80 with Brian Redman and car owner Dick Barbour at the rainy 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1980, Fitzpatrick helped the team score a fine 5th overall behind four prototypes while claiming a five-lap victory over JLP Racing’s 935 in the IMSA category.
Photo: Fitzpatrick Collection
Starting his career in the early ’60s behind the wheel of a Mini, John Fitzpatrick quickly worked his way to the top echelons of the endurance racing world. From winning the British Saloon Car Championship, Fitzpatrick went on to factory rides with Ford and BMW, as well as notching up European GT Championships in 1972 and 1974 at the wheel of Kremer Porsche RSRs. After winning the Daytona 24 Hours in 1976 and the IMSA championship in 1980, Fitzpatrick then fielded his own successful team for much of the early ’80s. Recently, Editor Casey Annis spoke with Fitzpatrick about the genesis and longevity of his remarkable career.
John Fitzpatrick Photo: Mike Jiggle
Can you talk about how you got started, am I correct that it was in 1964 driving a Mini Cooper?
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