FOLLMER George

reprofoto - 10x15 cm,

George Follmer (born January 27, 1934) is a retired American race car driver, and one of the most successful road racers of the 1970s. He was born in Phoenix, Arizona.

Follmer raced in the USAC Championship Car series in the 1967-1971 and 1974 seasons, with 25 career starts, including the 1969-1971 Indianapolis 500 races. He finished in the top ten 11 times, with his one victory in 1969 at Phoenix International Raceway.

In 1973, Follmer moved to Formula One. He participated in 13 World Championship Grands Prix, debuting on March 3, 1973. He achieved one podium, and scored a total of five championship points. He also competed in several non-Championship races. The following year he competed in the NASCAR Winston Cup series, with appearances in 13 of 30 races.

Follmer also had success in other racing series. In 1965, he won the SCCA Road Racing Championship. He won the Trans-Am championship in both 1972 and 1976 and was the 1972 Can-Am champion, substituting for the injured Mark Donohue in Penske Racings Porsche 917/10, causing the racing press to dub Follmer "George Am".

Though long-retired from professional motorsports competition, Follmer still competes in vintage races, often driving the very same cars in which he competed during his heyday.