1977 Porsche 934.5

After the successes of the 934 in the SCCA's Trans-Am series in 1976, where the 934 had migrated after IMSA had effectively banned the car to curry favor with some of its major American sponsors and their teams, Porsche once again found itself at the center of sanctioning body politics. After a miserable season, IMSA was back courting Porsche and the 934, hoping to have them and quality fields back for 1977.

After witnessing a special test session of a Brumos prepared and Peter Gregg driven 934, equipped with 935's wheel and tire package and rear wing configuration, John Bishop, the head of IMSA was convinced that the 934 would not dominate the series as other competitors had feared. Bishop approved the car to run 'as tested' for the 1977 season, and the SCCA quickly followed suit approving the 'up-rated' 934 for Trans-Am. The car would now be called the 934 1/2.

Peter Gregg, always looking for an edge over the competition, continued to try and further develop the 934 1/2 by integrating more and more parts from the 935. When IMSA felt this violated the agreement to run the 934s as tested for Bishop, they sent Gregg home from the April Road Atlanta race to re-fit his car to the agreed-upon standard.

Gregg, however, went straight to the SCCA which agreed to Gregg's modifications and more. Teams sensing an opportunity to 'develop' their own 934 1/2s and thus find their own advantages moved to the Trans-Am quickly.

The politics were not over with, however. When the Trans-Am visited Mosport in Canada, the FIA had overriding jurisdiction as the event was a six-hour endurance race and was part of the World Championship of Makes. The race was won by Peter Gregg in his modified 934 1/2. Canadian Porsche dealer, Ludwig Heimrath seized the opportunity and protested Gregg's car. After several months, Gregg's win was nullified. Neither IMSA nor SCCA ever accepted the ruling and continued to accept the evolutionary nature of the rules.

The outcome was predictable. Porsche swept the top five places in the Trans-Am Championship point standings while over in IMSA Al Holbert won his second consecutive championship in his DeKon Chevrolet Monza.

Source - Porsche