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Martin Raffauf
JoinedSeptember 19, 2021
Articles57
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I attended my first race in 1967, an USAC Indy car event at Trenton Speedway, and the race was won by AJ Foyt. I subsequently attended my first sports car races at Daytona and Sebring in 1971 as a spectator while I was still in college. Both of these races were won by the great Porsche 917. Later I joined the SCCA (Sports Car Club of America) and became a tech inspector at the local races. This then led to volunteer work as a Tech Inspector with IMSA when they first started, my first races with IMSA were in the 1973 season. After college I worked as an engineer with Bechtel building power plants. Further college studies ensued, resulting in an MBA which has led to a long career at IBM as a Systems Engineer…with time off for racing of course. I worked on and off as a Technical Inspector for IMSA through 1977, and then in 1978 I started with Dick Barbour racing (Garretson Enterprises) in Mountain View, California, as it was just a half mile from my house. Typically, I spent my days working at IBM, and the nights at the race shop. This continued through until 1984, working with Bob Garretson and Wayne Baker. This was followed by working with various teams racing a 962, sometimes for a whole season, or sometimes just for a few races as required. In 1991, I took a one year leave of absence from IBM and worked full time at Alpha in Japan in the Japanese Group C championship. Notable sidelights in 1984-86 seasons included working on the Carlsen Porsche team running 944s and 944 turbo cars in the IMSA Firehawk and SCCA showroom stock championships. Further racing efforts followed through the 1990s and on into 2015 with Kevin Doran and Doran Racing, supporting Gianpierro Moretti and Fredy Lienhard Ferrari 333 projects, Dallara’s, Grand Am Prototypes, as well as various vintage racing activities.
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People & Profiles

The Racing Life of Bob Garretson

Victory Lane Sebring 1978. Bob (L), Charles Mendez and Brian Redman won the race in Porsche 935 chassis 930 890 0037. Photo – Sebring archives
In Memory of Bob Garretson (1933–2025) Bob Garretson passed away earlier this year, just after celebrating his 92nd birthday. He leaves behind a legacy that resonates far beyond the podiums and trophies. Bob was a quiet giant of American endurance racing—a man who led by example, raced with integrity, and...
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Notable Chassis

Porsche 936-004 AKA (908-80)

“908-80” at it’s first race, Le Mans 1980
936 Beginnings The Porsche 936 was an odd car for Porsche. It was the result of an almost overnight decision by Porsche Managing Director Ernst Fuhrmann in the mid 1975 time- frame.  Porsche had spent the past years since 1973 developing cars for the upcoming World Championship of Makes rules...
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Motorsport & Racing

Laguna Seca IMSA 2019

IMSA once again came to Laguna Seca for the penultimate round in the 2019 Championship. There was a buzz of excitement in the air at Laguna this year, as the track has scheduled a motorsports extravaganza in the back-to-back weekend events of IMSA, then the INDY car finale on 22...
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Events

Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion 2019

It may have taken place just over a week ago, but the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion 2019 was another top-drawer event that should be celebrated for the manner in which it has lifted the profile of yesterday’s great race cars. The growth in historic race reunions, revivals, festivals and the...
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Motorsport & Racing

Porsche on the podium at Laguna Seca

The IMSA series came once again to WeatherTech Laguna Seca Raceway in California for the penultimate round in the 2018 WeatherTech Championship. The weather was typical California coastal September weather, cool with fog and cloud in the early morning, burning off later to reveal bright sunshine by mid-day. The good...
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Motorsport & RacingPRR

Autobau – the hidden gem

There is a collection of cars that every racing and car enthusiast should see. It is at the Autobau, located in Romanshorn, Switzerland. On the southern shore of Lake Constance, the Autobau is easily accessible by train (it is located right next to the Romanshorn main train station) and is...
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Motorsport & Racing

Daytona Diary 24 January 2018

Continuing with our Daytona diary, Martin has sent us the following selection of images from the Rolex 24. So catch up with the action… Wednesday’s on track activity was limited to practice for the Ferrari challenge and the IMSA Continental Challenge. The Weathertech cars will run for the first time...
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People & Profiles

Conversations with Peter Gregg

Peter Gregg was the IMSA driver every one strived to beat. He started in the early ‘70s with Porsches and had done very well. He won the first championship in 1971, sharing a Porsche with Hurley Haywood in the GTU class (under 2.5-litre). By 1973 he was running the iconic...
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