# 1961 SCCA National Sports Car Championship

The 1961 SCCA National Sports Car Championship season was the eleventh season of the Sports Car Club of America's National Sports Car Championship. It began February 5, 1961, and ended September 23, 1961, after thirteen races.

## Classes

The class structure was changed to allow certain cars to be moved out of their displacement class, based on past performance. The nominal class structure was as follows:
| Class | Modified | Production |
| B | 5000-8000cc | 3500-5000cc |
| C | 3000-5000cc | 2700-3500cc |
| D | 2000-3000cc | 2000-2700cc |
| E | 1500-2000cc | 1600-2000cc |
| F | 1100-1500cc | 1300-1600cc |
| G | 750-1100cc | 1000-1300cc |
| H | 500-750cc | 750-1000cc |
| I | under 500cc | under 750cc |

## Schedule

| Rnd | Race | Length | Circuit | Location | Date |
| 1 | SCCA National Races | 175 km (109 mi) | Daytona International Speedway | Daytona Beach, Florida | February 5 |
| 2 | Governor's Cup | 68 mi (109 km) | Marlboro Motor Raceway | Upper Marlboro, Maryland | April 16 |
| 3 | President's Cup | 3 hours | Virginia International Raceway | Danville, Virginia | April 30 |
| 4 | Cumberland National Championship Sports Car Races | 45 minutes | Greater Cumberland Regional Airport | Wiley Ford, West Virginia | May 15 |
| 5 | Bridgehampton National Event | 70 mi (110 km) | Bridgehampton Race Circuit | Bridgehampton, New York | May 28 |
| 6 | International June Sprints | 300 mi (480 km) | Road America | Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin | June 17 |
| 7 | National Races Lime Rock | 46 mi (74 km) | Lime Rock Park | Lakeville, Connecticut | July 1 |
| 8 | Meadowdale SCCA National Championship Races | 40 mi (64 km) | Meadowdale International Raceway | Carpentersville, Illinois | July 23 |
| 9 | Bridgehampton National Races | 70 mi (110 km) | Bridgehampton Race Circuit | Bridgehampton, New York | August 5 |
| 10 | National Races Indianapolis Raceway Park GP | 62 mi (100 km) | Indianapolis Raceway Park | Clermont, Indiana | August 20 |
| 11 | SCCA National Races | 30 mi (48 km) | Thompson International Speedway | Thompson, Connecticut | September 4 |
| 12 | Road America 500 | 500 mi (800 km) | Road America | Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin | September 10 |
| 13 | Watkins Glen Grand Prix | 100 mi (160 km) | Watkins Glen International | Watkins Glen, New York | September 23 |
    ^A Feature race

## Season results

Feature race overall winners in bold.
| Rnd | Circuit | AP Winning Team | BM Winning Team | BP Winning Team | CM Winning Team | CP Winning Team | DM Winning Team | DP Winning Team | EM Winning Team | EP Winning Team | FM Winning Team | FP Winning Team | GM Winning Team | GP Winning Team | HM Winning Team | HP Winning Team | IM Winning Team | Results |
| Rnd | Circuit | AP Winning Driver(s) | BM Winning Driver(s) | BP Winning Driver(s) | CM Winning Driver(s) | CP Winning Driver(s) | DM Winning Driver(s) | DP Winning Driver(s) | EM Winning Driver(s) | EP Winning Driver(s) | FM Winning Driver(s) | FP Winning Driver(s) | GM Winning Driver(s) | GP Winning Driver(s) | HM Winning Driver(s) | HP Winning Driver(s) | IM Winning Driver(s) | Results |
| 1 | Daytona | unknown | unknown | Chevrolet | Lister-Chevrolet | unknown | unknown | unknown | Porsche | unknown | unknown | unknown | unknown | unknown | unknown | unknown | unknown | Results |
| 1 | Daytona | unknown | unknown | Bob Johnson | Art Huttinger | unknown | unknown | unknown | Bob Holbert | unknown | unknown | unknown | unknown | unknown | unknown | unknown | unknown | Results |
| 2 | Marlboro | #229 Ferrari | no entries | #137 Chevrolet | | #4 Daimler | #621 J. Frank Harrison | #42 Siata | #14 Porsche | #000 Elva | | #108 Porsche | #2 Lola | #55 Lotus | #22 Bandini-Saab | #51 Fiat-Abarth | no finishers | Results |
| 2 | Marlboro | Bob Bucher | no entries | Harold Keck | | Duncan Black | Fred Gamble | Douglas Diffenderfer | Bob Holbert | Mark Donohue | | William Haenelt | M. R. J. Wyllie | Gene Hobbs | Dave Lang | Ben Poster | no finishers | Results |
| 3 | VIR | no entries | no finishers | #13 Chevrolet | no finishers | #59 A.C.-Bristol | #60 Briggs Cunningham | #125 Alfa Romeo | #14 Porsche | #000 Elva | | #110 Porsche | #2 Lola | #290 Alfa Romeo | #76 Osca | #139 Fiat-Abarth | #72 Berkeley | Results |
| 3 | VIR | no entries | no finishers | Bob Johnson | no finishers | Pierre Mion | Walt Hansgen | Chuck Stoddard | Bob Holbert | Mark Donohue | | Erskine Ingram | M. R. J. Wyllie | Bill Kane | Oliver Schmidt | Ray Stoutenburg | Phil Jeffreys | Results |
| 4 | Cumberland | no entries | no finishers | #1 Don Yenko | #151 Arthur Faust | #4 Duncan Black | #17 J. Frank Harrison | #152 William Malion | #14 Bob Holbert | #000 Mark Donohue | #29 Bob Bucher | #243 Ben Fowke | #2 M. R. J. Wyllie | #153 Al Weaver | #52 J. F. Lang | #44 Rod Harmon | | Results |
| 4 | Cumberland | no entries | no finishers | Don Yenko | Bud Faust | Duncan Black | Fred Gamble | Bill Malion | Bob Holbert | Mark Donohue | Bob Bucher | Ben Fowke | M. R. J. Wyllie | Al Weaver | Dave Lang | Rod Harmon | | Results |
| 5 | Bridgehampton | #13 Ferrari | #73 Lister-Costin Buick | #149 Chevrolet | #25 Lister-Chevrolet | #4 Daimler | #60 Briggs Cunningham | #127 Alfa Romeo | #140 Porsche | #000 Elva | #129 Porsche | #174 Sports Car Forum | #85 Lotus | #26 Alfa Romeo | #951 Osca | #82 Fiat-Abarth | no entries | Results |
| 5 | Bridgehampton | Bob Grossman | Gerry Georgi | Don Yenko | Pete Harrison | Traver McKenna | Walt Hansgen | Reed Rollo | Bob Holbert | Mark Donohue | Bob Bucher | Don Sesslar | Barry Brown | Bill Kane | John Igleheart | Paul Richards | no entries | Results |
| 6 | Road America | #7 Ferrari | #1 Harry J. Heuer | #11 Don Yenko | | #59 Hank Mergner | #6 John M. Wyatt, III | #13 Sheldon Brown | #99 Frank Zillner | #47 Ernie Harris | #13 Tom Payne | #75 William C. Kravas | #2 M. R. J. Wyllie | #26 Allan Jacobson | #76 Oliver C. Schmidt | #14 Rod Harmon | no entries | Results |
| 6 | Road America | Charlie Hayes Carl Haas | Harry Heuer | Don Yenko Ed Lowther | | Pierre Mion | Roger Penske | Sheldon Brown Ernie Erickson | Peter Ryan | Ernie Harris Lee Wilson | Tom Payne | William Kravas | M. R. J. Wyllie | Bill Kane | Oliver Schmidt | Rod Harmon | no entries | Results |
| 7 | Lime Rock | #61 Ferrari | #75 Lister-Costin Buick | #22 Chevrolet | #87 Lister-Costin Chevrolet | #4 Daimler | #6 Maserati | #22 Alfa Romeo | | #00 Elva | #13 Porsche | #68 Turner | #57 Lola | #1 Alfa Romeo | #76 Lola-Osca | #43 Austin-Healey | no entries | Results |
| 7 | Lime Rock | Charlie Hayes | Gerry Georgi | Don Yenko | Pete Harrison | Duncan Black | Roger Penske | Chris Noyes | | Mark Donohue | Tom Payne | Skip Barber | Charles Kurtz | Jack Crusoe | Oliver Schmidt | Rod Harmon | no entries | Results |
| 8 | Meadowdale | #5 Ferrari | #50 Comstock Racing Team | #36 Chevrolet | #87 Lister-Chevrolet | #32 Arnolt-Bristol | #6 Maserati | #8 Alfa Romeo | #77 Concours Motors | #000 Elva | #13 Porsche | #70 Porsche | #2 Lola-Climax | #15 Alfa Romeo | #76 Lola-Osca | #24 Fiat-Abarth | #124 Berkeley | Results |
| 8 | Meadowdale | Denise McCluggage | Peter Ryan | Bob Spooner | Pete Harrison | Ralph Durbin | Roger Penske | Chuck Stoddard | Bill Wuesthoff | Mark Donohue | Tom Payne | Harold Zimdars | M. R. J. Wyllie | Al Weaver | Oliver Schmidt | Larry Isenring | George Bachelder | Results |
| 9 | Bridgehampton | #9 Ferrari | no entries | #11 Grady Davis | #14 Lister-Corvette | #59 A.C.-Bristol | #60 Briggs Cunningham | #75 Alfa Romeo | | #000 Elva | #29 Porsche | #37 D.B. | #74 Lola | #5 Alfa Romeo | #76 Lola-Osca | #41 Austin-Healey | no entries | Results |
| 9 | Bridgehampton | Bob Grossman | no entries | Dick Thompson | Art Huttinger | Pierre Mion | Walt Hansgen | Ralph Troiano | | Mark Donohue | Bob Bucher | Howard Hanna | William Wilbourne | Al Weaver | Oliver Schmidt | Rod Harmon | no entries | Results |
| 10 | IRP | no entries | #28 Gates Chevrolet | #11 Chevrolet | #127 Corvette Special | #59 A.C.-Bristol | #60 Briggs Cunningham | #12 Porsche | #14 Porsche | #47 Elva | #61 Porsche | #177 Porsche | #57 Lola | #180 Alfa Romeo | #76 Lola-Osca | #1 Fiat-Abarth | no finishers | Results |
| 10 | IRP | no entries | Bud Gates | Dick Thompson | Robert Ruth | Pierre Mion | Walt Hansgen | Bill Romig | Bob Holbert | Ernie Harris | Ed Haussermann | Tom Peacock | Charles Kurtz | Lynn Blanchard | Oliver Schmidt | Larry Isenring | no finishers | Results |
| 11 | Thompson | Ferrari | Meister Brauser | Chevrolet | | A.C.-Bristol | John Bunch | Porsche | #14 Porsche | Elva | Porsche | Porsche | Lola | Alfa Romeo | Osca | Fiat-Abarth | no entries | Results |
| 11 | Thompson | Bob Hathaway | Harry Heuer | Dick Thompson | | Pierre Mion | George Constantine | George Frey | Bob Holbert | Jay Signore | Bob Bucher | Brad Howes | Charles Kurtz | Dick Haselton | John Igleheart | Paul Richards | no entries | Results |
| 12 | Road America | #1 Charles Hayes | #91 Scott Beckett | #11 I. Grady Davis | #87 Pete Harrison | #59 Henry E. Mergner | #61 Briggs Cunningham | Alfa Romeo | #63 Briggs Cunningham | Elva | #73 Tom Payne | Porsche | #14 Richard P. Buedingen | Alfa Romeo | Lola | Fiat-Abarth | no entries | Results |
| 12 | Road America | Charlie Hayes | Scott Beckett Dewey Brohaugh | Dick Thompson | Pete Harrison Art Huttinger | Pierre Mion | Walt Hansgen Augie Pabst | Chuck Stoddard | John Fitch Briggs Cunningham Dick Thompson | Ernie Harris | Tom Payne Ed Fuchs | Dick Brakenridge | Dick Buedingen Carl Haas | Lynn Blanchard | Oliver Schmidt | Larry Isenring | no entries | Results |
| 13 | Watkins Glen | #245 Robert Grossman | #1 Meister Brauser | #213 I. Grady Davis | #68 O & M Racing Team | #21 Daimler | #20 John T. Bunch | #303 Alfa Romeo | #140 Robert Holbert | #82 Elva | #29 J. Robert Bucher | #350 MG | #2 Lola-Climax | #258 Alfa Romeo | #219 Lola-Osca | #187 Fiat-Abarth | #251 Berkeley | Results |
| 13 | Watkins Glen | Bob Grossman | Harry Heuer | Dick Thompson | Bob Colombosian | Gary Morgan | George Constantine | Reed Rollo | Bob Holbert | Jay Signore | Bob Bucher | Sherman Decker | M. R. J. Wyllie | Robert Bowers | Oliver Schmidt | Paul Richards | Phillips Jeffrey | Results |
    ^A C and D Modified were classified together at Marlboro; the combined class was won by Fred Gamble's DM Maserati Tipo 61. The highest-finishing CM car was Bud Faust's Ferrari-Chevrolet in 2nd.
    ^B F Modified were classified with E Modified at Marlboro.
    ^C F Modified were classified with E Modified at VIR.
    ^D I Modified were classified with H Modified at Cumberland.
    ^E C Modified were classified with B Modified at the Road America June Sprints.
    ^F E Modified were classified with D Modified at Lime Rock Park.
    ^G A 'Guest' class also ran at Meadowdale, and was won by Augie Pabst in a Ferrari 625 TR.
    ^H E and F Modified were classified together at Bridgehampton (August); the combined class was won by Bob Bucher's FM Porsche. The highest-finishing EM car was Henry Schwartz's Porsche in 3rd.
    ^I C and D Modified were classified together at Thompson; the combined class was won by George Constantine's DM Ferrari.

## Champions

| Class | Driver | Car |
| A Production | Bob Hathaway | Ferrari 250 GT SWB Berlinetta |
| B Modified | Harry Heuer | Scarab Mk II-Chevrolet |
| B Production | Dick Thompson | Chevrolet Corvette |
| C Modified | Pete Harrison | Lister-Jaguar, Lister-Costin Chevrolet |
| C Production | Pierre Mion | AC Ace-Bristol |
| D Modified | Roger Penske | Maserati Tipo 61, Cooper Monaco T61-Climax |
| D Production | Chuck Stoddard | Alfa Romeo Giulietta Veloce |
| E Modified | Bob Holbert | Porsche 718 RS 60, RS 61 |
| E Production | Mark Donohue | Elva Courier |
| F Modified | Bob Bucher | Porsche 718 RSK |
| F Production | Howard Hanna | D.B. Coupe |
| G Modified | Charles Kurtz | Lola Mk.1 |
| G Production | Al Weaver | Alfa Romeo Giulietta Spider |
| H Modified | Oliver Schmidt | Osca, Lola Mk.1-Osca |
| H Production | Rod Harmon | Austin-Healey Sprite |
| I Modified | Phillips Jeffrey | Berkeley |