ZL1 at Super Chevy @Indy In 1991

[Vettesnfrets62]

I was at this event back in 91 draggin' my old race car(RumRunner 64 ChevyII)and I was talkin' to this guy that had\was match racin' his ZL1,well his trailer caught fire(bearing) and done some damage but he was still able to race it down the track.
My question does anyone remember this or know the copo# of this car.It was white w\I think red or orange lettering.
I looked thru all my pics but no luck tho I do have video of this event but I'm not sure I have the car(plus I have to look at it).

[Mark]

Was that not Bill Portfield with the restored race car? I recall him driving it around the new vendor area with the fire damage.

[Vettesnfrets62]

Did he have fire damage(burns) to his arms? from trying to get the car out of the trailer before the whole thing went up? tho it didn't but I'd be freakin' too.

[olredalert]

------I think this must be another car and time as Bills car was definetly never white with orange lettering while he has owned it.I dont believe he burned himself either,or at least not badly.Wheel bearing trailer fires are,unfortunatly,too common an occurance.Boy,I remember that period.I heard about the fire and,not knowing the severity at first,I thought the worst.I felt so bad for Bill and his family,that I might have sat down and shed a tear.Knowing how intense a guy he is I could just feel his pain.But after it came back out it looked better than ever........Bill S.......ol red!

[Vettesnfrets62]

"Or red lettering" This could be it.He was set up on the midway selling T's and etc. of the car.Tall guy with family support.I'll have to go thru my 8x10 giveaways and see if I have a pic.if I remember he ran in the 10's on his shake down run.

[Mr70]

Are you talking about Super Chevy Indy in 91?

[T Billigen]

That was Porterfield's car. It was painted a multicolor at the time and had pretty bad burn damage. (91 Indy Super Chevy)

[olredalert]

Well,if it was 91 I was there with Red Alert as well.Matter of fact,they got the two of us together for pictures and the crowd was huge!Most of the time Red Alert was up in the Harmon Chevy parts tent as they were sponsering me at the time.But Bills car was in perfect shape at that show.Ive got my dates way out of whack as I cant remember wether his car caught fire before or after that.......Bill S......ol red!

[Charley Lillard]

Bill still has Scars on his arms from putting that Fire out. It was a shackle that broke, dropping the trailer down on the tires. Tire rubbing on fender caught cardboard on fire inside of the trailer.

[Vettesnfrets62]

Boy I just turn forty yesterday and I'm losin' it.
Yes it was at Indy in 91!

[Vettesnfrets62]

yes the trailer fire happened on the way to Indy.Do you guys know what # Bill's is?

[68l30]

# ONE,first ZL-1 of 69, 569358....

Steve

[68l30]

Pic in 2002.......

Steve

[Vettesnfrets62]

Thanks.I just got back from Stinger's site so that's what I thought.It's kinda cool for me(now that I know)That I seen the first one AND seen it go down the track.I knew it was special then but never realized how much until now.
Has he owned it since new?

[68l30]

Nope,sold by Fred Gibb and raced by "Mr.Chevrolet" Dick Harrell.......Bill restored it...twice.

Steve

[Vettesnfrets62]

when did Bill buy it,was it from Harrell? I'm all ears

[hvychev]

I to am really curious as to how Mr. Porterfield aquired ZL1 #1? How long has he had it. Who owned it before him?

[T Billigen]

Get the "1969 Camaro reference book, from A to Z" by John Hooper. Gives the whole story and is very interesting reading.