Just got my Aug. GRM....Little blip in there about Rober Akin dying "as a result of injuries sustained..." while testing "... a 1988 Nissan GTP ZX."

I didn't know him. In this article, they indicate he spent most of his career racing Porsches, but I was curious if his involvement with Z or ZX's was deeper than they let on. Anybody know of him?

steve77

Bob Akin raced in the glory days of IMSA. He spent most all his time behind the wheel of Porsches as stated in the article. If I remember right he drove 935's, 956's, and 962's against people like Bob Tullius, Hurley Haywood, Geoff Brabham in the Nissan GTP car, Bob Wolleck, Al Holbert, Brian Redman, and many other of the best drivers of the era.

I believe his involvement with the Nissans started after his retirement from the professional ranks and only when he started his own vintage race car business.

Sorry dont know of him.

The only name in racing that I know synonymous with Porsche is Derick Bell. Have you heard of him guys? He raced in the C2 class for Porsche and he often features in the Le Mans 24hr race line up in the 80's.

Oh yes, we have 'heard' of Mr. Bell over here! Flip on Speedvision-err-SPEED-errrrr-The Nascar Channel on just about any weekend and you will find DB behind the wheel of something either being chased or chasing something. And they always go to his on-board camera and mike and he will have these long conversations with the hosts WHILE RACING! "kkckckckckc..Yeah, they really have me working here today... arghhh.... kckckckckc... Man! This guy is really pushing me, he got me on the outside on that one corner and then I managed to outbrake him up at 4 and he is RIGHT on my tail... kckckckck..if I can just hold... hrhrhrhrhr... him off and hopefully put a bit of distance between us.... Now this corner is kinda tricky... you have to approach it JUST right and then, arghhhhh, and then you come right through here and....." AND ALL OF THIS WHILE ROAD RACING!!!!! What a talent. Audi lately, huh?

steve77