Monte Shelton (1933 – June 16, 2019) was an American racing driver from Portland, Oregon.
Early life
He was born in Missouri before his family moved to Vanport, Oregon, in 1943, where his father worked in a shipyard.[1] He later joined the United States Coast Guard, serving on the USS Bluebell before going to Portland State College to work towards a degree in elementary education before he eventually became interested in automobiles.[1]
Racing career
Shelton began racing in the early 1960s, with his career gaining traction a few years later when he began competing in the United States Road Racing Championship. Shelton also became regular competitor in Can-Am from 1966 to 1974, scoring points only in the 1974 season driving a McLaren M8F. Shelton also started several Trans-Am races between 1976 and 1987, where he took 5 race victories driving a variety of different Porsches. In sports car racing, he participated in the 24 Hours of Daytona, with a best finish of 3rd in the 1979 edition of the race with co-drivers Bruce Canepa and Rick Mears. He also participated many other IMSA Camel GT races, including the 12 Hours of Sebring. Included in his sports car career were two class victories in the Six Hours of the Glen at Watkins Glen International.[2] Outside of sportscars, Shelton had a brief single-seater career driving in Formula 5000 cars, racing a Gurney Eagle during the 1971 SCCA L&M Continental 5000 Championship.[3] In amateur racing, Shelton participated regularly in Portland's Rose Cup races, winning seven times over five decades. He also served as a co-founder of SCCA's Oregon Region and held a competition license with the organization for over 60 years.[4] On October 14, 2004, he was inducted into the Oregon Sports Hall of Fame.[5] In 2017, he was inducted into the Northwest Motorsports Hall of Fame.[6]
Personal life
Outside of racing, Shelton owned a collector car dealership called "Monte's Motors", where he specialized in British automobiles. Shelton died June 16, 2019, from complications from pancreatic cancer.[1]
Racing results
24 Hours of Daytona
| Year | Team | Co-Drivers | Car | Class | Laps | Pos. | Class Pos. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 |  Bruce Canepa |
Bruce Canepa Rick Mears |
Porsche 935 | GTX | 627 | 3rd | 2nd |
| 1988 | Escort Porsche |
Karl Durkheimer Jim Torres Nort Northam |
Porsche 911 Carrera | GTU | 455 | 33rd | 6th |
| 1989 | SP Racing |
Gary Auberlen Bill Auberlen Cary Eisenlohr |
Porsche 911 Carrera | GTU | 351 | DNF | DNF |
| 1995 | Alex Job Racing |
Joe Cogbill Jack Lewis Charles Slater |
Porsche 911 | GTS-2 | 633 | 13th | 6th |
| 1996 | Alex Job Racing |
Joe Cogbill John Rutherford Ron Finger |
Porsche 911 | GTS-2 | 599 | 14th | 7th |
| 1997 |  Jorge Trejos |
Jorge Trejos Jeff Gamroth Tim Ralston |
Porsche 993 | GTS-3 | 632 | 13th | 4th |
12 Hours of Sebring
| Year | Team | Co-Drivers | Car | Class | Laps | Pos. | Class Pos. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 | Jorge Trejos |
Jeff Gamroth Tim Ralston |
Porsche 993 | GTS-3 | 247 | 19th | 6th |
References
- 1 2 3 Rogoway, Mike (June 18, 2019). "Champion Portland auto racer Monte Shelton dies at 85". Oregonlive.com. Oregon Live, LLC. Retrieved June 18, 2019.
- ↑ O'Neill, Sean (November 5, 2018). "Monte Shelton–Auto Racing". oregonsportshall.org. Retrieved June 18, 2019.
- ↑ Rudow, Martin (July 12, 2016). "Monte Shelton: Concours d'Elegance honoree for 2016". Pamplinmedia.com. Pamplin Media Group. Retrieved June 18, 2019.
- ↑ Zurschmeide, Jeffery (June 17, 2019). "Monte Shelton, 1933-2019". Racer.com. Racer Media & Marketing, Inc. Retrieved June 18, 2019.
- ↑ Oregon Sports Hall of Fame and Museum-Category:Auto Racing
- ↑ Zurschmeide, Jeffery (March 21, 2017). "Northwest motorsports legends honored at World of Speed". Pamplinmedia.com. Pamplin Media Group. Retrieved June 18, 2019.