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Corvette Hall
of Fame Inductee, James "Jim" Jeffords is a
two time National Driving Champion, and Corvette Hall
of Fame member; recognized for his exciting racing
mark in legendary race cars and automobiles such as
the Nickey Chevrolet's "Purple People
Eater", and Chevrolet powered specials like Jerry
Earl's SR-2, the Scarab, and the Maserati
Birdcage.
Jeffords
maintained a racing career that began over 50 years
ago. He appeared in the very first Road America race
at Elkhart Lake in September 1955, and finished 2nd in
C production in a Jaguar. His spectacular early
success earned him his first ride in a Corvette in May
of 1956 at Road America. Over the next 5 years, Jim
maintained a close association with Corvette competing
first in the World Championship race in Caracas,
Venezuela and then ending the season at Nassau Speed
Week in December of 1956. Jim began the 1957 season at
Sebring, Florida, as a driver on the Chevrolet
Corvette Racing Team.
Due
mainly to a very successful season driving both
factory modified and production Corvettes, Jim was
invited to help form a Corvette race team for Chicago
based Nickey Chevrolet in 1958. Jeffords was virtually
unbeatable as he easily took the titles in 1958 and
1959 in the Nickey Chevrolet "Purple People
Eater" Corvette.
In February
of 1960, Jefford's driving skill and reputation landed
him behind the wheel in the first race ever for the
Camoradi Corvette, the World Sports Car Championship.
Jeffords drove it to a 1st place in the Grand Premio
de la Habana in February of 1960, and followed it with
an 8th overall (1st GT) in the Grand Premio de la Cuba
on February 27th. This would be the only sports car
meet open to other nations ever allowed in Cuba under
Castro's rule. He was among a handful of race car
drivers to have successfully campaigned and dominated
the early SCCA "B" Production Class. Since
1958, Jeffords has served on the Board of Directors at
Road America.
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