Thomas D. Yeager

Began his racing career on the streets of Marion, Ohio, with a highly customized 1950 Mercury, then progressed to sports cars with an MGA and an Austin-Healey 100. Attending SCCA races as a spectator got him afflicted with ‘the bug’, and by 1962, he was racing a Lotus 7 in organized events, raced a Merlyn Mk 6 in Regionals and Nationals, and even placed 10th overall in the 1964 U. S. Road Racing Championship event at Mid-Ohio. Moved up to a Shelby Mustang GT-350 and a 289 Cobra in 1965 as a member of the Shelby American stable. Turned professional in 1966 with the advent of SCCA’s new Trans-Am series, driving a notchback Mustang with some Shelby and Ford assistance. Tom and co-driver Bob Johnson won the Trans-Am races at V.I.R. and Mid-America Raceway; the first Ford wins in Trans-Am ; their points clinched the Manufacturer’s Championship for Ford. Drove a Mustang to 2nd in class at the 1967 Rolex 24 At Daytona. Retired from active racing that year to become an SCCA-licensed instructor for Production car drivers. Now active in SVRA racing with Lotus, Spice and Chevron cars. 1996 SVRA Driver of the Year and winner of the Chopard Award at the Monterey Historics event. Passed away in Dec. 2019 at age 83,