CENTRAL KANSAS CORVETTE ASSOCIATION
• Clarence 'Clay' Bontrager and the StingRat •
• Clarence 'Clay' Bontrager and the StingRat •
A Compilation of Articles and Photos from the 1976 National Council of Corvette Clubs (NCCC) National Convention in Orlando, Florida featuring Clarence 'Clay' Bontrager and the StingRat
Plus an Introductory Essay by Gerald Haughton, Webmaster
Plus an Introductory Essay by Gerald Haughton, Webmaster
CKCA member Clarence 'Clay' Bontrager's dominating autocross victory in his raucous rat-motored 1969 Corvette Coupe, aka the StingRat, at Daytona International Speedway during the 1976 NCCC National Convention in Orlando, Florida, against an extremely deep field of competition Corvettes (293 entrants!), is the stuff of legend.
I had heard bits and pieces of this tale during my short time with the CKCA and knew Clarence and the StingRat had "done good" in Daytona, but it wasn't until I finally got my hands on a copy of the September/October 1976 issue of NCCC's Blue Bars Magazine and studied the detailed autocross results that I began to truly comprehend and fully appreciate the magnitude of what Clarence accomplished down there nearly five decades ago.
Racing in the MA (modified A) class, Clarence clocked a time quick enough on the second of his three runs to nab FTD (fast time of day) honors for the event, not only besting the entire field of entrants in his class, but finishing well ahead of the quickest RP (race-prepared) entrant in the second round, as well. Amazing.
Yes, you read that right: Although he couldn't know it at the time, Clarence actually ran quick enough on only his second run to take FTD. Astounding.
So then what did he do? On his third and final lap, Clarence chopped yet another second off his previous already-FTD-level blast, running a remarkable 102:08 (the only racer during the entire two-day autocross event to run in the 102's, just missing the 101's by the blink of an eye). Astonishing.
Furthermore, Clarence's elapsed time on his third run beat the best RP time of 103:44 by nearly 1.4 seconds. I'm about out of "A" words to describe what a monumental feat this was. If you follow motorsports at all, where the margin of victory often begins with zero-point-zero-something, well, you know what a remarkable accomplishment this was. Awesome? Absolutely.
Such a huge improvement on the money run is a classic example of the mind, body and soul of an apex athlete all singing together in perfect three-part harmony. You've got to dig deep within yourself to seize such moments, particularly with the weight of the venue bearing down on you (Daytona!), not to mention the immense pressure of competing against some of the hottest Corvette jocks in the nation, who have all traveled to Florida's fabled World Center of Racing with the same goal as you: WIN!
Yeah, sure, your car can be bad fast (and the StingRat most certainly was).
But you have to be bad fast, as well.
Aviators call it "staying ahead of the airplane." I've autocrossed before, in Corvettes, and on motorcycles. It's all too easy to lose your focus for a split second, get behind the airplane and then become adrenaline-poisoned trying to get out in front of it again, your teeth clenched, your heart pounding and your forearms pumped up like balloons about to burst, especially if you're one of the elite few truly in the hunt for FTD glory and straining with every fiber of your being to grind out the last measure of your machine's goodness.
Mad props, Mr. Bontrager. In iconic NASA-speak: You, sir, were a steely-eyed missile man.
Clarence was ably and cheerfully assisted and accompanied in this most-excellent adventure by his cousin and crew chief, fellow CKCA member Dean Bontrager, who built the rowdy 466-inch big block in the StingRat and who did much of the bodywork modifications, and who designed and applied the instantly-recognizable paint scheme.
Several other members of the Central Kansas Corvette Association made the arduous 1500-mile journey from the Heartland to Daytona, as well; please see the Vetter News newsletter scans below.
Nearly 50 years have passed as these words are being penned, but this historic accomplishment, on such hallowed ground, by a couple of affable Kansas farm boys, still resonates to this day.
Shown below is everything I've been able to unearth regarding the convention and Clarence, Dean and the StingRat. It's notable that the NCCC devoted nearly the entire content of their September/October 1976 magazine to the event. In their own words: "The largest NCCC convention ever...memorialized in the biggest issue of Blue Bars ever."
If I uncover any additional related material in my travels, I'll post it up on these pages.
On behalf of the Central Kansas Corvette Association, I'd like to publicly thank Stuart Bontrager and Rod Givens for their help and support in this ongoing endeavor.
– GH, 09/12/2024
I had heard bits and pieces of this tale during my short time with the CKCA and knew Clarence and the StingRat had "done good" in Daytona, but it wasn't until I finally got my hands on a copy of the September/October 1976 issue of NCCC's Blue Bars Magazine and studied the detailed autocross results that I began to truly comprehend and fully appreciate the magnitude of what Clarence accomplished down there nearly five decades ago.
Racing in the MA (modified A) class, Clarence clocked a time quick enough on the second of his three runs to nab FTD (fast time of day) honors for the event, not only besting the entire field of entrants in his class, but finishing well ahead of the quickest RP (race-prepared) entrant in the second round, as well. Amazing.
Yes, you read that right: Although he couldn't know it at the time, Clarence actually ran quick enough on only his second run to take FTD. Astounding.
So then what did he do? On his third and final lap, Clarence chopped yet another second off his previous already-FTD-level blast, running a remarkable 102:08 (the only racer during the entire two-day autocross event to run in the 102's, just missing the 101's by the blink of an eye). Astonishing.
Furthermore, Clarence's elapsed time on his third run beat the best RP time of 103:44 by nearly 1.4 seconds. I'm about out of "A" words to describe what a monumental feat this was. If you follow motorsports at all, where the margin of victory often begins with zero-point-zero-something, well, you know what a remarkable accomplishment this was. Awesome? Absolutely.
Such a huge improvement on the money run is a classic example of the mind, body and soul of an apex athlete all singing together in perfect three-part harmony. You've got to dig deep within yourself to seize such moments, particularly with the weight of the venue bearing down on you (Daytona!), not to mention the immense pressure of competing against some of the hottest Corvette jocks in the nation, who have all traveled to Florida's fabled World Center of Racing with the same goal as you: WIN!
Yeah, sure, your car can be bad fast (and the StingRat most certainly was).
But you have to be bad fast, as well.
Aviators call it "staying ahead of the airplane." I've autocrossed before, in Corvettes, and on motorcycles. It's all too easy to lose your focus for a split second, get behind the airplane and then become adrenaline-poisoned trying to get out in front of it again, your teeth clenched, your heart pounding and your forearms pumped up like balloons about to burst, especially if you're one of the elite few truly in the hunt for FTD glory and straining with every fiber of your being to grind out the last measure of your machine's goodness.
Mad props, Mr. Bontrager. In iconic NASA-speak: You, sir, were a steely-eyed missile man.
Clarence was ably and cheerfully assisted and accompanied in this most-excellent adventure by his cousin and crew chief, fellow CKCA member Dean Bontrager, who built the rowdy 466-inch big block in the StingRat and who did much of the bodywork modifications, and who designed and applied the instantly-recognizable paint scheme.
Several other members of the Central Kansas Corvette Association made the arduous 1500-mile journey from the Heartland to Daytona, as well; please see the Vetter News newsletter scans below.
Nearly 50 years have passed as these words are being penned, but this historic accomplishment, on such hallowed ground, by a couple of affable Kansas farm boys, still resonates to this day.
Shown below is everything I've been able to unearth regarding the convention and Clarence, Dean and the StingRat. It's notable that the NCCC devoted nearly the entire content of their September/October 1976 magazine to the event. In their own words: "The largest NCCC convention ever...memorialized in the biggest issue of Blue Bars ever."
If I uncover any additional related material in my travels, I'll post it up on these pages.
On behalf of the Central Kansas Corvette Association, I'd like to publicly thank Stuart Bontrager and Rod Givens for their help and support in this ongoing endeavor.
– GH, 09/12/2024
Coverage of the 1976 NCCC National Convention in Orlando and Daytona Beach, Florida, featuring Clarence Bontrager and the StingRat, as published in the August–September 1976 issue of the CKCA newsletter Vetter News
Cover of the August – September 1976 issue of the CKCA newsletter Vetter News
CKCA President Jim "Shaf" Shafer gives a nice shoutout to Clarence Bontrager and the StingRat, "...the NUMBER ONE autocross vette in all of NCCC land..."
Recaps of the 1976 NCCC National Convention by Jim "Shaf" Shafer and Fred & Jean Johnson, from the August–September 1976 issue of the CKCA newsletter Vetter News; see individual scans below
The StingRat at the head of the line in the staging lanes at Daytona International Speedway – 1976 NCCC National Convention
Clarence Bontrager, left, and Dean Bontrager, far right – 1976 NCCC National Convention, Florida
Individual scans (2) of the images shown above from the August–September 1976 issue of the CKCA newsletter Vetter News
Two-page photo collage from the August–September 1976 issue of the CKCA newsletter Vetter News; see individual scans below
The StingRat at rest in front of the Sheraton Towers Hotel, 1976 NCCC National Convention – Orlando, Florida
Daytona!
Clarence Bontrager posing with his pair of autocross trophies, 1976 NCCC National Convention – Orlando, Florida
Individual image scans above (4) are from the August–September 1976 issue of the CKCA newsletter Vetter News
This fabulous photo of the StingRat in action (photographer and event location unknown) comprises page 20 of the August–September 1976 issue of the CKCA newsletter Vetter News
Page 21 of the August–September 1976 issue of the CKCA newsletter Vetter News., with the July 26th, 1976 meeting minutes noting President Jim Shafer's announcement that '...Clarence is number "1" in the U.S.A.'
Letter to the Editor from the StingRat! From the August–September 1976 issue of the CKCA newsletter Vetter News
This issue may be seen in its entirety here: https://www.ckca.club/the-fred-and-jean-johnson-artifact-collection-newsletter-aug-sep-1976.html
This issue may be seen in its entirety here: https://www.ckca.club/the-fred-and-jean-johnson-artifact-collection-newsletter-aug-sep-1976.html
Coverage of the 1976 NCCC National Convention in Orlando and Daytona Beach, Florida featuring Clarence Bontrager and the StingRat, as published in the September/October 1976 issue of NCCC's Blue Bars Magazine
Clarence Bontrager, top left photo, accepts his Modified A "First in Class" autocross trophy at the 1976 NCCC Awards Luncheon in Orlando, Florida
Clarence Bontrager accepts his Modified A "First in Class" autocross trophy at the 1976 NCCC Awards Luncheon in Orlando, Florida
All page scans above are from the September/October 1976 issue of NCCC's Blue Bars Magazine, a physical copy of which resides in the CKCA archives.
Rant from Vetter News Editor and CKCA vice-president Dave Griffin regarding the "lousiest coverage ever" of the 1976 NCCC National Convention by the staff at Blue Bars Magazine, specifically as it relates to the autocross accomplishments of Clarence Bontrager and the StingRat at the convention
From the January 1977 issue of the CKCA newsletter Vetter News. This issue may be seen in its entirety here: https://www.ckca.club/the-fred-and-jean-johnson-artifact-collection-newsletter-jan-1977.html
"What a driver!" exclaims the editors at Corvette Corner Magazine
"It's possible that the name Bontrager rings a bell to some of you racing enthusiasts. He's the guy who won FTD at Daytona during last year's nationals in his "StingRat" as a modified, beating all the RP's. What a driver!" exclaims the editors at Corvette Corner Magazine
Excerpt from the September 1977 issue of Corvette Corner Magazine (a physical copy of which resides in the CKCA archives), highlighting Clarence Bontrager's performance at the Memorial Day 8th Annual Southern States "Corvette Festival," held in 1977 at the Hallett Motor Racing Circuit near Tulsa, Oklahoma, and his performance the prior year at the 1976 NCCC National Convention in Orlando, Florida.
Excerpt from the September 1977 issue of Corvette Corner Magazine (a physical copy of which resides in the CKCA archives), highlighting Clarence Bontrager's performance at the Memorial Day 8th Annual Southern States "Corvette Festival," held in 1977 at the Hallett Motor Racing Circuit near Tulsa, Oklahoma, and his performance the prior year at the 1976 NCCC National Convention in Orlando, Florida.
Clarence Bontrager and the StingRat strike again in the October 1977 issue of Vetter News
From the October 1977 issue of the CKCA newsletter Vetter News. This issue may be seen in its entirety here: https://www.ckca.club/the-fred-and-jean-johnson-artifact-collection-newsletter-oct-1977.html
The photograph of Clarence Bontrager that was used in October 1977 CKCA newsletter shown above.
This photo was discovered in one of three photo albums contained in the Fred & Jean Johnson Artifact Collection, recently obtained from the Reno County Museum for documentation purposes. Photographer, date and photo location unknown. (NOTE: The "#1 FTD" marking is original to the photo, not written on after the fact. I don't have an explanation as to why this lettering doesn't show in the black and white version as it appears in the newsletter.)
This photo was discovered in one of three photo albums contained in the Fred & Jean Johnson Artifact Collection, recently obtained from the Reno County Museum for documentation purposes. Photographer, date and photo location unknown. (NOTE: The "#1 FTD" marking is original to the photo, not written on after the fact. I don't have an explanation as to why this lettering doesn't show in the black and white version as it appears in the newsletter.)
StingRat photo from the 1976 NCCC National Convention found on the internet
The StingRat (extreme far right) in the staging lanes at Daytona International Speedway –
1976 NCCC National Convention, Daytona Beach, Florida
1976 NCCC National Convention, Daytona Beach, Florida
– Image source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/suzqs/albums/72157605952800450/
Photos of Clarence and Dean Bontrager posing with the StingRat and Clarence's two autocross trophies from the 1976 NCCC National Convention in Orlando, Florida
CKCA members Clarence Bontrager, left, and Dean Bontrager, posing with the StingRat and the two autocross trophies – "FTD – Fast Time of Day" on the left and "First in Class – MA" on the right – they won at the 1976 NCCC National Convention in Orlando, Florida
– Photos courtesy of Stuart Bontrager (Dean Bontrager's son). Thank you, Stuart!
Pages 1 and 8 of the "Historical (Mis)Adventures of the National Council of Corvette Clubs" as told in 2015 by former NCCC President Tom Henry, with a nice shoutout near the end to Clarence Bontrager and the Central Kansas Corvette Association
Page 1
Page 8
Pages 1 and 8 of the "Historical (Mis)Adventures of the National Council of Corvette Clubs, Inc." written by former NCCC president Tom Henry in 2015. (NOTE: The yellow highlighting is in the original source document.)
Nearly 40 years after the fact, Mr. Henry still found it important to tell us who took FTD at the 1976 NCCC National Convention in Florida: "Clarence Bontrager of Central Kansas Corvette Association."
Nearly 40 years after the fact, Mr. Henry still found it important to tell us who took FTD at the 1976 NCCC National Convention in Florida: "Clarence Bontrager of Central Kansas Corvette Association."
– Document source (8-page PDF): https://www.cfca.net/NCCC_Misadventures.pdf
Page last updated: 09/30/2024
© Central Kansas Corvette Association
Hutchinson, KS
© Central Kansas Corvette Association
Hutchinson, KS
