Santa Barbara -- Under 1500cc. Semi-Main Event

The date of this event should be an easy call for the historians with the distinctive front row cars.  Ken Miles is in the middle in his "Flying Shingle" MG Special.   My guess is that Porsche 550 #211 is Richie Ginther, as that was his favorite number, and that the #11 Porsche 550 is John von Neumann.  Am I correct?  Can anyone ID any of the other cars shown here?

If you can answer any of my questions:  Please email me!       Photo by Lester Nehamkin.
 

(8-19-10)  From Michael Jacobsen:

"The new photo by Lester Nehamkin -- that showing the start of the semi- main at Santa Barbara on Sept 4 1955 -- shows besides the three you correctly name: behind Ginther, Bill Thomas' competition Porsche and behind him Harvey Mayer, supercharged Devin-Panhard; behind Miles Jack McAfee (550), behind him  Ed Boyd, MG Spl; behind Von Neumann, John Porter (550). 

Miles and VonN swapped the lead, Johnny led late but got sideways and Miles won, Johnny 2nd, then Ginther, McAfee, Troy McHenry, Joe Playan (MG Spl) and Dusty Miller (MG Spl R1)

Back to:   Skip Conklin, Ignacio Lozaro, Johnny Carter -- Riverside Turn 6

Back to:   Dale Deems' Photos -- Homepage