RRDC Spotlight: Augie Pabst

Augie Pabst began competing during in the mid-1950s during road racing's golden era; he owned a small sports car dealership that sold Triumphs, so he raced a TR-3 in 1956. He stepped up to an A.C. Bristol the following year.

"That A.C. was a great little car," said Pabst.

In 1958, Pabst bought his first "serious" racecar.

"I bought a two-and one-half liter Ferrari Testa Rosa for $5,500," he said. "I could beat the RS Porsches, but at Road America, the three-liter Ferraris would beat me because I couldn't come up to speed as fast as they could."

Nonetheless, Pabst started to become noticed by some of the more established drivers, including Road Racing Driver's Club (RRDC) President Walt Hansgen.

"Walt called me in 1958 or '59," said Pabst. "He said, 'I'm involved in the RRDC. We're trying to build membership, so I'd like to invite you to join.'"

RIGHT: Pabst's Scarab leads at the 1959 Wisconsin Grand Prix.

Pabst said that it was Hansgen's desire to build the RRDC's into the true voice of road racing reason.

"It was quite an honor to be asked to join by Walt," he said. "I was pleased and touched when Walt let me join. When I joined, the club was very small."

Road racing was still a gentlemen's sport in the late 1950s, and drivers were required to remain amateurs. RRDC membership was less than 100 at the time.

Interestingly, in 1959, Pabst and Hansgen became teammates in a couple of Jaguar 3.8-liter MK.II sedans that were owned by Briggs Cunningham. "It was about that time that I sold my Testa Rosa for $5,000," he said. "wish I still had it; the car was such a sweetheart."

But It was not in Triumphs, Bristols, Ferraris or Jags, but in Scarabs, that Pabst made a name for himself.

LEFT: Aug 6 1960: Augie Pabst leads Walt Hansgen at the Montgomery National Races

Harry Heuer had just purchased one of the Scarabs from Lance Reventlow for driver Paul O'Shea to race. But O'Shea had already committed to drive for another team, so Heuer asked if Pabst if he'd be interested in the ride.

This caused quite a stir: Augie Pabst was part of the Pabst Blue Ribbon brewing family, and Heuer's Scarab was sponsored by the Meister Brau brand of the Peter Hand Brewing Company.

"Can you imagine a Pabst driving for a competing brewery?" asked Pabst. "The headlines read: 'Pabst Wins Blue Ribbon in Milwaukee' and never mentioned Meister Brau."

Pabst raced for the Meister Brau team for two years before Pabst's family pressure and the Peter Hand Brewing Company's board of directors called it quits.

After his Meister Brau years, Pabst went on to drive a number of cars for Briggs Cunningham: Coopers, Maseratis, and Jaguars.

Pabst raced for a total of 10 years, from 1956 to 1966. When he stepped away from the driver's seat, he went to work for the family brewing business for the next 21 years.

One of the highlights of Pabst's RRDC membership, and the members from the late '60s and early '70s will attest to, were the RRDC meetings Pabst hosted at the Pabst Brewery in Milwaukee, usually in advance of a pro race at Road America.

It was easy to get to the Brewery from the Milwaukee Airport, and Pabst was a gracious host. The beer he offered was fresh, cold and delicious, according to RRDC members who were at the meetings.

Eventually Pabst was able to purchase the old Meister Brau Scarab he had raced years earlier, and began a second driving career on the vintage road racing circuit.

These days Pabst is still a familiar face at vintage races at the Milwaukee Mile and Road America and sits on the Road America board.

• The Road Racing Drivers Club is a U.S. organization made up of many of the America's and Europe's most successful racing drivers. Members are elected by their peers and include Formula One World Champions, Indy-500 winners, Champion Sports Car Drivers, and top American amateur road racers. The membership also includes leading industry professionals, race officials, and motorsports journalists who have made significant contributions to the sport.
  
  To learn more about the RRDC, visit http://www.rrdc.org