1977 - Paid own way to England. Rented Formula Ford
ride, finishing third in the race. Won second race. Finished
second in fourth race ahead of fellow driver Nigel Mansell.
Produced six wins in eleven starts and series champion. 
Racing Career:
1977 - Paid own way to England. Rented Formula Ford
ride, finishing third in the race. Won second race. Finished
second in fourth race ahead of fellow driver Nigel Mansell.
Produced six wins in eleven starts and series champion.
1978 - Had sole ride in Long Beach Formula Atlantic
race, competing against Bobby Rahal, Kevin Cogan and Keke
Rosberg. Promoter H.A. "Humpy" Wheeler invited Ribbs to
Charlotte Motor Speedway to attempt to qualify for World
600, but competitive ride failed to materialise.
1980 - Met Truesports owner Jim Trueman at Laguna
Seca. Ribbs says "He will go down in history as the man
who saved my career."
1982 - Ran Red Roof Inns-sponsored Ralt in Formula
Atlantic. Won pole at Long Beach against competitors Michael
Andretti, Al Unser Jr and Geoff Brabham.
1983 - Stepped up to Trans-Am Camaros with fellow
driver David Hobbs. Won five of twelve races and SCCA Rookie
of the Year.
1984 - Introduction to Edsel Ford led to Ford Trans-Am deal. Ribbs won more
races (seventeen) than any other Trans-Am driver during 1984 to 1986.
1985 - Went to Indy with deal constructed by boxing promoter Don King. Last
minute preparation, handling problems and lack of speed led to cancellation of plans to
qualify.
1987 - Joined forces with family friend Dan Gurney to campaign Toyota IMSA
GTO effort, winning four races and IMSA Driver of the Year honours.
1988 - Bagged three more wins for Gurney again winning IMSA Driver of the
Year title.
1989 - Drove Gurney's developmental IMSA GTP Eagle HF Prototype.
Announced in November ride with newly created Raynor-Crosby Motorsports team with
financial support from entertainer Bill Crosby.
1990 - Made PPG Cup debut at Long Beach. Did not attempt to qualify at
Indy.
1991 - An improved PPG Cup season, finishing seventeenth in points in nine
starts with Walker Motorsports team. With McDonald's sponsorship starting at Indy,
becoming the first American driver at the Speedway. Finished in the points in five races
including an IndyCar career high sixth at Denver after qualifying thirteenth. Also drove
Dan Guerney's Toyota HF 90 IMSA GTP car in 24 Hours at Daytona and 12 Hours of
Sebring endurance races.
1992 - Started one event at Laguna Seca for Walker Motorsports.
1993 - Started thirteen races with Walker Racing in competitive season with full-
time sponsorship from Service Merchandise and Pepsi. Scored five point paying
finishes.
1994 - Started fifteen races with Derrick Walker Racing. Scored a season-best
finish of seventh at Michigan. Scored three other points-paying finishes. Will not return to
Walker this year.
Return to Willy T Ribbs Details Menu.