Class of 1993

Al Holbert was born on November 11, 1946, in Abington. Pennsylvania. Al grew up around racing as his father, Bob Holbert, was a well-known SCCA racer who competed throughout the United States. Holbert studied mechanical engineering at Lehigh University and after graduation he went to work in the family business, selling cars.

He also served on the Penske Racing team and was influenced to drive by former Indianapolis 500 winner Mark Donohue. Al Holbert became one of the United States racing leaders, both on and off the track. He was a devoted family man, and one of the world’s top sports car drivers, winning the IMSA Camel GT championship five times. He was also president of the Miller High Life Porsche 962 sports car team; was vice president and general manager of Holbert’s Porsche / Audi car dealership; and served as director of Porsche Indy car effort which began in 1987.

Holbert assisted in the Motorsports Ministries, a group formed to provide chapel services to the racing community during a weekend of competition. He was the all-time IMSA Camel GT career victory leader with 49 wins, and drove to IMSA titles in 1976, 1977, 1983, 1985 and 1986. Holbert also won 10 SCCA Can-Am races, one SCCA Trans-Am event and the 24 Hours of LeMans three times (1983, 1986 and 1987).

On September 30, 1988, Holbert was heading home to Pennsylvania when he was killed in a plane crash near Columbus, Ohio.