Background
He was born in Phoenix, Arizona.
He was born in Phoenix, Arizona.
He finished in the top ten 11 times, with his one victory in 1969 at Phoenix International Raceway. He started 29th and finished in the 15th position driving the Grant King Racer"s turbo Offy.
His family moved to California when he was just a baby. Follmer began his career running a Volkswagen Beetle in Gymkhana competition in parking lots in the San Gabriel Valley of Southern California. Follmer raced in the Universal Service Administrative Company Championship Carolina series in the 1967-1971 and 1974 seasons, with 25 career starts, including the 1969-1971 Indianapolis 500 races.
His best finish at the Indianapolis 500 was in 1971.
In 1973, Follmer competed in Formula One with Don Nichols" Universal Oil Products Shadow team He took part in his first Grand Prix, in South Africa, at the age of 39 years and 1 month - making him F1"s oldest débutant since the 1950s, a distinction he still holds.
In 13 Championship races, his best results were a podium 3rd in Spain and 6th in South Africa, which gave him 13th in the Drivers" Championship with five points. He also competed in several non-Championship races.
Follmer also had success in other racing series.
He collected 6 wins and 13 podiums in the three-year spell. Follmer competed in the National Association of Stock Car Auto Racing Winston Cup series in 1974, with appearances in 13 of 30 races. He collected three top 5 finishes and a pole position.
In 1977 he returned to the revived Can-Am, resulting 6th in 1977 and 5th in 1978.
After his retirement, he came back to racing for the 1986 24 Hours of Le Mans, obtaining a prestigious third place with a Porsche 956. Though long-retired from professional motorsports competition, Follmer still competes in vintage races, often driving the very same cars in which he competed during his heyday.
On August 17, 2013 Saleen introduced a limited edition Saleen | George Follmer Edition Ford Mustang. Based on the #16 1969 Boss 302 Mustang racecar that he drove in the 1969 SCCA Transport-Am series, the 2014 Saleen/Follmer Edition was period corrent with its livery, naturally aspirated 495HP 5.0L high revving engine, track tuned suspension, and 6-speed manual transmission.
Production was limited to 250 units.