"1984 Can-Am Champion" Michael Roe Born - August 8, 1955

August 8, 1955

Michael Roe

(Photo;oldracingcars.com)

Born In Naas, Ireland.

Roe began racing in Formula Ford and won the 1978 Formula Ford Festival. The following year he drove in British Formula Three and finished in 9th place in his rookie campaign with 2 podium finishes for David Clark's team.

In 1983 he moved to the United States to compete in the single-seat Can-Am series where he finished 8th in the championship. In 1984 Roe won 7 of the 10 rounds of the series on his way to dominating the championship, setting a series record for wins in a season as well as poles in a season, taking pole position at all 10 events.

The following year Roe competed in CART Championship Car racing and made four starts for Hemelgarn Racing with a best finish of 7th at Portland followed up by an 8th-place finish later that month at Meadowlands Racetrack. His two point-scoring finishes were good enough for 27th place in the championship. He also attempted to qualify his Hemelgarn Lola-Cosworth for the Indianapolis 500, but he was bumped from the field.

Roe is now back living in Naas, helping with his brother's garage, Roe Autocraft, but also enjoys kart racing. Michael also has a deep involvement with the rugby club there, but still very much keeps links with the sport, through guest-speaking and visits to local tracks. Son of a vet, who also competed in rallycross, the family firm is still run by Michael and his family.

(Photo;wildhirt.com)

1984 Sears Point Can-Am - Roe being chased by 1986 Champ Horst Kroll.

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