Don Sudnik..GM race photographer..Early Years!

[Joseph T.]

Don is THE GUY that took many if not most of the early Corvette racing pictures at Sebring and other race events.

He is still around.

Here is a guy that should be a VIP at an NCRS event.

Joe

[John N.]

Re: Don Sudnik..GM race photographer..Early Years!

Joe
What races in 56&57 did he cover? Was he Barney Clarkes (sp) photographer?
Regards

[Joseph T.]

Re: Don Sudnik..GM race photographer..Early Years!

Joe
What races in 56&57 did he cover? Was he Barney Clarkes (sp) photographer?
Regards

All of the races where GM photgraphic attended...except Nassau as GM Photographic was not sent to that event at least not in 56.

Daytona SpeedWeek, Sebring, and SCCA races..NASCAR too I believe.

Many of the photo's seen in Corvette news were taken by Don.

He has a long relationship with Campbell Ewald.

[Joseph T.]

Re: Don Sudnik..GM race photographer..Early Years!

Joe
What races in 56&57 did he cover? Was he Barney Clarkes (sp) photographer?
Regards

PS..not sure if he worked directly for Barney Clarke..but certainly they worked in that same program.

[John H.]

Re: Don Sudnik..GM race photographer..Early Years!

He also shot all the photos of the 1963 Pilot build at St. Louis.

[Tom D.]

Re: Don Sudnik..GM race photographer..Early Years!

I assume he made the movie for GM - Sebring in 1956, with Zora, Fitch and some GM execs. It includes some shots from GM's airplane.

/td

[Joseph T.]

Re: Don Sudnik..GM race photographer..Early Years!

Tom

Thats a good question..I will email Don and ask him.

I am not familiar with the film you mention. The films from that era that I am aware of were produced by AMOCO and another producer that escapes me at the moment. The more rare film of Sebring 1957 is called The Big Challenge..the other by AMOCO film as I recall is called "12 To Go"

The rare shot in The Big Challenge shows all the factory Corvette racecars including mine in the hanger...Duntov SS, Bill Mitchell SR2, the two new 57 production cars and the two former Nassau cars which were used as practice cars.

Joe

[John N.]

Re: Don Sudnik..GM race photographer..Early Years!

Joe
I believe there is some GM film of the 56 Sebring Race. Probably GM Canada. I saw parts of it at least two times at the 1997 F1 race in Montreal as part of a GM ad video. One time ironically, I was passing by a Jackie Stewart dog and pony show for Ford execs and the ad was on their screen. (Jackie and his son had a F1 team at that time). The owner of SOCAL had a good quality film of the 56 Sebring Race for sale a few years ago, I believe it was VHS, I do not know if its on DVD. Good hunting!!
Regards

[Joseph T.]

Re: Don Sudnik..GM race photographer..Early Years!

John..good memory..yes the owner of SOCAL..Alex Xydias...was at Sebring in 1956 and 1957 and made VHS tapes. I think I have the 57 tape.

Happy Easter!

Joe