In past issues of Vintage Corner, I've documented the Porsche exploits of some of the biggest names in the IMSA GT and TransAm racing series: drivers like Peter Gregg in his #59 white, red, and blue Brumos Porsche and Al Holbert in his immaculate blue #14 Porsche spring to mind. But there were several other Porsche competitors who added to the excitement and color of the IMSA and TransAm series in the '70s and were ready to take top honors should these favorites falter. In the next couple of issues of Vintage Corner, we'll take a look at the supporting cast.

Ludwig Heimrath was a German-born Canadian who competed in the '70s in the IMSA GT series as well as in the SCCA TransAm series in his familiar #74 Porsches, a Carrera and later an RSR. He managed several top 10 and top 5 finishes, but perhaps his greatest achievement was winning the 1976 TransAm race at Mosport, Ontario.

Ludwig Heimrath's Porsche Carrera sits next to Hurley Haywood's similar mount on the starting grid of the 1974 TransAm race at Elkhart Lake's Road America circuit. He would finish fifth overall, just behind Haywood.

Heimrath's stunning orange and blue Porsche Carrera rests in the Elkhart Lake's paddock during the 1974 TransAm race weekend.

Heimrath nearly lifts a right rear wheel going through one of Road America's 14 turns in his Porsche RSR during the 1976 TransAm race where he finished fifth.

Ludwig Heimrath also competed in the highly competitive IMSA GT Championship. Here he pilots his white and orange #74 Carrera through the right-hander at the end of Mid-Ohio main straightaway during the 1975 race where he finished seventh.