Santa Barbara - 1959 & 1962

Steve entered his first 'official' motorcar race at Santa Barbara in May of 1959, driving a 1600 Super Porsche. He related his memories of the event to writer William Nolan: "They ran it at the airport - and there was a real mix of cars, big and small, in my race. I had no idea where I'd finish. I remember storming off the line like mad when the flag fell, passing a gaggle of Porsches and Triumphs - until after about four laps there I was, leading everybody! That shook me. I was skidding around the circuit between cars, going as deep into the turns as possible before breaking, on the ragged edge all the way, and I thought, 'Man, what are you doing out here?' But I hung on and won. After that I was hooked."

Steve racing his Lotus Le Mans Mark XI
Returning that September in a much faster Lotus Le Mans Mark X1, he engaged Frank Monise in a wheel to wheel battle for first position. Day one of the two day event saw him come in second, but on day two catastophe struck when he took a sharp turn to fast, spinning the car and killing the engine. It cost him the race.

1962 saw Steve return to Santa Barbara again, this time winning both days events in a Formula Jr Cooper.