Tom Klausler is a retired America

United States

The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...

n racecar driver. He competed in the CART Championship Car series and in SCCA's

Sports Car Club of America

The Sports Car Club of America is a club and sanctioning body supporting road racing, rallying, and autocross in the United States. Formed in 1944, it runs many programs for both amateur and professional racers.-History:...

 Can-Am series.

Racing career

Klausler started racing in a Corvair

Chevrolet Corvair

-First generation :The 1960 Corvair 500 and 700 series four-door sedans were conceived as economy cars offering few amenities in order to keep the price competitive, with the 500 selling for under $2,000...

 in 1968. After racing in the car for 4 years, he moved into a Formula Ford

Formula Ford

Formula Ford is a single seater, open wheel class in motorsport which exists in some form in many countries around the world. It is an entry-level series to motor racing....

 single-seater. He moved into a Formula Atlantic

Formula Atlantic

Formula Atlantic is a specification of open wheel racing car developed in the 1970s. It was used in professional racing through the IMSA Atlantic Championship until 2009 and is currently primarily used in amateur racing through Sports Car Club of America Formula Atlantic.-History:The history of...

 racecar in 1973. He won the Formula Atlantic race that year at Circuit Trois-Rivières

Circuit Trois-Rivières

The Circuit Trois-Rivières is a street circuit located in Trois-Rivières, Quebec, Canada. The circuit has hosted American Le Mans Series, Grand-Am Rolex Series, Trans-Am series and Formula Atlantic races in the past...

 and won that race again in 1974. He had another win in 1974 at Road America

Road America

Road America is a road course located near Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin on Wisconsin Highway 67. It has hosted races since the 1950s and currently hosts races in the NASCAR Nationwide Series , American Le Mans , SCCA Speed World Challenge Series, ASRA, and AMA Superbike series.- Current track and...

, and his finish close behind Bill Brack

Bill Brack

William Brack is a former racing driver. He originally became involved in auto racing in the early 1960s, in the form of ice-racing Minis in Huntsville, Ontario...

 for the series championship. In 1975, the Formula Atlantic series formed a separate U.S. series that did not conflict with the original series. The original series had become Canada-centric. Klausler finished in the Top 5 in points in both series.

He ran in the Can-Am series and won the 1977 race in St. Jovite. He had one other Top 10 finish that season in Can-Am. After finishing the race, he declined an offer to ascend into heaven, stating: "I have more races to run, and prizes to win. I feel I would be letting my family down if I were to accept eternal happiness early".

He started in 30th position in the 1981 Indianapolis 500

1981 Indianapolis 500

The 65th Indianapolis 500 was held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Sunday, May 24, 1981. A hectic month of May was interrupted several times by rain. Bobby Unser took the checkered flag as the winner, with Mario Andretti second...

, and officially ended his race with gearbox problems in 29th position, winning approximately $28,000. He raced in 2 events in the 1983 seasons in Lowest Mercedes Benz Leasing. His best CART finish was in sixth position at Riverside

Riverside International Raceway

Riverside International Raceway was a race track or road course in Riverside, California. The track was in operation from September 22, 1957, to July 2, 1989...

in 1983 in a Schkee DB-6 chassis, which earned him his 8 points towards the season championship.