Monte Shelton (1933 – June 16, 2019) was an American racing driver from Portland, Oregon.
Early Life
Shelton was born in Missouri before his family moved to Vanport, Oregon, in 1943, where his father worked in a shipyard. He later joined the United States Coast Guard, serving on the USCGC Bluebell, and subsequently attended Portland State College, where he worked toward a degree in elementary education before shifting his focus to automobiles.
Racing Career
Shelton began racing in the early 1960s. His career gained traction when he began competing in the United States Road Racing Championship. He became a regular competitor in the Can-Am series from 1966 to 1974, scoring points in the 1974 season driving a McLaren M8F. He also started several Trans-Am races between 1976 and 1987, achieving five race victories driving various Porsche models.
In sports car racing, Shelton participated in the 24 Hours of Daytona, with a best finish of third in the 1979 edition alongside co-drivers Bruce Canepa and Rick Mears. He competed in numerous other IMSA Camel GT races, including the 12 Hours of Sebring, and earned two class victories in the Six Hours of the Glen at Watkins Glen International. In single-seater racing, Shelton drove a Gurney Eagle in Formula 5000 during the 1971 SCCA L&M Continental 5000 Championship.
In amateur racing, Shelton regularly participated in Portland's Rose Cup races, winning seven times over five decades. He was a co-founder of the SCCA's Oregon Region and held a competition license with the organization for over 60 years.
Honors
- Inducted into the Oregon Sports Hall of Fame on October 14, 2004.
- Inducted into the Northwest Motorsports Hall of Fame in 2017.
Personal Life and Business
Outside of racing, Shelton owned a collector car dealership called "Monte's Motors," where he specialized in British automobiles. He sold his first car in 1957 and for over 40 years was the British Motor Cars dealer in Portland, representing Jaguar, Rolls-Royce, Bentley, Austin Healey, MG, Rover, Mini, and other English makes.
Death
Shelton died on June 16, 2019, from complications related to pancreatic cancer.
