11-03-2013, 11:16 AM
(This post was last modified: 11-03-2013, 11:47 AM by Jim Hackett II.)
Ah man, the great memories and the rotten ones of being around racing, it all is an experience one should know not just judge from a far.
I have no doubt nefarious deeds are being done dirt cheap by the Big Money Movers of Racing Teams/Owners/Track Owners. The game had never been as honest as I would want. Same for life in general.....
Ebb Rose? Nah? Why?
All the drivers I have ever known had too damn many daily concerns to be so actively involved in anything in Nov. They are ordinary folks with families and hassles just like me but braver and better than the wannabees like me. The wrenches and engineers too.
By Nov. the mods of the "old" iron - when champ cars were good for more than one season - or the working in of the new "Watson" or whatever, folks I know are up to their necks in work needed done yesterday.
I never met some fine people. I have met a few though. Like Garlits - Hey kid hold this tarp (rain Labor Day 1971) or Lloyd Ruby at Brickyard Crossing Oldtimer's dinners in April 1990?.
Almost all have been gentlemen/ladies. First among these is Shirley Muldowney, no matter the gender that Lady can wheel a T/F car.
All non-bigot NHRA fans knew this in 1972. In 78 she stopped her tow truck with the Dragster brakes and marched up into the stands to confront fans holding a "Show Us Your *it*" sign. I liked that and respected the crap of her courage and grit. I was 50 feet away and cheered her for the right thing done.
Jim Herk was having a "well I didn't qualify" beer bust in his garage at Indy and Lloyd Ruby was present.
Those folks were bound and determined to have a little fun before they died. In 77 I think.
All were welcome and the sponsor "Miller High Life" never had better advertizing at any price.
Even the unpaid gofers and fans were encouraged to have a couple of Millers with Herk.
Lots of folks did just that. And Lloyd too.
How could I ever forget Art Pollard and Scotty Brayton?
Sometimes the losses remain fresh for decades as Scotty and Art.
I better stop again as it could go pages of little relevance.
Ruby was a great gentleman. Herk was too, but a one in a million fun person to be around.
All were too busy to be involved in Deep Politics. I bet.
It comes from a higher level of power than a wheel man or mechanics (with wrenches not guns).
Best
Jim
"Just shut up and drive dammit!" Radio to a Indy 500 leader from Crew Chief 1986. He did.
One more tidbit I miss: The old Offy engine would bark (rumble the exhaust) when the drivers back off to make turns 1 and 3 at Indy. We could tell who drove deepest into turns by that bark. The bravest I ever saw for driving into a corner was Gordon Johncock. I miss the barks of Offenhauser's little 4 banger. Yep I miss that.
I have no doubt nefarious deeds are being done dirt cheap by the Big Money Movers of Racing Teams/Owners/Track Owners. The game had never been as honest as I would want. Same for life in general.....
Ebb Rose? Nah? Why?
All the drivers I have ever known had too damn many daily concerns to be so actively involved in anything in Nov. They are ordinary folks with families and hassles just like me but braver and better than the wannabees like me. The wrenches and engineers too.
By Nov. the mods of the "old" iron - when champ cars were good for more than one season - or the working in of the new "Watson" or whatever, folks I know are up to their necks in work needed done yesterday.
I never met some fine people. I have met a few though. Like Garlits - Hey kid hold this tarp (rain Labor Day 1971) or Lloyd Ruby at Brickyard Crossing Oldtimer's dinners in April 1990?.
Almost all have been gentlemen/ladies. First among these is Shirley Muldowney, no matter the gender that Lady can wheel a T/F car.
All non-bigot NHRA fans knew this in 1972. In 78 she stopped her tow truck with the Dragster brakes and marched up into the stands to confront fans holding a "Show Us Your *it*" sign. I liked that and respected the crap of her courage and grit. I was 50 feet away and cheered her for the right thing done.
Jim Herk was having a "well I didn't qualify" beer bust in his garage at Indy and Lloyd Ruby was present.
Those folks were bound and determined to have a little fun before they died. In 77 I think.
All were welcome and the sponsor "Miller High Life" never had better advertizing at any price.
Even the unpaid gofers and fans were encouraged to have a couple of Millers with Herk.
Lots of folks did just that. And Lloyd too.
How could I ever forget Art Pollard and Scotty Brayton?
Sometimes the losses remain fresh for decades as Scotty and Art.
I better stop again as it could go pages of little relevance.
Ruby was a great gentleman. Herk was too, but a one in a million fun person to be around.
All were too busy to be involved in Deep Politics. I bet.
It comes from a higher level of power than a wheel man or mechanics (with wrenches not guns).
Best
Jim
"Just shut up and drive dammit!" Radio to a Indy 500 leader from Crew Chief 1986. He did.
One more tidbit I miss: The old Offy engine would bark (rumble the exhaust) when the drivers back off to make turns 1 and 3 at Indy. We could tell who drove deepest into turns by that bark. The bravest I ever saw for driving into a corner was Gordon Johncock. I miss the barks of Offenhauser's little 4 banger. Yep I miss that.
Read not to contradict and confute;
nor to believe and take for granted;
nor to find talk and discourse;
but to weigh and consider.
FRANCIS BACON
nor to believe and take for granted;
nor to find talk and discourse;
but to weigh and consider.
FRANCIS BACON