Glen; Thank you very much for telling me what really did happen after I
lost it. I know I should know but I had my eyes closed most of the time.
In fact, every orifice in my body was closed very tight. I guess no one
got any video's of the event. Thanks again
Doug Odom in big ditch
Glen Barrett wrote:
>
> Keith
> I agree, Tom left out lots of his past. But if you look at his web site you
> will see why. It would take several pages for a brief story of his involvement
> with SCTA / BNI. There are many stories and tales of Tom and his family. The
> years I have known him just make me want to keep on doing what I do to keep
> people like him in the sport. This is whats going to inspire the new breed and
> the next generations something to look forward to.
>
> It's hard to believe how many new racers and fans we are getting each year,
>but
> the land speed web sites and the magazines are renewing the salt fever. There
> have been more stories the last two years then in the past 10 years. The
>sports
> media is covering more and more of the events.
>
> Other than that a little update on Dougs ride in the dirt. About a quarter of
>a
> mile into the run the car was starting to move around and as it continued down
> course it got worse as the tire tracks indicated. Some 845 ft. before the
> finish the car started into a spin and as it went around it started to fly and
> did a very hard flip coming down on the cage and bounced up on the wheels and
> spun several more time and hooked the ground when the spindle broke off
>causing
> a couple more flips with the car landing upside down on the cage.The car
> traveled some 1400 ft from start to end.
>
> I was about the forth person to the car. He was alert and wanting out. The
> medical crew checked him out and let him remove his helmet. He sort of looked
> like someone smacked him in the face with the flat side of a shovel. He was
> able to get out on his own and go to the ambulance for additional check out.
>
> The construction was well done and the only failure was the spindle pin boss
> breaking off the axle. There was one side brace bent on the right side. We did
> not see any other failures but we are limited to what we can do on the lake
> bed.Most of the body stayed on the car much to everyones supprise. Normally
> they are in pieces, the nose can be salvaged.
>
> All of this is good news and speaks well of our rules. When followed, they
> work. When he gets his pretty face back I'm sure the smile will get better. I
> told Gail afterwards we would have a tough time telling you about it with all
> of the build up about him coming to the meet.
> She's a trooper and a sweetheart.
>
> OK, enough of that. In a couple of days I will try and give all of you a
>little
> background on myself.
> Glen (and warm again on the beach at 76 degrees today.)
>
> Keith Turk wrote:
>
> > Tom you left out What you have done for Volunteer work... to include Past
> > President of the SCTA....
> >
> > Hey now that I think about it... so did Dan Warner.... I still want to know
> > who all you guys are....
> >
> > It's important to remember the time that folks served in all these
> > positions... Without the Volunteer effort we wouldn't have much.... and
> > some folks like you have given more then thier share...
> >
> > K
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: "Thomas E. Bryant" <saltracer@awwwsome.com>
> > To: "Land Speed" <land-speed@autox.team.net>
> > Sent: Monday, November 20, 2000 7:41 PM
> > Subject: Occupation
> >
> > > Keith,
> > > This is a very interesting thread that you started. Sometimes you get it
> > > right. I may write a book, know I can't put this in a few words, I have
> > > lived too long!!!
> > >
> > > I grew up a country boy on the farm in Northwest Missouri. Graduated
> > > from Rockport High in 1947, 2 = months after my 17th Birthday. My first
> > > job out of high school was a Mechanic's Helper, next I went with a
> > > couple of friends to follow the wheat harvest and ended up in North
> > > Dakota, went back and forth between Missouri and North Dakota for the
> > > next three years doing a variety of jobs, including Dish Washer, Service
> > > Station Attendant, Product Receiving @ the Bottineau Creamery, and
> > > about a year with as an Apprentice Plumber in Rugby ND.
> > >
> > > I married Margaret, the love of my life, in May 1951, started out as a
> > > hired hand on a farm, got fired after about a month, (the boss came by
> > > to get me to go to work just as I was leaving for church. I told him I
> > > would join him after church, on Monday morning he told me I didn't have
> > > a job) This termination was one of the best things that happened could
> > > have happened. Went to work at Interstate Machine and Supply Co. in
> > > Omaha NE as a warehouse man, move up to the Sales Counter in a couple of
> > > months. Went from there to Mackenzie Motors (Crosley Dealer and used
> > > cars) as a Mechanic, after that, I worked for a month at the Munitions
> > > Depot @ Mead, NE loading 105 shells and black powder on trucks for
> > > shipment to Korea.
> > >
> > > In October 1952, I left Omaha for La Habra CA to find my fortune. After
> > > arriving, I spent a couple of weeks going from one place to another
> > > looking for a job only to find the same answer after an interview, my
> > > eye sight would cause me to be a danger in their employment (I'm legally
> > > blind in my right eye, this also gave me a 4-F status in the Korean
> > > War). I finally found employment with a small Chemical Refinery in Santa
> > > Fe Springs CA where I started as a Utility Person, advancing to
> > > Pumper/Gauger and then to Assistant Operator. After seven years, because
> > > the automobile kept calling, I quit and went to work for Fullerton
> > > Muffler doing Tune-up and Muffler work. Two years later I went to work
> > > for White Automotive, an Independent Repair Shop in La Habra CA, as a
> > > Tune-up Technician. I remained there until early 1968 when we moved
> > > north to Redding and opened my own repair shop. While at White
> > > Automotive, I also served as a Reserve Officer for the La Harba Police
> > > Dept.
> > >
> > > While operating Bryant Automotive for the last 32 years with my wife and
> > > sons, I attended Shasta College, receiving my AA in Business Management
> > > in 1984, also was a Part-time Automotive Instructor at Shasta College
> > > for 13 years, retiring that position a couple of years ago. I still
> > > serve as a Consultant and Expert Witness for several Attorneys in the
> > > North State and contract with the National Center for Dispute Settlement
> > > as an Arbitrator for Manufacturer's Warranty Disputes (Toyota &
> > > DaimlerChrysler) in CA, OR and NV. I am also a "Shepherd", serving as an
> > > elder for the Redding Church of Christ since 1972.
> > >
> > > Margaret and I will celebrate our 50th Wedding Anniversary in May next
> > > year. We have three sons, who live near Redding, a daughter who lives in
> > > Bend OR, and 11 grandchildren. I feel truly blessed to have lived a life
> > > that has given me the experiences and memories that I share with family
> > > and friends. It just keeps getting better!
> > >
> > > Tom, Redding CA - #216 D/GCC..
|