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Indianapolis Vintage races

To: morgans@autox.team.net
Subject: Indianapolis Vintage races
From: FPS3@aol.com
Date: Tue, 24 Oct 2000 16:59:27 EDT
>From Kevin Clemmins with a couple of things added...
Fred Sisson

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 23, 200

Underrated Morgan Team Storms to Come From Behind Victory

Speedway, Indiana-- The sport of motor racing has on rare occasion produced 
epic performances. Legendary performances such as Nuvolari at Monaco in the 
Thirties and Fangio at the Nurburgring in the Fifties are now joined by an 
extraordinary drive at the scenic Indianapolis Raceway Park yesterday. Bob 
(aka "Kermit") Wilson and his son Michael (aka "Mike") overcame a last place 
starting position and a mid-race pitstop to finish first in the 8-lap enduro 
feature race at this venerable old motor racing circuit. The usually reserved 
crowd at IRP went wild with the pair's victory in their powerful but 
temperamental 1937 Morgan 4-4.
     The strategy used by the team to win this most prestigious event was 
unusual. Bob Wilson had qualified the car last on the grid, leading to 
grumbling about sandbagging by some of the other drivers. The Indiana Gaming 
Commission looked into these charges, based upon the large amounts that had 
been wagered on the race outcome and have given the proceedings a clean bill 
of health. Kermit started well, maintaining close contact with the lead pack. 
Several laps into the race, he dove onto the pit lane where his son Mike was 
ready to take controls of the Malvern Links supercar. The team's resident 
femme fatale Natalie (aka "the wrench") jumped into action with flawless pit 
work to get the team back onto the track ahead of the lead pack. From there 
it was a simple matter for the younger Wilson to keep the car on the track 
for the victory. Late in the race, fighting fatigue, young Wilson did engage 
in a bit of agriculture motoring on the famed Carasol. His proud father 
watched as young Michael deftly recovered from a graceful three-sixty in the 
dirt, to maintain his lead position.    
     The use of the pit stop to win in racing is well understood in Formula 
One and Indy Car racing, but until now has only seen limited success in the 
high pressure world of Vintage Racing. The strategy was evolved after Michael 
blew up the engine in his Morgan racing car and whined long enough until his 
father said he would let him drive. From such simple things, comes greatness. 
Other teams will no doubt follow this pit stop innovation and soon having 
cars suddenly entering the pits will be a normal part of every Group One Race.
     Upon receiving congratulations from the crowd for his first major race 
win, Michael Wilson replied with a laconic "Yeah, right." Moments later, his 
illustrious and loquacious father summed up his feelings about the stunning 
win with the words "Yeah, right."  Latter, off the record, young Michael 
revealed  his innermost thoughts as he was spinning toward the retaining 
wall. Just what divine inspiration enabled him to miss the wall, regain 
control and continue on to victory?  "I only had two thoughts. I hope Mom's 
not watching and if I dent this (car) Dad's going to kill me."
This race win, which stands as one of the most startling and courageous in 
all of the annals of racing, has to put this quixotic team in strong form for 
next year's championship.

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