I have had much the same kind of experiences. Running four cars at Sebring
in 1966 with three people and myself. All nighters were the norm just to
keep the blasted things ready for the next practice day. Oh well, the pay
was wonderful all $4.00 of it.,
----- Original Message -----
From: Paul Richardson <Paul-Richardson@cyberware.co.uk>
To: <fot@autox.team.net>
Sent: Monday, February 01, 2000 1:50 AM
Subject: Racing Mechanics
> Hi gang
>
> I've just come across an article I must have ripped out a motor magazine
in
> which the author says, 'How glamorous the life of a racing mechanic is,'
> and how it carries 'perks' - like all 'expenses paid trips round the
> world," and "teams of 60 hard working mechanics who change a set of tyres
> and refuel in the miraculous time of 7 seconds," and " work well into the
> small hours"
>
> He' was obviously a young writer, because in my day there were usually two
> of us looking after 1 car - often 1 of us. To change tyres we had quick
> lift jacks we made ourselves, and had to undo 5 or 6 wheel nuts with speed
> braces. I remember at Daytona and several European circuits we refueled
> cars with five gallon churns, which had thin 16 gauge by inch handles.
When
> you'd refueled a car every hour and a half for twenty four hours your
hands
> were usually swollen and sore. As for 'working well into the small hours,'
> I remember at one 24 hour race two of us rebuilt a gearbox over night in
> first practice, and the engine the next night. Come race day we both
looked
> like we'd done ten rounds with George Foreman ( black eyes etc). When the
> race started we'd had two all nighters and had another 24 hours to go.
Half
> way through the race we praying for an engine blow, so we could just fall
> asleep where we stood. No such luck the car finished the race, we won the
> class, packed the transporter drove back to the hotel and fell asleep in
> our overalls on our beds missing the prize giving. Next day up at six to
> catch the boat back to England.
>
> I'm sure any race mechanics on the list, including Kas, will agree that
> racing in the sixties for mechanics was bloody hard work, - apart from
> being a marvelous experience. - They've never had it so good these days.
>
> Paul
>
>
>
|