In a message dated 2/28/01 12:14:16 PM US Eastern Standard Time,
lwdent@fwi.com writes:
> Anybody that doubts that the US Nationals is a major show has never
> spent a couple of days down there.
>
>
When I became media director at IRP, I was a road racing snob and had never
seen a drag race. For my first spectate, I went to the staging area and
stood between the cars, back from the Christmas tree. A couple fuel dragsters
were staged. I had no ear protection, wore contact lenses, had no idea what
to expect. When the cars left the line the ground vibrated, my contact
lenses melted (!), I think I bled from the ears and I am sure there was a wet
spot where I was standing.
Several years later I was involved in Don Prudhomme's funny car program with
US Army sponsorship. It was a marvel watching the mechanics works; the
organization was every bit as clean and professional as Penske's operation
and the racing was exciting. BTW, Don drove a Ferrari 308 as his personal
machine. I remember being awestruck at the sight of rows of huge, polished
pistons in their own racks, set out for changing between runs. Now they just
change the whole darn engine!
tom
The Easley Vintage Grand Prix
IRP, October 6-7, 2001
Proceeds to the American Red Cross of Greater Indianapolis
Tom Butters
The Greens Fork Group
Creative communications
765.886.5098
No City in the history of racing has ever hosted the four greatest events of
their kind,
as we do here with the Indianapolis 500, the US Grand Prix, the Brickyard 400
and the NHRA US Nationals.
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