Indy 500

[Jimbo357mag]

This year's Indy 500 will be run on Sunday at 12:00 Noon. I will be watching if at all possible. This will be ABC's 50th telecast. Amazing. I can still remember all those races with Jim MaKay announcing and Jackie Stewart doing color. Remember A.J. Foyt, Andy Granatelli the turbine car and STP, Mario Andretti driving one of the first rear engined cars, Danny Sullivan's infamous spin-and-win. Great Stuff.

http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/wireStory/abc-reaches-milestone-50th-telecast-indy-500-23801316

ABC Reaches Milestone 50th Telecast of Indy 500

quote> What began as a simple, black-and-white highlights package in 1965 on the seminal "Wide World of Sports" program has grown into one of the marquee events in ABC's sports portfolio, and a test ground for innovations such as in-car cameras that are now common in auto racing coverage.

"In 2011, ESPN and Indianapolis Motor Speedway announced a six-year agreement that began last year and will keep the race on ABC through 2018. That means the network will be able to celebrate another milestone in two years: The 100th running of the "Greatest Spectacle in Racing."

For now, it's all about celebrating the 50th anniversary on ABC. <end quote

 

[graygun]

I enjoy this race.

 

[RugerHound]

I haven't watched the Indy in many many years... I hear a lot changed some years ago. I really struggled with the commercials, and have never been able to just sit and watch much on TV anyway without becoming distracted with local 'reality' ! The Indy was one event that I actually could sit through the odd time that I have a TV available to me. The sound of the doppler shift as the cars sped by the camera & sound equipment. Man... That sound! eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeyewwwwwwwwwwwwwwww.

I would mainly (through the 70s & 80s) listen to the Indy on AM Radio back when there weren't commercials every 4 minutes. I remember the end of the Offenhauser engines and the dawning of the Ford 'Cosworth V8'. For a gearhead like me, those were the stuff of dreams. Absolutely fantastic technology. The 'Offy' from the 1930s and the Cosworth from the late 1960s. 200+ mph with your butt 2" from the pavement ... Man oh man. There are no wimps at Indy. Open wheel racing at its most dangerous.

I actually knew Rick Mears many years ago... I built racing engines with Don Hatz for his brother Roger back when he was doing the Baja circuit. Rick is one of the nicest people I've ever met not only in the business, but anywhere else for that matter. He knew I was from New England and had grown up in the snow. He once told me that driving Indy is '...like driving your family car at 100 miles an hour on black ice, except everything happens about 3 times faster with 5 times the Gs...'. I remember the '82 race where Rick & Gordon Johncock fought a mighty battle, Johncock winning out. Rick was crushed, but he remained ever the gentleman throughout the ordeal of post-racing interviews. Man, Rick was/is my racing hero.

Yeah - Indy was once known as 'The Greatest Spectacle In Sports'...

"Back Home in Indiana" & "Gentlemen; Start your engines!"

Thanks for the thread & the memories Jimbo... Yeah, Jim McKay, Jackie Stewart, Sullivan's masterpiece of driving when he lost it driving over the painted apron stripe. Stunning! All fond memories. It's nice to reminisce. God bless the drivers, crews and the families. Let's hope for a safe and fantastic Indy race for '14!

 

[Bucks Owin]

Since Danica Patrick is now racing NASCAR, I can't drum up much interest.... :?

But then, I'm a hot rodder and NHRA drag racing is my "thing" 8)

 

[SAJohn]

For a flavor of earlier 500's, I recommend Wilbur Shaw's autobiography "Gentlemen, Start Your Engines".

 

[FastEd]

This year's Indy 500 will be run on Sunday at 12:00 Noon. I will be watching if at all possible. This will be ABC's 50th telecast. Amazing. I can still remember all those races with Jim MaKay announcing and Jackie Stewart doing color. Remember A.J. Foyt, Andy Granatelli the turbine car and STP, Mario Andretti driving one of the first rear engined cars, Danny Sullivan's infamous spin-and-win. Great Stuff.

http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/wireStory/abc-reaches-milestone-50th-telecast-indy-500-23801316

ABC Reaches Milestone 50th Telecast of Indy 500

quote> What began as a simple, black-and-white highlights package in 1965 on the seminal "Wide World of Sports" program has grown into one of the marquee events in ABC's sports portfolio, and a test ground for innovations such as in-car cameras that are now common in auto racing coverage.

The most talented driver ever to race at Indy was Jimmy Clark.


"In 2011, ESPN and Indianapolis Motor Speedway announced a six-year agreement that began last year and will keep the race on ABC through 2018. That means the network will be able to celebrate another milestone in two years: The 100th running of the "Greatest Spectacle in Racing."

For now, it's all about celebrating the 50th anniversary on ABC. <end quote

 

[graygun]

It seems the main thing nowadays in wheeled racing is the set-up since most of the equipment is standardized.

 

[Rick Courtright]

Hi,

The new cars are phenomenal pieces of engineering, but I kinda think the "cigar cars" such as Jimmy Clark's were among the prettiest.

And then there are the "oldies!" This is a 1911 National, made by the National Motor Vehicle Company in Indianapolis, and one of three factory race cars they entered in the 1911 Indy 500. It finished 7th! And it's still running--this picture's from a vintage auto race at the Buttonwillow Raceway in CA a couple of years ago. Notice the "piddle pads" under it? The car had just been towed in off the track, where it had broken something in the gearbox. Again? Judging by the numerous welds on the casing, the guys are getting good at fixing it...

For size reference, there's a second National running here in CA--it's a later model, only raced out here as far as anyone can tell--and you can see it out on the track. (Those are 35" wheels!) Remember the mechanic rode along then, too, so they always run this one "two up" to look authentic:

Rick C

 

[graygun]

Seeing all the different entries was half the fun.

 

[willk]

The most talented driver ever to race at Indy was Jimmy Clark.

A+++

 

[opos]

I well recall back in the 50's when I was a teen and young "20's" something...no tv broadcast...loved to listen to the track announcers...think there were 4...they would "go around the track" and hand off from one announcer to another as the leader came around...Hear the road of the engine in the background as the car went buy....recall things like "he's diving out of the turn into the short chute...take it away (announcer on the next turn)...he'd "carry the description" through the turn and hand off to the stretch commentator...Recall the cars on the streets with their windows down (no air conditioning then) and you could hear the race being broadcast on many of the car radios. It was just fun to visualize things with the radio rather than all the pop ups, crawls, overlays and commercials on the TV these days...just more fun. I still watch it..we had occasion to go to Indy a few years ago and got to take a "lap" around the track in a van...much fun and the museum is great with all the history and all the cars.

 

[graygun]

I saw IRL races at Ft Worth in '01 and '02 with infield access. It's a flat out track...220+ mph all the time...two leaders very close near the end...hoping they don't rub tires.

Any race is much more enjoyable live...NHRA natl. events maybe the most different than TV.

 

[RugerHound]

Hi,

The new cars are phenomenal pieces of engineering, but I kinda think the "cigar cars" such as Jimmy Clark's were among the prettiest.

And then there are the "oldies!" This is a 1911 National, made by the National Motor Vehicle Company in Indianapolis, and one of three factory race cars they entered in the 1911 Indy 500. It finished 7th! And it's still running--this picture's from a vintage auto race at the Buttonwillow Raceway in CA a couple of years ago. Notice the "piddle pads" under it? The car had just been towed in off the track, where it had broken something in the gearbox. Again? Judging by the numerous welds on the casing, the guys are getting good at fixing it...

For size reference, there's a second National running here in CA--it's a later model, only raced out here as far as anyone can tell--and you can see it out on the track. (Those are 35" wheels!) Remember the mechanic rode along then, too, so they always run this one "two up" to look authentic:

Rick C

Good ole Buttonwillow! Thanks for the photos Rick. Somehow the old two-seaters just don't look quite right with driver & mechanic wearing full face helments and racing suits...

 

[mjpchief]

Amen on Jimmy Clark. Kinda lost interest in Indy Car racing when Jimmy was killed. Watched NASCAR for a lot of years but not much anymore. Outlaw sprints and NHRA when I can.

 

[FastEd]

In Dayton, 1958, I bought a ticket for $1.00 on the Indy 500 race. It had three cars. To win, my cars had to finish one, two, and three. Number one Jimmy Bryan was an old timer. Number two, George Amick was a rookie starting in the 25 hole and number three was Johnny Boyd. It was a real long shot. When the race started a big crash on the first lap took out all the favorites. At the finish, Bryan won, Amick was second and Boyd was third. The one dollar ticket paid $500.00.

 

[WIL TERRY]

MY favorite driver was LLoyd Ruby....

 

[Rick Courtright]

Somehow the old two-seaters just don't look quite right with driver & mechanic wearing full face helments and racing suits...

Hi,

I'm with ya, Pete: goggles combined with those cloth or leather "helmets," long dusters, and flowing scarves looked SO much better! But rules are rules... grrrr...

Rick C

 

[Bull Barrel]

Dnaicant Patrick is right where she belongs in the weekly circus known as na$car.
Indy has been crap since USAC was run out.
A friend's dad did the radio call at Indy for a few years.

 

[stevemb]

I find road courses more exciting than going round in circles. I find going around in circles more exciting than going in a straight line for a 1/4 of one mile. I've been to, and filmed friends racing at Nelson, Mid-Ohio and the Poconos. My big Sis who steeplechased and timber raced found running a horse around a track in a circle kinda dull. It's a matter of perspective I guess. I used to off-road quite a bit, the best pics not taken because no one would get out in the mud/snow to take the pic. Was told to NEVER use the Tionesta car wash again. Our mud got too deep for the cars following us to get thru. We don't need no stinkin' pavement ! I do appreciate the pomp and ceremony that go with Indy,etc.. It's cool and real. Enjoy.

 

[Brules]

MY favorite driver was LLoyd Ruby....

Great driver.

 

[Colonialgirl]

I seem to recall that the old Cunningham Auto Museum in Santa Ana or Costa Mesa had a 1939/1940 Indy racer on display; they would start it up and then Rev that engine to over 10,000 RPM; They explained that it had Roller bearings the usual metal/babbit bearings; WHEEEEEE is how it sounded. They said that it ran in a couple of Races AFTER WW2.

here's a couple of links to photos of the collection; The Youtube has annoying music so turn down the sound, AND the filming is definitely amateur; The other is a picture collection to page through.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3bZDXDxZlpE

https://www.google.com/search?q=Briggs+Cunningham+auto+museum&rlz=1C1AVSA_enUS434US434&es_sm=93&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=4lSBU6idJYWBqgaEzYKgAQ&ved=0CGUQ7Ak&biw=854&bih=450&dpr=1.5

 

[opos]

For those that have never been to the Indy museum I thought a couple of pics might be in order...we spend a whole morning just wandering around..had one special moment...there is the Ferrari car driven by Johnny Maruo...He was from Denver and had a Nash dealership there...I bought a 52 MGTD used roadster from him in 1954 when it simply wouldn't sell to anyone...I loved that old MG...sure wish I had it today..any way the museum has wonderful history if you ever get a chance to see it...they will also take you around the track in a van...not fast but a real kick to drive down that front straight past the Pagoda and into the first turn..we really loved it...here are some pics...if you click on the thumbnail and get the big picture you can use the back arrow to see more pics...sorry about the 2 "non indy pics" included..(one revolver and one deer)...they were just there and I'm too lazy to remove them...opos

 

[Cooperhawk]

Bunch of old curmudgeons! I'll be watching Indy and then NASCAR. Looks like a good day.

 

[graygun]

I watched the F1 race this morning.

 

[Jimbo357mag]

43 laps to go. Marco Andretti ??? Crowd favorite. A long time since 1969 when Mario won.

 

[willk]

I watched the Little 500 and the Ladies Little 200. Great races. If you missed them try renting or purchasing a copy of "Breaking Away" to get an idea of what the racing is like.

A+ on the Indy Museum. More than just Indy 500 racers.

 

[Rick Courtright]

Hi

Great move by race officials to red flag it with only half a dozen laps to go... winning under green has got to be much more satisfying for the drivers than under yellow. Certainly better for the fans, too.

The guys ran a good race--one of the safer ones I remember--and congratulations to Ryan Hunter-Reay and Andretti Racing for an "edge of your seat" finish!

Rick C

 

[FastEd]

Fantastic Finish!

 

[graygun]

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