LATE BRAKING NEWS

by Ben C. Hracing

Hello again,

I would like to begin this article with an appology. You may recall in my last article I wrote about the signal flags used in racing, and how they changed over the years. I stated seeing a photo taken at the end of the 1904 Vanderbilt Cup race where the starter was waving a checker flag. This was wrong. It turns out the photo I was looking at was for the 1906 Vanderbilt Cup race. Also, after I had written that article a pamphlet was published that revealed the findings of auto racing historian Fred R. Egloff concerning the origin of the checker flag. Oddly enough, it is titled ........."Origin of the Checker Flag". But don't expect me to tell you about Mr. Egloff's findings. I will not steal his thunder. If you would like to find out what he discovered, you can find out how to purchase your own pamphlet by writing to: The International Motor Racing Research Center at Watkins Glen, 610 South Decatur Street, Watkins Glen, N.Y. 14891-1613, or look them up on the internet at www.racingarchives.org. The money you spend will be well spent, as the Center is constantly looking to expand their library and resource material.

My last several articles have been about the early days of racing. Prior to that I would write stories I had heard over the years. I have not run out of material, but I have decided to ask for contributions from all of you. If you have a story you would like to share, please email me your story. I will probably write you back for clarification on one or more points, or ask for more information, then at some point in time your story could very well show up in this column. I also intend to include a column offering advise to the lovelorn. Because I am in the Federal Witness Program I had to set up an email address which is not readily traceable, because Guido and Luca are still looking for me. Also, the only time I am able to access it is when the U.S. Marshal asigned to me leaves his laptop on when he gets groceries or makes a beer run (more for him than me--he says I drive him to drink). So you will have to be patient when corresponding with me, or waiting for your story to show up in my column. And when you email me, please identify yourself and the nature of the email, or I may not open it. I make it a point never to open email from a sender I do not know. And please, no pornography! I would have a lot of explaining to do if that showed up on Marshal Dillon's laptop. Come to think of it, so would he! So, if you have a good story to share, or need advise concerning matters of the heart, send it to me at benchracing@hotmail.com.

Now on to this month's story.

This story happened a number of years ago at a major open wheel series event, at a track which shall remain nameless. There was a large crowd at the track, and the Paddock was very crowded. There was some down time between sessions, and the cars of the major open wheel series were still in the pits. One of the teams wanted to practice changing tires on their car. So, two of the crewmen were standing just inside the paddock, by their pits, looking over the spectators for someone who would fit in their car. A family walked by them. One member of the family was a shapely young lady. The two crewmen looked her over and decided she was about the right height and weight for their purposes. They quickly walked up behind her, picked her up, and carried her into their pits. Before she knew it, they set her in the car, told her they needed her help to practice tire changes, explained which pedal to push for the brake, and which buttons NOT to touch on the steering wheel and dashboard. They then proceeded to practice changing tires while she sat there grinning from ear to ear.

When I heard this story I thought to myself that what the crew did was masterful public relations. I am sure everyone who witnessed it was smiling. And when the young lady who was sitting in the race car returned home she probably told all of her friends about it, and anyone else who would listen.

Now for the rest of the story: According to the person who shared the story with me, the young lady who was carried into the pits was a minor. And not only was she a minor, but she also got into the track without getting charged an admission fee.

How does that expression go about some days it is better to be lucky than good?

Now send me some stories.

'til next time,

Ben