101 replies to this topic

[Jack-the-Lad]

I can recall TV coverage of the event when it happened.  Mark Donohue was being interviewed, and the issue of the performance difference between FA/F5000 and F1 was brought up.  I can recall Donohue's response quite clearly:  "Yes, but ours are 10 times cheaper", or words to that effect.   His point being that the stock-block FA/F5000 cars were far more accessible to new competitors than the clubby, exotic world of F1.   By the standards of that day, FA/F5000 was close to being a cost-controlled spec series.  Given the complaints about F1 costs and lack of competitiveness nowadays, his remarks are perhaps prescient.

I’m surprised a man as astute and intelligent as Donohue would give such a response. Maybe the organizers should have formulated a Cost Effectiveness Index of Performance.

[Tom Glowacki]

I found this today on Racer Magazine.The story of its origins

This pretty much mirrors my early attempts at sneaking into venues and race No-Go race areas.

 

"But this story really began 50 years ago on Sunday September 6, 1970 when my late father took me to Ontario Motor Speedway’s inaugural 500 mile USAC Championship race called the California 500. The reason I am sharing this now is that these two races at OMS played pivotal roles in determining my life’s direction"

 

https://racer.com/20...y-origin-story/

 

But Paul Pfanner parlayed it into a lifetime career.

 

 

 

 

Here is Chapter 1 of the story on Video

 

That video is not only hilarious in spots, but overall, a sweet reminescence of some teen aged guys getting to the race.