6 replies to this topic

[E1pix]

I need and am asking for some basic information regarding the Lathrop Offenhauser, and any Lathrop family history that’s known within Champ Car racing.

I’m doing a project regarding the topic, but some details need clarifying and the entire project is discreet at this point. Meaning, I’m asking for knowledge from members here.

Thanks in Advance.



(RIP, Harry Ingle)

[ReWind]

The life dates of A.B. Lathrop (1918 – 1970) you can find in my Lives on 4 Wheels thread here on TNF and on FindAGrave.

 

With his wife Jane (1919 – 2008) he had five children. His eldest son Steve (Stephen Adams Lathrop, b. 1942) seems to be still alive and residing in Zionsville, Indiana.

Edited by ReWind, 14 March 2024 - 14:36.

[E1pix]

Thank You very much.

I could have been clearer, Sorry, There’s not much info on the elder Lathrop’s Racing Associates team, beyond it being on Pole at Indy in 1959. My project relates to Steve, who’s indeed alive and I have contact info for, I’m just interested in more of what’s known about the family’s exploits at Indy between 1955 to 1960.

Their last year at the Brickyard shows as 1960, and driver Johnny Thomson was killed in an unrelated Sprint car crash after Indy.

I’d welcome any info about this team, without my calling Steve and losing the project’s necessary discretion — if you get my drift.

Thanks.

[Michael Ferner]

Not really sure what you're after, Eric. Racing Associates, as a team, existed well beyond 1960, until 1977 the very least, although Art Lathrop was no longer involved, of course. On the other hand, Lathrop was already a car owner at the Indy 500 before teaming up with D. Coleman Glover as "RA" in 1955, namely with the 3-L Racing Team in 1953 and '54, together with brothers Sylvester (junior) and Nelson G. Johnson, plus Frederic T. Holliday. All five of them were, as best as I can determine, 'business and society men' from Indianapolis, and beyond that I wouldn't know anything worth telling about their racing exploits that wouldn't bore the hell out of their relatives. More likely than not, they were 'money men' keeping way back, out of the limelight, providing the means to the racing professionals (in this case: Danny Quella, Rocky Philipp and Herb Porter) in exchange for bragging rights at their local club or lodge.

[E1pix]

Thanks for the info, Michael!

I understand if not predicted any confusion I’ve inflicted. One never knows who’s reading, hence my vague approach.

A few old and mutual friends of mine seek proper career recognition for one of their own, and I offered to do the presentation. This thread was to establish some racing roots and will only be a paragraph, so it’s likely I have enough.

From what Michael said, Racing Associates remained an entity until 1977. Did it start in Midgets, for example, or was Lathrop’s involvement only with Indy cars? And if so, did that start in 1955, or earlier?

Thanks All, tough to do this without saying much more, but any and all information is helpful!

To 10kDA, Thanks for the info you PMed!

[Michael Ferner]

I am not aware of any Midget activity of Lathrop and/or Racing Associates, but that doesn't mean much, it could still have happened (MIdget racing, especially in that time frame, is a universe of its own - VERY large, and filled mostly with dark matter).

 

Lathrop started his Indy involvement in 1953 with 3-L Racing. I don't think he ever dabbled in Sprint cars.

[E1pix]

Awesome, Michael… Thanks.

That’s probably all I need, short of anyone who might have personal knowledge of the family during the Indy car period.

Appreciate it!