Clearly it's possible there is no program that might evoke more discussion on it's use (or misuse, some might say) than Adobe Photoshop. Frankly I've heard the arguments and many are only opinion or an attempt to argue for the sake of argument.
I found this and had to put it on my BLOG. It shows the position of Open Wheel racing in 1961, when they were able to guess who A.J. Foyt and Ray Harroun were in just five questions! I think you'll agree, today it would not go as well. Hopefully we will get to this point again in the future. Notice also at one point, that Ray Harroun is using a speaker in order to hear the conversation. When A.J. says he feels driving at Indianapolis is safe, I think he would admit today it was never safe, maybe more of a calculated risk. In his first race at Indy in 1958, during the first lap, Pat O'Connor was killed in a multi-car wreck. Because of this wreck, metal roll bars welded to the frame were mandated for the 1959 race. Also helmets were mandated to pass safety certification. In fact the number of drivers who died in a race car over his career is significant. Let's face it, he came close a few times himself.
A.J. is celebrating his 75th birthday January 16th of this year!
Copyright MMIX Ed Justice, Jr.
If you are old enough to remember; it was a new level of excitement, a higher level of professionalism and marketing being taken to new heights. When Mattel decided to hook their HOT WHEELS line of toys to the drag pairing of Don 'The Snake' Prudhomme and Tom 'The Mongoose' McEwen, magic happened and history was made.
In recent history, every May talks turns towards the Indy 500 and what type of crowd they will draw for the first weekend of qualifying, the race, etc. Also many talk about possible changes they would like to see. For me I think I would chose more diversity in the cars and engines.
The talk amoungst the racing crowd is also picking up speed with this subject. It seems to be getting louder and it's possible that the Indy Racing League might hear this and make the changes needed in the future to make this happen.
I don't remember when my dad first introduced me to Mickey Thompson, because he was always just there. By being just there I mean Mickey Thompson was everywhere. His name was associated with Bonneville and breaking speed records. For a young guy in my age group, the CHALLENGER streamliner was big stuff. To put it in perspective, Mickey was breaking speed records in the CHALLENGER on the ground, at the same time that the legendary X-15 was breaking speed records in the sky and space. I built the plastic model of it with my dad. I like many other guys my age knew every inch of this car. This was an incredible time in U.S.A. history. Then there was Mickey at Indy with the coolest cars of the time. They were low, wide and very different. Mickey ran Buick engines, he ran Pontiac engines. What a different time. Don't forget Mickey at the drag races, Mickey in off-road, Mickey at boat races. As I said, he was everywhere!
This is a story I think you'll really understand and appreciate if your into old things that are starting to sell for a lot of money, like vintage cars & motorcycles.
A fellow was over visiting his friend, when his friend said "Follow me I'd like to show you something I just got."
It seems appropriate to explain the BIG picture when it comes to the significance of the Indianapolis 500 to the world of racing since it just ran a few weeks back. Also since SPORTS ILLUSTRATED referred to it as "the race that was once America's most watched and celebrated". Now their statement could be a matter of semantics, but it definately got me thinking as to the real significance of the Indianapolis 500.
There probably isn't a day that goes by where you might read or hear news about some new alternative fuel powered motor vehicle. Flex-Fuel, Bio-Fuel, Hydrogen, Compressed Natural Gas, Electric, etc. On one day it might be considered the next great thing and then a few days later, some major flaw is found with this particular new form of power.
Automotive history means a lot to me. I love it! I’ve had the chance to meet most of the significant players in the automotive and racing world that have had an effect in at least the last 70 years. You probably know that my dad and uncles, were deeply involved in racing of all types since before World War II. When it comes to stock car racing, they were involved with it well before the formation of NASCAR.
I have to admit the cars that Dan Gurney built in his shop are some of my favorite race cars that have ever rolled onto a race track. The 1972 Eagle would have to be near the top of my all-time list when it comes to legendary and revolutionary race cars.
But this is only part of the story. . .