This will be a series of letters written by Allan Girdler, later to become editor of Road & Track, and Cycle World to John, his former co-worker at the Tulsa World , crew member on his Lotus Super 7 and Elva Courier, and later a fellow SCCA National Driver. The letters were written during the 60s and 70s to John while in college, while serving in Saigon, South Vietnam, and after he was discharged from service and a newly wed.
The Tornado Race at War Bonnet: or "Are we in Kansas yet, Toto?"
May 30, 1967
Dear John,
You've seen the Monday paper, so I won't bother to tell you the full story, but it was quite a time. The race stopped by the twister was mine. It rained for the one before, then quit, and a huge cloud came over while we were on the race grid. Rain and hail started as we made the parade lap (a Healey spun going into 2A on the parade lap) and I didn't notice anything until I came round the lefthander on the first lap, in the back of the pack, naturally.
Guys came leaping out of everywhere, waving red flags. I stopped on the straight, and saw a big tarp, revolving slowly, drifting up into the air, followed by an aluminum lawn chair. So help me, I thought of the movie Wizard of Oz, the witch on her bike. All the score sheets were trapped in a little whirlwind in front of the timing stand. The Healey came past, about five minutes later, and motioned me to come along. I assumed he had some sort of official word, so I came.
We drove around, with more guys waving more flags. He shouted at them, and I gestured that I was with him. We finally stopped at the south end, and huddled under a tent, with about 10 more drivers and workers. Ankle-deep in water, soaked through, shaking with cold, we a got the word that the races were over. We all agreed it was just as we11, and we all tripped back to the pits. I climbed into the car (kid across the street crewed for me) and wrapped myself around the heater. Then the loudspeaker booms, "the sixth race will be re-started, all cars to the grid." I went. So did everybody else. Damn fools.
Still pouring rain, and I had never driven in the rain before. At least I forgot about the cold. Mud slides coming through the esses and out of the hairpin, puddles in the apex of the first dogleg and on the straight. I could get a good grip on the straight, and really began to motor after a few laps. I thought. Guy in a Carrera came up behind me in the esses, flashed his lights and came by me on the lefthander, I on the inside.
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I was told later that he was lapping at 50 seconds, in pouring rain, through puddles and mud. You would have enjoyed watching. I was lapping at 60-plus, toward the end, and that's as brave as I want to be.
The guy with the green and red [Lotus] Seven was ahead of me and decided that he, too, could take the lefthander at full chat. All four wheels broke loose, he said later, and he went straight off, into the mud and down the slope. He got back in later, and came up behind me as we got the one-lap signal. I pulled him on the straight, blocked him through the esses, and pulled him again coming out of the hairpin and across the line. I ain't half pleased with myself?
One of the DA's men [Allan was the World's Court Reporter] left before the storm really hit and he said Monday that he was waiting in traffic on the section line road going to new 51, looked back and saw the cloud, and the small, brown funnel come out of it and dipped to the pits.
I borrowed a windbreaker and drove the car home, covered with mud, but once again in good shape. Both me and the car, that is. I forgot to mention that with the goggles so close to your eyes, you can see thourgh the rain. Couple of times, I was splashed with mud, but the rain just washed it off, so I kept going.
Now back to regular business. I have already sent a picture of the MG tag to Sports Car, and it will run shortly.
How are you going to make Independence if you have sold the car? Cheer up, the car probably won't sell. (I just said that to make you feel good.)
The poly car is now called something else, but I forget what. The word now is that it will debut at Ponca. Good show, if so. I have mentioned that R&T is interested in a story, with pictures, if the car does well. Want to take the pictures? It might be a good
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to get your foot in the door. You'll need a good way; R&T runs a little item once a year or so, saying that they get heaps of requests for jobs, but that you'll have to have something more than interest toffer. Like erperience. I know, you're different, but that's the way it works. As you know, CL [Car Life] has expressed interest in your obt. svt. [ no idea] but it has never gone further than that.
Closer to home channel 2 is short two or so guys, and it might not hurt for you to sound them out. Or should I? Don't know how much experience they will require but they are propositioning all the r&r radio news boys here.
Forgot. Don't know whether Casey has sold his [Lotus 7] car. I'm afraid to ask. I'm using his windshield, and it's mine if he sells the car without it. I don't want to remind him.
Ken will probably wait until next year. Mike, far as I know, isn't doing anything [racing]. Did you know that 80 per cent of the guys who go to one drivers school don't make it through to national license?
USAC drivers are chicken.
Letter 2: The Lotus 7 Engine Lets Go more to come Directory Charlene's Rogue's Gallery: vintage racing photos Copyright 1998-2004 Lone Star Web Designs Ltd.
Last Updated: 2/22/04
