04-25-2020, 05:58 PM
(This post was last modified: 06-17-2022, 01:54 AM by Terry Bentley.)
Chapter 31
Last year I remembered that horrible crash at start of the 1960 Indy race. There was almost no mention of it at first. Not until a caution flag came out during the race before any announcements of it was made.
There were stands set up in the infield of the northeast turn. This is one place many of the freak accidents occurred during the race. It was not uncommon for portable scaffolding to be assembled here that rose more than 30 feet up. You could get a much better view of the action around the track from a higher perch.
Right at last years Indy 500 start when the spectators all stood up at the drop of the green flag, one set of scaffolding tipped over and crashed down to the ground. Most of the people on this scaffolding tried to jump off and out of the way as it fell.
Some less fortunate spectators were the innocent victims seated on the lower stands below. They were trapped and crushed from the collapsing mass of timbers and piping. Not to mention the weight of bodies that were not able to get clear.
Watching that footage during a caution was sad to see. With all the shouting and screaming at start of race, the spectators either didnt notice or didnt bother about the situation for several laps. Two people died from the scaffolding falling and 50 people were injured and sent to the hospital.
![[Image: attachment.php?aid=4641]](https://www.vintagekartforum.com/attachment.php?aid=4641)
Back to todays race, the flag finally drops after two laps with that awesome gleaming Thunderbird pace car leading the way, pulls off the track. John Hurtubise jumps into the lead and holds on to it for 36 laps. After a pit stop, Jim Rathmann took the lead, then Parnelli Jones relieved Rathmann of this position two laps later.
![[Image: attachment.php?aid=4638]](https://www.vintagekartforum.com/attachment.php?aid=4638)
On lap 50 Paranelli Jones takes his first pit stop, then Eddie Sachs finally gets his chance to head the pack. Rathmann had some engine problems and dropped back. Jones takes back his lead after a pit stop and holding on during a yellow flag caused from a 5 car pile up in front of the pits.
This was a lucky break for whoever would be the lead car this lap. For the next 23 laps Jones remained there uncontested, since it was under caution. Leaders would receive $150 a lap. This was some easy money for that part of the race.
By lap 90 A J Foyt and Ruttman both had taken their turns leading some laps. But after that is was just Sachs and Foyt swapping positions for rest of the race. A J Foyt ended up taking the checker flag for his first Indy 500 win.
![[Image: attachment.php?aid=4639]](https://www.vintagekartforum.com/attachment.php?aid=4639)
There were several cars worth noticing. Cliff Griffith drove the McCulloch Engineering sponsored car. It was painted up bright yellow and black. Its a shame engine problems took it out on lap 55. That was a good looking car.
Another entry was driven by Don Davis. His sponsor was Dart Kart by Rupp. At lap 49 he was involved in a crash that took him out for the remainder of the race.
Looking at the stats I noticed chassis builders like Trevis, Eperly, Watson and Kurtis made big numbers. But Offenhauser engines dominated the field with 32 of the 33 entries.
That one lone oddball engine entry was driver Jack Brabham with the British Cooper/Climax car. It started in 13th position and mostly uneventful throughout the race. Despite all types of speculation, it did manage to stay together and finish a very respectable 9th. There may be some changes in future chassis design due to this showing.
![[Image: attachment.php?aid=4640]](https://www.vintagekartforum.com/attachment.php?aid=4640)
For my first week of summer break from school so far was going well. The actual Indy race was exciting. All the prerace hoopla started with the usual bands, music, and celebrities. Mel Torme sang the traditional "Back Home in Indiana". I can remember back far as Diana Shore singing. Tho I had no idea who she was at the time. It was the first Indy race I watched.
Mom liked to hear Mel Torme. She told me Mel Torme was a true musical prodigy. He did a excellent job singing that song. Yea, whatever... thinking to myself. She then mentioned "The Christmas Song" was one of her favorites.
She told me that about 10 years earlier another well known vocalist, Morton Downey, also did a great job singing "Back Home in Indiana" at the 500 race a couple of times. I had no idea of who that even was. My eyes roll while she is going on and on. Way before my time. Obviously thinking this only to myself with no chance of words escaping my mouth. I kept very tight lipped.
Last year I remembered that horrible crash at start of the 1960 Indy race. There was almost no mention of it at first. Not until a caution flag came out during the race before any announcements of it was made.
There were stands set up in the infield of the northeast turn. This is one place many of the freak accidents occurred during the race. It was not uncommon for portable scaffolding to be assembled here that rose more than 30 feet up. You could get a much better view of the action around the track from a higher perch.
Right at last years Indy 500 start when the spectators all stood up at the drop of the green flag, one set of scaffolding tipped over and crashed down to the ground. Most of the people on this scaffolding tried to jump off and out of the way as it fell.
Some less fortunate spectators were the innocent victims seated on the lower stands below. They were trapped and crushed from the collapsing mass of timbers and piping. Not to mention the weight of bodies that were not able to get clear.
Watching that footage during a caution was sad to see. With all the shouting and screaming at start of race, the spectators either didnt notice or didnt bother about the situation for several laps. Two people died from the scaffolding falling and 50 people were injured and sent to the hospital.
Back to todays race, the flag finally drops after two laps with that awesome gleaming Thunderbird pace car leading the way, pulls off the track. John Hurtubise jumps into the lead and holds on to it for 36 laps. After a pit stop, Jim Rathmann took the lead, then Parnelli Jones relieved Rathmann of this position two laps later.
On lap 50 Paranelli Jones takes his first pit stop, then Eddie Sachs finally gets his chance to head the pack. Rathmann had some engine problems and dropped back. Jones takes back his lead after a pit stop and holding on during a yellow flag caused from a 5 car pile up in front of the pits.
This was a lucky break for whoever would be the lead car this lap. For the next 23 laps Jones remained there uncontested, since it was under caution. Leaders would receive $150 a lap. This was some easy money for that part of the race.
By lap 90 A J Foyt and Ruttman both had taken their turns leading some laps. But after that is was just Sachs and Foyt swapping positions for rest of the race. A J Foyt ended up taking the checker flag for his first Indy 500 win.
There were several cars worth noticing. Cliff Griffith drove the McCulloch Engineering sponsored car. It was painted up bright yellow and black. Its a shame engine problems took it out on lap 55. That was a good looking car.
Another entry was driven by Don Davis. His sponsor was Dart Kart by Rupp. At lap 49 he was involved in a crash that took him out for the remainder of the race.
Looking at the stats I noticed chassis builders like Trevis, Eperly, Watson and Kurtis made big numbers. But Offenhauser engines dominated the field with 32 of the 33 entries.
That one lone oddball engine entry was driver Jack Brabham with the British Cooper/Climax car. It started in 13th position and mostly uneventful throughout the race. Despite all types of speculation, it did manage to stay together and finish a very respectable 9th. There may be some changes in future chassis design due to this showing.
For my first week of summer break from school so far was going well. The actual Indy race was exciting. All the prerace hoopla started with the usual bands, music, and celebrities. Mel Torme sang the traditional "Back Home in Indiana". I can remember back far as Diana Shore singing. Tho I had no idea who she was at the time. It was the first Indy race I watched.
Mom liked to hear Mel Torme. She told me Mel Torme was a true musical prodigy. He did a excellent job singing that song. Yea, whatever... thinking to myself. She then mentioned "The Christmas Song" was one of her favorites.
She told me that about 10 years earlier another well known vocalist, Morton Downey, also did a great job singing "Back Home in Indiana" at the 500 race a couple of times. I had no idea of who that even was. My eyes roll while she is going on and on. Way before my time. Obviously thinking this only to myself with no chance of words escaping my mouth. I kept very tight lipped.