The Glory Days of Indy

Doug Fleming · Joined: 04 Dec 2003 Posts: 1995

Wow did I have some flash backs looking at those pictures. Some great cars. Those were the days. I even remember that kart. I raced P.J. in that at Carlsbad. Two flights in Kt heavy that night. He won His group and I won Mine. I was pole and He was off pole. When they threw the green I left town and never saw Him Cool

Next time Can I go as Your long lost Brother from another Mother.
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Doug Fleming
Remember a Diamond is just a piece of coal that did well under pressure
www.flemingmotorsports.com

Dan Schlosser · Posted: Fri Mar 12, 2010 8:32 pm Post subject:

Charlie was Jason's dad. They lived in Long Beach not far from the shop I guess. Long way from helping out in the shop to where he is now.

Curt Smock · Posted: Fri Mar 12, 2010 8:49 pm Post subject:

great pics Mike. Thanks for the link.
that collection would be a great exhibit by itself at IMS museum.

Tim Doll · Posted: Sat Mar 13, 2010 12:05 am Post subject:

Great photo's Chad, I didn't remember the color being that orange (I may need to re-paint my plastic model, which is red Embarassed

).

I saw those in action - a month or two after Indy they showed up at Castle Rock, Colorado - a road course track called Continental Divide Raceways - CDR (now it's a housing development). It was really weird - at that time the engine of choice for most of the field was a (naturally asperated) Ford V-8 - really, really loud - in contrast the turbine was a muted whine. After the cars spread out a bit you'd hear BAMB BAMB BAMB, BAMB BAMB BAMB, then a quite 'whoosh' as the turbine when by Cool

.

I don't remember who won, but one of the turbine Lotus cars finished second (about a half lap behind) - turns out it was the first time a turbine powered Indy car had finished a race. I didn't realize it at the time, but that was an impressive finish given how hard it was to deal with the turbine throttle lag on a road course. Another turbine Lotus had challenged for the lead at one point but dropped out with mechanical problems.

Those really were the glory days of Indy cars.

Tim
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Standard disclaimer - I'm FREE - No longer affiliated with any organization, I can say whatever I darn well please!.

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Mike Burris · Posted: Sat Mar 13, 2010 4:17 pm Post subject:

Thanks guys, glad I could share something that was a big part of the history and fan appeal that Indy cars brought to racing. One of the cars that I had an opportunity to see run was the #1 Viceroy Silver Crown car. It was unique in that it had the 4 cam Indy Ford engine in it with the cylinder heads reversed so the exhausts cam out the side instead of the top like in the rear engine cars. I also saw the same combo in a USAC Sprint car at Ascot with Foyt at the wheel during the same era. With the advent of the Turbo Offy, Ford pulled out and sold the rights to AJ Foyt who produced the engine under the Foyt name with a turbo on it.

Greg Nelson · Joined: 05 Jan 2004 Posts: 1712