 |
|
Mark Donahue’s #66 1972 McLaren/Offenhauser Indy 500 winner. (The Tomaso
Collection)
|
No Fenders 'Offical Shutterbug Carpets, aka Dave,
my mostest Indianapolis Host & personal IMS Sherpa continued escorting me
throughout Thy glorious IMS Hall of Fame museum on Monday, the day after the
B-I-G' race...
Penske Collection
- McLaren M16B-Offenhauser
- AMC Trans Am Javelin
- Porsche 917/10 Can Am "Spyder"
- Porsche 917/30 Can Am "Spyder"
- Chevrolet Z/28 Trans Am Camaro
Having said goodbye to Bernie; our IMS Museum
Staff member - who'd given us a guided tour, Dave escorted Mwah thru the
remaining portion of the IMS Museum's other exhibit I was interested in. As
they were paying homage to whom I prefer calling El Capitano', nee Roger
Penske, who's widely known moniker is "The Captain."
As Penske Racing was celebrating its 50th
Anniversary in motor racing, and thus it seemed only natural that Roger was
tapped to drive the honorary Pace Car during the 100th Running of the Indy 500.
Unfortunately, my memories of exactly what
was on hand has faded, albeit I seemingly was more intrigued by the Fendered'
vehicles vs. the fairly mundane litany 'O Spec Dallara IRL chassis, although
I'm a B-I-G' Fan of the BAD HABBITZ' mobiles, livery-wise! Since after all,
Mother Speedway is Roger's playground...
Having traveled down Memory lane several years ago
when reminiscing 'bout Penske's then 40th Ammiversary, when I was a HUGE Will
Power fan, it's hard to believe Roger's now celebrated fifty years in motor
racing...
As presumably the "real" 1972 Mark
Donohue Indy 500 winner was on display, since according to "D-Squared,"
nee IMS Historian Donald Davidson, theirs is the genuine article, which he told
me a decade ago. And it wouldn't have to have traveled very far...
Alas, from my quickly jotted; Err typed notes
upon returning home last year, I noted how I Thunk'; Hmm? There was an American
Le Mans Series winning Porsche RS Spyder on-hand? As know somewheres' during
course of weekend Dave and I kabitzed 'bout DHL having sponsored El Capitano's
Sports Cars prior to going IndyCar racing with Mikey A's Andretti Autosport squad.
Mr. Carpets' was kind enough to let me drone
on 'bout the various racecars we strolled past, as I recall some museum visitor
latching on to us, intently listening to my running dialogue over the various
Trans Am and Can Am machinery unhand. Seem to recall launching into a brief
rant about "George Am," aka George Follmer and those most WICKED
Porsche 917 Spyders! Which I've had the good fortune of witnessing whistlin'
round Laguna Seca!
Since even though I know Donohue scored Penske's
maiden Indy 500 win, I tend to first think of him piloting that awesome Sunoco
917/30 Can Am monster, then being the Fly in FoMoCo's Trans Am Mustang's
success, and Oh, yeah, he also raced in Formula 1...
I've also enjoyed seeing 'N hearing the
Zed-28 Camaro and Javelin Trans Am beasts in anger at various venues, i.e.;
Sonoma, Laguna Seca, Portland and Kent, WA during various vintage racing
events.
Uhm, actually seeing many various Sunoco T/A
(Trans Am) Camaro's in action over the years, albeit not sure if I've ever seen
the famed Acid dipped "Vinyl roof model...
And Thanxs to Blogmeister Miguel, during my
annual treks to The Valley of The Sun, specifically Scottsdale, AZ, I've
managed to see many of Team Penske's fabulous machines at the Penske Racing
Museum, which I've regaled Y'all 'bout my inaugural visit a zillion years ago
previously.
More Penske Collection
- 2015 Dallara DW12 Indy 500 winner
- Helmet collection
- Driver Suits
Whilst I don't remember which of the Marlboro
"SMOKEY SMOKES" "BAD HABBITZ' Dallara Indy Cars were on hand, I
do have Juan' photo from Dave simply titled "Marlboros." Along with
us stopping briefly to marvel at Juan Pablo Montoya's winner on display. Hmm?
Can the crafty Columbian run up front again? Having heard him Wall Smack last
year in Turn 2, surely he'll wish to duplicate his year's prior result,
especially with his buddy Fernando in the field.
As I do recall marveling at the vast array of
Team Penske driving helmets on display, in a glass case, remembering
"Rocket Rick's" (Mears) red and white Marlboro helmet. And
specifically, Montoya's Marlboro helmet and visor still sporting various bits
'O rubber from Race Day!
Also there were several of the driver's Nomex
Firesuits to take-in, before we hastily passed thru other "trinkets,"
along with several of the early day racecars, circa 1910's. As I remember a
nice gentleman, possibly an IMS staff member specifically stopping us to ask me
personally if I was enjoying the museum? As it's gotz' to be the White Cane,
eh? As I look forward to my next visit, circa 2018...
Kudos to Dave Carpets' O'Brien and the IMS Museum
Staff for such an enjoyable outing!
Arrivederci
Tomaso
