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Chris the Savior?
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Close racing has always been a hallmark of Chris Pook’s Long Beach Grand Prix – some years a little too close. (Below) Patrick Tambay drives his McLaren-Ford up and over the top of Niki Lauda’s Brabham-Alfa at the start of the 1979 event. Photo: Dover Entertainment
Fast Lines

Chris the Savior?

 Pete Lyons

Can Chris Pook save open-wheel road racing in America? Whatever the answer turns out to be, I reckon every reader of Vintage Racecar Journal has a personal stake in it.

Even if your interest in racing lies in its past, I’m sure you know about the present struggle to keep CART Champ Cars running. Weakened by years of, shall we say, unsuccessful management, the once-mighty Championship Auto Racing Teams machine has been grinding along slower and slower – pouring smoke, dropping oil, shedding parts. Major teams, drivers, manufacturers and sponsors have defected to the rival Indy Racing League. Champ Car grids have been shrinking pathetically. Journalists have CART obituaries all ready to print.

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Pete Lyons
Steve Natale has been playing with cars ever since he was old enough to first hold a matchbox car in his hand. A lifelong enthusiast of anything old with an engine in it or wheels on it, Steve has been active in the hobby for over 35 years. Currently he owns a successful marketing company with his wife Mary, is an automotive photographer, blogger and writer for several automotive magazines and regular contributor to various automotive websites. Steve has attended vintage car events and visited car museums and collections around the world.
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