When the FIA announced the 1984 Formula 1 calendar, I saw that Dallas Texas had been given the 9th race date of July 8th. The Dallas United States Formula 1 event would follow the Canada Grand Prix event on June 3, and the Detroit Grand Prix event on June 24.
I started to read about the Dallas event in “Auto Week” a periodical focused on racing with a section devoted to vintage racing. One of the articles in “Auto Week” noted a list of support races for the Dallas event which included the Dallas Grand Prix Vintage Auto Race for vintage racers from years 1962 to 1968.These were a similar class to Steve Earles’ class at the Monterey Histroics. “Hey – that’s me” I thought. Later at a spring Vintage Racing event at Laguna Seca I noticed a Don Walker from Dallas was listed as running a Ferrari. I went over to his transporter and introduced myself. He was the same Don Walker who was the Co-founder of the Dallas Grand Prix event.
We talked about his event and the Vintage support races. Don said my 1962 Lotus 23 would fit into the Vintage Auto Race event. Don gave me his card with the name of his administrator for the event and said he would alert her to my call. I waited until the following Tuesday and gave the administrator, Susan Lackey a call. She told me Don had talked with her and she would send me the entry forms and told me to call if I had any questions. I received the entry forms on March 18th. I immediately filled out the Entry Application for the Vintage race. After several phone calls to Susan I received my acceptance for the to drive smoothly to drive smoothly Vintage race on May 8th – I’m accepted!
Next came planning for the event.
The tow to Dallas from my home in San Carlos, about 15 miles north of Palo Alto would be 1,715 miles. I planned four days for the trip. My travel plans had to include a business commitment, I had to be in Las Vegas for a Computer trade conference on Monday afternoon, July 9th following the Dallas event. How to get the Lotus to Vegas? I started to scramble. Then a series of fortuitous events occurred. A fellow Lotus enthusiastic, Paul, who owned a Lotus Elan, lived a few minutes away from San Carlos. He was from Dallas, and he and his wife were flying to the event on Thursday, July 4th. He thought sharing the towing duties to Dallas would be great fun and save him a plane ticket. Plus, as part of the deal he would get a “hot-pit pass”, and he and his wife would tow the Lotus back to San Carlos. They were saved from buying two plane tickets back home, and I got the Lotus home – miracles of miracles. Getting the Lotus down to Dallas and getting it back home after the race were solved. For lodging I called my company counterpart in Dallas and asked if I could stay with him on his couch during the race week. He agreed, but said he was leaving for the Vegas Trade show on Thursday and I would only have one night on the couch than I would have the entire place to myself – things were looking up. I cleared arriving at the Vegas Trade show on Monday afternoon rather than Sunday. My plans were looking better every day.
I had one race, Sears Point, prior to the Dallas event and used the weekend to further sort out the Lotus and gain additional “Seat Time”. I was still in the novice category as a driver and I needed all the “Seat Time” I could get. I spent the next weeks prepping the Lotus for the Sears Point weekend. Paul joined me at the Sears weekend, and all went smoothly. I was becoming more familiar with the Lotus’ handling and capability. The Lotus came home and with Paul’s assistance the car was checked over for the four days of track time in Dallas.
The trailer was prepped for the tow to Dallas. Oh, did I mention the race would be held during July 5th to 8th – Mid-summer in “Big D”. My tow vehicle was a 1976 Mercury Station wagon. Lovingly called the “Queen Mary” or the “Family Huge-mobile” for its size and turning radius. With a 24-gal fuel tank we could handle the endless miles towing to Dallas and could easily tow the Lotus and carry all the tools and other equipment I would need for the racing weekend.
The Trip – With Paul and I both driving the tow went from 4 days to 3 days.
We loaded the Lotus onto the trailer Sunday, July 1st and were ready to go. I had checked out the Mercury for the trip and all was OK, especially the A/C. In the early AM on Monday July 2st I picked up Paul, loaded his gear and headed South on Hi way 101 to Gilroy, over Pacheco pass to I5 and South to Bakersfield. I5 was new and there were few service or food stops, But the Mercury with its range could handle the distances. Seeing scrub brush on both sides of the road down I5 was boring, but Paul and I talked about the race and the work he was doing to restore his Lotus Elan. The temp was in the in the high 90ies as it would be for the entire trip but, the A/C kept us comfortable. We continued South on I5 to Bakersfield where we picked up I40 East over the Tehachapi range. As we traveled East Paul’s knowledge of Geology was handy. He pointed out how the rain and wind carved out the various mountain ranges. We could pick up a few radio stations. The I40 section we travelled was part of the old Route 66. As we travelled and passed many 16 wheelers I saw a job that was not for me. The driving days wore on. As we got closer. Paul told me about growing up in Dallas and moving to northern California where our interest in Vintage Racing brought us together.
With both of us driving we were eating up the 1715 miles of our trip tom Dallas. As the miles rolled by we changed driving duties every 2 hours to keep fresh. The Mercury was a great towing vehicle making the drive less fatiguing. On our second night, we were driving through Texas. It was getting late so we stopped, got fuel and asked where was the closest Café. We were directed to a small town several miles off the Interstate. The main street and perhaps only street was extra wide. The waitress at the café told us the town was built around the rail head where the Cattle were driven from the range through town to the cattle pens, then shipped north. We weren’t sure if that was history or just a story for two weary racers on the way to Dallas.
Race track
We arrived in Dallas around Wednesday noon on July 4th, and with Paul’s knowledge of Dallas’ streets we were soon at “Fair Park”. The FIA configured the track for the F1 event (see track configuration map) using access roads of “Fair Park”, the home of the Texas State Fair, the Cotton Bowl and “Big Tex” the 52-foot focal point of the park.
We registered and were given a map that included directions to the Paddock building, where to park the trailer, and a parking spot for the Mercury close to the Paddock building. Our Paddock location was inside one of the large building that were part of the “Fair Park complex. The building was large, with concrete floors, good lighting, large doors at each end, but not air-conditioned. Thursday would start off with the drivers meeting at 8:30. The Vintage practice was scheduled for 11:30 to 12:30.
After we were set up we walked around and located the F1 garage building next to the Cotton Bowl. Security was still a bit lax so in we went. The building for the F1 cars was fully air-conditioned. During the Texas State Fair, it was used for the awards as it had a balcony around the perimeter. Each team had a roped off area for their cars. Inside the roped off areas each team had several large air-cargo containers loaded with spares, tools, and spare motors which transported the F1 circus via air from race to race. A primitive setup when compared with today’s F1 garages and hospitality trailers. The building was empty except for the Alfa Romeo area where two teams of mechanics were furiously preparing the two Alfa V8 turbos for Riccardo Patrese and Eddie Cheever. With much shouting and getting in each other’s way the Alfas were in a state of turmoil. All the other teams were gone to enjoy the sights of Dallas and the ladies. We went back to our non-A/C building, secured the Lotus and headed out. I dropped off Paul at his mother’s house and using Paul’s instructions headed to Brian’s apartment to clean up. Brian showed me around the apartment, and gave me a set of towels, bedding and the key.
Racing
The schedule for the week would start on Thursday July 5th with tech inspection starting at 7:00 am and a driver meeting at 8:30. After filling up our ice chest with ice, water and Gatorade, I would pick up Paul by 6:00 AM at his mother’s house. We found that we could never have too much ice and drinks. The Lotus was ready for tech inspection. Both Paul and I would attend the Drivers meeting to insure we didn’t miss any instructions. We both would take notes. The Lotus went through tech early and passed with only one comment on the rear brake lines specifying they should be remounted.
The 8:30 drivers meeting was crowded with many drivers from the Europe/USA, Historic/Vintage events– Geo Follmer (more on him later) and noted drivers such as Phil Hill, David Piper (David lost a leg filming Steve McQueen’s Le Mans), Stirling Moss (before he became “Sir Stirling”), and many more who were noteworthy in the late 70s/early 80s.
The great thing about the schedule for track time was the Lotus and I would be in the “hot pits” either prior to F1 practice/Qualifying sessions or arriving just after the F1 cars returned into the pits after a session. My first practice on Thursday would start after the two-hour F1 practice sessions at 11:30 and go until 12:30. The Vintage group would get an hour of track time on Thursday and Friday and 30 minutes of qualifying on Saturday and the race on Sunday would be 30 minutes.
On Thursday, our practice came right after the F1 cars were coming off the track as we were sitting on the pre-grid waiting for the track to open. Great to be that close to the F1 cars as they went to their pits. My practice went well as I drove cautiously. I passed several cars, but was passed by many more. I was still learning how to drive the Lotus, so stayed out of the way of the faster cars as I learned the 15-turn track. I met Paul coming off the track. He took tire pressures, climbed into the passenger’s seat with stop watch and clip board, then back to the Paddock building and our pit. I was now realizing how hot it would get at 100+. We checked out the Lotus and all was well. During down time mechanics from some of the F1 teams were walking through the building looking at the various cars. I had several F1 guys come up and tell me what a great car the Lotus had been back-in-the-day. Nice to hear the accolades of the Lotus from F1 mechanics. George Follmer came by and congratulated me on the restoration of my 1962 Lotus 23. He told me about the Lotus 23 powered with a two-liter type 587 Fuhrman four-cam Porsche motor he ran in winning the 1965 USRRC championship beating out Jim Hall and his Chaparral 2, and how mad Hall was losing the 1965 USSRC-championship.
As the Paddock building was open to the race fans I had several of them come by telling me how good the Lotus looked on the track and that my driving looked smooth. I enjoyed talking with the race fans. They were especially impressed that Paul and I towed all the way from California.
Paul had tickets for he and his wife in the grand stands so we went out of the Paddock and up into the stands to watch the Historic cars and the Can-Am cars (Center-seat F5000 cars with full aerodynamic bodies – not the Can Am cars of the late 60ies and early 70ies) practice. By now it was after 3:00 pm, back to the garage where we checked out the Lotus, filled the fuel tank and headed home. I dropped off Paul at his mom’s house. He would drive one of the family cars to the Fair Park the remaining mornings. I went to the apartment to rest and get ready for dinner. Several years earlier I had been in Dallas on business and was introduced to a great seafood restaurant, I think it was called Atlantic Fresh. I drove over and met several F1 fans in town for the race. In the bar, we did some bench racing and had a great dinner. Then I headed home for bed as Friday would be another early day with our Vintage practice timed for 8:00 AM.
Friday AM – headed to the local 7/11 for another 2 bags of ice, 2 six- packs of Gatorade, and a box of large zip lock bags. To beat the heat, I planned to put a ziplocked bag full of ice inside my driver’s suit. I arrived at the Paddock building close to 7:00 AM. and found Paul had already arrived. The large Paddock building doors were open and a number of large electric fans had been brought in to at least move the hot air around. Paul checked the lug-nuts and tire pressures. I checked the fluids, and suited up. No need for the zip lock bag of ice as it was only hot, not boiling, at 8:00 Am. I brought along the track map, climbed in and started the Lotus. No need for a long warm-up as the motor was still warm from Thursday’s practice. Paul climbed into the passenger seat and we headed out to the Hot Pits and the pre-grid for the Vintage practice scheduled for 8:00 AM. We were delayed getting into the Hot Pits as F1 cars were just arriving in paddock for their 10:00 practice. It was starting to get hot.
Just after 8:00 we were waved off under the yellow flag for a warm up lap. The drivers had been warned in the drivers meeting and in our acceptance letter that any damage we caused to our car or another driver’s car would result in an immediate Black Flag and potential disqualification for the day/weekend – the 13/13 rule. The first laps were orderly. As I continued to learn the line the faster cars started to move up, and the slower cars (me) were given the blue/yellow passing flags. My first laps were spent with an eye on my mirrors checking for faster cars. As the places to pass became clearer I picked up the pace and started to pass some of the slower cars.
The Lotus had good grip and pulled well from 3500 rpm to the red-line of 7500 rpm. The sound of air being pulled into the twin dual Webers was exhilarating as was sound of the exhaust pouring out of my exhaust pipe as I went through the gears.
As the session was coming to a close I had a malfunction with the gear box. I could only get 2nd and 3rd in my five speed Hewland. I finished the lap and pulled into the pits. A quick look showed that the gear shift mounting bracket had broken. Sad faces. Paul and I climbed into the Lotus to head back to the Paddock Building to sort out the problem. Other cars were also going through mechanical issues.
We were held in the pits until the access road to the Paddock building was clear. Arriving back in our Paddock stall, Paul opened the body to check out the gear shift mounting bracket. The bracket had pulled away from the frame and the shift linkage was stuck in 2nd/3rd. This would require welding up the bracket. Paul prepped the Lotus for Saturday’s qualifying session. I walked the Paddock Building looking for assistance but to no avail as few teams had brought welding gear. I saw welding gear in several of the Historic pits but the Historic cars were being prepped for their practice session and the mechanics were too involved to talk. Paul and I walked over to the track with our Hot pit passes and went into the paddock. The FI cars were just finishing their 1st timed practice and were coming off track into their pit stalls. As we walked around the F1 pits we saw the driver of Lotus 95T Nigel Mansell sitting on the hot pit wall. We walked up and introduced ourselves. We asked Nigel about the track layout and how the cars were performing. He stated that the track was too tight with little run-off area and not up to F1 standards. We asked about the heat and Nigel stated the heat would be a major issue for drivers and cars. We thanked Nigel and moved on. I saw a vintage racing friend, Kenny from, LA who was a handheld cameraman. He was with Chris Economaki of ABC Sports carrying a hand-held camera filming an ABC Sports special on the Dallas race. Kenny’s a big guy and he holds that camera on his shoulder as if it weighed next to nothing. Kenny and I spoofed with me doing a grid announcer gig in front the Ferrari pit with laughs for all. Then Paul had to take off as his wife was coming in to DFW that evening.
I walked around pits waiting for the Historic group to finish their practice, and met up with some SCCA track workers. They had been out to Riverside and Laguna and we discussed the Fair Park track layout and how the heat would affect the F1 cars. They had watched me in todays practice session and asked how I liked the track as we walked around the outside of the track. The SCCA guys had passes to get into the fenced areas where the SCCA flagmen were working and we agreed to meet for dinner and discuss Saturday’s schedule, and finding a way to get me into the SCCA workers area. I went back to the Paddock Garage as the Historic practice ended at 5:15 and the cars started to arrive back in the Paddock Building. Carroll Shelby, the Race Director, walked by. I stopped him and explained my gearshift situation. “No Problem” said Carroll in his Texas drawl, “follow me” and off we went. After about 10 minutes he found the paddock of L&M Lola T222 of George Follmer. The L&M team had a welding outfit but the mechanics were busy prepping the L&M Lola for Saturday’s qualifying session. With a thank you to Carroll, one of the L&M mechanics and I went over to the Lotus to take a look at my shifting problem. He could do the job, but I would have to wait until the Lola and the other cars they were supporting were completed. Now I had time to check out all the cars from the different groups until the L&M team had completed their work. I called the restaurant where I planned to meet SCCA guys and left word that I had found a solution to my gear shift problem and would be too late for dinner. Now I see how easy your smart phone solves today’s communications issues.
About 7:00 PM the L&M mechanic came by and we pushed the Lotus over to the L&M paddock area. He welded up the shift bracket, checked that I could get ALL five gears and reverse. I started to say thanks, but he said ‘not so fast let’s give the gearshift a workout’. We pushed the Lotus outside, and warmed it up. At that time, the Lotus had working head and tail lights along with brake lights. Then, following the mechanic’s instructions off I went in almost total darkness around the access roads with lights blazing and engine sounding great. I tried all the gears and got perfect results. With the exhaust bouncing off the Fair Park buildings, and sounding great, I was soon stopped by two Texas Police cars with red lights flashing driven by two tall and mad Texas police. Fortunately, I was back at the door to the Paddock Building and the L&M mechanic. I climbed out of the Lotus and we explained the problem. My word carried no weight, but the L&M guy in his white L&M shirt and the use of Carroll Shelby’s name got me off with a – ‘not ever again’ warning. After thanking the L&M mechanic, in went the Lotus to my Paddock. The battery charger was attached. I checked the fluids, added fuel and then the day was over and the Lotus was put to bed. As I had not planned to go back to the apartment, I cleaned up and put on the fresh clothes I had brought with me to the track, and headed over to the Italian restaurant where I was to meet the SCCA guys. They were long gone, but the hostess had passed on my message. I had a brief wait in the bar and found another group of F1 fans. I joined them for a quick dinner. Two tables over were Riccardo Patrese, driver for Alfa Romeo, and one of his mechanics. I popped over to say hello and wished Patrese best of luck for the weekend. The dinner was great then back to the apartment. I set my alarm for 5AM to make the 6:00 AM driver’s meeting.
Saturday was another early day with several changes to the schedule.
Paul and I arrived early and I explained the fix to the gear shift, and testing around Fair Park and the Texas Police reaction to the Lotus’ loud run. The Daily Driver’s Meeting was crowded as we were told Friday afternoon there would be changes made to Saturday’s schedule. The Vintage qualification was moved from 7:00 AM to 2:30 after the first F1 qualification session. The Celebrity practice would be moved to 4:30 after the Can Am race, which was now scheduled for 3:00 PM after the Vintage Qual. The USA-UK challenge Qual was now scheduled for 8:30. after the F1 qualification which was scheduled to end at 2:00.
With the Vintage race now scheduled for the afternoon Paul and his wife went up to their seats for the Can-Am Qual. My “Hot Pit Pass” was not good for Saturday or Sunday so off I went to locate the SCCA guys. They saw me coming and asked if the shift-linkage was OK? Short story on my Friday night exploits. We went off to locate the SCCA guy’s friend with credentials that could get us ALL into the Hot Pits. We located him just as he was being tossed out of the Hot Pit and escorted away by the police – what the hell!
So, we went to plan “B” and headed back to the SCCA area on the outside of the straight between turns 5 & 6 where their credentials would get them and me into the track side location to watch the F1 qualifications. Being this close to the track was a great place to watch the F1 Qually. The morning F1 Qually session went by quickly so we agreed to meet back at the SCCA compound around 1:00 for the second F1 qualification session. The heat was getting to me so I got directions to the racing medical tent. I explained to the doctor I was from South of San Francisco and wasn’t used to this heat and asked for advice. He told me to keep drinking the Gatorade and water I brought each morning. With thanks, I went back to the garage to check on the Lotus, and grab a hamburger, fries and a Pepsi and ate by the Lotus and studied the track map. I arrived back at the SCCA compound, and went inside with the SCCA guys to watch the second F1 qualification session.
The location was great. The F1 cars would exit pit out and make a sweeping left turn onto a short straight. Then a 120-degree left, turn 5, onto a short straight to a 45 degree right, turn 6, to a 45-degree turn, turn 7 then onto to the straight past the SCCA flag Station where I was watching to turn 8 a left. (See Track map) for entire circuit.
The track temps were raising when F1 Qualification started with the temperature 106 degrees and a track temp of over 140 degrees. The extremely hot track temps caused the track to become slippery. As qualification continued incidents on track caused a series of Black Flags. When the track was reopened after each Black Flag qualification continued, the cars exited pit lane onto a medium speed left-hand sweeper through turns 5,6,7, onto the short straight in front of the SCCA flag station where the SCCA guys and I were watching. Then the cars suddenly hit their brakes, and dry ice that had been added in their radiator ducts during the pit stop to cool the radiators would fly out and fly into the run-off area at the end of the straight to evaporate on the HOT tarmac. The fans went wild as each car performed this show. We watched this show for several laps. The F1 qualification was coming to a close so I headed back to the Paddock building to suit up for my qualification session. We were notified over the PA system that there would be delay of our session to clear the track of debris and gravel thrown up during the F1 session.
Saturday’s 1st qualification ended with Nigel Mansell qualifying his Lotus 95 Turbo 1st for his first pole position win. His teammate DeAngelis was alongside in 2nd. With the track breaking up so badly the Lotus drivers were convinced it was impossible to set better times than the times on Saturday’s first qualify session. They were joined by the Toleman duo of Ayrton Senna and Johnny Cecotto, and Ligier pilot Francois Hesnault. The remaining twenty drivers tried to improve their times, but for most of them it was a waste of effort.
A Lotus front row! During the F1 qualification Martin Brundle crashed in his Tyrrell. Brundle landed upside down after hitting the barrier head on. Brundle received serious ankle injuries.
Paul came down from his seats in the stands to assist me getting the Lotus ready. He lowered the tire pressures because of the high track temps, checked the lug nuts and seat belts. We talked about running smooth and not risk an “off”. I donned my racing suit, but did not zip it up. I added the Zip Lock bag filled with ice. Following the doctor’s advice, I was constantly drinking water and Gatorade, then a trip to the men’s room. The Stewards lined us up inside in front on the big door. We were then waved out of the building onto the access roads to the Hot Pits where we waited for the F1 cars to clear the paddock. I drank more water. The track Stewards came by warning us that the track was very slippery and had gravel off line. Our morning Drivers meeting talk to drive smoothly was appropriate. We got the 5-minute board. Paul replaced my zip-lock bag with a cold one, I zipped up my driver suit, and buckled my belts. Paul pulled the shoulder belts down as hard as he could and we waited for the green flag to start qualification. We were shown the green flag and off I went. The pack stayed close as we circuited the track, then aggressive passing started. I was watching my mirrors and the blue/ yellow passing flags while looking for opportunities to pass slower cars ahead. I was becoming more confident and started to push and pick off cars ahead. Then the session was over. I passed several cars and didn’t go off line. Passing was difficult because the gravel off made going off line like driving on ice. We came back into the Hot pits where Paul took tire pressures and checked the gauges. Coolant was over 210 degrees with the oil at 220 degrees. The cars were released to go back to the Paddock building. We followed the line of vintage racers back over the access roads to our Paddock space. I got out of the Lotus soaked in sweat. My zip lock bag was now filled with warm water not ice. I drained a cold bottle of Gatorade and a cold bottle of water.
After the Saturday’s F1 qualification runs and the 50 lap Can-Am race the track was badly breaking up due to the high track temperatures and the sticky tires on the F1 cars plus the aerodynamic enhanced adhesion of the 1984 F1 designs. The Can Am cars, presented the same problems, massive power plus high down force.
Paul, his wife and I went back to the Atlantic Fresh for dinner. While waiting in the bar we met several couples from Denver who were F1 fans and also Lotus owners. They were jazzed about Mansell’s pole and an entire Lotus front row. They shared stories with Paul about his Elan. I told them about my track experiences, and the tightness of the track and the narrow confines. Just as we were seated a car arrived outside with yellow lights flashing, and in came some of the Doctors I had seen in the medical building when I came by to ask about overheating. The Doctor I talked to about the overheating problems told the table about, “The guy who drove from California for the race and was having trouble with Dallas’ summer’.”
Sunday –
We arrived at the track early Sunday morning for the 6:30 Am drivers meeting, and to prep the Lotus for our 8:00 AM race. To the surprise of one and all Sunday’s schedule was totally revised. The FIA rescheduled the F1 race to 11:00 am to take advantage of cooler (a relative term) temperatures. The F1 warm-up was to be at 7:00 AM. Well that wasn’t happening as we heard NO F1 motors warming up or being on-track. The support races were rescheduled with the Historic race to run immediately after the F1 race and its post-race celebrations, then the USA/UK race followed by the Celebrity event and my Vintage race last. The Saturday celebrity race had been cancelled because of the track breaking up.
The 7:00 AM F1 warm-up was cancelled as the track repairs (the repairs involved a backhoe digging up the broken asphalt and replacing it with quick-dry cement) would not be completed until 45 minutes prior to the scheduled 11:00 AM start of the F1 race. Now the Vintage race was scheduled for 3:30. Paul and his wife stayed in the Paddock building out of the sun until the F1 Drivers introduction and the start of the F1 race at 11:00.
I walked over to the SCCA enclosure. My SCCA friends waved me in, but I had to stay back from the track wall. Well, I was still close to the track, but could only see a small portion of it. As the F1 race wore down and the track wore out I walked the outside of the circuit watching the race and staying in the shade when possible.
F1 race
The F1 race started at 11:00 AM and ran the full two-hour time limit one lap short of the scheduled 68. As the race wound down Prost took the lead from Rosberg on lap 49, and quickly opened a 7.5-second lead, but eight laps later struck a wall and damaged a wheel rim. Rosberg inherited a lead of 10 seconds over Arnoux, and, thanks in part to a special skull cap driver cooling system, held on to score his only victory of the year for Williams. De Angelis came home third, comfortably ahead of Laffite in the second Williams. De Angelis’s teammate Mansell made contact with the wall. Mansell coasted around the last corner, visor up and seat belts hanging over the side of the car. As his car slowed on the home straight, he leaped from his black Lotus and tried to push it to the finish line, but he collapsed from exhaustion and the oppressive heat before reaching the finish line. He was classified sixth, three laps behind. Seventh – Fabi, Brabham; Eight – Winkelhock ATS; Ninth – Lauda; Mclaren (Not running); Tenth – Prost McLaren (Not running). History will show that scheduling the Dallas F1 for early July was a disaster waiting to happen.
When the race ended I located a hamburger stand and purchased my lunch staple – Cheeseburger, fries and a Pepsi. Back to the Paddock building, the Lotus’ pit and a chair to eat my lunch. The Vintage race would now be starting after the celebrity race at approximately 3:30. The track stewards came by and updated the start of the vintage race to 4:00. We would be led to the pre-grid at 3:45. We were to form up in single file by qualification order. I was gridded 15th out of 27 cars with three not starting.
Paul came down from the stands and we prepared for the Vintage race still over 2 hours away. The Lotus had been prepped in the morning. Paul would recheck tire pressures prior to lining up to go to the pre-Grid. I was constantly drinking Gatorade and water and then heading to the men’s room. About 3:30 The Steward told us to get ready to go to the Pre-Grid, and Paul climbed into the Lotus. The Stewards waved us out onto the access roads and we followed their truck with yellow lights flashing. The trip to the Pre-Grid was uneventful. On the Pre-Grid We were also warned that there were several cars from the Celebrity race that crashed and there was NOT enough time to clear them from the track so be careful. Swell. We were waved off onto our warm-up lap. The track was in terrible condition with torn -up asphalt and gravel everywhere. The “Line”, which was mostly free of gravel was just twin tracks 20”- 24” wide. It was nerve racking to go around a corner and see one of the celebrity cars against a wall with its tail sticking out. We came out of the last turn and headed toward start/finish and the green flag was waved. The front rows were on the gas before the green flag waved. I passed an Alfa TZ. A Ferrari Testa Rossa tried to pass me, but the “marbles” caused him to back off. I went after another Ferrari coupe, and after several turns he waved me on. I saw an Alfa Coupe down a safety road, and cars ahead sliding when they went off-line to pass. All the cars were throwing up gravel and rubber from the F1 race. I started to pass a Maserati coming out of turn 1, but he wanted the turn more than I did. Going into the sweeper after turn 4 he went wide and I cut under him and got the pass. Coming out of turn 12, I got loose and the wall and I came way to close but didn’t touch.
I started to hear noises from my Hewland gear box. That and the close call made me think what am I risking. One more lap passing a car on the way to the pits with damage, and a yellow flag waving I slowed and went into the pits. Paul came up to ask what happened. I told him I was hearing gearbox problems, and pointed to the damaged car coming in. I climbed out of the Lotus, grabbed a drink from Paul, and examined the damage to the front of the Lotus from the rocks and rubber that was being thrown up. When the race finished we slowly drove back to the Paddock building, and our pit. I was soaked, tired and glad I had no damage.
