When Martha and I were still in college at Purdue, a big event for us was the Indianapolis 500 race. We never went to the race, but watched it on national tv, however we were faithful followers of the entire month of festivities. We went to the first day of qualifications to see the run for the pole, and the last day which was bump day, when cars were eliminated. There weren’t the big teams with many cars, a two-car team was big time then. The cars were rear wheel drive roadsters with a four-cylinder Offenhauser engine pushing them around the track. yes there was the occasional other power plant showing up, diesel power. and of course, the eight cylinder Novi, which could be heard all around the track when it was fired up. Bobby Unser and Jim Hurtubise stole our heats trying to bring it home a winner.
We would load our cooler with beer, cokes, ham sandwiches and fried chicken and head out to the track. We would then lug our cooler high in the seats of the fourth turn so that we could see all the action. Then spend the day until the closing gun, before winding our way back home.
As time went on, the cars became more exotic, front engine to rear engine, chassis went from Watson’s to a multitude of manufacturers. All this just made it more exciting. Ford and Lotus become household words and the beat goes on.
Unfortunately, personalities become too involved, and USAC and CART become big rivals and almost destroy the Indianapolis 500and champ car racing. The race continued, but the monthlong festivities did not.
Today the race is back to being one of the biggest deals on this earth. I am delighted that my kids and grandkids are getting to enjoy it. I’m not sure they will have as much fun as we did, but time will tell.
Lois
Being a student at IU, we always enjoyed the campus’s Little 500 every May. Thus was a bicycle race for the men—teams from dorms and frat houses and a tricycle race for women. I was on the EK team. I don’t remember ever practicing, as we couldn’t get the tricycles in time. They just said, “Ride like heck!” Of course I spun out on the first corner, took a tumble and opened an 8” gash down my leg. We didn’t win the race!
I did see the Indy 500 once, 1964.
As my roomate’s dad was safety director, we got free tickets and special passes to the pit and Saturday night party. Connie Francis entertained. Great memories.