Well stated, Wes,
I was fortunate to be included in Nolan's circle of friends for more
than forty years. I don't think a year went by that we didn't make
contact during the meet, if we were both there. I identified with Nolan
because we both were "bootstrap racers" and spent much of our time at
the meets repairing broken cars. Nolan certainly was not a secretive
person, as has been said, he was willing to share whatever he learned
with others. But, much like myself, many times he seemed unapproachable,
because he was focused on the task at hand and paid little attention to
what was going on around him.
At Speedweek, I greeted Nolan on the starting line and asked him if he
had cured his drive belt problem. He grabbed me by the arm and took me
inside his trailer to show me the drawing of the gearbox he had designed
and had built. Obviously it worked! His runs since that time has shown
that the weak link had been repaired.
Friday morning he came by our pit to ask me to push him off on his
return run. It seems that I had pushed him off in 1963 when he got into
the 200 MPH Club. I had forgotten that episode, but he hadn't.
I thank God that I was able to spend some time with him at the nine mile
before pushing him off. It is sad that he is now gone. All of us will
miss him. However, I can tell you this...in all the forty plus years I
have know Nolan, I never saw him in a more upbeat and jovial mode. He
had accomplished his life long goal and was relishing the moment.
I have several pictures that were taken at the nine mile. As soon as I
find the time, I will put together a page on my web site to honor my friend.
Tom, Redding CA - #216 D/GCC
>
> " This is a loss to the whole Land Speed family. Nolan never stopped trying
> to go faster and proved that his theories and his car could do it. He lost
> his life doing what he had done for some forty years, going fast. His car
> performed well but other factors entered into the equation. He died chasing
> a dream while doing something he loved. When you push the extreme limits
> you test the results. How many of us will be as fortunate? "
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