In a message dated 8/1/2005 8:50:28 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time, PorshaBoyLee
writes: Thanks Steve/_Milano164@comcast.net_
(mailto:Steve/Milano164@comcast.net)
Date: Sun, 31 Jul 2005 13:05:59 EDT
From: porshaboylee@aol.com
Subject: Re: Nebraska Region SCCA web site
Thanks Steve Silverstein and the VRG for sharing on the Nebraska Region
SCCA
web site and other vintage/historic sites with the group.
I grew up watching my first sports car race in 1953 -- at Offutt AFB (just
S.E. of Omaha) with SAC's Gen. Curtis LeMay providing the long B-52 runways
and access roads along with a ton of hay to outline the turns. It was the
most
exciting thing that happened that summer since watching the rodeo, and the
Nebraska corn grow!
That race weekend 50,000 folks saw all kinds of sports cars for the first
time racing against each other....and I never forgot those sights, sounds,
and
the smell of Castrol R oil. It was the first time I saw my first Porsche
coupe too!
A young, diminutive 21 year old from Kansas City won the main event in a
Jaguar C-Type, beating a Ferrari co-driven by some guys named Shelby and
McAfee
(Ernie). The Omaha favorite, Loyal Katskee's Jag C-Type got a lot of
attention, but it was Masten Gregory that was the smoothest and fastest
around the
tarmac that Sunday. Later I got Masten Gregory's autograph. I liked him..
he
was small and wore glasses -- just like me.
Looking back to 1953, two things definitely come to mind: One. Sports car
racing in the 1950's was really cool and I am always thankful over the past
twenty years for having the opportunity to re-enact that kind of excitement
in
the form of vintage racing. And Two. You are never, never too old to ask
a
race driver for his or her autograph!
Lee Raskin
Brooklandville, MD
356 A Porsches, Elva Formula Jr.
Watch for James Dean: At Speed...coming September 30th to commemorate the
50th Anniversary....Lee Raskin and David Bull Publishing.
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