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Traditional Sprint Car FanSite |
See You At The Races!!! |
| Backyard
Racer by Norm Bogan |
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As youngsters,
we tend to emulate those who we see as super heroes.
For the girls, it was usually a famous actress or singer, while the boys
nearly always choose a sports star. Its
a very natural thing for kids to look up to these people and many times it is
the catalyst for their ambitions as they strive for success in life. Recently, I saw
a painting at a gallery, which depicted a young boy at the wheel of a
dilapidated old truck, with a parade of old racecars trailing into the sky
beyond him. I could really relate
to that painting, because I too had lived that dream at the wheel of a ‘35
Ford in the back yard. That old Ford
had conquered many a fairgrounds track, where the dust would boil up and leave
me with a raccoon face as I removed my goggles and bandana.
What excitement the fans had as our narrow knobby tires sprayed rooster
tails as we ran recklessly close to the rail fences.
There was the roar of the engines, such as the mighty Offies, and the
Ford V-8, whatever the sound it was competently duplicated in that old Ford.
Ah, the aroma, just thinking about it, I can smell the burning rubber of
the tires, castor oil for the lubricant and ether to add pop to the fuel. Often, I would
have my riding mechanic with me on these endeavors.
We would have the whole scenario worked out.
Over a period of time, I wheeled to victory at Indy, defeating the likes
of Meyer, Rose and Shaw. Johnny
Mantz was second at Darlington for the first Southern 500, and the Mexican Road
Race saw Bill France, Hershel McGriff, Bill Stroppe and Walt Faulkner eat our
dust. As a young boy,
I read Henry Gregor Felsen’s "Hot Rod" and "Street Rod"
and others and I fantasized about the daring-do of racing drivers.
I wanted to challenge the best at every track.
My friends wanted to be the quarterback to throw the winning touchdown in
a championship game or hit a home run to win the World Series.
I wanted to be Rex Mays or Ted Horn or Juan Fangio. |
