28 May 2021 - Indy Weekend!

1927 or 1928 William De Vore, Mechanician at right who was planning on filling in for his late father at Indy 1930.  


Hello Reader, 

If you are anything like I am the 500 holds fond memories of watching with Dad on the TV. My earliest recollection is watching on the TV with Dad in 1968 or 1969 ( I recall yellow footy fleece vividly ).

Yesterday, I was having a chat with Jonathan Gashel - Lay Down Kart Racer, Mechanic and Father. 

As we caught up, he mentioned that he and his oldest son Micah are flying in Saturday to meet up with Jonathan's Dad to continue the tradition of going to the 500.  

Jonathan's Dad has gone since 1983 - only missing 1999 & 2020.  

Jonathan started in 1988 and missed 1996, 1999 and 2020.

Micah since 2017, also missing 2020. 

Well I guess we all sorta missed 2020 in general so that doesn't really count. 

That is just one family story of the tradition of going to the track on race day.  That kind of dedication is the sort that keeps the sport alive. 

I'd like to hear yours here or on social media or even on audio/video for  The Mechanicians Podcast - you can contact me here  if you are interested - I know that I am. 

The Mechanicians have been there since before the GP of Indy of course. The work never stops in the Month of May for race car mechanics, support staff and drivers. I'll be watching the workers as well as the race and thinking of friends & the history there. Some day I'd like to go to the race - as long as I don't have to work. 

Safe luck wishes to all involved at the track https://www.indycar.com/





Location: Walnut Creek, CA 94596, USA

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

01/19/2024 Where did he go?

Image
Hey reader.  Been a while for sure.   In November of 2023, I did manage to get to So Cal for a week. The plan was to meet with Christopher Smith but, like many others, the work week and weather delayed flights made it impossible to do a good job.  A few guys were available but the timing came down to one available that week : Ty Cota-Robles of TRD.  Ty was a Jim Russell MTP around 2000 <?> (I forget things more as time goes on).  He worked at Russell too for a while after leaving the area - his adventures are all on video now and will really help explain the roller coaster career that a race car mechanic has.  Here is a photo of Ty - who doesn't seem to age - and in fact made me feel 25 years younger just being in the room with him.  Fore those that didn't get to work with Ty, you will wish you did after seeing his story which includes a real family commitment to the sport - Dad, Mom and brother Marc all have racing blood and they are a real treat to be around. Marc did a
Read more

3 September 2020

3 September 2020  Quick note to answer why I am doing this.  Simply, I saw Ford v Ferrari and my mentor was ignored for his contributions to the GT40 program. I suppose that there is a reason, that isn't my problem to sort out. My goal is to assemble the stories of the non household names; the people that do the work.   Right, back at it  
Read more

8 September 2020

 Last week's record heat and smoke allowed for inside work:  Boom Mic Stand assembled. Tested Sony audio recorder.  Interview seat procured. Two Camera test set at Covid Friendly distances. Tripod w/level quick disconnect tested. Lapel Mic test with Sony.  Mini & Standard SD cards formatted & tested. Additional Canon batteries charges and tested.  A gob of cables assembled and tested. Lighting equipment acquired and tested.  Video & Audio test in ShotCut.  Global contacts made with participants that will Google Meets.  Royalty Free Images are being gathered...  Interview outline started. Story Board begun.  Mentor call resulted in more homework! I have estimated that this will be a five year project from start to finish.  The work is nothing compared to the work done by the Race Car Mechanics.   
Read more