Ghosts Upon the Road I had a lot of time to cogitate during my last road trip which involved hauling the infamous " I didn't want to tow it in January " Lotus 26R. It needed to go up for a service to Jim Groom in Berkeley and there was a wreck of an original 26R that needed to be brought back to SoCal. I was lucky enough to get a E-350 van from Ford which had a monster torque diesel and the ride was so much more agreeable that any serious vintage racer should re-think getting a truck to haul with. As I was doing the drive solo I didn’t need to feel thrashed and the big van was a great alternative to a dually. B a bay, b a be, b I bicky by, b oh boy… So what is the big deal regarding Maserati, the ACO, IMSA and the release of bio text press notes via the wireless ? Most don’t know and even more could care less. Is there any aspect of life that doesn’t involve the need to make noise and appear to be doing something ? Certainly that is in play here. David Richards, who as a rally driver knew what it was like to be on one's head, is making noise because if the Maserati was to actually appear to win ( insert finish ahead of the Prodrive product ) it will be all that more difficult to find willing buyers for the Aston Martin DBR 9. Airbags aren't the only things that pop from dashboards. That's what work is…. I am sort of typing this in between packing for Sebring and annoyed about all the wasted time and space about the legal sabre rattling. I am excited about seeing something cool and that means the MC 12 and more importantly, the Aston DBR 9. That's why I want to go to Sebring, isn't that enough reason right there ? Sanctioning bodies remind me a lot of little league baseball. They keep records, provide umpires, a nice place to play, all the stuff we are supposed to need. I have done the usual coach stuff for my boys in soccer, baseball and ice hockey. But the fun part, the stuff you remember when it is said and done are the pick up games, a couple of kids tossing a ball back and forth, screwing around at the park and the people you have met. The National Hockey League has committed fan suicide in this country. I was a fan, went to a lot of games, cheered the players worth watching, even went to a Stanley Cup game and spent the bucks. So now there is no pro hockey season. Aside from an adjustment of having a few more free hours due to time no longer being in front of the TV watching the games, I don’t think much about it. Has it hurt the game of hockey ? Only from the viewpoint of those who earn their living from it. My oldest son still plays every week as does his friends. If the ALMS went away would the SCCA runoffs be affected ? If Grand Am disappeared from the radar would it matter ? An ache in the steak or a moo-ving meal… I loaded up the wrecked 26R in Marin and after an adventure filled time of hauling a trailer through the streets of San Francisco headed south. The most interesting comment about the red ghost remains of the 26R came from a woman in Danville. I was fueling up the E-350 and she came over and asked me if it was a Ferrari. He son thought it was, she knew better but wanted to confirm. I offered to sell it to her, she wisely declined. I later called Terry Burkhart and we met for dinner at Harris Ranch just off the 5 a few miles from Kettleman City. Terry also brought along a few sealed bags of almonds from her recent harvest. " These are for Sebring and give a bag to Vanessa " she firmly stated. Another reason for going to Sebring. |
Kerry Morse |
