Keith
I agree, Tom left out lots of his past. But if you look at his web site you
will see why. It would take several pages for a brief story of his involvement
with SCTA / BNI. There are many stories and tales of Tom and his family. The
years I have known him just make me want to keep on doing what I do to keep
people like him in the sport. This is whats going to inspire the new breed and
the next generations something to look forward to.
It's hard to believe how many new racers and fans we are getting each year, but
the land speed web sites and the magazines are renewing the salt fever. There
have been more stories the last two years then in the past 10 years. The sports
media is covering more and more of the events.
Other than that a little update on Dougs ride in the dirt. About a quarter of a
mile into the run the car was starting to move around and as it continued down
course it got worse as the tire tracks indicated. Some 845 ft. before the
finish the car started into a spin and as it went around it started to fly and
did a very hard flip coming down on the cage and bounced up on the wheels and
spun several more time and hooked the ground when the spindle broke off causing
a couple more flips with the car landing upside down on the cage.The car
traveled some 1400 ft from start to end.
I was about the forth person to the car. He was alert and wanting out. The
medical crew checked him out and let him remove his helmet. He sort of looked
like someone smacked him in the face with the flat side of a shovel. He was
able to get out on his own and go to the ambulance for additional check out.
The construction was well done and the only failure was the spindle pin boss
breaking off the axle. There was one side brace bent on the right side. We did
not see any other failures but we are limited to what we can do on the lake
bed.Most of the body stayed on the car much to everyones supprise. Normally
they are in pieces, the nose can be salvaged.
All of this is good news and speaks well of our rules. When followed, they
work. When he gets his pretty face back I'm sure the smile will get better. I
told Gail afterwards we would have a tough time telling you about it with all
of the build up about him coming to the meet.
She's a trooper and a sweetheart.
OK, enough of that. In a couple of days I will try and give all of you a little
background on myself.
Glen (and warm again on the beach at 76 degrees today.)
Keith Turk wrote:
> Tom you left out What you have done for Volunteer work... to include Past
> President of the SCTA....
>
> Hey now that I think about it... so did Dan Warner.... I still want to know
> who all you guys are....
>
> It's important to remember the time that folks served in all these
> positions... Without the Volunteer effort we wouldn't have much.... and
> some folks like you have given more then thier share...
>
> K
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Thomas E. Bryant" <saltracer@awwwsome.com>
> To: "Land Speed" <land-speed@autox.team.net>
> Sent: Monday, November 20, 2000 7:41 PM
> Subject: Occupation
>
> > Keith,
> > This is a very interesting thread that you started. Sometimes you get it
> > right. I may write a book, know I can't put this in a few words, I have
> > lived too long!!!
> >
> > I grew up a country boy on the farm in Northwest Missouri. Graduated
> > from Rockport High in 1947, 2 = months after my 17th Birthday. My first
> > job out of high school was a Mechanic's Helper, next I went with a
> > couple of friends to follow the wheat harvest and ended up in North
> > Dakota, went back and forth between Missouri and North Dakota for the
> > next three years doing a variety of jobs, including Dish Washer, Service
> > Station Attendant, Product Receiving @ the Bottineau Creamery, and
> > about a year with as an Apprentice Plumber in Rugby ND.
> >
> > I married Margaret, the love of my life, in May 1951, started out as a
> > hired hand on a farm, got fired after about a month, (the boss came by
> > to get me to go to work just as I was leaving for church. I told him I
> > would join him after church, on Monday morning he told me I didn't have
> > a job) This termination was one of the best things that happened could
> > have happened. Went to work at Interstate Machine and Supply Co. in
> > Omaha NE as a warehouse man, move up to the Sales Counter in a couple of
> > months. Went from there to Mackenzie Motors (Crosley Dealer and used
> > cars) as a Mechanic, after that, I worked for a month at the Munitions
> > Depot @ Mead, NE loading 105 shells and black powder on trucks for
> > shipment to Korea.
> >
> > In October 1952, I left Omaha for La Habra CA to find my fortune. After
> > arriving, I spent a couple of weeks going from one place to another
> > looking for a job only to find the same answer after an interview, my
> > eye sight would cause me to be a danger in their employment (I'm legally
> > blind in my right eye, this also gave me a 4-F status in the Korean
> > War). I finally found employment with a small Chemical Refinery in Santa
> > Fe Springs CA where I started as a Utility Person, advancing to
> > Pumper/Gauger and then to Assistant Operator. After seven years, because
> > the automobile kept calling, I quit and went to work for Fullerton
> > Muffler doing Tune-up and Muffler work. Two years later I went to work
> > for White Automotive, an Independent Repair Shop in La Habra CA, as a
> > Tune-up Technician. I remained there until early 1968 when we moved
> > north to Redding and opened my own repair shop. While at White
> > Automotive, I also served as a Reserve Officer for the La Harba Police
> > Dept.
> >
> > While operating Bryant Automotive for the last 32 years with my wife and
> > sons, I attended Shasta College, receiving my AA in Business Management
> > in 1984, also was a Part-time Automotive Instructor at Shasta College
> > for 13 years, retiring that position a couple of years ago. I still
> > serve as a Consultant and Expert Witness for several Attorneys in the
> > North State and contract with the National Center for Dispute Settlement
> > as an Arbitrator for Manufacturer's Warranty Disputes (Toyota &
> > DaimlerChrysler) in CA, OR and NV. I am also a "Shepherd", serving as an
> > elder for the Redding Church of Christ since 1972.
> >
> > Margaret and I will celebrate our 50th Wedding Anniversary in May next
> > year. We have three sons, who live near Redding, a daughter who lives in
> > Bend OR, and 11 grandchildren. I feel truly blessed to have lived a life
> > that has given me the experiences and memories that I share with family
> > and friends. It just keeps getting better!
> >
> > Tom, Redding CA - #216 D/GCC..
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