[Fot] Yet another great passes!

[BillDentin at aol.com]

In a message dated 05/18/2014 9:05:25 PM Central Daylight Time, 
edwardbarnard at prodigy.net writes:

> Jack Brabham passed away Sunday at age 88. Jack was the driver of the 
> revolutionary Kimberly Cooper-Climax rear engine car in the 1961 Indianapolis 
> '500'  that sparked the 'rear-engine revolution'  hastened the end of the 
> roadster era at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. After he raced at the 
> Speedway in 1964 for John Zink in one of his chassis, he returned with his own 
> cars in 1969 and 1970.
> -Ed-
> 
I attended the Long Beach Grand Prix three times, and at one of them Jack 
Brabham was a guest, or maybe the Grand Marshall.  He participated in a 
'Celebrity Race' featuring eight or ten cars driven by movie stars and media 
talent, some of whom were actually experienced racers.  Pity, but of course, the 
agenda was to smash up some cars to the delight of the crowd.  They 
interviewed him before the race, and I sure thought he sounded like he was bombed.  
His voice was slurred, and his answers seemed incoherent.  I thought to 
myself, given his age and obvious current condition, I hope to hell they are 
not going to let him out on the track. 

Well, they did, and he did nothing but kick tail.  He drove the wheels off 
the car.  I think he lapped everyone.  Sir Jack done good.

I think he was also Grand Marshall at one of the July or September ROAD 
AMERICA vintage events.  I get confused in my old age.  But I sure remember 
getting a hug from Juan Manuel Fangio one day in Elkhart Lake.  I helped get 
him clear of an over zealous fan who was becoming a bother.  I got a big smile 
and gratias hug from him.

Bill Dentinger