DRIVER ZONE:
Overall Rank: 575
Overall Score: 4 points
URL: /archidude
Member since: 09/04/2007
Number of hits: 2049
Location: Brevard, NC
Quote/Motto: I don't know half of you half as well as I should like; and I like less than half of you half as well as you deserve. -Bilbo Baggins
Favorite Driver: Mark Martin
Who Am I:
I am a self-employed architect, and thanks to my daddy I have been a race fan for about 48 years.
Favorite Track:
Richmond International Raceway
Favorite Racing Moment:
Sonoma 1989: Mark Martin rolling his car on its roof, climbing out, running to the pits to wait for his car to get towed back, climbing back in the car and continuing racing.
How I discovered Rowdy, and why I Listen:
I do not remember how I found Rowdy, but somehow found Rowdy about 2 years ago.
Why I'm a race fan:
Became a racing fan as a kid in Indiana in the early 1960s. Roger Ward was my favorite driver after I got a mug with his image on it from a gas station in 1960. Roger Ward proved to be a good favorite driver. I got into NASCAR in 1989 at Richmond. At Richmond, I didn't want to or expect to get hooked, but couldn't help myself.
What car/truck I drive now:
2008 Honda Civic LX
My dream car:
Subaru SVX, manual (non existent)
Favorite Music:
Dire Straits; The Beatles; Sousa marches; Charles Ives; Aaron Copland; Stravinsky; Holst; Taizé music; Percy Grainger - "Lincolnshire Posy"; Mozart - "Requiem in D Minor"; James Gang; Steep Canyon Rangers
Favorite Movies:
Lord of the Rings Trilogy; Bourne (Identity, Supremacy, Ultimatum); Dr. Strangelove; In-Laws (original); Young Einstein; Raising Arizona
Favorite TV Shows:
The Office, American Experience, North Carolina People
Favorite Books:
I do not read much, but nevertheless I purchase many books with excellent pictures in them
Interests:
family, architecture, design, the United Methodist Church, day hiking; Apple (computer) related innovation, beer, wine, these mountains where I get to live
Dislikes:
Phoniness, fakeness, fauxness
Hobbies:
architecture, racing, grilling
Vices:
absolutely none, except lying about vices
Heroes:
my father-in-law (WWII veteran, all-around fine fellow)
Jim Clark's one NASCAR ride
For a short while this morning, I had the SPEED channel on my iMac. SPEED was broadcasting Formula 1 practice from Hockenheim, Germany. Then, the broadcasters started talking about the must-see memorial to Jimmy Clark who was killed at Hockenheim on April 7, 1968. Just as it was with the assassination of John Kennedy, I remember exactly where I was and who told me about Jim Clark's tragic death at Hockenheim. I was a 13 year old Indiana boy at the time. Jimmy Clark was a my hero and I had been robbed.
In the month after April 1968, I was expecting to see Jimmy Clark driving an STP Lotus (Lotus 56) turbine-powered car at Indianapolis. After witnessing Parnelli Jones' domination with the turbine-powered car in the 1967 Indy 500, I could not wait to see this fleet of Lotus turbine-powered cars in the 1968 500, especially with Jim Clark at the wheel of one of these. This wedge shaped Lotus was and is one of the most beautiful cars I have ever seen. I remember that after seeing these Lotuses wanting to be a car designer and asking my dad what it would take do what Colin Chapman does. While I got to see the STP Lotus turbine cars in1968 Indianapolis 500, it just was not the same without Jim Clark piloting one of these.
After that SPEED broadcast today, I got interested in Jimmy Clark's single foray into NASCAR. There is not much written about this. Photos of Clark on his one NASCAR ride are even rarer finds. I found one online article which does a good job of describing Jim Clark's NASCAR venture. And, I located only two photos.
http://nascar.suite101.com/article.cfm/jim_clark_in_nascar
Some say Jimmy Clark is the greatest driver of all time. Maybe, maybe not. 40 years after his death "The Flying Scot" remains a hero of mine.
THAT'S what I'm talking about! Great article. I must admit that your passion for this racer has transferred unto me. These are the heroes of racing... great share.
X:)
- Racer X
- 23:47:09 07-18-2008
'Dude... it is people like you and posts like this that have helped me to learn about and embrace the sport. Thank you, this is really cool.
- ZAP!
- 13:18:21 07-19-2008
I sent the link for the Jim Clark article to my dad. Dad has loved racing for most of his nearly 80 years. Here is Dad's reply to that article:
"Thanks. I never knew that Clark drove a stock car. He was, no doubt, the best driver I have ever seen; although I only saw him drive at Indy. His reflexes and reactions were super human. No one was like that! I was really torn up when I heard he died. Either you or (your brother) heard it on the radio and told me. The sport lost almost every great driver in the late 50's and 60's. Really bad!"
- archidude
- 21:33:02 07-20-2008
Game Challenges
Now you can match your score against other players and see how you stack up! Simply find a friend, issue your challenge and play your best. Good luck, and we hope you make some new friends!
CHALLENGE ANYONE, ANYTIME!
