With this being the first issue of the SHORT CHUTE I thought it was only fitting I should tell you about myself and my collection.

I began collecting Indy 500 race memorabilia by coincidence. In the summer of 1977 I was watching a television auction put on by a local station. One item that came up for sale was an original brick from the track at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Since I was a race fan I thought the brick would be an unusual item to own. Getting it for $10- $15 seemed a reasonable price. By the time I got to the telephone to call in my bid the price was already up to $65. I knew then the final price would be too high for me to afford. The brick sold for $110. I was disappointed and almost down right mad. Then, an idea hit me. Why not write Mary Hulman (owner of the Speedway) herself to see if she might know how I could get a brick. It was a long shot but I figured I had nothing to lose. I explained to her I was a racing fan and how I had lost out on the brick at the auction. I mailed the letter and waited. Apout three weeks later I received a call from the Speedway Museum. They informed me Mrs. Hulman had received my letter and I was to come to pick up my brick. Needless to say, I wasted no time and immediately went to the museum to claim my brick. I was so proud of what I had accomplished.

The following year I was watching the auction again and a valve from Gordon Johncocks 1978 race car came up for bid. I really wanted that valve. Bidding was going very slow so I thought at least this time I had a chance. At the last minute I phoned in my bid of $15. A few minutes later they announced the winning bid ---$16. I had lost out again. Remembering back to how I got the brick I thought to myself, why not try the same thing again? I sat down and wrote the owners of Gordy's car, Patrick Racing, and explained what had happened. Sure enough, about a month later here came a package from Patrick. Inside was a valve from the same motor used in the race. Again, I had succeeded. It didn't take me long to realize I enjoyed collecting race items. Today, I have ticket stubs, programs, yearbooks, glasses, press kits, car parts, autographs, post cards, decanters, badges and about a little