Spring is here and it's almost "Indy Time Again". I am looking forward to my annual trek to the Midwest. My personal traditions, visiting old friends and especially spending time at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway are as anticipated now as they were more than 30 years ago when I first decided to "go to Indianapolis". I'm sure many of you have similar "traditions" and feelings. Congratulations to defending IRL Champ Sam Hornish on his victories at Homestead and Fontana. Also, to Helio Castroneves and Scott Sharp on their wins at Phoenix and Nazareth, respectively. Next issue we'll be congratulating another Indy 500 champ!

The Day Before The 500 Show
The 24th Annual National Auto Racing Memorabilia Show (The Big Show) will once again be at the Indiana Convention Center at 100 S. Capitol, next to The RCA Dome in downtown Indianapolis. Times and dates are: Friday May 24 1:00 to 6:00 PM and Saturday May 25 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM $10 on Friday is admission good for both days. Saturday admission is $7.

Milwaukee Show
The next scale auto, hobby and toy swap meet will be held on September 15,2002. The location of the events is Serb Hall at 5101 W. Oklahoma in Milwaukee, Wis. The hours of the show are 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Admission is $5.00. Also available is a preview admission at 7:30 AM for $20.00. For additional show information or to be placed on their mailing list, write to: Unique Events, W241 N8938 Penn Lane, Sussex, WI. 53089 or call Jim Welytok at 262-246-7171 after 4:00 PM. E-mail to: unievents@aol.com

1st Turn Gang
The annual meeting (does anyone know how long we have been doing this?) of The First Turn Gang will take place on the last day of qualifications (May 19) at The Speedway. As in past years, we will congregate in "E" Stand, Section 17 or 18, in the top two rows. We take in the action on the track and discuss racing memorabilia collecting. Putting faces to names in the club while we tell and listen to stories and have some laughs between qualifying attempts. So, if you are at the track on Bump Day, come on over to the first turn. Join the group, or at least say "hi". Seems a few new people show up every year and we have a good time. Oh yeah, if you wear a ball cap, please remember to turn it around backwards when Lany Wheat shows up. He just loves that. (We will miss our friend and charter member Bill Enoch who is ill and unable to attend. We're thinking of you.)

1st Turn Gang - May 19, 2002

Parnelli Wins Glick Award
Retired open wheel driver, former car owner and living legend Parnelli Jones was awarded the third annual Eagle One Shav Glick Award. The award honors the Los Angeles Times motorsports writer and is a symbol of distinguished achievement in Motor Racing by a Californian. Among his barrel-fu1l of accomplishments are his win at the 1963 Indianapolis 500 and being the winning car owner of the 1970 and '71 500's when Al Unser drove the Johnny Lightning Specials to victory. Parnelli also won the NASCAR Motor Trend 500 at Riverside Raceway in 1967, the same year he made history while becoming one of the famous "almost-winners" at Indianapolis driving the STP Turbine. The award was presented April 28 at the California Speedway prior to the NASCAR Winston Cup Race.

Hall of Fame Inducts Three
Three icons of The Indianapolis 500 will be inducted into the Auto Racing Hall of Fame on May 17. Longtime "Voice of The 500", the late Sid Collins will join winning car owners Andy Granatelli and Roger Penske as the newest members of the Hall of Fame. The event will take place in conjunction with the annual Indianapolis 500 Oldtimers Club Banquet. The Induction's will take place at the Adams Mark Indianapolis Airport Hotel.

Larry Ireland

Talk of Gasoline Alley
Received a note from Speedway Historian Donald Davidson confirming that his traditional annual radio talk show, Talk of Gasoline Alley, will air as usual this May. Donald said, "Yes, we're doing it. again. "Talk Of Gasoline Alley" starts on WIBC (AM) on Wednesday May 1st and runs every night until Friday May 24th. It follows the 6:00 PM newscast and lasts until 7:00 PM. There is no show on Saturday May 25. The Sunday May 26th race day "drive home" version starts as soon as the Network leaves the air and goes, I believe, until 6:00. There is also a second version of the nightly program on Network Indiana, Monday through Friday from 7:00-8:00 PM. Monday May 6 would be the first one. I believe we had 14-15 stations last year dotted around Indiana." Thanks for the info, Donald. Looking forward to the show. It's part of our "drive home" traditions after qualifications and the race.-Ed.

Celebration of Mark Donohue