The Short Chute
PAGE 2 - Newsletter #80 - Fall 2002
Club Notes
by Larry Ireland
The checkered flag has fallen on another IRL season and what a great season it was.
The competition was incredible right down to the white flag lap. Congratulations to
Sam Hornish, Jr. on winning his second straight National Championship by beating Helio
Castroneves to the finish line by .0096 seconds at Texas Motor Speedway to capture the
Chevy 500 in the season finale.
We also congratulate Felippe Giaffone (Kentucky), Gil de Ferran (St. Louis) and
Sam Hornish (Joliet, IL) on their recent victories in Indy Racing League events.
Racing Fraternity Deaths
Former Indianapolis 500 driver Jim Crawford passed away on August 6. He was 54 years
old. Jim began racing in England, climbing to Formula One and later he came to America.
He passed his rookie test at Indianapolis in 1984 but did not qualify for the race until
1985. Crawford made eight Indianapolis 500 starts with his best result coming in 1989
when he finished sixth. Always a fan favorite, Jim’s final race at Indy was in 1993.
Former driver Bayliss Levrett passed away on March 13 in Reno, Nevada. He was 89 years
old. Bayliss raced on the West Coast and Midwest in the 1930’s and 40’s until WW II. After
the war Levrett resumed racing on the West Coast. In 1949 he traveled to Indianapolis and
qualified 29th in the field. A leaking oil drain plug put him out after 52 laps. He
finished in 24th position. In 1950 Bayliss started 17th and finished 27th after being
forced out at 108 laps due to low oil pressure. He retired in 1952 after a practice crash
at Indianapolis in which he received severe burns.
Get Well Soon to:
Jason Priestly with wishes for a complete and speedy recovery from severe injuries
suffered in a practice session accident at Kentucky Speedway. Jason was driving in the
Infiniti Pro Series, has been second fastest qualifier that day, and had his sights on
moving up to the Indy Racing League in the future.
Indy Radio Broadcast Highlights
If you are interested in the old radio broadcasts of the Indianapolis 500 you will want
to check this out. Indianapolis radio station WIBC, the home of The 500’s worldwide radio
broadcast for more than 50 years, has produced a limited edition cd. Some of the greatest
moments in 500 history are captured on Voices From The Speedway - 50 Years of The Indy 500
on Radio (1952-2002).
You may order online at www.pitstopbooks or by calling 317-873-5507 or send your
order to Pitstop Books, P.O. Box 130-N, Zionsville, IN 46077. The cost is $12.99 each
plus $5.00 s & h (Indiana residents add 6% sales tax on the cd - no sales tax on the s&h).
Larry Ireland
Speed Reading
by David Read
Hi folks, I'm back with a few tidbits of news for Speed Readers. The first item I want to tell you about is Dick Wallen's latest flyer which announces the availability of his new video, Sprint Car Classics Volume 7, which covers the USAC sprinters from 1971 through 1974. It includes stars like Pancho Carter, Rollie Beale, Sammy Sessions, George Snider and Sheldon Kinser. $39.95.
Mr. Wallen promises two more of his fantastic books, The Seventies Revolution, The History of the American Championship, 1970 to 1979. To be released Fall 2003. Also, CRA, The Roadster Years 1946 to 1957California Racing Assn. History. Scheduled for release in the Fall of 2004. Dick Wallen's Racing Classics, P.O. Box 10561, Glendale, AZ 85318-0561,or www.racingclassics.com.
Our next new book offer, King of the Boards, The Life and Times of Jimmy Murphy.
The 1922 Indy winner and AAA National Driving Champion in both 1922 and 24, Murphy also won
the French Grand Prix in 1921. Driving Duesenbergs and Millers, Jimmy was one of auto
racings early superstars. $90. or $110 with slipcase from Gary Doyle (602) 636-0471, or
www.king-of-the-boards.com.
Witness Productions has a new book entitled Worthy of Honor, Presenting the Members of The National Midget Auto Racing Hall of Fame. 7"x4 1/2" 112 pages, $20.00. Box 34, Marshall, IN 47589, or (765) 597-2487.
Former sprint car driver Buzz Rose, who authored Show Biz Auto Racing on the IMCA, has a new book ready called The Rim Riders. A history of the old CSRA. It should be great, done in a style similar to the Dick Wallen books. It's 250 pages Hard bound, $59.95 or Deluxe Slipcover at $84.95, both plus $7.00 S&H. Buzz Rose, P.O.Box 10879, Glendale, AZ 85318. (602) 978-1599, Visa & MC OK.
