Probably receiving as much publicity as the RACE itself was the HOT WHEELS JUMP. This was a blast from the past. We all know Hot Wheels toy cars. In fact I still have ONE, only one left. It is one my boys and I played with. I guess I keep it for old times sake when my sons used to like my company, more than now. Not that they don’t now, it is just that they have their families now too. But the real memory evoked by the staging of the Hot Wheels Jump, is the fact that when I was a small child there was a touring group of “Hell Drivers”. This group (the ones I remember were called the “Jack Kochman Hell Drivers”) drove cars on 2 wheels around a 1 mile dirt oval. They jumped cars, did a 360 degree spin. went over ever increasingly high ramps door handle to door handle. And of course the slide for life. A man would stand on the rear bumper of a convertible while others were preparing a ring of fire, which somehow they would forget turn the can upright and leave about a 5o foot long trail. The fire was lit, the driver sped forward into the fire. the bumper rider would then step off the rear bumper and slide along the track and through the fire. Now what does this have to do with the Hot Wheels Jump? One of the acts in the show. I think it was called the “Plunge of Death” was having a lady climb into a little cart, atop a high, steep ramp. When the lever was released, she would come plummeting down, at the end was a curl, which lifted her up in the air, did at least one somersault, (sometimes, more, sometimes only a half), and land . To build the excitement and after stunt anticipation, she would sometimes be rescued and carried to an ambulance, which after sometime she would emerge, and take her bow. It was nice to see this old stunt revived. Thank You Hot Wheels for a walk down memory lane. That Is How I See It. more than they have Views: 424
Month: June 2011
Drivers Beware In Gary Indiana
We all have believed Cops have had quotas for traffic stops. After all they have to bring some money in to help pay their salaries. Finally a City which is not ashamed to admit their police officers, have quotas. they have not stated what the consequence is if you don’t meet the quota. ” What is the quota?” you ask. The quota is at least one “1” traffic arrest an hour. Gary’s Traffic Commander, mothy Tatum said this quota will remain in effect as long as he is “COMMANDER” . His actual edict says 10 traffic arrests per officer assigned to his traffic division per shift per day. Good Luck holding your job Timothy. I understand the prosecutors are already protesting your quota. They can always decide to NOT PROSECUTE. The voters probably will not appreciate your move. I’m not sure one cop can write 1o citations a day. I’m thinking what you are creating is an aura of “I have to meet my quota, so I’ll write up this poor guy driving the old car. He can’t afford to protest the stop, and pursue it in court”. Or “I’ll stop this guy, he’s from out of our area, and will just pay the fine.” Then, of course, there is the wealthy who will pay just because it is such a trifling amount it is not worth the time to go to court. Kind of sounds like everyone could be a victim of this QUOTA. I hope the traffic officers have enough pride in themselves to not make up violations to meet their quota. Or that an unreasonable stop does not end with injury to the cop or citizen. I know I will do my best to avoid Gary Indiana, and there goes my money I may have spent there. After all I’m sure they don’t need my money in this haven of high employment, and economy. It seems to me the “Quota” would be a valid defense, in court. But I’m not a Lawyer, or Judge. Hats off to Gary for admitting they have a traffic citation quota. Most places would not. That Is How I See It. UPDATE: UPDATE: Just in. Gary Mayor Rudy Clay Says Quota’s are over. Police Administration says never existed. Don’t know if Gary’s Traffic Commander, Timothy Tatum, is still Commander they have Views: 103
Coca-Cola 600
Another boring “race’ from NASCAR. I appreciate the concept of 600 miles to test the endurance of both car and driver, BUT that was about the highlight of this race. Which with all the cars having no personality, of their own, (rules require all cars look alike, and run same equipment), leave little to the test of car endurance. Only a “freakish” part malfunction, usually will retire a car from the endurance end. And YES sportsfans, NASCAR, had a rare chance to give Earnhardt Jr. a long awaited win. It amazes me how often they will try this. Remember when all the drivers were being penalized for dropping a wheel below the yellow line and complete a pass? Except for Jr. There was clearly room for him to stay above the line, but he had all 4 wheels below it. NASCAR ruled he was below to avoid an accident. RIIGGHT! This time Jr. had a lead and looked like he could win a race. BUT! A crash which in any other circumstance would bring out the YELLOW, NASCAR chose not to. Why Jr. had a chance to win. I realize his riding on his father’s name has launched him into the FANS FAVORITE. I have nothing against him I kind of like him too. He just hasn’t matured as a driver yet, but is well on his way. I think getting away from Earnhardt Racing was a good move for him to try to step out of his Father’s shadow. I’ve seen a lot of improvement this year. His time will come. He will “EARN..” his own wins. I think if you have a rule it should be interpreted the same with no regard as to whom it may affect. Any how Jr. still did not get the win. So considering the rule for the yellow flag is for safety purposes, why did NASCAR decide to put that aside for this instance. One train of thought I had. Asks, if they did throw the YELLOW, as they should have and would have in any other set of circumstances, in NASCAR’s defense. I’m going pretty far out here for this defense. How many cars would have been able to finish if there were another GREEN, WHITE, CHECKER. We know that there were cars running short of gas. So did NASCAR not throw the Yellow, in the interest of the fans seeing more cars finish? Or to aid Jr. That Is How I See It. have been Views: 208
INDY 500 2011
Indy 500 was filled with controversy this year. One item on the controversy agenda was….DOUBLE CAR RESTART. Never having raced at the track, I see nothing wrong with a double row restart, after all the official start has them racing 3 abreast. So what is the big deal restarting with one less row? Seems to me you have more room than at the start of the race. Safety wise I see no harm here, except in the case of late race restarts, which would be safe except for the “I have to make a move now or else,” mentality of the driver, who is pressured by himself, his team, sponsors, and fans to finish the best he can. Preferably 1st. From the driver’s standpoint. Why should someone I passed be starting beside me. Actually, that is the only valid argument I can find. True INDY is a one groove track. But as my Dad would have told me. “Find a way to use the rest of the track”. I’ve never seen it in the rules, but doesn’t the lead car have the choice of his racing line for the restart. He can use that to his ability, and be in the groove for the restart. Back to the Car I Passed, scenario. If I am above the groove, then the cars in the line behind the leader has an advantage. From the Fans standpoint. I like it. Controversy number 2. The purchase of a ride by Michael Andretti from A.J. Foyt. If Andretti could not field a car capable of qualifying with Hunter-Reay, why should he be allowed to purchase a ride qualified by an obviously (by means of qualifying), better driver. I wonder if A.J. sort of choked when he talked about how INDY had made him. He sold Junqueria’s chance to make his name. Controversy number 3. THE PASS UNDER YELLOW! Yes. Hildebrand crashed. HOWEVER he did maintain forward motion. As the leader it is up to him to set the pace until the pace car arrives. Apparently this rule does not apply in all instances. The new track management seems to have deemed a disabled car cannot lead the race. How many times I wonder have cars either ran out of gas and coasted to a win. Or crashed just as they were about to cross the finish line. This seems to me to be a rule that needs more definition. As for me. Hildebrand is the true winner of the 2011 INDY 500 I’m sure you all have opinions on these 3 things. I invite you to post your comments here, and also let the people running the INDY 500 if they made the right calls. That Is How I See It. Views: 234
