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homes
were built around them, but that doesn't stop the new residents from complaining.
But, it's different in Speedway, Indiana.
My
colleague and I visited the Indy Museum, a very affordable $3 admission
to walk through rows of significant cars, which raced and won at the famous
track. To see how driver safety and technology evolved was fascinating.
As racing enthusiast, this was extremely enjoyable, but as a Lotus fanatic
the influence of Chapman has left an indelible mark upon the history of
Indy.
There
proudly displayed was Clark's Lotus 29, along with photos of Clark, Graham
Hill, Emerson Fittipaldi, Foyt and Chapman. Videos of Indy history showed
Clark and new rear engine cars of Cooper and Chapman. The obvious lead
that Lotus had in bring new technology to race cars can be seen in every
post 1965 race car. It is simply a thrill to stand surrounded by so much
racing history and absorb.
We
still had some time to kill, so a mandatory stop in the gift shop and then
we took the bus tour of the track. There's nothing better than getting
to see a race than from on track. I kept trying to imagine what it must
look like to a driver at 225mph with the stands completely full! The corners
seem far apart poking along in the tour bus, but at 1:20 laps, the corners
must come quickly and are tighter than they appear on TV. The rubber from
the Brickyard 400 could still be seen. I was amazed how deep the entry
line was. An early apex here would be disastrous on the |
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