| Subject: The Little Cat that Could.... |
Author:
Mike
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Date Posted: 13:04:18 04/13/05 Wed
For the past 20 years I had a dream of being in The Great Race, but never had the
time or the right car that would draw attention. Finally I spotted a lonely 1949
Crosley convertible, thought about it for a while, and then contacted Larry and
Betty Taylor in Ohio who went to inspect it for me and take pictures. That was all
I needed to buy it and ship it to Texas. Once it got here I thought this was going
to be the time (2004), so I got ready to race. Alas, bad valves kept me from entering
that year. I worked on it all next year and still had other problems. Finally I
got in touch with Ed Lemke who was on his way here with a new engine, so I worked
out a deal and the next day it was up and running. I drove about 250 miles on it
and then it was Race Day. Thanks to many people who helped me buy parts and pieces:
Dave Edwards, Yankee Crosley parts, Gerald Church, Barry Seel, Chuck Koekler, and
last but not least, my good friend and Tech supporter, Neal Daglow, who kept me
running. On race day I was ready to run with the Big Boys. I ran against V8's, big
sixes and straight eights, and thousands of dollars of speedometer and timing toys,
while all I had was a 55 year old speedometer and a stop watch. The Little Car That
Could made heads turn at every leg of the race, and it not only kept up, it even
passed a few along the way. I smoked the clutch going up some of the hills and smoked
the brakes on the way down. I got on the highway and hit speeds of 59 mph several
times and I think that's when the exhaust manifold gasket blew. So I Finished in
65th place out of 76 cars. Sorry no trophy, but I did get into The Great Race history
book. The First Crosley to have ever entered the Great Race and pass though the
winner's finish line. Now that's one Tough Little Car!!!!! Who knows what's next?
The Great Race again or Le Mans? Or a trip to Europe to road race? Time will tell.
Maybe I can get some sponsor's support. Sincerely,
Mike Bruno/Driver.
Gail Barth/Navigator.
Barry and Audrey Mann/Support Team.
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