DRIVE TO SURVIVE? UH, NO, IT WAS JUST FOR FUN

WIFE DOTTIE’S NIECE LINDA RECENTLY came upon strips of b/w negatives shot by Dottie when I drove a Formula Ford at what I believe was the last competitive event at Ontario Motor Speedway. Here, in Drive to Survive insider fashion, are her images of that momentous event (which I believe occurred sometime in the early 1980s). Alas, I recall writing about it in R&T, but research with my bound volumes and R&T Index failed to unearth it. 

Technical Details of This Production. Linda sent these strips carefully wrapped in fine condition.

Above, as delivered. Below, six strips of negatives of Kodak Safety Film 5063. 

What with the inherent dangers of motorsports, I suspect we were comforted by the Safety aspects of the film.

Transforming these negatives to modern images was easy-peasy with my Ion Omni Scan. This was once I remembered how to operate it; the last time I dusted it off was years ago with some 4/c slides.  

The Omni Scan at work. 

Pre-Race Activities. The event was sponsored by the British School of Motor Racing, at which I had participated in several R&T advertisers’ junkets as host shoe. This time around, I recall the Drivers’ Meeting consisted of BSMR-invited journalists.

I’m third from the right, though alas I don’t recall any of my competitors. (One, note, had his own Hot Rod headgear.)

Just like real race guys, we had practice followed by qualifying to determine grid positions. Here’s a shot of my racer eyes and another displaying the usual product placement. 

The Proper Livery. Below I am gloving up. And, yes, Formula Fords have always been a tight fit for the likes of me. You’ll notice BSMR had kindly attached R&T stickers. Also, could that be a Rob Walker sticker on the bodywork just to the right of my right shoulder? 

Here’s a Rob Walker patch that eventually got added to my own driving suit, years after this event.

The Race. It might have been the Coke buzz, but I recall turning in a crazed qualifying lap that placed me second on the starting grid. (Or maybe we drew lots?)

Could this be the start? Maybe the crowd roared; all five of them, plus the flagging guy.

Ontario was a 2 1/2-mile oval nicknamed the Western Indy. Its 3.19-mile road course nestled within. Image by SpeedwayFanSup3rb1rd1 from Wikipedia.

There were times when I diced with other cars (or got passed by them?). Other times I was alone with my Formula Ford.

In time (I forget the race length) came the checkered flag.

I assume Dottie shot me in a close finish with someone else. The drama of it!

The Victory Banquet. Given this was the last Victory Banquet ever at OMS, R&T hosted our table to wines. I asked the waiter, “Reds, whites, or both?”  “It won’t matter,” he said cryptically. 

Then we discovered why: What with this being the last OMS event, they were evidently cleaning out the pantry: As I recall, we each had a mixed platter of beef, chicken, fish, noodles, pasta, rice, and salad.

A good time was had by all, with much cheering for everyone. Dottie must have been out of Kodak Safety 5063. ds

© Dennis Simanaitis, SimanaitisSays.com, 2024