Found this 1965 Watkins Glen photo with mechanic on right identified as Bob Auman and wondered if it could be the same fellow who helped you?
We've lost some real special racing talent these past few years. Few of the local track drivers I idolized are still living. Doesn't seem possible. I now realize all too well what my late mom and dad meant by time flying. Remember how when we were children it seemed to take forever for summer vacation to get here? Now those months just whiz by on the calendar. Those engine room men were geniuses. A lot of them hardly ever got out to the track. That's why it was so special when the races were close by for them. I remember Robert Yates telling me once about some engines he'd built at Holman-Moody for Junior Johnson for Daytona, but they didn't have some kinda special "black" bolts used and Robert had to do an overnight rebuild and get the motor to Daytona. My feeble mind doesn't remember what year or what the result was, just that Robert was illustrating how picky folks can be. I seem to remember the point of the story being that there was no difference in the bolts, but Junior was convinced that the engine wouldn't stay together unless the black bolts were used. A tremendous amount of talent has worked behind the scenes in all the various shops through the years like your friend that most of us will never know about. When I was around Bud Moore in the early 80s I espacially appreciated meeting Red Mylar who was building rear end gears there. Red hardly ever went to the track anymore at that time, but had probably forgotten more than most of them out there knew.
Jim, thanks for your discussion on Bill Auman. I am always interested in the engine guys especially at Holman-Moody, they are simply the best. If you have any pictures of Bill working at H-M, please put them here. I would like to know more about him. Thanks.
Pete
