My birthday is today and I at least made it to
#61.As they say, the grave yard is full of individuals that did not make it this far so I feel thankful.Been doing some thinking this AM and two things entered my small brain while enjoying a cup of coffee.First, as we all do as we get older, just a thought about what will my legacy be after I do infact get into that grave yard. And, of course, my legacy will be my family, especially the kids - three of them and they are great. All are educated, all are successful, all have kids and not one of them gave me and Cathy much trouble.Next, my thoughts turned to Motorsports and I began to wonder if in fact I have been able to have a personal impact on this sport we all love. And, you know what.................little ole Henry has infact had an impact.Several years back at the annual event here in Augusta the moon and the stars aligned and we were able to have Pam Roberts and Mrs. Dave MacDonald come together at the get together. Well, most would say that is indeed special but let me dig a little deeper for the Racers Reunion group.That horrible May back in 1964, during that horrible year for racing, produced two seperate horrible accidents that took the lives of heros, fathers and husbands. And so the story goes. But, it does not end there, it ends 45 years later in Augusta, Georgia.Six months before that 1964 May, "Fireball" finished first in the "Augusta 510" and sports car great Dave MacDonald finished second and they immediately became friends from two different types of Motorsport racing and from two different types of backgrounds. One from Florida and one from California.The Monday after "Fireball's" accident in Charlotte Dave's wife Sherry wrote a note to the Robert's family expressing the MacDonald family feelings toward the accident in Charlotte. Sherry corresponded with Dave that Monday evening and he asked that she not mail the letter until he arrived back from driving in the Indianapolis 500 that was going to be run in a few days later on Saturday. He wanted to add a personal note. Sherry held the letter.Dave was killed that Saturday at Indy and the letter was never mailed.Forty five years later Sherry hand delivered that letter to Pam Roberts here in Augusta.Everyone, including myself, cried right there in the Hotel lobby.That is my personal impact on this thing we call Motorsports and that, my friends, ranks right at the top on making me feel good about my life.
Tim, thanks.Celebrations, get togethers, old cars, old friends, old stories and old tracks are fun.The event that is about to take place in Mooresville, the granite monument here in Augusta and efforts in other places that will truely document the heritage of this sport for generations to come is what this should all be about.That should be our FIRST focus!Photographs will fade, memories will fade and even objects of speed will one day fade but the documentation talking place will never be lost.For that we will all be proud.I often think about the movie "Planet of the Apes" during the final scenes when a walk discovers a portion of the Statue of Liberty still standing.Perhaps, just perhaps, one day thousands of years from now, whoever, will be walking along here in Augusta and see a portion of granite sticking out of the ground. As they get closer names appear and they will ask questions.And, with all photographs, cars, tracks, and people gone, they will at least discover this documentation of our sport.I am not sure of the Ape word for "WOW", but it might infact be "WOW".One day, perhaps next week, perhaps decades from now, our organization and other organizations (yes, even Racers Reunion) will fade and be gone. But, the important work, left behind in some concrete form will never be gone.I feel good inside.
Trying to name the names of people who have impacted our spot since the races on the sandy beaches of Ormand/Daytona Beach Fla.are many and to amass their names here would be almost impossible. Our sport we so love will most probably in time have quite a few bumps in its road to eternity but mankinds spirit to compete will never end.You take people of today that is of importance in our sport,are they there for the money or the sport? Both you say,Brian and the ISC probably are. Now go one step further,how about a couple that most reading this are familiar with. Jeff Glider, is he in it for the money? or how about Henry? are they gold diggers? Now this is what I have observed in meeting both,if they are in it for the money both have truly lost their minds. But what they are doing for the sport will be enjoyed for generations to come. One of them has met another milestone today in his life and for that feat I hereby salute you sir by posting a very special photo that shows your dedication to our sport----------H A P P Y B I R T H D A Y "Henry Jones" !
Happy Birthday Hennry Jones keep up the good work
Leon, check your e-mail.Concerning Mooresville visit.
Thanks Joe.That is the kind of personal information that we need to get documented on the former Augusta tracks and drivers.We really need to find out information on the track that was located off Washington Road near the August National Golf Course. It held races in 1911, about the same time that Savannah was hosting the Vanderbilt Grand Prix races. It was known as Lakeside Speedway which leads me to believe it was between the golf course and Lake Olmstead.