| From Tom Piantanida: "There is an interesting story about
how I got into the pits and paddock at this event. It was the first
professional event at the then new Texas track, so I figured they
wouldn't have security figured out. I was right; I got into the track
on the first practice day by flashing a PCA (Porsche Club of America)
card that I borrowed from another graduate student where I was attending
school. (I've never owned a Porsche.)
On practice day, I hung out at one of the manufacturer's tents, and
wrangled a manufacturer's rep pass (#42). On race day, I got to the
gate and flashed my #42 pass, and was told by the guard that manufacturer's
rep passes weren't good on race day. I raised my voice and
told him that I was from Kelsey-Hayes and that if he didn't let me in,
there would be a lot of race cars running on unbalanced wheels. He
let me in." |
