Thank you, David. Any relation to LOUIS? Thank you for the effort. Mr. Meyer there are people still out there who think these things historical should be documented and are utterly fascinating to watch and learn about. I have seen one other history of, the one with Paul Page, it is not nearly as good as this. THANK YOU. I will use this to teach the next generation. Its what ido...
As a teen of the 60’s and 70’s the Indy 500 is a family tradition alright. Meaning we would listen to the racing action while cleaning and preparing the family pool for the summer. Lol. 😎 IMO the 60’s and 70’s were the best of best years. Innovations were evolving and advancing at a record pace. Among my favorite drivers at that time were Rick Mears, Johnny Rutherford and Bobby Rahal.
As someone who hasn't really been exposed to the history of the Indy 500 (being European will do that) having watched this documentary I feel like I've gained a good insight as to why the Indy 500 is such a historic and legendary race. I've watched the Indy 500 for a few years but never knew much about its history until now, only that it's considered one of the three greatest racing events in the world. I think Alonso's entry into the most recent Indy 500 got me curious about the actual history of and traditions behind the race. Thanks for uploading this Derek, really learned something from this!
For the life of me, I've been trying to find a similar documentary from around the late 80's to the early 90's that was on VHS. It went through all the years in detail from the creators to the crashes and the fire of the tower. Been looking for nearly 10 years. It was well over 2 hours long and loved watching it along side the BBC Grand Prix 500 ( Narrated by the late Clive James ), It was my Sunday done in the 90's with these 2 docs!!
My remark (out loud) was how dare they speak of Tony George in the same breath as his Grandfather "The Great Anton Hulman Jr." One man built this incredible racing spectacle. The other man did his darndest to totally DESTROY it.
It was worth the view if only to hear Sid Collins voice again. I can't think of another voice that so captured the gravitas and celebration of the Greatest Spectacle in Racing (or any other sporting event).
I think it was ‘83. Opening day of qualifying. We got to see Rick Mears break the track record 4 times in his 4 laps of qualifying. I’ve been to the race 6 times and it’s surreal, but some of my best memories are the time trials. Very relaxed atmosphere. Not dealing with 400,000 people arriving and leaving at the same time. Wander the garage area (it was ‘70’s-‘80’s). Holler at the drivers and catch a few autographs. Ten years later one of the Granitelli turbine cars sold at the AUBURN CORD DEUSENBERG festival auction. They started and drove it across the auction block. Started it OUTSIDE the big tent. The exhaust was about 12 inches square aiming up tilted a bit to the rear, right behind the driver’s head. (Before someone calls me out on that description, it wasn’t the car in this film. There were several versions built. I think at least two are still in the museum in the track’s infield). When the screaming-whining beast rolled into the tent, that whole big canvas roof went FOOOP like a loaded parachute. I thought the tent pegs were gonna rise up.
Never been to indy, might go to carb day this year though or at least the carb night classic at irp. but I REMEMBER THAT CAR I LIVE 5 Miles away roughtly from the Auction grounds, I dont remember the turbine fireing up I thought it was disabled but I remember seeing it sitting in the auction barn, and the other cars they had in there when I went over to work as a member of the highschool that during that run had worked at the auction as part of our fundraiser, now its all for naught , they might not have the auction this year rm auctions is looking to sell the park and there is talk of making a sports complex of it, even though it was the kruse family that started dedicated antique car auctions, barret jackson and mecum were started by former employees, so the big auction may not happen anymore though we still have the acd fest and an auction by a company called worldwide that was started by a cousin I think of dean kruse, though that company was just bought by somone though who I am not sure but I remember that car there.
@@manga12 The turbine car that I saw being driven across the auction block was when the auction was still at Dekalb high school so you are probably correct about the one you saw not running and I was probably a little off in my timeline description. The auction block was on the football field under a tent that covered a tiny bleachers for the bidders. The cars came through the tent on the running track and rolled up on a slightly elevated platform. To the right of the platform was no wall to the tent so folks in the main football bleachers could watch the bidding. As soon as that turbine exhaust rolled under the tent they realized they made a big mistake by the inflation of the tent and the tension on the ropes. Everyone was a bit surprised. The car didn’t stop on the platform. They were swinging their arms indicating to the driver to keep moving and git-on-out. The tent survived. 🥴
@@ridermak4111 I saw the one in 1997 that was the granatelli turbine indy car or 1998 unless its been across the block more then once there, which used to happen all the time with the batmobiles that have been produced for the movies and series, they did have one of the production cars that they gave rides in my dad won the raffle and got to ride in one of them dont know if it was the thuderbird one or one of the other production experamental turbine cars
Anyone who calls themselves a race fan really needs go to the 500 and especially the speedway museum. There's nothing like seeing and feeling it for yourself.
I agree 100%! The race was so much more interesting and fun to watch when there was several different engine and chassis manufacturers. They used to run Cosworth, Offy, Buick, Mercedes, Miller, Chevy, Olds,and the notorious Novi engines. These engines were coupled with several different chassis March, Lola, Lotus, Eagle, Coyote etc.. Now the racing is still cool to watch but that sense of allegiance towards a particular driver or engine is no longer there since they all run the same cars. What made having so many different engines/chassis so great was the competition, if a car/engine was winning everything the other guys went to the drawing board to improve their design. NASCAR today sucks because every single car is exactly the same. The "S" in NASCAR is supposed to stand for Stock and there is nothing stock about todays stock cars. They all have the same block and they slap a Chevy of Ford sticker on the side.
As a note on the history of the televised race while the above is correct that ABC began its live broadcast they covered it to one extent, or another, starting in 1965 on "Wide World of Sports" and the like. They went to full race coverage starting in 1971 but it was on a same day tape delayed prime time broadcast. I had to look this up because I have always believed that I have watched this race on TV since the 70's and was terrified that I was going to have to finally start believing in the Mandela effect and no one needs that.
Swede Savage wreck! My Father quit working at the 500 Speedway after seeing it! Never went back again! Said it was like a bomb going off with a man inside. It was! Shawn
1973 is regarded by many as the worst Indy 500 ever. I was 11 and watching when that crash happened and it shook me so badly that I didn't watch the rest of it.
Savage hit the wall right in front of us. We were in the 32nd row and for a second, we all thought we were going to get burned to death, most horrific thing I have ever seen.
1982 Eagle Aircraft Flyer Special Chevrolet www.carmrades-blog.com/all-articles/2018/1/9/crop-killer-1982-eagle-aircraft-flyer-special-chevrolet-indycar This car was a disaster. One of the worst designs ever.
@@Ulrich.Bierwisch - a beautifully ugly disaster of a disaster. It eventually had a wing attached - I saw it plodding around the speedway with that wing. But it never got close to qualifying speed. The sort of abomination that used to make Indy particularly interesting (along with the more interesting innovative approaches to race car design - Smokey Yunick's side car, the turbines, the novi, Parnelli's dihedral winged car, the Millers, the Chaparral "Yellow Submarine", etc.).
Looks more interesting when the cars ran at human speeds! I attended around 1977, sat in the infield along a straightaway - cars going by so fast you literally could not tell the colors - what a bore!
My Name is JC Sutherland my grand uncle is James Allison my Grandfather is Cornelius Allison My Mother is Sallie Allison anybody want to what really happened?
dear indy i am looking for a place for high speed motorcycle jumping. i am praying for a sixty five year contract at a spectacular speedway to perform. best wishes eric stewart monroe city indiana american biker kareoke singer trucker swimmer
I've been to 3 Nascar races at the Brickyard in the 90s and was never impressed. Had better seats the 2nd and 3rd times in short chute between turns 1 and 2. This was about the only place they would pass and the passing was far and few between. Terrible for watching. Even Pocono is better and it sucks. Never been to a 500 and sometimes don't even watch it on TV. It has become nothing but spoiled rich kids driving identical spec cars. Roger Penske had a hand in ruining the 500 when he introduced super expensive technology. I would say the early 80s marked the end of respectable Indy 500s.
As a Brazilian.. this is the most special place on earth, i want to visit the speedway someday.
We can have Interlagos but IMS is another level.
I directed this documentary many moons ago. I have one copy on VHS. Amazed to find it here. Thanks for sharing.
+David Meyer What a treasure for 500 fans!!! Thanks David!!!
Very cool! Would love to hear about how that came together. I'm in the biz myself. Are you still producing?
One of the best ones I've seen. Thanks David!
Thank you, David. Any relation to LOUIS? Thank you for the effort. Mr. Meyer there are people still out there who think these things historical should be documented and are utterly fascinating to watch and learn about. I have seen one other history of, the one with Paul Page, it is not nearly as good as this. THANK YOU. I will use this to teach the next generation. Its what ido...
Why didn't you mention Dave MacDonald th the crash that took Sschs life?
I grew up off lynhurst and crawfordsville. Love this race. It is a religious experience for me to attend
As a teen of the 60’s and 70’s the Indy 500 is a family tradition alright. Meaning we would listen to the racing action while cleaning and preparing the family pool for the summer. Lol. 😎
IMO the 60’s and 70’s were the best of best years. Innovations were evolving and advancing at a record pace. Among my favorite drivers at that time were Rick Mears, Johnny Rutherford and Bobby Rahal.
As someone who hasn't really been exposed to the history of the Indy 500 (being European will do that) having watched this documentary I feel like I've gained a good insight as to why the Indy 500 is such a historic and legendary race. I've watched the Indy 500 for a few years but never knew much about its history until now, only that it's considered one of the three greatest racing events in the world.
I think Alonso's entry into the most recent Indy 500 got me curious about the actual history of and traditions behind the race. Thanks for uploading this Derek, really learned something from this!
Wow - cool response. Glad you enjoyed it. Please get Indy on your bucket list. It you ever get to Indy, look me up. I'll show you around the track!
“ “ “ More like “one of the three GREATEST EVENTS period !!!
More like - the largest spectator race in the world and most oldest ongoing race in the world
The Indianapolis Motor Speedway is beyond incredible. The history and pageantry is second to none.
For the life of me, I've been trying to find a similar documentary from around the late 80's to the early 90's that was on VHS. It went through all the years in detail from the creators to the crashes and the fire of the tower. Been looking for nearly 10 years. It was well over 2 hours long and loved watching it along side the BBC Grand Prix 500 ( Narrated by the late Clive James ), It was my Sunday done in the 90's with these 2 docs!!
I had a VHS back in the 90's that was narrated by Paul Page. I think it was by front runner video.
Loved stumbling onto this terrific documentary. Thank you
@38:00 you re wrong Donald.... The rear view mirror for cars was invented by Ray Harroun in 1911!!
What an amazing piece of history. This was a blast to watch.
I remember seeing clips of this in that IndyCar game from 2003. i never unlocked all the clips, so this is the ultimate cheat code.
Did anyone else boo when they said Tony George or just me?
My remark (out loud) was how dare they speak of Tony George in the same breath as his Grandfather "The Great Anton Hulman Jr." One man built this incredible racing spectacle. The other man did his darndest to totally DESTROY it.
It was worth the view if only to hear Sid Collins voice again. I can't think of another voice that so captured the gravitas and celebration of the Greatest Spectacle in Racing (or any other sporting event).
Great trip through racing history. Loved it.
Thanks Derek and David great to see this again. Originally saw it on television; ABC or ESPN I believe.
And i thought that i had seen all of the footage their was to see. WOOHOO THIS is loaded. THANKS FOR THE POST
I think it was ‘83. Opening day of qualifying. We got to see Rick Mears break the track record 4 times in his 4 laps of qualifying. I’ve been to the race 6 times and it’s surreal, but some of my best memories are the time trials. Very relaxed atmosphere. Not dealing with 400,000 people arriving and leaving at the same time. Wander the garage area (it was ‘70’s-‘80’s). Holler at the drivers and catch a few autographs. Ten years later one of the Granitelli turbine cars sold at the AUBURN CORD DEUSENBERG festival auction. They started and drove it across the auction block. Started it OUTSIDE the big tent. The exhaust was about 12 inches square aiming up tilted a bit to the rear, right behind the driver’s head. (Before someone calls me out on that description, it wasn’t the car in this film. There were several versions built. I think at least two are still in the museum in the track’s infield). When the screaming-whining beast rolled into the tent, that whole big canvas roof went
FOOOP like a loaded parachute. I thought the tent pegs were gonna rise up.
Never been to indy, might go to carb day this year though or at least the carb night classic at irp.
but I REMEMBER THAT CAR I LIVE 5 Miles away roughtly from the Auction grounds, I dont remember the turbine fireing up I thought it was disabled but I remember seeing it sitting in the auction barn, and the other cars they had in there when I went over to work as a member of the highschool that during that run had worked at the auction as part of our fundraiser, now its all for naught , they might not have the auction this year rm auctions is looking to sell the park and there is talk of making a sports complex of it, even though it was the kruse family that started dedicated antique car auctions, barret jackson and mecum were started by former employees, so the big auction may not happen anymore though we still have the acd fest and an auction by a company called worldwide that was started by a cousin I think of dean kruse, though that company was just bought by somone though who I am not sure but I remember that car there.
@@manga12
The turbine car that I saw being driven across the auction block was when the auction was still at Dekalb high school so you are probably correct about the one you saw not running and I was probably a little off in my timeline description. The auction block was on the football field under a tent that covered a tiny bleachers for the bidders. The cars came through the tent on the running track and rolled up on a slightly elevated platform. To the right of the platform was no wall to the tent so folks in the main football bleachers could watch the bidding. As soon as that turbine exhaust rolled under the tent they realized they made a big mistake by the inflation of the tent and the tension on the ropes. Everyone was a bit surprised. The car didn’t stop on the platform. They were swinging their arms indicating to the driver to keep moving and git-on-out. The tent survived. 🥴
@@ridermak4111 I saw the one in 1997 that was the granatelli turbine indy car or 1998 unless its been across the block more then once there, which used to happen all the time with the batmobiles that have been produced for the movies and series, they did have one of the production cars that they gave rides in my dad won the raffle and got to ride in one of them dont know if it was the thuderbird one or one of the other production experamental turbine cars
Awesome show. Thanks to whoever created this.
I was part of the team. Glad you liked.
Anyone who calls themselves a race fan really needs go to the 500 and especially the speedway museum. There's nothing like seeing and feeling it for yourself.
It used to be about innovation. Run what you brung. Now it’s spec series with everyone driving the same car. The old days were the best !
I agree 100%! The race was so much more interesting and fun to watch when there was several different engine and chassis manufacturers. They used to run Cosworth, Offy, Buick, Mercedes, Miller, Chevy, Olds,and the notorious Novi engines. These engines were coupled with several different chassis March, Lola, Lotus, Eagle, Coyote etc.. Now the racing is still cool to watch but that sense of allegiance towards a particular driver or engine is no longer there since they all run the same cars. What made having so many different engines/chassis so great was the competition, if a car/engine was winning everything the other guys went to the drawing board to improve their design. NASCAR today sucks because every single car is exactly the same. The "S" in NASCAR is supposed to stand for Stock and there is nothing stock about todays stock cars. They all have the same block and they slap a Chevy of Ford sticker on the side.
sweet video.
looks like a film that would be shown at the Speedway museum.
It should be. Though, it is long for that. The video they were showing as of a year ago is quite old.
I wish I grew up around there
I did!!! And worked there as a "Yellowshirt" in the garage area for 12 years!!!
this is also on an indycar video game. neat
As a note on the history of the televised race while the above is correct that ABC began its live broadcast they covered it to one extent, or another, starting in 1965 on "Wide World of Sports" and the like. They went to full race coverage starting in 1971 but it was on a same day tape delayed prime time broadcast. I had to look this up because I have always believed that I have watched this race on TV since the 70's and was terrified that I was going to have to finally start believing in the Mandela effect and no one needs that.
Need to change the track layout to oval. Tight corners not ok for todays speed.
No mention of Bill Vukovich. What's up with that?
Swede Savage wreck! My Father quit working at the 500 Speedway after seeing it! Never went back again! Said it was like a bomb going off with a man inside. It was! Shawn
1973 is regarded by many as the worst Indy 500 ever. I was 11 and watching when that crash happened and it shook me so badly that I didn't watch the rest of it.
Savage hit the wall right in front of us. We were in the 32nd row and for a second, we all thought we were going to get burned to death, most horrific thing I have ever seen.
Love this documentary and race!
16 to 20 seconds back in the day. Now is 2 to 5 seconds lol.
How can I go about getting a copy of this?
9:00 "and with the largest person racing, $25,000"
Ay, what - oh
that's "purse" as in award money...
@@indyjohn59 I still here "person" not 'purse in'.
Eddie more than likely would've ended up on the Borg Warner.
The mule's were cool...
What on earth am i looking at at 38:29? #63. What year was this, whos driving, what happened to it, how is it powered?
1982 Eagle Aircraft Flyer Special Chevrolet
www.carmrades-blog.com/all-articles/2018/1/9/crop-killer-1982-eagle-aircraft-flyer-special-chevrolet-indycar
This car was a disaster. One of the worst designs ever.
@@Ulrich.Bierwisch - a beautifully ugly disaster of a disaster. It eventually had a wing attached - I saw it plodding around the speedway with that wing. But it never got close to qualifying speed. The sort of abomination that used to make Indy particularly interesting (along with the more interesting innovative approaches to race car design - Smokey Yunick's side car, the turbines, the novi, Parnelli's dihedral winged car, the Millers, the Chaparral "Yellow Submarine", etc.).
should patch in the pa announcer for tv ,
Behold Circus Circus
I watched this the day before the real race
Mechanic gets run over at 14:23
There were several drivers that were over come with smoke fumes.😩😩😩😩
Looks more interesting when the cars ran at human speeds! I attended around 1977, sat in the infield along a straightaway - cars going by so fast you literally could not tell the colors - what a bore!
The track is SOUTHwest of Indianapolis, not northwest.
Not when it was built.
it's strange that NASCAR would be pronounced dead at this track ! lets hope it can find resurrection after the corporate goons are done.
The $25,000 purse in 1911 is worth $810,000 in 2023
This is way before 2000 Dale Earnhardt death no Hans braxe yet or similar braces
My Name is JC Sutherland my grand uncle is James Allison my Grandfather is Cornelius Allison My Mother is Sallie Allison anybody want to what really happened?
Only 4 tire changes
1909
The veil thing is dumb having the upright in middle of windshield. F**ks vision and focusing.
Great documentary. It's a shame the race is just another event now.
dear indy i am looking for a place for high speed motorcycle jumping. i am praying for a sixty five year contract at a spectacular speedway to perform. best wishes eric stewart monroe city indiana american biker kareoke singer trucker swimmer
terrible track to watch a race
The unequal basket peroperatively plug because basket nearly employ afore a shallow mirror. burly, last war
Oh yeah. I get it,,,NOT!
I've been to 3 Nascar races at the Brickyard in the 90s and was never impressed. Had better seats the 2nd and 3rd times in short chute between turns 1 and 2. This was about the only place they would pass and the passing was far and few between. Terrible for watching. Even Pocono is better and it sucks. Never been to a 500 and sometimes don't even watch it on TV. It has become nothing but spoiled rich kids driving identical spec cars. Roger Penske had a hand in ruining the 500 when he introduced super expensive technology. I would say the early 80s marked the end of respectable Indy 500s.