 |  |  |  |  |
 |  |  |  |  |
 |  |  |  |  |
1960 Watson Indy Roadster news, pictures, and information | ||
| Tweet | ||
 |  |  | Roadster |
Although other drivers led early, it was Rathmann and 1959 winner Rodger Ward who dueled for the lead from lap 96 to the end. Rathmann, who already had three 2nd place finishes, dueled for the lead wîth Ward 14 times during the last 105 laps, the final pass coming on lap 197 when Rathmann recorded the fastest lap of the race at 146.1 mph, then winning by 12.7 seconds.Source - AACA Museum
 |  |  | Roadster |
This car was built from Watson Roadster plans in 1960, by Wayne Ewing and Ronnie Ward. In the 1960 Indy 500 race, the car qualified 30th and finished 32nd, due to a faulty clutch. In the 1961 Indy race, the car did not qualify, driven in three separate attempts by Danny Jones, Don Freeland and Paul Russo. In 1962, three more unsuccessful qualifying attempts were made by Keith Rachewitz, Chuck Arnold and Jim Hurtubise. In 1963, Jimmy Daywalt and Chuck Rodee were unsuccessful in qualifying the car, and Chuck Rodee was again unsuccessful at qualifying for the Indy in 1964. This car also raced at Milwaukee, Hanford and Phoenix with such drivers as George Snider, Carl Williams and Bob Hunt. It also raced at Oswego as a Chevy-powered supermodified racer.
The 1960 Joe Hunt Magneto Special was one of two 'Watson copies' Ewing built that year. Hunt hired Al Herman, former rookie of the year at Indy, to drive the car. Herman was qualified 30th with a speed of 141.838. (Eddie Sachs drove the other 'Watson Copy' to the pole position with a qualifying speed of 146.592.) Herman maneuvered the Hunt car into 16th place by the first pit stop at 34 laps, but the clutch blew as he exited the pits and was classified as 32nd for the day. Several more attempts were made to qualify over the next several years, but the car never made the Indy field again.
The car was restored by Roger Beck/Reilly Restoration and is maintained by Reilly Restoration.
| HONDA INDY GRAND PRIX OF LONG BEACH TALKING POINTS | |
| HONDA PERFORMANCE DEVELOPMENT 20TH ANNIVERSARY - In April, 1993, Honda Performance Development was founded in Santa Clarita, California as the competition arm of American Honda Motor Co., Inc. Starting this month, HPD will be celebrating its 20th anniversary with a variety of events and activities. - In 20 years, HPD has grown from just a handful of staffers to approximately 150 associates; and from an engine-rebuilding facility to a complete motorsports Research & Development organiza...[Read more...] | |
| SEBASTIEN LOEB OF FRANCE ENTERS PIKES PEAK INTERNATIONAL HILL CLIMB | |
 | One of the world's most decorated auto racing stars is coming to Pikes Peak this summer. Nine-time WRC World Rally Championship winner Sebastien Loeb of France has entered the 2013 Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, adding more international luster to the nation's second-oldest motor sports event behind the Indy 500 and helping to make the field the best in the race's storied history.. The 91st running of the race will be held on Sunday, June 30 with the help and support of title ...[Read more...] |
| HONDA INDY GRAND PRIX OF ALABAMA TALKING POINTS | |
| -This weekend's Honda Grand Prix of Alabama will be the fourth IZOD IndyCar Series event at the scenic, 2-3-mile Barber Motorsports Park circuit, and marks the third year American Honda has served as title sponsor of the event. -American Honda also sponsored last month's season-opening Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg; and will again be the title sponsor of the Honda Indy 200 at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in August. In addition to these three events, Honda Canada entitles the Honda Indy T...[Read more...] | |
| Indy 500 Champion Al Unser, Jr. as the 2013 Grand Marshal | |
 | The 18th Annual Keels & Wheels Concours d'Elegance, benefiting The Boys & Girls Harbor, announced that two-time Indy winner Al Unser, Jr. will serve as the 2013 Grand Marshal. Unser will be on the grounds throughout the weekend of May 4-5, 2013 at the Lakewood Yacht Club in Seabrook, TX meeting participants and visitors, signing autographs, and participating in the awards programs. Unser has accumulated a tremendous record of success as a race car driver throughout the last 30 years. Continu...[Read more...] |
| Firestone Returns As Presenting Sponsor of RRDC Evening With Brian Redman in Long Beach | |
 | The Firestone brand will return as presenting sponsor of the Road Racing Drivers Club's fifth annual West Coast banquet honoring auto racing's most influential leaders. This year, on Thursday, April 18, prior to the running of the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach, the 'RRDC Evening with Brian Redman presented by Firestone' will highlight the career of one of the sport's most popular, talented and successful race-car drivers. This is the Firestone brand's fourth straight year as a supporter of the...[Read more...] |
