If it ain't Boeing I ain't goin'

Wednesday 1st July - 2020

Due to the Coronavirus pandemic and the effect it has had on the aviation industry worldwide, unfortunately Qantas has announced that it will be retiring the last of its Boeing 747-400 Jumbo aircraft. Consequently, in just 3-week's time the last remaining B747 will leave Australian shores for the final time. 

Nostalgia and sentiment are no match for the unrelenting march of progress. Qantas and all it's staff, both past & present will bid a final Goodbye to what has been the virtual backbone of the fleet - its last remaining Boeing 747 Jumbo on Wednesday 22nd of July, 2020.

VH-OEJ when it was painted in the Wunala Dreaming paint scheme.
Making it the largest movable Aboriginal Art piece in the world
She wore the scheme from 2003 until 2012
Photo: Makismo

This particular Qantas Boeing 747-438 aircraft was one of the aircraft painted in the lndigenous Flying Art series, titled "Wunala (Kangaroo) Dreaming". Once painted in the special colour scheme, this aircraft was considered the world's largest movable piece of Aboriginal art. It carries the Australian registration of VH-OEJ.

This Qantas B747 Special Livery aircraft "Wunala Dreaming" was in fact one of the most spectacular special-liveried aircraft, either in military or commercial use across the entire world.

Qantas Airways first began flying the Boeing 747-200s in 1971, during that 49-year period since, they have operated 65 Boeing 747s. Not too Shabby.

When l heard that the last of our B747 Jumbos was about to be sent for retirement to the Mojave Air & Space Port in the Californian desert to be scrapped, l decided that l should try to organise a fitting farewell to VH-OEJ "Wunala".

What had driven my thoughts was the fact that l had spent 32 glorious years (more than half my life at the time) flying around the world as a Qantas "Trolly Dolly", I thought it only fitting that l want to see our last B747 take off and depart Sydney for the final time ever, in style on 22nd July, 2020.

For probably most Australians, it is the aircraft that they’ve used to 

experience their first trip overseas and for immigrants coming in here, it 

is probably the first aircraft that they came and experienced Australia on.

Photo: Mike Forsberg

l joined Qantas on the 5th June 1974. l can remember that day just like it was yesterday. The 5th of June 1974 was a Wednesday, l parked my '62 VW Beetle in the Qantas car park that is situated near the Qantas Catering Centre, l was all dressed up like a "Box Office Clerk" in my bag of fruit. 

l can remember walking over the Air Bridge that crosses over Qantas Drive thinking to myself, how good is this. Not knowing what an amazing 32-year career l had ahead of myself. 

Caricature of yours truly was sketched by 
fellow Flight Attendant Ray Galea

For me there would no longer be grease under the fingernails as a motor mechanic & no more pre-dawn starts working for the Sutherland Shire Council as a garbologist.

Some of you may be able to remember this particular time period in your life, because me starting date at Qantas is now 46-years ago.

The Australian Banks had just introduced this thing called Bankcard (a Credit Card) in 1974, Australia's first mobile phone system began in August 1981. But the system was limited to a $5,000 car phone that weighed a massive 14 kilograms, could store just 16 phone numbers & alerted owners of an incoming call by honking the horn or flashing the car's headlights.

Former Australian Prime Minister of the day, the late Gough Whitlam's rewarding election jingle and theme was: "lt's Time" - that was 2-years earlier in 1972.

After successfully completing my Flight Attendant's 4-week training course my first trip as a newly winged Qantas "Trolly Dolly" was a 1-day Melbourne return trip on a Boeing 707, we departed Sydney at 0800 & l was back home in Cronulla by 1430 in the afternoon. l thought all my birthdays had come at once.

They were the halcyon days when the Cabin Crew on every B747 Jumbo consisted of 12 male & 3 female flight attendants. You don't see those high numbers of Cabin Crew these days, my how times have changed. 

Caricatures of yours truly were sketched by fellow Flight
Attendant Ray Galea & presented to me on my final flight
as a "Trolly Dolly" on October 1st 2006. 

l retired from Qantas on the 1st October 2006, almost 14-years ago. l have been absolutely blessed to work for Qantas for all those years. Sure beats being a motor mechanic or garbologist.

Now back to the reason for this post on my blog:

l would like to organise a whole bunch of us ex-Qantas Flight Attendant retirees & also current flight attendants to get together on 22nd July, 2020 at either Circular Quay or Mrs Macquarie's Chair to watch VH-OEJ, "Wunala Dreaming" depart our Shores for its final resting place at the airliner graveyard in the dry Mojave Desert of California.

We are going to have to wait until the morning of 22nd July 2020 to see if Qantas has arranged a special flight plan or dispensation for the departure of the aircraft to conduct a 'last ever' flypast salute over the Sydney Harbour and the Bridge. 

VH-OEJ was the 57th and final B747-400 delivered to Qantas.
It operated its first revenue service in August, 2003 to LA.
Photo: Hayden Lamb

We do run the risk that if the weather and the prevailing winds are against us on the day, unfortunately all my plans are out the window.

l realise that there are a lot of if's in my proposal, but my attitude is nothing ventured nothing gained.

My friend Steve Core (retired Flight Attendant) wants to do a photo shoot of the fly over, plus shoot some video of us "Retired Silly old buggers" crying on the foreshore of Sydney Harbour as we watch part of our history depart Sydney for the last & final time. Never to return.

Just like a funeral.

Please let me know what you think. Spread the word, because l really think it will be a day to cherish for all of us to catch up with long lost flying friends to share our stories one more time.

If you are interested in joining us for this very special occasion please use the contact form on the right hand side of this blog or call me on 0438 692 737 so that l can keep everyone in the loop with the latest developments & information.

Looking forward to catching up with you all on Wednesday 22nd July 2020.

Work in progress.

Cheers

From the "Squire from the Shire"

Warbo.

My '911' moment today after 17-weeks of lockdown

Wednesday 10th June - 2020

'On the Road Again' as Willy Nelson would say.

After almost 4-months of Covid-19 lockdown it was time for me to dust off one of my vintage cars. So l decided that my 1931 Model A Ford 2-door Tudor Delux Sedan was to be my choice of vehicle to hit the road again.

After talking to my traveling mate Steve Core last weekend, we decided to plan a road trip during the week to blow the cobwebs away from the Model A Ford that would also include clearing out our own minds.

The best road food stop in the Southern Highlands is

the famous Robertson Pie Shop in Robertson

Photo: Steve Core

The last time l had the pleasure to enjoy driving one of my Classic cars was way back on 8th February (almost 4-months ago) when l drove my 1931 Model A Ford 4-door Town Sedan to Blackheath in the Blue Mountains to attend a wedding. 

That is a long time ago & l was starting to suffer withdrawals due to being locked up at home until the Government authorities allowed us to let our hair down to resume some sort of a normal life again. l decided to plan a road trip to the spectacular Southern Highlands of NSW to show Steve the Kangaroo Valley and the lush surrounding areas.

Fitzroy Falls, located in the Morton National Park

due to earlier downpours that morning, was running well on our visit

Photo: Steve Core

l picked up Steve at his residence in Gymea at 0800 this morning, unfortunately the weather was not on our side. This didn't matter as we both were hot to trot to get out of Sydney for a change of environment. Steve did not know where he was headed today on Ken's Magical Mystical Tour, however l did not let him down.

Because of all the rain that this area has experienced during the past few days l decided to head to Fitzroy Falls as l knew it would be pumping. We definitely were not disappointed. Upon our arrival at the falls we could hear the water cascading over the 81m (265 ft.) precipice to the Yarrunga Valley below, absolutely exhilarating. Steve was very impressed with his travel guide so far.

At the entrance to the Fitzroy Falls Lookout
in the Morton National Park
Photo: Steve Core

Once we were all through with the Falls, l then decided to make another sight-seeing adventure to the historic Hampden single-span suspension Bridge, which was only a stone's throw away (20 kms or 12 miles) from where we were.

When we arrived at the heritage listed Hampden Bridge it was great to see the oldest bridge in NSW in person. The bridge was named after Lord Hampden who was the Governor of NSW at the time of 1895.

Approach to the Hampden suspension Bridge which spans
over the Kangaroo River in the Kangaroo Valley

Photo: Steve Core

As you can see by the photographs this bridge brings back themes of knights, castles & colonial England. The bridge was built in Victorian Gothic Style and is complete with battlements on the towers and lead-up abutments, all crafted from locally quarried sandstone.

The fantastic thing about visiting these two scenic attractions is that you can drive there from Sydney in just under 2-hours. (distance from Sydney to the Fitzroy Falls & the Hampden Bridge is approx. 160 kms or 100 miles).

Time was now slipping away, it was already 1:00pm & Steve was ravenous because he did not have any brekko before we departed Gymea earlier in the morning at 8:00am.

The elevated walkways around the top of Fitzroy Falls, where

you're likely to see Wombats, Lyre birds and Platypus

Photo: Steve Core

This was not a problem for the Ken's Magical Tour Guide. Less than (25 kms or 15 miles away) l would satisfy Steve's hunger pains with a stop at the famous Robertson Pie Shop.

The weather definitely was not improving, on a cold, wet Winter's day a nice HOT pie was looking good. The rain was steady when we arrived into the tiny village of Robertson and made our way to the Pie shop at 1:30pm. By this time l was also a little peckish & ready for some tucker.

Transiting over the majestic Hampden Bridge

Photo: Steve Core

Steve ordered a Chunky Beef meat pie & l ordered a Volcanic Chilli pie with tomato sauce. l mentioned to Steve 'What about dessert?' l suggested that we should order the fresh apple pie with cream, a long-standing favourite of mine. Do your-self a favor, if you are fortunate enough to be in the Robertson area DO NOT & l say again, DO NOT miss this place, you will not be disappointed with any of the items on their menu. 

As a matter of fact you would leave home for the chance to get your laughing gear around the fresh apple pie & cream. l also suggested to Steve that l would be ordering an extra apple pie & cream to take home to Cronulla for my son Nathaniel, he thought that was a splendid idea & ordered one for his son, Austin.

Once we filled our tummies with a sensational meat pie & apple pie with cream for dessert, it was now time to head back to Sydney via Macquarie Pass that links the Southern Highland town of Robertson to the coastal town of Albion Park, descending down the Illawarra Escarpment via a very steep, narrow bitumen roadway. 

In steady rain and low cloud on Macquarie Pass, you have to give 

way to the big trucks hauling their trailers that sometimes require reversing 
while negotiating their way through the extra sharp switchback corners

Photo: Steve Core

This section of roadway is very steep, & contains many hairpin bends, resulting in buses & trucks needing to reverse on some of the bends. The Pass is quite notorious for accidents due to its nature, & drivers & riders are required to be cautious. 

We managed to navigate safely down the Pass into Albion Park. Because both Steve & myself are ex-Trolly Dolly's with Qantas, we could not drive past the HARS Aviation Museum at the Shellharbour Regional Airport in Albion Park to check out the retired Qantas Jumbo B747 Boeing aircraft that is on static display at the Museum. (We both reminisced about the times that we had flown on this particular aircraft many times around the world in another life time for both of us). 

The super fresh Robertson Pie Shop apple pies.

Perfect for export back to Sydney as a treat for our sons.

Photo: Steve Core

We hand delivered our surprises (fresh apple pie with cream) to our sons once we hit the 'SHIRE'. My son actually shared his treat with his mother & Steve's son devoured his Robertson apple pie on first sight and instantly gave it a big thumbs up.

The route map for our day's driving
320 kms [200 miles] and about 4:40 hours driving time
[click to enlarge]

That my friends is a comprehensive tale about our Magical Mystery Tour today. Hope that you enjoyed our excursion. Stay tuned because l can feel another trip in the pipeline.

Cheers

Warbo

Vintage & Classic Cars in Isolation & Lock-Down

Tuesday 2nd June - 2020

Check out this sad & sorry sight, showing some of my Vintage Vehicle collection in a Covid-19 lock-down.

Unfortunately l have not been able to use any of my Vintage vehicles coming up to three months now. You know it is funny how you don't realise how much you miss something - until it is taken away from you.

l am a member of five different Car Clubs here in Sydney, when things are normal, there is always something happening, attending monthly club meetings, maintenance awareness days, luncheons, outings to various tourist attractions, sometimes it is awkward to decide which event to attend.

Reposing in a Covid quarantine... five of my beauties.

Not to forget the constant upkeep & maintenance required to keep these 'BABIES' on the road.

Now l do realise how much my hobby means to my physical & mental health, I can't wait until we have open roads so that 'Ken's Magical Mystery Tours' is up & running once again.

Cheers for now

Ken

2012 Goodwood Revival - Ladies Day

Sunday 31st May - 2020

"There are only three sports: Bullfighting, mountain climbing & motor racing", Ernest Hemingway once famously observed.

Happily, all the animals on the Goodwood Farm are safely behind gates, & while West Sussex may not be famed for its alpine scenery, this particular weekend's Goodwood Revival meeting at the Goodwood Circuit (near Chichester-Sussex) held back on September 14-16th, 2012, was one of those Revival meetings that I just could not miss attending.

Additional event highlights included a tribute to Dan Gurney, a parade of Ferrari 250 GTOs, & a spectacular demonstration and display of pre-war Mercedes-Benz Silver Arrows. Plus the Freddie March Spirit of Aviation.

This photo shows an AC Cobra ready and raring to go in the Shelby Cup
celebration races. There were 30 Cobras battling it out for 45-minutes.

Not all the action takes place on the track at the Revival, if you look to the skies at the appropriate time you will be treated to a marvelous collection of warbirds, we were also treated to a special 'Cold War' flypast featuring an English Electric Canberra high-altitude nuclear bomber, flanked by a pair of supersonic Hawker Hunter jets. 

Once again we were honoured to be joined by a Spitfire, Hurricane & a Lancaster bomber (one of only two left in the world flanked by three Spitfires) of the RAF Battle of Britain Memorial Flight.

Among the other highlights of this year's race line up is the Shelby Cup, in which we celebrate the 50th anniversary of the AC Cobra & pay tribute to its creator, Carroll Shelby, who sadly passed away earlier in that year. (10th May 2012 in Dallas, Texas).

The Shelby Cup celebrates the legendary AC Cobra's 50th anniversary, this special one make race will see thirty (original, authentic) Cobra's battling it out for 45-minutes, with driver changes between 15 & 30 mins.

Eight English gentleman in Tweed Oxford jackets, looking as stylish and
fashionable as ever sporting plus-fours, knickers & matching sock garters
while casually taking in the atmosphere on race day.

This weekend we also celebrated the career of American racer Dan Gurney. Dan had victories in F1, NASCAR, Indy racing & World sports cars, including the 1967 Le Mans. This weekend, however, we celebrated Gurney's racing past, from a Ferrari 250TR like the one he raced at Goodwood in 1959, to a McLaren CanAm car representing his last win before retiring in 1979.

Between 1962 to 1964, Ferrari built just thirty-six 250 GTOs, plus three longer engined 330 GTOs to compete in the new GT-based sports car championship. The Ferraris dominated, winning events all over the world (including two Tourist Trophy races here at Goodwood in 1962-1963).

It will be one of the most expensive car parades you will ever see - one GTO, built for Stirling Moss in 1962, recently sold for a record breaking 22.7 Million Pounds (AUD$43M). 

Mercedes-Benz 'Silver Arrows' parked in their garage looking very smart. 

Each vehicle would be worth conservatively around £18 million pounds

that's AUD$34M.

The iconic Mercedes-Benz/Audi Silver Arrows made a dramatic return to the track for the 2012 Revival, marking 75-years since they made their debut at the sensational 1937 Donington GP. Although the cars have appeared regularly at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, they've never been grouped together like this, wheel to wheel in a circuit environment, during the post-war era. Thanks to the tremendous support of all entrants, including the Museums of Mercedes-Benz & Audi (the modern descendant of Auto Union), up to ten 'Silver Arrows' would perform a demonstration run each day.

This is the first time since 1930 the legendary 'Silver Arrows' united on track with their race rivals. Maserati 8 CM - Mercedes-Benz W25 - Era B - type R11B - Alfa Romeo 'Alfetta' - Bugatti Type 59/50B 111 - Auto Union Type C & D's - 6 C Type Jags - Aston Martin DB3 & DB3'3 - Ferrari 750 Monza - McLaren Chevrolet M1B - Lotus Ford 30s - Ford GT 40 - Lola Chevrolet.

Goodwood Revival Enthusiasts enjoy using fashion to express
their individuality and finding a creative way to have some fun.

Motorcycles only raced once at Goodwood during the circuit's active years, with nine events being held on 'Goodwood Saturday', 14th April 1951. Back then Barry Sheene was barely 6-months old, but when the first Revival meeting took place in 1998 he became a main stay of the motor cycle race then named the Lennox Cup. 

The twice 500cc World Champion won his final race at Goodwood in 2002, putting on a spectacular show even though he was suffering from cancer that sadly claimed his life in 2003. 

No.1 Troy Corser in a good position coming

through the turn at Madgwick's Corner

[Above]: Australian entrants in this Barry Sheene Memorial Trophy race were No.19 Wayne Gardner (World Champion in 1987 500cc class) riding a 1953 Norton Manx, & No.1 Troy Corser (World Superbike Champion in 1996 & 2005) riding a 1937 BMW R5SS.

These 1962-1964 Ferraris GTOs were Enzo
Ferrari's most iconic automobile creation.

The Goodwood Racing Circuit opened in September 1948. It is a historic venue for both two-wheel & 4-wheel motorsport in the UK.

Goodwood Circuit Lap Record Holders. Length.: 3.809 km (2.367 miles).
* Jim Clarke., Lotus - Climax 25. 1 min 20.4 sec, 107.46 mph. (19th April 1965). World Driving Champion in 1963 - 1965. Jim Clarke was killed on the 7th April 1968 in a practice session at the famous Hockenheimring race circuit in Germany during practice.
* Sir John Young "Jackie" Stewart, the "Flying Scot". BRM P261, 1 min 20.4 sec, 107.46 mph. (19th April 1965). World Driving Champion in 1969 - 1971 - 1973.
* Nick Padmore, driving a Lola T70 Spyder, (2015) 1 min 18.27 sec.

Mercedes-Benz 'Silver Arrows' parked in their garage looking very smart. 

Each vehicle would be worth conservatively around £18 million pounds

that's AUD$34M.

My 'Brush with Fame' at the Goodwood Revival Meeting was on the 15th September 2012. I was holidaying in England at the time and could not pass up the chance to attend the Goodwood Revival Meeting held on 15th September 2012.

To my delight I was about to find out how the POMS organise a 'Revival Race Meeting'. As you can see by the photographs scattered through this story they excel themselves upholding the traditions of Historical motor sport in the U.K.

How's this for starters:

Commentary Legend for the car races, Murray Walker, famous for his coverage of F1 Grand Prix will always be the voice of Formula 1. With a 52-year long TV commentary career behind him. For 23 of those years he guided fans through the intricacies of Grand Prix racing with his inimitable enthusiasm alongside a host of co-commentators including James Hunt, Graham Hill and Martin Blundle.

Spitfires & Hurricanes formed part of the RAF Memorial flypast

I attended the Revival meeting at Goodwood (on Ladies Day, 15th September 2012) it was a magnificent day, perfect for car racing & the Air Displays. l watched all the events from Madgwick's Corner, a large sweeping bend just after the start/finish line. Attendance for that day was 45,000 spectators.

List of drivers & motorcycle riders that appeared driving & riding these Historic cars & bikes. You may recognise some of the following Superstars. Sir Stirling Moss (83-yo) - Martin Brundle - Vern Schuppan - Jean Alesi - Jackie Oliver - Dan Gurney - Derek Bell - John Surtees - Troy Corser - Wayne Gardner - Rowan Atkinson.

Another priceless vehicle was on show. None other than the 1954 Mercedes-Benz Type W196R Grand Prix single-seat racing car, the original Juan Manuel Fangio's 'Silver Arrow' winning GP car. This race car sold [photo below] at auction on July 12th 2019 for £17.5 Million Pounds which set a world record price for an auctioned car, with fees & other related costs, the premium due to the Auction House was £20.8 Million Pounds (approx AUD$39M). 

The Mercedes-Benz W196R that sold for £17.5 million.

There are only 10 'Silver Arrows' race cars remaining out of the fourteen units ever built still in existence.

This race car won the 1954 German GP at Nürburgring with Fangio behind the wheel. That leaves the recently auctioned Fangio 'Silver Arrows' W196R Chassic 006/54, the only post war 'Silver Arrows' in private hands.

Goodwood Race Circuit is like the Indianapolis 500, I can't get enough of either place. Over the years I have visited Goodwood on three separate occasions.

The red Ferrari's out on the circuit and in action at Goodwood

1] Goodwood Revival Meeting on 15th September 2012. 

2] On my second visit, on the 27th October 2017, was my first attempt to fly in the iconic Spitfire WWII fighter aircraft. On this occasion, it did not eventuate because the person that was flying before me had a slight mishap on landing on the grass runway. The pilot crash-landed the Spitfire & damaged the Starboard wing tip. So no more flying until they repaired the damage. I had no alternative but to return the following year to realise my dream. 

3] My second attempt to fly in the elusive WWII-era Spitfire was on Tuesday, 12th June 2018 was successful on this occasion. If you are still interested in this story & want to know more about my Spitfire flight you can check out the story right here on my blog: Click here.

There is also a Cockpit Video (although a little boring) from the same day. I am sure that you will enjoy the story of my Spitfire flight over the English Channel & British country side.

Lined up, the famous '63-'64 Ferrari GTOs

Between the years of '62-'64 Ferrari built (36) 250 GTO'S, there are still 33 left in the world... 

This model Ferrari just became the most expensive car ever sold. A 1963 Ferrari 250 GTO sold for US$70M or (£56M British Pounds) to a German Collector, David MacNeil the founder of Weather Tech on 1st June 2018. How would you like to have two of these Ferrari's parked in your Man Shed?

Arguably the best Revival meeting held anywhere in the world, this famous Goodwood Race Circuit comes with it's unfortunate skeletons in its history.

* New Zealander Bruce McLaren was tragically killed while testing his Can Am Race car in practice on the 2nd June 1970 (32 yo).
* Stirling Moss also had a career ending accident & almost killed himself at Goodwood on 24th April 1962. (33-yo).

That my friends is the end of another epic tale from my travel escapades, I sincerely hope you enjoy the read.

Cheers for now.

Warbo.

The Stanley's Wheelie Bin press conference

Tuesday 28th April - 2020

This is soooo cool,

I must tell you the story about my friend John Stanley who is the guy dressed up as the Secret Service agent in this short video down below.

John and myself were Qantas Trolly-Dolly’s together at Qantas Airways. John is also a very esteemed motor racing fan. He has been photographing motor sports all his life, what’s more he is very, very good at it. I would put him up there amongst the BEST.

My old Qantas ex-colleague John Stanley and
his son Chris and the family pet.

Anyway, let's cut to the chase. Politically we are on different sides of the fence, however I will not hold that against him. Way back in 2016-2017 when the ‘Trumpster’ became the President of the United States, John kept harping on to me like the rest of the world that my man, Donald P Trump would soon be impeached.

WELL!!! we are still waiting John.

I received this email overnight from him & absolutely laughed my head off when I opened it. I'd like to share that short video with you.

Below: John, his wife Kris and their son Chris, sure went to a lot of creative trouble to script and shoot this video of the ‘Trumpsters’ latest behavior.

  I am going to forward this to all my TRUMP friends in America, they will absolutely love it.

I love the name ‘Melanoma’ that they called Mr Trump's wife. How good is that? And what about the Presidential seal on the wheelie bin podium - fantastic!

Keep up the good work mate, you aren’t such a BAD bloke after all.

Cheers
Warbo

2018 Indianapolis 500 Winner Will Power's brush with fame

Friday 24th April - 2020

"If everything seems under control, you're just not going fast enough". (Those are the famous words from the 1969 Indianapolis 500 winner and motor racing legend, Mario Andretti).

From the feedback I receive from my loyal Blog followers it is overwhelming how much you enjoy reading my stories about my 'brush with fame' articles.

So while we are all still bunkered down with this C19 virus pandemic, I have decided to put pen to paper once again to let you all know about Australian racing star, Will Power's Brush with fame back at the 97th running of the famous Indianapolis 500 in 2013.

Inside the Indianapolis Motor Speedway's Museum, situated in mid-track.
Me sitting on Will Power's 2018 race winning No.12 machine

Thinking back, I have been a total Indianapolis 500 tragic fan for over 50-years. The Indianapolis 500 actually feeds my soul. I've been to Indianapolis, Indiana five times over that 50-year period to witness the running of the Indianapolis 500. Attending the event never grows old for me. The only thing that is growing old is me, unfortunately.

My first experience at the 500 was way back in 1969 when I was fortunate enough to watch Mario Andretti win his one and only Indy 500. There are legendary drivers and then there's Mario Andretti.

I can remember it just like it was yesterday when Mark Shultz sang the racetrack's traditional hometown opening song; 'Back home again in Indiana' he was a Purdue University student. (more on that to come).

Always an eye-catching addition to any Indianapolis event, the NFL's
Indiana Colts Cheerleaders made an guest appearance at the Indy 500
Parade in downtown Indianapolis on the day before the race.

I heard the most famous words in Motorsports echo over the track's PA from Tony Hulman the owner of the race track. 'Gentleman Start your Engines' - I will never forget that moment while ever there is breath in my body.

Needless to say the month of May is my favourite time of the year to visit Indianapolis when the streets turn fanatic in anticipation for that magical one day of the year event when thirty-three high-powered, high-speed race cars thunder down the main straight at over 250 mph (402 kph) only inches from each other as the chequered flag drops for start of the 500 mile race.

Let me tell you, if you are a race car fanatic there is nothing in the world that compares with that Adrenalin rush you experience in those few short seconds when these Daredevils hurtle past you at 250mph at the start of the race. The ground actually shakes.

The Indianapolis 500 attracts a crowd of around 500,000
excited race fans on race day.

I always try to purchase seats in the Grandstand at the Start/Finish line opposite the entry to Gasoline Alley and the pits where you can see the race car's pit stops and also where the drivers rejoin the race into turn 1, because that is where all the real action is, I suppose this is why there are 500,00 spectators at this event every year.

Now, back to the singing of 'Back Home Again in Indiana'.

Did you know? Jim Nabors (Gomer Pyle from the Andy Griffith Show) had the privilege to sing 'Back Home Again in Indiana' at nearly every year's 500 from 1972-2014. (When I went to school that was about 42 years approx.) Due to ill health, Jim Nabor's final appearance was at the 98th Indianapolis 500 in 2014. Unfortunately Jim Nabors died in Hawaii on November 30th 2017. Aged 87-years-old. 

Known to one & all as '60s TV star 'Gomer Pyle' - actor Jim Nabors
sang the race's traditional opening song 'Back home Again in Indiana'
at the Indianapolis 500 for over a 40-year period.

More useless information!

Did you know? Dinah Shore still holds the record as the only women soloist to sing 'Back Home Again in Indiana' in 1955. Unfortunately Dinah Shore passed away in Beverly Hills on 24th February 1994. Aged 77-years-old.

Now, back to the Will Power's 'Brush with Fame' if you are still interested.

I was introduced to Will Power and his wife Liz Cannon at the 2013 Indy 500 by my friend and motor mechanic mate Tim Lombardi, who back then was chief mechanic for the Penske Team. With Tim being my connection it afforded me with unbelievable advantages & opportunities within the Team Penske garages, access to Gasoline Alley and the opportunity to mix it with many other famous Indy car team drivers and of course the chance to meet the NFL's beautiful Indiana Colts Cheerleaders.

Will Powers with his very best new friend; yours truly
in the Team Penske Garage in Gasoline Alley.

As you can see by these photos, I am grinning like a Cheshire cat with a broad smile from ear to ear. My friend Tim Lombardi is the gentleman in the photograph [below] with Will Power & his wife Liz in the Team Penske garage.

Now I would like to share with you some interesting facts, figures and results from my (5) appearances spent watching this World Famous International Speed Classic.

* 1st Indianapolis "500" in 1911.
* 42 drivers have been killed at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway chasing their dream.

Will with his wife Liz Cannon and my good friend & motor mechanic mate
Tim Lomdardi, who back then was chief mechanic for Verizon Team Penske.

Will Power is the first Australian to win this prestigious race. Will Power was born in Toowoomba, Queensland. He now is based in North Carolina, his wife Liz Cannon is originally from Sonoma, California, they have one son (Beau) born in 2016. Will's brother Damien Power is a very successful stand up comedian.

Before Will Power departed these shores he was a very accomplished race car driver here in Aussie. As a matter of fact he was the Australian Driver's Champion in the Formula 3 open wheel racing category in 2002.

Will joined Team Penske in 2009, he is up there with the very best of them. He has 56 career Indy car poles, only behind Mario Andretti on the all time list, he was the 2014 Indy car series champion. His career could have been so much more impressive, because he has been runner up (4) times in the Indy Car series driving for Team Penske in his Verizon sponsored race car. Not too bad an effort for a chap from Down-Under.

Close up and personal with Will Powers Chevrolet powered No.12 race car.
(How 'horny' does this race car look?).

Then finally in 2018 Will won the biggest race of his career, the 102nd running of the Indianapolis 500, and in doing so became the very 1st Australian to do so.

Here are Will's race results when I was there in the grandstands rooting for him.

* 2013. Started from 6th position finished in 19th place.
* 2016. Started from 6th position finished in 10th place.
* 2018. Started from 3rd position finished in 1st place. (Unfortunately on this occasion I was not in the stands to witness this historic event).
* 2019. Started from 6th position finished in 5th place.

Not too shabby for a boy from Toowoomba in Q'ld. I hope that you are not bored with my recollection of my experiences at the greatest motor racing event in the world.

Brand new Firestone racing tyre slicks, balanced & waiting for the opportunity
to be installed to Will's No.12 race car for practice and race day.

Below are the statistics from all five on my visits to the Indianapolis 500 races that I have attended over my 50-years.

1969 - *Pace Car. Chevrolet Camaro. Driver Jim Rathman. 1st place. Mario Andretti. 2nd place. Dan Gurney. 3rd place. Bobby Unser.

1981 - *Pace Car. Buick Regal V6. Driver Duke Nalon. 1st place. Bobby Unser. 2nd place. Mario Andretti. 3rd place. Vern Schuppan. (Australian, born in South Australia).

2013 - *Pace Car. Chevrolet Corvette C7 Stingray. Driver Jim Harbaugh. 1st place. Tony Kanaan. 2nd place. Carlos Munaz. 3rd place. Ryan Hunter- Reay.

My friend Bonnie, who lives 500 metres from turn 1 on the race track.
I have stayed at her residence on three occasions.
Bonnie looks after me like a 'Silk Worm'

2016 *Pace Car. Chevrolet Camaro SS. (50th Anniversary Edition). Driver Roger Penske (who now owns the Indianapolis 500 international raceway). 100th running of the Indianapolis 500. 1st place. Alexander Rossi. 2nd place. Carlos Munoz. 3rd place. Joseph Newgarden.

2019 - *Pace Car. Corvette Grand Sport. Driver Dale Earnhardt Jr. (50-year Anniversary since Mario Andretti won his one and only Indianapolis 500). 1st place. Simon Pagenaud. 2nd place. Alexander Rossi. 3rd place. Takuma Sato. 

In 2018, Australian driver Will Power became the first Australian to ever win this prestigious event. Unfortunately this was the year that I did not attend the Indy 500 to witness this historic event.

Bonnie's house on race day. She parks 40 vehicles on her property at US$50
per vehicle. (helps pay for the band and food for the after-race party).

And finally for all the pre-historic Indianapolis 500 race fans like myself, and those that can still remember, I want to finish up with my memories of some of the true legends of that era that I actually saw race in my 1st Indianapolis 500 way back in 1969.

I can remember in the early '60s setting my alarm clock at 0200 in the morning (Sydney time) on the day of the Indianapolis 500 race. I am not sure if it was TCN Channel 9 (maybe somebody could help me with that information).

For years and years I sat up in the early hours of the morning watching the telecast that was beamed directly into my Sydney lounge room. That was the start of my dream to eventually attend that race event in person one day, and here I am, 50-plus years down the track writing about it. 

Enjoying a few cold ones with my friend & Indianapolis local, Donald P Quass
at the after-race party & celebrations at Bonnie's house.

Guess what, as I mentioned earlier in this story the Indianapolis 500 still feeds my soul. So before I turn my toes up I still have one more, if not two more Indianapolis 500s in me, that's how good it is. If you are fortunate enough to be in the position to attend the Indianapolis 500. Do it. You're sure as hell will not regret the experience.

Another good tip is to arrive into Indianapolis 5-days before the actual race so that you can watch the practice sessions and experience all the events in the build up to race day on the Sunday.

Look through this list of legendary drivers below that were in the 1969 Indy 500, I thought all my Christmas' had come at once.

Outside the racetrack and campaigning for the Trumpster's re-election
 in 2020 with a HUUUUGE street rally audience,
I was in my element, trust me, loving every minute of it.

AJ Foyt - Parnelli Jones - Lloyd Ruby - Lee Roy Yarbough - Dan Gurney - Al & Bobby Unser - Gordon Johncock - Wally Dallenback - Gary Bentenhausen - Mark Donohue - Johnny Rutherford - Bill Vukavich - Sam Posey - Denny Holme (NZ).

And what about the Australian man who was responsible for changing the Indianapolis 500 forever, from front-engine race cars to rear-engine race cars. None other than our own Sir Jack Brabham. Unfortunately Sir Jack only completed 58-laps on this occasion in '69, he was running real strong until he experienced mechanical failure.

If all that above is not a good story, then I don't know what is.

That's all folks

Cheers
Warbo


Read more: Warbo's other brushes with fame;

Sir Stirling Moss' brush with fame...
Nicole Tompkin's brush with fame...