The Gathering Before the Green Flag
Written by Allan Brewer · January 19, 2008
Indiana State Museum Extravaganza of Speed Warms Hoosier Winter
by Allan Brewer
allan@fastmachines.com
 |
|
Gathering Before the Green Flag.
Photo: AllanBrewer |
One of the joys of living in Indianapolis is the wealth of racing and speed-related events year-round. With temperatures sub-freezing and a brisk northwest wind blowing, there are few pleasures as tempting as a huge indoor museum exhibit that runs the gamut from SoapBox Derby to NHRA and NASCAR.
This weekend (January 19th and 20th) finds the Indiana State Museum, located just west of downtown Indianapolis, hosting “The Gathering Before the Green Flag”, a multi-level extravaganza of everything on wheels that’s bred to go fast.
Hosted by Indianapolis Motor Speedway Radio Network’s Mike King (who authored the fabulous “I is for Indy” childrens book that has been distributed to schoolchildren state-wide), the two-day seminar features exhibits of the best rolling stock and informative lectures on topics from automotive safety to racetrack and speedway design.
One of the highlights of the first day’s schedule was a glimpse from the archives of the IMS Photographic staff hosted by racing-photographer extraordinaire Ron McQueeney. McQueeney became chief photographer and head of the Speedway’s photographic department in 1977. During his tenure the library of images under his care has grown to nearly four million, including priceless glass plates from the first years of the Speedway (that are now nearly one hundred years old) and memorable images of movie stars, celebrities, and (of course) other photographers hamming it up before the lens.
The program continues on Sunday with another full day of interesting topical presentations and the same great displays and exhibits.
Brave the cold, park indoors at White River State Park’s underground garage and visit the Indiana State Museum for this unique look into the world of speed.
Date(s):
January 20, 2008 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Description:
Motorsports industry insiders and the Indiana State Museum invite fans to drop the green flag on the 2008 race season. Fans can get autographs, pose with trophies, climb into racing vehicles, and learn about all types of racing from motorsports drivers, owners, broadcasters and officials.
Hosted by Mike King, chief announcer for the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Radio Network, Gathering Before the Green Flag invites fans to sit behind the wheel of a variety of racing vehicles, from Indy cars to go-karts and dragsters, and see other great vehicles such as motorcycles, boats, and vintage race cars. You can meet racing insiders Derek Daly and Donald Davidson and some of their favorite drivers as well as take part in a rare symposium of experts.
The giant IMAX Theater screen will show two racing movies. Super Speedway, is a documentary that follows the Newman-Haas racing team as it builds, tests, and races with Jeff, Mario and Michael Andretti. The 1964 Dean Van Lines Special, driven by Mario Andretti in the movie, will be displayed in the IMAX lobby. NASCAR 3D straps you into the driver’s seat with Tony Stewart, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Jimmie Johnson, and other NASCAR greats. (This film is rated PG for some crash scenes.)
12 p.m. Dave Brown, director, Delphi Safety Team presents Racing and Safety Innovations
1 p.m. Paxton Waters, Paxton Waters Racing Architecture presents Designing a Road Course, with guest Derek Daly
2 p.m. Donald Davidson, racing historian, presents Indiana Racing History and Anecdotes
Dean & Barbara White Auditorium
Other weekend highlights:
- Representatives of Indiana’s newest motorsports facility, Prairie Hills Motorsport Club, on hand with information and the track’s designers, Paxton Waters and Derek Daly.
- Artist Ron Burton working on a new piece of racing art while surrounded by many of his works.
- Appearances by Andrew Thomas, 2007 U.S. Nationals drag-racing champion; Brad Miles, Action City Dragway drag bike champion; and Mark Dismore, former IndyCar Series winner and karting champion, now owner of New Castle Motorsports Park.
Special features:
- IndyCar Series/Indy Pro Series
- Indy Car Series cutaway car (educational exhibit), Target-sponsored Indy car
- Indianapolis Motor Speedway Radio Network (Indy 500 broadcast history exhibit)
- Don Schumacher Racing Funny Car
- Indiana State University Motorsports Program with dragster
- Comet Kart Manufacturing (Go-kart racing) New Castle Motorsports Park
- Clabber Girl, NASCAR, Busch Series car
- Fritz/Selvia Brothers - Racing for Riley - Mini-Sprint car team (former Riley Hospital for Children patients who now race and raise money for Riley)
- Brownsburg Motorsports Park
- Terre Haute Quarter Midget Association
- Fagin Racing U.S. Army stock car
- Leslie Brothers Choppers
- Kyle Camp, junior dragster
- Zach Gosnell, junior dragster
- Formula BMW Car
- Thomas Racing Super Gas Drag Car
- Indy Car Series transporter
- NHRA drag bikes
- NHRA junior dragsters
- O’Reilly Raceway Park
- Brad Miles Championship drag bike
- Krockenberger Family Racing (four generations)
- IMS Productions (motorsports television production)
- Jeg’s NHARA Super Pro drag car
- Indy Hi Winders car club
Vintage features:
- 1912 Haynes, Race Across America winner
- Vintage Sprint cars, including The Black Deuce
- The 1964 Dean Van Lines Special driven by Mario Andretti and featured in the IMAX film Super Speedway
- Custom-designed flat-track racing motorcycles
- Historic Indiana Hill Climb bike
- Historic Indiana antique cars
Additional features:
- The Madison Regatta (boat racing)
- Ron Burton art (special motorsports art exhibit)
- IMAX features Super Speedway and NASCAR 3D
- Greenlight Diecast Manufacturing (collector car models)
- Brownsburg Motorsports Park
- I Is For Indy - The World’s Greatest Race by Mike King, illustrated by John Rodgers (books given to students in SPEED exhibit)
- Indianapolis Soap Box Derby
Indiana race tracks featured:
- Indianapolis Motor Speedway
- Prairie Hills Motorsports Club
- Anderson Speedway
- O’Reilly Raceway Park
- Salem Speedway
- New Castle Motorsports Park
- Indianapolis Speedrome
- Lawrenceburg Speedway
- The Madison Regatta (motorboat racing)
Fans can pose for pictures with these trophies:
- The IndyCar Series Championship Cup
- The 2007 U.S. Nationals Super Gas Wally
- The 2007 NHRA Top Fuel Championship trophy won by Tony Schumacher
Gathering Before the Green Flag events occur during the final weekend of the popular SPEED exhibit, developed by COSI Columbus with support from the National Science Foundation and in cooperation with the Science Museum Exhibit Collaborative. The interactive, hands-on exhibit explores the science behind the forces that make things stop and go, and is open through Jan. 21.
Cost:
Included with admission or membership
Comments
Got something to say?
You must be logged in to post a comment.