by 71pacecar » 07 Feb 2008 19:39
I own a Challenger Indy Pace Car that was documented by Eldon Palmer back in the early 90s. I have posted a summary of research I have done on Allpar.com, if anyone is interested. My car was featured at the Chrysler Nationals in Carlisle back in 2001 and opens the video on that subject. Anyone see it? Of course, I love my Challenger!!!!!
People have been bashing Eldon Palmer as to the crash in the race. From my readings in the "Indianapolis Star" and people that witnessed the tragic event.... it seems that Eldon Palmer practiced the week before the race, where he would come into the pits at full speed, reach a point where he could see the "starter" and if the race started, he would brake to a stop...if the race starter did not officially start the race due to some issue, Palmer was to fly out the other end of the pits and pace the cars another lap. To be able to find the reference point to begin braking, Palmer had a flag positioned on pit row. Come race day, Palmer comes flying into the pits and ..... the flag was either missing or lost in the crowd of people standing along pit row.... so Palmer hits the brakes (now too late) and the rest is history. From what I have seen, if two security guards were not standing in the exit to the main track, Palmer could have easily stopped in the apron before reaching the actual track.
One of the rumors was that there were fatalities involving the crash. No one died. A doctor from Argentina was quite seriously hurt, but survived and became a friend of Palmer in later years. Also, I have actual pictures of the pace car after the crash... I am not a body shop person, but the damage does NOT look like "high speed" damage.
Hope this information helps and I must say, this is a great site.
PS Indypacecars.com is featuring a 2008 Pace Car calender (my Pace Car is on the Cover and also the April Car.)