Quote:
Originally Posted by CoBro
Thompson's Allstate Special was mid engined and fast as hell, albeit it handled horribly according to those who drove it - many drivers refused to drive the thing. During the 1964 race the Special passed a few cars early in the race. Driver MacDonald was killed because he was broadsided by Eddie Sachs during the crash. Sachs perished as well so its double sad.
Gasoline was replaced with methanol and fuel cells were developed in 1965 because of this crash. Dubious distinction for Mickey, but Indy instituted more safety technology because of it.
rjbh20 is right, Shirley's nickname was 'cha cha'. I don't know where boom boom came from. Probably from a stripper I know  |
Surprisingly, gasoline wasn't outlawed following the 1964 disaster -- the STP turbines used it in 1968 and other may have as well. But IMS did institute mandatory pit stops (starting with 2 in 1965) which effectively ended the mileage advantage of gasoline vs. methanol, so there was no longer any reason not to go for the HP advantage of methanol.