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1962
INDIANAPOLIS
"The Indianapolis Challenge"
The Dynamic Films version of the 1962 Indianapolis 500, "The Indianapolis Challenge", is now available on high-quality video from "Rare Sportsfilms, Inc"! Narrated by Ralph Camargo (the 'voice' of Dynamic), this 31-minute film contains all the highlights of the 1962 500-mile race as well as new scenes, never before available on video, of practice and qualifications, plus the cars, drivers and racing personalities in attendance at the speedway during the month of May, 1962.
The video begins with a special introduction by last year's 1961 winner A.J. Foyt, who talks about the different types of cars expected to make the race and the elusive 150 MPH barrier that everyone will be shooting at. You are there during practice in early May as new car designs and new equipment is shaken down on the track, which has just been totally paved with asphalt during the off-season. You'll see Mickey Thompson's new 8-cylinder rear-engine car #34 and the #44 Simoniz-Vista Spl with an unusual air foil invented by chief mechanic Smokey Yunick. The yellow #52 turbine car of John Zink is shown, but is not able to make the race and neither is Jack Fairman's #78 English car, which is underpowered. Other cars shown in nice closeups are those driven by A.J. Foyt, Parnelli Jones, Don Branson and Chuck Rodee. The practice crashes of Norm Hall and Ebb Rose, plus Chuck Arnold's skid are all shown. Top car builder A.J. Watson is interviewed and says that the outcome of the race is still "about 60%" in the drivers hands. Other personalities shown include Harlan Fengler, J.C. Agajanian, Gene Marcenac, George Bignotti, John Pouelsen and winning car owner Bob Wilkie.
The first day of qualifications is hot, with the temperature hovering around 90! First out to qualify is Dick Rathmann in the #9 Chapman special at 147.161 MPH. Also shown qualifying are Jim Rathmann, Shorty Templeman, Len Sutton, Bobby Marshman at 149.349 and Rodger Ward at 149.371. But Parnelli Jones's run is the one everyone still remembers. "P.J." becomes the first driver ever to qualify at over 150 MPH, and Phil Hedback of Bryant Heating & Cooling is shown pouring 150 silver dollars into Parnelli's helmet in recognition of the historic event! The front row for the race is set (149.7 avg.) with Jones, Rodger Ward and Bobby Marshman, and Ward gives an insight into his thinking about starting on the front row between two drivers who were rookies only a year ago! Qualifying continues during the month and you'll also see Troy Ruttman, Eddie Sachs and Dan Gurney in action, plus the turn 2 crash of fan favorite Jim Hurtubise. Scenes of the parade, 500 Queen Jerilyn Jones and the evening festivities the night before the race are covered.
The Studebaker Avanti Pace Car leads the field for the start and Parnelli Jones immediately jumps into the lead heading into the first turn! Ward is second, Foyt is up to third and Marshman is back to fifth as the cars move up the backstretch. Before long, Jones has a nice four second lead, with Foyt now second. Jones is setting a pace of 145 MPH! After 4 Laps, it's Jones, Foyt, Sutton, Ward and Marshman, with Eddie Sachs, who started 27th, moving up fast. Soon, Parnelli has built up an 11-second lead and 7th place starter Jim McElreath has passed Foyt for second. Home movies show some of the big 4-car crash at the north end of the main straightaway on the 19th lap involving Jack Turner, Bob Christie, Allen Crowe and Chuck Rodee. Foyt passes McElreath on the track, but Jim loses 6 more spots soon after during a long pit stop. Now, Parnelli has stretched his lead to 22 seconds over second place A.J. Foyt. Ward begins to move up, and passes Foyt, who now is beginning to have handling problems. On his 71st lap, Foyt loses a wheel and spins into the infield and out of the race. Ward is running well, but Parnelli seems to be slowing - in fact, Ward is now close on his tail. Ward, however must come in for a pit stop and his crew gets him out after only 18 seconds! Soon Ward has caught up to Jones again and passes Parnelli at the end of the main straightaway! After 300 miles, Jones comes into the pits, and everyone realizes he has no brakes, as his crew tries to hang onto his car and drag him to a stop! By the late stages of the race, teammates Ward and Len Sutton are running 1-2 with a surprising Eddie Sachs in third place! Ward wins, his second victory at Indianapolis in 4 years, insuring his name will forever be remembered as one of the racing legends of the Indianapolis 500!
To get your own copy of "The Indianapolis Challenge", send $24.95 plus $5.00 shipping (Illinois residents must add $2.00 sales tax) to:
"RARE SPORTSFILMS N",
1126 Tennyson Lane,
Naperville, IL 60540
(630) 527-8890
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