1987

INDIANAPOLIS 500

"Drive For The Dream"

Produced by Car & Track for Valvoline, "Drive For The Dream" is the latest addition to the Rare Sportsfilms vintage racing DVD collection, and tells the story of the 1987 Indianapolis 500 and month of May at Indy leading up to the spectacular classic on Memorial Day. Narrated by "Voice of the 500" Paul Page, this film gives emphasis to Valvoline's involvement and the Team Valvoline #6 March Honda Racing team, with Geoff Brabham as driver.

The film begins by showing popular Bobby Rahal winning the 1986 Indianapolis 500 and afterward in Victory Lane. The rest of the film covers May, 1987 at Indy, beginning with scenes of fun and fans at the track. In interviews throughout the film, drivers Roberto Guerrero, Bobby Rahal, Geoff Brabham and Johnny Rutherford give their views on racing, what it's like being involved in the 500 and what it means to win the race. On Pole Day, you'll see Michael Andretti (first to qualify), Roberto Guerrero, Rahal, Mario Andretti, A.J. Foyt and Geoff Brabham in their cars qualifying. Mario is pole winner this year with a 4-lap average of 215.390 MPH. Jim Crawford's spin and crash into the turn one wall is shown and two broken ankles and a fractured shin bone prevent him from participating in this year's race.

Then, it's Raceday and during the four-minute pre-race segment you'll see drivers Brabham, Rahal, Scott Brayton, Mario and Michael Andretti, the Al Unsers together, Gordon Johncock and others in close-up shots as they prepare to put on their helmets and squeeze into their cars.

Pole-sitter Mario Andretti is in front heading into the first turn, however 9th row starter Josele Garza is below the low yellow line and loses control, luckily only making contact with teammate Pancho Carter, as both cars spin, knocking small parts off both cars and bringing out the yellow immediately for the first five laps. Both cars eventually re-enter the race, running a total of 129 and 45 laps respectively. Andretti comes around under caution in the lead with Rick Mears and Bobby Rahal right behind him and then leads the first 60 laps (except one during a pit stop). Mario's pace is such that he catches and laps Steve Chassey after only 13 laps and a lap later passes Tony Bettenhausen! Top five at 20 laps are Andretti, Mears, Guerrero, Rahal and Dick Simon, a second row starter. Just after his first pit stop at lap 25 Ludwick Heimrath, Jr. spins out in turn four after losing a wheel. This second caution opens the pits and you'll see both Rahal and Brabham in for service. A fire breaks out in Michael Andretti's pit during his stop for a broken CV joint. Defending winner Bobby Rahal is out after 57 laps with ignition problems, and at this point Andretti continues to dominate the race. He's lapping consistently at over 200 MPH with the only other driver over 200 MPH/lap being Tom Sneva, a full lap behind! With a quarter of the race run, top five are Mario, Roberto Guerrero, rookie Arie Luyendyk, Danny Sullivan and Tom Sneva. However Andretti's fast and smooth pace is too much for even some of the top drivers, including Geoff Brabham (oil pressure), two-time winners Rick Mears (coil wire), and Gordon Johncock (valve), A.J. Foyt (oil seal) and Luyendyk (suspension). With the race nearing the final 50 laps, the Tom Sneva crash out of turn two brings out another caution. He was running 9th and is uninjured, but the #33 Skoal Bandit is through for the day. After cleanup for Sneva, the green flag waves again with Andretti leading the entire field by more than a lap. Al Unser Sr. is 2nd, Roberto Guerrero 3rd, and Danny Sullivan 4th, all a lap behind Mario, with Fabrizio Barbazza in the #12 Arciero Winery entry three laps behind in 5th, with only 100 miles to go. But on lap 177 (58 miles to go) Mario is SLOWING DOWN! A so-far perfect race for Andretti is about to end! Guerrero (having passed 2nd place Al Sr. on a re-start after a lap 162 caution) passes Andretti on the backstretch to get back on the lead lap! By the time Andretti pulls into his pit to inspect an ignition problem, Guerrero flashes by the S/F line and into the lead with a 42-second cushion over now 2nd place Al, Sr. Guerrero's pit crew is ecstatic! Roberto is coming in for his final stop with just 17 laps to go, needing no rubber, just a splash of fuel to finish.But leaving his pit Roberto STALLS the car! Quickly re-started, it rolls about 50 feet down pit lane, but STALLS AGAIN! As the frantic crew runs out to the car to push Roberto backwards into his pit for yet another re-start, Al Unser goes flying by and into FIRST PLACE! Guerrero finally gets back on the track and another late race caution gives Roberto a small chance, but there are six cars between him and Unser with only four laps left! Roberto passes four of the six, but has no time left to pass Dick Simon (6th) and Johnny Rutherford (11th) and finishes the race 2nd. running behind winner Al Sr, Rutherford and Simon in that order. And so, Al Unser a 7th row starter in a back-up car wins his record-tying 4th Indy 500 in an incredible finish! Nice shots of Al Unser, celebrating with crew and festival queen Pam Jones.

To get your own DVD of this historic race, send only $29.95 plus $4.60 shipping. (Illinois residents must add $3.20 state sales tax). Also available on BLU-RAY for only $10 more!