Hilliard, OH, Feb. 11, 2015 – RRDC President Bobby Rahal invites you to the annual Long Beach Banquet, Thursday, April 14, featuring George Follmer and his racecars:
“Talk to Penske. Talk to Redman. Talk to Jones, Hall, Gurney, Haywood, Posey, Morton, Bell, and any top competitor from the ‘60s, ‘70s and early ‘80s. All will say the same two things. 1.) George Follmer drove like a Doberman with a hand grenade in his mouth, pin pulled; and 2.) George Follmer could drive the wheels off anything, and did: SCCA, Can-Am, Trans-Am, World Endurance, IndyCars, NASCAR, Formula 1 and IMSA, with four pro road-racing championships, including both Can-Am and Trans-Am in 1972.
“Try matching a career that took 37 professional wins on 22 circuits in four countries. Kick!Ass!
“When Penske named George to drive the injured Mark Donohue’s immaculate 917/10, crew chief Woody Woodward feared his killer signatures – paint traded, fenders bashed and wheels broken by a competitor once censured for “excessive driving”, (strangely worded but evocative). Woody’s report: “He got in, sat it on the pole, won the race. I believed he lapped the field… and never put a scratch on my car.”
“Teammate John Morton set the bar high: “If I beat Follmer, I’d have beaten the best,” then added, “I never beat him.” No less an eminence than Jim Hall stated, “I don’t care what the hell those other guys say about you, you’re the man.” In brief, anyone who disagrees with the era’s varsity can kiss George Follmer’s Anger Management Diploma.
“Who wouldn’t want to hear insider stories from one of the greatest driver/characters in racing history? Backmarkers won’t; you will. The authentic racing world gathers at the RRDC’s elegant Long Beach banquet for generous libations and festive dining in the company of motor sports legends and today’s best competitors.
“Outdoor cocktails among famous Follmer cars will commence at 6:00pm; dinner is at 7:15 sharp. My interview with George will be concluded by 9:30 so Long Beach competitors can meet curfews.”
Thursday, April 14, Long Beach Hilton: The fun of camaraderie plus wicked George Follmer stories from his long and spectacular career.
Reservations required ASAP by email to Jeremy Shaw at rrdc2@cox.net: $175 members, $200 guests or $200/$250 at the door.
In addition, mail your check payable to the RRDC to:
John C. Fergus, RRDC VP/Treasurer
8377 Green Meadows Drive, N, Suite A
Lewis Corner, OH 43035
With your payment, please provide your name, email address and phone and give us the names of your guests.
All proceeds go toward the RRDC’s young driver initiatives:
[Title image courtesy of Andy Blackmore Design]
