Rickenbacker: how he did it...

This is from MEMOIRS OF AN ACE, by Vance Bourjaily (Esquire Magazine, early 1960's), about the American ace Charles D'Olive:
" Eddie Rickenbacker, of course, was the ace of aces on planes. We were together, the day before the war ended, being decorated, and we got to talking about how it was that he could have shot down so many more than any of the rest of us.
"I remember saying, "Rick, I think it's a matter of fear. You're a little older than the rest of us, you were in the second Indianapolis 500 race, you've taken chances a lot more times. You know what the rest of us can't realize-- that the odds start fresh again every morning. You can get your goggles shot off one day, and still know that you start with the same chances the next. I don't think the rest of us have really learned that.'"
(My sincere thanks to Hugh Halliday who provided me with this article; long may he wave!)

[stephen]

Rick never finished second in the Indianapolis 500. He competed in the race four times: 1912, and 1914-16, with a best finish of 10th in 1914.

He did qualify in second position for the 1916 race, but dropped to 20th with steering troubles.

He was a fine race driver and prior to WWI had an annual income of more than $100,000. A bloody big pile of money in those days.

But in the world's greatest automobile race, he never had much luck. Rick finished only one of the four races he started, dropping out of the remaining three with mechanical woes.

[Barrett]

That's the ol' Brickyard: as I recall from looooong ago, at one time Lloyd Ruby had the active record for most laps led at Indy but never won. In fact, I don't know if he even made the top 10.
Then there was the story about Andy Granatelli after his turbine-powered racer pooped out, though it was 50 mph faster (or something) than the conventional racers. "So ol' Andy buys all 33 cars in the starting field--AND THE TRACK BREAKS!"
Nyuk-nyuk-nyuk....

[Lufbery]

Capt. Lewis, thanks for the quote on Rickenbacker.

I've always wondered if Rickenbacker's "leaves" weren't a factor in his success. I know he was out for a while with an ear problem, and IIRC, he was out a second time a bit later. In any event, he got at least one break, and maybe more. Again, IIRC, the Americans were not in the habit of granting leave to pilots like the British were. Maybe those breaks from combat were helpful in keeping Rickenbacker in fighting trim.

Regards,

[stephen]

Rick was a shrewd businessman, and knew early on that his racing reputation and his war hero status would land him plenty of opportunities.

He was smart. He got out of racing while he was still alive. I've been driving for 18 years and am still at the top of my game... NOBODY drove for 18 years back then and lived to tell, and they were past their prime in less than 10 years. Leather helmets, no roll cages, no medical help on site... it was a mess. As late as the 1960's, Mario Andretti had a friend who always sent him Christmas cards in July. Every year he'd tell Andretti that he didn't expect him to still be alive in December, so he was giving him his card now.

So Rick was bright enough to make his money and get out, then leverage that reputation to get in with the high brass as a driver, then manipulate that opportunity into a chance to fly. He succeeded (to one extent or another) as a pilot, managed a promotion to CO, then had friends who lobbied him into a Medal of Honor. He turned that into a President's position at a major airline and the owner of the most prestigious race track on the planet.

That's not brown nosing or getting lucky... that's good business by a very intelligent man. He made a good living and he deserved it, for his business savvy if nothing else.

I've always had respect for him, in spite of his multiple OOC claims and over-ambitiousness (I just made up that word). If he didn't prove his courage as a driver in the world's most dangerous vocation or in the sky over France, he certainly did on a rowboat in the middle of the Pacific in the next war.

[BobE]

Hate to hi-jack this topic but early automobile racing is a big interest of mine. Particularly the 1904-1915 period. Fascinating stuff. Gorden Bennet, Vanderbilt Cup, early Indy,etc. Guess its the same thing that interests me about earl aviation. The trial and error period where human imagination has not been squeezed into the requirements of the actual laws of physics. Stephen, I knew you were a race driver although I never did actually find you on the site you gave but I didn't know you were such a student of the sport. I have done some limited research and thought I might do a book on the "Indy" from 1911 to 15. Would call it "The Iron Age at Indy". It will never happen of course. I don't have sufficient access to the early newspaper accounts and photos ,etc. Thought the Indy Museum would have some books or videos of the early stuff but except for a small clip of the 1911 on one tape they don't seem to have much.Well, that's enough from me. You know how I hate it when people don't stick to the topic.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Sorry. Bob *:-/

[stephen]

Cox is me. Its the TV thing. You can't use your real name on the tube. Well... you can, but you'll regret it. For obvious reasons my sponsors want me to use my TV name when I'm driving.

That explains why you didn't think you saw me on my own web site. Actually, you did.

And if my webmaster doesn't update it soon he's getting fired.

[BobE]

O.K. Stephen,I found you. Your site seems quite different from when I went there last. Much better. I must say I AM impressed. Your a busy guy. Don't know where you find the time for The Aerodrome. Read your "Bio" and know more about you than I do about anyone else on the site. I used to occaisionaly catch "Thursday Night Thunder" or maybe it was Another Night Thunder when I saw it. Midgets if I'm right. They were always my first love. Used to watch them twice a week back in the late '40s indoors at the Kingsbridge Armory in " 'da Bronx ". Great stuff. Back in those days you could see the drivers every move. No roll bars or wings. By the time the last race rolled around we were gagging on the fumes. From track side you watched the cars disappear in the fog until they were just shadows at the far turn. Lots of fun. I'm choking now just thinking about it. Good luck with your career. I'll be looking for you on TV. Incidentally, nice picture of you on your site.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Bob E
Apologies to everyone else for stealing the thread.

[Barrett]

Speaking automotively: the annual Barrett-Jackson auction is now underway in Scottsdale, AZ. My-o-my, there aqre some wonderful autos but that's a minor consideration to the conspicuous flashbirds (i.e., trophy wives) whispering in their hubbies' ears, saying "But it's so CUTE..."
The Brit commentator notes that more vintage/classic cars are sold based on the colo(u)r than the make/model/restoration.

DASTARDS!
Come back here with my thread! Come back this instant, I say!
Oh, fudge! I just guess this means another angry letter to The Times...
Sincerely yours,
Captain "Threadbare" Lewis