Some RRDC pictures - Jackie Stewart Dinner

I had the privilege to be invited to the RRDC dinner in Long Beach last Thursday night… what a great event. It was like the Oscar’s for racing!

Jackie Stewart , Mario Andretti, Dario Fanchitti, Justin Bell, and tons of other Indy and IMSA Drivers plus the wives of Dan Gurney, Phill Hill, and several more. My host was Ex -F1 Driver Allen Berg…. It was a great time Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login


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Dang! Tell us more, if you please.

 

Great stuff Tom!

 

Well not much really to say... Allen Berg is a friend of mine - he drove for Osella in 1986 - not quite a full season. He had an option for 87 - but his main sponsor - Labbatt pulled out at the last min.... so he was team less. He drove on to win championships in Mexico F3 and Indy Lights... and now owns his own racing school. He invited me as it was invite only affair.

Bobby Rahal, was the MC, and is the president of the road racing drivers club. Jackie was there as a key note guest. He's been asked for the past 10 years to attend and this year the schedule permitted. So there were not many "fans" there - mostly all racing people. Emerson Fittipaldi did a video tribute to Jackie as well. I had a hell of a time getting to LA - my flight was moved by DELTA - to arrive after the dinner started... so it was hoping other flights huge delays 2 United aircraft with problems - landing at John Wayne ... with only 20 min to the start of the event. I got there about 45 min late ... just as cocktail hour was ending... first person I saw was Jackie and then Mario and Allen. Overall it was a fun evening with Jackie telling stories. He had a stroke a few months ago... Mild on - but he's slowed down quite a bit. for 84 he was doing great! Mario on the other hand - if he colored his hair again - looks the same... I'm helping Allens son with some sponsorship opportunities, so it was a business trip for me as well.

 

/\/\/\ Thanks!

 

Lovely story. I’m sorry to hear about Jackie’s stroke. I have a ton of respect for what he accomplished in his era.

 

And for what he did for drivers that came after him. I’d be hard pressed to think of anyone besides him and Professor Sid that did as much for safety, and ultimately saved many lives. I’d rank his accomplishments there right up with his accomplishments on track.

 

Very cool indeed.

Funny you mention your host was Alen Berg. As it happens I have been helping his son Alex out a little as he navigates F4 in England with his first race being this coming weekend. Small World indeed.

 

Awesome

 

Really. I love Alex, I'm working with him as well, on sponsorship deals. He should be wearing his Permetique watch that we got for him .... it's my brand and Allen and I gave it to him for his BF4 experience. I'm hoping we'll get him through the entire season.... more to come. Fortec seems to be a good place for him, Erica should be there today.... Hope Donnington goes well. I think he's only be a 100th off his team mates, so seems pretty close. For 17, he seems like he's 30.

 

Lucky you, Tom! I would have loved to have been there, even as a fly on the wall! I was also glad to meet the Bergs at our recent race-watching and have wished Alex the best in his British F4 debut this weekend at Donington Park. BTW, there is a British F4 app which I have loaded on my iPhone. I don't know if it will include a race-watching option, but at least I'll be able to keep up on results.

 

Heartbreaking to see them looking that old!

Time has no mercy...

 

They're doing better than the unfortunate ones who never had a chance to get old......

 

Forever young.

 

Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.