So Just What Did You Expect? An Andretti Driving a Yugo?
We all know what A.J. Foyt and Mario Andretti will be driving this Sunday at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. But what do the racing stars keep behind their garage doors at home?
According to the Associated Press, Foyt, a Texan who drives a Chevy-powered race car, likes to cruise around in a Chevy pickup-- a black one with a king cab and dual rear wheels.
Andretti keeps a stable of exotic sports cars at his Nazareth, Pa., home. The collection includes a Lamborghini Diablo, BMW 750iL and Ferrari F-40. The F-40 costs about $423,000 and goes from 0 to 124 m.p.h. in 11 seconds.
Like father, like son: Michael Andretti’s sports cars include several Ferraris, a Mondial Cabriolet and a Testarossa that sells for a mere $190,000. He also has a Toyota 4x4 truck.
Last add toys: Rick Mears and Jim Crawford like Porsches--a variation of the 911, while Lyn St. James drives a white Lincoln Continental. Bobby Rahal chooses among his Lexus, Toyota Land Cruiser and Honda Accord. But then, Rahal owns auto dealerships that sell all three.
Trivia time: When was the last time an alternate started in the Indy 500?
It’s different: At Talamore at Pinehurst, a new golf course in North Carolina, golfers have their choice: rent a golf cart or rent a llama. For $100 a bag, four golfers can rent the two resident llamas, who follow behind handlers. The handlers draw the clubs for the players. The only problem so far has been when golfers use fuzzy covers on their clubs. “They don’t know if the other llama is sticking his head up under him,” club pro John McDougald told USA Today.
It’s about time: After 28 years, Basketball Hall of Famer Bill Russell has finally consented to sign autographs--for a price. His autograph--which has been one of the most sought-after in sports because he refused to give it--will be coming soon on sports memorabilia sold in Field of Dreams stores, a retail chain.
Russell, who was always known to be polite when he said “no,” has signed a contract to autograph 5,000 pieces of memorabilia over a two-year period that will include basketballs and cards.
A different hurdle: In Russell’s first college track meet at the University of San Francisco, he high-jumped 6 feet 8. The world record at the time was 6-11.
Who’s in this club, anyway? Jaguar Cars Inc. and Project Jaguar, a fund-raising program working to preserve the jaguar species in the wild, have become the official sponsors of the U.S. Croquet Assn.
Said Foxy Carter, USCA president: “We are pleased to have Jaguar join us in the sponsorship of croquet. Their quality motorcars and their civilized and intelligent approach to their customers fit in perfectly with the attitudes and lifestyles of our members.”
Trivia answer: In 1986, when Dick Simon started in place of Dennis Firestone, whose car was wrecked in a crash on Carburetion Day, the last scheduled practice before the race.
Quotebook: PGA champion John Daly, talking about his “grip and rip” golf technique: “I’ve never really had a lesson and I’ve been stubborn all my life. Why am I going to change now?”