The Ford V8-60 engine holds a special place in the history midget auto racing. Known as the "poor man's offy', the V8-60 offered a reliable power plant for cash-strapped young men with a passion to race. Ironically, the small size that made it ideal for midgets doomed the V8-60 as a passenger car engine and it was discontinued after only a few years. Still, V8-60s were in competition from 1937 until the 1950's. Read on to learn more about this "little engine that could".
Frank Lockhart, the most famous race driver of his time, died eighty years ago today, April 25, 1928, on the sands of Daytona Beach trying to set a new land speed record. For my dad and his generation, Lockhart was the greatest driver of all time. Race fans know the story of his victory as a rookie at the Indianapolis 500 and his short but phenomenal reign as the most feared driver on the big car circuit during the Roaring 20's. Most have seen the photo of the sleek Stutz Black Hawk that took his life. What most people don't know is Lockhart's Michigan connection and the story of how my father came to admire him so much. To hear that story, read on. (vintage official Indy photo from the Al Blixt Collection)
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