Religion pops up where I least expect it...

[onager]

In a gearhead book, of all places...

In December 1963, a novice racing driver named John Morton wanted to marry his girlfriend, Jan.

At the urging of her parents, they went to the family pastor for pre-marital counseling.

You'll never guess what happened (sarcasm)...

The pastor was at this desk when Jan and I entered his office. He was very cordial as he made small talk and asked about my racing and my plans for the future regarding Jan.

He finally got around to popping the big question that I knew was coming.

"Have you accepted Jesus Christ as your personal savior?"

"No. I really haven't ever done that."

"Would you like to get down on your knees and do it now?"

"You mean like here?"

"Yes. You can kneel down right here beside the desk and accept Jesus Christ."

"I can't do that now. It wouldn't be honest of me. Maybe someday but not now."

This guy didn't give a shit if it was honest or not, he just wanted me to do it.

Morton also writes that early in his career, he said a prayer before each race. Unlike most football players etc., he didn't pray to win but just for all the drivers to come thru the race unhurt. But then he writes, "I outgrew the prayer part."

But he did have some Biblical knowledge, as he notes about naming his first child:

We named the baby Leah after a Roy Orbison song. Jan has always denied that is where the name came from, but it did. I sure as hell would not have named her after Rachel's ugly sister in the Bible.



The book is great read for car nuts like me. In Los Angeles of the early 1960s, John Morton was Present At The Creation - he worked for Carroll Shelby in the early days and witnessed the creation of the Shelby Cobras, Sunbeam Tiger, Ford GT, etc. He survived a very long racing career, including multiple runs at the 24 Hours of LeMans, and semi-retired to vintage racing in 2002.

Here's a link to his book, "Inside Shelby American," where all the quotes above came from:

http://www.amazon.com/Inside-Shelby-American-Wrenching-Carroll/dp/0760343942

[onager]

1. Which reminds me...

I feel weird responding to my own post, but will anyway.

After posting that, I remembered the Ron Howard movie Rush from last year. About the 1976 Formula I rivalry between James Hunt and Niki Lauda.

In the 1976 Nurburgring race, Lauda crashed and was trapped for several minutes in his burning car.

Lauda's injuries were so bad, the hospital sent in a priest to give him the Last Rites.

To which Lauda said: "Tell the priest to fuck off. I'm still alive."

Forty-two days later, Lauda was racing again. Apparently with no help from Gawd or his sales reps.

Well, I'm already off-topic anyway so...

Anyone who wonders what racing was like in "the good old days" should take a look at this 2010 BBC documentary, "Grand Prix - The Killer Years." Its running time is less than an hour.

For many years there was NO required safety equipment. Spectators could stand wherever they wanted, and were often mowed down when cars went out of control. Etc. Incredible.

http://vimeo.com/51735205

[Curmudgeoness]

2. Although I have no interest in auto racing,

I have to like this guy. Anyone who tells a priest to "fuck off, I'm still alive" is worthy. And it made me laugh.

[onager]

3. Many people liked "Rush" with no interest in racing

Along with the Car Porn, it's a great movie about human relationships. The intense rivalry but grudging respect between Hunt and Lauda. The unemotional Lauda coming to grips with his feelings for his wife. Hunt and Lauda both coming from very privileged backgrounds, and giving it all up to pursue their dreams.

And Hunt's wife ran off with Richard Burton, so there is that...

[amuse bouche]

4. Great story

Religies coerce people, so many ways, to grab control of them