Blog
May 14, 2012
In 1963 when I was 9 years old, I watched the Indy 500 on television and kept track of my favorite drivers on my blackboard in our family's basement. My favorite driver was Jim Clark, a man from Scotland that just seemed to be so good and he was a farmer! I got the feeling that he was a quiet man who just wanted to race. Jimmy finished in second place at Indy in 1963 and really impressed me. I kept following him and he won the Indy 500 in 1965. He has always been my favorite race car driver. I was so sad when he died in a crash while in Germany in 1968.
After that, Jackie Stewart became my new favorite race car driver. Then as time went along, I also followed Emerson Fittipaldi and of course Aryton Senna. In 1997 a new Scottish face appeared on the Indy Car trail racing for Carl Hogan. Dario Franchitti is his name and he is another Scottish lad who is very good at what he does. He reminds me of Jim Clark and I noticed that Jackie Stewart took an interest in him, and that told me that he must be good.
Jackie Stewart was right because Dario has won 4 Indy Racing League championships, 2 Indy 500 races and has a great resume in CART and Champ Car too. If he can get some extra power out of the Honda engine that so far is down on power this year, I see him doing another victory lap at Indy. He is good enough that he actually might not need the extra power from Honda because he has the power from inside the helmet!
My race room/man cave has one of Dario's helmet visors and a couple pairs of his driving gloves. We have traded memorabilia for photographs through the years. They are treasures and I'll keep an eye on them during the Indy 500 this year to try to give him some extra luck and push him to another win. Jimmy Clark and Greg Moore will be watching and pushing him along from upstairs.
Attached are a few photographs from the past few years for you to enjoy.
All blog photographs are for sale at a special price of $30.00 for a limited edition 8 X 10 or 8 1/2 X 11 gloss print which includes shipping in the U.S.. This sale is just during the week of the featured blog. Contact us soon.
Please visit me on Facebook or Twitter @ richzimmermann.com
Thanks,
Rich Zimmermann
May 7, 2012
In 1971, Milwaukee welcomed Mr. Vinton Medbury and his van from California. Uncle Vinty was his stage name and his Dodge van was named the Creampuff! Vinty was a unique performer. He was a musician, a magician, and a clown for all of us grownup kids.
For many years, Uncle Vinty was a one man show living out of his van, traveling all over Wisconsin. He would go back to California now and then but during the 1970's Milwaukee was his home. For a few of those years, he lived with me in Milwaukee and then in Pewaukee, but the Creampuff was really his home. The Creampuff was missing a shower you see, so he needed a break once and a while and he was always welcomed in my home. Besides, Vinty being fun, he was also a great plumber so he was handy to have around.
I believe it was around 1977 when Uncle Vinty, with some help from Micheal Morgan, Peter Barnes, his brother Ted, and a few others, formed "The Movies". It was a big band for Vinty and he was the band leader. Some success was achieved when they made a TV show but Vinty actually never left his one man show. He continued to tour the United States and then moved back to California.
Uncle Vinty is on the great stage in Heaven these days. He died, I think it was in 1994. I miss the old boy, especially last weekend when I needed to call a plumber to fix a faucet.
Enjoy the attached photos of Uncle Vinty and a few of the band "The Movies".
All blog photographs are for sale at a special price of $30.00 for a limited edition 8 X 10 or 8 1/2 X 11 gloss print which includes shipping in the U.S.. This sale is just during the week of the featured blog. Contact us soon.
Please visit me on Facebook or Twitter @ richzimmermann.com
Thanks,
Rich Zimmermann
April 30, 2012
My blog today is about a Champ Car/Indy Car driver like no other. Without Alex Zanardi, we would not have a race car driver celebrating a victory with the race car spinning around in circles making donuts on the pavement! This seems like a victory dance that has been going on forever but Alex started this in 1996 after a victory. It is similar to Dan Gurney's victory champagne celebration that is now a tradition after nearly every race worldwide.
Alex has raced in Formula 1, Champ Car, F3000, the World Touring Cars and now is headed to the 2012 Summer Paralympics doing handbiking since he lost his legs in a tragic accident in Germany racing Champ Cars/Indy Cars in 2001. He demonstrates amazing determination in whatever he sets out to do. In my race room,man cave here at home, I have race helmet visors that I have collected and have traded photographs for through the years. My Alex Zanardi visor is one of my biggest treasures. Just looking at it gives me inspiration.
I heard last week that he may be racing next year in the Rolex 24 hour race at Daytona with his former Chip Ganassi teammates and friends- Jimmy Vasser, Dario Franchitti, Scott Dixon and Juan Pablo Montoya. How awesome is that and I am sure he will be very competitive. Alex has a main sponsor in Barilla pasta, which in this house is the only pasta we eat! We are having some tonight with some homemade meatballs if I ever get done here!
Attached are a few photographs of Alex.
Enjoy these images on my new website and please keep checking it for more photos and stories.
Go have some Barilla pasta tonight and celebrate Alex with some good wine and pasta!
Please visit me on Facebook or Twitter @ richzimmermann.com
Thanks,
Rich Zimmermann
