woodinsight,
We found an interesting newspaper article on Kimberly with a picture.
It was him speaking out to Congress about their decision to halt/stop racing at AFB around the Continental United States.
I will go back to see if I saved it or not !!
The pictures you posted on Parravano seem to closely resemble him, dates, times and the race being in California all add up.
The Harry mhoon Fair picture, thats a tough one to visually decipher, perhaps another picture might turn up.
Thank you woodinsight,
John
AFTER POSTING THIS>>>>
I went back looking for the picture, found this in an Old Sports Illustrated article.
The End of an ERA I guess>>
The handshakes and greetings that renewed acquaintances carried a special warmth, for in everyone's mind lurked the fear that this might be the last of the big Eastern SAC (Strategic Air Command) airfield races backed by General Curtis LeMay, a true racing enthusiast. The Turner AFB event, scheduled for October 23-24 at Albany, Ga., has been canceled for economic reasons, and the wind-up of a dozen major 1954 SAC events will take place November 7 at March AFB in Riverside, Calif. No commitments have been made between the Air Force and the Sports Car Club beyond that date, and whether the program of racing will be renewed for 1955 is anybody's guess.
This uncertainty results from the efforts of Rep. Erett P. Scrivner, Republican, Kansas, to induce Congress to put an end to AFB races on the grounds that they encourage a waste of manpower and public funds. Actually, airmen's benefit funds last year netted some $500,000 from SAC races, and the majority of AFB personnel welcomed the events as a pleasant and profitable diversion. It surely can be argued that the policing of such events represents a useful exercise of manpower. The Air Force (and the Sports Car Club) position was stated eloquently by General Gates at the Chanute, Ill. AFB trophy dinner: "You don't offer your kid a dime to shine your shoes, then, when he's done the job, withhold the dime because he's used up shoe polish, electric light and a polishing cloth."
However, if Lockbourne proves to have been the last eastern airport meeting, it at least provided a brilliant finale.m
This started me thinking>> the Chanute base was a base that Ben hosted and officiated races at, he also hosted a Concour De Elegance show there>>>race programs,oops, and many other things, they were friends with General Gates>>>> perhaps Ben and Jim knew the end was near>>> perhaps they were in California a couple years earlier for this reason,>>> perhaps they decided to be stock holders and promote/organize for Road America at this time>>> just theorizing>>> sure makes sense though?
??
John
