Re: Road America - OktoberFAST

["I.L. Eberhart" <eberhart@xxxxxxx>]

Reprinted with the permission os Leo Franchi Sr.

>From: LFmpower@domain.elided
>Date: Wed, 21 Oct 1998 00:55:26 EDT
>To: eberhart@domain.elided
>Subject: Re: Road America - OktoberFAST
>
>WOW
>
>Yes Leo jr was about 1/3 the way down the middle straitaway about 1/3 mile
>north of turn three at the Pontiac bridge.  He was standing on the stairs
>going up the bridge on the west side taking pictures of cars going under the
>bridge.  Cars at this point are accelerating over 100mph.  He saw a deer on
>the west side of the track grazing right next to the concrete barriers that
>line the strait about 100 yrds from him.  He took a picture of the deer
>grazing....... and then panned with the dear it as it LEAPED OVER THE BARRIER
>and landed right in front of a 325ix driven by Joe Conway.  He clicked the
>shutter just a milisecond before Joe hit the dear at at least 90mph.  Leo jr
>then saw the dear flying through the air right at him....it landed right at
>his feet and the dear fortunately expired within 10 - 15 seconds.
Needless to
>say everyone was quite shook up.  
>
>We were wondering if the picture came out and as we found out today it did.
>It's quite scary picture it is plain to see that this could have been much
>much worse.  You can barley see the suspension start to load on the left and
>unload on the right as Joe begins to gently steer to the right.  He did a
good
>job of keeping the car off the wall and kept it going strait down the track.
>His car was a mess though and had to be towed home...radiator core support,
>radiator, hood , fender.....thank god it didn't go through the windshield. 
>
>Leo Jr nearly got nailed by the dear as he said it was 30ft in the air when
>approaching him....
>
>Unreal..............
>
>Leo Sr 
>
>

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