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Paul Newman 1926-2008

Posted: Sat Sep 27, 2008 12:21 pm
by Mel Horn
To the best of my knowledge he never ran a hillclimb; however...

I had the opportunity of crewing for a SCCA National B Sedan team in the mid 70s and ran into him (not literally) at tracks all over the east. To me he was a great driver and car guy who happened to be in a movie or two.

I'm sure there's a lot of PLN stories out there...Susie? Ursula?

Re: Paul Newman 1926-2008

Posted: Sat Sep 27, 2008 4:26 pm
by Rich Sweigart
My Mom kicked PLN out of 1970's Pocono SCCA race once for a lack of a paddock pass. She made him return to registration for the pass. My brother, Charlie asked her Do you know who that was? She replied I do not care, he did not have a pass and is not getting into my paddock! Newman later apologized for not having the pass.

She also gave the boot to Richard Petty at Pocono and Roger Penske at his own racetrack(Nazareth) for the same thing.

Rich

Re: Paul Newman 1926-2008

Posted: Sat Sep 27, 2008 5:59 pm
by mrevilracing
That is why you were always told not to argue with Mom! Do it her way or else! And eat your veggies. Oh, clean your room too.

Re: Paul Newman 1926-2008

Posted: Sat Sep 27, 2008 10:25 pm
by Rich Sweigart
She is not that tough, actually she is quite cool of a Mom. Except for the last few years, she autocrossed, hillclimbed, road raced, organized events, was treasurer of Philly SCCA and PHA, membership chair of Reisentoter Porsche club.
Actually, I had an awesome childhood with my parents.

I still remember that SCCA stands for See Cruise Crash Again! Not one of Newman's best racing prodigies.

Rich

Re: Paul Newman 1926-2008

Posted: Sun Sep 28, 2008 10:12 am
by Sue Salsburg
Oh Rich you brought back a funny memory with the See Cruise Crash Again. Watched him try to follow Scott Sharp thru the Winston Tower turn at Pocono. Duh - Sharp was two classes faster so he didn't make it. Oops, Need Another Nissan. But the best was when we were racing with him at Bryar. All the teeny-boppers in the pits were bad enough but he just couldn't get the hang of all the shifts/turns( I think 17 shifts a lap). He used the brakes so hard they caught fire mid-way & he needed the pit wall to stop. Yet another red flag - what a dork. I'm waiting for Ursala & the old photo of Newman pushing the water off a flooded turn one at Summit. I don't want to think Rest In Peace - much better to Rest At Redline! Sue

Re: Paul Newman 1926-2008

Posted: Sun Sep 28, 2008 11:49 am
by dlascoskie
Back to Mr. Newman for a minute.............

great actor, great driver, great man, he will be missed.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xVXKOb5EE7Y

Re: Paul Newman 1926-2008

Posted: Sun Sep 28, 2008 1:22 pm
by Ron Mann
RIP Reggie Dunlop!!

Re: Paul Newman 1926-2008

Posted: Sun Sep 28, 2008 6:45 pm
by tupdegrove
Ask Gordon Wise about the hamburger Paul cooked for Gordon...

From an online article. “Newman's racing pursuits often brought him to the Milwaukee Mile and Road America in Elkhart Lake. He drove numerous times at Road America, winning the pole positions in both the SCCA June Sprints GT- 1 class and in Trans-Am, and scoring a top finish of fourth in Trans- Am in 1984. Newman visited victory lane as an owner at both tracks. He also was the victim of a memorable practical joke at Road America, where fellow drivers picked up residents from a local retirement home, decorated their bus with "Paul Newman Fan Club" signage and surprised Newman by delivering them to his motor coach for lunch. He took the prank in the spirit it was intended.”

Tim Updegrove

Re: Paul Newman 1926-2008

Posted: Mon Sep 29, 2008 6:55 am
by reddodge85
He made awesome hamburgers. Mom & Dad had some with him at Smt. Pt.. He always requested Mom for pit lane to keep the groupies away. I have a pic of Mom, Dad, & him at Smt. Pt. Have to dig out a few and try to get them posted. Found them while rooting for stuff for Ron.
I got quite a chuckle out of the "SCCA" thing too, Sue. Tom was a horrible driver.
Paul will be greatly missed for ALL his contributions in life. He was a great and very down to earth guy. Mom is having a field day now that he's up with her though.

Re: Paul Newman 1926-2008

Posted: Fri Oct 03, 2008 1:21 pm
by timurf
Those of us in the Datsun community lost an icon as well.

Paul seemed to be one of those rare instances of a big celeb who was also just a down-to-earth great guy. So say nothing of the billions he raised for charity, the camps he bought and ran for the kids, etc.