Bobby Unser’s lofty racing goal as a youth was to win the Pike’s Peak Hill Climb in his native Colorado, which he accomplished at age of 22 in 1956.
Among his ambitions then was to break his Uncle Louis’ record of nine overall victories in the “Race to the Clouds,” which he also met following a career that included three Indianapolis 500 Mile Race wins and two Indy car championships.
On April 16 in conjunction with the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach race weekend featuring the Verizon IndyCar Series, Unser will be the guest of honor at the Road Racing Drivers Club Evening with Bobby Unser Presented by Firestone. The dinner is hosted by RRDC president Bobby Rahal. Proceeds are directed toward the organization’s young driver initiatives.
"It's naturally special to be honored by the RRDC,” said Unser, who turns 81 on Feb. 20. “I look at the names that were honored before me and they were either my bosses, good friends that raced me on the track or my heroes -- (Dan) Gurney, (Roger) Penske, (Jim) Hall, (Brian) Redman, Mario (Andretti) and, of course, the man that helped me get my first ride at Indianapolis (photo below) in 1963, Parnelli Jones.
“Good chance without Rufus' help at Indy that year you'd never have heard of Bobby Unser at the Speedway. It'll be a really fun night in Long Beach with lots of friends and great stories from over the years. That's a promise."
Unser won the Indianapolis 500 in 1968, 1975 and 1981, and was the first to surpass the 180 mph and 190 mph markers in qualifications.
He is tied with three-time Verizon IndyCar Series champion Scott Dixon for fifth on the all-time Indy car victory list with 35, and is third on the career pole winners list with 49. Unser won the USAC Indy car title in 1968 and ’74, and retired from Indy car competition in 1982.
But he wasn’t finished racing, and in 1986 – after a 12-year absence from the Pike’s Peak event – broke a tie with his uncle with his 10th overall victory. His total wins on the 14,000-foot Colorado mountain is 13, including two stock car class victories (1969, 1974) and a sports car class win (1963).
Join the flock to sign Andretti petition
Earlier this week, a fan in St. Louis started a petition through official channels to have four-time Indy 500 champion A.J. Foyt receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
Now, Jim Knipe of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, has initiated a petition for Mario Andretti to be considered for the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
The medals are presented to individuals from all walks of life. The 2014 recipients included TV news anchor Tom Brokaw, Ethel Kennedy, former pro golfer Charlie Sifford, Meryl Streep, Marlo Thomas and Stevie Wonder. Richard petty is the only race car driver to have has received a Presidential Medal of Freedom. SIGN THE PETITION
"That's the precious part of my career. The fans have stayed loyal; they care,” said Andretti, who turns 75 on Feb. 28. “There is no bigger gift for anyone who has worked like myself than to know people enjoy your work. No bigger compliment."
Click it: Drive to get A.J. Foyt the medal
Run on the St. Pete track to benefit All Children's Hospital
Race fans in the Tampa Bay area will have the opportunity to participate in a race of their own during the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg.
The Firestone Grand Prix 5K Presented by Modern Business Associates and Benefitting All Children's Hospital will be held March 27 at 7:15 p.m., providing participants the opportunity to run on the 1.8-mile circuit that will host the Verizon IndyCar Series race March 29. REGISTER HERE Event organizers will start building the race course Feb. 24.
Of note
Reigning Indianapolis 500 champion Ryan Hunter-Reay participated in the Dolphins Cycling Challenge. Rider-raised funds are directed to Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center in Florida. … The DHL-sponsored car that Hunter-Reay drove in the Indy 500 is on display at the Honda exhibit of the Chicago Auto Show. The new Dallara IL-15 chassis is featured at the Mazda display. ... Jake Eidson, 19, will drive the No. 22 Pabst Racing USF2000 entry in the six-race Cooper Tires Winterfest Championship at NOLA Motorsports Park (Feb. 19-20) and Barber Motorsports Park (Feb. 25-26), the team announced.