This is one of the very few books I have purchased since launching this book review site, mainly because it was published just after I started writing and it was not available in digital format at any library. No problem - while it's been awhile since I bought the book, it is still a great book for racing fans.
Title/Author: “Black
Noon: The Year They Stopped the Indy 500” by Art Garner
Rating: 5 of 5 stars (excellent)
Review: The 1964 Indianapolis
500 was not remembered because one of the most popular and successful drivers
of this race, A. J. Foyt was the winner.
It was not remembered because Foyt won driving a roadster, a car that
was becoming less popular in favor of rear-engine models such as Lotus. No, it is remembered because of the tragedy
that took place on the second lap in which two drivers, Dave MacDonald and
Eddie Sachs, were killed in a fiery crash that is still being discussed today
more than 60 years after it happened.
Author Art Garner, a well-respected motorsports
writer, does a great job of covering everything from the cars to the drivers
(not just MacDonald and Sachs) to the owners and tire company CEOs to break
down not only what happened on that fateful Memorial Day race, but also
complete research and writing about so many factors taking place before the
race.
There are three main sections to the book. The first one focused on many personalities
involved in racing at that time. Of course,
Sachs and MacDonald have extensive write ups of their lives and racing careers,
but there is other great information on the personalities mentioned above. Mickey Thompson, who was the owner of rear engine
style cars and who hired MacDonald as a driver, is one example of a person whose
story is well covered and well written by Garner. His coverage of the
competition for use of tires between Firestone and Goodyear is also worthy of
mention here.
The second section of the book focused on the
month of May 1964 before the race takes place.
The inside look at Gasoline Alley is fascinating. Garner’s writing about
events such as the first day of qualifying in which the pole sitter will be
determined, the test rookie drivers must pass before being allowed to attempt
to qualify and Moving Day, in which the drivers who are in the lower places may
get bumped by faster cars on that last day of qualifying, was outstanding. As one who is a casual fan of the Indy Car
series, this information on what takes place in Indianapolis in May was quite
fascinating.
The third section is about the race itself and
its aftermath. It is surprising that the
writing about the actual accident and fires that killed the two drivers is more
matter-of-fact than emotional and that is very good. Garner saves the emotional aspects for later
and he again writes about nearly everyone who would comment. Of course, the two widows were covered, but
the reactions of other drivers, crew members and others at the track was what
truly made the tragedy of this event even more poignant. Even Foyt, when accepting his congratulations
in Victory Lane, is subdued when he finds out the news about Sachs and
MacDonald.
Art Garner is one of the best motorsports
authors I have read, and even though this book has been out for 11 years, it’s still
a great read for motorsports fans about one of the most tragic days in racing.
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