I was down in Indianapolis this past week for a meeting/scientific symposium. On the Thursday after the meetings had finished, there was an outing to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway for a tour of the track.
You start with a bus tour that takes you on the track.
The 100th anniversary brick at the start/finish line.
Looking down the track from the starting row.
The Pagoda.
The only part of the track that is still brick.
After the track tour was a tour of the media centre.
Note the CRT television screens. In this day flat screens, you would think there would be no sign of CRT’s.
Me with my racing wings.
Another sign of the times, this is the race control room, beneath all the crt screens, there are vcr’s. The guide said races were recorded on vas, since it would be harder to doctor a vhs tape than a digital file.
After the tour of the track you return to the museum and Hall of Fame.
There a lot of past winning cars on display. Some racing teams do not donate their cars as they like to display in their own museums. One of the race teams that are no where to be seen is Penske.
The Borg-Warner Trophy.
The 1911 winning car and the 2011 wining car.
Jacques Villeneuve on the trophy from his 1995 victory.
The number 27 car from his 1995 victory. He has only raced in 3 Indy 500’s, he placed 2nd in 1994, won in 1995 and finished 14th in 2014.
The Indianapolis Power & Light Company Building.
The Soldiers and Sailors Monument.
I had some time Friday morning before heading to the airport to walk around downtown. Here is the Indiana State Capitol building.
Oliver P. Morton was the 14th and first Indiana-born Governor of Indiana.
I had a bratwurst burger from this food truck that was parked outside of the hotel.
Looking down West Market Street to the Capitol Building.
The Soldiers and Sailors Monument. It is 284ft, only 21ft shorter than the Statue of Liberty (305ft), I learned that tidbit from my shuttle driver from the airport.
