Racing was in their blood, families and friends in their hearts
John Saucier, of Midwest City, was a legend at the Ponca City Grand Prix, among the best to ever compete there in its more than 25 years.
Bill Stengle, of Enid, didn’t run at Ponca, but he did make build and drive midget racers, and he enjoyed motorcycles. He raised a son, however, who DID race at Ponca City.
I saw John race many times while growing up in Ponca. But it wasn’t until years later, when I returned to The Oklahoman, that we became friends, all because of one column I wrote recalling the PC Grand Prix. He thanked me “for the memories” and gave me an update on some of the drivers I had mentioned.
I never met Bill, but I saw his son, Jim, race a few times in Ponca City. Jim and I became close friends while I was living in Enid. We met through my association with others in the Sports Car Club of America and we both were members of the Enid A.M. Ambucs.
Jim was the only guy I ever knew who had a Corvette … in his attic. Disassembled, of course. I wouldn’t have believed it if his wife, Dixie, hadn’t gotten him to show me when my wife, Becky, and I visited them one night. Dang if it wasn’t true.
John died Jan. 25 at age 74, I’m sad to say. Scott Munn of The Oklahoman noted that John won 28 SCCA championships and was a member of the organization for 55 years. Scott said John was the only person to race in each of the 26 Ponca City Grand Prix events.
Jim’s dad, Bill, died Jan. 11 at age 95. His obituary included points about his innovative, mechanical abilities, such as this: “For extra income, he began drilling water wells with a rig he built himself.” That takes some skill, for sure.
Both men had served in the military, both men had loving families, both men were well respected and both were extremely talented.
I’m proud to say I knew John and I know Bill’s family. All because of shared interested in racing that has circled the track for many years.
A blogger’s ‘confession’
Librarian Kitty Pittman is a talented individual, who has a great knowledge of literacy and the best works on the book market today.
As author of Okie Reads, she has reviewed numerous writings for some time on our “know it: Books” page.
She’s the type of individual who wants readers to be aware of what’s out there to spend time with, for learning, for enjoyment. She also very honest with her work. So much so that she felt she need to post this on the “know it” site:
“Feeling like a reading fraud this year. If Lance (Armstrong) can come clean I guess we all should.
“Not reading that much, and what I do read, I just can’t make myself blog about it. My other problem, I like other people’s reviews much better than my own. For instance, I read James Blaylock’s Homunculus. It’s a tough book to jump into, many claim it as the beginning of steampunk. By page 80, I’m really getting into the story, so I search out reviews to see if I’m on the right track.
“Great review already out there, IMHO. Stainless Steel Droppings. Plus, GoodReads reviews. This is what I find with everything I read. Faster readers, better reviews, and I just want to read other people’s reviews and get back to reading.
“Handily, my friend and colleague and fellow blogger can take over the reins of Okie Reads. After all, he’s an Okie and he reads, perfect qualifications.
“So without further adieu, I’m taking a back seat, may jump in occasionally but for the most part it’s Young Bill Young’s OkieReads.”
So now, the Okie Reads is in Bill’s capable hands … generally. As Kitty says, she may jump in occasionally. And if she has an interest in doing so, she’s very welcome.
Thanks to Kitty for all her contributions, and thanks to Bill for what he has done and what he’ll do in the future. I have to confess. I think we’re still in good hands.
Take at look at KNOWIT.NEWSOK.COM/BOOKS-OKLAHOMA and see what’s hot for readers these days.
New Cars – Cool New Electronic Features
By Chuck Mai, AAA
As car-makers add more and more electronic distractions to new cars (giving traffic safety folks fits), they are also, thankfully, making cars safer.
Cameras and Sensors
John Paul, AAA’s Car Doctor, reports Subaru has introduced something they call the EyeSight system that uses a 3-D camera mounted at the top of the windshield, giving drivers a panoramic view of the road.
Honda has a device that gives the driver a view of the right side blind spot of the vehicle when the right turn signal is activated.
Mercedes-Benz has a new system called Collision Prevention Assist, available on M-Class SUVs, that uses radar sensors which monitor the distance from the SUV to a vehicle in front of it as well as to stationary roadway objects. If CPA detects an imminent collision, it sounds a warning and flashes a light.
Volvo has taken this idea a step further by autonomously hitting the brakes if it detects a low-speed crash is about to occur.
And don’t think it’s just the luxury cars offering these exciting new technologies. The latest Chevy Malibu has a forward collision alert and lane departure warning system.
Sleepy?
About a quarter of a million people fall asleep at the wheel every day in the U.S. Good thing car-makers have systems in development that can watch us. Most use in-car cameras that keep track of what your eye lids are doing as well as absence of steering wheel movements. If they note something wrong, it sounds an alarm, vibrates the seat or tugs on the seat belt to alert the driver.
Lights
Here’s an idea from the past – from the 1948 Tucker Torpedo to be exact: headlights that move in the direction the car is turning. A growing number of vehicles have what they’re calling adaptive headlights. Good for illuminating dark curves.
Some car-makers are adding light amplification and infrared cameras that not only allow drivers to see more at night, they also identify and warn drivers of pedestrians and critters by the side of the road.
Talking Cars
One of the most exciting new technologies is vehicle-to-vehicle communication. The idea that cars can talk to each other, while monitoring the roadway and overall driving environment, will make driving safer and less stressful. Car doc John Paul says these systems could warn drivers of slow-moving traffic, roadwork, traffic lights, school zones and weather conditions.
And by now, you’ve probably heard about Google’s driver-less cars that have received the go-ahead in several states. But wait – maybe a Massachusetts company is on the right track … or maybe the right altitude. They have created a flying car.
New Website Examines Rural vs. Urban Roadway Safety
By Chuck Mai, AAA
Anybody who follows Oklahoma’s motor vehicle crash reports with any regularity knows that rural roads are more dangerous than urban ones.
I have a distinct desire to be around this old earth long enough to see the Chicago Cubs win the pennant, so traffic risks are things I pay particular attention to. It’s all about surviving driving, which is no mean trick. Traffic crashes are still the leading cause of death for those 25 and under in our state. Numero uno. In fact, far ahead of whatever’s in second, third and fourth places.
So, when Fred Storer of Bartlesville sent me a study he had done of Oklahoma roadway collisions, I was all ears. Using information from NHTSA, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Fred’s contention is that “Oklahoma’s county roads and state number highways are three times as dangerous as the balance of the state roads combined.”
He examined the 3,006 highway fatalities in Oklahoma for the five years 2007 through 2011. The results? Twenty-eight percent of them occurred on urban roads and 72 percent on rural roads. See Fred’s website, www.saferight-of-ways.org.
You have to ask yourself, “Why?” Why are so many more of us dying in collisions on rural roadways than on urban ones? The answers are many: narrower roadbeds, limited shoulders, lack of medians, inadequate lighting, speed, tight curves, older bridges, and as Fred says, too many hazards placed too near the roads, hazards such as mailboxes.
But what’s happening inside the vehicle to cause these things to be final factors, that one last element that causes the fatal crash? Alcohol, certainly, plays a role in many of these wrecks, as does fatigue. But probably the number one facilitator of fatal crashes is distractions: other passengers in the car or pickup, reaching for something in the glove compartment, fiddling with an iPod, eating, drinking, smoking – and using a cell phone to either talk or text.
We have it within our power and abilities to save our own lives and those of others on the highway, whether rural or urban. You know how, it’s just common sense – limit distractions, pay attention to the road, drive refreshed, avoid alcohol and buckle up. And encourage your loved ones to do likewise.
Burglar in a bucket
After reading or hearing stories about serious, tough subjects hour after hour, we all need a break. A good laugh helps. And when it involves the ridiculous things people do, it’s even better.
Stupid thief tricks can be among the best. Having a laugh at the expense of an individual whose intentions are less than legal is most enjoyable to many people. I guess I’m a definite for that group.
You may have heard about the guy who was acting as his own defense attorney in an assault case. During his questioning of the victim, he asked: “Did you get a good look at my face?” Realizing he had just admitted his guilt, he tried to find a way to back out of it, adding: ” … if I had been there?” End result: conviction.
Or, the woman who was describing from the witness stand how she had defended herself with a handgun when a neighbor threatened her. It took the jury only 15 minutes to find her guilty of shooting with intent to kill. Afterward, the jury foreman was asked why the panel had decided so quickly.
“She said it was self defense,” the foreman said, “but we thought six shots in the backside as (the neighbor) was running away was a bit much when no other weapon was involved.”
Then, there’s the burglar in the bucket robbery in Slidell, La.
It seems that a man dressed in camouflage, wearing gloves and with his tools to break into a food business forgot one key part of his apparel. He left his mask behind.
He knew the business had surveillance cameras, so it was important to cover his face. He chose to do so with a bucket on his head.
The cameras did record a view showing his face, enough to make him recognizable. He was captured at his home and charged with two counts of simple burglary.
These are examples of goofy, strange things that can happen. See other examples by going to KNOWIT.NEWSOK.COM/UNUSUAL-WEIRD-OKLAHOMA, which also features items from elsewhere in the nation and the world. Just click the button on the area you want to check, then read and enjoy.
Golden Oldies
By Chuck Mai, AAA
Statistics show that car thieves prefer older vehicles. Surprised?
People tend to think that older cars are of little interest to those sneaky ol’ car thieves because of their low retail value. But there are two reasons why older vehicles are so often on the bad guys’ hit parade: 1) Most vehicles are stolen for their parts, not for the vehicle itself, and used auto parts that many vehicles can use are in big demand, especially now that so many of us are keeping our cars longer; 2) older cars typically aren’t equipped with the sophisticated locks and security systems of newer models.
According to the National Insurance Crime Bureau, the top ten stolen vehicles in Oklahoma are:
1) 1994 Chevy pickup (full size)
2) 2006 Ford pickup (full size)
3) 1996 Honda Accord
4) 2001 Dodge pickup (full size)
5) 2000 Honda Civic
6) 1994 GMC pickup (full size)
7) 2002 Ford Explorer
8) 1998 Chevy pickup (small size)
9) 1995 Ford Mustang
10) 1995 Jeep Grand Cherokee
So, you might want to consider keeping comprehensive insurance coverage (covers theft) on that 1988 Dodge Horizon you’re driving. You’ll at least have some payout if your car is stolen, and the coverage isn’t likely to alter your insurance rates dramatically.
It’s only money
There are lessons to be learned. No matter how much you try to school them, regardless the advance warning, despite all the “when I was your age” comments, young people have to learn for themselves.
And when the time comes during their teen years that they have to make decisions that can cost them money, they learn just how costly those decisions can be.
A family I know well enough to be related to (and am) is about to get a double dose of the money game. Two teenage daughters, with two months difference in their ages (they’re stepsisters) are entering into the world of higher learning.
It can be a great time, it can be a tough time. It all depends upon the decisions you have to make and how you do so.
Their dad has set them up to learn, with a little room to fail. They get an allowance, a decent one. OK, very decent. Each receives 40 times what I got at the best level I ever had. I won’t deny that times were much different and items much cheaper. It’s all relative.
Now comes the adjustment.
Until now, others have made many of their purchases for them. Food on the run, cosmetics, trinkets, or whatever usually has been more of a “gift” from others. They’ve been told that now that those expenses will be their responsibility. But the biggest change will be in transportation.
Now, they will both have a driver’s license. Their dad bought them a car to share, fixed it up with some nice added features and got them both a set of keys.
But he told them they would be responsible for handling the cost of fuel with their allowances. I suspect there will be a steady decline of some other purchases, beginning pretty soon.
So what comes next? A little exercise in budgeting, he says. They’re going to have to learn how to budget their money, because he added a stipulation when he set up their allowances: don’t ask anyone for money; you have your own, until it runs out.
I also suspect there will be some employment considerations, along with a push for an additional vehicle.
The lessons are just beginning.
Check the resources in KNOWIT.NEWSOK.COM/MONEY-OKLAHOMA to help you with your personal finances. There’s some pretty sound advice there, no matter your age.
Advice for the Stranded
By Chuck Mai, AAA
When AAA roadside assistance technician Tim Griffin came to the aid of a stranded family on I-75 in Atlanta late one night, he assumed it would be a routine call. But, in fact, Griffin’s road service vehicle ended up being the life-saving barrier between a speeding car and the family of six he was assisting.
With his truck’s safety lights flashing and safety cones in place, Griffin was helping the family with their disabled mini-van when a passing car slammed into his vehicle. “If I hadn’t positioned my truck behind the family’s van to protect it and its occupants, that car would have struck it. And as fast as it was going, I know it would have injured those kids sitting in the back,” said Griffin.
Unfortunately, incidents like this occur all too frequently. Stranded motorists as well as roadside first-responders are faced with the danger of passing vehicles swerving into them each day.
You can take some key steps to protect yourself along the roadside.
• Pull off the road. Try to exit onto the far right shoulder as far off the road as possible while remaining on level ground. On an interstate or multilane highway with medians, you may consider the left shoulder, again pulling as far away from the traffic as possible.
If you cannot pull off the road, switch on emergency flashers, and do not risk danger to yourself by attempting to push your vehicle to a safe location. If you think your vehicle might be struck from behind, do not remain in it. You should proceed carefully and watch for oncoming traffic while exiting the vehicle; never stand behind or directly in front of it because other drivers may not see you.
• Alert other motorists. Make sure your vehicle is visible to other motorists by turning on your emergency flashers. If your vehicle is along the roadside, raise your hood and tie a brightly colored handkerchief or scarf to the antenna or door handle. Flares or warning triangles can also be placed behind your vehicle to alert other motorists.
• Communicate your situation. Once you and your passengers are in a safe location, call for assistance. If you have a cell phone, call for help from inside your vehicle if you are safely out of traffic. Otherwise, call from a safe distance from the vehicle and roadway.
• Remain with your vehicle. Under most circumstances, if you have a cell phone, it’s best to remain with your vehicle until assistance arrives. If there’s no telephone available within a safe walking distance, try to get the attention of other drivers and seek out law enforcement if possible.
If you choose to leave your vehicle, exit through the side of the vehicle facing away from the road. If you remain inside, keep the windows almost closed and the doors locked.
• If you just have a flat tire, go ahead and drive slowly on it to a place of safety away from traffic lanes.
Donkey business goes to court
If you think politics only reach extreme or weird levels in the United States, think again.
A judge in Brazil has urged prosecutors to fine a small-town mayor for riding a donkey to his inauguration. The reason for the ride? To make a poke at an opponent who, the story goes, referred to him as a burro during a debate.
Mayor Vaderlei Batista of Passa Sete faces a potential fine equivalent to $250 for failing to adhere to a restraining order. The order prohibited an further “donkey business” after the elections in October.
The judge, Luciane Glesse, didn’t take kindly to the donkey ride, saying it clearly violated the restraining order.
Batista said he intentionally responded with offensive phrases characterizing the opposition party to donkeys after his campaign rival referred to him as a donkey during a debate.
It didn’t take long for Batista’s rival to seek legal action. He asked for the court order barring Batista from using such satirical jabs.
Batista promised voters he would ride a donkey to this week’s inauguration. The judge says no. We’ll see who wins this one.
For other strange but true stories, in Oklahoma, the nation, or the world, check out KNOWIT.NEWSOK.COM/UNUSUAL-WEIRD-OKLAHOMA and click on the button for your area of choice.
Batista says that he promised voters to ride a donkey to this week’s inauguration.
New year, new me … or not
Lose weight, gain weight, change of attitude, control temper, budget money, spend more time with family, focus on school, raise grades, set goals and reach them …
I think I’ll stop there.
This is just an everyday goal for some, a starting point for things that certain individuals wish to accomplish in life. For others, it’s a new year’s resolution.
Wikipedia defines a New Year’s Resolution as a commitment that an individual makes to a project or the reforming of a habit, often a lifestyle change (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Year’s_resolution).
So, it is safe to say that a lot of people take the new year as a time to reflect on things that they want or need to change in their life. In my opinion, we should reflect daily not only on things that we want or need to change in our life, but we should also reflect daily on the many blessings that we have.
Each year, people have these resolutions, in which some have the same ones every year just to never fulfill them. Each year as a country we find ourselves entering into another year grieving and mourning losses and tragedies …
I say all this to say that you have one life, and in some cases one chance. Quit waiting on the new year and EMBARK on it NOW.
Humble we should be, no matter how successful we are
Appreciative of goal-reaching, no matter how near or far
Patient of things that we diligently strive for
Pleasured that we are able, breathing and alive
Young in spirit despite of our age
Never giving up, no matter how bad the rage
Enlightened by the good as well as the bad
Willing to keep pushing whether happy or sad
Yes, we should answer when we know that we can
Especially when it’s for the good of lending a hand
Aware of our strengths as well as our flaws
Ready to conquer even after we fall
Yes it’s a new year, but it is just another day, the same opportunities maybe just a different way. No need for a resolution to a problem that you wish to solve, because as humans we constantly grow and continue to evolve. So let’s be real, there is no need for a New Year’s Resolution, when 365 days ago you could’ve come up with the same solution.
HAPPY NEW YEAR, EVERYONE!
