The Indianapolis Star from Indianapolis, Indiana • Page 11

THE INDIANAPOLIS STAR SATURDAY, MAY 13, 1978 THANKS TO MR. HULMAN Race Buff Put In Front Of Fence PAGE 10 If fi "ma jc I I- 1 I SIDE I ers. He stumped Davidson, USAC statistician, on two occasions when Davidson was conducting his question and answer program on radio. "One year I won a radio, and another time I won 55 gallons of gasoline," McComb says. "But," he adds, "I've never really heard anybody stump him, because people trick him or ask him a question that contains many questions in one.

I just made up questions that were so tedious, they confused him, and were too long to answer on the air." He still doesn't know any drivers on a personal level. "If it wasn't for Mr. Hulman, I'd still be behind the fence." By BONNIE BRITTON Dick McComb, 23, wanted to work at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway because he loves racing, and now that he does work there, he's inside an office seven days a week during May. The assistant to Charles W. Metzger, track controller, wrote a letter to the late Tony Hulman last year, asking for employment.

"He called me at home and I recognized his voice immediately. Mr. Hulman said he'd call back in a week, invited me in and I was hired the same day." He has never figured out "why I got the job I'm just happy I did." The Indiana University graduate, an accounting major, was unemployed at the time. From seventh prade on, McComb was smitten with speed and the "500" in particular. "I used to spend every penny of my allowance on newspapers.

I'd buy The Indianapolis Star and The News and the New York Times to clip out racing articles." DECALS, stickers and posters were added to his racing memorabilia and a friendship with Jack McKenzie, who has muscled the Borg-Warner Trophy around town during race season for many years, produced more items for his collection, including daily track summaries. In return, McComb organized photographs for McKenzie, a former teacher at North-view Junior High School. McKenzie also took McComb to racing events during May such as the Mechanic's Banquet. 5 1 i lull TRACKS PLANNING FAMILY JUUU 5DDa Case Of Gloves Security guards at the Speedway Hall of Fame can relax. The "driving gloves" of Earl 'Frenchy' Sirois, father of former driver Jigger Sirois are not missing.

Placques in two cases in the museum credit the former mechanic with "donating" gloves. But the gloves donated by Sirois are those of drivers and not his own. When asked where the "missing" gloves of Sirois might be, two puzzled museum security men scratched their heads and said they could be in the vault for safekeeping, or may have been removed when the cases were cleaned. Lunch hours and breaks were spent timing cars and taking pictures last year. "If something important happens, like Tom Sneva's qualification run, I sneak away from the office," he says with a grin.

The walls of his bachelor apartment are covered with racing pictures and posters and of course, a picture of Tony Hulman. "My mother was so happy when I moved away from home because I took all my newspapers with me." He has 140 scrapbooks filled with clippings and more than 100 racing books. ALTHOUGH HE says he's no Donald Davidson yet, he has memorized car names, color schemes, chassis and driv- Carters Back Into Swing Oi Things Dick McComb is closer to the action at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway thanks to the personal touch of the late Tony Hulman. Dick regrets that "I never got the chance to ask him why he hired me." (Star Photo) twit M(Dinni(B 'on Git hmf By DONNA SNODGRASS Maybe Dec. 2 will turn out to be a lucky day for Carla and Pancho Carter after all.

That's the anniversary of the date he tested his new championship race car and himself in a nasty rendezvous with the wall at Phoenix International Raceway. That's the date their first baby is due. While denying that Janet Guthrie's trail blazing on the champ circuit influences them, Carla insists they don't really care if it's a boy or a girl. "Of course, Pancho would like a boy. Wouldn't every man?" Carla says.

"But me, I could go either way. For my parents it's a first grandchild. They don't care!" They'll be seeing Pancho 's dad, Duane Carter for the first time since they found out they're "expecting." AFTER PANCHO'S accident and five hours of surgery plus many days in intensive care the young racing couple had a lot of time to think and talk. Carla says during that time their hopes, plans, goals never changed. They already knew they wanted to start a family.

And despite the accident, they both knew they wanted to keep on racing. "The doctors suggested I start talking to him about another line of work," Carla admits, because of the nerve damage he suffered. "But he was so down, I just didn't think it was the right time to pull him down any deeper. So I waited." As it turned out, the spunky guy got out of it with a "very slight" elbow limitation and the loss of up-and-down movement in his ankle. He's back in his Budweiser Lightning car No.

8 thus month, having already BEHIND5NSSh8 THE WHEELS' AW LASDERS Mil luvrr. lUx i CARLA CARTER dusted em off in two sprint races and Indianapolis Raceway Winchester Park. CARLA USING whatever time she's not with him at the track shopping and bouse hunting. Naturally, with one on the way, they want a bigger place. "Really, we need about four bedrooms," she explains, "because we have company, especially in May, and now Pancho has an office at home They want to stay in the Brownsburg area, and prefer a two-story or tri lcvel, she says.

And yes, they already have a realtor. Carla is happy to be back in a normal (hectic) May routine, after those weeks in Phoenix. She spent days and evenings at the hospital, changing dressings on Pan-cho's burns, feeding him ice chips, later playing games like Yahtzee. Nights she stayed at car owner Bob Fletcher's home. She had needlepoint and other pastimes on hand, but never got around to them.

And now that Pancho's back behind the wheel, albeit using hand and knee operated throttle controls. Carta's too busy timing her racy guy for that stuff. This Feature Appears In The Sunday Star 21, Hatboro, Pa. 19040. DEAR REVEREND and Mrs.

Massimilla: Thank you so much for reminding me that it's again time to rerun "Heaven's Very Special Child." I do so with warm thanks and every good wish. S. Several readers who wrote to you wrote to me also to say what beautifully warm and compassionate letters they had received. What special people you must be! HEAVEN'S VERY SPECIAL CHILD A meeting was held quite far from earth' "It's time again for another birth," Said the Angels to the Lord above, "This Special Child will need much love "His progress may be very slow, "Accomplishment he may not show. "And he'll require extra care "From the folks he meets down there.

"He may not run or laugh or play; "His thoughts may seem quite far away. "In many ways he won't adapt "And he'll be known as handicapped. 'Heaven's Special Child' Shared With Readers TVemendous selection Entire outfits of first quality separates. for $15 and under. sMtpfe tops 9 3 I'OC s10 825 rofgi8 A EPT Have Charge Bc Fashion Minded And Be Budget Minded The Best Of Both Worlds At Paul Harris Budget DEAR ANN: My husband is Dr.

John A Massimilla, pastor of the United Methodist Charge, Magnolia, Del. He is also chaplain for the Hospital for the Mentally Retarded in Stockley, Del. We have a severe-ly retarded daughter. A few years ago you printed a poem I wrote about such children As a result, we received Ann Landers many letters from parents of retarded children, and have carried on a heartwarming correspondence with these parents hopefully giving them comfort and reassurance. The poem, "Heaven's Very Special Child," was written purely through inspiration from a greater power.

We would like to share these words once again with your readers It can mean so much if parents learn to see their retarded child as a blessing and a special person. If anyone would like to write to us, please ask them to include return postage Sincerely. Mrs Massimilla, P.O. Box CHARMERS Friends can be happy just by being together. Hi if Mi J.

it Your Foul Harris Charge, Master Charge, BankAmericard or Shoppers Charge ji a paul harris "So let's be careful where he's sent. "We want his life to be content. "Please, Lord, find the parents who "Will do a special job for You. "They will not realize right away "The leading role they're asked to play. "But with this child sent from above "Comes stronger faith and richer love.

"And soon they'll know the privilege given "In caring for their gift from Heaven. "Their precious charge so meek and mild "Is Heaven's Very Special Child." By Edna Massimilla. A no-nonsense approach to how to deal with life's most difficult and most rewarding arrangement: Ann Landers' booklet, "Marriage What to Expect," will prepare you tor better or for worse. Send your request to Ann Landers, The Indianapolis Star. P.O.

Box US, Indianapolis. Ind. 46208, enclosing 50 cents in coin and a long, stamped, self-addressed envelope. i 19 f'ld tiro'iM Plalnfleld Plaza Keystone at Augusta Plaza North Eastwood 62nd St. Twln-Alre Speedway Marwood Plaza Southern Plaza.