The Philadelphia Inquirer from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania • Page 31

Thursday, June 23, 1977 Philadelphia Inquirer 5-C 'I don't have a death wish, battered driver insists in 1973 when he qualified foe his -second Indianapolis 500 with the 11th fastest speed in the 33-car field. Seven months he crashed badly during a tire testing session at the Ontario Motor Speedway near Los Angeles. At first, it appeared this accident was not so serious. Surely, there were broken bones, but no fire or no burns. But the doctors soon discovered that Kunzman had suffered brain damage.

He had crashed so violently that he bruised his brain. He was a virtual vegetable for three weeks. "The hardest thing was trying to communicate while I was still in a coma," he said. "The doctors told me later that the brain waves showed Increased activity while I was still unconscious." Getting back to reality was just the beginning. The injury had left his vision impaired.

He saw multiple images for more than a year. He returned in March 1975 to place third in a 100-mile qualifying race at Ontario, then placed fourth in the California 500 a week later. But he wasn't right and he knew it. "I'm not sure I was ready, physically or mentally," he said. ''In fact, it's only been the last year and a half that I've been confident that had it all together again." And so Kunzman's devotion grows deeper.

"I guess it's difficult to understand why I keep coming back," he said. "But it's the only thing that I really enjoy. It's a satisfaction I can't get any other old bachelor. "I'm in racing for the long haul. My only ambition is to be a winner." There have been times over the last few years that Kunzman has doubted his ability to even drive a race car, let alone win.

But through it all, his desire to travel at 200 m.p.h. in one of these wheeled time bombs has never abated. If anything, it has grown. "I guess you could say the wrecks have deepened my love for the sport," Kunzman said. "If I didn't love it so much, I wouldn't keep coming back." He tries again Sunday in the seventh Schaefer 500 at Pocono International Raceway.

Despite his faith in his abilities, Kunzman has no delusions of grandeur. He knows he won't win here. It is another step in his comeback, which has been long and hard since that summer day in 1970 when he first paFd his dues. It was a United States Auto Club sprint car races at Odessa, and Kunzman accepted a ride in a sprint- er he had never been in before. "That was.

my first big mistake," said. He set fast times in qualifications and, following USAC's policy of in- verting the field, started eighth and last in his heat race. "I went charging through to the lead and just when I got in front the throttle stuck wide open," he said. Unfamiliar with the car, couldn't find the f'kill switch" to turn off the engine and he hit the wall in flames. He says the numerous broken bones were no real problem.

But the burns were extremely painful. And so must have been his first look in a mirror. His once-handsome face was scarred for life. If the scars caused any psychological trauma, he refuses to admit it. But it was obvious the accident hadn't affected his ability to drive.

He returned to the racing wars in April 1971 and won a midget-car race at Cincinnati. Kunzman seemed to be on his way By Bill Simmons Inquirer Auto Editor LONG POND, takes a very special person to drive a race car. If you doubt that premise, talk to Lee Kunzman. And look at him, if you can. Lee Kunzman has been through hell.

Not the unhappiness and disappointment that all of us suffer now and then, but the utter agony of broken bones and seared skin. His face is a mass of scar tissue. So are his arms. He has broken his neck, his back, his arms, his legs, his ribs, his collarbones and, probably, a few others that even he can't remember. He has given more to his vocation than anyone would have a right to expect.

He has spent more time in pitals than a lot of nurses. And he is fully prepared to give much more. Even his life, if that's the way it must be. "Don't get me wrong. I don have a death wish at all," said the 32-year- filQ Whaddya mean you'ye got a private sporting club: where you live? Foyt shows at Pocono Raceway row morning.

See for yourself! On. my way home I stop off at the Plymouth Hill Club, slip into sweats and muscle my way through the exercise gym. Then I jog out to the pool, lap it a few times and head back for some suana, a shower and a little pool and beer with my friends. And I'm already home, because I'm an owner at Plymoutn Hill Condominium in Plymouth Meeting. With that low 5 down and just 7V interest and prices only $29,900 to $63,000 you can be a member of our club, too! Contact Jim Moore, Sales Director, for your private tour.

Be a good sport! and one who is, presumably, a rookie. That's because Foyt has painted three yellow stripes on the back of his car, the traditional rookie sign. But the feeling among other drivers and those closely associated with the United States Auto Club's Championship Trail series, is that the 42-year-old Texan is "blowing smoke." LONG POND, Pa. Those who follow the escapades of A. J.

Foyt, be advised that the four-time winner of the Indianapolis 500 arrived at Pocono International Raceway yesterday. Foyt, however, doesn't seem interested in driving the bright orange Gilmore-Coyote-Foyt in Sunday'? seventh annual Schaefer 500-mile race. "I have no intention of driving the car," Foyt said yesterday after running several practice laps around the 2'j-mile trioval. "Not, if the boy I sent for shows up." That would indicate that he is prepared to give the car to another driver not on the Pocono scene Gordon Johncock, who had the fastest practice speed of 488.719 m.p.h.,' is a slight favorite to win the pole position. Other contenders, who clocked better than 187.

are Johnny Rutherford, Mike Mosley, Tom Sneva, Danny Ongais and Mario Andretti. Others over 180 were Foyt, Al Unser, Wally Dallenbach, Bobby Unser, Jim McEIreath and rookie Rick Mears. Although 44 entries were received, various accidents and equipment failures have reduced that number to 34 who will contest the 33 starting berths. Bill Simmons 666 W. Germantown Pike Plymouth Meeting, PA 19462 (215)825880' Sales: Mack Real Estate Marketing and Management Company.

Inc. Plymouth Hill 'CONDOMINIUM Typical sales owe $44,000 Own oayment mortgage oaiance 0 i' 800 paid 360 monthly installments ol aoo'oi S300 principal ana interest plus requ.reo monthly impounds lor private morigage insurance, tanes. insurance ana conoomi'mum lees 7V. Interest. 8 Annual Percentage Rale.

I ll be very surprised if anybody other than Foyt is in that car when it comes time to qualify (today)," one driver That qualifying, which will consist of two timed runs for each car, begins at 11 a.m. If the 33-car field is not filled by 6 this afternoon, additional time trials will be run tomor arm err IKUI fr Youths score over vets in city amateur Ml 0 By Mayer Brandschain Special to JVte Inquirer Medalist Michael Rose of Philmont approximated his form of Monday's qualifying round in reaching the quarterfinals of the 81st annual Philadelphia Amateur Golf Championship as the old guard gave way to youth in two rounds of action yesterday at Manufacturers CC. The file narrowed from 32 to eight players ranging in age from James Spagnolo, 16, to Philip Keidel, 31. Former champions eliminated were Allan Sussel, Art Jacoby and Herman Fry. Called to California on business, Gordon Brewer was unable to defend his title.

Rose, who had qualified first with a was deadly with any putt inside eight feet. In succession, he sidelined David Fenlchel of Radnor Valley, 5 and 4, and W. B. (Tony) Mc-Cullough 2d of Merion, 3 and 2. The University of Indiana graduate won the first two holes from McCullough CS m.mmm,,m.,m MWWWW -'nS? cv rr czzrt V' Jggfr fly Mf-fjj XOl and never lost the advantage.

McCullough had beaten Sussel, the 1969 champion, 2 and 1, in the first round Jacoby, 1975 titlist, was beaten on the 18th green by a birdie putt by Francis Donohue, the East Falls champion. Donohue lost in the next round, 3-2, to the two-under-par golf of Woodcrest's Mike Cohen, the hole-in-one shooter of the previous day. Fry, 1974 champion, was unable to sustain a first-round success over Riverton's John Peterson, who had tied with Jacoby at 147 for' second place in the qualifying, and was beaten in the next round by Chip Lutz, 3-2. I lie UlCdl Downingtown July 4th Holiday 4 Days3 Nights From $127 (per dbl. occ.) PRICE INCLUDES COMPLETE: Breakfast and gourmet dinner dally.

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TM, TITi 1 mhi- i vjcry it mivCs a lot iViOi sense to take the train. Not only do you avoid the hassles and dangers of the highway, but New York $13.50 Washington, D.C. 18 00 you do your thing to help conserve energy. Train travel is a far Harnsburg 12.00 Richmond 34.00 Boston 40.50 Miami 99.00 30.00 87.00 67.00 Los Angeles 290.00 'Estimate npr mil mt inrtn1in ffac nil anit tnrlinn 'Omsult agent for enndittons and restrictions. Fares effective 6177 14-day U.b.A.R.AlL PASS.

Consult agent for details. more energy-emaent way to travel than if you took your car. The energy you save won't only be gas. It'll be your own, too. Amtrak's comfortable, air-conditioned trains can get you to more than 500 cities and towns throughout the country.

You'll enjoy the scenery, the comfort and the low cost. Just figure it out for driving your car will cost you about 18c a mile without tolls, parking and the rest. Amtrak's low fares will get you to most places for a lot less. And remember, kids under 12 ride with you for half fare. For information and reservations call Amtrak 824-1600 in Philadelphia.

In Pennsylvania outside of Philadelphia call (toll-free) 800-562-5380. In New Jersey call 800-523-5700. Or your travel agent. Nexttimeyou travel, instead of going crazy, go sane. Take the train.

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