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Edited Date/Time
9/19/2022 5:12am
I watched the show "Bad Sport" on Netflix that had racecar driver Randy Lanier in it. In the 80's he was funding his racing career that took him as far as rookie of the year at Indy and later watched a Dale Jr. podcast with him and was fascinated. I am currently listening to his book "Survival of the fastest." Holy crap there were a lot of people in racing that were major drug smugglers. Some of the IMSA racers who went to jail on drug charges were Randy (IMSA champion & Indy Rookie of the year), Bill Whittington (Indy 500 racer & LeMans winner), John Paul Sr. (FIA Endurance champion) and John Paul Jr (IMSA Champion) and those are just the guys that Randy Lanier mentions. Who knows how many more were involved in their own activities. Funny thing is he only got caught because he was pretty much flaunting it. Funding a multi million dollar race team with no real visible source of income raises some flags.
Don't even get me started on offshore boat racing from that time. So, many of those guys were funding their racing through drugs it isn't even funny. Ben Kramer was partners with Randy and Sal Magulta and his partner Willy Falcon were the subject of a "Cocaine Cowboys: The Kings of Miami" documentary on Netflix.
These guys make J-Law look like a Boy Scout.
Don't even get me started on offshore boat racing from that time. So, many of those guys were funding their racing through drugs it isn't even funny. Ben Kramer was partners with Randy and Sal Magulta and his partner Willy Falcon were the subject of a "Cocaine Cowboys: The Kings of Miami" documentary on Netflix.
These guys make J-Law look like a Boy Scout.
That was a fascinating program on Netflix. I guess it makes sense that there would be some “bad apples” ina sport they requires so much money. What amazed me is the most of the guys you mentioned were pretty good drivers, people think racing a car is easy but it does require talents that most of us do not possess.
They were also big into unlimited air racing, which is a great way to have fun while getting rid of excess cash. A family friend raced and as far back I remember, he referred to their airplane(s) as being funded by …ahem, “questionable” means.
The Shop
I don't remember if it was in the book or show but Derek Bell was asked about the Lanier team and he said "The only thing I know about that team is the entire pit crew is wearing Rolexes.
Imagine going 500 MPH, 50 feet off the ground with poor visibility. On second thought, don't imagine, watch.
Here is an account of what happened and there was an audio file as it happened from Bob himself of the actual incident, but it doesn't seem to play anymore.
http://aafo.com/racing/news/98/day6.htm
Rumor was he was making regular "low altitude" flights across the gulf and back on a regular basis.
TM
How did that happen?
Pit Row
The 80/90’s were pretty awesome lol
He hung out with a lot of racers and there were some shady dudes. I don't remember hearing a lot of guys say "I can't afford that." I do remember being at the marina and a world champ was waiting for his new personal boat to be delivered which was a hot rod cat. I asked him about it and all he said was "Does 114, sleeps four." Back in the 80's that was moving fast. He would roll into town with his race boat and his Porsche on the trailer.
Sweet.
I did a couple runs from Washington to Colorado back in the day with about 200 pounds of "cat nip". Nerve wracking shit.
Didn't work with Quaaludes though, did it?
https://youtube.com/shorts/dPfiEpd-ZnI?feature=share
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