L-R Nicholas, Marshal Reutlinger, Roy Bishara w/salute, Kenyon, Tierno
OK. Tierno at the far right, Marshall SAAB Reutlinger behind
Notice The Boys are using the car as a hotel room
TO
SEBRING
AND BACK ON $30
By JOE TIERNO, #5
(Reprinted from the BARC Gazette, April 1961)
Sound ridiculous? Maybe so. But you
couldn't tell Gordie Ruston, Jerry Kenyon, Ken Stickles, or myself a better way
to go. Tuesday and Wednesday were dark days for us because Jerry, an employee
of Cadre Industries, was shot down on the idea of taking his car by his
insurance agent. We tried every possible way to get a car, even renting my
uncle's car, but no dice. The hour of departure soon come and we were faced
with the prospect of hitchhiking to
Sebring.
We finally convinced Jerry that it would be better to take his car than it
would be to wind up in jail with no money in the middle of Maryland with a
charge of hitchhiking against us.
When we left, we each put in $10 for gas. This left little money for peanut
butter and cokes to eat and drink on the road. Our entire diet all the way to
Florida consisted of this delectable dish.
Upon our arrival at Sebring, we
immediately raided the orange groves. Gordie was nominated to do the work as he
was closest to the door. He made one quick raid and quit, because he feared
water moccasins.
The following morning, after a breakfast of oranges and candy bars, we snuck
into the back of Jerry's trunk and gained admittance to the course, saving
ourselves $3. That night, we met Denise Valise (McCluggage) who got us on her
pit crew. Ours was the most unorganized crew that was ever assembled. Those
passes were a savings of $14. Denise, of course, had to give us those passes or
else she would not have BARF racing luck. The BARF luck was with her all day as
she won her GT class and first in GT overall.
Our return trip was the same as the trip down, each spending $20 each on gas and
tolls. This left us a hold $10 a week to live on while we were down there. We
never lacked food or a place to sleep; we just enjoyed ourselves immensely to
Sebring and back on $30.
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| Jerry Kenyon's Ford arrives L-R Nicholas, Marshal Reutlinger, Roy Bishara w/salute, Kenyon, Tierno |
Denise "Valise" McCluggage seems to be praying but
the BARF boys know she'll be OK. Tierno at the far right, Marshall SAAB Reutlinger behind |
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| Friday morning. Bob Poupard & Sherm on the
fender of Spankey's Magnette Notice The Boys are using the car as a hotel room |