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) 1953 Kurtis Roadster (originally tagged: "The Jewel Box"), Kurtis Cars--Bakersfield, Calif. |
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Behind the Wheel > episode FLBTW-107
Frank Kurtis laid the foundation for automobile racing history with his innovative car designs. Kurtis cars won more than 54 National Championships, including five Indianapolis 500s. His first of 120 Indy cars was built in 1946. In 1952, with the introduction of his roadster, he secured his place in racing history with three consecutive Indy 500 wins through driver Bill Vukovich. His groundbreaking designs allowed for a lower center of gravity and better aerodynamics and handling.
Though his main passion was racing, the Kurtis cars were also the inspiration for the classic Muntz Jet American sport car. Frank Kurtis was the first non-driver to be inducted into the National Midget Auto Hall of Fame and was inducted in the Motorsports Hall of Fame in 1999.
Picture this: speeding along Nevada State 341 Highway in your beautiful Ferrari at a speed of 200 mph, without fear of getting a speeding ticket. What's the catch? There's no catch when you're racing in the Annual Ferrari Hill Climb. The Ferrari Owners Club (FOC) annually rents a six-mile stretch of Hwy 341 and Hwy 342 from Silver City to Virginia City, Nev. The 5.2-mile race features 20 turns and a 1216 ft. rise in elevation. While FOC members are invited to participate, a limited number of non-Ferrari cars are also eligible to partake in this "quest for thrills." The Ferrari Owners Cub, established in 1961, was the first American Ferrari club to be recognized by the Ferrari factory. Its membership is open to owners and non-owners who share the enthusiasm for the motoring legend established by Enzo Ferrari.
Frank Kurtis Facts:
- Kurtis made the starter engines for the SR-71 Blackbird spy planes.
- All the famous, contemporary racers competed in Kurtis-Kraft machines.
- The midget race car was featured in the 1949 film The Big Wheel starring Mickey Rooney.
Resources:
Indianapolis Racing Cars of Frank Kurtis
by Gordon Eliot White
Kurtis-Kraft Masterworks of Speed and Style
by Gordon Eliot White
Motorsports Hall of Fame of America
www.mshf.com
A deeper look into the life of Frank Kurtis.
Ferrari Hill Climb Facts:
- The turns on HWY 341 are marked 25-35mph — the Ferraris take them at 75-110 mph.
- The course is a paved road that is blocked off so both sides can be used as the raceway.
- The object of the hill climb is to clock the fastest time driving from the intersection of 341/342 up to Virginia City.
- Cost of a 1997 or newer Ferrari is approximately $125 000.
Resources:
Ferrari 166 to F50GT - The Racing Berlinettas
by John Starkey, Christopher Renwick, Philippe Olczyk
Ferrari 1947-1997
by Antonio Ghini (Editor)
opentracking.com
www.opentracking.com
Information on the Virginia City Ferrari Hill Climb
The Ferrari Classified Network
www.ferrariclassified.com
Lists current Ferraris for sale and details about the cars.
Ferrari.com
www.ferrari.com
The official website of Ferrari
Ferrari Owners Club
Telephone: 562-467-6957
info@ferrariownersclub.org
www.ferrariownersclub.org