New Mexico, Albuquerque - Tuesday, April 18, 2017 - Unser Racing Museum

On Tuesday we went in town to visit the Unser Race Museum.  It was founded by Al Unser, Sr. in 2005 in memory of his parents, Jerry and Mary Unser.

This race car sits out in front of the museum.  Greg tells me it is a two-seater because the mechanics used to ride along with the driver.

The main building of the museum is laid out like the spokes of a wheel.  The center is this beauty which was the car that Al Unser, Sr. drove to his fourth and last win at the 1987 Indy 500.  Unser didn’t originally have a ride that year.  The original driver of this car suffered a concussion and they stuck Al Unser, Sr. in the seat at the last minute.  He made the best of that opportunity.

Pike’s Peak became known as “Unser Mountain” in racing circles because so many of the races were dominated by someone from the Unser family.  In 1961 when he was just 22 years old Al Unser, Sr. built this car to handle the rugged terrain.  He finished 2^nd that year behind his brother Bobby.  In 1963 he wrecked this car and decided to drive for other owners in the future.  It was restored in 2002.  Bobby Unser holds the record for Pike’s Peak wins at 13.

This is the Johnny Lightening Special named after a popular toy.  In 1970 the JLS with Al Unser, Sr. driving won not only the Indy 500 but the national championship as well.  This car won 4 of the first 5 races the next year also.  That winning streak ended abruptly when the team replaced the Ford engine with an Offenhouser (“Offy”).  Drivers like Bobby Unser were qualifying faster with the turbocharged Offy which offered more horsepower.  But horsepower means fuel consumption.  With the Offys drivers either made more pit stops or ran out of fuel whereas the old reliable Ford never left a driver high and dry.

The “Mighty Microbe” were the first miniature cars designed for children.  They were two-thirds the size of a Formula 1 car of the late 60’s.  Only 50 were produced.  This one was given to 8 year old Al, Jr..  It survived his childhood and was restored in 2005.  Only 7 are known to still exist.

One section of the museum was devoted to bicycles and motorcycles.  We’ve seen a similar set up of old racing motorcycles at the Harley Davidson Museum.

I’m liking this old fashioned “lady’s” tricycle miniature.  I think even I could have ridden one of these.  If you don’t know about my bicycle riding escapade ask Greg some time, he takes great joy in telling it – in retrospect it was pretty funny.

The second building requires an employee to escort you.  It houses a lot of antiques belonging to the Unser family and to other families who have loaned them for display.

I can’t imagine the value of the trophies in this trophy room, it contains 25,000 items!.  I had to take pictures through the glass, the room is locked and not accessible to the public.

1978 was the 25^th anniversary of the Corvette.  The Indy 500 Pace Car, VIN #001 is on display at the Indy Motor Speedway Museum.  This one, VIN #002 was driven by Tony George during parade laps for the 1978 race.  It was given to the race winner, Al Unser, Sr.  It has 368 original miles.

Unser family Indy 500 winners include Al Unser, Sr. (4 times), brother Bobby (3 times) and Al, Jr. (2 times).  Al and Bobby’s older brother Jerry died from injuries suffered in a 1959 crash at Indianapolis.

Sometimes we are surprised by what pulls in next to us.  The pickup truck pulling this is wrapped to match it.  Naturally we had to go on line and find out what Heroes on the Water is all about.  It is a non-profit organization that works to bring peace and relaxation to service men and women who are suffering from stress and PTSD by getting them out on the water either kayaking or fishing. 

On Tuesday evening we danced with the “Crazy 8’s” square dance club.  Wednesday evening we will join the Albuquerque Sundancer’s Plus club.  And, on Friday night we will dance with another club here called the Duke City Singles and Doubles.