Copyright © 1999

Porsche Club of America Hysterical Rambings October, 1999 Howard Wasserman HWasser@ix.netcom.com

The historic connection between LeMans and aviation is that in 1908 the Wright brother demonstrated the "Flyer" Model A at Hunaudieres, near LeMans.
   Documentation for this may be found on pages 18 and 19 of "Conquerors of the Air," by Heiner Emde (text) and Carlo Demand (illustrations). The original copyright was issued in 1958 to Edita S.A. Lausanne. The English edition was published by Bonanza Books.

The following is extracted from paragraph five on page 18 of the above-cited source: "In 1908, Wilbur Wright appeared in France with his "Wright A," where he immediately demonstrated the vast development of his flying skill. On the racecourse of Hunaudieres, near LeMans, he began what struck Europeans as the first simple demonstration flights. On September 16, 1908, he flew for 39 minutes and 18 seconds at Auvours, and on September 21, 1908, at the same demonstration field, he continued his flight over 41 miles in 1 hour 31 minutes and 25 seconds. As the star turn of his "tour" on December 31, he remained airborne, making turns, for 2 hours and 20 minutes at Auvours."
   The following extract from the caption on page 19 is as follows: "In 1908, the Wright brothers came to Europe for a flight demonstration. At Hunaudieres, near LeMans, they used their improved "Flyer" Model A to set up records, which made European pilots tear their hair in envy for months.

It is interesting that Bud's reference sites September while Darice and Davis mention August, 1908. Bruce had the idea I was really looking for but they all get credit for finding the Wright connection. Bruce wrote:
 

In June of this year, Mercedes became the first company to perfect the flying racecar at Le Mans.  Now we know why the French call the drivers "pilots".  Just kidding.
   After a few secret practice flights in the United States, Wilbur Wright sailed to France to make the first public flight of the new machines.  These took place at Hunaudieres Race Course near Le Mans on Aug. 8, 1908.  Many people flocked from all over Europe to see Wilbur fly his ingenious invention at Le Mans where he made the longest flights ever made up to that time. In one he covered fifty-six miles, and in another he remained in the air two hours and twenty minutes.  He also concluded an agreement with a French syndicate for construction of flying machines in France.

If Gates founded GM instead....
Computer magnate and multibillionaire Bill Gates is alleged to have said that if the car industry had kept up with technology like the computer industry has, we would all be driving $25.00 cars that got 1,000 miles to the gallon. This bit of whimsy, sent to me by a friend, shows what would happen if indeed Detroit built cars the same way personal computers are:

* For no reason, your car would crash twice a day.
* Every time they repainted the lines on the road, you would have to buy a new car.
* Occasionally, your car would die on the freeway for no reason, and you would accept this, restart, and drive on.
* Occasionally, executing a maneuver such as a left turn would cause your car to shut down and refuse to restart: in which case you would have to reinstall the engine.
* Only one person at a time could use the car, unless you bought "Car98" or "CarNT". Then you would have to buy more seats.
* Macintosh would make a car that was powered by the sun, was more reliable, five times as fast, and twice as easy to drive, but would run on only 5 percent of the roads.
* The oil, water temperature and alternator warning lights would be replaced by a single "general car fault" warning light.
* The airbag system would say "Are you sure" before going off.
* Occasionally, for no reason, your car would lock you out and refuse to let you in until you simultaneously lifted the door handle, turned the key and grabbed hold of the radio antenna.
* Dealers would require all buyers to also purchase a deluxe set of Rand McNally road maps, even though they neither need them nor want them. Attempting to delete this option would immediately cause the car's performance to diminish by 50% or more.
* Every time a new car was introduced, car buyers would have to learn how to drive all over again because none of the controls would operate in the same manner as the old car.
* You would press the "Start" button to shut off the engine.

Bruce also sent along this recent Associated Press story.
 

Gadhafi Develops High-Tech Car
By DONNA ABU-NASR Associated Press Writer
TRIPOLI, Libya (AP) - Wondering what Libya's Moammar Gadhafi was up to during all those years of sanctions? He was busy inventing the world's safest car, called "the rocket,'' one that would make James Bond green with envy over its high-tech features. Gadhafi's "Saroukh el-Jamahiriya,'' or Libya's rocket, is meant to highlight the Libyan leader's concern for humanity and human life, Al-Dukali Al-Mugaryef, general commissioner of the Libyan Arab Domestic Investment Company, said at a news conference.
   "The invention of the safest car in the world is proof that the Libyan revolution is built on the happiness of man,'' al-Mugaryef said. A green prototype of the car was unveiled Monday to coincide with celebrations marking the 30th anniversary of the bloodless coup that brought Gadhafi to power and the start of a four-day Organization of African Unity summit, only the second on Libyan soil. The narrow, rocket-shaped, five-passenger car has air bags that deploy all around the interior in case of an accident, a collapsible bumper that creates a greater crumple zone and a system of anti-roll rocker panels that self-activate when necessary to protect the passengers. All these qualities are supposed to make the rocket the safest car in the world, ``a vehicle built like no other,'' according to a news release by LADICO.
   Emerging from seven years of sanctions, Gadhafi has attempted to alter his image from terrorism-supporter to peacemaker. The sanctions, including bans on international flights and arms sales and a freeze on Libya's assets abroad, were suspended in April, when Gadhafi turned over two suspects in the 1988 Pan Am airliner bombing over Lockerbie, Scotland. The explosion killed 270 people, mostly Americans. The United States continues to maintain bilateral sanctions. Al-Mugaryef told reporters that Gadhafi spent his time during the sanctions "thinking of ways to preserve human life all over the world.'' Al-Mugaryef said the provocative name of the car is meant to show that while others produce rockets to kill and destroy, Libya designs rockets for humane and peaceful purposes. Those eager to take a spin in Libya's rocket will have to wait until it hits the market in a couple of years. As for its price, al-Mugaryef said it will be affordable. "We're going to have it for every man and every woman, and they'll all be James Bond,'' he said.

                                                                October's Question

This month's question: For 50 points, explain the open-air motoring connection between Lee Iacocca and John von Neumann. Be specific or you won't get the points.

Please send your trivia answers to me at 6930 N. Woodridge Drive, Parkland, FL 33067 or, if you prefer Email: HWasser@ix.netcom.com or 73764.3363@compuserve.com. They must be postmarked or emailed by the 14th of the month of publication.