Location: United States
Member Since: Aug. 19, 2012

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Brian G. Boettcher

Biography

Brian Boettcher developed his motorsports interest in the Milwaukee Mile’s south bleachers, and has a lifelong fascination with going fast, on two wheels or four. The History of the Indianapolis 500 series reflects his love of history and writing. Born and raised in Milwaukee, Brian graduated with a degree in Mass Communications from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. His career has taken him to living in New Mexico, Germany, Maryland, Pennsylvania and Illinois.

Smashwords Interview

Where is the fifth volume? Will it be published soon?
It's still being researched. The "STP" era is fascinating and very complex, with much that does not meet the eye in the background. It is a culmination of several pieces that came together in the late sixties. The legend of Andy Granatelli looms over the entire era, particularly starting in 1966 with a fleet of competitive Novis and the sponsorship of Team Lotus after Ford dropped its support. Behind all this are his myriad business affairs, especially his involvement with Studebaker, which was still a player in the auto industry, Paxton superchargers and his eventual assumption and building of the company's STP division into a major national brand.
What is the allure of the Indianapolis 500?
Everyone has their own reasons for their interest in the Greatest Spectacle in Racing. When I was a kid, it began hearing Sid Collins and his crew make the race come alive, with the great engine sounds and the electricity of the biggest single crowd at any sporting event. For me, today, it’s the history and the stories the event spins over the years. It’s nearly impossible to pick any one year and come up without a compelling story or two. People are drawn to the drama: Ralph Hepburn and the Novi, Bill Vukovich going for three in a row, or those space age turbines. And the rich cast of characters, some, like Foyt, Parnelli and Andretti, are still household names.
Read more of this interview.

Books

The Indianapolis 500 - Volume Four: British Invasion (1963 – 1966) by
Series: The Indianapolis 500 - A History. Price: $3.99 USD. Words: 62,860. Language: English. Published: September 6, 2014. Categories: Nonfiction » Sports & outdoor recreation » Motor sports, Nonfiction » Transportation » Automotive / History
Volume Four: British Invasion (1963 – 1966) tells how Ford Motor Company and Team Lotus joined to conquer the Indianapolis 500, inaugurating the modern era of higher automotive technology supported by corporate money - especially the opening shots of the infamous tire wars between Firestone and Goodyear. Speeds climbed quickly until tragedy struck in turn four in 1964.
The Indianapolis 500 - Volume Three: Watson’s Wonders (1959 – 1962) by
Series: The Indianapolis 500 - A History, Book 3. Price: $3.99 USD. Words: 43,860. Language: English. Published: March 17, 2013. Categories: Nonfiction » Transportation » Automotive / History, Nonfiction » Sports & outdoor recreation » Motor sports
Volume Three: Watson's Wonders (1959 – 1962) tells the story of the how the racing creations of A.J. Watson came to dominate this era at the Speedway, to then be challenged by the rear engine creations of the Coopers and Mickey Thompson. Each year features an epic "500", with Speedway legends Jim Rathmann, A.J. Foyt and Rodger Ward (twice) the victors.
The Indianapolis 500 - Volume Two: Roadsters, Laydowns and Another World (1954 – 1958) by
Series: The Indianapolis 500 - A History, Book 2. Price: $3.99 USD. Words: 44,330. Language: English. Published: November 3, 2012. Categories: Nonfiction » Sports & outdoor recreation » Motor sports, Nonfiction » History » American
Second of five volumes closely examining the history of the Indianapolis 500 and American National Championship racing from 1946 to 1969. Volume Two: Roadsters, Laydowns and Another World includes the story of Bill Vukovich, USAC's formation, the growing genius of A.J. Watson, the "Race of Two Worlds" at Monza, Italy, plus details of each 500-mile race from 1954 through 1958.
The Indianapolis 500, a History - Volume One: Resurrection and Blue Crowns by
Series: The Indianapolis 500 - A History, Book 1. Price: Free! Words: 50,620. Language: English. Published: September 1, 2012. Categories: Nonfiction » Sports & outdoor recreation » Motor sports, Nonfiction » Transportation » Automotive / History
REVISED EDITION - First of five book series examining the history of the Indianapolis 500 from 1946 to 1969. Volume One: Resurrection and Blue Crowns includes the story of the Speedway’s catastrophic opening, its 1945 sale to Tony Hulman, and each race from 1946 through 1953, examining events and people who shaped the “Greatest Spectacle in Racing" and its legend.

Brian G. Boettcher's tag cloud

aaa    aj foyt    auto racing    bettenhausen    bill vukovich    black noon    carl fisher    colin chapman    dan gurney    dave macdonald    eddie sachs    f1    ford motor company    graham hill    granatelli    indianapolis 500    indianapolis motor speedway    indy 500    indy car    jack brabham    jim clark    jimmy bryan    kurtis    lance reventlow    lotus    lotusford    mauri rose    mickey thompson    motor sports    motor sports usac aaa indy 500 indianapolis 500 auto racing carl fisher novi speedway indy car tony hulman bill vukovich indianapolis motor speedway jimmy bryan    nascar    novi    offenhauser    parnelli jones    rathmann    ray harroun    rodger ward    scca    speedway    team lotus    tony hulman    usac    watson    wilbur shaw