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Post by indy on Feb 21, 2013 14:22:27 GMT -5
The small number #87 on the roll bar of the #86 signifies what?  Was asked by a friend and had a few plausible guesses but thought I'd put it to the group so I can say for sure.... Jordan |
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Post by SWT500 on Feb 21, 2013 15:28:52 GMT -5
This was some USAC foolishness. Cars were required to display the entry blank number, since teams had backups which were identical. That way, the officials could tell if it was the primary or back up.
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Post by indy on Feb 21, 2013 15:39:57 GMT -5
Okay, cool - that was my first thought. Also wasn't sure if it had to do with transponders so I just asked. Appreciate the knowledge!
BTW, that helmet on the methanol tank is sweet - reminds me of Davey Allison's late 80's paint scheme which I always really liked - too bad an IndyCar never got similar treatment of white/gold/red/black.
Jordan
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Post by harveythedog2 on Feb 21, 2013 17:06:40 GMT -5
I have always wondered that myself. In 1984 Al Unser had a #39 on his #2 car. Interesting...
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Post by Deleted on Feb 21, 2013 19:18:54 GMT -5
So I guess this was before the "T'" car, & hear I thought they always used "T" for backups. I've learned something today  |
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Post by 11rowsof3 on Mar 5, 2013 6:15:00 GMT -5
So I guess this was before the "T'" car, & hear I thought they always used "T" for backups. I've learned something today You're correct, it's jut some teams used different numbering. For example (you can look at an official Indy 500 entry in a Hungness Yearbook, etc) Some years it would go like this... 14 A. J. Foyt, Foyt Racing 48 TBA, Foyt Racing 84 TBA, Foyt Racing While another team might number like... 3 Rick Mears, Penske Racnig 3T Rick Mears, Penske Racnig 5 Emerson Fittipaldi, Penske Racnig 5T Emerson Fittipaldi, Penske Racnig Just different plans to save time. A. J. would plan/hope to qual and race his primary 14 car and then enter Jones, Snider, Fox or someone in the 48 and 84. If A. J. crashed or the 14 was terrible, he'd re-number the 48 to 14 however, the 48 would stay on the roll bar for USAC and fans to know what car it was. More important pre-2000's really but a tradition that was kind of unique and fun. Now... the fun part is where the name "T Car" cam from. I've heard it stands for "Team Car", "Tech Car"... "it's origins are European from bicycle racing" and even that it started as simply and X or Cross next to the number and morphed into a "T". Anyone know for sure? |
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Post by SteveK51 on Mar 5, 2013 10:12:07 GMT -5
One that is interesting to me is 1987 with Penske pulling his '86 Marches out of the mothballs. Were these entered with USAC at the start of the month? Sullivan's 3T and Unser's 25 had chassis numbers of 58 and 85 respectively. I take it the PC-16s had the 3 and 25 designations.
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Post by 11rowsof3 on Mar 6, 2013 17:12:00 GMT -5
One that is interesting to me is 1987 with Penske pulling his '86 Marches out of the mothballs. Were these entered with USAC at the start of the month? Sullivan's 3T and Unser's 25 had chassis numbers of 58 and 85 respectively. I take it the PC-16s had the 3 and 25 designations. That's a great question actually. Sounds like you need to call Donald Davidson, someone will know I am sure. |
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