· Compact Disc
· Number Of Discs: 1
· Packaging: Jewel Case with Booklet and Tray Card

Pre-race festivities were the same in the sixties as they are today. Traditionally, everything starts with a field cannon being fired at 5 AM and the thousands of tail-gating fans who lined the routes and streets outside the speedway, were suddenly admitted to the infield area. As I looked down from my perch in the bleacher section near Gasoline Alley, I saw literally dozens of cars, campers and pickups making mad dashes for interior parking (one pickup took the corner so quickly that his partying friend all tumbled out of the pickups bed – oh, no one was hurt).

As the morning passed so quickly, there was the memorial services, the Purdue Band and of course, Back Home Again in Indiana served up by Gomer Pyle's Jim Nabors. And then it was time for the late Tony Hulman (owner of the speedway) to call out those most famous of auto racing's trademarks "Gentlemen, Start Your Engines."And, like a hive of swarming bees, those cars were heard for miles around. For Fleetwood, I was pleased to record one of the last sounds ever from the much loved Novi (owned by Andy Granitelli). The race was won by the great Parnelli Jones and when you look at the other participants and their vehicles, remember that the rear engine Ford signaled the beginning of the end of the larger roadsters in the starting grid. Perhaps the joy of meeting a gentleman from London when I recorded the Grand Prix of the United States in Watkin Glen, New York, was his comment "Are you the one that recorded the Indy 500 in '63? Yes... well I want you to know that I bought it in London and wore the devil out and had to buy two more." Yes, that's what auto racing does to you. I hope you enjoy this as much as I enjoyed recording it!

Richard I. Blake
Founder and Director of Recording
Fleetwood Records
©1962-1973

Opening track one of this album you will hear the dynamic sounds of the Novi. We have chosen this qualifying run of Bobby Unser for a two-fold reason. First, the Novi is somewhat of a sentimential favorite at the Speedway being the oldest entry in the competition with over 8 successive years of entry. Secondly, th esounds of this unique 8-cylinder super-charged engine proved to be the most unusualand electrifying ever heard. You will hear the running commentary of speedway announcers Tom Carnegie and Chuck Bailey. Probably the most colorful opening ceremonies found anywhere follow and of course those famous words of Speedway President Tony Hulman, "Gentlemen, start your engines" take us through the starting of 33 of the fastest cars in history.

Continuing through track one and to the end of track two are the highlights in sound of this 47th running of the Indianapolis 500. WIth over 300,000 cheering spectators in attendance, the proof of automobile racing's astounding rise to number one spot in spectator appeal was quite evident.

The "500" was recorded from a vantage point located at the north end of the pit erea. It was recorded on PResto 800-4 modified 2 channel Stereophonic tape recorders. Neumann U48a microphones were used in a close microphone technique developed by Fleetwood. It is this technique that provides the listener with optimum chaneel separation and stereo depth.

The original high speed masters were transferred to disc on a Neumann automatic Lathe of the lasted design. Westrex 45/45 Stereo cutting equipment was used on the original stereo version of this album.

This recording was made with the field of competitors from right to left.

Track One
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The Sounds of a Qualification
The Novi
("Hotel Tropicana Special" driven by Bobby Unser)
Opening Ceremonies
Pace Lap
The Start


Track Two
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Highlights of the 1963 Indianapolis 500
The Finish
Interviews
Narrated by Tom Carnegie and Chuck Bailey


Digitally remastered from the original albums produced by Fleetwood from 1958-1965.