Peter Darnall: Remembering Peter Giddings
I first met Peter Giddings in the paddock of a California track then known as Sears Point. My directions to Peter’s spot in the paddock were unique: “look for a Great Dane with a vintage Alfa Romeo.” That track has been renamed several times; it’s Sonoma Raceway today. The Giddings entourage, however, always featured a Great Dane and rare vintage racing machinery.
Recently, in the paddock of Thunderhill Raceway, an elegant Great Dane named Havoc was competing with an extremely rare Lancia D24 for the spectators’ attention. Peter’s enthusiastic wife Judy, always a blur of activity, alternated between attending to the Lancia and treating Havoc to his morning constitutional. Peter stood nearby patiently answering questions about the Lancia and posing for pictures.