Bill Pollack

Bill Pollack stands next to Mr. Parravano’s Ferrari 340 America, (S/N 0150A).

We’ve asked various writers, historians and journalists what might be a good book to read during these times indoors. Books that you can’t put down, are easy to digest, (pardon the pun), and known to be page-turners (no, not the car!). Last week’s “Archie and the Listers” was discussed, and several people mentioned Bill Pollack’s book, “Red Wheels and Whitesidewalls.” The excerpt below is taken from Bill’s autobiography.

Pictures and text copyright Bill Pollack
From the Archives, July 7th, 2004
Excerpts from Red Wheels and White Sidewalls with a note from Jim Sitz

There were so many people that played a part in the 50’s evolution of the sport. There were admirals and generals and actors and kids. All got involved because it was exciting and fun. We were amateurs in the strictest sense of the word, and that was a big part of the charm.

In the fifties when the sport of motor racing was beginning to catch on and it was still amateur, most of the entrants were owner-drivers. A few lucky ones like myself had the rare privilege of driving someone else’s car. Without trying to go down a roster of drivers and workers of the fifties, there were a number that stick in my memory as friends.