The Indy Book Nook is Open - Selling Salt Walther's Book For the Race of Your Life

After a year in the making. Salt's book is out this morning and can be purchased at www.etsy.com/shop.indybooknook

SALT WALTHER BOOK “FOR THE RACE OF YOUR LIFE” RELEASED

November 22, 2013 Press Release - Dayton, Ohio - Kings Road West Publications, LTD would like to announce the publication of The Salt Walther Story “For the Race of Your Life” just in time to honor Salt's 66th birthday today. This e-Book chronicles the life and times of Dayton, Ohio born racer David “Salt” Walther through stories told in Salt’s own words, remembrances from one of Salt’s long time friends and racing archives. Salt had been working on this book before his untimely death in December of 2012. And it is our pleasure to have completed his journey.

Born on November 22, 1947 to Dayton corporate magnate George Walther who took the reins from his father to become CEO and Chairman of the Dayton Walther Corporation. George was also a race car owner who began taking cars to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in 1955 and continued until 1990 when he and Salt put a car into the Indianapolis 500 only to be bumped by the last man on the track that Sunday. 

The book is not just a racing story, but will tell Salt’s story of drug dependency following his near fatal racing accident during the start of the Indianapolis 500 race in 1973. You’ll come to understand why a kid from Centerville High School who was a gifted athlete, stayed in top physical shape and never took drugs, relied on drugs to remove the pain both physically and mentally after the accident. 

The book will bring Salt’s racing career into better understanding from his “little rich kid” who daddy bought him a race car to an accomplished racer with 64 career champ car races and Unlimited Hydroplane Calvert Cup Trophy Winner. Salt is the only driver to have raced IndyCars, NASCAR and Unlimited Hydroplanes.

The e-book can ONLY be purchased on-line at www.etsy.com/shop/indybooknook starting Monday November 25, 2013.   

We Say Good Bye to Dario Franchitti

Dario Franchitti announced this week that doctors recommended he retire for racing due injuries he suffered during the Houston Grand Prix.

We watched Dario grow to a powerhouse in IndyCar racing winning Indy three times. I can remember his first win, when the weather was moving in. We were on our way back from our childhood homes in west central Indiana at the time. I told my wife as Dario took over the lead and didn't pit as other did, that he was going to win staying out there as we could see in our rear view mirror that a storm was right behind us.

Dario, we hope you stay in racing.... as a car owner or in some capacity. We always enjoyed watching you. You are real champ and gentleman.

Final Chapter of Salt Walther Book in Progress and Release Next Week

We should be finished with final draft by this Friday. I am having a couple of proof readers take a look at it before we offer it to the public.

We have created a book shop on Etsy.com where you can buy/download the book. Etsy is kinda like an Amazon without all the expensive fees. Add it to cart and pay using your PayPal account. It will sell for $5.99 and come in formats that cover hopefully all the readers out there. IPAD, Kindle, Nook, Smart Phones and PC/Mac. We do not plan paper copies of the book at this time.

The shop will go live Friday morning at Indy Book Nook

Salt

Indycar Racer Salt Walther Book Update Chapter 1 Sample

We have been moving towards the finish line with Salt's book and its targeted release in November just in time for Salt's birthday. Here is a sample of chapter 1 from "For the Race of Your Life".

May 29^th 1973 Indianapolis, Indiana  -- It was a typical warm and humid summer day as A.J. Foyt’s private Lear jet departs the runway of the Indianapolis International Airport. It was on course to Ann Arbor Michigan and the University of  Michigan Burn Center. On board the now the modified jet, as seats were removed to accommodate a single hospital gurney was a dying race driver David “Salt” Walther.

May 28^th The Start of the Indianapolis 500 -- With the start of a race everything starts to get real tense. The thing this year was Mother Nature was not cooperating “Rain” it won’t stop. So now we have delays’ and out go the track dryers. I haven’t eaten for two days and today the green flag was finally gon’a drop.

Salt Walther Book July Update

We are working through the 1980's of Salt's life. This is some of the most troubling times with his addiction, but there are some great adventurous tales of some Salt's wild escapades and it usually involves some sort of car or boat stunt. It will also include his try at coming back to racing at Indy.

Just got a copy of George Walther's estate sale. Man would that have been fun to attend. They had the Tom Sneva 200mph qualifier Penske there as well as some of Salt's earlier cars.

The title will be For The Race of Your Life and we are still on target for release around Salt's birthday in late November.

40th Anniversary of Salt Walther's Crash at the Indianapolis 500

This year will be 40 years since the fiery crash of the No. 77 car of Salt Walther at the start of the race. May 28th 1973 crash would mar what was to be fire and rain of Indy that May. Art Pollard was killed on May 12th running hot laps after already qualifying for the race in turn 1, dying from flame inhalation. After the race was eventually restarted days later after Salt's crash ended the attempt on Monday, Swede Savage hit the inside wall in turn 4 during the race and the car came apart with Swede sitting in the cockpit on the track and on fire, he passed in July from medical complications.

Salt told us that he was very anxious to get the race started and hadn't eat'n in 2 days. At the start cars were swerving wildly jockeying for position. Salt to the day he passed in 2012 maintained he was bumped from behind and that caused the accident.   

We took Salt's daughter Brittney who just turned 18 to the track on pole day this year and was able to put her in touch with the track and even people from the IMS Safety Team who had assisted her father after the accident. We walked by the infield hospital and explained what the process was and showed her the helicopter that would have rushed her dad to Methodist Hospital. 

Most people remember the crash, but forget that after giving only a 5% chance to live and massive injuries to his body, Salt Walther returned to the track in 1974 and put his new No. 77 McLaren in the field at the 14th position with a speed of 180.920 and finished in 17th when a piston failed on lap 141.

With the race this Sunday, lets hope it's a safe one. This will be the first Indianapolis 500 since the early 60's that Salt Walther will not be around for. We will have more details on this and more in the new book coming later this year "For the Race of Your Life".
   

Brittany Walther Goes to Indy

We had the good fortune and good weather to take Salt's youngest daughter to the track for her very first time this past weekend. She was very excited to see where her dad and grandfather spent most of their time in the 1970's. I got to talk with long time track historian Donald Davidson via phone while trying to set up some special stuff for Brittany.

Brittany Walther in Turn 1 Site of her father's accident

 

Chuck Little w/Dayton Walther Team Jacket [Salt's good friend] and Brittany

While visiting turn 1 we happened to notice some older gentleman in Safety Crew shirts sitting in a golf cart. We walked over and introduced Brittany to them and they were members of the IMS Safety Crew that worked the accident in 1973. They were very excited to meet her and share the experience of that day with her. 

Brittany then drove the Firestone simulator, which was an eye opening experience for her. She told us the steering was too sensitive. 

Brittany Walther heading into turn 1

Brittany got to visit the garage area later in the day and she got a case of the goo, goo's with A.J. Foyt's young rookie driver Conner Daly who is the son of long time F1 and Champ care driver Derek Daly. She got a picture on her camera with him and an autographed poster. It was more than likely the poster was going on her bedroom wall Saturday night.

Conner Daly Garage with A.J. in the back

We also, briefly met A.J. and long time crew member Lew Parks who had crewed for Dayton Walther Racing back in 1978 before leaving for A.J. Foyt Racing. Lew shared some stories with Brittany about here dad and was in the middle of a story about her grandfather when A.J. summoned him to help find a flat cart as they were going to try a qualifying attempt late on Saturday afternoon.

It was a long day, but she had a great time getting to see and experience something her dad and grandpa had so much passion for.

Chip Ganassi George Walther Agreement Found

Going through some old race programs, we came across an Agreement drawn up between Chip Ganassi car owner and George Walther car owner. Is it typed up and notarized as would a contract to buy a race car be? No... it was hand written on a plain white piece of paper. You could envision George or Chip writing this out on the hood of a car or truck or at a restaurant.

Agreement is dated 4 April 1991 for Performers Inc. to buy 2 Penske PC18 race cars less engines sold as is with no warranty for $140K including spare parts. What does an IndyCar chassis cost these days. Found on the web that in 2011 a 2012 Dallara chassis would cost $385K, so $140K for 2 IndyCar chassis was a deal in 1991.

Two payments in April and May with balance due in July.  Up for collateral was George Walther's pride and joy a 1932 Duesenberg. If George couldn't come up with the balance Chip would be the proud owner. Obviously it was paid, because that car was up for auction at Mr. Walther's estate auction in 2002. 

These are the cars used by Todd Walther Racing, Salt's cousin to replace the PC17 they had qualified and were bumped at Indianapolis in 1990. 

If you have a story to share, send us a comment.

Salt Walther Racing Blog

This blog is here to share racing driver Salt Walther and Indianapolis 500 style racing stories. We will share information, stories and more on the late racing driver. We will also be updating you on a DVD and book that will be coming out in the future and where you can purchase a  copy. 

You are welcome to share you stories and memories about Salt or Indy in general. Please be respectful (I will take down any negative comments).

About me -- I grew up just outside of Indianapolis and my first trip to the track was 1968. It was an eventful first time as driver Chuck Rodee hit the wall in front of us in turn 1 and was killed. My father took us to pole day as they used to call from then until I left for the Air Force in 1975. Mr. Rodee was not the only fatality I witness as Art Pollard hit  the wall in front us, Jim Malloy was killed in turn 3 and Gordon Smiley accident occurred while we were in attendance. I have been a life long Indy 500 fan and still listen to it on the radio instead of watching it on TV. Remember we didn't get to see the race on TV until after it was over with, so radio was it. 

I met Salt's long time friend here in Dayton who introduced me to Salt in 2012. We discussed Indy for over an hour.  We are collaborating on Salt's memorabilia and future items of interest.   The book to which Salt was involved with until his unexpected passing in December will discuss racing, his life while racing and after racing. A lot of chapters are written by Salt in his own words.

Keep you posted...