RIP Brock Yates

"McMike" (mcmike)
10/05/2016 at 21:09 • Filed to: None

My first automotive enthusiast memory was the intro of The Cannonball Run. Saw the movie in the theater with dad when I was ~10 years old.

It was the moment I started asking dad about cars, it was the moment I took notice and realized cars were more that just “Dad’s hobby”

I’m sure something else would have come along that sealed the deal for me, but this was my first time. Everyone remembers their first time.

Yates was inspired by Erwin G. “Cannonball” Baker, (1882–1960), who set several coast-to-coast records, to initiate the Cannonball Baker Sea-To-Shining-Sea Memorial Trophy Dash. This cross-continent road race was a protest against the loss of personal freedom in America, and speed limits in particular. The first run was completed as a reconnaissance by Brock and a friend traveling coast-to-coast in a full size Dodge van. The first actual race was won by Brock and Formula One and Le Mans winner Dan Gurney in a Sunoco blue Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona. The duo traveled from New York to Los Angeles in a then record time of 35 hours, 53 minutes. In all, five Cannonballs were run between 1971 and 1979, although Yates never again won.The event has continued on in the form of the Tire Rack One Lap of America Presented by Grassroots Motorsport Magazine. The event is now run by his son Brock Yates Junior. 2013 will see the 30th anniversary of the event. www.onelapofamerica.com

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brock_Yates

https://www.facebook.com/OneLapOfAmerica/photos/a.255064614549161.68052.255017751220514/1110063779049236/?type=3&theater

DISCUSSION (29)

crowmolly > McMike
10/05/2016 at 21:11

Oh man. RIP.

shop-teacher > McMike
10/05/2016 at 21:19

On one hand, that’s sad to hear, but I know he was suffering for a long time. Man, that guy could spin a yarn. I loved hearing his stories.

Matt Nichelson > McMike
10/05/2016 at 21:22

Brock was a legend among legends. Sad to hear this.

Jcarr > McMike
10/05/2016 at 21:27

Damn. I’d like to be a fly on the wall for the conversation he and David E. are having now.

f86sabre > McMike
10/05/2016 at 21:29

Benjamin Rolland > McMike
10/05/2016 at 21:33

Lost my grandma to Alzheimer’s earlier this year, now Brock?

Fuck that disease.

McMike > Jcarr
10/05/2016 at 21:33

“David?”

“Yes Brock?”

“Let’s have as much fun as we can before Ralph shows up”

MonkeePuzzle > McMike
10/05/2016 at 21:41

you have a pretty broad collection, what sort of vehicles did your “dad’s hobby” include ?

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > McMike
10/05/2016 at 21:53

Cannonball run is one of my favorite car movies.

HammerheadFistpunch > McMike
10/05/2016 at 21:53

Also IN the movie and a killer car and driver editor. He will be missed. Consiquently my defining moment for my dad and I was when he said “you know, I just don’t think I’m as much into cars as you are” I was about 12.

McMike > MonkeePuzzle
10/05/2016 at 21:54

He restored a model A when I was really young, then moved to a C2 Corvette, then the E-Type.

Before I was born there were a few TR-3s, MGBs, Austin Healey, and another E-Type. He always had something he was working on.

I think I was 7 or 8 years old and for some reason or another, I asked a neighborhood kid where their car was. He said it was at the “mechanic” being fixed. I went home confused and asked what a “mechainic” was. I just thought that’s something dads did.

mazda616 > McMike
10/05/2016 at 21:55

Omg.

This sucks. The cannonball run book he wrote was and is one of my favorites. I read it multiple times.

MonkeePuzzle > McMike
10/05/2016 at 22:02

i had the same experience, re. the mechanic dad. something wrong he fixed it, dont recall it ever going to a shop for work.

my dad had an assortment of fun cars before me also, but by the time I (the forth kid) came along it was a late 70s volvo wagon and an audi 4000 company car for him.

RallyWrench > McMike
10/05/2016 at 23:10

He’ll be missed, one of the all-time great car guys and personalities. Gotta go read Cannonball for about the fifth time now.

RallyWrench > McMike
10/05/2016 at 23:11

They only let me give one star for this, but it needs so much more.

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > sm70- why not Duesenberg?
10/07/2016 at 16:03

My brother and I were around 15 when that movie came out and we thought it was great. That and Smokey and the Bandit. 35 years later, I think it’s terrible . My favorite car movie now is Roadkill.

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo
10/07/2016 at 16:23

It is terrible, but somehow still wonderful.

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > sm70- why not Duesenberg?
10/07/2016 at 17:30

May I inquire as to your age?

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo
10/07/2016 at 17:34

You may.

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > sm70- why not Duesenberg?
10/07/2016 at 17:38

Well, what is your age, then?

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo
10/07/2016 at 17:41

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > sm70- why not Duesenberg?
10/07/2016 at 18:19

I’m 51.

1981. We thought Burt Reynolds was really cool, but now, I think he’s awful. My tastes have changed.