Flash.(Competition)

Louie Unser dies

Louie Unser, chief mechanic on two of his brothers' cars when they made their debuts in the Indy 500, died March 2 in Anaheim, California. He was 71. Unser was the twin brother of Jerry Unser, who in 1958 became the first Unser to qualify for the 500. Louie was his chief mechanic and in 1965 he handled the same duties for Al, the youngest of the Unser brothers. Al Unser went on to the win the race four times. "If it wasn't for Louie, I wouldn't have made it at the Speed-way,'' Al Unser said. "He pushed me.''

Louie Unser was born on Nov. 15, 1932, in Colorado Springs, Colorado. The family moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico, when he was four. In 1956 he went to work for Bill Stroppe's USAC team, and worked with Stroppe, Carroll Shelby's AC Cobra team and others building engines in the shop, and changing tires and refueling cars in the races. He started an engine-building business in Southern California, and his powerplants helped brother Bobby Unser and Mario Andretti win at Pikes Peak. He also built strong, winning engines for sprint cars, sports cars and race boats. By the 1970s, Louie was confined to a wheelchair with multiple sclerosis, but he continued working until the 1990s.

McRae to Le Mans?

Former World Rally champion Colin McRae is close to securing a Le Mans ride in a Prodrive-built Ferrari 550 Maranello. McRae is in negotiations with the French DAMS Motorsport team. Team owner Jean-Paul Driot has confirmed McRae is being considered. Others in the running for rides with DAMS include David Brabham, Emmanuel Collard and ...