Trying to get an idea ahead of time who plans to run the 50-lap Sportsman race Saturday at New Smyrna ($1,000 to win) so I can give you some publicity in my press release… Let me know here, by e-mail or you can post to my Facebook page… Thanks!
Sportsman 50
Garrett Hill #95
Nice to get at least one response…
This is NOT a Boneman Photoshopped Picture!!
A legendary story that made the rounds for several years in the mid-to-late 1970′s at Sebring International Raceway was the story about a phantom alligator that race fans nicknamed ?Big Mo? which was short for ?The Monster Gator of Sebring.? According to fan accounts they would awaken from a night of hard partying to find their coolers and boxes of food had been raided the night before and the only evidence of the culprit were a number of large gator tracks leading away from their campsite.
For several years Sebring officials attributed these wild tales to too much beer and pranks perpetrated by other race fans. However, the Miami Herald printed a story in March of 1976 about a young lady who was taking her pet beagle for a walk in the spectator paddock very early on race day. She claimed that a large alligator came out of the darkness and attacked her dog. The girl screamed for help and she tried to pull her pet from the jaws of the gator without success. By the time some nearby race fans staggered over to see what was going on all that was left was the dog?s leash and a bloody collar that showed evidence of bite marks. The response of Sebring security was to admonish her for sneaking a prohibited pet into the raceway.
Like the story about the ghost of Bob McLean the legend of ?Big Mo? would have ended up being one of those scary tales told and retold around campfires in the spectator paddock. That is until 1978 when this phantom gator made a rare daylight appearance that resulted in a wreck that eliminated one of the favorites at Sebring that year.
From 1973 on the name of Peter Gregg was synonymous with Porsche and victory at such events as the Daytona 24 and Sebring. In 1978 Gregg was driving a Brumos Porsche 935 at Sebring and was teamed up with IMSA GT/U champion Brad Frisselle.
Gregg started the race in 4th position in his 935 and was making steady progress and on his eleventh lap was about to enter the serpentine part of the track known as the esses. It was at this spot where he would encounter Sebring?s infamous phantom gator.
At the same time race photographer Dave Kutz was a bit further down the track but had an excellent view of the cars as they exited the esses. After taking pictures of the start of the race Kutz had hurried over to the esses because he knew that during the early minutes of the race that this was a good spot to get action shots.
On his way to his spot for taking pictures Kutz had noticed some race fans on the other side of the spectator fence throwing beer cans and lighted fireworks into the opening of a large concrete drainage culvert. The culvert extended from the spectator side of the track under the fence to an area near the racing surface.
After only a few minutes of this a very large alligator came out the track-side culvert opening and began moving swiftly toward the racing surface. The alligator seemed oblivious to the sounds of the race cars passing by and proceeded to cross the track. According to Mr. Kutz, two race cars managed to avoid hitting the gator but as Gregg entered the esses his view of the animal may have been blocked by one of the cars ahead of him.
It was apparent when Gregg first became aware of the gator on the track because his Porsche made a violent turn to the right barely missing the creature. Unfortunately the right front wheel of the 935 went off the racing surface catching one of several concrete buttons positioned there. This caused the car to begin spinning in rapid 360 degree circles before hitting a large sand bank head on.
The force of the impact stood the car on its nose for several seconds until it tipped over with the top of the car resting on the sand bank. As this was happening the rear wheels of the car continued to spin wildly throwing sand into the air.
The alligator known as ?Big Mo? crosses in front of photographer Dave Kutz after causing the accident that eliminated Peter Gregg?s Porsche from the race. (Dave Kutz photo)
Mr. Kutz and two corner workers rushed to the accident scene and, as if on cue, stopped dead in their tracks as the uninjured gator crossed their path just ahead of them. It quickly scampered into the opening of another drainage culvert. Kutz had the presence of mind to raise his camera and take a photo before the gator disappeared from view. He found out later that this culvert led to a retention pond about a hundred yards on the other side of the track which may have been the home of the gator.
Fortunately Peter Gregg suffered no noticeable injuries from the crash but was transported to the track hospital for observation. His caustic comments about what happened cannot be repeated here. Strangely enough when track officials arrived to investigate the accident they took a very serious tone with Mr. Kutz and the corner workers. It became apparent quite quickly that the Sebring officials didn?t want any mention of an alligator causing the accident that retired a star like Peter Gregg. In not too subtle terms they intimated that if they ever expected to attend another Sebring that they better keep their mouths shut.
At that moment Dave Kutz didn?t see how they could keep such a thing quiet. That is until he took a look around him. The place where the accident happened was in an obscure spot where spectators were not allowed. It was also hard to view from the spectator area many yards beyond and on the other side of the track. By the time race fans rushed to the fence to see what had occurred, the gator was gone. Everything had happened in less than 90 seconds.
History shows that according to Brumos the official cause of the accident was a failed steering gear. It is possible that when Gregg mentioned to his crew what really happened they didn?t believe him because automotive journalists soon reported rumors coming from the Brumos establishment about Gregg?s failing eyesight as the cause of the accident.
Dave Kutz continued to attend Sebring for many years to come but never mentioned to anyone, until recently, what happened that day. Dave noticed that the following year, 1979, the drainage culverts near the esses had heavy duty steel mesh installed on the openings and, as far as he knew, ?Big Mo? was never seen again.
well Dave at least you got one response, that’s more than I got in my “who’s running at Bronson” post from 2 days ago…
#58 (or more accurately 5 out of 8) Barnes will be there.
Thanks Steve… I really love the look of your car… sorta “old school” and it runs good too (of course I hear that’s mostly because of the driver)…
NOT running. Still putting motor together. #17-Bessette:(
DJ Farr in the 88 will be there
Mine is still killed from my last mistake in the last 50 lapper.
Patrick Thomas 25
Barnes car reminds me of Jim Sills car. Same number and paint scheme, although his is vinyl.
Steve, I’ve been meaning to ask what the “5 out of 8” means.
I have 8 kids and 5 of them are in the army…my lil’ tribute to them.
11sportsman Daniel Conlin jr will be there
Sorry dave as bad as I ran last week been a busy week working on the car but I will be there