When I was a kid I was at Gainesville one year with my Dad and we went out in the track after the finals ran. Rick was at the tree taking out the lights. My Dad asked Rick to take a picture with me. He said absolutely, then reached into the tree and took out one of the amber lights. He said “no matter who your favorite driver is, this light had something to do with every run this weekend.” My favorite piece of memorabilia I’ve got. They were towing Force’s car back to the pits, Austin Coil was driving and John was sitting passenger. We asked Coil for them both to sign it and they got the biggest kick out of it lol said you don’t see that everyday lol
. watching the movie Seven Second Love Affair, You can see me in the ambulance with Rick. He had burns but otherwise ok. Not everyone I took to the hospital was so lucky, I am sorry to say. Not everyone knows Rick crashed three times, first time a front spindle broke at Pomona, he rolled the car passed the finish line, The next time at Lions (the movie version) and the last at Bakersfield (testing) when the parachute broke the rear bar and pulled Rick out the back of the car at the finish line at over 225 MPH. (Ice man Rick) no!! Iron man Rick yes. I was told that when they got to Rick at Bakersfield he went to the tow car got some gas and poured it on his fire suit on the track. lit it and never drove again.
