Friday, January 5, 1968
UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
3
KU student yearns to be auto racing champion
Photo by Mike Shurtz
A MAN AND HIS MACHINE
Keith Thomas stands by his Mustang, which he drove to a fifth place finish a. the 1967 American Road Race of Champions. The Wichita junior hopes to become a professional race driver.
By Robert Entriken Jr.
Kansan Staff Reporter
Keith Thomas is a student who races cars—or a race driver who goes to college. He tends to give the latter impression.
Thomas, on KU: a sociology major thinking about changing to anthropology; might like to teach. End of subject.
Thomas, on cars; there is no end to the subject.
"He's an exciting husband," said his wife, Sally. "I mean, with his racing and all. Outside of that, he's kinda dull," she kidded.
The Wichita junior has had his Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) racing license only since midsummer 1967, but since then he has driven his "A-sedan" class Mustang in four SCCA races,
placing second in each. He won enough points to qualify for SCCA's annual American Road Race of Champions in Daytona, Fla., where he finished fifth among 21 A-sedan entries.
This is not to say Thomas isn't conscientious about college. While most of the 300 SCCA divisional champions were on their way to Daytona the weekend before Thanksgiving, Thomas remained at KU to take an examination. He missed the A-sedan time trials and was awarded last place on the starting grid — which may have been a lucky break.
"There was a crackup early in the race which knocked out most of the cars that might've beaten me." Thomas explained. "If I had been closer to the front I might
MID-YEAR GRADS
Next season Thomas hopes to get a limited sponsorship to help him buy and maintain a new Mustang.
have been in it."
Earn Money, Part or Full Time Work, Preparing Income Tax Returns
"Racing is a non-profit proposition." Thomas said, explaining how manufacturers, dealers and accessory companies support racing in exchange for the advertising they will get out of it. Thomas receives $1,000 a year towards his racing expenses and some free parts for his car from Shelby American, as well as all the free oil he can use from Quader State.
The subsidies are necessary Thomas said, because of the high expense of racing. He compared racing to professional golf:
"Prize money in racing is about the same as prize money in golf. But, in golf, if you buy the very best equipment it is pretty hard to spend as much as $2,000. A well-prepared race car costs closer to $200,000."
Here is the opportunity to earn good money while waiting for the call from Uncle Sam or for things to open up in the Spring.
H&R BLOCK, America's Largest Income Tax Service, offers pleasant, interesting work with attractive pay. Most openings are temporary in nature beginning in January and terminating on April 15th, but chances do exist for permanent positions.
We are particularly interested in graduates with business, accounting, economics, or law backgrounds, but will consider others who like to work with figures and people.
This year, besides running amateur SCCA races, Thomas would like to take a crack at the pro Trans-America circuit. He drove in one "Trans-Am" race in 1967, placing 11th out of 20 entries.
H&R BLOCK has more than 2200 offices across the United States and Canada.
Competition in the Tran-Am races is tough. Factory entries, Thomas said, take most of the glory. Not only do the factory cars have the advantage of all the resources of the factories' racing divisions, but they also get the top drivers. Thomas may have to face such name drivers as Parnelli Jones, Dan Gurney, Jerry
If you are interested please see Mr. Anderson at our local office, 723 Massachusetts, or call VI 2-3207 for an appointment.
Titus, Ronnie Bucknum and Mark Donohue.
"I don't really expect to win. The idea is to be one of the more competitive independents and maybe I can get a factory ride," Thomas said, revealing his ambition to make a career of racing.
"Racing is fun almost anytime you do it," he continued. "But I
don't want to just go and putter around—I don't want to be a 'weekend warrior.' You have to make a total commitment to racing and you usually have to make it by the time you're 30.
"I'm 24 now. Six years isn't very long to get to the top of your profession."
TABLE ENNIS OURNAMENT
Doubles and Singles January 9,6 p.m., Union Ballroom Pre-registration in Jay-Bowl Today or Register in Ballroom Jan. 9 before 6
Winners will represent KU in regional at K-State
to Sandy's
You are invited
after the game.
TRY OUR NEW PORK TENDERLOIN.
2120 W. 9th