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Why TheAlternate? |
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TheAlternate isn't really a newsletter ... it is a
chronicle!
TheAlternate is dedicated to the history of motor racing in
the 20th century.
If we, who were caught up in the tumult of the Golden Era do not write it down, then generations to come won't truly grasp the excitement that gripped the ever increasing crowds that were drawn to this newest form of competition. It was man and machine on the track replacing man on horseback.
The restraining effect of two world wars and a devastating depression, all in the first half of the 20th century, diverted financial support away from the burgeoning sport of auto racing when money was most sorely needed. Despite all the obstacles, determined racers and builders managed to advance and create a wealth of fascinating history in the process.These, then, are the stories we plan to bring you, the motor racing enthusiast. TheAlternate is where the participants can tell their version of how-it-used-to-be. Look around you. What do you see? Motor racing will never again be as it was during the Golden Era. It is vital that those old timers who are still with us take the time to write about their little corner of the racing world. If you/they can't personally write it, then ask someone to write it for you/them. If you don't, your/their experiences and input will be lost forever.
We firmly believe that if enough old timers tell their stories, the big picture will emerge. There must be a million untold stories out there! Each of you can give your perspective of the-way-it-was during your time.TheAlternate delves into the events of the teens, the 1920s, and the 1930s, 1940s, and some "modern" racing, too. But the early years were the period when motor racing was poorly documented. There weren't any regular periodicals or newspapers during those very early years devoted specifically to the sport of motor racing. Rather, the coverage was left to the recognized media of the day. Editors of those purveyors of news concentrated solely on such things as accidents on the track or tragedies involving spectators. This was the accepted technique for selling newspapers and magazines. If this sounds familiar, many are still using the same logic today. TheAlternate avoids sensationalism and tries to give you the human element and some of the technical detail of the cars. We aim to reinforce the documentation of those fascinating events.
Why TheAlternate?
TheAlternate is most of all, a time machine. A ticket, if you will, back to that distant place where the original racers went on sunny afternoons to test their special cars and challenge each other for the prize. Surely, you can smell the pungent aroma of burnt rubber and castor oil trailing in the wake of the speeding cars?Most everyone has heard the truism: History is determined by the victors. No other observation is necessary. It has been thoroughly documented elsewhere that some of the victors had their images created by the best PR people in the business.
We would like to bring an
"alternate" view to some of these events by recognition of a basic reality
... There are many more cars in the race besides the one that crossed the
finish line first. If, indeed, history is a seamless fabric, we hope to add
a few more threads of color to enhance its impact.
For information on display or classified advertisement in TheAlternate call 717-469-0777 (9 to 9 days, Eastern Time Zone)