Page 10 - speedway19461229

Meet Jim Rathman

Slim, blonde, Jim Rathman is another charter member of the C.R. ·
A. Jim, following the well worn path that has been trod by many now
-famous drivers, bega-n racing .as a hobby. In 1941 Jim built up a gow
job, joined the Out riders, and competed in the ra,ces at the dry lakes.
At Harpers and El Mirage a "Hot Rod" enthusiast le-arns. th-e hard
way-trial and error. Jim was not an exception to this rule qS the
operation of his number 3 will prove.
During the· war Jim worked in Alaska, the Yukon district to be
exact. Though it is rather chilly -there, it's not cold enough to cool
Jim's roadster fever and upon his return . to the States he even adopt-
ed motorcycles too. The motorcycle fad was short lived due to an
accident io Indiana.
Dick and Jim Rathman built their own pride ~nd joy, car Number
3. l,n the first few races they were using two radiators, one in the
conventional position and one in the "turtle back". They now have
$150 invested in the cooling system alone.
Earlier this year Jim was driving "Pop" Minkey's midget at Bakers-
field. From the midgets he picked up the idea of using alcohol as
. fuel in his rapid roa,dster, now Jim is trying first, gasoline, then a
change in his carburetion set-up and he will use alcohol for a·few
races.