The Mail-Journal, Volume 19, Number 19, Milford, Kosciusko County, 26 May 1982 — Page 22

THE MAIL JOURN AL - Wed., May 26,1982

2

Syracuse couple officiate at championship auto races

By TERRI CHILCOTE “Racing nuts” is how Eldon and Fluella Ummel, 116 N. Shore Drive, Syracuse, describe themselves. Openly admitting they are hopelessly “addicted” to auto racing, the Ummels travel around the country officiating races for Championship Auto Racing Teams, Inc, (CART). They officiate 12 to 14 races a year that take them to such places as Las Vegas. Arizona, Georgia. Michigan. Wisconsin, California. Ohio and Mexico City * Ummel is a communications official. He rides in the pace car during races and serves as the communications link between the pace car driver and race control officials He provides information via radio on what is happening on the track In the pace car. he keeps track of the leaders, spots the cars and reports any violations to the race control box Before the race, he is 9 responsible for making sure the mechanics have the pace car ready, checks the radio and attends the drivers’ meeting

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RACING ADDK TS — Elden and Fluelte tmmrl. IIS N. Shore Drive. Syracuse, say they are

"addicted to racing." For the test IGyears. the Ummels hate traveled around the country officiating at championship races. Abote. they hold a collection of patches from a few of the many races at which the' hate officiated. < Photo bt Terri Chilcote)

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Mrs. Ummel is a recording official and keeps the observer s log during the races. She records “anything that happens on the track" and all communications coming into race control. She keeps detail records on qualifying tunes, entry times, all race preparations and many other data including "anything else they think should be a matter of record.” "There’s a lot of information coming into race control." she explained “It (observer’s log) is a written record of the race. Before the race, she checks out the communications equipment and telephone lines to make sure they are operating properly, "which are critical in racing. ” her husband pointed out Officiating For 10 Years The Ummels have been officiating at races for 10 years They first started' with timing and scoring and have worked their way up the ladder to more responsible positions Their work as race officials is strictly volunteer They do not get paid for their service, although, higher race officials, suyh as the Ummels. do have their expenses

paid. Lower officials do not. The couple explained that one can not just walk in off the street and volunteer to be a racing official. They said one must have connections in racing and prove themselves to be responsible and conscientious “It’s a gradual thing You don't just walk in and say ‘Here I am. Use me.’" remarked Mrs. Ummel. Mr. and Mrs. Ummel stated officials are closely scrutinized, because they are dealing with people's lives. An official who fails to do his or ha- job can cause a serious accident or even a death. They said an official must be knowledgable about racing, very meticulous and able to think on his or her feet Tne Syracuse couple became officials on the recommendation of friends who worked in race control “They recognized us as addicted to racing and racing nuts." laughed Mrs Ummel Fell In Love With Racing Ummel fell in love with racing in 1965 when his brother took him to the Indianapolis 500 race Mrs Ummel didn't catch the bug till 1967 when her husband finally

convinced her to attend a race. “I was one of those women who said I wouldn't go and watch a bunch of lunatics.” laughed Mrs. Ummel. However, after attending her first race, “I was hooked.” Why do they love racing so much’’ ‘ There’s something about seeing a well-engineered car run around the track smoothly.” remarked Mrs. Ummel. They said the cars are well-engineered and the drivers are highly skilled. Is racing safer than it appears? "Onlv at the top level, because everyone is so sharp." commented Ummel. "We have not had a fatality on our circuit since we have been officiating." stated Mrs. Ummel. but admitted there have been some serious accidents. She pointed out. though. “Our officials are safety conscious " The cars, track and all facilities and equipment are carefully checked out and fire trucks, ambulances, paramedics and doctors are standing by during the races "Safety is the name of the game." said Ummel. “Not only are the drivers the best, but the equipment is the best." Ivy Tech to close afternoons this summer Lowell Landis, director of Ivy Tech at Warsaw, has announced that the Ivy Tech office will be closed in the afternoons during the summer, from May 21 to August 23. The office will be open each morning from 9 a m until 2 p.m. Evening classes will be during the entire summer; however, summer vacation will be held June 28 through July 11. Landis announced that fall registration will be held the week of August 23-27. with fall classes starting August 30 Teen arrested for burglary Fernando Garza. Jr. 17. Milford, was arrested by Elkhart County Police Tuesday morning. May ' 18. and charged with burglary Z, According to Elkhart County Detective F J. Baylor. Garza was involved in the breaking and entering of the Alden R Stuckman home at 14655 South County Line Road. Syracuse, between 6:45 a m and 4 p.m. Monday. May 17. According to a report made by Sheriff's Cpl. Lon Smith, the thief unlocked Stockman's garage and used a hidden key to unlock a door leading from the garage to the house Taken were a Browning .22 caliber semiautomatic pistol, a Pac-Man video cartridge game, two bottles of Mountain Dew. cigarettes and S2O Garza was transported to Kosciusko County Jail where a probable cause hearing was held Detective Baylor was assisted by Milford Marshal David Hobbs in making the arrest Holiday schedule for post offices Post offices in Syracuse. Milford. Leesburg and North Webster will be operating on a holiday schedule during Memorial Day observance Monday. May 31. AU four postmasters. Anthony Rudasics. Charles Spillman. Richard Sisk and Imogene Menzie. have stated there wiU be no regular residential or business mail deliveries and usual post office lobby services wiU not be available Syracuse will be the only town in which mail pick-up from collection boxes wiU be picked up on the holiday schedule This schedule is posted on individual boxes Postmasters from Leesburg. Milford and North Webster have stated there w ill be no mail pick-up at all from the collection boxes in their Normal mail service will resume Tuesday. June 1. f COMING SOON j I Photography; TO CLARKSVILLE I J WEDDINGS, SENIORS, I ; PORTRAITS • 1 WATCH TOR OUR ! GRAND OPENING IN JUNE • Coll Now For Appointments | ! 453*3143 1 ICtorksvilte Just South Os North Webster •

A Breed Os Their Own The Ummels described racing people as a close-knit group and a breed of their own. “They have to be,” stressed Mrs. Ummel. explaining, “It takes a lot of hard work by many dedicated , people to put on a race." In their officiating work over the years, the Ummels have become acquainted with many well-known race car drivers such as A. J. Foyt, Al Unser, Bobby Unser and Mario Andretti. “We’ve met all of them.” they shrugged casually. Mr and Mrs. Ummel are both school teachers which leaves their summers free to pursue their favorite sport. Ummel teaches business courses at Wawasee High School and his wife teaches biology at West Noble High School. Race Schedule They officiated at the Kraco 150 in Phoenix, Ariz., in March and at the Atlanta 150 in April. The rest of the year their schedule is: Gould Rex Mays 150 in West Allis. Wis.. on June 13; Cleveland 500 Kilometers in Cleveland, Ohio, on July 4; Norton Michigan 500 in Brooklyn. Mich., on July 18; A. B. Dick-Tony Bettenhausen 200 at West Allis. Wis., on August 1; Pocono 500 in Long Pond, Penn., on August 15; Los Angeles Times California 500 Kilometers in Riverside. Califon August 29; Road America 200 in Elkhart Lake. Wis.. on September 19; Detroit News Grand Prix 150 in Brooklyn, Mich., on September 26; Caesars Palace Grand Prix 200 in Las Vegas, Nev., on October 16-17; Copa Mexico 150 in Mexico City. Mexico, on October 31; and Miller High Life 150 in Phoenix. Ariz.. on November 6.

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LAKELAND YOUTH CENTER PRESENTATION — Officials from the Lakeland Youth Center made their presentation to the budget committee of the United Way of Kosciusko County test Thursday. May 20. Following the budget committee’s recommendtion to the.board of directors, the officials will know after the June 25th board of directors' meeting if the amount of funding they requested for the coming year has been approved. . Pictured above, showing one of the sweatshirts the center has used for fund raising, is Lakeland Youth Center Director. Jill Stanley. On her left is Sam Fryback. a member of the steering and executive committee; on the right is Jerry Ganshorn president. (Photo by Vicki Hyde-Hickey)

Serving ? our country VANESSA MURRAY Recently promoted Staff Sgt Vanessa M Murray, whose husband. Rodger, is the son of Mrs. James Gamble, r 1 Leesburg, has reenlisted in the U.S Air Force after being selected for career status

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