Paul Frère and Bob Wollek – Le Mans 1984
I had been talking earlier with Paul Frère, one of my revered hero driver/writers. He was a Le Mans winner in 1960 and a frequent contributor to Road & Track. I have a well worn copy of his 1966 edition of “Sports Car and Competition Driving” proudly on my bookshelf along with his “Porsche 911 Story.” In the background of this photograph Frère walks by while I was chatting with Bob Wollek. Talking with these two greats was pretty heady stuff for me and without realizing it I violated one of the cardinal rules of motorsports photography: Always Be Aware Of Your Surroundings. I was lost in the moment and I dropped to one knee to change the framing of the picture. I was unaware of a crowd surging behind me and before I knew it I was engulfed and forced further to the ground. By the time I realized what was happening I was helpless to do anything about it but Bob Wollek started pushing people back, cleared a space for me and helped me to my feet. I felt foolish and was a bit disoriented by the experience. I thanked him first in French and then in English and he just smiled that great smile of his and went off about his business.
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