…and DAN ARENA SHARES HIS EMOTIONS
Presented by Wayne Mooers, Chapter Historian, July 2018
“No words can describe the anticipation and excitement I felt as I climbed into the driver’s seat next to Gerard Raney that day at Clear Lake. I was anxious to fire-up the 100 year old, 24 cylinders, Duesenberg for its maiden voyage. (It would be 70 years since my father, Gene, and his older brother, Dan Arena, had turned it off after her last race.) As I hit the starter button and the engine roared to life, the “Notre Dame” leaped forward like a rocket ship on top of the water. The engine, with its 917 H.P. and 1000 foot pounds of torque took Gerard and me for a thrill ride of a lifetime. While we raced across the water, we had a second to look at each other and just grin. I felt Dan, and Gene were sitting with us and smiling as well.
Brothers George & Charles Besotes, 1959 photo courtesy of Haggin Museum
