Thanks for highlighting this Hotrodder Ryan...well deserved...disturbing many times as you allude but a reality in the big picture. He even managed to smile through some of it, leaving a notable mark and presense in go fast forever... I noted and shared this mans greatness several times here...
Sounds like I need to find this book, history is meant to be cherished ( and learn from). Many, many of the racing pioneers never were known outside their own racing circles and that is really a shame!
There is a good article about him in Secrets of Speed, Charlie Yapp. Items like this should be brought out. Thanks, jim
I picked up the book after first reading Ryan's recommendation and just finished it last week. Definitely worth a read! It was strange timing as well. Just as I was reading this book about the effects of institutional racism on Rajo Jack's dreams, life and livelihood, my wife and I actually had to sign a permission slip to allow our 8th grader to read books about the civil rights movement at school! At the risk of this sounding too political (and not mentioning a certain 3-letter acronym), it's scary to me that a movement exists to further silence stories from history like that of Rajo Jack that need to be told and that state governments (such as that of the state in which I live) are actually codifying these bullshit ideas!
Thanks Ryan, another great story of our history that needed to be told. I think I'm getting behind on my reading assignments so I might have to stay after class to catch up!
Rajo Jack's real name has been said to be that of Jack DeSoto. He had also been know to work on his race car as it was being towed to the next race venue.
That was a fictitious name he used to get into racing mentioned in the OP and apparently one of many...that's a great pic... More here...nice to see him remembered... https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rajo_Jack
Get the book, a lot of interesting things about an interesting man in an interesting time for auto racing.
The book is great. A look into the fascinating life of a driver pushing to integrate the sport. Don't waste your time on the audio book though... the narrator makes it a rough listen.
Yup! I should have said that one of his many "Nom d' Gere's" was that of Jack Desoto! Nevertheless he was a fabulous character; as well an excellent driver! I'm glad to see his memory being kept alive!
Hi, I just got done reading the book also. Very enlightening and sad at the same time. He was denied something he earned. Yes a great book indeed.
The Jalopy Journal
