Jim’s Christmas Racing Tale (1955)

'Twas the night before Pebble when all thru Carmel
Not a motor was revving, not even an SL.
The engines were tuned by the mechanics with care
In hopes that the drivers soon would be there.

The photogs were nestled all snug in their beds
While visions of spinouts danced in their heads.
And Gizzo in his skarf and I in my cap
Had just settled down for a short winter's nap.

When out on the course there rose such a clatter
I sprang from my bag to see what was the matter
Away to the pits I flew with a dash
Tore open the case and prepared for a flash
Set up the shutter and focused a Nash (Healey, that is)

The moon on the dust of the newly-stirred track
Gave erry luster to the night time so black.

When what to my wondering eyes should take shape
But a miniature Monza with four tiny Pirelli-s
And a little old driver so lively and quick
I knew in a moment it must be Saint Nick.

More rapid than an eagle his mount it came
And he whistled and shouted and called us by name -
"Now, Phil, now Haga; now, Pally and Vixen
On, Stutzman, on, Stupid; on, Dan R. and Gurritzen."

To the top of the hill, down the S bends
Now, dash away, dash away, dash away all.

A wink of his eye and a twist of his head
Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread.
He spoke not a word but went thru the bend
Ticking a hay bale, and dicing ahead.

As I drew in my camera and was turning aghast
Down the straight Saint Nicholas came with a blast.
He was dressed all in racing blue from his head to his foot
And his suit was all tarnished with oil and soot.
A bundle of hay he had just undid
And he looked like Hawthorne making his bid.

The stump of a gearshift he held tight in his hand,
And the smoke from his tires encircled his head like a wreath.
He had a heavy foot and his round little rev counter
Pulsed when he trompted on it like a nervous mounter.

He was quick and decisive, a right jolly old elf,
And I laughed when I shot him in spite of myself
A click of the shutter and a twist of the knob
And I had him on film and had finished my job -

But...no picture...No film in the Hassleblad!

Season's Greetings from Jim Sitz and Dorothy Dean Sitz!

Bonsall, California