FROM A TO Z, TO YOU FROM ME: Roy went from island races to the big league;
The island of Roundrobia is quite unusual. Like most tropical paradises, it is covered with magnificent forests, and beautiful streams crisscross it. However, its shape is unlike any other island; it is perfectly round, surrounded by a smooth, sandy beach. Two roads cross the island, one north to south, the other east to west. The clear blue water around it is the home of many exotic fish, of which several are the tastiest fish that swim. Thus, the chief livelihood is fishing.
Only a few thousand people live on the island. The men are fishermen, and have earned great wealth by selling fish in high demand by famous restaurants worldwide. Families live in nice homes and own expensive automobiles. The chief pastime on the island is racing, and the smooth beach surrounding the island, which measures exactly ten miles, provides a perfect racetrack. Every weekend, the fishermen dock their boats and get ready for the big weekly race.
All the residents on the island fill the bleachers at the starting line to watch the powerful automobiles revving their engines, waiting for the green flag to start a one-hundred-mile race--ten laps around the island. Eagerly, they watch while the racers speed around the island and hope to see their favorite racer in the lead when the cars complete each lap.
Randolph Rathbone was one of the top competitors. His son, 12-year-old Roy, longed for the day when he could take the controls of his dad’s super Bugatti, which had a huge engine and a ten-speed manual transmission that required the driver to shift gears constantly as he jockeyed for a better position among the speeding pack of cars. Mr. Rathbone began teaching Roy to drive at an early age, and by the time he reached his fifteenth birthday, he let the boy enter his first race.
The fans, especially Mr. Rathbone, were amazed by Roy’s driving skills. His quick reflexes, his keen eyesight, and his fearless desire to pass other drivers to gain the lead convinced everyone that he was a winner.
One day, a seaplane owned by the world’s most famous racecar driver, Rubio Rambini, flew over Roundrobia while a race was in progress. He could not believe his eyes--a race on this remote island in the middle of the ocean. Immediately, he landed so that he could watch the rest of the race.
As a true professional, he quickly noticed Roy’s ability to handle his car, in addition to his remarkable skills in weaving in and out of the other racers.
When Roy crossed the finish line in first place, Rubio was waiting anxiously. “Young man,” he said, “I want you to join my famous racing team and drive for me in the biggest race of all--the Indianapolis 500.”
Mr. Rathbone agreed to let Roy go, and when the Indianapolis 500 checkered flag swooped down, Rubio shouted for joy. Thousands of fans cheered for the winner from Roundrobia: Rapid Racer Roy Rathbone.
Read next: Canadian Horse Jockeys: The Most Legendary Racers
Email Us | Reader Friendly | Comments
