The Big Rig
Back in 1969, on race day in Michigan, after practice and qualifying, a rental truck quietly pulled up to the Penske pits.
Working furiously under the direction of Jerry Kroninger, crew personnel began constructing their secret weapon -- the biggest and baddest fuel rig of all time.
The project was so audacious (and successful) that its use was outlawed after one day.
This year at Monterey, a crack team of Historic Trans-Am engineers, scientists, fabricators, and archeologists
collaborated on the recreation of the semi-mythical "Big Rig" refueling tower.
Working from the original specifications and technical drawings, the hardware of the Big Rig was replicated in historically accurate detail. Some assembly was required.
Working without written assembly instructions and under the direction and guidance of everyone passing by, a dedicated team of novices persevered.
Relying on their years of experience in tinkertoy engineering, the structure gradually began to take form --
and then be disassembled and reassembled in different sequences.
Utilizing period-correct state-of-the-art manpower, the mighty tower was lifted into place.
The finishing touches were applied, to the astonishment of all, and extensive testing began. It worked!
The double-walled construction of the fuel container allowed dry ice to be packed around the fuel, cooling it and contracting the fuel volume enough to pack an extra gallon into the Team Penske Camaros' tanks.
Over a dozen participants spent half a day assembling the rig, which historically reduced refueling time by about eight seconds.
And, at the end of it all, the outlaw was the hero of the day.