modified with an Oldsmobile engine, at 15,
Villa Hizer said.
In 1987, he finally made it to the salt
flats with a group of friends from his
Georgia Tech days who helped him build
the LaSabre, which Villa Hizer remembers
coming to them in pieces.
“It came from Buick,” she said. “It was
built from scratch. You just have a frame
and sheet metal, and you put it together …
He talked to the people at Buick, and they
said they would help with the sponsorship,
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hotels,
Readers will certainly enjoy Berry College professor Sandra
Meek’s photographic journey to the beautiful Central American
country of Belize. We want Rome Life to bring readers a look at
life outside of Rome and invite you to submit your photos of
travels you and your family may take.
Contact Editor Severo Avila if you are travelling within the U.S.
or abroad and plan on capturing images of your journey.
An interesting feature on the new Forum River Center will inform
and impress on you the many opportunities available for special
events. This improved center is becoming a popular downtown
venue and is perfectly located for all types of meetings and
events. After viewing the photos in the feature, plan a visit. We
think you will be surprised at the changes.
Be sure to see who you know on our Social Scene pages and
take a look at the fashion pages featuring three local boutiques
— Spool of Dreams, Elegancia and 9 Salon.
Thanks for reading Rome Life. I hope you enjoy.
1/21/2018 8:35:18 AM
Unforgettable Moments
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Jaime Pryor Photography
38 ROME LIFE | MAY 2022
and so he built a car like Bobby Allison’s
who was racing for Buick and Miller at
that time. And with his friends — no
professionals — they built this car. They
did get a professional to help with the
engine. They were just in their friends’
shops, they were in a chicken coop …
They got out there the first year that they
went with the car, and the last day … he
got his record.”
Courtney Hizer went on to collect seven
land speed records — modifications to
the car or engine put him in different
classes where he was able to make those
achievements. At the Bonneville flats,
which are really the bed of an ancient lake,
racers compete against the clock, rather
than directly against other cars, according
to the Utah Salt Flats Racing Association.
Its website, saltflats.com, says drivers
navigate courses of varying lengths — four
to seven miles.
“It’s not for money,” Villa Hizer explained.
“You get a trophy, and that’s it. So,
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/saltflats.com