Bud Lindemann
Encyclopedia
Gordon "Bud" Lindemann was a pioneer in motor sports broadcasting.
during World War II
, and was stationed on the USS Eastwind in the North Atlantic. While in the service, Gordon met his future wife Kay and they were married on February 9, 1945. Lindemann worked briefly in radio in Boston
following the war before moving to Grand Rapids, Michigan
in 1946.
and the Kalamazoo Speedway until the mid-1960s.
In 1964, while working for the WZZM-TV
broadcasting company, he developed a program called "Autoscope". The show featured local races as well as some national events. "Autoscope" became a local success, and in 1967 Lindemann expanded by forming his own production company, "Car & Track Productions", owned by Lindemann himself and operated by many of his own family members. Subsequently, he sought to produce the first nationally syndicated television show devoted to motor sports and many additional auto forums. Entitled "Car and Track
", the show was carried by over 160 stations across the country and covered over 250 racing and auto events. In 1975 "Car and Track" ended its eight-year run on CBS
. The show was resurrected for reruns on the cable network Speedvision (now the Speed Channel
) in 1996.
In 1976, "Car & Track Productions" began producing racing features for major sports shows, including "ABC's Wide World of Sports" and "CBS Sports Spectacular
". Lindemann also initiated another new trend by producing ten-minute motor sports-related theatrical shorts. It is believed that he continued these until his next creative venture in 1979 when he produced a new series featuring author George Plimpton
of "Paper Lion" fame in 1979. Entitled "The Ultimate High", the program followed George as he participated in various sporting endeavors. Some of these included skydiving, hang gliding
, kayaking
and windsurfing
. Plimton was also filmed driving a Carl Haas
Can-Am car and sharing an IndyCar
ride with a rookie driver named Bobby Rahal
.
Early history
Lindemann graduated from high school in 1940. He joined the United States Coast GuardUnited States Coast Guard
The United States Coast Guard is a branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven U.S. uniformed services. The Coast Guard is a maritime, military, multi-mission service unique among the military branches for having a maritime law enforcement mission and a federal regulatory agency...
during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, and was stationed on the USS Eastwind in the North Atlantic. While in the service, Gordon met his future wife Kay and they were married on February 9, 1945. Lindemann worked briefly in radio in Boston
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
following the war before moving to Grand Rapids, Michigan
Grand Rapids, Michigan
Grand Rapids is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan. The city is located on the Grand River about 40 miles east of Lake Michigan. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 188,040. In 2010, the Grand Rapids metropolitan area had a population of 774,160 and a combined statistical area, Grand...
in 1946.
Motorsports career
"Big Bud" (another nickname) then became actively involved in motor sports in the mid-1950s as an announcer at the now-defunct Grand Rapids Speedrome. He later worked at the Berlin RacewayBerlin Raceway
Berlin Raceway is a 0.438 mile long paved oval race track in Marne, Michigan, near Grand Rapids. It opened in 1950. The track is notable for the lack of an outside wall on the back straightaway, a unique feature for a national series such as ARCA...
and the Kalamazoo Speedway until the mid-1960s.
In 1964, while working for the WZZM-TV
WZZM-TV
WZZM channel 13 is the Western Michigan affiliate television station for the American Broadcasting Company. It's based in Grand Rapids, Michigan, broadcasting at 16.5 kilowatts of power from a tower located in Newaygo County, near Grant...
broadcasting company, he developed a program called "Autoscope". The show featured local races as well as some national events. "Autoscope" became a local success, and in 1967 Lindemann expanded by forming his own production company, "Car & Track Productions", owned by Lindemann himself and operated by many of his own family members. Subsequently, he sought to produce the first nationally syndicated television show devoted to motor sports and many additional auto forums. Entitled "Car and Track
Car and Track
Car and Track was America's first nationally syndicated auto racing and car test television show. Produced by Car and Track Productions, it was hosted by Bud Lindemann, a famous race commentator of the time....
", the show was carried by over 160 stations across the country and covered over 250 racing and auto events. In 1975 "Car and Track" ended its eight-year run on CBS
CBS
CBS Broadcasting Inc. is a major US commercial broadcasting television network, which started as a radio network. The name is derived from the initials of the network's former name, Columbia Broadcasting System. The network is sometimes referred to as the "Eye Network" in reference to the shape of...
. The show was resurrected for reruns on the cable network Speedvision (now the Speed Channel
SPEED Channel
Speed , is a cable and satellite television network broadcast to various parts of North America, but primarily the United States...
) in 1996.
In 1976, "Car & Track Productions" began producing racing features for major sports shows, including "ABC's Wide World of Sports" and "CBS Sports Spectacular
CBS Sports Spectacular
CBS Sports Spectacular is a sports anthology program produced by CBS Sports. The series began on January 3, 1960 as The CBS Sports Spectacular, and has been known under many different names, including CBS Sports Saturday, CBS Sports Sunday, Eye on Sports and The CBS Sports Show.The program...
". Lindemann also initiated another new trend by producing ten-minute motor sports-related theatrical shorts. It is believed that he continued these until his next creative venture in 1979 when he produced a new series featuring author George Plimpton
George Plimpton
George Ames Plimpton was an American journalist, writer, editor, and actor. He is widely known for his sports writing and for helping to found The Paris Review.-Early life:...
of "Paper Lion" fame in 1979. Entitled "The Ultimate High", the program followed George as he participated in various sporting endeavors. Some of these included skydiving, hang gliding
Hang gliding
Hang gliding is an air sport in which a pilot flies a light and unmotorized foot-launchable aircraft called a hang glider ....
, kayaking
Kayaking
Kayaking is the use of a kayak for moving across water. Kayaking and canoeing are also known as paddling. Kayaking is distinguished from canoeing by the sitting position of the paddler and the number of blades on the paddle...
and windsurfing
Windsurfing
Windsurfing or sailboarding is a surface water sport that combines elements of surfing and sailing. It consists of a board usually two to four metres long, powered by the orthogonal effect of the wind on a sail. The rig is connected to the board by a free-rotating universal joint and comprises a...
. Plimton was also filmed driving a Carl Haas
Carl Haas
Carl A. Haas is an American auto racing impresario. He co-owned the Newman/Haas/Lanigan Racing team in the IndyCar Series with the late Paul Newman and Mike Lanigan. He also owned Carl A...
Can-Am car and sharing an IndyCar
American Championship Car Racing
Since 1916 there has been a recognized United States national automobile racing National Championship for drivers of professional-level, single-seat open wheel race cars. The championship has been under the auspices of several different sanctioning bodies since 1909. Since 1911, the Indianapolis...
ride with a rookie driver named Bobby Rahal
Bobby Rahal
Robert "Bobby" Woodward Rahal is an American auto racing driver and team owner. As a driver, he won three championships and 24 races in the CART open-wheel series, including the 1986 Indianapolis 500...
.