I too agree that we need to hear more from Satch. I lost regular contact with him when I left Alaska 19 years ago. Satch stayed for awhile and then left. From what I heard settled in the Pacific Northwest. Satch is truly one of a kind; his writing was enjoyable and his observations on life were often hilarious. What most people don?t know is that during his Autoweek years he was even more prolific in his writing than most knew. In addition to his rallying, car building and Autoweek writings he penned a weekly column for the Anchorage newspaper on local topics. All of this was in addition to a full time job.
I don?t know if he is doing much writing, but if not, I as well as many others, would urge him to start again. For someone with Satch?s imagination it should not be hard to come up with the topics. Life has changed for all of us over the years, but in the early years many of his topics came from his own life and on many occasions, those around him.
As one who was there for many of his exploits (both successes and disasters), I can assure you that they were true. It was his ability to write about them in such a unique manner set him apart.
If I could have him write stories about the old days, his exploits and observations about rallying Saabs would always be near the top. The Hawg of Steel (Saab 96 that allegedly competed in the Shell 4000) went through so many permutations, rallies, and rebuildings that it would cover a very long article. Although I do not know everything about it, I can tell you that it had a habit of breaking down in the most remote of locations in Canada. If I remember correctly, one time after a rally, he had to leave it behind in a remote community in Canada because it could not be fixed (at that time there were no Saab dealers in Canada. He had to hitch a ride with other rallyists back to Alaska and then drive the 1000 miles back with the part to repair the car and then drive it back to Alaska. There were serious penalties for leaving a car in Canada. Another time (1974-75) we towed the Hog of Steel about 700 miles back to Alaska on the end of a 12 foot nylon tow rope. As one who both drove the tow car and steered the Hawg of Steel I can tell you that once when Satch was driving the tow car and I was steering , the passenger with me, John Fouse, looked at me and asked me, ?if we just covered the last mile in 38 seconds how fast are we going??
The Piggue of Plastique (Saab Sonnett) is another story that can only properly be told by Satch. It was a very unique car and very well prepared. In January of 1975 Satch and I went to the Pek K?Lona Rally in Canada. Satch was doing well until we came to a bridge with no siderails. We slid off the snow covered bridge and ripped the exhaust system off the Piggue of Plastique. The car was barely hanging onto the bridge above the small river, we were lucky to save ourselves and the car. Naturally we DNF?d. I was to drive the car back to Alaska in the middle of the winter with no exhaust and limited heat. Around 0200 I ran off the road into the heavy snow; either I fell asleep or the exhaust got to me, or both). The car?s trip was and finished. I ended up on a bus back to Seattle and the car was put on a truck for delivery to Seattle some time later. Satch was very magnanimous. But that was only the cars first exploit. There were many others.
The exploits of the Alaska Rally Team with Satch as its founder and leader could go on and on. Needless to say the erstwhile members John Fouse, Ross Bordwell, Doc O?Connell, myself and others could write of Satch?s exploits but as you might expect, Satch could do it better.
How about it Satch?
Dan Goodwin
