Don Lutes aka Looteye

I guess at 57 I'm probably the granddaddy of the group. On July 5th, 1966, I came to Mannheim, Germany for a 5-month temporary teaching assignment. On July 5th, 1998, this will have extended to 32 "temporary" years. The reason I consider them "temporary" is that they have all been on either US or NATO contracts. I've taught, engineered microwave communications paths, equipment/electrical installations, negotiated with the communications arms of foreign governments, spent a few years on top of 300-foot towers, but primarily have been the guru for quite a few specialized military communications programs. Tomorrow (March 1st) will begin the 9th year on my present contract which is at the US Military Headquarters in Stuttgart where I provide engineering, consulting and tech writing support for the headquarters. As of a few months ago my parent company is Raytheon (ex-Magnavox, ex-Carlyle, ex-Hughes <g>) in Ft. Wayne, IN.

I have to travel quite often, always have a laptop with me so I can log in somewhere. Many times this is not possible (as was the case during my trip to Belgium this week). Every so often I have to go to each of the NATO countries, and for awhile was getting back to the states for quarterly meetings on a program which finished in 1995. Always nice to "visit"...<g>.

When I'm over there I always make a point to try and meet anyone on our list who may live in the nearby area. I feel fortunate that this has succeeded 10 times, although many have been "fleeting" (inbetween connecting flights...)

I (and the bank) have owned an apartment in Oftersheim, about 3 miles from Hockenheim's East Curve (Ostkurve), since 1984. I had been working in this area for some 10 years, thought I'd made a "niche" for myself... Then two years later I found myself working in Rome for 18 months, and shortly after that in Stuttgart, some 80 miles away. But this little apartment is "home". I rent a small place near Stuttgart as well, but I get "home" at least once a week, (plus the weekends) and this plus other places I have to go to makes an average week for me some 750 miles.

My first GP was Silverstone 1967, where Jim Clark won start to finish. I was working in London at the time, and the hotel manager where I was staying was part of the BRM team and invited me along. This race remains as the only one where I was a guest of a team, treated royally, but unfortunately I had no appreciation for all that surrounded me. What I'd give for another opportunity like that today. From then on I was hooked.

I also saw the only race over here that the winged Chapparal (2H??) won (1967 at Brands Hatch).

I'm not married, but I did try it once. Two daughters, a schoolteacher in California, the other lives on Maui where she coordinates symposiums and conferences at the hotel where she works. My ex also has a son which any of you who live in the SF area probably know as Mark Hamilton, from "Live 105".. (actually, I think he's in Portland now..)

In the late 60's and early 70's there wasn't a weekend during the season that I wasn't attending a race somewhere. Today it's really a hassle, not to mention EXPENSIVE. Over here, anyhow. Been to Silverstone, Brands, Zeltweg, Monza, Spa (my favorite), the Nurburgring, Norisring and Zaandvoort. And Lemans three times, and of course Hockenheim. In the beginning I was more of a sportscar nut - GT40s, Lola T70s, Chaparrals and the like.

Last year I got to Montreal (with Stephanie and Mike) and, of course, to Hockenheim which I can get to easily on my bicycle. This year, in addition to Hockenheim, I'll also make it to Spa with Bruce and a friend of his, also Denise if she can make it.

I got the name "Looteye" from the Germans. I was working in a crowded room one day about 20 years ago and someone yelled "Hey, Lutei" from the other side. The name immediately stuck like glue. Americans, of course, couldn't quite grasp how to spell "Lutei", so "Looteye" was born. All of you GEnie folks would have never known about "Looteye", but when I first signed on with the Auto RT it asked for a "handle" which at the time I thought was mandatory, so out came "Looteye"..

Hobbies - do a lot of bowling and mountain biking, also just LOVE to ski - too bad I'm not very good at it. Love to drive (good thing...) And just enjoying the hell out of living over here.

And will continue to enjoy being a part of this great little group of people.

Looteye