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  Aug. 15, 2010 6:18 p.m. aeronca65t Dork

  I was just reading Brock Yate's column in another car magazine and was stunned to find out he has Alzheimer's. He is actually in the middle of a double-blind research study for Alzheimer's meds. His medical and writing future is unsure right now.

  I been reading him since the 60s (back then, Car & Driver) and have talked to him several times at race tracks. I haven't always agreed with him but always found him interesting.

  I know he's often been pegged as the "Cannonball Run guy", but honestly, he's done a lot of other stuff. For better or worse, he's had a huge influence on automotive writing in the last 40 years.....and speaking personally, I think much of it has been for the better.

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  Aug. 15, 2010 6:34 p.m. Wally SuperDork

  I know he can be a polarizing figure but I have always liked him. It's a shame to see anyone go through that.

  "You should never point a loaded gun at anyone. This is not a hard and fast rule, however. A hard and fast rule is that you should never, ever, point an unloaded gun at anyone." P.J. O'Rourke

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  Aug. 15, 2010 6:43 p.m. Woody SuperDork

  Even polarizing figures can be interesting, regardless of whether or not you're on their side.

  I haven't read anything he's written in a while, but I'm saddened to hear this news.

  Unleash the relentless power of her 1400cc Quadrozontal engine...

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  Aug. 16, 2010 9:53 a.m. spitfirebill Dork

  I haven't been a Brock Yates fan for a while, but I really hate to hear he has Alzheimer's. That is a viscous disease that robs many people of the last thing they have, their mind. Quite cruel.

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  Aug. 16, 2010 10:22 a.m. Woody SuperDork

  Who does he write for now?

  Unleash the relentless power of her 1400cc Quadrozontal engine...

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  Aug. 16, 2010 11:29 a.m. aeronca65t Dork

  Woody wrote: Who does he write for now?

  Vintage Motorsports magazine.

  Enjoy Every Sandwich ~ W.Z.

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  Aug. 16, 2010 12:01 p.m. mtn SuperDork

  spitfirebill wrote: I haven't been a Brock Yates fan for a while, but I really hate to hear he has Alzheimer's. That is a viscous disease that robs many people of the last thing they have, their mind. Quite cruel.

  No kidding. I volunteered for 8 years in a nursing home and would see the decline first hand. It was very frightening.

  there’s a lot of debate on this subject—about what kind of car handles best. Some say a front-engined car; some say a rear-engined car. I say a rented car.

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  Aug. 16, 2010 7:58 p.m. Gearheadotaku Dork

  Didn't know about this, it really sucks. I really like his attitude in general. Had the pleasure of meeting him a couple times, book signing, One lap, and at the Car and Driver anniversery event where he narrated Cannonball Run as it payed on a giant screen. He'd pause the film and talk about stuff and how it related to the real race. Shame for this to happen to anyone. I have a family member who has it, scarey, frustrating and sad.

  Old enough to know better, too young too care!

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  Aug. 16, 2010 8:38 p.m. captain_napalm Reader

  Wow. A shame as someone like Yates has a ton of stories and memories to share.

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