Indy 500: Could this story be true?

Question

Hello from Liverpool, England.

A friend of mine who has an engineering background said he was working for Raynard and was given a copyof the winners medal that he won won at the indy 500 by Jacques Villeneuve as he did some work on his car.

Can anyone confirm that Jacques Villeneuve drove a car made by Raynard when he won the Indy 500, and does the winner recieve a ring?

My friend is going to show me the ring in the next few days. If the information above is correct does anyone knwo if there is a picture anywere on the web of this ring so I can compare them, or can anyone describe it.

Thanks

im5particus I wish it was mine to sell!!!!!

Seriously though, even if this belonged to me and it was genuine, I wouldn't sell it and I hope he never sells it.

Answer 1

He drove Reynard/Ford for Team Green when he won the Indy 500 in 1995. I could only find a pic of the 2007 ring. You can view it at the following (very long) link:

http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.indianapolismotorspeedway.com/photo/build_photo_ims.php%3Fphoto_id%3D48570%26size%3Dsmlmed&imgrefurl=http://store.indianapolismotorspeedway.com/gallery.php%3Fseries_id%3D6%26event_id%3D546%26track_id%3D4%26eventDate%3D2007-01-09%26photo_id%3D48570%26store%3D500&h=234&w=350&sz=23&hl=en&start=5&tbnid=cZXd74QWeAhTZM:&tbnh=80&tbnw=120&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dindy%2B500%2Bwinners%2Bring%26gbv%3D2%26svnum%3D10%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DX

Answer 2

Villeneuve drove a Reynard-Ford for owner Barry Green when he won the Indy 500 in 1995. The driver, owner, chief mechanic, and crew all received rings for winning the race. I dont have a picture I can forward you, but there is a photo of the rings given shown in an ad for the jeweler in the 1996 race's program.

The winning drivers ring is gold with a large oval shape and "Indianapolis" and "Winner" above and below the center, "500" in the middle, and checkered flags on either edge. The "500" has two large diamonds on either side, and 5 smaller stones above and below. On the side of the ring has says "Villeneuve" with a flagman waving below the name.

The chief mechanics ring is a smaller oval with a ruby in the center, with "Indianapolis 500" and "Loctite" on the outer edge of the center, and "Chief Mechanic" on the inner side around the stone.

The team rings are more a squarish shape with "Indianapolis 500" and "Winning Team" surrounding the center. The center is a compass with a diamond in the middle. On the side it appears to be a depiction of crew members servicing a car but is tough to tell in the small photo.

If you know someone who has a copy, or know where to get one, you can see the rings in the Herff Jones Jewelers ad on page 149 of the 1996 Indianapolis 500 Program.

Answer 3

back in those days the only cars in the Indy 500 were Raynard's Lola's and penskki made his own chassis

Answer 4

You're thinking of selling it on eBay aren't you? I'm guessing you need the photo to authenticate the ring so you get a better price.

Answer 5

Hi, I am not sure but will research it. PS I regularly visit me friend, Terry O'Neill, owner of "Penny Lane Pub" in Richmond (on the James) Virginia, USA