Brock Yates-illness

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.

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

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.

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.

Who does he write for now?

Woody wrote: Who does he write for now?

Vintage Motorsports magazine.

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.

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.

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