Dr. Frank Becker

With memories of his World War Two paratrooper days still fresh, this Mercer Island, Washington-based dentist jumped into sports car racing in 1956. His first outings in an Austin-Healy and then in a troublesome Lotus 9 met with mixed success, but he was outstanding behind the wheel of the car for which he is best remembered, the incredibly beautiful two-liter Ferrari 500 Testa Rossa #0662. In this car Frank won several races and was just as often involved in duels for the lead in which he came out second best, the small-engined Ferrari simply lacking the acceleration to stay up with larger cars in a dash to the finish line. Frank was one of the Team Empire crew, and occasionally co-drove in Enduros with others in that group. His racing days came to an end with move to the South Pacific in the early 60s. Frank passed away while living in Florida in the mid-90s.