Last one to post in this thread wins!
We were able to catch up with the legend himself this month! Here's a fun Q&A with the one and only, Connie Kalitta.
Q: Can you tell us the story of how Kalitta Air was “born”? How did racing turn into airplanes?
A: I was the driver of Ford’s top-fuel dragster at the time and I saw a business opportunity to fly car parts for them. With my race winnings I bought a twin-engine, piston-powered Cessna 310 in 1967, learned how to fly it and started hauling parts for Ford.
Q: What is one of your favorite aviation memories?
A: It’s hard to pick but certainly one of them would be purchasing my very first B747 back in 1992 from Japan Airlines. I flew it from Japan to YIP and it was incredible!
Q: What's your favorite racing memory?
A: Winning Indy! (And by that he means winning the 1994 US Nationals. It’s kind of a big deal.)
Q: What hobbies do you have outside of the business?
A: Who has time for hobbies?!
Q: What is your favorite meal?
A: Ribs from Bone Heads or a good meatloaf and mashed potatoes dinner.
Q: What is one of the questions you get asked the most?
A: Does the movie Heart Like a Wheel portray me accurately? To which I answer yes and no!
Q: Any other fun facts?
A: Back in the late 80’s I was arrested for speeding on Belleville Lake in my jet boat.