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Bobby Unser Tears It Up in Alameda Court
Retired Race Car Driver Makes Life Tough for Judge, Plaintiff's Lawyer
By Jason Hoppin The Recorder June 5, 2001
Three-time Indy 500 winner Bobby Unser may have made his fortune in the driver's seat, but last week he seemed comfortable on the witness stand, too.
DaimlerChrysler attorneys shelled out $400 per hour to have Unser road test the 1996 Dodge Viper, analyze its suspension system and vouch for the $65,000 car's safety in the Alameda County Superior Court product liability suit Frazzitta v. Chrysler, 780933-2.
"This car is so docile," said an enthusiastic Unser. "If you drive this car in a prudent way, you can't lose control of this
car." He appeared in court wearing gray slacks, a navy jacket and a tie decorated with brightly colored Harley Davidson motorcycles.
Unser said he was so outraged by the flaws alleged in the lawsuit, "I wanted my day in court, too."
In fact, Unser was so revved up about the sleek sports car, the 67-year-old volunteered to take retired Superior Court Judge Richard Hodge for a spin in the Viper parked outside the courthouse. But we'll return to that later.
Unser's star power is worth every penny of his steep hourly fee to the carmaker, because $20 million is on the line.
Salvatore Frazzitta alleges that a flaw in the suspension system caused an April 1996 car wreck on a San Jose Interstate 280 on-ramp.
Frazzitta, a machinist whose business clientele included Hewlett-Packard, recovered from a three-week coma but has lingering cognitive problems. His passenger was killed. Frazzitta seeks compensatory damages of $20 million in lost wages, said his attorneys. The businessman is represented by Michael Meadows and Andrew Schwartz of Walnut Creek's plaintiffs shop, Casper, Meadows & Schwartz.
Unser, an elder statesman of the racing world, testified for two hours in a folksy New Mexico drawl and often wandered far afield. Questions about Unser's car expertise turned into a retrospective about his family's rise to power in the racing
world. There was footage of Unser's triumphant 1986 win at the Pikes Peak Hill Climb race and shots of Unser driving a Viper at 130 mph with one finger on the steering wheel.
Probably sensing that Meadows risked incurring the wrath of the spellbound jury if he tried to cut Unser short, Hodge tried several times to gently steer Unser back on track.
Hodge eventually recessed so that Chrysler attorney W. Bruce Wold, of San Francisco's Sedgwick, Detert, Moran & Arnold, could stop Unser from opining on the suit's merits.
During cross-examination after returning from the recess, however, Meadows coolly questioned Unser's theory about the accident: that Frazzitta lost control of the car because he shifted into gear at full throttle.
Unser confirmed that he was a self-taught engineer with less than two years' formal training. Experts who testified earlier for the plaintiff noted that Frazzitta drove at about 45 mph -- not fast enough for a "full throttle" power shift, Meadows said.
Unser stuck by his theory, noting he had decades of car know-how.
"I have to watch you like a coyote watchin' a rabbit," Unser said to Meadows.
Later, as Unser wrapped up his testimony, he offered: "I can take the judge or any of you jurors for a ride" in the Viper.
The judge shook his head, but several jurors' hands shot up.
"Would that be against the California rules?" the racer asked.
"That would be against the rules," said Hodge.
"Call us later," one of the jurors piped up.
Unser wrapped up his testimony before lunch and took time to chat with the judge and pose for pictures with racing fans.
The celebrity stressed he rarely does court gigs. After the Oakland pit stop he was headed to a July appearance in Europe. Several athletic legends were invited to a big sporting event, he said.
The case involved a high-performance car, so Unser's testimony was a good investment, said Wold, the Chrysler attorney. Micki Singer, also of Sedgwick, was co-counsel.
"Bobby has more design development experience and technical experience than anyone we know," Wold said.
Bobby Unser Tears It Up in Alameda Court
Retired Race Car Driver Makes Life Tough for Judge, Plaintiff's Lawyer
By Jason Hoppin The Recorder June 5, 2001
Three-time Indy 500 winner Bobby Unser may have made his fortune in the driver's seat, but last week he seemed comfortable on the witness stand, too.
DaimlerChrysler attorneys shelled out $400 per hour to have Unser road test the 1996 Dodge Viper, analyze its suspension system and vouch for the $65,000 car's safety in the Alameda County Superior Court product liability suit Frazzitta v. Chrysler, 780933-2.
"This car is so docile," said an enthusiastic Unser. "If you drive this car in a prudent way, you can't lose control of this
car." He appeared in court wearing gray slacks, a navy jacket and a tie decorated with brightly colored Harley Davidson
motorcycles.
Unser said he was so outraged by the flaws alleged in the lawsuit, "I wanted my day in court, too."
In fact, Unser was so revved up about the sleek sports car, the 67-year-old volunteered to take retired Superior Court Judge
Richard Hodge for a spin in the Viper parked outside the courthouse. But we'll return to that later.
Unser's star power is worth every penny of his steep hourly fee to the carmaker, because $20 million is on the line.
Salvatore Frazzitta alleges that a flaw in the suspension system caused an April 1996 car wreck on a San Jose Interstate 280 on-ramp.
Frazzitta, a machinist whose business clientele included Hewlett-Packard, recovered from a three-week coma but has lingering cognitive problems. His passenger was killed. Frazzitta seeks compensatory damages of $20 million in lost wages, said his attorneys. The businessman is represented by Michael Meadows and Andrew Schwartz of Walnut Creek's plaintiffs shop, Casper, Meadows & Schwartz.
Unser, an elder statesman of the racing world, testified for two hours in a folksy New Mexico drawl and often wandered far afield. Questions about Unser's car expertise turned into a retrospective about his family's rise to power in the racing
world. There was footage of Unser's triumphant 1986 win at the Pikes Peak Hill Climb race and shots of Unser driving a Viper at 130 mph with one finger on the steering wheel.
Probably sensing that Meadows risked incurring the wrath of the spellbound jury if he tried to cut Unser short, Hodge tried several times to gently steer Unser back on track.
Hodge eventually recessed so that Chrysler attorney W. Bruce Wold, of San Francisco's Sedgwick, Detert, Moran & Arnold, could stop Unser from opining on the suit's merits.
During cross-examination after returning from the recess, however, Meadows coolly questioned Unser's theory about the accident: that Frazzitta lost control of the car because he shifted into gear at full throttle.
Unser confirmed that he was a self-taught engineer with less than two years' formal training. Experts who testified earlier for the plaintiff noted that Frazzitta drove at about 45 mph -- not fast enough for a "full throttle" power shift, Meadows said.
Unser stuck by his theory, noting he had decades of car know-how.
"I have to watch you like a coyote watchin' a rabbit," Unser said to Meadows.
Later, as Unser wrapped up his testimony, he offered: "I can take the judge or any of you jurors for a ride" in the Viper.
The judge shook his head, but several jurors' hands shot up.
"Would that be against the California rules?" the racer asked.
"That would be against the rules," said Hodge.
"Call us later," one of the jurors piped up.
Unser wrapped up his testimony before lunch and took time to chat with the judge and pose for pictures with racing fans.
The celebrity stressed he rarely does court gigs. After the Oakland pit stop he was headed to a July appearance in Europe. Several athletic legends were invited to a big sporting event, he said.
The case involved a high-performance car, so Unser's testimony was a good investment, said Wold, the Chrysler attorney. Micki Singer, also of Sedgwick, was co-counsel.
"Bobby has more design development experience and technical experience than anyone we know," Wold said.
Bobby Unser Tears It Up in Alameda Court
Retired Race Car Driver Makes Life Tough for Judge, Plaintiff's Lawyer
By Jason Hoppin The Recorder June 5, 2001
Three-time Indy 500 winner Bobby Unser may have made his fortune in the driver's seat, but last week he seemed comfortable on the witness stand, too.
DaimlerChrysler attorneys shelled out $400 per hour to have Unser road test the 1996 Dodge Viper, analyze its suspension system and vouch for the $65,000 car's safety in the Alameda County Superior Court product liability suit Frazzitta v. Chrysler, 780933-2.
"This car is so docile," said an enthusiastic Unser. "If you drive this car in a prudent way, you can't lose control of this
car." He appeared in court wearing gray slacks, a navy jacket and a tie decorated with brightly colored Harley Davidson motorcycles.
Unser said he was so outraged by the flaws alleged in the lawsuit, "I wanted my day in court, too."
In fact, Unser was so revved up about the sleek sports car, the 67-year-old volunteered to take retired Superior Court Judge Richard Hodge for a spin in the Viper parked outside the courthouse. But we'll return to that later.
Unser's star power is worth every penny of his steep hourly fee to the carmaker, because $20 million is on the line.
Salvatore Frazzitta alleges that a flaw in the suspension system caused an April 1996 car wreck on a San Jose Interstate 280 on-ramp.
Frazzitta, a machinist whose business clientele included Hewlett-Packard, recovered from a three-week coma but has lingering cognitive problems. His passenger was killed. Frazzitta seeks compensatory damages of $20 million in lost wages, said his attorneys. The businessman is represented by Michael Meadows and Andrew Schwartz of Walnut Creek's plaintiffs shop, Casper, Meadows & Schwartz.
Unser, an elder statesman of the racing world, testified for two hours in a folksy New Mexico drawl and often wandered far afield. Questions about Unser's car expertise turned into a retrospective about his family's rise to power in the racing
world. There was footage of Unser's triumphant 1986 win at the Pikes Peak Hill Climb race and shots of Unser driving a Viper at 130 mph with one finger on the steering wheel.
Probably sensing that Meadows risked incurring the wrath of the spellbound jury if he tried to cut Unser short, Hodge tried several times to gently steer Unser back on track.
Hodge eventually recessed so that Chrysler attorney W. Bruce Wold, of San Francisco's Sedgwick, Detert, Moran & Arnold, could stop Unser from opining on the suit's merits.
During cross-examination after returning from the recess, however, Meadows coolly questioned Unser's theory about the accident: that Frazzitta lost control of the car because he shifted into gear at full throttle.
Unser confirmed that he was a self-taught engineer with less than two years' formal training. Experts who testified earlier for the plaintiff noted that Frazzitta drove at about 45 mph -- not fast enough for a "full throttle" power shift, Meadows said.
Unser stuck by his theory, noting he had decades of car know-how.
"I have to watch you like a coyote watchin' a rabbit," Unser said to Meadows.
Later, as Unser wrapped up his testimony, he offered: "I can take the judge or any of you jurors for a ride" in the Viper.
The judge shook his head, but several jurors' hands shot up.
"Would that be against the California rules?" the racer asked.
"That would be against the rules," said Hodge.
"Call us later," one of the jurors piped up.
Unser wrapped up his testimony before lunch and took time to chat with the judge and pose for pictures with racing fans.
The celebrity stressed he rarely does court gigs. After the Oakland pit stop he was headed to a July appearance in Europe. Several athletic legends were invited to a big sporting event, he said.
The case involved a high-performance car, so Unser's testimony was a good investment, said Wold, the Chrysler attorney. Micki Singer, also of Sedgwick, was co-counsel.
"Bobby has more design development experience and technical experience than anyone we know," Wold said.
Bobby Unser Tears It Up in Alameda Court
Retired Race Car Driver Makes Life Tough for Judge, Plaintiff's Lawyer
By Jason Hoppin The Recorder June 5, 2001
Three-time Indy 500 winner Bobby Unser may have made his fortune in the driver's seat, but last week he seemed comfortable on the witness stand, too.
DaimlerChrysler attorneys shelled out $400 per hour to have Unser road test the 1996 Dodge Viper, analyze its suspension system and vouch for the $65,000 car's safety in the Alameda County Superior Court product liability suit Frazzitta v. Chrysler, 780933-2.
"This car is so docile," said an enthusiastic Unser. "If you drive this car in a prudent way, you can't lose control of this
car." He appeared in court wearing gray slacks, a navy jacket and a tie decorated with brightly colored Harley Davidson
motorcycles.
Unser said he was so outraged by the flaws alleged in the lawsuit, "I wanted my day in court, too."
In fact, Unser was so revved up about the sleek sports car, the 67-year-old volunteered to take retired Superior Court Judge
Richard Hodge for a spin in the Viper parked outside the courthouse. But we'll return to that later.
Unser's star power is worth every penny of his steep hourly fee to the carmaker, because $20 million is on the line.
Salvatore Frazzitta alleges that a flaw in the suspension system caused an April 1996 car wreck on a San Jose Interstate 280 on-ramp.
Frazzitta, a machinist whose business clientele included Hewlett-Packard, recovered from a three-week coma but has lingering cognitive problems. His passenger was killed. Frazzitta seeks compensatory damages of $20 million in lost wages, said his attorneys. The businessman is represented by Michael Meadows and Andrew Schwartz of Walnut Creek's plaintiffs shop, Casper, Meadows & Schwartz.
Unser, an elder statesman of the racing world, testified for two hours in a folksy New Mexico drawl and often wandered far afield. Questions about Unser's car expertise turned into a retrospective about his family's rise to power in the racing
world. There was footage of Unser's triumphant 1986 win at the Pikes Peak Hill Climb race and shots of Unser driving a Viper at 130 mph with one finger on the steering wheel.
Probably sensing that Meadows risked incurring the wrath of the spellbound jury if he tried to cut Unser short, Hodge tried several times to gently steer Unser back on track.
Hodge eventually recessed so that Chrysler attorney W. Bruce Wold, of San Francisco's Sedgwick, Detert, Moran & Arnold, could stop Unser from opining on the suit's merits.
During cross-examination after returning from the recess, however, Meadows coolly questioned Unser's theory about the accident: that Frazzitta lost control of the car because he shifted into gear at full throttle.
Unser confirmed that he was a self-taught engineer with less than two years' formal training. Experts who testified earlier for the plaintiff noted that Frazzitta drove at about 45 mph -- not fast enough for a "full throttle" power shift, Meadows said.
Unser stuck by his theory, noting he had decades of car know-how.
"I have to watch you like a coyote watchin' a rabbit," Unser said to Meadows.
Later, as Unser wrapped up his testimony, he offered: "I can take the judge or any of you jurors for a ride" in the Viper.
The judge shook his head, but several jurors' hands shot up.
"Would that be against the California rules?" the racer asked.
"That would be against the rules," said Hodge.
"Call us later," one of the jurors piped up.
Unser wrapped up his testimony before lunch and took time to chat with the judge and pose for pictures with racing fans.
The celebrity stressed he rarely does court gigs. After the Oakland pit stop he was headed to a July appearance in Europe. Several athletic legends were invited to a big sporting event, he said.
The case involved a high-performance car, so Unser's testimony was a good investment, said Wold, the Chrysler attorney. Micki Singer, also of Sedgwick, was co-counsel.
"Bobby has more design development experience and technical experience than anyone we know," Wold said.
