My father, Raymond F. Yates, was a successful writer of technical nonfiction and such a life seemed a reasonable alternative to real work.

The automobile, both a cause and an effect of this decentralization, is ideally suited for our vast landscape and our generally confused and contrary commuting patterns.

Regardless, I did rise to the editorship before embarking on a freelance career in the late '60's.

Much of our quiet time is spent boating and generally loafing at our second home in the 1,000 Islands on the St. Lawrence River.

More books, more racing and more foolishness with cars and motorcycles are in the works.

I have four grown children and two tiny grandchildren.