Raoul Balcaen built a top fueler when he was 17... and then had a life in motorsports in the right era for working with, and working for, the legends.... he crew chiefed for Jim Hall, was Carroll Shelby's company pilot...

As a teenager, he successfully competed with his home-built Top Fuel dragster during the formative years of the sport. With Lance Reventlow, he worked on the famous Scarab sports cars and was standing in the dyno room when the team’s all-American Formula 1 engine was fired up for the first time.

His role in the fabulous Scarab sports cars and life with their creator, Lance Reventlow, and the Formula 1 project — the first American Grand Prix car — plus a special job for Reventlow converting a Scarab sports racer into a street car.

Working as crew chief to the brilliant Jim Hall, preparing and running his Lotus Eleven and Lister-Chevrolet. 

Others mentioned in the book? Bruce Kessler, Dick Troutman, Phil Remington, Ken Miles, Leo Goossen, Ed Donovan and Pete Brock.

I've never heard of this guy, but damn, right place right time to rub elbows with the legends when they were racing!