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| {{InfoboxLost
| | #REDIRECT [[1979 SCCA/CART Indy Car Series (partially found footage of IndyCar races; 1979)]] |
| |title=<center>1979 Arizona Republic / Jimmy Bryan 150</center>
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| |image=1979arizonarepublicjimmybryan1501.jpg
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| |imagecaption=Program for the race.
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| |status=<span style="color:orange;">'''Partially Found'''</span>
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| }}
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| The '''''1979 Arizona Republic / Jimmy Bryan 150''''' (also known as the '''''1979 Phoenix 150''''') marked the inaugural race of the Championship Automobile Racing Teams (CART) IndyCar Series. Occurring on 11th March at the Phoenix International Raceway, the race would ultimately be won by Gordon Johncock in a Penske-Cosworth, after having led the final 31 laps of the event.
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| ==Background==
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| In 1979, the first of two major splits in IndyCar racing occurred, when several prominent cars owners, including Dan Gurney and Roger Penske, broke away from the United States Auto Club (USAC) and formed CART.<ref name="gurney">[http://allamericanracers.com/formation-of-cart-dan-gurney/ ''Dan Gurney's All American Racers'' detailing the "Gurney White Paper" and CART's formation.] Retrieved 29th Jun '22</ref><ref name="scca">[https://www.newspapers.com/clip/57314696/first-cart-race-11-march-1979/ ''Fort Worth Star-Telegram'' reporting on CART's formation and its sanctioning by the SCCA.] Retrieved 29th Jun '22</ref><ref name="tribune">[https://motorsportstribune.com/historical-carts-first-race-at-phoenix/ ''Motorsports Tribune'' detailing CART's split from USAC and the race itself.] Retrieved 29th Jun '22</ref> The origins of CART dated back to early 1978, when Gurney and others became increasingly frustrated with USAC's leadership and inability to grow the sport, and noting Formula One's growth thanks to the rise of the Formula One Constructors' Association (FOCA).<ref name="gurney"/><ref name="scca"/><ref name="tribune"/> He therefore established the "Gurney White Paper" that called upon a group independent of USAC that demanded greater influence over the sport's governing, sponsorship, and media.<ref name="gurney"/> After USAC refused to agree to these demands, Gurney, as well as other prominent car owners and drivers, officially formed a breakaway championship.<ref name="gurney"/><ref name="scca"/><ref name="tribune"/> With the Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) sanctioning the series, CART would begin running its first championship to rival USAC's in 1979.<ref name="scca"/><ref name="tribune"/><ref name="gurney"/>
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| The 1979 Arizona Republic / Jimmy Bryan 150 would be CART's first ever event, with it being the 15th running of this annual IndyCar race.<ref name="gurney"/><ref name="scca"/><ref name="tribune"/> Lasting 150 miles,<ref name="results">[https://www.racing-reference.info/race-results/1979_Arizona_Republic_Jimmy_Bryan_150/R/ ''Racing-Reference'' detailing the qualifying and race results of the event.] Retrieved 29th Jun '22</ref> it was one of two 1979 SCCA/CART IndyCar Series races to commence at Phoenix International Raceway, the other being the Miller High Life 150,<ref>[https://www.racing-reference.info/season-stats/1979/R/ ''Racing-Reference'' detailing the 1979 SCCA/CART IndyCar Series schedule.] Retrieved 29th Jun '22</ref> which occurred on 20th October and was won by Al Unser in a Chaparral-Cosworth.<ref>[https://www.racing-reference.info/race-results/1979_Miller_High_Life_150/R/ ''Racing-Reference'' detailing the results of the 1979 Miller High Life 150.] Retrieved 29th Jun '22</ref> The race, named in honour of 1958 Indianapolis 500 winner Jimmy Bryan,<ref>[http://www.motorsportmemorial.org/focus.php?db=ct&n=91 ''Motorsport Memorial'' page for Jimmy Bryan.] Retrieved 29th Jun '22</ref> would have ties with Phoenix events like the Desert Diamond West Valley Phoenix Grand Prix, before Phoenix races were dropped from the IndyCar schedule after 2018 following low attendance.<ref>[https://eu.indystar.com/story/sports/motor/2018/06/22/indycar-not-return-phoenix-2019/727625002/ ''IndyStar'' reporting on Phoenix races being dropped from the IndyCar schedule after 2018.] Retrieved 29th Jun '22</ref>
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| Prior to the race, qualifying commenced with Bobby Unser winning the pole position in a Penske-Cosworth with a speed of 145.666 mph.<ref name="tribune"/><ref name="results"/> He was driving a debuting Penske PC-7, which was notable for being the first Indy car to utilise ground effect.<ref name="tribune"/> Beforehand, Unser claimed that CART's formation was a necessity, criticising the USAC and its governing body for being too large and for ignoring the needs of its members.<ref name="scca"/> Directly behind him were the McLaren-Cosworths of Tom Sneva and Johnny Rutherford, in second and third respectively.<ref name="results"/> Gordon Johncock qualified eighth out of 21 competitors.<ref name="results"/> Meanwhile, Bill Alsup qualified 11th in a McLaren-Cosworth, being notable as the only driver in the field to have not competed in a USAC Championship Car Season race.<ref name="tribune"/><ref name="results"/>
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| ==The Race==
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| With the starting order decided, the 1979 Arizona Republic / Jimmy Bryan 150 commenced on 11th March.<ref name="results"/> Unser maintained his lead from the start, going on to lead the first 64 laps of the race before making a pitstop on that enabled Johncock to move by.<ref name="tribune"/><ref name="results"/> With Johncock pitting soon afterwards, and with a caution occurring not long afterwards, Unser swiftly regained the lead, holding it for the next 20 laps.<ref name="tribune"/><ref name="results"/> However, Unser suddenly encountered tyre trouble, forcing him to pit and giving the lead to Danny Ongais in a Parnelli-Cosworth.<ref name="morning">[https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/281892944/ ''The Morning Call from Allentown, Pennsylvania'' reporting on Johncock winning the race and Unser's tyre issues.] Retrieved 29th Jun '22</ref><ref name="tribune"/><ref name="results"/>
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| Ongais would lead the next 33 laps, before he was passed by Johncock on lap 120.<ref name="tribune"/><ref name="results"/> Eight laps later, Ongais retired because of an engine failure, with oil leaking onto the track that forced a caution between laps 129-139.<ref name="tribune"/><ref name="results"/> This enabled Johncock to control proceedings for the remaining laps, claiming victory and $18,670 in prize money.<ref name="tribune"/><ref name="morning"/><ref name="results"/> Rick Mears finished second in a Penske-Cosworth, while Rutherford finished third.<ref name="tribune"/><ref name="morning"/><ref name="results"/> This was the first instance of a Penske car winning when it was not owned by Roger Penske, with Johncock's chassis' owner being Pat Patrick.<ref name="tribune"/> Johncock ultimately was fortunate to have completed the race, as his car's radiator blew as he celebrated in Victory Lane.<ref name="cheche">Tom Cheche's review of the NBC broadcast. Retrieved 29th Jun '22</ref>
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| ==Availability==
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| According to ''IndyCar on TV'', the race received live flag-to-flag coverage from NBC as part of its ''NBC Sportsworld'', being billed as the Phoenix 150.<ref>[https://sites.google.com/site/indycarontv/home/the-races/cart/1979-sccacart-indycar-series/1979-jimmy-bryan-150 ''IndyCar on TV'' detailing the NBC broadcast of the race.] Retrieved 29th Jun '22</ref> The broadcast faced criticism from reporter Tom Cheche, with him deeming Charlie Jones' commentary to have been inadequate and with the cameras failing to showcase any footage of any drivers outside the top four.<ref name="cheche"/> He summarised it as "almost an exercise in doing things the wrong way."<ref name="cheche"/> Yet, despite the historic nature of the event, the NBC broadcast has yet to publicly resurface.<ref name="reddit">[https://www.reddit.com/r/lostmedia/comments/unkzwe/nbc_broadcast_of_the_1979_arizona_republicjimmy/ r/lostmedia post detailing the missing NBC broadcast.] Retrieved 29th Jun '22</ref> The only currently available footage of the event consists of a 3/4 inch tape of "800 Miles to Indy", which was uploaded to YouTube on 26th October 2011 by Bobi Neher.<ref name="reddit"/>
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| ==Gallery==
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| ===Videos===
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| {{Video|perrow =3
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| |service1 =youtube
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| |id1 =PZ2k-SQiYTk
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| |description1 =Footage of the event (1:29-4:18).
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| |service2 =youtube
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| |id2 =ydDmKsH25AE
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| |description2 =Summary of the race.
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| |service3 =youtube
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| |id3 =IY2TffzYa-0
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| |description3 =''nascarman History'''s Top 10 Lost IndyCar Broadcasts detailing the NBC broadcast of the race (3:10-3:25).
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| }}
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| ===Images===
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| <gallery mode=packed heights=300px>
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| 1979arizonarepublicjimmybryan1502.png|Photo of the event.
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| 1979arizonarepublicjimmybryan1503.png|Tom Cheche's review of the NBC broadcast
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| </gallery>
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| ==See Also==
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| *[[1962 Trenton 100 (lost footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1962)]]
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| *[[1962 Trenton 200 (lost footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1962)]]
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| *[[1963 Trenton 100 (partially found footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1963)]]
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| *[[1963 Trenton 200 (lost footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1963)]]
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| *[[1964 Golden State 100 (lost footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1964)]]
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| *[[1964 Trenton 100 (lost footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1964)]]
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| *[[1965 Golden State 100 (lost footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1965)]]
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| *[[1965 Jimmy Bryan Memorial (lost footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1965)]]
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| *[[1966 Jimmy Bryan Memorial (lost footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1966)]]
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| *[[1966 Trenton 150 (partially found footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1966)]]
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| *[[1967 Trenton 150 (lost footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1967)]]
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| *[[1968 Tony Bettenhausen 100 (lost footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1968)]]
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| *[[1968 Trenton 150 (lost footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1968)]]
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| *[[1969 Langhorne 150 (lost footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1969)]]
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| *[[1969 Rex Mays Classic (lost footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1969)]]
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| *[[1969 Trenton 200 (lost footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1969)]]
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| *[[1970 Bobby Ball 150 (lost footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1970)]]
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| *[[1970 Jimmy Bryan 150 (partially lost footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1970)]]
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| *[[1970 Langhorne 150 (lost footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1970)]]
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| *[[1970 Rex Mays Classic (lost footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1970)]]
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| *[[1970 Rocky Mountain 150 (partially found footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1970)]]
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| *[[1970 Trenton 200 (lost footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1970)]]
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| *[[1971 Bobby Ball 150 (lost footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1971)]]
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| *[[1971 Jimmy Bryan 150 (partially found footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1971)]]
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| *[[1971 Marlboro 300 (lost footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1971)]]
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| *[[1971 Michigan 200 (lost footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1971)]]
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| *[[1971 Rex Mays Classic (partially found footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1971)]]
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| *[[1971 Schaefer 500 (partially found footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1971)]]
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| *[[1971 Trentonian 200 (lost footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1971)]]
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| *[[1972 Best Western Motels 150 (lost footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1972)]]
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| *[[1972 Indianapolis 500 (partially found footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1972)]]
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| *[[1972 Phoenix 150 (partially found footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1972)]]
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| *[[1972 Rex Mays Classic (partially found footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1972)]]
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| *[[1972 Tony Bettenhausen 200 (lost footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1972)]]
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| *[[1972 Trenton Times 300 (lost footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1972)]]
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| *[[1972 Trentonian 200 (lost footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1972)]]
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| *[[1973 Schaefer 500 (partially found footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1973)]]
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| *[[1973 Texas 200 (partially found footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1973)]]
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| *[[1974 Phoenix 150 (partially found footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1974)]]
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| *[[1974 Schaefer 500 (lost footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1974)]]
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| *[[1974 Trentonian 200 (partially found footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1974)]]
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| *[[1975 Bricklin 150 (lost footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1975)]]
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| *[[1975 Michigan 150 (lost footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1975)]]
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| *[[1975 Trentonian 200 (lost footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1975)]]
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| *[[1976 Indianapolis 500 (partially found footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1976)]]
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| *[[1976 Jimmy Bryan 150 (lost footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1976)]]
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| *[[1976 Michigan 150 (lost footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1976)]]
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| *[[1976 Schaefer 500 (lost footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1976)]]
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| *[[1976 Trenton Times Auto Classic (lost footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1976)]]
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| *[[1976 Trentonian 200 (lost footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1976)]]
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| *[[1977 American Parts 200 (lost footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1977)]]
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| *[[1977 Jimmy Bryan 150 (lost footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1977)]]
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| *[[1977 Michigan Grand Prix (lost footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1977)]]
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| *[[1977 Rex Mays Classic (lost footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1977)]]
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| *[[1977 Schaefer 500 (lost footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1977)]]
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| *[[1977 Texas Grand Prix (lost footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1977)]]
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| *[[1977 Trentonian 200 (lost footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1977)]]
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| *[[1978 Coors 200 (lost footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1978)]]
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| *[[1978 Daily Express Indy Silverstone (lost footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1978)]]
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| *[[1978 Daily Mail Indy Trophy (partially found CBS and BBC One footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1978)]]
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| *[[1978 Norton Twin 200 (lost footage of USAC Championship Car Season race; 1978)]]
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| *[[1981 Pocono 500 (lost televised footage of IndyCar race; 1981)]]
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| *[[Indianapolis 500 WFBM-TV Broadcasts (lost racing footage; 1949-1950)]]
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| *[[Indianapolis 500 MCA closed-circuit broadcasts (partially lost racing footage; 1964-1970)]]
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| ==References==
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| {{reflist}}
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| [[Category:Lost recordings of real incidents]]
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| [[Category:Lost TV]]
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| [[Category:Partially found media]]
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| [[Category:Historic]]
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