Motorsports Newsletter 4/10/24
By Richard Parks
EDITOR: Requests are being made for more racing news and results. Newsletter is weekly and it takes me four days to get it all sent out in 27 emails to everyone on the list. Some may get the news on Wednesday’s, others over the next 3 days.
WE NEED NEWS DEPARTMENT: Please send in news of motorsports. Don’t forget people who have passed away, births and anniversaries, racing schedules and results, museums, book reviews you have written or books and movies you think others might enjoy.
American Motorsports News International website has been created by J.E. Adams, at wefilm1@yahoo.com, at
https://innovator22.wixsite.com/website-3. Sponsors and advertisers are welcomed to help offset the costs involved.
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1) Linda Jones, wife of former IHRA President Ted Jones passed away March 25, 2024, at home after a 15-month battle with pancreatic cancer. Linda was the winner of the Pat Garlits Award at the international Drag Racing Hall of Fame in March 2023. Linda served as CFO of the Bristol Raceway NASCAR track, and CFO of IHRA under Larry Carrier. She was a USCG licensed captain and loved boating. She is survived by her husband, Ted Jones, president of Masters Entertainment Group television production company, and her daughters Holly Vining CFO of Masters Entertainment Group, and the honorable Judge Lynda Jones of Nashville TN. Ted Jones is at ted@masterstv.com.
TED, HOLLY AND LYNDA: I am very sorry to hear of your loss and send my condolences and best wishes to all who knew and loved Linda Jones.
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2) Passings in 2023. In order not to overwhelm readers with grief this will be serialized in coming issues. Dallas Jones, the longtime owner/operator of historic Beech Bend Raceway and other Division 3 tracks, died February 25, 2023. He was 82. Wayne “the Peregine” King, a staple of the SoCal drag racing scene during the 1960’s up until the mid-1970’s when he retired from active racing, has died. Roy “Goob” Tuller, a pre-eminnent dragster driver in the 1960’s known most famously for driving the Freight Train Top Gas dragster, has passed. https://www.nhra.com/news/2023/memoriam.
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3) The info on the Cam Father (Ed Iskenderian) is somewhat accurate (in the newsletter). There is a post on his Facebook page giving similar details. March 27, 2024. “Hi, racing pals, I just wanted you to know I was assaulted by a homeless man out in from of my house last Wednesday, March 20th. The Police came and arrested him, and my son Tim took me to emergency to get checked out. I got a clean bill of health and went back to the Isky Plant later that same day. Then I went to Roland Leong’s Memorial the next day at the Lions Museum. You can’t keep this Legend down! Thanks for your concerns. The Camfather.” Sent in by Tim Johnson at timothy@johnson.us.com.
Isky posted about his assault at https://www.facebook.com/share/p/y9k6tnftDHkbsbFj/?mibextid=WC7FNe. Crafty Kate Piroska at nitrochick@yahoo.com.
I have some good, updated news on Ed. I’d like to ask you to put it out as soon as you can. Just off the phone with Ed. He’s Ok and in good spirits. He gave me a brief description of what happened on the street near his home. A derelict fellow approached him, knocked Ed down and took off with Ed’s cell phone. Ed called the police, and the police used the “find” feature on Ed’s phone to track him down. Ed was far more nominal about it than I was, and that’s an understatement. He sounded fine, said he’ll have to be more careful in the future and (since I told him that a lot of his friends were very concerned) asked that I thank them for worrying about him. Doug Stokes.
TIM, DOUG and KATE: Thank you for the good news. That will make all of Isky’s fans feel better. Google the link in your search bar; there are some photos on Ed’s Facebook page.
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4) Books and Manuals from CarTech Publishing, 6118 Main Street, North Branch, Minnesota 55056, 1-800-551-4754,
www.CarTechBooks.com. Drag Racing in the 1960’s: The Evolution in Race Car Technology, by Doug Boyce. Shirley Shahan: The Drag-On Lady, by Patrick Foster. Muscle Car Special Editions, by Duncan Brown. Ford Bronco: A History of Ford’s Legendary 4×4. by Todd Zuercher.
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5) I just saw the piece on me by Dick Martin in your newsletter and I don’t recall ever seeing the entire piece in its final state. That said, I would greatly appreciate it if you would forward a copy of it to me. By the way, I really enjoy your newsletter and compliment you on all your efforts that go into it. Stay shiney side up, Harry Hibler
HARRY: Here’s The Harry Hibler Story, written by Dick Martin (captions included in text) 2013. For Martin’s photographs go to Dick Martin’s stories at Rod & Custom Magazine on the internet.
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6) BLAST FROM THE PAST…… From the Wally & Barbara Parks story, We Did It Our Way. 5 AUGUST 1940. Look out for the bomb holes on the racecourse. “Wally Parks then brought up the subject of throwing pop bottles all over the lakes and suggested that in the future they furnish paper cups to serve the pop in. Ed Adams stated that guns would be absolutely taboo at the next races, and anyone caught with a gun will be properly dealt with. Mel Leighton asked for any more money for the Hospital Fund to be turned in now instead of after the meeting.
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7) An update…. looking for sponsors or ads for the DRAG Cartoons Comic Paper. My prices are very reasonable. Help me keep the legacy of the finest in Automotive Humor magazine around! Bring back that childhood smile and memories, you had in daze gone past! Robin Millar, MPC-DRAGcartoons, Daughter of Pete Millar, King of Cartoons Publisher, Cartoonist, Dragracer, the creator of CARtoons Magazine, publisher of DRAGcartoons, Ed ‘Big Daddy’ Roth, and Wonder Warthog. 310-529-1831, and www.laffyerasphalt.com, at millarkey@aol.com.
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8) Going to the Acura Grand Prix at Long Beach? Here’s a terrific insider opportunity for you to hear from some top racing safety experts. This very special racing safety seminar is set for racers, crews, sanctioning bodies, engineering students, and people like you who always want to know more about the sport. It’s being held during the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach on Saturday morning, April 20th, 2024, from 9-11AM. Conference Room 203 in the Long Beach Convention Center. Hope to see you there. The event is free, but you must have access to the racetrack grounds on Saturday. To register and for event discount tickets: racinggoessafer.org. Doug Stokes at stokes28doug@gmail.com.
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9) The Tire Rack One Lap of America is celebrating the 40th running. Started by Brock Yates Sr to succeed the Cannonball in 1984 as “guess Brock’s mileage” after driving to the 4 corners of the country starting and finishing at the Lock, Stock and Barrel in Darien, CT. While the first event was fun, it was more of a stage Cannonball with more police. Over the years, different automotive challenges were added along the route, autocrosses, TSD rallies, regularity runs, in 1989, we ran our first road course time-trial at Hallett with Brock and Toly conspiring against an SCCA edict. Since then, One Lap has run at over 90 racetracks all over the country with millions of miles of cars, friends and competitions. Brock Yates Jr is at
bwyates2@earthlink.net. (to be continued)
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10) Start your engines for Cars & Coffee THIS Sunday. Segerstrom Shelby Event Center and Hillbank Motors, open to all makes and models. No registration needed, just show up. April 7, 2024, 7:30am-9:30am. Segerstrom Shelby Event Center, 5 Whatney, Irvine, CA 92618.
EVENT ORGANIZERS: Please give me 2 weeks or more notice. The newsletter is weekly. I have seen both places and they are amazing. Make this a bucket list effort.
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11) Subject: Revisiting OCIR’s Inaugural Season & Manufacturers Meet, 1967. LATEST INSTALLMENT of my chronological Drag Rags historical series is devoted to 1967’s opening of the original Supertrack & its inaugural Manufacturers Meet. Please share widely, thanks! DWjr. Google https://www.competitionplus.com/drag-racing/editorials/drag-rags-1967-part-2—ocir-the-manufacturers-meet. Scoreboard bulbs were activated by the angled electrical box (lower right). Switches in the face selected individual digits from zero to nine. The operator read his/her own set of e.t. and speed clocks (just beyond card file). This rare peek inside the second-floor timing deck came during AHRA’s brief control (1973-75), depicting announcer-PR-director Dave Wallace Jr.; “timeslip girl” Kelly Deluca; GM Blaine Laux; and official Chick Crist (rear). Dave Jr Wallace is at aafueler@volcano.net.
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12) HIDDEN PIONEERS: Aviation Director is Captain Willie Daniels (Shades of Blue) a non-profit supporting youth in SteamD and careers in aviation at https://www.ourshadesofblue.org/.
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13) Check this out. Google: https://www.hemmings.com/stories/2020/05/28/one-not-so-perfect-day-speed-shops-take-out-and-a-drive-in-movie-in-the-rona-times. Written for Hemmings by Dan Stoner. Sent in by Don Smith at
dcs1755@sbcglobal.net. The photos are great.
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14) I would like to receive these emails. I have met Don Garlits but only have enjoyed Dave Wallace Jr’s pictures. My favorite racing is land speed racing, and I am the current President for the Bonneville 200 MPH Club. I also enjoy NHRA & NASCAR. Thanks for keeping me signed up. Michael LeFevers is at flowbench@aol.com.
MIKE: Write in and tell us what is happening in land speed racing and especially the upcoming land speed news.
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15) 100 Years of Legends: The Official Celebration of the Le Mans 24-Hours, by Denis Bernard, Basil Davoine, Julien Holtz and Gerard Holtz, is now available in the U.S. Published in collaboration with the ACO (Automobile Club de l’Ouest), organizers of the Le Mans 24-Hours, this official book celebrates the centenary of the world’s greatest sports car race. Besides recalling the most memorable moments in the event’s history, the book takes an imaginative thematic approach in examining a huge range of topics to give a complete picture of the entire period, right up to Ferrari’s victory in the centenary year. Judy Stropus is at jvstropus@gmail.com, or www.evropublishing.com.
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16) Drag Racing’s Rebels: How the AHRA Changed Quarter-Mile Competition, written by Doug Boyce, from CarTech Publishers. Reviewed by Richard Parks for the Gone Racin’ series. 2023. (last in the series)
Compare that to the outlaw tracks that put racers and fans in danger, damaged the reputation of the sport and often refused to pay prize money. I have a bias towards groups that enforced rules and treated people fairly, and the NHRA in particular, which my father founded. Yet people in the IHRA and AHRA are my friends as well and I respect them, even when we argue over detail. Can I recommend Doug Boyce’s Drag Racing’s Rebels: How the AHRA Changed Quarter-Mile Competition? The answer is yes, wholeheartedly, as it is a wonderful book which will fill a gap in our knowledge of drag racing. Now all we need is a book on the IHRA to finish off the trilogy of drag racing sporting groups. Gone Racin’ can be reached at RnParks1@juno.com. CarTech Publishers can be reached at 1-800-551-4754 or www.cartechbooks.com.
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17) DRAGSTRIPS in the USA and Canada. National Speedway Directory, 2504 Lake Avenue, Wilmette, Illinois.
Royal Purple Raceway (Formerly Houston Raceway Park), Baytown, Texas, 1/4-mile.
Rumble on The Runway – Pt. McNeil Airport, Port McNeill, British Columbia, 1/8-mile.
S.R.C.A. Dragstrip, Great Bend, Kansas, 1/4-mile. (MENTIONED IN MY FATHER’S STORY)
Sacramento Raceway Park, Sacramento, California, 1/4-mile. (CLOSED DOWN)
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18) Book review, City of Speed: Los Angeles and the rise of American Racing, by Joe Scalzo. Reviewed by Doug Stokes.
“We were the most advanced speed swarm going. But shouldn’t we be raising not just L.A.’s own but all of American racing? And instead of keeping them to ourselves, shouldn’t we be generously sharing our discoveries and inventions and secrets and people and handiwork with all the clueless Babbitts beyond our boundaries? Hell yeah! It took time. At first we were content merely to make the Indianapolis 500 the Los Angeles 500 and, for six decades, to joyfully and sadistically observe our products and men pound the Hoosiers like bongos.” (to be continued in the next issue of the Motorsports Newsletter)
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19) The Hidden Pioneers are in collaboration with the following Companies & Organizations that believe in our Cause & Purpose: Ad astra Magazine, Dupont Registry Magazine, NWNTV network, Ark Encounter, Creation Museum (Kentucky), Extreme Auto fest, Prime Motivation, Skills USA, NHRA (YES program), Topping events (Show/Swap meet in Long Beach CA), 360 Waterless Technology products (5 Training Locations), Ignite Recruitment, Downey Space Center, NASA (Artemis program), FIATM (Riverside CA), Shelby American, Inglis Classics, and Hillbank/Superformance (Irvine CA). Thank you so much for the support. Bill Montgomery at Hidden Pioneers hiddenpioneers@gmail.com.
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20) This is from a recent interview with Matt Smith of Matt Smith Racing. Matt has been the major thorn preventing V&H from total and complete domination of the class. Google https://www.cycledrag.com/matt-smith-reveals-inside-information-on-the-pro-stock-motorcycle-class-in-scathing-hot-take. Don Redmon at replikad@gmail.com.
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21) From Greg Wapling Speed Week 2024. The Ranger did an inspection this morning and there was still water covering the lake and more importantly the access point to the lake. This area was deemed to be unusable for at least 2 to 3 days and the potential for further damage was high with more rain forecast this week and next week. Therefore, it was decided in the best interest of all concerned to cancel the event. I know that this will disappoint many people, especially those that have travelled the furthest and for that I am truly sorry, but we gave it our best shot and came up just short this time. Thank you to all the officials and volunteers for your efforts and to our amazing entrants because without you we would not have an event. Gary Satara at gsatara@ctilogistics.com. Follow the DLRA on the internet at https://www.dlra.org.au or Facebook https://www.facebook.com/. DryLakesRacersAustralia or Instagram @ drylakesracersau.
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22) May 17-25, 2024, Inaugural International Rally. We’re excited to share our first international rally experience. Travel with us for 9 days, vehicles, stay, tours, and food included, as we make our way through the beautiful landscapes in the south of France, Monaco, and Italy. We’ll be visiting locations such as the Rally De Monte Carlo, private venues and car collections, and experiencing VIP tours with Italian supercar manufacturers. Flight not included. Itinerary subject to change. Petersen Automotive Museum, 6060 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90036 info@petersen.org.
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23) Hi Richard, I’m still enjoying your newsletter. It keeps me up to date with events on your side of the world. My latest April issue of Vintage Metal is at https://indd.adobe.com/view/f7b56eb5-a9be-464f-b4c1-67b0025d8b7e. COVER: Whiteman Committee Chair Ross Oxwell at Northam in 2017 with his beautiful little Brooklands Riley. Perhaps when the new clubhouse is complete, he will find time to get the Riley back into action. Nicole Lothe photograph. Bob Campbell Vintage Metal Magazine (Editor).
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24) Dave Wallace Jr reports on circulation problems in the 1970’s drag racing publications. (continued from last week).
Yes, the Drag News title would be resuscitated in early 1976, ending an extended winter break, by its onetime ad guy, Don Rackemann, & silent-partner Lou Baney. They kept most of the old crew employed for about a year before the weekly paychecks started bouncing, including three of mine in a row, arrrggggh. (I did get paid all $600 due, in cold cash, by withholding the flats for my final issue, but that’s a whole ‘nother untold story.) My replacement kept Drag News going into 1978 by working without a salary & living ”literally!” in my old office, sleeping under my old desk. Rackemann’s Action Publishers titles all met their end the day that marshals chained up the fancy doors. (to be continued).
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25) In 1964, the first United States Drag Team was organized by Bob Keith, driver of the Dos Palmas Machine Special, a leading Gas Dragster out of San Jose, California. After being lost for 40 years, the dragster was found and restored by NASCAR/TV personality Ray Evernham. Thankfully, the car was acquired by a consortium of Brits including myself, Stewart Bassett of US Automotive, Nick Davies of ICE Automotive, Geoff Stilwell and Tony Thacker. “Tony Thacker, along with Scott Campbell, has been instrumental in resurrecting the car and getting it running at our shop in Pomona, California.” Mick went on to say: “Now with the support of Keith Bartlett and Santa Pod Raceway, we’re shipping the cars to England for the 60th Anniversary of the 1st British International Drag Festival in 1964. Dos Palmas was the first American car to run at that event.” Tony Thacker is at tonythacker32@gmail.com, also see www.dragstalgia.co.uk.
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26) Hi Bob (Lefsetz): As always you wrote another great piece! The eclipse will pass directly over Indianapolis at 3:06pm tomorrow. The excitement here is overwhelming. For the most part ALL of the hotels in Central Indiana are at full capacity tonight and they are anticipating around 200,000 people converging here. Personally, I am involved with 3 events including a high-end event on the spacious grounds at a large museum (Newfields) and that alone is just about sold out at 5000 tickets. They sold all 1000 VIP reserved tickets on the first day! The Indianapolis Motor Speedway has sold over 40,000 tickets including people from all 50 states and over 20 foreign countries. Lester Holt will be at the Speedway to do the NBC Nightly News live. Most businesses, schools and services will be closed due to the increased traffic. There are watch parties everywhere. And the forecast is excellent! I know this all sounds crazy but it’s true! Steve Gerardi, Indianapolis
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27) From Don Smith and Autoweek Racing Daily at autoweek@newsletter.autoweek.com. Martin Truex Jr hits Kyle Larson, Denny Hamlin after checkered flag at NASCAR Richmond, Virginia. Hamlin wins Cup Series Toyota owners 400 at Richmond before Truex sets off some postrace fireworks. Formula 1 owners Liberty Media to buy MotoGP Championship in $4.5 billion deal expected to be completed by end of 2024. Joey Gase hurls bumper at Dawson Cram during NASCAR Xfinity race. Gase told his competitor, “Take this bumper and Cram it.” Connor Zilisch: F1 Makes NASCAR look like “the County Fair, almost.” The 17-year-old sports car star who won pole in his Craftsman Truck Series debut at COTA says NASCAR needs to upgrade its fan experience. IndyCar hybrid test an eye-opener: “It’s a whole new ball of wax.” Six teams make extensive test runs at Indianapolis; testing of new powerplants has eclipsed 20,000 miles.
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28) Gone Racin’ … Ak Miller’s Tribute. Story by Richard Parks. June 28, 2005 (to be serialized in upcoming issues)
Ak Miller was honored on June 28, 2005, at the Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum in Pomona, California. The event was organized by Dick and Beverley Martin and was attended by nearly 100 of Ak’s friends. Ak Miller is a legend among hot rodders and racers. He followed his brothers, Lawrence and Zeke, into dry lakes racing in the 1930’s, and has participated in all forms of motor racing, including road racing, Pike’s Peak Challenges, land speed and off-road racing. Ak returned from fighting in the Battle of the Bulge in WWII to continue with his racing career and opened a garage with his brother Zeke. He followed his good friend, Wally Parks, as the President of the SCTA (Southern California Timing Association) and was an avid land speeder. Parks also asked Ak to serve on the Board of Directors for the new NHRA. (to be continued)
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29) Know your motorsports personality. Ali Russell was promoted to Managing Director of Extreme E in May 2023. In his prior role of Chief Marketing Officer, Russell has played a pivotal role in the success and development of Extreme E since its inception in 2018. Compiled from Epartrade.
Preston Osborn, Competition Director of America Rally Association, joined us for the 4th Annual Race Industry Week. Hosted by Brad Gillie from SiriusXM, Channel 90, Late Shift. From: EPARTRADE at team@epartrade.com.
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30) Oscar Koveleski participated in the exciting and dangerous Brynfan Tyddyn Hillclimb on July 24, 1954, in the EM, FM class in car #28 which was an MGTC and placed 6th. Brynfan Tyddyn means “large farm on the hilltop,” in the Welsh language and was a treacherous road that circumnavigated the 690-acre estate belonging to Nowell Wood. This hillclimb was based on the Giant’s Despair hillclimb. It was approximately 3.5 miles in length and located just north of Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. His SCCA membership card was listed as #912 and was signed by George C. Rand (secretary). (source:
SCCA northeastern region and Racingsportscars.com). Oscar wrote on his 1954 SCCA membership card that he was in the US Army but raced on weekends. He remembered a time while serving, “I had a recurring problem with a bad back I injured several times, once in the Army as a passenger in a Jeep rollover.”
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31) The following letter from Doug (Potvin Doug) Peterson describes his nostalgia drag racing experiences. In doing this my daughter Lori and I ended up having the quickest Potvin-blown dragster in history (at 7.73 seconds) and one of the fastest (178mph), both on alcohol. No nitro. Of course, today’s tires, traction compound, etc, gave us a big edge over times from the past. We realize that, so we don’t crow too loudly. I’ll attach a few pics, including one of the Groh’s Texaco Special, the first dragster I saw run (and win) back in 1958. It set the hook for my passion for drag racing and Chuck Potvin’s
unusual GMC blower adaption system. Doug is at potvindoug2@gmail.com. (contact Doug for photos of the dragster)
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32) Interview before the Solar Eclipse event and write up! The Chat Session Youtube.com channel. Bill Montgomery was honored for volunteerism in Technology and Automotive Arts. Google: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QcYN8
C4EMwg. From Rodney Allen Rippy at rmgworldwide@gmail.com.
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33) Gone Racin’ … Ak Miller’s Tribute. Story by Richard Parks. June 28, 2005 (to be serialized in upcoming issues)
Ak Miller left the Miller Brothers Garage to open up his own auto repair and speed shop garage. Then came a stint with the Ford Motor Company as the racing program consultant. But whenever Ak heard of a race, he closed the shop and went racing. He built the famed El Caballo de Hierro, or Horse of Iron, and took it down to Mexico to race in the Pan-Americana Road Race in the 1950’s. Ray Brock and Doug Harrison were among those on his team, and they raced and partied their way from Southern Mexico all the way to the American border. Ak also raced at Pike’s Peak and in the Miglia Italia road race in Italy, where he is remembered to this day. At the age of 72, Ak was offered a ride in the Earl Wooden Crossley Coupe and set a record at Bonneville over 200 miles an hour to join the prestigious 200 MPH Club and earn the privilege to wear the Red Cap. (to be continued)
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34) Jaguar Cars 1946 to 2008 – A Pictorial History, written by Nigel Thorley, includes information covering Jaguar’s early history from 1922 and then lists all model ranges and models from 1946, right up to the late 2000’s. £22.50 UK/$35 USA/ $42.50 CAN. Paperback, 14.8x21cm, 160 pages, 387 pictures. Veloce, an imprint of David and Charles, 2 Poundbury Business Centre, Middle Farm Way, Dorchester, Dorset DT1 3WA, United Kingdom. newsletter@veloce.co.uk.
READERS: 14.8 x 21cm = 5.83 x 8.27 inches or 6×8 inches roughly.
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35) BLAST FROM THE PAST…… From The Wally & Barbara Parks story, We Did It Our Way. 18 SEPTEMBER 1932. Ab Jenkins at Bonneville Salt Flats. This obscure date would take on greater significance as time went by. It was the date when Ab Jenkins, the iron man of endurance racing made a two-day run on the Bonneville Salt Flats. Bill Rishel, the man who raced across the Salt Flats on his bicycle in 1896 was present. So was Gus Backman, who would play an important role in my father’s life in obtaining the Salt Flats for the Southern California Timing Association (SCTA). Ray Ashton and Jack Allen were the timers, with stop watches no less.
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36) The Hot-4-Teacher-Racing team will take to the track on Friday, March 22, 2024, for one qualifying run at 4:30 PM and two qualifying runs on Saturday, March 23 at 11:30 AM and 2 PM at In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip in Pomona, California. The quickest 16 Funny Cars in the field will compete for a coveted Winternationals Wally (trophy) on Sunday, March 24, 2024. Eliminations are scheduled for 11 AM, and fans can watch the finals live on FS1. Fans can buy tickets to the Lucas Oil NHRA Winternationals at In-N-Out Pomona Dragstrip at www.NHRA.com/tickets. Children 12 and under are free in general admission areas with the purchase of an adult ticket. For more information on the NHRA Mission Foods Championship Drag Racing series, please visit www.NHRA.com. Alex Miladinovich at amiladinovich@gmail.com.
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37) October 6, 2024, YellaWood 500 Talladega, Alabama.
October 6, 2024, Grand Prix of Japan Motegi, Japan.
October 13, 2024, Bank of America 400 Charlotte, North Carolina.
October 13, 2024, Roval Texas Fall Nationals Ennis, Texas.
October 13, 2024, Petit Le Mans, France.
October 13, 2024, Road Atlanta, Georgia.
October 20, 2024, USA Grand Prix Austin, Texas.
October 20, 2024, South Point 400 Las Vegas, Nevada.
October 20, 2024, Grand Prix of Australia Phillip Island, Australia.
October 27, 2024, Mexican Grand Prix Mexico City, Mexico.
October 27, 2024, Dixie Vodka 400 Homestead, Florida.
October 27, 2024, Thailand Chang Circuit, Thailand.
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38) Nita Underwood is trying to sell Jack’s old 1929 Ford Roadster for Sale – All Metal. Registered – non-op. License plates (2) show 1967 tags. Channeled. New Mallory distributor. Starts but won’t run…Carburetor? ’32 Ford Grill. Two Stromberg “97 Carburetors. Original Auburn Dash – all new gauges. Need fittings for fuel gauge to check carburetor. Duke Hallock windshield – Polished cast aluminum. Removable Original BELL steering Wheel. Repo aluminum aircraft seats. Flathead (Ford) formerly owned by Jack Plymell of Long Beach, CA (now deceased). ’39 Ford transmission. Edlebrock heads BLOCK. Hydraulic brakes (approx. 1940 Ford) currently not connected. (2) electric fuel pumps: one for show, one for looks. May need both. Need to test. ’39 Ford Blue Dot rear lights. Rims, Bent Spoke wire wheels, Kelsey Hays aftermarket. Ascot dirt-track tires 16-inch rims Firestone FRONT 500-16, Firestone REAR 700-16. ’40 Ford Rear End. Nita Underwood at nitaunderwood@socal.rr.com and/or Gene Barbee at saltrcr@yahoo.com.
AND: Thank you once again for posting the notice about the ’29 “Barn Find.” I did get a response. Will keep you informed if it sells. Nita Underwood.
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39) Great Report as usual. You have tremendous content. More than most magazines. I’m working on screenplays 6 and 7 now. Here’s #7: Black Ravik: Return to Jeeapa, screenplay by Paul D. Escudero.
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40) The NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series roars into The Copper State this weekend for the NHRA Arizona Nationals at Firebird Motorsports Park. Tune-in Friday at 9:30 pm ET and Sunday at 10:30 am ET for qualifications on FS1, followed by eliminations on Sunday evening at 6:30 pm ET on FS1. A special showing of Lucas Oil NHRA Winternationals final eliminations will air at 10 pm ET on FS1, wrapping up the suspended Pomona event from March 24th. NHRA is at 140 Via Verde, Suite 100, San Dimas, CA 91773. updates@go.nhra.com.
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41) “KARTING” by Leroi Tex Smith. Review by Doug Stokes at stokes28doug@gmail.com (continued).
All good … except for one thing, the Motion Picture Academy REALLY did not at all like the use of their sacred word “Oscar” and had threatened to bring down a whole Chevy Suburban full of snappily-dress Hollywood lawyers on IKF if we did not Cease and Desist in using the word “Oscar” (period-exclamation point). That suit was no joke and would have cost the organization untold thousands to defend. At that time Duffy Livingstone was serving his last term on the IKF board and was planning a move to South Carolina so I talked with the then President, John Strauser, and we hatched a plan that the board approved unanimously. That was to name the Pete Millar-designed statuette: “The Duffy” in honor of Livingstone. It has been ever since. Just Google: “Duffy Trophy” to see one. (to be continued in the next issue)
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42) Jim Downing and the late Bob Hubbard were honored on March 12, 2024, for their contributions to racing safety by being inducted into the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America, located at the Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida. The MHOFA joins a long list of prestigious organizations that have recognized Downing and Hubbard, including Formula 1, the Smithsonian Institute, the SCCA Hall of Fame, among many others. “This recognition by the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America is much appreciated,” said Downing. “It is a reminder about the role the HANS has played in racing safety. I am very grateful to the racing community for acknowledging the value of our hard work.” From: Judy Stropus jstropus@earthlink.net.
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43) DRAGcartoons and Robin Millar will be at the 52nd RUNNING OF THE ANTIQUE NATIONALS. Scheduled for April 14, 2024, at Irwindale Speedway, 500 Speedway Drive, Baldwin Park, CA 91706, contact Clark Crump at 909-294-5321 or email antiquenationals@gmail.com. Robin is at millarkey@aol.com.
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44) Join the Celebration: Partner with the Automotive Aftermarket Charitable Foundation (AACF) for our 65th Anniversary! Since our establishment in 1959, AACF has been at the forefront of providing vital assistance to individuals and families facing unimaginable hardships. From natural disasters to catastrophic medical conditions and life-altering accidents. AACF has been there when you need it most. To mark this significant occasion, we are thrilled to announce the launch of our 65th Anniversary Fundraiser. Our goal? To rally 1000 generous donors to contribute just $65 each. With your valued support, we can continue our mission of making a positive impact in the lives of those in our industry who need it most. From: joel@aacf-aftermarketcharity.ccsend.com.
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45) DRAGSTRIPS in the USA and Canada. National Speedway Directory, 2504 Lake Avenue, Wilmette, Illinois.
Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Las Vegas, Nevada, Oval Tracks, All Tracks, Dragstrips, Road Courses 0.250.501.5 mile2. (MENTIONED IN MY FATHER’S BOOK)
Lassiter Mountain Dragway Location: Birmingham, Alabama, 1/8-mile.
Lebanon Valley Dragway Location: West Lebanon, New York, 1/4-mile. (MENTIONED IN MY FATHER’S BOOK)
Lewistown Raceway Location: Lewistown, Montana, 1/4-mile. (MENTIONED IN MY FATHER’S BOOK)
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46) American Motorsports News International website has been created by J.E. Adams, at wefilm1@yahoo.com, at
https://innovator22.wixsite.com/website-3. Joe will be posting my newsletter, and he can provide captioned photographs which I cannot do. Sponsors and advertisers are welcomed to help offset the costs involved. According to Joe, “Most of the entire market for modern day website owners’ charge per click meaning, let’s say they get 10 million visits per month. They have salespeople to sell 250,000 (clicks for an ad) then the ad is done, and the ad comes off their site for say $500. The customer or sponsor doesn’t get 10 million views. He or she only gets 250,000 views. I feel that is robbing the customer or sponsor. Press releases in writing will be free (like they did it in the old magazine days), as long as I can hold out. Video news/ads or product releases will be charged in 30-day cycles. No long term/big dollar contracts. We will have a simple $400 per month charge to have videos on our site. We will have PAYPAL buttons with a simple charge the customer selects for a 1-month/3-month/6-month or 12-month onetime payment. Because of our Adamstand Workbenches, we will soon launch our ads into millions of homes. Then our ads will link to our websites/where on the bottom of each page on both of our main websites already exists a link right to the American Motorsports News website. The difference is when we get 10 million page views, as our exposure grows so will our advertisers and sponsors.”
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47) Combined World of Outlaws and High Limit Sprint Car Schedules/Date/Track/City/Series.
6/1/2024 Beaver Dam Raceway Beaver Dam WI (Outlaws)
6/1/2024 Butler Motor Speedway Quincy MI (High Limit)
6/4/2024 Davenport Speedway Davenport IA (High Limit)
6/7/2024 River Cities Speedway Grand Forks ND (Outlaws)
6/7/2024 I-70 Motorsports Park Odessa MO (High Limit)
6/8/2024 Ogilvie Raceway Ogilvie MN (Outlaws)
6/8/2024 I-70 Motorsports Park Odessa MO (High Limit)
6/11/2024 Eagle Raceway Eagle NE (High Limit)
6/14/2024 Knoxville Raceway Knoxville IA (Outlaws)
6/15/2024 Knoxville Raceway Knoxville IA (Outlaws)
6/19/2024 Huset’s Speedway Brandon SD (Outlaws)
6/20/2024 Huset’s Speedway Brandon SD (Outlaws)
6/21/2024 Huset’s Speedway Brandon SD (Outlaws)
6/22/2024 Huset’s Speedway Brandon SD (Outlaws)
6/26/2024 Lake Ozark Speedway Eldon MO (High Limit)
6/28/2024 Cedar Lake Speedway New Richmond WI (Outlaws)
6/28/2024 Lucas Oil Speedway Wheatland MO (High Limit)
6/29/2024 Cedar Lake Speedway New Richmond WI (Outlaws)
6/29/2024 Lucas Oil Speedway; Wheatland MO (High Limit)
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48) Wally’s stories: courtesy of DRIVE Magazine, by Wally Parks (to be serialized in coming newsletters).
“These historic milestones can best be appreciated in what has been assembled in the NHRA Motorsports Museum at the Fairplex in Pomona, California – which is a prime inspirational source of this column’s contents. Its history and that of the hundreds of people involved with the museum’s origin, design, preparation and ongoing attractions is what these writings will be about. And as one of this wacky car world’s elder historians, I do hope to keep the contents interesting. First off, this Museum, as planned from its start, is a mixture of many forms of motorsports – not just drag racing, but ones that connect with its early roots and industries that have grown with its popularity. Pioneers in this action are seen in all aspects of motor racing, and their names are a legendary part of its history – often overlooked but nonetheless heroic. (to be continued).
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49) Lions Automobilia Foundation’s 3rd Annual Hall of Fame Awards Dinner and Silent Auction, Thursday, November 14, 2024, 4:45 PM-10 PM PST, Rancho Dominguez, CA 90221. The silent auction will include a variety of unique and highly desirable items with proceeds benefitting the Lions Automobilia Foundation Youth Engagement and Career Path programs. These programs are designed to engage students and young adults by showcasing the history of motorsports and Southern California car culture along with hands-on workshops held at Lions Automobilia Foundation. media@lionsautomobilia.org.
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50) The book, Corvette Drag Racing the Golden Era, contains more than 450 photos of the first three generations of the Corvette and 223 pages documenting their success. Although this is the first book I have written, research and auto racing has been a passion of mine and I have written several articles dealing with the history of auto racing back in the AAA 300 cubic inch era (1915-1919-the birth of overhead cam racing in the US). Corvette drag racing has also been a real passion as I was a member of team so to speak in the 60’s when we raced two Corvettes and I have vintage drag raced two 1962 Corvettes occasionally since 2013. I would be happy to forward you a copy if you wish to review it. Jim Dillon is at
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51) Fuel Factory Now Available across Ontario Canada! APC Auto Parts, a leading provider of automotive parts and accessories, is delighted to announce its strategic partnership with Fuel Factory. This collaboration brings Fuel Factory’s line of race fuels to APC’s extensive network of stores, enhancing APC’s offerings to its customers across South and Central Ontario and the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). sales@fuelfactoryusa.com.
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52) STORIES AVAILABLE ON REQUEST FROM THE GONE RACIN’ ARCHIVES; WRITE TO RnParks1@juno.com.
GRAND National Roadster Show 2011
GRAND National Roadster Show 2012
GRAND National Roadster Show 2013
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53) Hidden Pioneers Bring you the Industry Leaders of today & tomorrow of Transportation & Technology. Meet & talk with some of these Pioneers at the Summit. Steward Reed – Pasadena Art Center interview https://www.dropbox.com/s/
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54) 2024 NASCAR CRAFTSMAN TRUCK SERIES SCHEDULE Date/Race/Track/Network/Start Time (ET)/Radio
Friday, February 16 Daytona International Speedway FS1 7:30 p.m. MRN/SiriusXM
Saturday, February 24 Atlanta Motor Speedway FS1 2:00 p.m. MRN/SiriusXM
Friday, March 1 Las Vegas Motor Speedway FS1 9:00 p.m. MRN/SiriusXM
Saturday, March 16 Bristol Motor Speedway FS1 8:00 p.m. MRN/SiriusXM
Saturday, March 23 COTA FS1 1:30 p.m. MRN/SiriusXM
Friday, April 5 Martinsville Speedway FS1 7:30 p.m. MRN/SiriusXM
Friday, April 12 Texas Motor Speedway FS1 8:30 p.m. MRN/SiriusXM
Saturday, May 4 Kansas Speedway FS1 8:00 p.m. MRN/SiriusXM
Friday, May 10 Darlington Raceway FS1 7:30 p.m. MRN/SiriusXM
Saturday, May 18 North Wilkesboro Speedway FS1 1:30 p.m. MRN/SiriusXM
Friday, May 24 Charlotte Motor Speedway FS1 8:30 p.m. MRN/SiriusXM
Saturday, June 1 WorldWide Technology Raceway FOX 1:30 p.m. MRN/SiriusXM
Friday, June 28 Nashville Superspeedway FS1 TBD MRN/SiriusXM
Friday, July 12 Pocono Raceway FS1 5:30 p.m. MRN/SiriusXM
Friday, July 19 Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park FS1 8:30 p.m. MRN/SiriusXM
Saturday, August 10 Richmond Raceway FS1 7:30 p.m. MRN/SiriusXM
Sunday, August 25 Milwaukee Mile Speedway FS1 4:00 p.m. MRN/SiriusXM
Thursday, September 19 Bristol Motor Speedway FS1 8:00 p.m. MRN/SiriusXM
Friday, September 27 Kansas Speedway FS1 8:30 p.m. MRN/SiriusXM
Friday, October 4 Talladega Superspeedway FS1 5:00 p.m. MRN/SiriusXM
Saturday, October 26 Homestead-Miami Speedway FS1 Noon MRN/SiriusXM
Friday, November 1 Martinsville Speedway FS1 6:00 p.m. MRN/SiriusXM
Friday, November 8 Phoenix Raceway FS1 8:00 p.m. MRN/SiriusXM
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55) Jeremy Croiset, CEO of NASA, joined us for the 4th Annual Race Industry Week. Hosted by George Tamayo from RACER.com. From: EPARTRADE at team@epartrade.com.
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56) From Voyage LA Magazine at https://voyagela.com/. We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road? No, we are still fighting to bring back hands-on classes in our schools. They have closed down many classes that help shape our country and lead to more jobs. The Auto shop & Mecannic names have been replaced by the Hidden Pioneers. We call them Transportation & Technology Lab classes and Skilled Technicians. We are sharing this information today and changing the culture & image of our country (USA). Our government and educational system need to communicate much more and go back to the basics to understand what our youth needs to be successful in this high-tech world. We live in today. The Hidden Pioneers have several solutions to these problems and want to share them with the powers to be today. If anyone has connections, please let us know, as we are ready now. hiddenpioneers@gmail.com.
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57) Tickets are on sale now for the Lucas Oil NHRA Winternationals, returning to In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip March 21-24, 2024. There will be excitement and some great racing at the WinterNats. Don’t miss out on that sweet smell of Nitro and all the early season fun of the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series. You can call the NHRA Ticket Sales Center at 800-884-NHRA (6472). HOURS: M-F 8am-2pm PST.
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58) Know your motorsports personality. David Wilson, President of Toyota Racing Development USA. Wilson is responsible for all TRD operations and activities in North America which include engine engineering, manufacturing, administration, chassis engineering, and operations. Compiled from Epartrade.
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59) Hall of Fame Inductee Bill Holland IDRHOF Founders Award. Bill is the consummate “man behind the scenes” for many of drag racing’s stars, organizations and the companies who supply the products that fuel the industry. Bill began his drag racing career as a Sportsman racing crewman, graduating to Top Fuel in 1967 with partner John Guedel. After assembling all the “right stuff”, they tapped the late Tom “Mongoose” McEwen as driver. The new team set Low ET and took Top Fuel runner-up at opening day of the fabled Orange County International Raceway. In December they appeared in the Santa Claus Lane Parade, an annual holiday festivity. By James Hill jameshill1947@gmail.com. (to be continued)
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60) The John Massingberd Memorial Award to be presented at Drag Strip Memories Event to be held April 14, 2024, at the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum. In the late 1980’s, John co-established Promark Motorsport International, Raceline Motorsport Television and Snowtrax Television with Bruce Mehlenbacher, two media ventures responsible for bringing Canadian motorsport to a greater audience and well-deserved prominence. Along with coverage of drag racing, stock car racing, road racing, and tractor pulls with Promark and Raceline Television, he went on to co-found and co-anchor of Raceline Radio in 1993. John was the executive producer of Canada’s first nationally syndicated motorsport radio program, the Raceline Radio Network, along with Erik Tomas, which continues to be the only show of its kind in Canada. From
Bruce F. Mehlenbacher (Pro Modified Racing Association or PMRA) 905-517-5345, Bruce@JAJentertainment.com.
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61) NHRA (YES) program manager John Baadilla attended the February 23rd SEMA Youth Conference and presented to the 98 people in attendance about the Drag racing industry and its impact on kids and jobs. I have been working with John since he joined NRHA helping each other along the way. He came to several of my High Schools to present his program. We plan to take our program Nationwide with NHRA this year 2024 (TBA). Bill Montgomery
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62) This Week on Cars Yeah Mark will interview Melanie White (Cars Yeah Classic and Hellwig Products); Joshua Minson
(Redtide Canopies); Rick Love (Vintage Air); and Rick Schmidt (National Parts Depot). CarsYeah.com. Mark Greene is at Cars Yeah info@carsyeah.com, 4618 131st St Ct NW, Gig Harbor, Washington 98332.
READERS: Mark invited me on his show, and he is such a great interviewer that he made even me sound like a pro. You can be on his show too. Takes about half an hour and later he’ll give you a link to give to your friends and family to watch. He’s interviewed all the greats in motorsports.
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63) Williams gives American F1 driver Logan Sargeant the #2 treatment in Japan one race after benching Sargeant because of teammate’s crash, Williams assigns Sargeant the repaired chassis. Sebastian Vettel suggests F1 return ‘might be appealing.’ The 4-time Formula 1 champion retired following the 2022 season, would be an interesting fit to replace Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes. IndyCar drivers anxious to get back to the business of racing at Long Beach series has had just one points race since September. NASCAR suspends driver Gray Gaulding following domestic violence charge. Gaulding made one Cup series start and 11 Xfinity starts in 2022. Autoweek Racing on TV, Livestream: April 1-7, 2024. Where to find major racing action from NASCAR, F1 and NHRA on TV and livestream this week.
autoweek@newsletter.autoweek.com. Sent in by Don Smith.
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64) Matt Smith’s father, “Trickie” Ricky Smith, also commented on the problems with the PSM class, also from Cycle Drag. Google https://www.cycledrag.com/tricky-rickie-smith-says-there-is-corruption-and-favoritism-in-pro-stock-motorcycle-class. Don Redmon at replikad@gmail.com.
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65) Coastal 181 Book Store (serving East Coast racing fans) www.coastal181.com or 1-877-907-8181. Titles include: “Modifieds of the Valley, A History of Racing at Lebanon Valley Speedway,” by Lew Boyd. “Steady Eddie, Memories of Ed Flemke, Modified Racing’s Fastest Professor,” edited by Bones Bourcier. “The Asphalt Modified Years at Stafford Motor Speedway, 1967-1986, by the Grace of God and 600 Horsepower,” by Phil Smith. “67 – Trickle and Reffner,” by Father Dale Grubba.
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66) Remembering Jim McLennan; courtesy of Don Smith. We could start with the great racing memories or just bench racing, or the touching stories at Malloy’s (or wherever), or just the enjoyment of your smiling face. The support that was always available from Jim McLennan and Dot be it with Joe and Nellie, Bud, Cub or any of our family members will always be cherished. Jim, you may have left this world, but you will never leave our hearts. Thanks, to all of you for being such great friends. Jim, give ’em the best! Cub and Sharon Barnett
AND: Jim McLennan thank you for all memories including a small block in T/F. Mike English
AND: Thank you, Jimmy, for being part of my life, you have always been a great inspiration to me, and I will never forget your kindness or your friendship. I always looked forward to our get togethers when the Goodguys brought their show to Infineon Raceway (Sears Point) where we would watch the Top Fuelers run from the starting line. The smile on your face was priceless when your car ran down the track and got even better when Sammy pushed it into the 5 second zone and dominated the entire weekend. As Al Caldwell once told me and I have to agree, “there is a man without an enemy in the world who is loved by everyone.” Al always referred to you as the “Smiling Irishman” and for us that knew you, the name was appropriate for the man with the warm and friendly smile. You know Jim, Al was right… Now go ahead and start raising hell with “Terrible” Ted Gotelli, he wouldn’t have it any other way. From Jim McCombe
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67) Hidden Pioneers VIP members & Starting Line-up: Final 1 22 2024 HP Extended Team Bios & Images.pdf. Google
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1h5bFDLyI7ovpoHAJfQvsHCGNRbrk7cp7/view. Bill Montgomery at Hidden Pioneers
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68) Book review, City of Speed: Los Angeles and the rise of American Racing, by Joe Scalzo. Reviewed by Doug Stokes.
But inevitably we took command of the unenlightened racing hinterlands in general, plus both sides of the equator and many a distant backwater land at the other end of the world. The last reckoning. Wherever on Earth Los Angeles products, philosophies, and radical personnel came parachuting in, hysteria, fright, and enlightenment followed.” …This is the true story of the City of Speed: Los Angeles and the rise of American Racing. (to be continued)
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69) 2024 NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series Season Schedule
March 7-10: 55th annual NHRA Gatornationals, Gainesville Raceway, Gainesville, Florida. The race will also include the Pep Boys NHRA Top Fuel All-Star Callout.
March 21-24: 64th annual Lucas Oil NHRA Winternationals, In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip, Pomona, California.
April 5-7: 39th annual NHRA Arizona Nationals, Phoenix, Arizona
April 12-14: 24th annual NHRA Four-Wide Nationals, The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Las Vegas, Nevada.
April 26-28: 14th annual Circle K NHRA Four-Wide Nationals, zMAX Dragway, Charlotte, North Carolina.
May 17-19: 24th annual Gerber Collision & Glass Route 66 NHRA Nationals presented by PEAK Performance, Route 66 Raceway, Chicago, Illinois.
May 31-June 2: 11th annual NHRA New England Nationals, New England Dragway, Epping, New Hampshire.
June 7-9: 23rd annual NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals, Bristol Dragway, Bristol, Tennessee.
June 21-23: TBA
June 27-30: 18th annual Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals, Summit Motorsports Park, Norwalk, Ohio.
July 12-14: TBA
July 19-21: 35th annual Flav-R-Pac NHRA Northwest Nationals, Pacific Raceways, Seattle, Washington.
July 26-28: 36th annual DENSO NHRA Sonoma Nationals, Sonoma Raceway, Sonoma, California.
August 15-18: 42nd annual Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals, Brainerd International Raceway, Brainerd, Minnesota.
August 28-September 2: 70th annual Dodge Power Brokers NHRA U.S. Nationals, Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park, Indianapolis, Indiana. The race will also include the Pep Boys NHRA Funny Car All-Star Callout.
September 12-15: 39th annual Pep Boys NHRA Nationals, Maple Grove Raceway, Reading, Pennsylvania.
September 20-22: 16th annual Betway NHRA Carolina Nationals, zMAX Dragway, Charlotte, North Carolina.
September 27-29: 13th annual NHRA Midwest Nationals, World Wide Technology Raceway, St Louis, Missouri.
October 10-13: 39th annual Texas NHRA FallNationals, Texas Motorplex, Dallas, Texas.
October 31-Nov 3: 24th annual NHRA Nevada Nationals, The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Las Vegas, Nevada.
November 14-17: 59th annual In-N-Out Burger NHRA Finals, In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip, Pomona, California.
From Andrew Wolf, Don Smith and Dragzine.com.
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70) I am going international, heading to Sweden for the MIDNIGHT RACE week 2024. Pitea Dragway turns 50 YEARS! June 29, 2024, to July 6, 2024, Monday to Sunday. Midnight Race Week 2024 is revving up at Pitea Dragway! Robin Millar, MPC-DRAGcartoons, Daughter of Pete Millar, King of Cartoons Publisher, Cartoonist, Dragracer, the creator of CARtoons Magazine, publisher of DRAGcartoons, Ed ‘Big Daddy’ Roth, and Wonder Warthog. 310-529-1831, and
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71) BENETTON: Rebels of Formula 1, by Damien Smith, with foreword by Pat Symonds, is now available in the USA. Unconventional, flamboyant, ground-breaking, colorful, controversial, the Benetton Formula 1 team was all of those things. Defying perceptions as the rebels of Formula 1, Benetton achieved great success, particularly in the two glorious seasons of 1994 and 1995 when the team swept aside the big names, Williams, McLaren and Ferrari, to claim back-to-back World Championship titles for up-and-coming Michael Schumacher. Judy Stropus at jvstropus@gmail.com, or
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72) Sherm Porter’s Schedule of car shows and events (fuely32@sbcglobal.net)
MAY 2-4 28th Cruisin’ Morro Bay Car Show. Registration: Thursday/Friday, Friday night cruise and ice cream social. Saturday/Sunday Show & Shine, 9am, open to pre-1974 vehicles, limited first 500 entries. www.morrobaycarshow.org.
MAY 2-5 GLAMPERFEST Xmas in the Trailer Park, Vintage Trailer/Rally, Red Bluff, CA. https://www.trailerfestrally.com/.
MAY 3-5 73rd Sacramento Autorama, Cal Expo/Sacramento. For info: www.rodshows.com.
MAY 2-5 36th Annual Porsche 356 North Meets South 2024 – San Luis Obispo – For info: www.356car.org.
MAY 3-5 73rd Sacramento Autorama, Cal Expo/Sacramento – For info: www.rodshows.com.
MAY 4 Fresno Dragstrip SWAP O RAMA, Classic Car and Motorcycle Swap Meet. www.famosoraceway.com.
MAY 4 The RPM Overhead/Flathead drags, Barona drag strip, camping option at both Races with preferred parking for your Hot Rod or Custom and a traditional Hot Rod parts swap meet, vendors, car show. www.rpmnationals.com.
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73) The Tire Rack One Lap of America schedule submitted by Brock Yates Jr at bwyates2@earthlink.net.
May 4, 2024: Start at Tire Rack, South Bend, IN
May 5, 2024: Hastings Motorsports Park, Hastings, NE
May 6, 2024: High Plains Raceway, Deer Creek, CO
May 7, 2024: Hedge Hollow Raceway, Adrian, MO
May 8, 2024: NCM Motorsports Park, Bowling Green, KY
May 9, 2024: Pitt Race, Wampum, PA & Quaker City Motorsports Park, Salem, OH
May 10, 2024: Putnam Park Raceway, Greencastle, IN
May 11, 2024: Finish back at Tire Rack. Thanks, Brock Cannonball Circuit, LLC Tire Rack One Lap of America www.onelapofamerica.com, 2017 West Strasburg Road, West Bradford, PA 19320 610-563-5603.
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74) Motorsports Hall of Fame of America online fundraising auction featuring lunch with GM President Mark Reuss live now on BringaTrailer.com. Winning bidder’s private one-on-one lunch with GM’s Global leader takes place Wednesday, July 24, 2024, at the GM Global Tech Center in Warren, Michigan and includes a tour with Reuss of the annual GM Employee Car Show. Reuss auction live now on BringaTrailer.com through next Tuesday, April 9, 2024. Adam Saal is at SaalGoodPR@gmail.com.
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75) DRAGcartoons and Robin Millar will be at the Annual Fabulous Fords Forever. Scheduled for Apr 21, 2024, at 7am-3pm, at Irwindale Speedway, 500 Speedway Drive, Baldwin Park, CA 91706. https://www.facebook.com/events/8305
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76) Jose Grijalva, President and Race Director, SCORE International, joined us for the 4th Annual Race Industry Week. Hosted by Ralph Sheheen of SPEED SPORT. Tony Parella, President of SVRA (Sportscar Vintage Racing Association), joined us for the 4th Annual Race Industry Week. Hosted by Paul Pfanner of RACER.com. Episode #445 “Modern Machining Methods for Cylinder Heads” by MEC CNC. This webinar will be presented by Anthony Usher, President, MEC CNC, and Chuck Lynch, Vice President of Technical Service, AERA (Automotive Engine Rebuilders Association). Hosted by Brad Gillie from SiriusXM, Channel 90, Late Shift. The Zoom presentation will be available live at 9am, Wednesday, 10 April 2024. From: EPARTRADE at team@epartrade.com.
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77) Locked rearends; pros and cons, by Dale Cook. The “Differential” was designed to allow the rear wheels to rotate at different speeds, allowing the outer wheel, on a turn, to cover a greater distance than the wheel on the inside of the curve. Without the differential at least one tire would have to slip while the vehicle was moving in any direction other than a straight path. On oval-track racing, there would typically be less weight on the inside tire, causing that tire to spin. The racers started blocking the Spider Gears from rotating against each other by welding them together, installing square blocks with gear teeth on two sides, which blocked the rotation, or running a Spool, which actually eliminated the differential action altogether. (to be continued in the next issue)
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78) APRIL 12, 2024, 7-10 PM. Join us for our escape room! The Petersen Automotive Museum is hosting another ‘Escape the Petersen’ event! Back by popular demand, we’re excited to offer a thrilling night with clues, mysteries, and a pleasant evening atmosphere. Locked in after-hours, you and your party must make your way out of the museum, crossing multiple floors and exhibits solving clues to escape. With 45 minutes ticking on the clock, channel your inner sleuth and navigate through a labyrinth of clues, challenges, and cunning puzzles. Your ticket not only grants you access to this unique experience, but you’ll also receive light snacks, two drink tickets, and the chance to vie for magnificent prizes in our exclusive raffle! Petersen Automotive Museum info@petersen.org.
PAM: If you lock me in, I’m staying. I would never want to leave the PAM willingly, not even for prizes. It’s paradise.
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79) This report is from this year’s Gainsville National from Cycle Drag. See https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OjyK
QDvXcVg. Gaige Herrera now has the ten quickest runs in PSM history. One rider? On the same bike? How does that work? Don Redmon
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80) Hidden Pioneers, this is a reminder when it first started and this “Cool” humble man, Tom Matano, joined me to start this Awesome TEAM. He lives and works up north doing what he loves to do with the youth! He helped one student we found and mentored her through graduation. He is still helping people in this country as one of the “Hidden Pioneers.” Thank you so much Tom you’re a great example to all of us. CSI Bill Montgomery, Team Director.
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81) April Vintage Metal Magazine (google https://indd.adobe.com/view/f7b56eb5-a9be-464f-b4c1-67b0025d8b7e) VSCC of WA Calendar April 2024:
6th Dad’s Army (building their own clubhouse. I know a lot of American clubs that would love such a meeting place)
8th General Meeting
9th Management Committee
15th Competition Group
23rd Dad’s Army (building their own clubhouse)
27th Mt Ommanney Hillclimb Club Hillclimb Championship Rd 1
28th Northam Flying 50 Club Regularity Championship Rd 1 (Historic only)
30th Dad’s Army (building their own clubhouse). Bob Campbell (Editor).
8th General Meeting
9th Management Committee
15th Competition Group
23rd Dad’s Army (building their own clubhouse)
27th Mt Ommanney Hillclimb Club Hillclimb Championship Rd 1
28th Northam Flying 50 Club Regularity Championship Rd 1 (Historic only)
30th Dad’s Army (building their own clubhouse). Bob Campbell (Editor).
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82) CRASH! From Senna to Earnhardt How the HANS Helped Save Racing, by Jonathan Ingram with Robert Hubbard
and Jim Downing. Publisher: RJP Books, Price: $29.95, ISBN: 978-1-7923-1299-1, Format: Hardcover, 7.75 x 10 inches, 192 pages Illustration: 62 photographs (58 full color); 4 drawings/charts. From: Judy Stropus jstropus@earthlink.net.
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83) Petersen Automotive Museum events, April 7, 2024, Silent Cruise-In 8-11 AM. April 12, 2024, Escape the Petersen! April 18, 2024, Driver’s Day with Pato O’Ward 10 AM-5 PM. April 20, 2024, Little Sparks 9-10 AM April 20, 2024. Detailing Workshop 9-11 AM. Road to Eccellenza MAY 17-25, 2024. Open now in the Hammer Gallery on the 1st floor, EYES ON THE ROAD exhibit. Bonhams Cars, April 27, 2024, Middletown, Rhode Island. Petersen Automotive Museum, 6060 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90036 info@petersen.org.
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84) The Piston Foundation, whose mission is to help young car enthusiasts become collector car technicians through its scholarship and apprentice programs, has teamed up with Veloce Valuations and Bring a Trailer to auction off the Miniature d’Elegance, a unique group of eighty-one 1/24-scale die-cast models donated by the Geske family. Auctions open on April 1 and 2 and close on April 8 and 9, 2024. The Grand Elegance auction opened at https://bringatrailer.com/listing/34-die
cast-car-models-124-scale/ on April 1, at 11:45 a.m. ET, and will end on April 8 at 1:58 p.m. ET. The American Classics auction opened at https://bringatrailer.com/listing/47-diecast-car-models-124/ on April 2, at 8:45 a.m. ET, and will end on April 8, at 1:17 p.m. ET. Judy Stropus is at jvstropus@gmail.com.
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85) A new video produced this week for anyone that would like to follow our Team. “CHP” The Cool Hidden Pioneers want you! Recruiting Video – hiddenpioneers@gmail.com – Gmail (google.com) https://accounts.google.com/v3/signin/confirm
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86) Books and Manuals from CarTech Publishing, 6118 Main Street, North Branch, Minnesota 55056, 1-800-551-4754,
www.CarTechBooks.com. The American Speed Shop: Birth and Evolution of Hot Rodding, by Bob McClurg. Butch ‘The California Flash’ Lear, by Bob McClurg. Hemi Under Glass: Bob Riggle and His Wheel-Standing Mopars. Hurst Equipped: More than 50 Years of High Performance.
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87) “Grudge Bike Racing” as far as I have found, started as back woods racing in the South and urban areas like Chicago for money. Because of the country’s typical segregation, it grew from its original “Black” roots to what it is now. Guys would get together on back country lanes, urbane warehouse district streets or at junk dragstrips in the South & run for cash. Many of the dangerous strips in the South & elsewhere were primarily 1/8-Mile or so. One of the original groups to start running & sanctioning races was Kings Of Grudge. https://kingsofgrudge.com/. Don Redmon replikad@gmail.com.
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88) Volvo Cars 1945-1995 – A Pictorial History, written by Trevor Alder. A comprehensive pictorial history of Volvo cars produced from 1945 up to and including models in production in 1995. This really is the ‘go-to’ publication if you need to compare specific models. £19.99 UK/$30 USA/$40 CAN. Paperback, 14.8x21cm (6×8 inches), 112 pages, 210 pictures. Veloce – an imprint of David and Charles, 2 Poundbury Business Centre, Middle Farm Way, Dorchester, Dorset DT1 3WA, United Kingdom, newsletter@veloce.co.uk.
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89) DRAGcartoons and Robin Millar will be at the Lake Hughes canyon run car show Scheduled for April 27, 2024, from 9am-3pm, at 17529 Elizabeth Lake Road, Lake Hughes CA, 93532. Robin is at millarkey@aol.com.
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