Motorsports Newsletter 12/23/23
By Richard Parks
EDITOR: Racing clubs feud at times. These are mostly volunteer or lowly paid elected boards and officials who work for their sporting club because they love motorsports. Arguments and personalities erupt, and people leave with hurt feelings. I’ve talked to people about LIBELOUS and SLANDEROUS conduct, trying to tone down their anger. There are proper ways to do things. Losing a volunteer has horrible side effects as members take sides and this weakens your organization. Please keep that in mind when arguments arise. Represent the CAUSE, not your egos and act with decorum. Don’t ignore problems. Talk to people IN PERSON; don’t just put your decision on social media and ignore speaking to your volunteers.
AND: Historians, if you are trying to find information on your racing club or association let me know and I will post your request in the newsletter. The more you ask the more that is possible to find out about.
EDITOR: I’ve lost track of Kay and Mitzi Kimes. Email and telephone numbers are no longer working. Does anyone know what has happened to them? Kay Kimes was an SCTA member and an original ’49er. He raced at the SCTA’s first meet at the Bonneville Salt Flats in 1949 and has contributed stories on land speed and motorsports.
A Story by Kay Kimes, edited by Richard Parks (This is an abridged version of Kay Kimes full life story).
“I was born Kay Chace Kimes to Leo Gilbert and Carrie Erma (Chace) Kimes in the small town of Clearwater, Nebraska on November 20, 1928. Clearwater was established in 1880 as the railroad continued to move west. My Mother had been a schoolteacher at a one-room schoolhouse out in the country for 2 years. Mom and Dad were married in Fort Dodge, Iowa, then they moved to the Kimes homestead west of Clearwater and Dad worked there (less than one year) feeding cattle and doing farm work.” (For the complete story go >Hotrodhotline.com, >Readers Row, >Guest Columnist, >Richard Parks)
AND:
Don Schumacher passed away this morning, December 20, 2023. RIP from Hal Canode hcanode
AND: Dragzine Newsletter newsletter or awolf and Don Smith. Drag racing icon Don Schumacher, 79, passes after battle with cancer the Schumacher family, with heavy hearts, announced the passing of motorsports icon Don Schumacher. The NHRA team owner and Funny Car pioneer had spent the past several months privately battling lung cancer before succumbing to illness-related complications on Wednesday, December 20.
1) No Reserve: Scrappers Racing 2024 NHRA Winternationals Sponsorship Experience for sale on BaT Auctions – ending December 22 (Lot #131,498). Bring a Trailer. See stokes28doug.
EDITOR: Sadly, I can’t get out a newsletter in time, but hats off to the Mike Salinas Family racing team for the donation. 50 free guest tickets at the Winternationals and a dragster on auction. The sale is benefitting the Petersen Automotive Museum’s Youth Education Programs in Los Angeles. Hopefully they raise a ton of money.
2) Long time subscriber. Here’s my tribute to my great (and closest) friend. I live one block away… Pat Ganahl. Call it “Chasing the light.” As you can see, Anna has the original painting. Prints are available. For more information on my “Vintage Thunder” series of original oil paintings see my website 2604prc
READERS: Here’s Paul’s bio. “Raised in the Los Angeles suburb of Eagle Rock, Paul Chamberlain began his initial foray into the art world in high school and continued through his graduation from the renowned Art Center College of Design. He then spent several years at design firms in Detroit. His most notable design, the logo for the Bay Area Rapid Transit train still graces the front of each BART train. Returning to California in the mid-60’s, Chamberlain settled into the advertising/graphic design field. Creative projects included annual reports, outdoor signage, print ads, brochures and even pop-up greeting cards.”
3) Happy Holidays from Peter Clifford, Glen Cromwell and all of your friends at NHRA! Leila Fenberg
LEILA & NHRA: Happy Holidays to all of you and have a prosperous, safe and successful 2024 at the tracks.
4) From the Files: Gone Racin’ … David Lee Parks. Story and photographs by David L. Parks, editing by Richard Parks, photographic consultant Roger Rohrdanz. 26 February 2012. “…David had a rich heritage through his father and friends in the SCTA. Ak Miller, Jack Lufkin, and many others watched as David struggled to make his Camaro go faster. Then when they had watched his torment enough, they slapped him on the back and said, ‘Let’s get started.’ That’s the way land speed and drag racers are, they want to see the struggle, but when the time comes, they are right there at your shoulder ready to pitch in.” For more stories go >nparks1) and I will send the stories you want to read.
5) I’m guessing this story is in the stuff you sent me, but I’d love to check it out. Hope all is well and happy holidays. (Editor wrote: ‘Suddenly’ was driven at Daytona Beach in 1957 by my father and there is quite a funny story to it. Later that year Ray Brock drove it at Bonneville. It was an ‘Experimental car’ class which was hyped by Detroit automakers, and they did not like being scooped by the Hot Rodders. I’ll send you the story if you want to read it.) Sam Toll, Publisher Cruisinnews
SAM: You’re right. It’s in Volume 6 (1957). Check Daytona Speed Trials, page 307. Happy Holidays.
6) I’ve gone through the Wally & Barbara Parks Story and your info on 1954 focuses on the newly formed NHRA. Would you have any info on the 1954 SCTA board. I’m trying to compile a list of the Board 1937-2024, and 1954 is my only complete blank. Here’s the other blanks in the list. Anything you could provide will be helpful or if you could direct me to someone that might have the info. I’ve hit up the usual suspects: Jim Miller & Ron Main but no luck so far. Russ O’Daly, Gear Grinders Club Historian, russodaly6.
RUSS: I followed up on every document in my father’s files, and what is mentioned in his story is all that I have. After he left the SCTA to go to work for Petersen Publishing there were only a few documents sent to him by board members. After a while, new boards took over and they did not send him SCTA material. Anne Lindslay, Phil Grisotti, Bruce Geisler and Land Speed Louise might have some material. Geisler was in Washington State last that I’ve heard. Perhaps some of the above may have kept notes from the Board meetings. Such material is often in SCTA Racing News or SCTA monthly issues of the dry lakes Programs.
READERS: Is there any SCTA people out there who might be able to help Russ?
7) 46th Running of HSR Mitty at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta to Showcase Cars of Japan as 2024 Featured Marque, April 25-28, 2024. In addition to the Cars of Japan, competing Run Groups at the HSR Mitty feature everything from nearly every type of sports car from the past 70 years to Stock Cars to open-wheel Formula and Indy cars. Detailed Mitty event, entry list forms and ticket information will be available at adam.
8) GREAT STUFF BUT My God, how do you get ALL this DONE? Bruce Hertel BRUCE: It just accumulates, a little by little every day. Keep reading. Happy Holidays.
9) Some highlights from Born to Race, Chapter 4 is titled, “2003 the Domination of the Swartz Chassis.”
Having direct input in designing a Quarter Midget chassis built by a Midget manufacturer.
Skipping dinner with A.J. Foyt to go race, A.J. saying if I miss dinner, I have to show him the trophy the following day.
I did not speak the entire night until after the race. I won by 3 laps.
2003 setting a new track record at Phoenixville. Cord Kisthardt is at gr44xjs.
READERS: Cord put these insights into his book concerning racing greats. Contact Cord about his new work.
10) From: Mark Greene at Cars Yeah info. This Week on Cars Yeah podcast (2437 interviews so far) the interviewees will be Luca Dal Monte (Author), Mark Davis (Collector/Mecum Auction), Tom Jensen (NASCAR Museum), and Rodney Kemerer (Author). The Arnolt-MG started as an interesting collaboration between Whacky Arnolt, MG, Bristol, and Bertone. Later he built his own race team and in 1956. Arnolt Bristol’s finished 1st, 2nd, and 4th in the 2-liter class at the 12 Hours of Sebring. Ideas for your garage, home & office walls at Garage Graphics (https://garagegraphics.net/). Cars Yeah, 4618 131st St Ct NW, Gig Harbor, Washington 98332.
EDITOR: Mark interviewed me on his show and actually made me sound INTERESTING.
11) Know your motorsports personality. Andrew Richards, Program Manager at Ilmor Engineering. Richards joined Ilmor in 2017 and oversees the stock car programs, i.e., NASCAR Truck Series, ARCA Series and SRX Series. Compiled from Epartrade.
12) See Kerry Hitt’s website to learn more about his company, Advanced Composite Products. THE DREAM: The Restoration of a Racing ‘Legend’ During the late sixties and early seventies, the now legendary Owens Corning Corvettes became a veritable ‘tour de force’ in road racing. Led by Tony DeLorenzo and Jerry Thompson, the team consistently won numerous IMSA and SCCA sanctioned races. Today, three and a half decades later, Jerry is embarking on an arduous mission to recreate his old racecar. Supplied with vintage racecar parts from Kerry Hitt, another passionate Corvette racecar driver, Jerry’s dream is becoming reality as he meticulously rebuilds his former ‘chariot of fire.’ From: Jim Kerr jim.
13) Historic Sportscar Racing (HSR) Classic Sebring 12 Hour and HSR Sebring Historics.The Stoner Car Care race win was secured by Jeronimo Guzman who turned the tables on his 901 Shop teammate Juan Lopez-Santini in his 2015 #48 Audi R8 LMSA Ultra. Guzman finished second to Lopez-Santini in the Global GT race at Daytona but this time he led the similar 901 Shop 2016 #8 Audi R8 LMSA Ultra of his teammate across the line for the victory. The third-place finisher was Vin Barletta in the Turner Motorsport 2016 #96 BMW M6/GTLM. Adam Saal is at adam.
14) From: Dragzine Newsletter newsletter and Don Smith. Street Outlaws star Joe Woods shows off his 1934 Dodge, 5 wicked fast Ford cars and trucks, and more coverage from the 2023 PRI Show.
15) DRAGSTRIPS in the USA and Canada. National Speedway Directory, 2504 Lake Avenue, Wilmette, Illinois, 60091
New London Dragway Location: Lynchburg, Virginia, 1/8-mile Surface: Paved.
Newport Raceway Location: Newport, Arkansas, 1/8-mile Surface: Paved
Newtown Dragway Location: Newtown, Virginia, 300-foot Surface: Dirt.
Nl Akapxm Eagle Motorplex Location: Cache Creek, British Columbia, 1/4-mile Surface: Paved
16) Royce Rumsey just published “Grün und weiß.” The 2023 GT3RS was built as a tribute to the 911 Carrera RS 2.7–which was designed in 1972 by 15 engineers and production roycer924_2.
17) We are expanding Petersen Membership offerings in 2024. For a limited time only, lock in a lower rate when you Join, Gift, or Renew on or before 1/1/2024. Enroll in Auto-Renew to keep saving each year! Gift a CF200 Membership, receive a $100 Voucher* to the Petersen Store! Offer expires 12/24/2023. Terms and Conditions Apply. From: Petersen Automotive Museum info. Petersen Automotive Museum, 6060 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90036.
18) THE MG J2 THAT UPSET THE CAMELS: AN EPIC 1934 ADVENTURE. “The first MG to cross the Australian continent both ways. In 1934 two young adventurers from Perth, Western Australia drove their MG J2 on a 5000-mile journey across the Australian continent and back, the first MG to make the crossing.” The full story is told in the December issue of Vintage Metal Magazine. (Bob Campbell, Editor). https://indd.adobe.com/view/080f4703-e04b-49c6-9dac-0093c23cd7d9.
19) HSR Classic Daytona presented by IMSA Run Groups: Group G – HSR Cars: Group G is home to HSR classes not represented in the other groups. Offering a mix of primarily production cars from six different decades of competition, Group G includes many of the same teams and race cars that compete in HSR’s Vintage GT and Historic GT groups and the HSR Classic RS Cup and HSR Stoner Car Care Global GT series. A nearly even split of various Porsche, BMW and Audi models from all generations make up the majority of the entries and take on an Aston Martin, Mazda MX-5 and more. The diverse mix in Group G also includes an Australian-built Python SR Mk II roadster and a 2000 Caterham C400. From Adam Saal at saalgoodpr.
20) “The alliance between NEOPMA and PMRA exceeded our expectations by bringing some of the fastest, nicest drivers to many of our events, especially Empire Dragway,” stated John Mazzorana, President of the NEOPMA. “At the Empire events, the stands were full of enthusiastic fans who appreciated world-renowned racers from the USA, including John Camp, one of the fastest Pro Chargers, Mike Decker Jr, two-time NEOPMA Champion, Mike ‘Hollywood’ Decker, Matt Deitsch Jr, one of the fastest nitrous cars in the USA, Tom Gray’s Undertaker, last year’s Empire winner, the Hard Racing Team, the Pilot/King/Miller team, Andy Jensen, Todd Moyer/Carl Stevens world’s fastest Pro Mod, Fred Scriba, another one of the top ten nitrous cars, Melanie Salemi, world’s fastest female Pro Mod racer, Dave Texido, Derek Ward, 2023 NEOPMA Champion and many more.” From Bruce Mehlenbacher at Bruce.
21) To Bill Montgomery and the Hidden Pioneers: Thanks for coming by and being with us at this Toy Drive, Kcal News Chips for Kids. Iconic lineup of cars, including Lightning McQueen, bring the flair to CHiPs for Kids Toy Drive. From CBS Los Angeles, see https://www.cbsnews.com/losangeles/video/iconic-lineup-of-cars-including-lightning-mcqueen-bring-the-flair-to-chips-for-kids-toy-drive/.
22) From: The Henry Ford newsletter. Special Message from Patricia Mooradian at The Henry Ford. If you haven’t already, consider visiting our wonderful new Collections Gallery, which features Lillian Schwartz: Whirlwind of Creativity through the end of March. In late spring, we will present a new exhibition in this space, Dick Gutman: Diner Man, which will feature selections from his extensive collection, including historic diner photographs, menus, tableware, promotional giveaway items, clothing and more from diners across the United States. Dick Gutman was instrumental in the move to The Henry Ford and restoration of Lamy’s Diner and the reconstruction of Owl Night Lunch Wagon in Greenfield Village. Through his efforts, the American diner is now generally recognized as an icon of roadside architecture and entrepreneurial enterprise. Plan to join us for a look into this unprecedented collection. 20900 Oakwood Boulevard, Dearborn, Michigan 48124‑5029. Contact Center at 313-982-6001. Sent in by Bill Montgomery.
23) Major Sponsors Step Up in Support of 2024 Motorsports Hall of Fame of America Induction Celebration Presented by Toyota Racing, with PNC Bank, Honda and Firestone. For more information on additional sponsorship opportunities or to purchase tickets, visit the MSHFA at glevy. From: Motorsports Hall of Fame of America. Adam Saal is at saalgoodpr.
24) Sent in by Hidden Pioneers Bill Montgomery. NHRA Youth and Education Services (YES) Program Pomona, California Friday March 22nd, 2024, Invitation (Deadline to Register and Receive a Race Ticket is Wednesday March 20th. Deadline to Register and Receive a Race Ticket is Wednesday March 20th. NHRA YES program returns to the 2024 Lucas Oil NHRA Winternationals Friday March 22, 2024. Hello educators, parents, and chaperones, I am very excited to invite you and your school to what will be one of the most rewarding educational programs of this school year. The NHRA Youth and Education Services Program makes its return to In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip on Friday March 22, 2024. John Baadilla atjbaadilla.
25) This is one of the best interviews about Hidden Pioneers by Rodney Allen Rippy. He is really good at this and getting back in the mix as the voice of our Team. See https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-ejRqDIO3KQwQ31V-mzTnN6_vf4fgx4K/view. Bill Montgomery
26) Rosco McGlashan, from Aussie Invader at rosco. December 2023 newsletter for Australia’s World Land Speed Record Challenger. This testing will allow us to tune our rocket engine to our Orbital Propellant Module (fuel delivery system). At this location, we will also need to construct a safety blast wall, chemical storage area and crew accommodation. Gaining the relevant local shires’ blessing to perform these tests is a massive task, but we are very persistent and confident of securing the necessary approvals. Once our tests are completed, we are then onto Stage 3 of our project, RECORD SETTING. We are working hard at finding our major sponsor for this and are actively negotiating appearances both in Australia and the US and knocking on a lot of doors to achieve our goal. AussieInvader5R, 6 Karalundie Way, Mullaloo, Western Australia 6027, Australia.
27) Jeremiah Fennell from Hidden Pioneers Global Summit Page (. A young prodigy who has talents beyond imagination in the modern media and Internet world. Well-spoken, knowledgeable and a well-known Tik-Tok and YouTube celebrity and only 10 years old. Sent in by Hidden Pioneers Bill Montgomery.
28) 60th Anniversary of the Ford Mustang Cruise-In January 21, 2024, 8AM-11AM In celebration of the 60th anniversary of the Mustang, we will have panel discussions with designers, engineers, drivers, celebrities and other inspiring personalities to tell the story of how such an iconic car has evolved and contributed to the culture over the decades. From: Petersen Automotive Museum info. Petersen Automotive Museum, 6060 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90036.
29) Having driven passed some of our countries abandoned RAF airfield’s quiet recently I was wondering just how many temporary drag and sprint tracks had been created over the years in Britain alone. We know of some tracks in Ireland but how many were converted into temporary venues, and who ran them? There are reports of a public road being used for a well-known street bike championship just days before being opened to the masses for its intended everyday use!
As you will see from the album page so far, the listed number of sties stands at over a 100 or more venues used since 1960. But we’re sure there’s a few we’ve missed or escaped detection. I would like to take this opportunity to thank fellow British Drag Racing & Sprint historian Clive Rooms for his collaboration in compiling today’s current venue list and the racing clubs who organised some great events. From: Jeremy Cookson at quartermilenewsmakers.
30) Steve Gibbs, written by Dick Martin 2016. SERIALIZED for the Motorsports Newsletter.
“Jack Minnock called me and asked if I was interested in part-time work at Irwindale,” Steve said. “I was out there on weekends doing the drag races. Then Harry Snyder came to me in 1966 and asked if I would like to work full time. The pay was decent, so I quit my job at the Ford agency and went to work at the track. I got to know Harry and his wife, Esther, really well. Esther kept the books for the track; I’d turn in the payroll, and she’d write the checks. Jim Blake was the track manager, and I was his assistant. A short time later, they let Blake go and I became the manager until 1968.” Steve had an offer to manage the dragstrip in Fremont, California, plus the owner planned to build two additional dragstrips. With that opportunity Steve left Irwindale, on good terms, he added. It was a big move, almost 400 miles from home for Steve and Gloria. His experience with running large fuel and Funny Car meets gave Steve an advantage, to be sure. But it wasn’t to be.
Dick Martin can be reached through Gone Racin’ at RnParks1. To see the captioned photographs go to https://www.motortrend.com/staff/dick-martin/.
31) Earl Bell Gilmore sponsored cars also won the Indianapolis 500 twice (1935, 1937) and set numerous land speed records in the hands of inductees John Cobb (MSHFA Class of 2021), Ab Jenkins (2023) and Sir Malcolm Campbell (1994). Gilmore also played a crucial role in the development of the Offenhauser engine that dominated IndyCar racing for decades. Unaccepting of the often-unreliable engines that powered most midgets when Gilmore Stadium opened, Gilmore commissioned Fred Offenhauser (2002) and Leo Goossen to produce a reliable 97 cubic inch race motor. That order kept Offenhauser afloat and led directly to the larger versions that between 1935 and 1976 won 27 Indianapolis 500’s. The first victory for an Offy at Indy was in 1935, when Kelly Petillo topped the field in his “Gilmore Speedway Special.” A civic-minded son of a farmer, Gilmore’s legacy also includes the establishment of a well-known Los Angeles landmark and tourist attraction. Gilmore started the world-famous and original LA Farmers Market in 1934 and it continues to thrive today. From Adam Saal is at SaalGoodPR, 321-890-2848.
32) From: Petersen Automotive Museum info. Your Direct Impact on Future Generations. We’re so proud of all we’ve accomplished: 100 unique, large-scale exhibitions and smaller installations since reopening in 2015. Over 50 one-of-a-kind rallies, cruise-ins, collection tours, and special events for our Petersen Members and community this year. Over 6000 people and 3000 cars participated in our Cruise-ins this year. Over 10 million images, 3000 volumes of research stacks, 230 rare books, 525 bound volumes of Robert E. Petersen’s magazines, and 650 cans of both 16mm & 35mm motion picture film have been repaired, cleaned, and digitized. With profound gratitude and appreciation, Terry L. Karges Executive Director.
33) STORIES AVAILABLE ON REQUEST FROM THE GONE RACIN’ ARCHIVES; WRITE TO RnParks1.
COLORFUL STORIES #2 GNRS 2014
COSTA MESA CAR SHOW 2013
COSTA MESA HISTORICAL SOCIETY 2013
34) Alex Berg Racing, abjr. Keep in mind, there were 90 entries at the beginning of the weekend and only 30 spots available in the final. Come the final, I started P12, and while battling with the top 5 group, a red flag came out. Unfortunately, during the red, a small leak in my radiator showed itself, and coolant started coming out of my sidepod. The team had to push me behind the pit wall, and although they were able to replace the radiator and get me back out to rejoin when the race restarted, I was black flagged/disqualified. This was due to a miscommunication from the officials to my team. This was no fault of the team. Unfortunately, that is how racing goes sometimes, but I left the event holding my head high with the pace I showed. I cannot thank everyone at TCS for the amazing opportunity I was given to participate in these two events. It was the experience of a lifetime, and I believe I matured as a driver, and a person, over the course of these couple weeks. From: Doug Stokes (stokes28doug.
READERS: Alex’s letter will be serialized over the next coming newsletters.
35) Know your motorsports personality. Mark D. Miles is President and Chief Executive Officer of Penske Entertainment Corp, comprised of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS), INDYCAR and IMS Productions (IMSP). Penske Entertainment Corp. is a subsidiary of Penske Corporation, a global transportation, automotive and motorsports leader employing more than 64,000 people worldwide. Compiled from Epartrade.
36) Results of the Historic Sportscar Racing (HSR) Classic Daytona presented by IMSA 24 Hour at Daytona International Raceway. In another one of the race’s strong performances, the 1979 #35 De Tomaso Pantera, piloted by veteran top-tier sports car driver and Le Man class winner Ralf Kelleners, took control of the class from the very first green flag for a decisive victory that supported the winged, wide-bodied and flame- throwing GT machine’s instant status as a fan and paddock favorite. Kelleners and company proved they meant business by finishing ahead of all-time HSR Classics race winners Gray Gregory and his 1974 #26 Chevron B26 teammates in Saturday’s opening race, setting the stage for a Run Group B battle royale for the next 24 hours. Adam Saal is at SaalGoodPR.
37) Jim McFarland tribute, written by Dave Wallace Jr for Hot Rod Magazine. SERIALIZED
HRM] Tell us about your famous 1967 Camaro.
JM] That was the first Camaro in California, long before release; May or June of 1966. People thought it was the new Mustang! I felt that this car could be the next 1955 Chevy. After we did HOT ROD’s road test, I told Walt McKenzie at Chevrolet that if he’d let us keep the car for a year, I’d go to aftermarket companies, leave it for a week or two at each, let them build and tool up products. By the time the production car hit showrooms, there’d be a handful of performance parts on the shelf for 350 Camaros. Then Bill Thomas called and said, “Do you know they’re coming out with a big-block Camaro? I’ve got a fresh 396/375 that you can test ahead of the car’s release.” So, one Saturday, Bill’s shop installed the engine. The next day, I went to Lions for some easy passes. First run, top of Third gear, 6500 rpm, I hear a big ‘pow!’ There’s smoke everywhere, the car goes sideways. I manage to save it, barely. A rod bolt had broken and kicked a rod right through the pan. Had that rod not hit the front cross-member, it would’ve gotten the tire. A week later, a box arrives from [Lions manager] CJ Hart. It’s the eighth rod, found by the guy cutting his trackside grass. It’s sitting on the bookshelf behind me now. That ‘fresh’ 396 had been out at Riverside for NASCAR tire testing for over 500 miles! Thomas said, “Let me put a fresh one in there for ya.” We entered A/Modified Production at the Bakersfield March Meet. Don Evans makes an easy checkout pass and goes one-and-a-half tenths under the NHRA record. I asked the tech man, Cloy Fitzgerald, “Would you pump this thing?” It was a 500-incher, not a 396. We retired the car from competition on the spot. After our series of stories ended, I scraped to buy it, at full price. I put the 350 back in and drove it on the street for a while, then covered it up behind Edelbrock for several years. Four or five different engines were showcased in that car; some built for performance, others for emissions reduction. Those were the only times it was driven. It stayed there until 1995, with just 17,000 miles. Vic repeatedly asked why I kept the car. When I finally offered it to him, I made him promise he’d never sell it.
38) BLAST FROM THE PAST…… From the Wally & Barbara Parks story, We Did It Our Way. The Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS), in Speedway, Indiana, a suburb of Indianapolis, was completed in time for the 1909 racing season and held races there in 1909 and 1910. It wasn’t until 1911 that the International 500 Mile Sweepstakes Race was created and held on Tuesday, May 30th, around Memorial Day celebrations.
39) The types of material cover a gamut. This is just a partial list: – Racing vehicles – Parts of famous Racing Vehicles – Trophies and Awards – Helmets and Driving or Riding Suits – Medals and other Artifacts of Military Service for our Racing’s War Heroes “They Wore Two Helmets” exhibit – Autographed Letters and Programs – Personal items belonging to Famous Racers – Important Paperwork or Drawings – Interesting Technology – Photography and Poster Collections – Tools and Equipment – Notebooks and Diaries – Aero Models and Presentation Models. From: Motorsports Hall of Fame of America, Adam Saal is at saalgoodpr.
40) The All-New Petersen Workshop Tour Now Available. Limited Availability Introducing our brand-new Workshop Tour, an exclusive experience led by one of our expert docents, designed for just 25 guests per week. This immersive two-hour guided journey offers a rare glimpse into our renowned Vault and, for the very first time, grants access to our workshop. From: Petersen Automotive Museum info, 6060 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90036.
41) DRAGSTRIPS in the USA and Canada. National Speedway Directory, 2504 Lake Avenue, Wilmette, Illinois, 60091
Elliot Lake Airport Dragway Location: Elliot Lake, Ontario Category: Dragstrips Length: 1/8-mile Surface: Paved.
Emerald Coast Dragway Location: Holt, Florida Category: Dragstrips Length: 1/8-mile Surface: Paved.
Empire Dragway Location: Leicester, New York. 1/4-mile Surface: Paved. Mentioned in my father’s story.
English Mountain Dragway Location: Newport, Tennessee Category: Dragstrips Length: 1/8-mile Surface: Paved
42) You can see our Bonneville coverage here: https://www.torqtalk.com. Please feel free to share or pass it on. HUGE thanks to the SCTA-BNI and your volunteers for all your hard work; we appreciate it. Tony Thacker
READERS: This is a great site. Thacker is an editor, writer, museum director and hot rodder.
43) I was playing around with the keyboard and learned a trick and it might work for you. I held down the control key (don’t release it as you roll) on my keyboard and then used the “roller” on the mouse and I could increase (roll it forward) or decrease (roll it backward) the size of the print. See if you can do that on your computer and if so then you can read any size print that is sent to you. Best, Richard
44) Part 6 of 7. Introduction: In 1997 Fay Fischer joined the team as driver of the Top Methanol Dragster, staying for two years with a new car in 1998. Dave Wilson took over the driving seat and the team ran the FIA tour in 1999. At the end of the year Bob stepped down from the TMD team, at which point son Adam was wanting to start racing in Junior Dragster. http://www.eurodragster.com/news/features/blogs/gleadows_pt6/default.asp. From John Hunt.
45) Team Hidden Pioneers we have one of our Team members Jimmy Jet entertaining the Kid’s at school. He has the same passion to inspire and motivate our youth here in our country! See some of the Cool photos attached. Spread the photos and word about what the Hidden Pioneers do with Transportation & Technology top of mind & soul. Bill Montgomery
46) Coastal 181 Book Store (serving East Coast racing fans) www.coastal181.com or 1-877-907-8181. Titles include: “Don’t Mention Racing Unless you have an Hour to Spare (100 stories, 60 years, 1 Driver; road racing),” by Roger Allan French. “Shelby American the Renegades Who Built the Cars, Won the Races, and Lived the Legend,” by Preston Lerner. “Lost in Time Formula 5000 in North America,” by John Zimmermann. “Racer,” by John Andretti with Jade Gurss.
47) More on the British Drag Racing Historians Association wrote in about their group. The following members of BDRH supplied information or photos to add to the stories of pioneers:
Simon Groves: I first encountered drag racing in magazines such as Hot Rod and Hot Car around 1969 and, after nagging my father to take me, visited Santa Pod in August 1970 to see Clive Skilton run the first seven-second pass seen there. I visited occasionally for the next 30 years, keeping an eye on the media. Two of my favourite information sources in those pre-Facebook days were Nick Pettitt’s Time Travel videos and Chris Dossett’s Trakbytes website. At a Super Series race at Shakespeare County in 1999 I saw an advert for a trip to the World Finals at Pomona. My wife Ros gave me her consent and after meeting up with the SCR team at Pomona, they invited me to score the track points and serve on the timing crew, things that came easily to me and appealed to my career as an accountant. As well as working with Jerry at SCR, I got to know Eurodragster.com members Tog and Sharkman during the next few years as the points were hosted on the site and one evening in November 2004 over the inevitable pizza they asked if I would like to join the team to report on Championship events. So, in 2005, I started interviewing racers for pit notes, expanding the feature to include photos once I had learned how digital photography worked. Over the next 15 years, I learned about how to update Eurodragster.com after a baptism of fire in 2006 when Tog was taken unwell at the Main Event, and I became race reporter for that race at literally a moment’s notice. I continued reporting on Eurodragster.com and expanded this role when I retired from my day job in 2013, also helping the British Drag Racing Hall of Fame, putting on its gala events. In 2019 Tog decided he wanted to retire from Eurodragster.com after 22 years of running it and after a moment’s thought, decided to take it over – from March 2020. Not good timing. I used my collection of historical material and contacts that could help me write historical articles, of which John Hunt and Bob Roberts have been particularly helpful. It’s really because of John’s initiative, organisational skills and persistence that we’re all here. I just got lucky and turned my interest from a passion to an all-embracing hobby that has involved me meeting and keeping in touch with some wonderful people. Submitted by John Hunt at johnhunt.drn.
48) The MSHFA’s highest honor next to induction, the Bob Russo Heritage Award is named in recognition of the longtime motorsports journalist and historian and is presented only by the recommendation of the MSHFA Board of Directors in recognition of the recipient’s contributions to motorsports. Edsel B. Ford II attended his first race at age 17 with his father, Henry Ford II, in 1966, and it just happened to be one of the most iconic races in motorsport history – the famous 1-2-3 finish by the Ford GT40s at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. It sparked a passion for the sport that remains decades later, where he is still a familiar sight on starting grids at major races. From Adam Saal at saalgoodpr.
49) Stand21 Raceware North America, 17882 Georgetown Lane, Huntington Beach, CA 92647.
50) Regarding Al Teague, here’s an article I wrote in Mopar Magazine back in 2007 (before Ron Main and George Poteet got going). It features some of the Mopar runners at Bonneville back then, which doesn’t seem that long ago. Anyway, Al is in the story and there’s a sidebar on how he drives the Salt. I was honored to actually talk to Al as I was writing the piece. Roger Meiners rmeiners.
“The Dawn of SALT FLATS a New Era on the Chrysler Hemi at Bonneville, Part 2, the rest of the story,” by Roger Meiners, in Mopar Magazine, September/October 2007 issue.
… Al Teague is a popular figure around Bonneville and the California dry lakes, anywhere the entrepreneurs of speed gather to do business. In the Southern California Timing Association’s (SCTA) first 50 years at Bonneville, Teague had Top Time of the Meet 11 times. “Landspeed” Louise Noeth, the award-winning writer about all things Bonneville, calls him, “the quiet scientist.” She says, “he figured out when he was very young that you learn more by listening.” And he is always willing to share that knowledge. We spoke to Teague just as he was leaving for England to be honored this summer at the world-famous Goodwood Festival of Speed, along with his record-breaking streamliner. His first successful straight liner was the now-famous Saad, Teague & Bentley 1929 Ford roadster. The car ran a 354 Hemi with a 6-71 blower. Teague made it the world’s fastest roadster in 1973 with a 268-mph blast.
ROGER AND READERS: The full article and photographs can be found by writing to Roger Meiners for his fine article.
51) EDITOR: The following is serialized. The Mehlenbacher Family and the Kohler Dragway (AKA Super Boss Dragway, and Cayuga 1320 Dragway). “Several members of the Mehlenbacher family were in attendance tonight, including Andrew and Bill Mehlenbacher, and Bill accepted for his father on behalf of the family. ‘My father is very deserving of this award, as one of the pioneers in the sport of drag racing.” Bruce F. Mehlenbacher is at Bruce.
52) Historic Sportscar Racing (HSR) Classic Sebring 12 Hour and HSR Sebring Historics.Colin Watson and Jeremy Adams broke through for their first BRM Endurance overall victory and GTC class honors in their quick Boss Racing 2000 #91 Caterham C400. The British duo kept predominant race leader Todd Treffert in sight throughout the race and took advantage of some unusual late trouble the Porsche driver encountered. Treffert looked on his way to another BRM Chronographes Endurance race win only to be sidetracked by a loose window net and flat right rear tire while leading the race with less than 10 minutes remaining. Treffert was called to the pits by race officials to refasten the window net and then had to nurse the deflating tire to the finish. Despite the setbacks, Treffert crossed the finish line in his Speedconcepts 1974 #141 Porsche 911 IROC prepared by the 901 Shop just 3.192 seconds behind the winning Caterham, which showed its winning pace by setting the fastest race lap. Third overall behind the Caterham and IROC 911 was Vintage-class winner Jamie Busby in his KMW Motorsports 1970 #188 Porsche 914/6. Fourth overall and third in GTC went to co-drivers Dean DeSantis and Josh Tuggle in their Heritage Motorsports 1969 #133 Porsche 911 RSR. The overall top-five was completed by the Boss Racing sister entry of Stephen Collins who also garnered runner-up honors in Vintage in his 2014 #69 Caterham 7 420R. Third in the Vintage class was frequent HSR podium finisher Colin Dougherty in his 1988 #77 Porsche 944 Turbo Cup series car prepared by DAS Sport. Adam Saal is at adam.
53) Part 4 of 7 of ‘The Gleadow Family.’ Introduction: Mick Gleadow left Top Alcohol drag racing at the end of 1997, and went circuit racing, buying and restoring a Formula 750 car, making his debut in October 2000. After a couple of years racing at many of England’s circuits, Mick sold his car and ran his son Stewart Gleadow in TKM Karting for a couple of years after which he joined the karting fray. At the end of 2006, Mick decided to sell his kart and return to his drag racing roots. See http://www.eurodragster.com/news/features/blogs/gleadows_pt4/default.asp. From John Hunt.
Mick’s return to racing a slingshot (published 31st January 2022). Feedback from Mick Gleadow: “Outside of racing, I’ve been researching my family tree and what I have learned about accessing public records has been really useful in working with John Hunt and Nick Pettitt to trace racers from the 1960’s and 1970’s – there have even been some racer reunions, which is wonderful. I’ve also met up with racers from those early days and look forward to future Pioneer articles coming to fruition.”
Part 5 of 7 Introduction: Mick Gleadow got back into drag racing, quickly contacting friends to obtain a chassis and drivetrain for a slingshot dragster, running it in Wild Bunch as Jurassic Parts. It was succeeded by a new build chassis, Jurassic Parts 2, which has run into the eights with a small tip of the can. As Mick’s retirement project, we look forward to seeing it run in 2022. http://www.eurodragster.com/news/features/blogs/gleadows_pt5/default.asp. FromJohn Hunt.
54) Celebrating 40 Years of Christine Celebrate the 40th anniversary of the iconic supernatural horror film, “Christine,” which hit the screens on December 9, 1983. Indulge yourself or surprise a fellow fan with an exclusive “Christine” collectible available now at the Petersen Store. From: Petersen Automotive Museum info. Petersen Automotive Museum, 6060 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90036.
55) From: Rusty Wallace Racing Experience, 65 Patterson Avenue, Pawtucket, Rhode Island 02860. Give the gift of speed; left no email or phone #. This is a road testing and racing drivers’ school, and they provide the cars.
56) Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to the Motorsports Newsletter! Have a great Holiday Season and we will be back on the case ready to start the New Year’s business on Tuesday, January 2, 2024. Enjoy the end of the year Holidays and please stay safe and happy! Adam Saal
57) The value of the Hidden Pioneers by Bill Montgomery and the Hidden Garages team. Interview is on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RHvLVITMxfM&t=922s.
58) Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to All. From Ron Bell autobell2.
RON: The very same to you and your family and all the readers of the Motorsports Newsletter.
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