Cheap Thrills

By Bill 'Badco' Ott

©2004 Bill Ott
Saturday and Sunday
July 24th and 25th
Old Bridge Raceway Park
Englishtown, N.J.

Yeah, we're gonna rock ‘ya,
yeah, we’re gonna knock ‘ya,
yeah, gonna… sock it at ‘ya… now *

Saturday

Sunday afternoon as Ms. Boop and I are strolling arm and arm down the midway directly behind the pit side grandstands my mind turns to thoughts of a languishing Herculean task. Namely, trying to put the goings on and other assorted activities that have transpired at this event over these past two days into some kind of a cohesive collection of images, thoughts, and observances. And hell… the damn thing ain’t over yet and already I know I’m not going to have any idea where to start.

Maybe that’s because this whole deal really started on Friday evening… when a phone call from the daughter relieved us from the duty of having to stay with the grandkids for the weekend. This was followed immediately by a call to one Bill Pratt to size up the state of lodging facilities in the Englishtown area. One more call and reservations are made and confirmed.

Hey… this is getting easy… already.

Saturday morning dawned clear and sunny here in central Pennsyltucky… and before you could say “Hey… he’s lost again!” we’re rolling up to the Asbury Park exit on ol' route 18. So what we have here is two bewildered Texans, deep in the heart of Springsteen country, with Janis Joplin and Big Brother pouring out of the speakers, executing illegal U-turns (ever try to get turned around in New Jersey? It’s easy… just take the jug handle), all the while cursing Rand McNally and Sons under my breath. While throughout this whole routine, my assistant nonchalantly plays solitaire on the laptop! A mere twenty-four miles later we find ourselves at the Main Entrance to Raceway Park.

Grabbing our gear from the van it’s time to go renew some old acquaintances and maybe make some new ones. First stop… Team Rosetty’s beautiful burgundy “Rollin’ Stoned” ‘Cuda. After getting caught up with Bob and Maria we can’t help but notice we’ve also managed to arrive just as the burgers are finishing on the grille. “Why yes, Vicky … we’d love one. Thanks” Yes sir, burgers, dogs, and Gatorade… nothing finer on a summer afternoon. Good thing this isn’t a sanctioned NHRA event, no? We all would have been kicked off the grounds by now… a sponsorship thing, ya know. Ah, but there’s still plenty of time to get booted out of here.

But still something’s missing. Ah ha, I know… team Rosetty has recently acquired a ’new shoe’ but he’s nowhere to be found. Guess he’s out there somewhere ’working the crowd’. But no… turns out he’s next door at Lou and Colleen Sgro’s pit area giving them some complimentary tune up/driving tips for their upcoming match race tomorrow. Gotta go say hello.

Joe Jacono is one of the East Coast’s most legendary drivers (and characters). His exploits start somewhere back in the fifties and stretch out to the seventies. Thanks to the prodding of Bob Rosetty, Joe went and got himself licensed to drive these things once again and is back behind the wheel. Where he belongs. This was really a damn cool thing for Bob to do. He deserves a big pat on the back, a handshake, and thanks.

This also turns out to be a good opportunity to get caught up with the Sgro’s and check out their newest addition to the Nostalgic Funny Car wars… the  “Black Magic” Dodge Demon. Lou built this beauty as a tribute to the late Dominic Santucci. Dominic’s gotta be proud. This rascal is built low and pretty (just the way I like ‘em) and with that 452’ K.B. it ought to really haul a$$… in spite of Jacono’s tune up advise! And check this out… this car was at one time campaigned by none other than Kenny “The Action Man” Goodell, who also happens to have campaigned the car Lou’s been running the past few seasons… the beautiful purple and orange “Wynn’s Stormer”. Can’t help but wonder how all of these old Funny Cars from the Northwest Country seem to migrate to Slatington, Pa.

As we’re standing there getting caught up with Joe, Lou, and Colleen some folks come up and ask Lou if he had time to grant them a short interview. Turns out these guys are none other than the legendary Diana Thomas (aka ‘The Doc’ -  “Celebrity Drag Racing Authority & Visionary“) and sidekick/video camera operator/sound man John Gill. Collectively these two are known (at various times and venues) as **“Drag Racing Underground,” **“Big Stick” www.Big-Stick.org , “Yanna Trance and John Gill,” and no doubt some other titles I‘m not aware of. A few winters ago Diana sent me a copy of a cassette they made predicting the outcome of the then young NHRA season. Can’t say much about her fortune telling talents, but, the tape itself is a definite keeper. Something you only share with close friends when they drop by… like that ‘special’ bottle of Tequila you scored down near the Tex/Mex border. Matter of fact, the bottle and the tape share the same dark, cool hiding spot… no harsh sunshine or prying eyes allowed. And hey… don’t you just admire someone who ends all of their messages with a ‘Signature‘?

Later John handed me a copy of their latest CD “Hot From The Strip.” This one was made for release at the K&N Filters NHRA SuperNationals (right here at E-Town) to raise funds for fellow Texan Becky White who was hurt in an auto accident. Another example of the Drag Racing family coming together to help one of their own. More Details are available at:

www.draglist.com/artman/publish/article_00635.shtml

Thanks John and Doc.

The legendary Doc interviews the legendary Joe Jacono

Incidentally… The Doc informed me they were there collecting more footage for an as yet to be named Top Secret video that’s in the works. Hell, even the titles’ a secret. Check www.dragracingunderground.com  at some unspecified date in the future for more info. Oh… the last we saw of them… they were interviewing Jacono… hope they weren’t shooting for another ‘short’ interview!

Directly across from where we’re standing sits the beautiful ‘Mill Road Boys’ yellow 70’ish Camaro. Powered by a blown NITRO burning big block Chevy this one promises to be very interesting during tomorrow’s show. Gonna be great to hear one cackle again too… it’s been a while. Incidentally, due to some sort of noise restriction rules (that I’ll address later) none of the cars present today are allowed to fire up! At a race track no less! Now I’d bet anyone here could have fired their car up right out on the driveway back home. And on a Saturday afternoon why to hell not? Might have wound up with some pissed off neighbors… but still… stuff happens. But, can’t start a race car at a race track on a Saturday?

“Explain Mr. Spock.”

“Sorry Captain… that doesn’t compute!”

Heard that Mousie Marcellus, Richard Heath, Mike Boyd, and oh yeah… Willie too, were here with the Marcellus & Borsch AA/FA aka “The Wing.” Also heard from more than one source that Willie was raising hell all weekend over on his little corner of the table. Dropped by to say hello and couldn’t help but notice the clutch can was out of the car. Mousie explained the clutch was removed for repairs and that Mike wouldn’t allow anyone but himself to put it back in. He should arrive later in the day. Richard seemed real proud of the lighting system the boys had acquired.

Now just last Saturday in Thompson, Ohio the boys encountered some tire liner seating problems that just about had them sidelined until Jim Orban, Buzz Wagner, and the rest of the guys with the Jeff Miller driven ‘Time Bandits’ Nostalgia Fuel Dragster offered them the use of their tires and rims. So… for just a small donation to the ‘Time Bandits’ barbeque and soda fund the boys got to make an almost after curfew pass - in the dark. And this transpired after a late night cylinder head change/thrash in the parking lot of the motel they were staying at on Friday. Man, talk about the old days revived! Race car repairs in the motel parking lot… under the stars… with an oddly assorted crowd of curious young motor heads and older hard core NITRO freaks looking on. You could feel the good vibes in the air! Willie himself had to be smiling over this one. Thanks again guys.

Only three weekends ago the crew put in an appearance at the York U.S. 30 Reunion and had an alternator on the ‘thirty something’ year old pickup fail on the way somewhere in the Arizona desert. After a seven hour roadside repair ‘The Wing’ was back underway and they arrived at York with hours to spare (about three or four anyway).

I guess what I’m trying to say here is the guys ain’t no strangers to adversity, and they could easily win the Decathlon Competition at the upcoming Olympics, if they felt like entering. And you can bet ain’t nothing minor, like no clutch in the car gonna worry them, or slow them down either. Mousie told me that after a brief layover Sunday night in Pennsylvania… they’re back on their way to California to attend some event out there next weekend… in that ‘thirty something’ year old pickup truck… with ‘The Wing’ following behind in an open trailer. Gotta love it and God bless ‘em!

“The Wing” sparkles ‘under the lights’

Next to Mousie and crew is the booth of Snooky’s Vintage Originals. These guys had some cool looking Tee Shirts, and Snooky‘s itself has a damn fine logo. Also Snooky’s is anteing up the prize money for “Blown Alcohol - Low E.T.” Check ‘em out at www.snookys.com  They support the racers.

Across the isle to the right of these guys sat John Denski’s ‘73 Dodge Demon. Originally campaigned under the ‘Ramchargers’ moniker (Hey! There’s today’s new word… look it up) and piloted back then by Clare Sanders. Unfortunately, due to liability reasons the Rams won’t allow John to use their name on the car… thank a lawyer. Don’t believe the Demon is up and running yet, but it sure is a looker.

To the right of the Rams/Denski car sat Steve Timoszyk’s beautiful blue ‘Prock & Howell’ ‘33 Willys AA/GS coupe. Steve competes the Willys on a regular basis… saw it myself last week at the Thompson, Ohio Gasser Meet. Steve had the misfortune of being in the other lane back at the Indy Goodguys Meet when Bob Ellison crashed the Ellison & McGarvey Willys. Bob was critically injured and Steve went to see him at the hospital. During their visit Bob mentioned he never got a chance to see the timing slip on that pass - the one where he finally beat the Prock & Howell car. Turns out Steve kinda figured no one would think to pick up the timing slip after the tragedy out on the track, so he did, during that long ride back up the return road. Steve passed the slip of paper to Bob, who took delight in finally getting to see the numbers on that winning pass. Unfortunately Bob succumbed to his injuries a few days later. Word is Bob’s family placed the slip in his coffin.

I’d like to thank the gentlemen who initially passed the above story along to me. He was shooting video with his son at the starting line, but, his name slipped my mind and I didn’t think to jot it down. If he happens to read this and realizes I’m talking about him… drop me an e-mail and I’ll edit this story accordingly.

Next in line is Rob Bundy’s Fliptop Industries www.fliptopindustries.com sponsored “Shellshock” Vega, powered by a blown alky burning small block Chevy. Rob’s Fliptop Industries is also sponsoring the “Top Speed - Blown Alcohol” Prize.

To the left of these guys sits Canadian Frank Jonkman’s “NITROMARE” Mustang Fuel burner. And to their left? Rob Bruce’s way cool “Zombie” NITRO burning hemi powered ‘69 Dodge Charger. Both of these guys will be sluggin’ it out on the track tomorrow. But today? No fire ups… remember that damn noise rule? Also down at this end of the line we ran into Larry Smith who came all the way from Ft. Worth, Texas to set up a booth here. Larry’s always got cool stuff for sale and a friendly smile and handshake… Texas style. Couldn’t help but notice Mike Goyda didn’t have a booth here.

Heading towards the next row of parked race cars we happen upon old our pal Bill Pratt and son Jason who were hanging out with Richie and Lucy Bruno. The Bruno’s “Total Insanity” Monza…formerly known as “Blue Moon”… also saw duty as a part of Roland Leong’s vast army of “Hawaiian” Funny Cars. Bob was applying one of Bill’s new ‘Computer Magic Online’ decals to the rear quarter of the Monza and was finishing up the job using a credit card as a squeegee. The Boopster remarked “give that card to me and I’ll find a better use for it” and Lucy agreed. Women!

Richie Bruno applying the latest in speed secrets

Our next stop found us dropping by and saying hello to the boys from Dauphin, PA. Bruce Larson and crew have become a mainstay at literally all of the nostalgia meets that take place here in the East. I mean… if Bruce and the gang weren’t there, did it really happen? Next weekend Bruce will be putting in an appearance back in PA at South Mountain Dragway, about five miles from where the grandkids live. It’s the South Mountain folks Annual Nostalgia Race. Included in the deal is a car show and the good people from MANDRA (not to be confused with NAMBLA) will also be featured. Oh… I have this from a very reliable source… event co-organizer Dave Heisey… that this year’s BarnFest will take place at Bruce’s barn on the 13th of November. And speaking of Dave Heisey, the BarnFest’s other co-coordinator Dick Gerwer was spotted on the grounds here this afternoon. The BarnFest is one cool deal that just seems to get better each year. Updates will follow.

Just about straight across from Bruce’s pit area we found the Grand Marshall of this year’s Funny Car Reunion holding court to the delight of his legions of admirers. Pat Foster needs no introduction to any fan of the Funny Car Match Race days… or drag racing in general. And he didn’t just drive ‘em either. The list of cars Pat built while working for the likes of Frank Huzar, Woody Gilmore, Mickey Thompson, John Buttera, et al is practically endless. And he’s STILL working on ‘em. Only at a much slower pace than back in those Southern California days. “Dr.” Foster has hung his shingle out in Wichita, KS and opened up Foster ProFab, where he specializes in race car restorations/re-creations. And Don Trasin brought along two fine examples of Mr. Foster’s handy work he commissioned him to build. Tom “The Mongoose” McEwen’s 1978 U.S. Nationals winning Corvette… the one that beat Don Prudhomme in an emotional final round that people still talk about to this day… was one. And the “Jade Grenade” AA/FD was the other. Actually you might call this a sort of a homecoming for the Grenade… E-Town was as close to a ‘Home Track’ as the Grenade ever had.

Now, park these two missiles together, then through in Pat’s willingness to answer any question thrown his way… and his great story telling skills… and you have a guaranteed crowd… and crowd pleaser. Every time we wandered by the Trasin/Foster area there was a gang of people crowded around listening in awed silence.

Pat Foster (left) wowed ‘em all weekend

Here’s some trivia for ya folks… and it ain’t Drag Racing trivia. From the 1988 season through the ‘91 season, IMSA (International Motor Sports Association) GT Championships were dominated by the Geoff Brabham driven Nissan GTP ZX Prototypes. A class usually tyrannized by the likes of Porsche or Jaguar… these were some bad a$$ and FAST race cars! Matter of fact, the Boopster and I would make the annual trek to Watkins Glenn (N.Y.) every summer to watch these guys slug it out. A few seasons ago IMSA dropped the GTP Division and we lost interest. Anyway… who do you suppose was instrumental in the building of these Championship winning Nissans? If you guessed the previously mentioned Pat Foster… you get a gold star! Last year at the National Hot Rod Reunion at Bowling Green, Pat shared a story with us about how these Nissans met their demise. Great stuff!

One of the four-time IMSA GTP Champion Nissan GTP ZX’s

OK… back to drag racing and the Funny Car Reunion.

And it’s getting late now… damn near dinnertime. And dinnertime in these parts on this particular Saturday evening means just one thing… the annual pilgrimage to Vitale’s Restaurant & Bar. And hey, get this… the Jaconos wanted to follow ME there… so they wouldn’t get lost! Ha!!! But as luck would have it… we made it straight there… no wrong turns (that’s because there are no turns between the track and Vitale’s). Now in spite of this… I understand that Vicky was swearing to Joe during the entire ride that we were in fact lost… and couldn’t believe we actually found the place. Imagine!

Barb Santucci had reserved the ‘back room’ for the evening with no idea of who or how many would show up, but a large, diversified, and rowdy crowd was expected. No one was disappointed! We shared a table with the Jaconos, the Pratts, Ms. Santucci, Mark “Big Dawg” Brewer, and assorted other freaks and weirdoes. Scattered elsewhere throughout the room were numerous folks who I can’t remember or didn’t know. But I do remember seeing Pat Foster, Jungle Pam, John Kippen, and Willie Johnson out there among the masses.

As usual, the pasta was great, and the house dressing (salad) is the best. One other feature of Vitale’s that I love... Miller Genuine Draft… on draft. Can’t seem to find that anywhere in Central Pennsyltucky. That alone made the trip worthwhile.

Seated straight across from us was Ron Bradshaw of S.S. Promotions. Ron came all the way from Missouri to check out the happenings here in Jersey and to promote the upcoming Inaugural Teen ArriveAlive Funny Car Nationals scheduled to take place Sept. 10th & 11th at Gateway International Raceway (Madison, IL). Hey, be careful around Ron… his enthusiasm for this race is contagious! Get more details at www.funnycarnationals.com  This one’s gonna feature racing under the lights. And the list of pre-entered cars is impressive. Be there!

But you know what? It’s been a damn long day, with an even longer one scheduled for tomorrow. The thought of kicking back in that room over at the Red Roof Inn is starting to sound real good about now. I mean how many Cheap Thrills can one be expected to endure at one time? Check back in a few days, hell we haven‘t even got around to sniffing any NITRO yet! More old B.S. later.

Badco

Forward advice, rebuttals, and death threats to Badco@comcast.net

*©1967 “A Combination Of The Two”
As near as I can find out the lyrics are by Janis Joplin, the music by the rest of Big Brother and the Holding Company. From the 1968 Columbia Records release “Cheap Thrills.” Peaked at the #1 position on Billboard’s Top 40 albums (and remained there for eight weeks). The album also spawned the single “Piece Of My Heart” which reached #12 on Billboard’s Top 40 Singles. Many consider this Janis’ ‘signature’ song. RIP Dear. Album Cover Artwork by R. Crumb

Again… a tip of the hat to all of the usual suspects… including the G-Man for his last minute assistance and to Soaps by Betty for their continued support visit - www.angelfire.com/wizard/soapsbybetty

THANKS BUD

Proud member of the Standard 1320 Group

Bill 'Badco' Ott