It Must Be Winter
©2006 Bill Ott
* Let’s forget about the whinin’ and the cryin’ and the shootin’ and the dyin’
*
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| The 'New' Scorpion creator - Don Ross (white shirt) and three generations of the Langley Family |
It was just last Monday evening when I got the latest round of bad news. You remember Chuck Kurzawa? He was a member of the legendary Ramchargers team... drove their dragster back in the day. Well, he passed away last Sunday (1/31/06). Damn... I was hoping to run into him some day at one of those ‘Geezer Gatherings’ I like so much to attend.
This came right on the heels of learning about the passing of Barbara Parks, the wife of NHRA’s founder Wally. Fortunately, I did get a chance to meet both her and Wally on a beautiful Saturday afternoon at the 2001 edition of the California Hot Rod Reunion. She related to me how much she loved the green hills of Central Pennsylvania in the fall. That year the Keystone Nationals had been delayed until the same weekend as the Reunion. I stood engrossed as she enthusiastically filled me in on Friday night’s weather and track conditions, and qualifying results at Reading that she’d got from folks ‘track side.’ Heard she could be a ‘fiery redhead,’ but fortunately, never got to see that side of her. Glad we got to visit that day, Ma’am.
Mrs. Parks’ passing came as the shock of learning of the death of ‘Dyno Don’ Nicholson hadn’t worn off yet. I had an opportunity to visit with him one cloudy Friday afternoon at ‘The All Ford Nationals’ at the Carlisle (PA) Fairgrounds with a few friends before the throngs arrived. He seemed overwhelmed that we remembered who he was and what he’d accomplished in the past. He shouldn’t have... he’s still a genuine hero to a lot of people.
Gene Mooneyham was another man that many considered a hero. A myriad number of drag racing engines sported a ‘Mooneyham’s Blower Service’ huffer on top of the intake. The Mooneyham & Sharp #554 Fuel Coupe ‘34 Ford... that got its start at the dry lakes of California and eventually moved over to the drag strips. The Mooneyham & Sharp AA/FD and the magnificent ‘Jungle 4' (Mooneyham, Jackson, Ferguson, and Faust) streamlined AA Fueler... were and are still... all legendary race cars.
I had the opportunity to give Gene and his lovely wife Dorothy a ride in my golf cart from the stands over to one of the Top Fuel teams’ pit area a few years ago. I think Gene was going to take a look at one of their blowers. Those few minutes of chatting with them while driving through the crowd at Famoso Raceway is one of my favorite memories of Bakersfield. Gene Mooneyham died on the 17th of January. My heartfelt condolences to Dorothy and the rest of the Mooneyham family.
On that very same day, Gene Moody of ‘Moody’s Garage’ Gasser fame passed away from complications of Alzheimer’s disease. Never got to meet Mr. Moody, but I am very familiar with the ‘Moody’s Garage’ D/Gas ‘55 Chevy. It’s been lovingly restored back to its former glory by my good friends Peter and Yvonne Broadribb (known individually and collectively as The Madbrits), who tow it all over the country keeping the ‘Moody’s Garage’ legend alive and well. Thanks Madbrits, Gene would be proud.
Back on Dec. 20th another legend left us. Steve Carbone, who will always be remembered as the guy who ‘burned down’ Don Garlits at the starting line of the 1971 U.S. Nationals in what was easily the best staging duel ever. Steve of course won Indy that year. That was just about the last hurrah for the front engined dragsters, too. By the start of the ‘72 season, nearly everyone had switched to the ‘rear’ (actually ‘mid’) engine design a la Garlits. Got a chance just this last October to shake Steve’s hand at Bakersfield. Didn’t hardly get a chance to visit at all... he was literally swamped by friends and well wishers around the clock. Saw him that day at Tom Hanna’s pit area, where it seemed everyone in the place came to see Steve and the ‘Creitz & Donovan’ Fueler that he also drove. Steve had a warm friendly smile.
Shoehorned in among all of this was word of the passing of dry lakes pioneer and cam grinder Ak Miller and former Pro Stock driver Reid Whisnant.
As you’ve probably noticed by now, I’ve been throwing the words legend, hero and pioneer around a lot... but no other words seem to suffice. These fine folks truly qualify for either one or all of these titles.
Now all of this tragedy was not what I initially sat down here to write about. But I felt I had an obligation to mention it... more on why later. I really sat down in front of this ol' computer to recount an event that I was fortunate enough to attend early last December. Saturday the 10th to be exact. And as usual, it’s another one of those glorious ‘Geezer Gatherings’ I spoke of earlier.
Seems I’d gotten myself invited back to Dallas again. So for the second time in just two short months, I found myself kicking back, enjoying the hospitality of the Davis homestead. And as usual, Olin and Anne rolled out the red
carpet. Hell, even Ms. Pitt... that ol’ stray pooch that dropped by for dinner one night a while back -- and ain’t left yet -- treated me like family.
Arrived late Friday night, but not too late to once again sit in the kitchen, have a cold one, and get caught up. Been chilly in these parts lately so the dog stayed on our side of the back door this evening. So there I was, scratching the dog’s ears, while a big white cat named Princess was rubbing against my leg, purring real loud.
You know, there’s something really special about sitting around the table with these two drag racing legends. That’s right, two of them... and there goes one of those words again... legend. Seems more than appropriate though. Hell, Olin’s been either running or crewing on a drag car since way back...and Anne’s been packing lunches, driving push cars, and chasing parts for just as long. And man, they seem to know everybody! Can’t hardly drop a name around this comfy place that you won’t get all the details (both good and bad) about. Not that one would suspect any Texans involved with our beloved drag racing of having skeletons of one sort or another in their closets. Right?
We retired to the living room and I got the unabridged story on the life and times of the late Jimmy Nix... another legend. Jimmy was a member
of the Davis’ extended family... of which I now also consider myself. Unfortunately, they were both at Houston Raceway Park that fateful day back in ‘93 when Jimmy died in a top end mishap. Olin still gets all emotional just discussing it. Kinda think, in a way, Olin somehow feels responsible. He didn’t follow his usual procedure with the team... not being at the same spot in the push truck he usually occupied during that last pass. Wish he didn’t feel that way... things just happen, you know.
Next after settling down on the comfortable living room couch, the three of us solved most of the world’s major problems before the 11 o’clock news ended. But, now it was time to turn in... After all, I did drive six hundred miles today
, with only two stops for gas, and one for lunch. The rest of the trip was only interrupted by a quick stop on the shoulder of I-20 somewhere around Midland... followed by a short discussion with one of the Lone Star States’ finest about driving above the posted speed limit and legal possession of a concealed firearm.
But... tomorrow morning’s gonna come early, and I could sit up all night and talk with these two. So here I am drop dead tired and knowing that the day long drive was the easy part. Tomorrow’s gonna be a little more difficult. I’m gonna have to keep up with Olin.
Six (or was it seven?) AM came real early but I felt good and rested by then. After a few cups of coffee and a couple of breakfast burritos, it was time to go.
Heading up the Dallas North Tollway, Olin’s kinda leaning back in the bucket seat, one hand on the wheel, his eyes glancing back and forth between mine and the traffic... while clutching that ever present cigar with the other... one finger stabbing the air to make a point. Yep... most of the time he was filling me up with these wonderful tales of his... like the one about the times when he and ‘Pappy’ Hart hauled ice to all of the concession stands at the Texas Motorplex during the ‘Big Show.’ Turned out that a lot of that ice made its way to the racers. Him and ol’ Pappy did that for about six cloudless years, laughing all day.
Exiting the Tollway at Highway 121, we made our way through the already heavy Holiday shopper traffic to Preston Road, arriving at Cruisers
www.mycruisers.com.
Pretty early... in fact... it hadn’t even opened yet. But who cared? We had no sooner parked and stepped out of the van when someone pulls up with a cool brown primered Chassis Research TE-440 dragster in tow. Wayne and Randy Calvert are the present owners of the digger. Randy found it in an alley in Denton. Ah ha... another one saved! It was originally purchased a long time ago from the Hunt & Mabry shop in kit form by Jack Phillips & Johnny Dodson. None other than Jim Davis welded it together for the boys. Olin Davis made that unique ‘adjustable’ front spring perch a few years later. They thought it would be just the ticket to compensate for varying track conditions... but they started running it and never felt it necessary to move it from that original setting. How about that Buick ‘Nailhead’ engine and the 4-71 blower with that way cool Weiand four jug intake? The ol’ digger’s a long way from being finished, but we’re all looking forward to hearing it Cackle some day. Don’t think I’ve had the pleasure of hearing a blown Nailhead wail since back in my High School daze.
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| That's Wayne Calvert's Willys parked next to the dragster |
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| That unusual front spring mount |
While we stood salivating over the dragster, a fine blue Ford pickup pulls up with a beautiful white Fiat Topolino in tow. Buddy Anderson had filled me in at the Chief Auto Parts Nationals on the history as well as his future plans for ‘Widdle White Wabitt’ (
http://www.draglist.com/artman/publish/article_001393.shtml). It was a winner back in its day, and it’s still in pristine condition. How many all steel Topolinos have you seen lately? The temperamental Chevy motor wasn’t really in the mood for starting on this still cool Texas morning, but there wasn’t a shortage of hands getting the ‘Wabitt’ down off the trailer. A quick glance toward the front door showed that Cruisers still hadn’t opened yet. Guess I’ll have to hang out here and look at the old race cars a while longer.
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| Buddy Anderson & the "Widdle White Wabitt' |
Next up in the reserved parking area... Don Ross and his beautifully re-created ‘Scorpion.’ If you ever get a chance to see it... take your time checking it out. Don’s an artist and the ‘Scorpion’ is a work of art. Its beauty lies in its simplicity. After priming the six deuces, the ol’ Hemi fired right up. The ‘Scorpion’ was to be parked right at the front door of Cruisers, so it had to be driven a little further then the other race cars. I guess Don just couldn’t resist the temptation of driving it around the parking lot... turned more than one shopper’s head. But man, did it look (and sound) cool pulling up in front of Cruisers eight straight pipes barking!
Hey... they’ve opened the doors! And I got so caught up in checking out the cars, I hadn’t noticed how big the crowd had gotten. Heading for the door I ran into Arlington’s own Larry Smith. The last time I saw Larry was at one of the Funny Car Reunions in E-Town. And how’s this for irony? Larry owns the previously mentioned Mooneyham & Sharp AA/FD... matter of fact, he had it on display at E-Town that year. I remember Larry had that same dragster on display at the 1st National Hot Rod Reunion at Bowling Green, too. Some of these guys really get around, don’t they? Larry didn’t have the Mooneyham & Sharp car here and as I started to ask him why... his cell phone went off. He headed for a quiet spot to field the call... that was the last I saw of him. Check out Larry’s website..
www.dragworldusa.com
He’s even got some Stevie Ray Vaughan stuff on it. That’s a Texas thing ‘ya know.
Next familiar face I see in the crowd? Olin’s smiling mug.
Before I know it, he’s dragging me through the throng in the lower level of Cruisers telling me there’s someone here I’ve just got to meet. Next thing I know... I’m talking to Frank Cook, pilot of the legendary’ Drag-On-Vega’ funny car. Well now... once again irony raises its head.
Just a few weeks ago, a neighbor back home in El Paso bought a book at a yard sale and brought it over and gave it to me. I guess word travels fast when you eat, sleep, and breathe this stuff. And like a good neighbor, I insisted on paying her back for it, but she’d have no part of it... cost her a whole buck! ‘The Sox & Martin Book of Drag Racing’ (hardbound - paper cover with an image of TV Tom doing a flame burnout still intact) also had two good-as-new handouts of Frank’s ‘Vega.’ After shaking hands and visiting for a while I had Frank sign them both. Gave one to Olin. After all, one good turn deserves another.
Man... This place is packed! And they’ve got antique motorcycles on the floor. A Hemi powered turbocharged rear engine dragster on the wall. Honest!! This place is a motorhead’s dream... hot rods out front, on the walls, out back, everywhere! All this cool stuff surrounds the bar centered on the lower level. Next thing I know, Olin’s drug me to the upper level and we’re sharing a table with Glenn Cupit and Dan Petty. Olin said to me, under his breath.. "These guys are ‘ferriners’ because they come from another country... Louisiana." Can’t argue with that logic. Glenn ran the Cupit & Cunningham small block Chevy powered AA/FD (that’s right... was a time when the Chevys could compete with the Hemis on damn near equal footing... you should have been there for that!) And Mr. Petty (a racing royalty last name, no?) ran a Modified Sports Car that won an AHRA national event or two.
And speaking of racing royalty... they’re everywhere around here! From my table I can spot Vance Hunt (Top Fuel), Watus Simpson (shoe for hire), Bobby Langley (Top Fuel), Ron Ussery (Jr. Fuel), Joe Haggerty (AA/FA), Don Coker (Jr. Fuel), Bob Walcott (AA/FA), Grady Bryant (AWB F/C), Charlie Smith, Dale Emery (you name it, he did it), Earl Knight, Guy Tipton (who’s wears not one but TWO National Championship rings), Chuck Rearick, Jim Duppstadt (Jr. Fuel). And again, that’s just the view from this table!
A gentleman by the name of Bob Huddleston dropped by our table for a chat... although by now ‘chatting’ had evolved to something between a scream or a war whoop... but that’s what happens when you fill a place this size with so many half-deaf ‘Geezers.’ Seems we’ve all spent too much time around Fuel motors... without earplugs.
Anyway, Bob related a story to me about a ‘40 Ford Coupe he built back about 1957 that he drove on the streets of Dallas for a few short years until he got a letter from Uncle Sam. Enter Francis Reed... who bought the Coupe (which by now was powered by a small Chevy) from Bob before he went overseas. Many years... and a few engines later, Bob and Francis crossed paths again. Bob was floored when he found out the old Ford was still up and running... but by now sporting a later model T.P.I. small Chevy... and parked outside. Incidentally, Bob was also the owner/builder of the infamous "Out House Mouse" ‘27 T Roadster.
Before moving on too far... a note about Cruisers. Although the place was mobbed, loud, AND chaotic, the food and service were excellent. This was indeed a great place to hold the ‘Geezer Gathering.’
Well about now, Nature Called, so excusing myself from the table, I wandered through the mob past the racecars, motorcycles, and other memorabilia that adorn this place. I finally made it to the Men’s Room. And couldn’t help but notice there weren’t any cars or motorcycles in here. Wonder why not? Gonna have to take that up with Kelly (Manager Kelly St. Andre) sometime in the future. Speaking of Kelly... he advised me later that he estimated there were at least 175 Geezers here this morning and that the help was worn out already... and it was still early.
Stepping outside, a slick looking Jr. Fuel dragster that I somehow managed to miss earlier caught my eye. It had all of the later model gadgets on it, like a ‘Glide and double hoop roll cage but the chassis had that old look and feel about it. I thought it might have been an old Woody (Gilmore) piece. Glenn Cupit came along and we started discussing it. He didn’t think it was a Gilmore, but it did look familiar. We had to find the owner of this one.
Next thing you know we’re hanging out in Mike Millsap’s trailer deep in one of those bench race sessions. Mike’s the owner of the dragster. His family also owns Sachse Rod Shop over in Sachse... pronounced Sak-see or Saxy... or... just think of sexy, only with an ‘A.’ Mike was more than generous, sharing his knowledge of the old digger. Check out the Sachse Rod Shop website at...
www.sachserodshop.com
But anyway, turns out Glenn had good reason to recognize it. It was welded together back about ‘68 or ‘69 by Lester Guillory, an old pal of Glenn’s from over in that ‘ferrin’ country. So Mike got to learn a little about the builder that he didn’t know. It was originally owned by Tom Pagotta, who ran it as a Ford powered Jr. Fueler. Beside the chassis, the fuel tank on this puppy is the original too.
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| Mile Millsap's "Sachse Rod Shop" digger at Tulsa |
By the time Glenn and I left Mike’s trailer, the crowd at Cruisers had definitely dwindled down. And while we were busy over there, we missed the part where our hero Olin was given a plaque to commemorate all of the work he’s done to co-ordinate these ‘Geezer Gatherings.” Thank you Don Ross.
Before I forget... I want to mention how good it was to get to spend some time with David Pace and to finally meet Bob Gibson... who I’ve corresponded with over the web for quite some time. You know, that’s the beauty of these deals... meeting old friends, and making new ones. And if you see someone at one of these gatherings that you used to know, or hell, someone you’d just like to meet... walk up and shake their hand. Do it... you’ll be glad you did. Because you never know who might not be at the next one. Love y’all.
More old B.S. later.
BADCO
Forward advise, rebuttals, and death threats to
badco@elp.rr.com
P.S. -- Just about the same time I got this feature wrapped up... more sad news. Jack Williams, pilot of the famous Crossley, Williams, and Swan AA/FD and lately manager of the Famoso Raceway, has passed away. I’ll never forget the time that Jack chased me off the track at Famoso. No anger, threats, or anything of that nature... just made it clear he wanted me out of there. That look on his face was all it took.
My most heartfelt condolences to the families and friends of those who have lost their loved ones. Damn... this is turning into a long winter.
*© 1960 "Let’s Think About Living"
Words and Music by Felice & Boudleaux Bryant
Recorded by Bob Luman from the Warner Brothers single of the same title.
This Rock-a-billy inspired record appeared on both Billboard’s Top 40 Pop singles (#7) and Country singles (#9) charts as well as reaching #6 on the British charts. Bob is from Blackjack, Texas, where he formed his first band while still in High School featuring future guitar great James Burton. Bob still makes occasional appearances to this day. James went on to become Rick Nelson’s guitarist, as well as playing the lead tracks on Dale Hawkins "Suzie Q.”.. you might remember Creedence butchering that same tune. Check out his lead work on Nelson’s "Believe What You Say.” Burton also played for Elvis from ‘69 right up until Mr. Presley ‘left the building,’ as well as Emmylou Harris, the legendary Gram Parsons, John Denver, and Joni Mitchell among many others.
A word of thanks to all of the usual suspects up to and including, David Pace, The Madbrits, Olin and Ann, the staff at Cruisers, The Boopster, and Fred the Wonder Puppy.
Thanks Bud
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