For JB's Pick as Racer of the Week, March 17th, 2014, I have selected "Pro Stock" Jim Wilson of Rock Island, IL. Jim was recommended to me by my friend Rob Pearce from the Quad Cities Drag Racers group. Thanks, Rob!
From his days of racing his 1969 Nova, from the time it was new, to his days of racing with the Midwest Pro Stock Association and UDRA he was always a tough competitor. He has built or worked on many of the cars still being raced today at Cordova and around the area. Jim is to the Midwest area what Bob Glidden was to Pro Stock racing. Do everything yourself and figure out how to make your own power. A true racer and friend of many. It would be impossible to even figure who all he has helped achieve their dreams when it comes to Drag Racing.
Rob's Studebaker is one of the many cars that Jim has built. Bill Rotz's 63' Vette is another. The Firebird of the McMains "Hocus Pocus" was Jim's originally when he raced with the MPSA and UDRA. His last race car was an '01 Camaro he raced briefly with the Ozark Mountain Super Shifters. He is currently redoing the 69' Nova. It was originally 1 of 112 that came with an aluminum headed 427 and a 4-speed trans. The Nova was run in various classes over the years. It is currently in the process of being redone with a new chromoly chassis after being stored for probably 20 years. The Pontiac Firebird originally was built as a legal 500ci car when he ran with the MPSA. At some point he had a 632ci BBC and even a 735ci BBC in it when he ran with the UDRA. The Camaro was towards the end of his going fast days and was mostly ran with a 632 and a small shot of NOS.
Here's a bit of additional information on the many different faces of Jim's Nova as it truly is a part of Cordova raceway's history. Jim cut it up completely around 1980 to race in what was going to be super gas. I remember him telling me he wanted it to go 9.70's. Of course it had a BBC and a Lenco in it. That only lasted a few years as "more power" was right around the corner. He bought an old power plant from the John Edwards Camaro formerly driven by Willie Devore. The Nova went low 8's with this 500" beast detuned. With aerodynamics playing a big part in his decision he decided the Firebird body was the way to go.
The Firebird was campaigned for several years with many updates along the way. Updates to include a totally new chromoly chassis, the old chassis becoming Ralph Conner's new Firebird a few years later and it is still raced today. The Firebird also had to be front halved after an incident in TN at Music City Raceway. It went from being a legal 500" Pro Stocker to an outlaw 700"+ monster with NOS. Best et in the 7 flat range and mph 199+. Never quite made it across the 200 mph barrier but not for lack of trying. This in the days way before you could just pick up the phone, take out your credit card, and buy all the power you could handle. Jim has said more than once that he put his daughter through college with the winnings from this hot rod.
Jim Wilson's feature is one of the most popular on social media that I have ever seen. He's well within the top 5 for Racer of the Week mojo. On Facebook alone, there are 39 likes, 10 shares, and 27 comments on Jim's feature. Here are some of the comments about Jim Wilson:
"wayyyy cool!! Pro Stock Jim is a bit of a nut but a really REALLY good guy and always a fun time to be around!..."
"Yes he is a very cool guy! He has worked on my nova and my brother Steve's camaro!"
"Very happy for Jim.........well deserved feature!"
"Cool! I'll be listening in on this one. I enjoyed the years we spent racing with Jim in the Midwest Pro Stock Assc."
"He's a racers racer! The guy will bend over backwards to help you out....without him after my accident I would of been done. I'm forever in debt to him and with his knowledge and wisdom he should not be allowed to retire because he'll be one if the great ones missed!"
"I grew up watching Jim race he has the same name as my Dad they both ran novas people have gotten them mixed up for years roll me over and burn me up as my dad says. My Dad's nickname is Big Jim and Jim Wilson's is Pro stock Jim by Erik Carlson. always fast cars,and he has always had time for me the kid with a hundred questions, he is one of my childhood heroes and as an adult a great friend very deserving!!!"
Rob Pearce said "I stopped at Jim's last weekend and shared this with him as I wanted to be the one to tell him. He was very happy as expected."
"Along with Jim's ability to build anything, is his memory and way of telling stories... a few times at the speed shop, drag strip, or the best place was in his Small garage with Jim sitting on a BB head turned sideways as a stool Thinking, then talking....Priceless.... so deserving for Jim. Good job, Rob Pearce for recommending him."
"priceless him,dad,Jeff Malmen and the Harders all ran together the stories are great!"
"One of the QC legends..."
Now, ya see, it's guys like this. It's the Jim Wilsons that really are the backbone of the sport of drag racing, folks. Jim Wilson ain't even online as far as I know. It was his friend who told me about him, and you shoulda seen the page light up when his graphic went out. Jim can be found at his shop working on somebody's hot rod, and all are welcome and right at home at his place.
Jim Wilson, builder and racer of great high performance cars. Racer of the Week, March 17th, 2014. Thanks, Jim, and our best wishes in the future.
I'm open for suggestions, folks. Feel free to message me on my Facebook page: John R. Bockelman, email me at pctalent@sbcglobal.net, or message me on my Drag Racers Reunon page.
Y'all be sure to tune in tomorrow night at 7 PM Eastern for Racing Through History. It's a Goat Rodeo you don't want to miss. Thanks, I'll see y'all next week.