Motorsports Newsletter 3/10/23

1) The OSCAR KOVELESKI Project has started. If you have any stories about Oscar and his inventions, sports and drag car racing, the Polish Racing Team, Cannonball Outlaw Run or any personal recollections send them to me at RnParks1 to compile into an anthology (compendium).

2) Ab Jenkins Hall of Fame. Landspeed Louise Ann Noeth (drag racer, editor, writer and publisher) wrote: "If you have any interest in how land speed racing was honored Tuesday, March 7th, in Daytona Beach, use the link below to watch the complete video. And yes, you can fast-forward, if need be, but there were many highlights from other segments of motorsports you might also enjoy. I will be sending more images in the next couple of days. There were six members of the Jenkins family in attendance!" https://www.facebook.com/MotorsportsHOF/videos/1139776766696220
3) The Cool Cruise Car Show in Old Town La Verne also called the La Verne Car Cruise, in La Verne, California will be held on Saturday, 8 April 2023. Craig Hoelzel is the Show Manager and is at Craig@FlyingDeuces.com, or www.FlyingDeuces.com, or www.CoolCruiseCarShow.com, or www.CruisinBrea.com, or www.CruisinLaVerne.com, and www.BreaHolidayCarShow.com.

4) Gone Racin’ … Bad Rods video review by Richard Parks, 5 March 2023. Video was shot in 1984.

Dean Papadeas has done it again in creating a smashing extravaganza of picturesque hot rods, coupes, wagons and street rods. This time Papadeas and expert narrator Kenny Youngblood cover the Good Guys Indy Hot Rod Happening at Lucas Oil Raceway (NHRA’s Indianapolis Raceway Park) and also at the Indy 500 Speedway. This is a 39-minute film by Papadeas, Youngblood and the Main Event Entertainment crew highlighting Gary Meadors Good Guys show. It is hard to imagine that after World War II that government officials sought to ban hot rodding and car customizing but for the efforts of hot rodders nationwide to keep their sport. That animosity towards the car culture still continues today which is why car guys and gals have to be ever vigilant.

Papadeas is a master filmmaker and cameraman, and Youngblood never takes over an interview but masterly stays in the background as he brings out the best in his interviews. The photography is unmatched as beautiful coupes, hot rods, customs and all manner of innovative and creative cars paraded around oval tracks, drag strip and on the street. Gary Meadors and Good Guys are well-known for their graciousness and easy-going manner in presenting their car shows. Not only are the cars a work of beauty but so are the lovely ladies, such as Linda Vaughn who catch Papadeas’ eye. More than the beautiful cars and ladies is the spirit by which people participate and attend a Good Guys event. The street rods represent the vitality and ingenuity that make cruising a great activity.

Papadeas gets up close in his shots; one wonders if he is about to be run over by the moving rods. The background music never overwhelms the narration or the action and is a jazzy, 1950-‘60’s sound. The scene at the Indy 500 Speedway as the cars circle the massive track is mesmerizing. Scenes at the drag strip and at Bill’s Fabulous ‘50’s Drive in Restaurant with real roller-skating carhops bring back that old nostalgia. Boyd Coddington is one of the judges and he looks for fine details, body work, engine and that special unique look. Cruising is the final test as the sleek, fast, curvy, sexy cars show off the owner’s individuality and character with beautiful detailing, pinstriping and paint jobs. There is also a clip of drag racing to round out the Good Guys show. Videos can be purchased from Main Event Entertainment at MainEventVideo.

Gone Racin’ is at Rnparks1.