Motorsports Newsletter 4/23/23

By Richard Parks

1) Royce Rumsey just published “Star with Sunglasses” in Exposure. To be added to his list of fine stories, just email Royce at roycer924_2.

2) I remember years ago that an NHRA official at the time told me that as far as he was concerned, there would be Top Fuel, Funny Car, and everything else could just run a bracket race. Indirectly, he might have gotten his wish. In any event, if the current NHRA program was as popular as it’s claimed to be, then why all the TV shows featuring Street Racers? Bob Small

Bob: I watched YouTube to check up, and there is a wealth of videos available. I’m even reviewing videos made by Dean Papadeas and narrated by Kenny Youngblood from the 1980s, and all this racing is still exciting to watch. Perhaps the answer is that no one sanctioning body or promoter can handle all of the motorsport racing going on today. But is that the answer or not?

3) EDITOR: Mark Greene at CarsYeah.com interviews people in the car culture, and you too can be interviewed. Contact Mark at mark. Mark interviewed me, and he did a wonderful job. I now have a new nickname, “Mr. Froggy,” for my low basso voice.

4) This is an 1/8 Mile bike drag race from the Tampa, Florida, area. Young people are abandoning the NHRA, or more accurately, it has abandoned them. They are going back to what the NHRA was supposedly founded upon. Mechanical ingenuity and creativity. None of the participants Jack interviews has what I would term a Florida accent. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d3rzzV3MlKc&list=PLgU4T9xPwc38lUoG76JVYaOZNU-gP9F6X. Don Redmon

Don: This race was at Showtime Speedway Pinellas Park (formerly Sunshine Raceway), and I couldn’t find who sanctioned the race. One thing is certain, drag racing in the 1960s is still a fan favorite among many.

5) The Petersen Automotive Museum (PAM) is holding a screening of the film PAULA MURPHY: UNDAUNTED, on Wednesday, May 24, 2023, from 6:00-7:00 pm. Refreshments by In-N-Out Burger 7:00-8:00 pm. Documentary Screening 8:00-9:00 pm and then a Panel Discussion. This special event is dedicated to paying tribute to Paula Murphy’s contributions and impact on the world of women in motorsports. Paula Murphy, Pam Miller, and Lyn St James are devoted to supporting opportunities for women across all disciplines of motorsport. Hosted by: Amanda Busick, Landspeed Louise, and Bruce Meyer. Paula Murphy defied odds and stereotypes as she carved her way to becoming the Andy Granatelli-sponsored “Miss STP” by setting speed records and competing in various race categories. Despite setbacks and wrecks, Paula did not stop moving and lived on to be known as “the fastest woman on wheels” who broke records, and barriers, for future women in motorsports. Starring in the movie are Jenny Taft, Andy Beckman, Doug Boles, Hailie Deegan, Sarah Fisher, John Force, Don Garlits, Jeff Gordon, Hurley Haywood, Bruce Meyer, Dan Murphy, Louise Ann Noeth, Beth Paretta, Richard Petty, Rick Salvino, Ralph Seagrave, and Lyn St James. The film produced by Lindsey Mandia, Pam Miller, and Cindy Sisson and directed by Pam Miller. For more information, contact Cindy Sisson at 704-906-9507 or cindy@womeninmotorsportsna.com. Sent in by Landspeed Louise Ann Noeth.

6) Many thanks to Gary McGavin of the Road Runners for putting my files into a PDF format.

EDITOR: I’ve been having trouble copying & pasting photographs into the newsletter. I lost the photographs that were sent in. Please accept my apologies.

7) Hi, this is Akshita Sharma, the girl from Friday who took the picture of you (meaning Bill Montgomery) with the car. Here is the image you requested. I edited it, and I hope you like it. Can you tell me your opinion about the image? Here is a little bit about me. I am a freshman from Mountain House High School, located in Mountain House, which is in central California. This is my first year participating in SkillsUSA, and my event was Photography. This is my first year doing photography as well though I personally think I’m doing a good job for a beginner. I am in the Computer Science Pathway in my school, Computer Science Essentials. Also, I would like to thank you for allowing me to take the photo for my event. I appreciate your help very much. Thank you, Akshita (at.shita2405).

Akshita: For some reason, I couldn’t get the photo to copy, and it disappeared on me. I hope to master photographs someday, but until then, you keep taking shots and submit them to your local newspapers, Hotrodhotline.com, and other outlets.

8) EDITOR: Rosco McGlashan and the Aussie Invader land speed racing team sent this in. “My new memoir, ROSCO: The Fastest Aussie on Earth, is now on sale. We received sad news. Ken Warby (MBE) was my chief motivator, has passed away. Ken set the world water speed record at over 317 mph at Blowerin Dam in New South Wales in the late 1970s. He designed, built, and raced his boat under extremely tough financial conditions. He even resorted to lowering his boat’s jet engine into the hull using his backyard tree,” said McGlashan. AussieInvader5R’s address is at 6 Karalundie Way, Mullaloo, Western Australia 6027, Australia, and his email address is rosco

9) We enjoy this newsletter, along with all the resources and information that you include into the subject. We want to share a couple of photos that Mark took of your dad (Wally Parks), I don’t think you ever saw. If you use any of them, all we ask is Photo Credit. Mark & Laura Bruederle. Thank you, Mark & Laura Bruederle

Dear Mark and Laura: Thank you very much; it is appreciated. For some reason, I couldn’t get the photo to copy, and it disappeared on me.