By Richard Parks
1) Readers: Kent Fuller has passed away.
Bob McClennan wrote, “How did it come about that Kent moved to Champion? Did it work out? I remember him building the grandstand brackets at the Speedway.”
Don Smith replied, “Our history with Kent Fuller…We were running the Chassis Research car when we first heard about him building this slick chassis in Northern California. Your Dad did not know I contacted him & offered him a cash deal for his next chassis. He was building the Hampshire Brothers car at the time & needed money. I was buying & selling used items at the speed shop & putting away the money. Fuller called me on a Friday & said he would be there Saturday with the chassis. When he showed up, your Dad was at Molloy’s having a birthday drink with others. I called & told him to please come right up as I had an emergency & needed him. He was shocked on what I had done. Kent could no longer afford the shop he was renting & we worked out a deal where he could have the back corner of CSS & keep our Fuller car updated, which he did until he got on his feet & started selling many cars…Then moved back North. Yes, he & your Dad worked out a deal for the brackets. He was a very quiet guy & stayed to himself, but we had a good relationship with him. RIP, Kent.”
Steve Gibbs added, “Due to some unfortunate and conflicting information, the passing of Kent Fuller has not received the full recognition that is deserved. His passing is a huge loss, and his legacy cannot be overstated. Kent had been in declining health, and he and wife, Evelyn, recently relocated to Southern California. Fuller was an amazing fabricator whose creations had a huge and lasting impact on both performance and appearance…especially in the fuel dragster category of the 1960s. Fuller cars dominated, and the design made it possible for beautiful bodywork by the best tin men. Tom Hanna gave Fuller credit for giving him a car that he could truly work with. Fuller also fabricated some of the sport’s most unique creations, such as Tommy’s four-engine “Showboat” and the “Magwinder.” Kent was inducted into The International Drag Racing Hall of Fame in 1996. I’m asking for you folks to share photos of your favorite Fuller car and memories of his many projects and accomplishments. Our condolences and respect go out to The Fuller Family. Vaya con Dios mi amigo.” Steve Gibbs
Steve Gibbs re-added, “To my knowledge, no obituary has been posted for Kent Fuller. I have not heard of any services. We will be doing a Kent Fuller Tribute display at Nitro Revival in November, including a memorial gathering on Friday evening.”
2) Bob Stange has passed away. See https://competitionplus.com/drag-racing/news/driveline-innovator-bob-stange-passes-away. From Don Smith and Steve Gibbs
EDITOR: Bob Stange founded STANGE Engineering, but his catalog printer kept making the same typo error STRANGE Engineering, so Bob decided it was easier to rename his company STRANGE Engineering. Our condolences to Bob’s family, friends, and employees.
AND from John Towle and Don Smith: https://www.mshf.com/Bob-Stange-10-1607745.html, https://m.facebook.com/StrangeEng.
3)“Terry Cook is arguably the best Petersen editor ever, and was undoubtedly the most controversial.“Dave Wallace Jr
4) David Dewhurst will be at Autobooks/Aerobooks to sign his book The Best Years of Motocross; the Golden Era, race fans to race fans on Saturday, June 17, 2023, from 10 AM to 2 PM. Autobooks/Aerobooks is located at 2900 W. Magnolia Blvd, Burbank, CA 91505. 818-845-0707, Tina.
5) What have Doug Stokes, Jim Kerr, John Dinkel, and the Sports Car Guys gotten me into with the Oscar Koveleski Story? Every time I think I have finished this work, there are more fascinating things to tell about Oscar and Sports Car Racing. They’re turning me into a potential future HILLCLIMBER! I’ll let you all know when the “book” is done.
6) “Bill Montgomery, I appreciate your invitation to collaborate one more time with your incredible team, “The Hidden Pioneers,” on the Shelby 100-year event, held on Saturday, January 14, 2022, at Gardena, CA. This allowed us the opportunity to talk with hundreds of participants and some corporate members about our NASA OSTEM, NASA STEM resource, about our internships program. I enjoyed the opportunity of educating the participants about NASA’s programs and careers, the multiple NASA STEM learning opportunities, and NASA students’ challenges. Thank you for this great opportunity. Gracias, Monica Uribe NASA EPDC Education Specialist Armstrong Flight Research Center.”
READERS: Ed Iskenderian and I have joined the Hidden Pioneers team in an effort to promote automotive, vocational, and engineering skills in our school systems.
7) Pete Garramone (www.dragpixbypete.com) wrote, “I’m told that drag racing is slowly going South. Bandimere here in Denver says this is the last year for them. SAD.”
Hal Canode added, “Got this email from Pete. There were a lot of rumors of this at the 2021 NHRR at Bowling Green. There will be no honorees at Bowling Green this year. NHRA did away with them. Don Garlits will be Grand Marshall. at the NHRR (National Hot Rod Reunion). Don Prudhomme will be Grand Marshall at the CHRR (California Hot Rod Reunion). There is talk that Holley might take over the event at Bowling Green if NHRA pulls out.”
Steve Gibbs wrote, “As for the Famoso and Bowling Green events, NHRA has re-branded the two as “Wally Parks NHRA Nostalgia Nationals.“ The events will place more focus on racing and less on social/reunion activity. They will no longer be presenting awards recognizing past history. They feel that this approach will stimulate more ticket sales, which are vital to the museum’s welfare.
EDITOR: I try not to edit what is written, but it must be done sometimes in order to be fair to all parties. I haven’t heard back from the NHRA Motorsports Museum yet, but I have spoken to David Kennedy and Glen Cromwell. Let’s wait and see what happens. I sure hope they decide to continue with awards. It’s a sign of respect for past services given to motorsports.
8) Hal Canode and his 1933 at Indy May 19, 2023, NDRL Race. Seventy-eight years old and still driving. Bandimere is looking for a new location to build. https://www.si.com/fannation/racing/auto-racing-digest/.amp/nhra/another-track-bites-the-dust-should-the-nhra-and-its-loyal-fans-be-worried. NHRR at Bowling Green 2021. I had my ’33 Willys there on display when I got my Lifetime Achievement Award from the NHRA Museum. Hal Canode
Bob Brown answered, “Here is the announcement straight from Mr. Bandimere himself. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IgmIHXlrlIs. He’s a very dignified and humble individual, I’d say. Bob Brown
EDITOR: Ditto; I’ve met him and the Bandimere family. Very nice people.
Hal Canode added, “The Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum has announced that the two 2023 Hot Rod Reunion events will relaunch as the Wally Parks NHRA Nostalgia Nationals! This three-day event is scheduled for June 15-17, 2023 (Father’s Day weekend) and will return to the beautiful rolling hills of Beech Bend Raceway Park in Bowling Green, Kentucky.”
9) Would you know if that is the same “Roy Robinson” who was an accomplished drag racing photographer at SoCal strips back in the 1960s? Over the years at the CHRR’s Leslie Lovett photo contest, prints signed with the name Roy Robinson have placed in the top 3 many times. Always wished I could meet him someday. High-quality shooter! Bob Brown
Bob: Your answer is below. I will post email addresses in this newsletter if given the okay to do so.
Roy Robinson replied, “Yes. That was what I did in the 1960s, early ’70s. I am retired and living in Seattle. Do you know about Don Hale, who was with me? We have the largest collection of Color Drag races. We were learning photography and were some of the first to shoot color.”
10) Mark Greene will interview Stefan Johansson (Racer/Artist), Jordan ‘Joker’ Smith (USAF Pilot/Photographer), Andy Chatham (DIMO), and Michael Milne (Changes in Longitude) for his Cars Yeah Podcast. To hear these stories write to Mark at info to find out how to subscribe and hear these stories. Free to subscribe, and I’ve been interviewed. You can ask to be interviewed too.
11) Hillbank Motors invites everyone to stop by their booth at the Barrett-Jackson auction in Las Vegas on June 22nd-24th, 2023.
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