Motorsports Newsletter 7/05/23

By Richard Parks

READERS: Dema Elgin and Randy Schmitz have contributed short stories of about 100 to 200 words about KENT FULLER. If you have any stories to add please send them to me. Once completed I will make them available to everyone who wants to read these stories by simple email and will archive Kent’s stories for the future.

1) Hi Richard, this is Tamara Donahoe, John Baechtel’s daughter. I’m so sorry to have to relay this news but we lost Dad last year, so if you would like to remove him on both addresses you can. Please let me know if you need anything else. Tamara
TAMARA: I am so sorry to hear of this sad news. I visited your father at his shop to do a shop tour for DRIVE magazine. I should have done his biography while I was at it. Here is my story for your family. He was a great man in motorsports, and we will miss him so much.
READERS: Here are two paragraphs of the story on John Baechtel and Westech.
Gone Racin’… To visit John Baechtel and Westech Performance Group. Story by Richard Parks. 4 November 2006.
“A friend asked me to check out a shop called Westech Performance Group in Mira Loma, California. It’s always interesting to visit shops and garages and see what treasures one can find. I had never heard of Westech and wasn’t sure whether it was worth the drive out there to find out. That’s exactly the attitude that will lead to a humbling experience, as I found it to be much more than a performance shop.
John Baechtel and Rick Stoner are the owners. John was an editor at Hot Rod and Car Craft Magazines. He was always looking for a place to do engine testing for the magazines. Detesting the long commutes from his home, John retired from the magazines and with his partner, Rick Stoner, opened Westech in 1993. They are an independent engine-testing lab for various clients, including automotive companies, magazines and engine builders. Companies from all over the country send their engines to Westech to be tested on state-of-the art dynamometers, with the results published in Hot Rod, Car Craft, Popular Hot Rodding, Super Chevy and many other magazines. They use the SuperFlow 901 engine Dyno with Windyn software and can handle small block, big block and engines from all the car companies with the correct adapters.” For the rest of the article write to RnParks1.

2) Speedster Reunion at the Museum of American Speed, 599 Oak Creek Drive, Lincoln, Nebraska 68528. Contact the museum at: museumstaff.

3) Royce Rumsey just published “Hauté Roddeur.” When it comes to automotive advertising and editorial content, international supermodels are typically associated with supercars. Indeed, famed cover model and movie actress Eugenia Kuzmina has been photographed with Lamborghinis, Bugattis, Ford GTs, Ferraris, and the like. However, Eugenia has also had lenses trained on her at the wheel of hot rods—including when driving in road races and competing on the drag strip. Her career transcends fashion runways to airport runways–which are founding home of drag racing. Royce can be found at roycer924_2.
EDITOR: Does HAUTE mean STYLISH or HOT? Perhaps in this case it means both.

4) Nice write up on your son. It was lovely reading about the 3rd generation. LandSpeed Louise Ann Noeth
LandSpeed: Thank you. It’s important to remember the younger generation as well as the first group of pioneers.

5) Richard, I don’t believe I’ve seen it. Thanks, Herb Kutz
HERB: Oscar Koveleski’s story is on the way.
READERS: Jim Kerr and John Dinkel, and others asked me to do a story on Oscar Koveleski, SCCA official, sports car driver, Kid Racer creator, co-founder of the Polish Racecar Drivers of America, and original member of the 1971 Cannonball Sea to Sea Race. The story is on Word Doc and it is free so just let me know and I will send it to you. John Gay is working on the photographs and inserting them into the story and when he sends the final version I will send that to you as well.

6) Vintage Metal Journal is at https://indd.adobe.com/view/138093b8-22c4-442b-b1b2-67b04333b20b. Regards, Bob Campbell, Editor.
July 2023, Issue #377 includes July General Meeting, Monday July 3. VSCC of Western Australia, Caversham, Clubrooms 6.30 for 7.00 pm. Albany Classic Photo Gallery, Plus “A Tale of Two Lotus Elites,” Ted Hantke and His Healey, JK and Squareriggers at Albany, All the Regular Columns. Vintage Metal Magazine is the Journal of the Vintage Sports Car Club of Western Australia. Contact: admin. President is Glenn Swarbrick, Vice-President Michael Broughton, Treasurer David Ward, and the Secretary is David Moir.
EDITOR: Thank you Bob. Road racing, motorsports, car clubs and car shows are alive and well down-under in the beautiful state of Western Australia. Any news on land speed racing events at Lake Gairdner in South Australia?

7) The next Darien Cars and Coffee is Sunday, July 9, 2023, from 7am to 10am. The only Cars and Coffee show held on the site of the original outlaw cross-country race. In June, more than 160 amazing cars showed up, and we maxed out our display spaces. We also filled up the spectator lot on Mechanics Street. And we even had the real trophy awarded to the 2nd-place finisher of the 1979 Cannonball Baker Sea-to-Shining Sea Memorial Trophy Dash race on display. Cars and Coffee Events, PO Box 324, Norwalk, Connecticut. Jim Kerr

8) EV TECH SUMMIT, EV Tech Summit is a high-level EV business summit based on the dual themes of business engagement with key manufacturers working in the EV & E mobility Industry, energy information technology and charging infrastructure Industry. This event is an excellent opportunity to learn about and discuss the latest advancements in EV industry, and the energy challenges that still remain. Invited presentations from all areas of EV industry will be discussed, from researchers and leaders in academia, industry, and government agencies from around the globe. EV Tech Summit (spagnani

9) IMAGINE TOO! TOWARDS THE FUTURE, by Patrick Kelley, will be at Autobooks to greet the public on his new work on Saturday, July 22, 2023. IMAGINE TOO has over 300 never-before-seen automobile concept images from over 100 automobile artists. Represented are Flying cars, factory concepts that never ended up in showrooms. Follow-up book to Kelley’s IMAGINE! ‘Best Of’ images Including concepts that are being designed for tomorrow. Featuring a collection of automobile concept toys, models and concept prototype sculptures. Autobooks-Aerobooks is located at 2900 West Magnolia Boulevard, Burbank, California, 91505, 818-845-0707, or www.autobooks-aerobooks.com

10) Segerstrom Shelby Event Center (and Museum) Cars & Coffee car show, July 2, 2023, 7:30-9:30AM, Cool cars and complimentary coffee. Open to all makes and models. Registration not required, info 5 Whatney, Irvine, California 92618.

11) “50th Anniversary Stand21: since 1970,” by Yves Morizot. Book review by Richard Parks for the Gone Racin’ by-line is now available.
“Yves Morizot is a man who follows his heart and earns a living by doing exactly what he loves; auto racing. He is the founder and president
of Stand21, a major company producing safety equipment. Yves wrote and published “50th Anniversary Stand21: since 1970,” in order to share his life and story with others. … Yves wrote one page in French and then the next page was a translation in English. There are thirteen chapters outlining his early life, the creation of Stand21, his life in motorsports, the expansion of his business outside of France, his family and what he sees in his future. The captions are in both French and English.” For a review write to me at RnParks1.

12) As I was sending information about ads in the DRAGcartoons Comic Paper, I remember something Barbara Parks told my mom (Orah Mae Millar) that Barbara and Wally would sit in the back garden, having a glass of wine, using a fly swatter to swat flies. Wally would say, “Oh, there goes another Pete Millar.” Wally Parks was not a fan of the flies my dad (Pete Millar) would put into his cartoons. For your own fly swatter, contact me at millarkey. Your sponsorship pays for printing the DRAGcatoons Comic Paper. Next deadline is Sept 1st. Robin Millar
EDITOR: Yes, the ability of a comic is to make us LAFF our Asphalt OFF, or curse at the wit and humor. My father had that same sardonic wit and he used it with relish. Get on board as Robin can use all the help you can give her to keep this iconic DRAGcartoons alive and people laughing.

13) This Week on Cars Yeah, Mark Greene will be interviewing, a) Simon Wright of Limited100, b) Jason Hart – Racer, c) Michael Good of Dynamat, and d) Michael Ledwitz – Artist. Mailing address for Cars Yeah, 4618 131st St Ct NW, Gig Harbor, Washington 98332. Mark Greene at Cars Yeah is at info.

14) E AVIATION TECH SHOW/EXPO E Aviation Tech Show/Expo will be an Electric & Hybrid experience new to the future towards the aviation technologies including everything from high-tech small aircraft through ultra-modern air mobility with companies that are investing in the future business of the aviation marketplace. E Aviation Tech Show (spagnani)

15) I tried going to AmericanHotRodFoundation.com But it opened in a strange place so try this link; https://ahrf.com/. John Towle
JOHN: My old car racers and boat racers newsletters had hundreds of responses and photos on some websites but I did not know that one had to back them up and irretrievable history was lost. Now I send everything I get to Jim Miller at AmericanHotRodFoundation.com, Miller212.842 to store. I trust him. So, yes, if you don’t mind sharing send copies in, but always keep the originals. Jim will credit you, or the owner of the photo. It is always important to keep the provenance of ownership and captions so that historians can follow the trail and get their research right.

16) ad Astra (To the Stars); the magazine of the National Space Society Dedicated to the creation of a spacefaring civilization. 2nd Quarter, issue #34, 2022. Magazine review by Richard Parks, 2 July 2023.
Yes, that is the full title of this magazine, and it is a mouthful. It is also a magazine that is every bit as good as the title implies. Let’s deconstruct this gem and find out why. The photographs catch your attention immediately. There are exquisite space shots and photos taken in labs and construction sites. This issue had nine sterling articles: “The first light machine (story of the James Webb Telescope),” by Rod Pyle; “Dead Space,” by John F. Kross; “Defending Earth,” by Jordan Strickler; “New lease on life from space,” by Mellissa Silva; “Commercial Cosmos,” by John F. Kross; “Where do you want it,” by J. L. Silverman; “Escaping Gravity,” by Lori Garver; “A new home for spaceflight,” by Mark Armstrong; and “Pathways to space, careers for women,” by Mellissa Silva.
EDITOR: For the full review write to me at RnParks1 and I will send it to you.

17) Jim Clark wrote: “The Top Gun Drag Strip in Fallon, Nevada is one of the few remaining examples of the bygone era of American Ingenuity, Family Participation, Automobile Competition and Old-Fashioned values of Sportsmanship, Integrity, Respect, Responsibility, Leadership, and facing challenges that you learn to overcome. Top Gun provides these opportunities. This facility needs to be saved.” See:
https://www.gofundme.com/f/topgun-drag-strip-repairsutm_source=customerandr&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=m_pd+share-sheet.

18) Following schedule is courtesy of SHERM PORTER fuely32.
JULY 9 MAD BOMBERZ 12th Annual Car Show, 1150 W. Foster Rd, Santa Maria, CA all years, makes, models of car, trucks & bikes welcome, 10am-4pm, Trophies, prizes, 50/50, raffle, vendors, live music, food. Info: Jimmy 805-264-5954 or Madbomberzcarclub
JULY 9 42nd Annual Westside Auto Club’s Linguica Run 2023, 75th Anniversary, Henry Miller Park, Gustine, CA, pre 1999 vehicles & special interest motorcycles are welcome! – For info: Don 209-765-1273
JULY 9 El Mirage – For info: www.scta-bni.org
JULY 15 30th Annual “COOLER” Truck Show, hosted by the local chapter of the American Truck Historical Society, Nipomo High School, CA Trucks, Tractors, Military Vehicles – For info: 805-904-6092 or www.central-coast-aths.org
JULY 15 14th Annual Collector Car Appreciation Day, CAMARILLO, CA. FOR INFO: 805-465-9336 or Info
JULY 15 ISKY’S 102nd Birthday Celebration, Lion’s Automobilia Museum. For info: 310-223-3473 or www.lionsautomobilia.org

19) Going through my Address Book I found some old friends. Do you remember them? Rodger Ward, Hila Morgan Paulson Sweet, Bob Sweikert and his daughter Carol Sweikert, Bud & Joan Meyer, Eileen & Bob Daniels, Chic Cannon, Kenny Youngblood, Danny Oakes, Ralph Foster, Joaquin Arnett, Bob Brown (Detroit and Hollywood), Walt & Dottie James, Erich “Rick” Rickman, Steve & Gloria Gibbs, Ray & Joann Brock and so many, many more. Do we have biographies on everyone we admire and love?

20) Words from a history teacher and son of a famous founder of NHRA motorsports, Wally Parks. I gave Richard this ad Astra magazine last week to look at not knowing he would do this cool write up on his findings. This is another example of what the Hidden Pioneers mean and stands for. Good things and good people working together to share the information given to us quickly and across America. Thank you for sharing. I like your writing skills and keep up the great work. Bill Montgomery, Hidden Pioneers

21) Norman Craig Breedlove, Senior March 23, 1937 – April 4, 2023, Written by: ‘LandSpeed’ Louise Ann Noeth on behalf of the family.
American five-time World Record Setter Norman Craig Breedlove, Senior, 86, the first person to surpass speed marks faster than 400+, 500+ and 600+ miles per hour, died peacefully in his sleep surrounded by family Tuesday, April 4, 2023, in Rio Vista, CA. “He was an American treasure,” said wife Yadira Breedlove. “Our hearts are heavy today letting him go, but we also acknowledge Craig’s courage and bravery seeking motorsports honors for the United States of America. For decades, his deeds touched many, many people around the world.”
Personally, Mr. Breedlove, aka “Yadi,” added, “I shared my life with a wonderful man that I will always admire; he filled me with deep, abiding love. My intelligent, strong, happy, brave, humble husband saw life with great positivity and was always full of so many projects! For 20 years I have known joyful love, complicity, respect, and learned so much by his side. He will forever stay in my heart!”
Son Norman C Breedlove Jr credits his father with demonstrating how to shepherd dreams forward. “What I admired most about dad was his tenaciousness,” he said. “He simply would not accept rejection and repeatedly went back to people and companies until he got a yes.”
Of equal importance was his father’s exceptionally high quality of workmanship. “He built things as if they were pieces of art,” recalled Breedlove junior. “He taught me to always give it my best reminding me that if you are going to build it, build it to last.” The Breedlove stamp of approval endures. “He taught me to care about what I do,” said his son. “I’m so gonna miss him.”
Breedlove Senior’s humble hunt for speed began in his teens spending four years rebuilding a junk three-window 1934 Ford Coupe. In 1955, at age 18 and without any fanfare, he collected his first-time slip on the Bonneville Salt Flats at 152.80 MPH in Class C Coupe and Sedan.
Inspired deeply by the line from JFK’s 1961 Inauguration Speech, “Ask what you can do for your country,” Breedlove put the words into jet-powered action reclaiming world honors for the USA on August 5, 1963, with a 407 MPH mark.
Dethroning Britain’s John Cobb, it was the first time an American’s name was on top since 1928 when Ray Keech posted a 207.552 MPH record driving his ‘White Triplex.’ “It was the most patriotic thing I could think of,” Breedlove often recalled. “I wanted a name every American could be proud of, and ‘Spirit of America’ seemed like a natural.” This ushered in years of record-setting swaps with brothers Art Arfons, Tom Green and Walt Arfons driving their ‘Green Monster’ jet cars.
“Their rivalry made each other,” offered Tim Arfons, son of Breedlove’s long-time rival Art Arfons. “Without each other I think they might have ended up as a historical footnote instead of splashing the front pages of newspapers worldwide for years.” Breedlove’s astonishing accomplishments inspired The Beach Boys to include the song ‘Spirit of America’ as a tribute to him on their 1963 ‘Little Deuce Coupe’ album. All Breedlove’s jet-powered cars carried the same name through his 60 year-racing career. Blue Flame rocket car driver Gary Gabelich ended Breedlove’s hold on the absolute World Record when he clocked a 622 MPH record in 1970, but it did nothing to weaken their bond. In his 1971 book, ‘Spirit of America, Winning the World’s Land Speed Record,’ Breedlove inscribed, “To Gary, With my admiration and sincere gratitude for your friendship and help. Always.”
Breedlove was voted into Motorsports Hall of Fame of America (1993), Dry Lakes Racing Hall of Fame (1995), International Motorsports Hall of Fame (2000), Automotive Hall of Fame (2009). He earned life membership in the Bonneville 200MPH Club (1963)
In addition to his wife Yadira, Breedlove is survived by sister Cindy Bowman, children son Norman Craig (Stacy) Breedlove, daughters Dawn Marie Breedlove and the late Chris Maureen Breedlove, grandchildren Stephanie Finnegen, Thomas Perry, Liana Perry, Tara Van Wieren, Brook (Breedlove) Hart, and great grandchildren Jacob Thomas, Presley Perry, Parker Perry, Paige Perry, Brenton Hall, Ryan Hart, Wren Hart and godson Luis Portilla Figueroa.

22) The reason why I support Bill Montgomery’s Hidden Pioneers’ program is that I’ve seen Bill in action, and he has an excellent manner and presentation with young people and with school staff. Here are some of the approaches he encourages elementary and high schools to take:

Self-esteem
Anti-smoking and tobacco funds
Anti-obesity and healthy schools
Dropout prevention programs
Drug prevention programs
Self-esteem programs
Anti-bullying programs

Extra Awareness, Connections, Education, Partnerships & programs through Hidden Pioneers/Prime Motivation & NASA

1) STEAM Activities, Internships, Mentorship Programs & Volunteer services.

2) Chess Club Learning with Locations

3) Soccer Skills & tournaments

4) Drivers Education & Safe Training

5) Basic Electronics Courses (Ohm’s Law & Digital Multi-Meter training)

6) DJ classes on campus with industry teachers & support (Pioneer equipment)

7) Waterless Technology Training (Detailing service) By 360 products

8) Inglis Classics Internship school (High Desert Location only)

9) FIATM Library Riverside CA (Tyler Mall location) STEAM classes available

10) Prime Motivation event & school tour visits Available now. TBD

11) Pocket Computer Curriculum 4-week program with instruction available today!

Bill’s program on a national basis is tremendously cheaper than a national advertising campaign and when he enters a school and leaves free bags (Goodie Bags) of patches and other material behind it has an effect on that student for life. Since Governmental programs offset his expenses, private businesses are able to reach a future audience of immense size. Your business is thus linked into programs like NASA. Schedule an interview with Bill and you will see his devotion to what he wants to achieve. Richard Parks

23) Long Beach (CA) Hi-Performance Show & Swap Meet, Sunday July 9, 2023, 6am-1pm, Veterans Memorial Stadium, LongBeachSwap.com 800-762-9785 CAPTION: CSI Bill Montgomery, Ed ‘Isky’ Iskenderian (102 years), and Jason, show promoter at event in Long Beach

24) Larry Wood photo, by Bill Montgomery of Hidden Pioneers

This photo was taken yesterday Friday at Larry’s shop in Long Beach. Always good to spend time with Mr Hot Wheels himself. I’m blessed to know this COOL man! Congratulations Larry, you deserve it. CSI Bill & the Hidden Pioneers.

2023 Induction & Awards Ceremony for the Automotive Hall of Fame: Larry R. Wood. “Larry is widely known as Mr Hot Wheels. Starting at Mattel in 1969, one year after the line of diecast cars was launched. He went on to a 40-year career designing some of the most well-known and unique Hot Wheels cars. Hot Wheels completely upset the small diecast car model industry and forced competitors to completely rethink their concepts. Wood’s designs inspired generations of automotive enthusiasts.”