By Richard Parks
1) Bob Airheart, a 1993 SEMA Hall of Fame inductee and industry innovator, has passed away. Although Airheart operated his own rep agency, the Airheart name is also well known in the brake industry, notably for industrial and high-speed applications. Trains, buses and race cars have all been stopped by Airheart, a company owned and operated by Bob until it was sold. PWA (now the Custom Automotive Network) awarded Airheart its Person of the Year Award in 1980 for his outstanding contributions to the warehouse distributors and in appreciation of his conscientious dedication as an individual member of the specialty-equipment industry. Airheart has also worked for Hurst as well as Cragar as a national sales manager. From John Towle and Don Smith.
2) Heard from Jim Loving on Facebook that Ron Phelps had a massive heart attack and has passed away. I have no other information, but Jim may know more. Please share with others that may have known Ron. Thank you, Nita Underwood
READERS: Looking for confirmation. This is very sad as Ron Phelps was a dry lakes racer and hot rodder who was always helping other people at the dry lakes and Bonneville. Please let me know what you have found out.
3) Mike Dakin wrote, “Ohio George Montgomery is not doing well, and is in assisted living, will update if I hear anything, spoke with a few guys that visited him.”
READERS: “Ohio George” Montgomery is at ohiogeorgem. Send him an email and wish him well. He was a pioneer in drag racing and we should never forget his achievements.
4) Photo of Art Malone taken at the last NHRA March Famoso race. After this it became just another nostalgia meet. Let me know if you want more pictures. Charles Embrey, Road Runners Club.
CHARLES: Please do and thank you. Send photos to me, but I have Jim Miller process them for use as we are both Dry Lakes Racers Hall of Fame honorees in the category of Historian. Jim is excellent with photographs, and all I do is writing. We make a team of sorts. With your permission I will send your pictures on to Jim to use at www.AHRF.com and for his archives but you will always be credited as the owner. Can you also provide a short caption for provenance’s sake? Dad (Wally Parks) was a Road Runner, my brother David Parks was a Laker, I was a Gear Grinder, and Uncle Kenny Parks was a South Gate Gater, so “See you later Alligator,” is for Kenny. We miss them all.
5) I want to thank you for sending the “Motorsports Newsletter.” It is great information that is not included in other media. Even at my age (94) I like to know what is going on in the Motorsports World. I want to thank you again for all the help that you gave me in writing my auto biography in Gone Racin’ “From Horseback to Horse Power.” Keep up the good work. Chic Cannon
READERS: Chic Cannon worked for NHRA back when it was just getting started in the early 1950’s and returned in 1954 (Drag Safari), ’55 (Drag Safari) and ’56 (Safety Safari) to work as the tech director on the three tours around the nation to train car clubs how to put on safe and sanctioned drag racing. They were the most influential group in the sport and created the Safety Safari as we know it today. I am sure that Chic would like to hear from you so I am taking the chance of giving out his email address to you. Write and say hello and thank him for the sport that you enjoy today. Chic Cannon is at chiccannon.
6) Words cannot describe the sadness I feel with the passing of John Baechtel. John helped me in my darkest hours, when I was diagnosed with cancer. As you know, John was a survivor of stage 4 cancer from agent orange. John assured me that I would overcome my form of cancer and was always there to support me. I would visit with John each year at Speedweek in the Speed Demon pits. John gave me a copy of his book and autographed it with the inscription, “Doug, You and I are survivors.” I treasure that book and his memory. Speedweek will be a bit emptier this year because we won’t be able to have our annual visit. Our friendship went way beyond our mutual love of cars and racing much more. Rest In Peace, my dear friend. Doug McHenry
7) Thanks Richard, much appreciated. Keep up the good work. Tony Thacker at www.TonyThacker.com
TONY: Excellent book. I don’t usually give this high a rating, but I was impressed. Kudos. Working on your second review soon.
READERS: Tony Thacker has the credentials to represent hot rodders, having worked for Pete Chapouris, Alex Xydias and Wally Parks. He was the Director of the NHRA Motorsports Museum in Pomona, California. He and Greg Sharp are excellent researchers, writers and hot rodders.
8) SEMA ACTION NETWORK/LEGISLATIVE ALERT: URGENT – TAKE ACTION NOW UPDATE: US Senate Companion Bill Introduced to Stop California’s Car Ban Encourage support from lawmakers on these proposals: US Senator Markwayne Mullin (Republican-Oklahoma) introduced a SAN-supported bill, the ‘Preserving Choice in Vehicle Purchases’ (Senate Bill 2090), to protect Americans’ right to choose the technology that powers their motor vehicles. Senate Bill 2090 includes the same text as the House bill (House Resolution Bill 1435) that US Representative John Joyce (Republican-Pennsylvania) introduced in March. House Resolution Bill 1435 and Senate Bill 2090 respond to California’s plans to ban the sale of new gas and diesel-powered cars and trucks in 2035 unless certain conditions are met. If passed into law, the legislation would prevent the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from allowing California’s Zero Emissions Vehicle regulations that would ban the sale or use of new motor vehicles with internal combustion engines from taking effect. From SEMA and Bill Montgomery of Hidden Pioneers
9) Love your newsletter! The Sam Auxier Jr Show Interviewing the Greatest Names in Racing Facebook. Sam Auxier Jr Show
Sam Auxier Jr (240-876-9284)
SAM: Then send me notices about your show, who you have interviewed, who you will interview, etc, so I can put it in the newsletter. The East Coast deserves some recognition.
10) DRONE TECH SHOW/EXPO • An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), commonly known as a drone, without any human pilot, crew, or passengers on board. UAVs are a component of an unmanned aircraft system (UAS), which includes adding a ground-based controller and a system of communications operate under remote control by a human operator, as remotely-piloted aircraft (RPA), or with various degrees of autonomy, such as autopilot assistance, up to fully autonomous aircraft that have no provision for human intervention. Drone Tech Show (spagnani
11) I am trying to get ahold of Dave Brant. He has worked on my 1932 Ford in Costa Mesa before he moved up north. My name is Brett Miller, and my father was Dick Miller who was killed at El Mirage in his streamliner in 1988. If you have any contact information, can you help me with getting back in touch with Dave? Brett Miller, brettmiller777.
12) I am working on the Kent Fuller Stories right now. I’m making short notes to send to you about my racing, machine shop and cam grinding. I’ll copy the Ed Winfield information that I presented at Ed’s final ceremony in Las Vegas. Thanks for all that you are doing for all the people in this industry. Dema Elgin
READERS: Don’t put all the work on Dema’s shoulders. Send me your favorite Kent Fuller Stories to me to add to the collection, which I will then send out on request for whomever is interested (by email, fast and simple). I am also working on Dema Elgin’s story and it is a fascinating bio, but since it is his life I have to get his permission first whether I can make it available. Everyone whom I help has final say…it’s their life story after all.
13) Following schedule is courtesy of SHERM PORTER fuely32.
AUGUST 1-6 Hot August Nights – Reno/Sparks, NV – For info: (775) 356 – 1956 or www.hotaugustnights.net
AUGUST 5: 3rd Annual C10 SLO Down 2023 – Avila Beach Golf Resort, Avila, CA. truckshow
AUGUST 6 Fiesta Car Show 2023 – Boys & Girls Club of Santa Barbara – 632 E. Canon Perdido. (805) 962-2382 or info
AUGUST 11-13 32nd Annual ‘Fun Run 2023’ – Big Bear Lake – For info: (909) 585 – 9253 or www.antiquecarclub.org
AUGUST 11-20 MONTEREY CAR WEEK – shows – auctions – tours – For info: www.whatsupmonterey.com/events/monterey-car-week
AUGUST 11-12 19th Annual Lompoc Police Cruise & Car Show – Friday Night Cruise 5:00 p.m.- 8:00 pm – Saturday Show Ryon Park – 9am–3pm Open to all makes & models–cars, trucks, motorcycles, bikes. For info: Frank 805-714–140 or https://LompocPoliceFoundation.org
AUGUST 11-12 Lake Tahoe Concours d’ Elegance Wooden Boat Show, Obexer’s Boat Co. Homewood, CA. www.laketahoeconcours.com
AUGUST 12 22nd Annual Run to The Pines Auto Show – Pine Mountain Club – 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. www.runtothepinesautoshow.com
AUGUST 13 Pomona Swap Meet – Los Angeles Fairplex – For info: 714-538-9091
AUGUST 5-11 SPEED WEEK BONNEVILLE – Utah – For info: www.scta-bni.org
AUGUST 11-12 Camp Nation Expo-Boot Camp, Hollister, CA, 530-728-0411 or info
AUGUST 17-19 Mecum Auction – Monterey 2023 – For info: www.mecum.com
14) Thanks for the nice review! It appears you listed our address off of the book. Our address now is actually 6118 Main Street, North Branch, Minnesota 55056. Not sure where this will run or really how important it use given people don’t mail letters anymore, but if the review has not run where it is going to run yet, could you please update the address? The move has been long enough to where the mail does not get forwarded anymore. Regards, Bob Wilson, Sales Manager/Editorial Director, CarTech Inc. Main office: 6118 Main St, North Branch, MN 55056. Working from: 319 Osceola Ave S, St Paul, MN 55102 1-612-716-1275.
BOB: I published at DRIVE magazine, Automotive Calendar of Events (Miss Information) and www.Hotrodhotline.com in the past but the print sources no longer have room for reviews, at least not as long as mine. I do reviews as a courtesy and a thank you to those who ask me to do reviews and send it to them. You have my permission to re-send my reviews to anyone you think will publish them or use parts of the reviews as you wish. Outside of the big city newspapers I’m not sure how valuable they are, but it is a habit to write them and personally, they are fun to do.
READERS: I am very impressed with CarTech’s books on a wide range of subjects and they have a nifty catalog that they send out. It’s important to have a library of your own.
15) Parthenon Pictures and director Dimitri Lazaris is excited to announce the documentary “More than a Museum” has won a Telly Award. The documentary won a Silver Telly Award for outstanding narrative storytelling in the branded content space, museum category. The Telly Awards is an international competition that honors excellence in video and television across all screens. The competition receives more than 12,000 entries from all over the world, including major companies like Disney, Netflix, and Paramount. The documentary tells the story of the foundation started by owner Rick Lorenzen that preserves and showcases the history of motorsports in Southern California. The award recognizes the exceptional storytelling and filmmaking skills of the team, and their ability to create compelling content that engages and inspires audiences. The Lions Automobilia Foundation is also thrilled with the recognition the documentary has received. “More than a Museum” is an important film that showcases the foundation’s work and investment into the motorsports’ community. Parthenon Pictures and the Lions Automobilia Foundation are proud to have received this award and look forward to creating more compelling content in the future. For more information on Parthenon Pictures is at media. From Lana Chrisman
16) This Top Gun Drag Strip in Fallon, Nevada is much safer to race than getting yourself trouble from street racing. Paul Gallitero
17) British Drag Racing Historians is open to anyone who writes about the history of British Drag Racing and has been published through the internet or print media. John Hunt founded the group by contacting those in the group and others in early 2020 asking if it was a good idea to operate under one banner as a group of likeminded individuals who are dedicated to the history of British Drag Racing.
The group aims to discuss and share information on a mutual basis and meets occasionally and informally. Our first meeting was held on 28th July 2021 at Blackbushe Airport, the site of the Drag Festivals held in 1964 and 1965 and where many races were held in the 1970s and 1980s. The second meeting was at the National Motor Museum, Beaulieu on 29th November 2022 where seven of our historians met up to discuss ways of preserving and making available their collections to succeeding generations of historians, racers and fans. They were hosted by Library Curator Carina Taylor and other staff of The National Motor Museum Trust including Director of Collections & Engagement Andrea Bishop to whom we are thankful for showing us the process of donation of collections and the professionalism with which the National Motor Museum Trust handles its archive.
The Group, consisting of the following…
John Hunt – Drag Racing Historian& group founder
Simon Groves – Eurodragster.com editor
Nick Pettitt – Drag Racing & Hot Rodding Historian and author
Jerry Cookson – Drag Racing Historian
Clive Rooms – Sprinting & Drag Racing Historian
Chris Dossett – Drag Racing Historian
Andy Rogers (Tog) – Former Eurodragster editor & founder
Keith Lee – Photojournalist & author
Andy Willsheer – International Photojournalist
Dave Dick – Drag Racing Historian
Mick Gleadow – Drag Racer & Historian
…aim to promote the history of our sport through websites, social media, books and magazines, and is also involved with the highly respected ‘Pioneer Stories’ series hosted by Eurodragster.com. The group operates as an association and is not formally registered as an organisation. Further backgrounds of individual members above can be viewed at this link: editor.
18) 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 work to overcome. Top Gun provides these opportunities. This facility needs every effort to be saved. Jim Clark
19) A new event next month August 5, 2023, in Moreno Valley, California. This is a nice layout for cars, displays and cool people, 9am to 1pm. See Hidden Pioneers – Bill’s News (google.com). Bill Montgomery Hidden Pioneers
BILL: Need contact information for show promoter, and address.
20) I worked with Rodger Ward when he represented the Silver State Classic Road race in Ely, Nevada. My TV Production company, Masters Entertainment Group covered the event for ESPN for several years. I also met Roger when as a kid living in Indianapolis, I sold newspapers in the Gasoline Alley at the Indy 500. Ted Jones
21) Great newsletter this time, as usual, just keep them coming! “Big Daddy” Don Garlits
DON: Nice to hear and I will keep them coming.
22) I am sure everyone knows that my Dad, Pete Millar, came up with the idea of CARtoons. Well, here’s a story I think you’ll enjoy. Read about it in the next issue of DRAG Cartoons Comic Paper. Something you may not know about Pete Millar. He ran away from home at 16, jumping trains. He was found in Colorado. On his return home, he wanted to go into the army. His father had to sign papers in order for him to enlist. He was a medic to a surgeon down Mexico way. He would draw cartoons for the army paper. I put together DRAG Cartoon Comic Paper. Sponsors pay for it. It’s handed out free. I would love to have your support. Your business will be in the DRAG Cartoons Comic Paper and will be on my newly created updated web site (to be launched soon). Contact me for more info. Robin Millar, MPC-DRAGcartoons 310-529-1831 cell, millarkey www.laffyerasphalt.com. Long live the flies.
23) Mr Bill Montgomery: I appreciate the collaboration between the National Hot Rod Association and Hidden Pioneers on the Season Long NHRA Youth & Education Services Program and the NHRA Launch Program. Your efforts to help spread awareness of our programs and initiatives directly to the schools as well as providing interactive displays and assets onsite at our events have been a tremendous help to grow both initiatives. Our synergies and mission have aligned very well as we both aim to help students explore career and education opportunities in STEM, Transportation, Technology, and Career Technical Education. I look forward to continuing our collaborative efforts this 2023 Camping World NHRA Season and future seasons to come. Sincerely, John Baadilla Sr, Marketing Manager, Launch Motorsports Careers National Hot Rod Association
24) Just to let you know, we really enjoy your newsletters. To answer on our Thunder Down Under experience, it was amazing, and the memories! The trip out to Lake Gairdner was definitely a highlight of the week. Will encourage Al to write his special memories about the event. Again, thank you for the newsletters. Hope to see you at Isky’s BD party Saturday. Jane Teague
25) Registration continues for the 14th annual Vail Concours, September 15-17, 2023, in Vail, Colorado for three days of driving, cars and social events culminating in the Vail Concours on Sunday. The Vail Concours is a fun event attracting thousands of spectators. Many enjoy the drive and social events as much as the show. Vail Automotive Classic, PO Box 111, Edwards, Colorado, 81632 vailautomotiveclassic.
26) Ed Iskenderian Named 2023 Peter Bryant Challenger Award Winner SAE SoCal Continues Tradition Established by Riverside Raceway Museum … Award to be Displayed at the Lions Automobilia Foundation and Museum Hot Rod Legend Ed Iskenderian has been named the 2023 Peter Bryant Challenger Award winner. This is being done in conjunction with the transfer of the award management and organization to the Southern California Section of SAE International. The award was made on Saturday, July 15, 2023 at the Lions Automobilia Foundation and Museum at Isky’s 102nd Birthday Celebration Car Show.
27) Next El Mirage Dry Lake Meet is on September 10, 2023, after Bonneville Nationals in August. Special Thanks to Tim Johnson Rebroadcast of Sunday’s, July 9th dry lake meet. Thanks, Ron Main. See https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VSplDYpFgHs. Click on WWW.LSRLIVE.COM.
28) Royce Rumsey just published ‘Brodeo.’ “After its now mythical 1st generation introduction in 1966, the Bronco established itself as the para-pavement follow-up success to the 1964½ launch of the Mustang (hence the equine naming relationship). Likewise, to its pavement stable mate, the Gen 1 Broncs were simple, lithe and fun. Subsequent generations (Gen 2 thru 5) saw the Bronco gain in heft and amenities to the point where it was largely used as suburban transportation among the ‘Mc-Mansion’ gentry.” Royce is at roycer924_2.
READERS: The history of the Bronco is detailed in a story written by Wally Parks and is available by email. Just write to me and ask for it.
29) EV & VTOL EMPLOYMENT An In house EVVTOL job board for the targeted EV & VTOL industry! EV Tech Jobs (spagnani
Photo of Art Malone
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