By Richard Parks
1) Reeves Callaway; https://www.roadandtrack.com/news/a44544414/reeves-callaway-dead-at-75/. Corvette legend Reeves Callaway Dead at 75. Callaway, who founded Callaway Cars, became synonymous with high performance Corvettes. BY CHRIS PERKINS, PUBLISHED in Road & Track magazine: JUL 14, 2023
Reeves Callaway, founder of Callaway Cars and a legend in the Corvette world, has died. Callaway Cars confirmed in an email that he passed on Tuesday after injuries sustained in a fall in his Newport Beach, California home. He was 75. Ely “Reeves” Callaway III was born in November 1947 in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania and raised in Darien, Connecticut. His father, Ely Callaway, founded the Callaway golf company, one of the world’s premiere manufacturers of golf clubs. He raced go-karts as a kid, and in 1973, won the SCCA Formula Vee championship. By 1976 he was an instructor at the Bob Bondurant School of High-Performance Driving.
After his professional racing career didn’t pan out, he turned his attention to modifying cars. His first product, a turbocharger kit for the E21-generation BMW 320i, generated enough interest to lead Callaway to start Callaway Cars from his garage in Old Lyme, Connecticut in 1977. Soon, he began offering performance kits for other cars.
CALLAWAY CARS “We don’t call ourselves a tuner,” Callaway told Road & Track in a 2017 interview. “A tuner takes an aggregate of parts that already exists, bolts them on the automobile, and calls it a customization. Everything we make is made specifically for the car. And we manufacture it ourselves.”
Quickly, his work attracted attention from major automakers. Alfa Romeo was the first, commissioning a turbocharger kit for the GTV6 that debuted in 1983, then it was GM. Callaway developed a twin-turbo kit for the Chevrolet Corvette, which became available through Chevy dealerships in 1987. At the time, a standard Corvette offered 240 horsepower; Callaway’s twin-turbo Corvette upped that to 382 horsepower, making it one of the most powerful cars on sale at the time.
The 254.76-mph Callaway Sledgehammer CALLAWAY CARS Ever faster Corvettes followed, perhaps the most famous being the Sledgehammer, a C4 Corvette with low-drag aerodynamic bodywork and an 898-hp twin-turbo V-8. The Sledgehammer hit a top speed of 254.76 mph and forever linked Reeves Callaway and the Chevrolet Corvette.
DW BURNETT While Callaway Cars worked with many other automakers, Aston Martin, and Land Rover among them, its strongest association was with the Corvette. Callaway also built Corvette race cars, starting with the SuperNatural that made appearances at Le Mans in 1994 and 1995, finishing 2nd and 3rd in that year’s GT2 field, and culminating in a GT3 racing version of the C7 Corvette that still races globally to this day. A notable recent highlight was the C7 Corvette AeroWagon, which featured a body kit that turned the coupe into a stylish shooting brake. Today, Callaway Cars’ offerings consist of upgrade packages for a variety of GM vehicles, including a supercharger kit for the new C8 Corvette.
CALLAWAY CARS “Thanks to Reeves’ visionary entrepreneurial spirit, Callaway Cars will continue to innovate and grow in the 21st century, inspired by his unique, extraordinary vision, and by his personal example of integrity, resourcefulness, and leadership as our founder,” said his son Peter Callaway, Callaway Cars President, in a statement. “Dad’s passion for making beautifully designed and crafted machines can be seen in each and every project, and we remain devoted to executing to the highest standards, in true Callaway fashion. He was rarely found doing anything other than working towards the next milestone for the company. He was a charismatic leader with a sense of humor that we will all remember through various ‘Reeves-isms.’ I feel fortunate to have grown up working with him and the company.” He is survived by four children and two grandchildren.
CHRIS PERKINS: SENIOR REPORTER. A car enthusiast since childhood, Chris Perkins is Road & Track’s engineering nerd and Porsche apologist. He joined the staff in 2016 and no one has figured out a way to fire him since. He street-parks a Porsche Boxster in Brooklyn, New York, much to the horror of everyone who sees the car, not least the author himself. He also insists he’s not a convertible person, despite owning three. From: Doug Stokes and Yves Morizot
2) Randy Hernandez sent a photograph of the first SCTA Racing News (newsletter actually from May 1938). Randy is Fran Hernandez’s son. Fran was the Autolite Racing Director and so influential in the growth of the NHRA and other motorsports racing organizations.
RANDY: It is a rare one and I have a copy, but before the SCTA Racing News there was the Road Runners Racing News and before that there was the Throttlers Racing News in 1937. In January 1941 Throttle Magazine came out, which looked very similar to the 1948 Hot Rod Magazine covers. Ah, memories.
3) Hello Richard, my name is Chris Pattison. Thanks so much for corresponding with us. A little personal history: I raced the ex-works Allard Dragon when I was 18/19, in 1966 when Santa Pod opened. I made the third run after Ken Cooper and Harold Bull but missed being the first UK National Champion via a missed gearshift. I’m 75 now and about 15 years ago started building the Grim Reaper nostalgia alky altered. Ran it with reasonable success with the Supercharged Outlaws but after blowing up two BBCs I handed it over a couple of years ago to Mark and Aaron Windridge, father and son who crewed for me. They put their own SBC in and it’s going better than ever, mainly due to Aaron’s fearless driving style. Cheers, Chris.
CHRIS: I think you are in my Dad’s story. I remember the name. Would you like to write your bio and I’ll help you with it.
4) Saturday, July 15, 2023, was another amazing day as we celebrated the Living Legend, Hidden Pioneer himself Ed “Isky” Iskenderian, my friend. He is a bright, Cool (Calm, Open, Outstanding, Loving) man! We met around 10 years ago at the NHRA drag racing events in Pomona. The last 5 years we became closer as the industry grew but the lack of young people getting involved got less & less. We need to get them back and educate, excite, motivate, mentor, teach and train them today & tomorrow. Ed knows my heart & passion on this topic and wants to do the same. We see eye to eye very much and ask that more people join us from the Top (Government) down. What can you do to help us? Enjoy the links below of old school car guys racing and Rodney Allen Rippy’s interview with Ed at one of our Partners Open house 360 waterless products outlet stores in Anaheim CA. Words from Rodney; If you are ever driving on street and you see a guy wearing a helmet please DO NOT TRY TO RACE HIM. https://www.facebook.com/reel/776852170701393?mibextid=xO1PvT&s=yWDuG2&fs=e. Here is my interview with Hidden Pioneers Ed Iskenderian https://youtu.be/ggZwATpm_mY. Bill Montgomery
5) Following schedule is courtesy of SHERM PORTER fuely32.
AUGUST 20, 2023,72nd Annual Pebble Beach Concours D’Elegance, Pebble Beach. info: www.pebblebeachconcours.net.
AUGUST 20, 2023, 26th Annual Summer Turlock Swap, Stanislaus County Fairgrounds. For info: 209-579-4797.
AUGUST 20, 2023, Thunder on the Mountain – Tehachapi – For info: chamber.
AUGUST 25-27, 2023, GOODGUYS, 36th Racedeck West Coast Nationals, Pleasanton Fairground, 1972 and earlier. For info: 925-838–9876 or www.good-guys.com.
AUGUST 26, 2023, 5th Annual Paso Robles Fairground Automotive Swap, Gates open 7am, South entrance carnival grounds, Central Coast Automotive Group. For info: Tim 805-242-9322 or ccagswap.
6) From Jeremy Cookson. The British Drag Racing Hall of Fame for includes:
2023 ROY WILDING, ERIC TEBOUL, ROD & ANNE PALLANT, ROGER GORRINGE.
2022 HENK VINK, JON MORTON, MARK FLAVELL, NSRA, THE STONES RACING TEAM.
2021 No ceremony was held
2020 DAVE WILSON, IAN KING, JEFF BYNE, JOHN PRICE, NICK DAVIES, PELLE LINDELÖW AND GUNNAR ELMQVIST.
2019 ANITA MÄKELÄ, EURODRAGSTER.COM, IAN LLOYD, MCCOY DYNAMICS, WILD BUNCH.
2018 ANDY ROBINSON, PETER LANTZ, STEVE HORN, TEAM PEGASUS, THE COOKSON FAMILY.
2017 JOHN AND LESLEY WRIGHT, KARSTEN ANDERSEN & PER ANDERSEN, LAWRIE GATEHOUSE, PIP HIGHAM, STEVE WOOLLATT, STUART BRADBURY, ANDY ROBINSON, PETER LANTZ, STEVE HORN, TEAM PEGASUS, THE COOKSON FAMILY.
2016 BOB KEITH, PAULA MARSHALL, ROB LOARING, SANTA POD RACEWAY.
2015 JOHN CLIFT, KEN COOPER, YVONNE TRAMM.
2014 “BIG DADDY” DON GARLITS, DENNIS “STORMIN” NORMAN, GERRY BELTON, JOHN WHITMORE, RUSS CARPENTER.
2013 BRIAN CHAPMAN, KEITH & FRANCES PARKER.
2012 BARRY SHEAVILLS, CARL OLSON, DAVE LEE TRAVIS (DLT), THE BRACHTVOGEL FAMILY, TONY MURRAY.
2011 BRIAN SPARROW, HARLAN THOMPSON, PETE DAVIES, PETER CRANE, TERRY GIBBS.
2010 AL O’CONNOR, GEOF HAUSER, HAROLD BULL, KRISTER JOHANSSON, PETER & ERICA BARTLETT.
2009 ALF HAGON, DAVE GRADY, JOHN BENNETT, RUNE FJELD, THE MURTY FAMILY.
2008 ALAN WIGMORE, BRIAN JOHNSON, SAMMY MILLER, THE PAGE FAMILY, THE READ FAMILY.
2007 CUSTOM CAR MAGAZINE, JOHN HOBBS, NOBBY HILLS, SYDNEY ALLARD, TON PELS.
2006 ALLAN HERRIDGE, CLIVE SKILTON, DENNIS PRIDDLE, DENNIS STONE, JOHN LEDSTER, PHILIP EVANS, ROZ PRIOR, THE PHELPS FAMILY, TONY DENSHAM.
7) E MOTORSPORT TECH SHOW/EXPO • EV Future Tech Show/Expo is built on future technology by introducing the EV or Hybrid E side of Motorsport by including the E Motorsport Tech Show/Expo in its exhibits. E Motorsport Tech Show/Expo (spagnani
8) I predicted this would happen, several years ago. In the end, everything will be “3-D Printed.” See VID-20230627-WA0002. Another great newsletter! Keep them coming, Richard, we love you and what you do! Don Garlits
DON: Can they 3-D a TF dragster that will go 400 MPH?
9) This track (Top Gun Drag Strip in Fallon, Nevada) has become a second home to me and my family, we’ve met some of the most amazing, genuine people through it. It’s something my entire family, including my husband, daughter and my mother love being a part of. See isn’t the young racers some through the gates on our $5 events, knowing they choose to come race here, legally, safely instead of the streets has become incredibly important to me. The support, camaraderie and all-around good times have created friendship, memories and relationships I’ll hold dear for the rest of my life. I honestly can’t imagine what my life would look like without race weekends. I’d miss it. With so many tracks closing around us, it breaks my heart to have ours so damaged, when we’re trying to stay open. Deni Cook
10) Dave Wolin noted that Iskenderian was selected because, “Ed Iskenderian represents the true spirit of motorsports engineering. His pioneering work with camshaft technology and design set the pace for the industry very early-on. I’m very pleased to see his name go on the Peter Bryant Award, it belongs there.” The Southern California Section of SAE International is honored to be taking on the role of presenting organization of the annual Bryant Award honoring motorsports technical excellence. The Lexan and Titanium permanent award will be on display at the Lions Automobilia Foundation and Museum in Rancho Dominguez.
11) Mark Greene from CARS YEAH podcast, wrote: “I appreciate you mentioning the Cars Yeah shows. Thank you. I have an idea. Perhaps you could add this to future posts: Mark is always looking for Inspiring Automotive Enthusiasts to have as guests on Cars Yeah. If you know of someone, please email Mark and let him know at: . Perhaps I will find someone as inspiring as you to be my next guest.” Inspiring Automotive Enthusiasts. Mark Greene, 253-905-3306, CarsYeah.com.
READERS: Mark interviewed me a while back and guided me through a telephone conversation with skill. If you would like to be interviewed on his podcast (radio show for us older people) write to Mark and ask him for airtime. If we don’t keep him busy, he will only get into trouble. Email or call today.
12) Matt Avery will be at Autobooks/Aerobooks on Saturday, August 5, 2023, from 10AM to 2PM to sign copies of his book “Camaro Special Editions.” Autobooks-Aerobooks is located at 2900 West Magnolia Boulevard. Burbank, California 91505, 818-845-0707, Tina Van Curen is at manager or the website is www.autobooks-aerobooks.com.
13) Bob Choisser wrote: Atco Dragway has closed. The remainder of the 2023 season has been cancelled. Atco was celebrating their 63rd year of drag racing. Mendota Raceway Park planning on opening. Contact Ramon Gonzalez at 559-779-7590 for details. First race at Mendota will be August 12, 2023. 1/8th mile on William Johnston Airport. Kingdon Drag Strip in Lodi laid down another 1/8th mile of new asphalt to complete the full quarter mile.
14) Royce Rumsey just published “Rodding Rendezvous.” Lyon Air Museum is located on the very site of America’s first commercial drag strip.
On June 19, 1950, Orange County businessmen Messrs Hart, Stillwell and Hunter of the Santa Ana Elks lodge debuted the first-known commercial drag strip in America and thus held the first commercial drag race. The Santa Ana Drag Strip on the grounds of the then rural Orange County Airport established the formal drag racing paradigm that continues to this day throughout the world. Royce is at roycer924_2.
READERS: Royce does a great job of explaining the cars and culture and his photographs are fantastic. It’s all FREE, you will receive an email with a “View” bar and when you are done you can just delete his email or save it.
15) EV-E MOTOR SPORT TECH SUMMIT • EV-E Motor Sport Tech Summit is a high-level E Motor Sport business summit based on the dual themes of business engagement with key manufacturers working in the EV & E Motor Sport Industry, E motor sport energy information technology and E Motor Sport charging infrastructure. This event is an excellent opportunity to learn about and discuss the latest advancements in the EV or E Motor Sport industry, and the energy challenges that remain. Invited presentations from all areas of EV-E Motor Sport industry will be discussed, from researchers and leaders in academia, industry, and government agencies from around the globe. EV-E Motor Sport Tech Summit (spagnani.
16) WATCH THESE 3 VIDEO’S BELOW FIRST BEFORE YOU READ THE TEXT TO SEE WHAT WE ARE ALL ABOUT. We need your help to change the Culture and Image of the Transportation &Technology industry of tomorrow Charter Local Edition with Bill Montgomery, Marketing Team – Prime Motivation – YouTube, CSI Bill Important Speech – YouTube, Bill and Skills USA – YouTube. We have been bringing outside industry to schools for more than 10 years here in California. It has been good and successful with little support from the companies that need it most. The last 2 years have shown good movement towards bringing back trade classes and programs in our schools. Our past 3 presidents have all talked about bringing jobs back to America and building things here vs other countries. It starts with Awareness & Education with options & people willing to Teach & Train. Hidden Pioneers are COOL Human Beings that focus on Transportation & Technology that includes STEAM all working together as a TEAM. This can be done, and we are DOING it one day at a time. We need your help and support Today & Tomorrow. Take a look at the Letters of support attached and the links below to see what we do and how we do it. What drives you every day? From Bill Montgomery (founder)
17) LYON AIR MUSEUM HOSTS SPECIAL EXHIBIT. Santa Ana Drags and Beyond: America’s First Official Drag Strip. July 1, 2023-Sept 4, 2023, from Mark Foster, Mark.Foster, Museum Director. The Lyon Air Museum is a world class showcase of historic aircraft and vintage automobiles, to host never-before-seen exhibit, Santa Ana Drags and Beyond: America’s First Official Drag Strip. This exclusive exhibit takes place adjacent to the site of the very first commercial drag racing venue in the nation, which opened during the Summer of 1959, and is now overlaid with the modern runways at John Wayne Airport. A collection of vintage race cars relating to the old Santa Ana Drag Strip, along with other period vehicles, compliment the historic World War II and Korean War-era aircraft currently on display in the Museum. The exhibit runs July 1 through September 4, 2023, at Lyon Air Museum, located on the west side of John Wayne Airport in Orange County, California. Lyon Air Museum is located at 19300 Ike Jones Road, Santa Ana, CA 92707,714-210-4585. info, www.lyonairmuseum.org, Daily Hours of Operation: 10AM-4PM. Admission Rates: General Admission-$14. Seniors and Veterans-$11. Ages 5 to 17-$7. Children 5 years and under-Free Admission. Groups of 10 or more will receive $1 discount per ticket.
18) John Hunt of the British Drag Racing Historians Association wrote in about their group. John is at johnhunt.drn Here are some of the articles that they have on file for UK drag racers.
Phil Elson (published 31st March 2023)
Jeff Byne, part 1 (published 13th March 2023) Quote from Jeff Byne: “If it wasn’t for people like John, Simon and the rest of the team taking much time and effort to produce the Pioneer Stories series, these details will be lost in the mists of time. Thanks for deciding to tell my story from my early sprinting days in 1970 through to recent Dragstalgia events, and for coming to my house to conduct the interviews and reproducing my old photos as part of the history of British drag racing. Wishing you well.”
Jeff Byne, part 2 (published 20th March 2023)
19) BOOK REVIEW: Vintage Speed Parts: The Equipment that Fueled the Industry, written by Tony Thacker, published by CarTech Books. Reviewed by Richard Parks for the Gone Racin’ by-line.
When I first picked up Vintage Speed Parts: The Equipment that Fueled the Industry I thought this would be a catalog story of all the speed equipment companies, but I was wrong; completely wrong. Not that there is anything wrong with books written on the subject as those books are quite well done. Tony Thacker is an amazing writer, and he has produced a story that delves into the who, how and why speed equipment manufacturing came about and the love that he has for the car culture. Normally I skim through a book first to get that initial idea and then I look at the photographs, writing style, size, cost, make-up and quality. This time it did not go that way, nor as fast as I normally do in reviewing books, magazines, movies, etc. I would notice an interesting photograph or a section about a historical figure and become engrossed in the story. But since I began at the back (indexes usually) or in the middle (to check out the binding) I lost track of time. It was then that I realized that I missed the sequence of events prior to the story and had to backtrack. Why is this important? If a reviewer can be enmeshed in a story, then you will be too. Thacker has a way of bringing out his great love of hot rodding and the car culture. He really loves his subjects, and it shows. (FOR THE FULL REVIEW CONTACT ME AT Rnparks1)
20) Sent in by Don Smith from Dragzine Newsletter at newsletter. A) New Jersey’s Atco Dragway, in business since 1960, announced its permanent closure and the cancellation of all future events. B) The 2023 Performance Racing Industry (PRI) Trade Show in Indianapolis, Indiana registration is now open; it will be held on December 7-9, 2023. C) Ed “The Camfather” Iskenderian born on July 10, 1921; celebrated his 102nd birthday at parties all over Southern California. Author, Matt Stone documented Ed’s contributions to the hobby in his book, “Ed Iskenderian and the History of Hot Rodding.” D) The land that the I-64 Motorplex, previously known as Bluegrass Raceway Park, in rural Owingsville, Kentucky, sits on went on the market Tuesday with Palmer Hampton Realty at an asking price of $350,000. Sitting on 64 acres (50 acres of commercial land and 14 acres of farmland), close to Interstate 64 near Lexington, the 1/8-mile track has a two-story timing tower, wide staging lanes, and ample space for racers and spectators on both sides of the strip. Buyer accepts existing lease on track.
21) You will spend a few hours looking at all the cool stuff and revisiting the history of our sport. Hope everyone gets a chance to visit.
https://www.museumofamericanspeed.com/. John Towle
22) Jim Snyder wrote: A lot of Bonneville history in both the Yahoo article and the 1-hour YouTube video. Set a record in 1954 of 150 MPH. Long-Lost 1938 Chevy Bonneville Record Car Found in a Junk Yard After 50 Years. See https://www.yahoo.com/autos/long-lost-1938-chevy-bonneville-195433889.html. And https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8cqNVfkTS8Q&ab_channel=BenKahan.
23) I saw that shot of Duffy Livingstone in your last bulletin and thought these two notes might be a fun read for you. One was written when I learned of his passing back in 2017. The other is the nomination that Matt Stone and myself sent to the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America about a year ago suggesting that Duffy be in consideration for inclusion in the Hall. He was both humble and larger than life, and never had to work at being either. Happy to note that his name is on this year’s ballot. Doug Stokes
