Motorsports Newsletter 9/08/23

By Richard Parks

1) Editor: SOS, that means HELP to you Navy vets. I must figure out how to move small photos (in KG size that is) over to one newsletter. I’ve tried to learn, and manage ONE at a TIME, but am not a whiz at photos. Perhaps a soft-hearted reader will help me learn. I have lots of photos being sent to me and they are too special not to include. Maybe my old partner, the SUPERB photographer Roger Rohrdanz of the Gone Racin’ series will come out of retirement and assist me again.

2) More “Ohio George” Montgomery stories: “When I became a rep, I’d make my last weekly customer call in Pittsburgh or Buffalo so I could go to Cleveland and work with Lakewood Chassis and Mr Gasket on new products and their catalogs. One weekend Lakewood asked me to come in on Saturday to meet with Ohio George and convince him to be a customer and user. When I got there Saturday morning and asked where George was, I got that he’d be in when the Saturday cartoons were finished, not before. I always enjoyed my trips to his Speed Shop. It was a step back in time just looking at his inventory.” Jim Kerr
AND: “George Montgomery’s career started much earlier than the ’33 Willis. I met him at Cordova in 1958 and he was racing a 1934 Blue Ford coupe, with a supercharged 331 CID 1950 Cadillac V8. He had driven this car to the Salt Flats and set a Speed Record with it and then drove it home. I have the car, totally original, not restored. I also have the Montgomery ‘Hurst Passer Gaser,’ found it in the Carolina’s. The Dragster swamp rat one was run a very long time from 1956 to 1962 and it went through numerous configurations when I restored it in 1979. I restored it back to the condition it was on December 8, 1958, when it turned 180 miles an hour and 8.52 seconds at Brooksville Florida. Since then, every time we find a 1931 Chevy frame that’s in good condition, we make a re-creation of one of the models of the cars. So far, we have 4 different re-creations of the way the car looked through different stages of its life. It’s really a fun project doing this and hunting up these original, hard to find parts, so the car is as original as possible! Also, they are all running models!” Don Garlits
READERS: You must visit Don’s Museum in Ocala, Florida.

3) Educators, Parents, and Chaperones, I am very excited to invite you and your school to what will be one of the most rewarding educational programs of this school year. The NHRA Youth and Education Services Program makes its return to In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip on Thursday November 9, 2023. Since Friday November 10th lands on Veteran’s Day Observed this year (Which is a School Holiday for Most Schools), we are hosting the NHRA YES Program on Thursday November 9th, so schools have the opportunity to attend. All who register and attend the Thursday November 9th NHRA YES Program will receive a Free Race Ticket for BOTH Thursday November 9th AS WELL AS Friday November 10th to come back out with their Families if they wish. John Baadilla, Youth Program is at jbaadilla.

4) Just wanted to let you know my Southern California Funny Cars book is out and I just finished Southern California Top Fuel Dragsters both for Arcadia publishers and hopefully it will debut in early 2024. Sorry for the delay about the books but I had a heart attack on August 16th and I’m just now catching up. I saw that you plugged Doug Boyce’s books, he’s a nice guy (for a Canadian LOL). I did the cover and quite a few images on the Dyno Don book and have helped him with a few other of his projects. Anyway, Stay Healthy! Steve Reyes
STEVE: If you did the cover then you should ask me to send you the FULL REVIEW as I mentioned it. If you don’t ask for the review, you will never know what I said about it. The same goes for all the readers of the Motorsports Newsletter. Very sorry to hear of your heart attack and I am glad you are doing better. My father and brother both had heart attacks; my father survived, but my brother did not.
READERS: A heart ultrasound test is painless, quick and easy test which will alert you to problems. Most problems are found in the abdomen and chest regions. Ultrasounds can save one’s life.
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5) Lou Hart, author of, “The Hawaiian,” the story of Roland Leong and his drag cars, will hold a book signing at Autobooks-Aerobooks store on Saturday, September 23, 2023, from 10AM to 2PM. Autobooks-Aerobooks is located at 2900 W. Magnolia Boulevard, in Burbank, CA 91505. Phone #818-845-0707, website manager.
READERS: I met Roland’s parents in Hawaii. They are a great family, and I am looking forward to writing a review on this book.
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6) The only news I have to report is Bonneville. After Speedweek was affected by the weather with a restricted course due to the weather the USFRA decided to cancel World of Speed. And today the decision was shown to be a good one as the salt is again under water. We are hoping it will clear up and dry out for World Finals September 30 to October 3, 2023, and 2023 have not been kind to the land speed racing community. Ron Christensen
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7) Where is Randy Colon, Bob Frey, Nancy Wilson, Mike Matune, Pete Eastwood and my East Coast news; Ray Motes, LandSpeed Louise, Patty Frost in the Midwest; and Scotty Gosson, and Cris Shearer in the Northwest. We need news from all over.
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8) I was playing around with the keyboard and learned a trick and it might work for you. I held down the control key (don’t release it as you roll) on my keyboard and then used the “roller” on the mouse and I could increase (roll it forward) or decrease (roll it backward) the size of the print. See if you can do that on your computer and if so then you can read any size print that is sent to you. Best, Richard

9) The Motorsports Hall of Fame of America (MSHFA) announced today at the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion Earl B. Gilmore and Phil Walters will be inducted with Austin Coil, Scott Dixon, Jim Downing & Dr Robert Hubbard, Bud Ekins, Jimmie Johnson, Paul Newman and John Surtees at the 36th Annual MSHFA Induction Celebration Presented by Toyota Racing, March 11–12, 2024 in Daytona Beach, Florida. Adam Saal can be reached SaalGoodPR, 321-890-2848

10) Expect to see more than 3000 vehicles on display at Cruisin’ for a Cure. The charity Car Show will also feature more than 150 vendors and exhibitors. Organizer said 62 Handpicked vehicles, some valued at more than $1 million will make their debut at the popular car show in the hangar building of the Orange County Fairgrounds and Event Center. A Women & Wheels exhibit will showcase 60+ women owned vehicles. Cruisin’ for a Cure is a fundraiser for prostate cancer research at the KSK cancer center of Irvine. Medical professionals will also be there to offer screening for prostate cancer. 6:30 AM to 3:30 PM, September 9 at the Orange County Fairgrounds and Event Center, 88 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa, CA. For more information go to CRURISINFORACURE. COM. Tom Brenneman

11) SEMA has strongly opposed the South Coast Air Quality Management District’s (SCAQMD) proposed Indirect Source Rule (ISR). The proposed ISR aims to impose volume caps on port activities, thereby limiting the import and export of goods from the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach. This rule would cause substantial damage to the local and national economy by hampering the delivery of crucial goods, like auto parts. The ISR, if implemented, would also have significant repercussions on various fronts, including jobs, supply chains, the economy, emissions reduction efforts, and the competitiveness of the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach. For more information, contact SEMA Senior Director, State Government Affairs & Grassroots Christian Robinson at christianr. Sent in by Don Smith.
EDITOR COMMENTS: If this goes through then Pacific ports (Seattle, Portland, San Francisco, Oakland, San Diego and Tiajuana) would see jobs expand and companies prosper.

12) Enjoy some great videos below of a Legend Hidden Pioneer who will never be forgotten. It’s an honor to be related to this “Cool” lady Katherine Johnson. The African American women behind NASA’s rocket launches/YouTube. See https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=egYTxxKylv8. From Bill Montgomery.

13) WAIT! My idol, Mark Donohue, did not make the list? He ‘won’ in SCCA, StockCar, (’72) Indy, Can-Am Championship, No? See https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Donohue and www.aeroseminars.com/donohue.html.
https://www.aeroseminars.com/images/donohue-article-1.pdf. Paul T. Glessner

14) GETTING TO KNOW OUR READERS DEPARTMENT. Karen Nelson. “I was a bookkeeper for people like Bob Muravez (Floyd Lippencott Jr), Jim Harwood Racing Engines, Stan Goldstein, Dick Gazan, Rick Hubbard Crankshaft, Mark DeGroff, Tony Nancy and many who were not associated with racing. I even worked for Steve Gilman at Style Auto doing bookkeeping. THAT was interesting. I enjoyed writing the Personality Profiles for Drag Racing Magazine and I have had KUDOS on a couple of those articles from the persons I profiled. I knew Connie Swingle, Dee Gantt, Ernie Hashim, Tom McCoury, Joe Anahory, Dana Kimmel, Chuck Suba, Pete Farnsworth, Doug & Stephanie Rose, Mano Brothers, Frank Huszar and many more. I held a surprise 50th birthday party for Paula Murphy and we DID surprise her.”

15) Following schedule is courtesy of SHERM PORTER fuely32.
DECEMBER 3 Pomona Swap Meet, Los Angeles Fairplex. 714-538-9091 Suggest calling or contacting responsible parties for each event, to make sure there are still openings.
WEEKLY-SATURDAYS-SUNDAY AUTOHANGOUT: Every Saturday morning from 8am-11:30am or so, held in the Embarcadero Parking Lot, next to the PG&E stacks in Morro Bay, CA.
BAKERY BUMS: Every Saturday morning from 7am–9am. Held at Cider Creek Bakery in Paso Robles, CA corner of Niblick/South River Road, open to anything on wheels.
ORCUTT DERELICTS: Every Sunday morning from 8am-on. Held in the Oak Knolls Shopping Center in Orcutt, CA, corner of Clark/Bradley, open to anything.
PISMO DERELICTS: Every Saturday morning from 7am-? Held in the OSH/ROSS Shopping Center in Pismo Beach, CA open to anything on wheels. Attracts 100+ cars on a sunny day.
SANTA BARBARA CARS & COFFEE: Every Sunday in Santa Barbara, CA at La Cumbre Plaza, 8am–10am. For info: sbcarscoffee. These are not organized gatherings, are open to anyone, no leader, no supervision, no trophies, no vendors…just gear heads getting together!
MONTHLY JR’S DRIVE-IN: Santa Maria, CA, 2nd Friday of the month, 603 E. Main, 5–8pm. For info: 805-925-5556. These are monthly cruise nights, open to anyone. I attempt to include all of the Central California events that I can find, many of the websites have not been updated with the 2023 dates, so will add those events in as I find them. Promoters and clubs, feel free to forward me current information to be included in the calendar. The fun’s on the road.

16) Next up for Historic Sportscar Racing (HSR) is a guest appearance with the VSCDA during the Arien’s Art of Wheels weekend at Road America, September 14-17. HSR is now an International Motor Sports Association (IMSA) property. HSR was formed in the mid-1970’s with an event at Road Atlanta. There was one goal then and it remains to celebrate the race cars from the past. As a “time machine” of sights and sounds, HSR provides a venue for competitors and spectators alike to share in the wonderful history and excitement created by the cars that competed at racetracks around the world. Adam Saal is at SaalGoodPR@Gmail.com or 321-890-2848.

17) Continued from: MEL BASHORE Subject: International Raceway Park in Ona, West Virginia.
In 1969, Dick Clark, popular TV disc jockey, became a co-owner of the strip and oval on the 300-acre tract of land, in partnership with Gary and Phillip Lashinsky and Rick Bowen. At the press conference, the new lessees of the property, said that a 60-foot wide, 4,000-foot long drag strip would be constructed in the center of the racing complex next to the old West Virginia International Speedway. That oval track had opened in 1963 but folded in 1965 and had lain dormant until being leased by the new promoters. 1967 historic aerial photos show no drag strip. Darwin Doll, a division director for NHRA, was present at the press conference. He dangled the prospect of a “fifth national drag meet at IRP in 1970.” Racing on the big 7/16th-mile oval began in early May, but construction was delayed on the drag strip awaiting approval on details from NHRA (To be continued in the next newsletter)

18) Look back at the best moments from Monterey Car Week! Petersen Automotive Museum at pam. Use the email address to get in touch with the PAM (Petersen Automotive Museum) to read their latest on-line stories and find out what the PAM has to offer.

19) Welcome to the TEAM Scott Parks, Wally’s Grandson. Scott brings Faith, Love and Professionalism to the Team. Please welcome him on Board a blessing for sure. CSI Bill Montgomery
Scott G. Parks is the oldest son of Richard and Epi Parks and the first grandson of Wally Parks, Founder of the NHRA. His early years were spent in Corona Del Mar, Huntington Beach and Fountain Valley areas. Active in sports and the Boy Scouts, he reached the rank of Eagle Scout and graduated from Fountain Valley High School in 1987. He received an award from the University of California, Irvine Medical Center for his volunteer work there as a teenager. Scott served a voluntary and unpaid two-year mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day-Saints from 1988-1990 in Wisconsin and Michigan areas. Upon his return he earned his AA degree at Orange Coast College in Costa Mesa, a bachelor’s degree at Brigham Young University (BYU) in Provo, Utah and a master’s degree at BYU. He then earned a PhD in Law at the University of San Diego, in San Diego, California. Scott married Stacy Rauch and they have one son and live in Chino, California where he works for various law offices. Scott’s hobbies include sports, traveling, NHRA and SEMA activities, speaking to groups about his grandfather’s efforts in motorsports and safety programs, and his volunteer service for his church activities. He is currently contributing to the work of the Hidden Pioneers program of Technology and Transportation at the High School level.

20) The 46th Annual AMA California State Championship was held August 26th. Broc Nicol won the last two races, Northern California’s Track Championship and Southern California’s Fair Derby. contact.

21) DRAGSTRIPS in the USA and Canada. Courtesy of National Speedway Directory, 2504 Lake Avenue, Wilmette, ILL.
Beaver Springs Dragway Location: Beaver Springs, Pennsylvania Category: Dragstrips Length: 1/4-mile Surface: Paved.
Beech Bend Raceway Park Location: Bowling Green, Kentucky Category: Dragstrips Length: 1/4-mile Surface: Paved. Mentioned in my father’s story.
Ben Bruce Memorial Air Park Raceway Location: Evadale, Texas Category: Dragstrips Length: 1/4-mile Surface: Paved.
Benton Race Park Location: Benton, Missouri Category: Dragstrips Length: 1/8-mile Surface: Paved.
Courtesy of Mel Bashore

22) 1st Trailer for HIDDEN GARAGES. See: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dHojXkDajt0&feature=youtu.be.

23) Don Smith sent in: Beautiful New Cali-Based Blown G-body Invades No Prep Kings, Project 899 Gets A Drag Strip suspension upgrade, Photo extra from the 2023 NMCA All-American Nationals, and more at Dragzine.com.

24) I have been doing a lot of traveling and events. On my way to San Diego now for a radio interview on Racer Radio 96.1 FM with Dave Stahl and busy with our new show on POWERtubeTV. Bob Beck

25) Look at these wonderful images of what he left behind for the Youth & future… Creigh Photography at the Hidden Garages for Hidden Pioneers (Randy’s Garage). See: https://www.creighphotography.com/p877943202.

26) EVVTOL TECH NATION and SCIENCE TECH NATION STRATEGICALLY TARGETED JOB FAIRS is EVVTOL’s mission to provide job fairs, primarily at the EV Future Tech Shows and VTOL Future Tech Shows that will also provide a platform for virtual and/or locally based job fairs, to the industry. Employers and hiring managers will have access to recruiters and candidates with all the right tools to engage with potential hires. Future tech job fair is at (spagnani.

27) I talked to Elaine Koveleski recently and told her about your Oscar Koveleski story and told her I would bring it up to her. Could you send it to me so I can print it out for her. Saw Chris Koveleski who had done a number of Trans AM tapes and now lives in California. I judged at Pebble and got him into Laguna Seca and the show a few weeks ago. Would appreciate it if you could send Oscar’s story. Thanks, Paul Sable
READERS: The Oscar Koveleski story is free for the asking. Just write to me and I will send it as an attachment. It contains Cannonball Run, Polish Racing Drivers of America, Tony “A-Z” Adamowich, Can-Am, Sports Car Racing and Oscar’s KidCar project.

28) Hidden Pioneers on Google https://sites.google.com/shelbylegendarycars.com/hiddenpioneers/home. Bill Montgomery

29) From long-time family friend Michael Dobrin: “I never expected to be so busy at this point (85+ years) but busy is good and productive (see my two-part feature on ‘Tommy the Greek’ Hrones in Modern Rodding, September and October issues). You say work to keep you busy. Wow, your columns and news indicate the works of a busy and productive man. Stick with me and I’ll try and finish up my bio this week. Also have a book coming out about Alaska and my years growing up there. Thanks too for recent reminders about your dad. I think of him often; he would’ve made a great US President.”

30) 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.
Ken Cooper, part 1 (published 2nd January 2023)
Quote from Ken Cooper: “Loved what you guys have produced from my rambling. Can’t really fault it. I’m surprised and humbled by the large number of kind comments from so many people. I never thought when you guys said people would be interested, that there’d be such a large response. I don’t have a smart phone or a computer with internet, but Bradley did show me dozens of lovely comments on his laptop and phone. Thank you everybody.”
Ken Cooper, part 2 (published 9th January 2023)
Ken Cooper, part 3 (published 16th January 2023)
Ken Cooper, part 4 (published 23rd January 2023)
Ken Cooper, part 5 (published 30th January 2023)

31) I read the newsletter religiously. I did Bonneville with our streamliner from 1989 to 2010. Set 8 records, the two over 300 still stand. Speedway Motors was primary sponsor, but many others contributed parts. I retired from the Speedway Motors Museum of American Speed. I still help out, but don’t travel. I now have three running Model A’s. Two have Banger motors with good brakes, 5 speed and quick Changes. Very road worthy. John MacKichan

32) Drag Racing related books by Doug Boyce
Grumpy’s Toy – The Authorized History of Grumpy Jenkins Car – Released 2011
I spent a year interviewing Bill Jenkins and a number of his close associates to write the only book chronicling the drag racing history of Grumpy Jenkins and his fine line of Grumpy’s Toys. This book was a best seller for the publisher Cartech Books and remains a popular read to this day. The book gives a great glimpse of Bill’s life from birth through to his closing days. Approximately 350 photos help move the stories along.
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Drag Racing related books by Doug Boyce
Junior Stock – Drag Racing the Family Sedan – Released 2012
This one focuses on the Stock class cars which were campaigned between 1964 and 1971. Why 1964 through 1971? Well, the NHRA held its first Stock Eliminator at Indy in 1964, then at the end of the 1971 season, changed the category premise and went to a Pure Stock format. Hoards of interviews, and stats fill the pages which carry approximately 350 photos.

33) I’ve raced SCCA, NASA Pro Rally; ran a lot in the California Rally Series and done just about every type of racing, yet vintage/nostalgia drag racing is my favorite! Chris Navarro

34) From: Rosco McGlashan, Aussie Invader Project is at rosco. Our mailing address is: Aussie Invader, 5R 6 Karalundie Way, Mullaloo, Western Australia State, 6027, Australia. “There have always been three stages planned for us to achieve the world land speed record for Australia. We are now working on stage two of our project. This entails finding a major sponsor and financial partner, so we can secure a suitable engine ground run site with support infrastructure. We are meeting with various organizations and government departments to secure a suitable site. We have visited and considered several locations for this testing. These locations include Port Lincoln, Penong and Woomera in South Australia. However, we are hopeful of doing this testing nearer to our home in the West. Importing our propellants from China or India is proving a very hard task, with licensing, shipping and import. Once these issues are overcome, we then have another problem, safely storing the huge volume of propellants needed.”

35) The latest is at https://indd.adobe.com/view/93b1643a-424c-485b-a13e-4e9aad37bafc or you can download the pdf. Enjoy. Thank you for your complimentary words about the magazine. The Lake Perkolilli time trials are held every three years. It is a huge undertaking for the couple who organize it, with the help of many volunteers, and they feel that any more frequent and they couldn’t cope. Graeme and Kathy Cocks are the driving force behind the Lake Perkolilli events, which started as a 70th anniversary event celebrating a number of record breaking runs by a Chrysler special known as Silverwings in 1927. Graeme researched Silverwings but the original car disappeared from sight in the 1960’s, so he built a replica, which he took to the lake in 1997. Some years later he was persuaded to run another event and it has grown into the current triennial event. I wrote the story of Silverwings back in 1997 and had it published in Vintage Motorsport among other publications. Graeme runs his replica in VSCC of Western Australia events and has featured in the photo galleries in Vintage Metal. Regards, Bob Campbell.
READERS: Bob Campbell sent in the latest issue of Vintage Metal Magazine, and it has amazing articles. Have you heard of Lake Perkolilli? A dry lake where cars race across its red earth creating swirls of red dust in time trials. Or the exquisite road racing and the beauty of vintage cars. Western Australia is a well-kept secret of the motorsport’s world. Yet there as well they fight to preserve their cars from the cries of some who want to remove race cars from the Earth. Well done, Bob, on a fantastic magazine.
What concerns me is that I haven’t heard from all the Victoria, New South Wales, and Queensland Aussies? Where are you? Also, the Kiwis of New Zealand.

36) 27th Annual Haltech World Cup Finals Import vs Domestic November 1-5, 2023, Maryland International Raceways (MIR). Spectator Tickets go on sale Sept 1 at 12noon EDT, importvsdomestic.com/tickets. We will be at 100% capacity, so BUY your tickets in advance before we SELL OUT again! THIS is the future of the sport. No Nitro dragsters or Funny cars to be seen. The racers are racing what looks like what they might drive on the street every day. Like when your father started things. MBP Office: 240-349-2538, Fax: 240-901-2950 Miller Brothers Productions, LLC, PO Box 2388, La Plata, MD 20646-2388. From Don Redmon

37) Editor notes: Royce Rumsey just published “Automotive Homophone on 17Mi Drive,” at Pebble Beach. The boxy, quaint 1950’s British car and the story by Royce can be found by contacting him at roycer924_2. His photos are superb, and his text is highly informative. Free to sign up on his site.

38) You can see our Bonneville coverage here: https://www.torqtalk.com. Please feel free to share or pass it on. HUGE thanks to the SCTA-BNI and your volunteers for all your hard work; we appreciate it. Tony Thacker
READERS: Thacker is an editor, writer, museum director (NHRA Motorsports Museum) and hot rodder.

39) Hi Richard, oh my gosh it’s so great to hear from you. Joan Denver mentioned to me the book that you’re writing, and I can’t wait to read it when that day comes. Cruisin For A Cure is coming up this Saturday a little earlier this year. Let me know if you would like to come. It’s September 9th this coming Saturday; it is our 24th year. OMG at the OC Fair and Event center in Costa Mesa. Hope you and the family are doing well. Debbie Baker
DEBBIE: I had a wrong address. Now you’re on the list and the WALLY “book” (actually on Word Doc) is on the way.
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40) I enjoy your newsletter very much. Lets me keep up with what’s happening in the motorsport’s world. Keep up the good work. Please pass around the attached flyer for Mopars with Big Daddy coming up in November. Jim Marrone
JIM: Jpeg flyers are hard for me to copy and paste. Can you send me news on who is coming, what cars will be shown and volunteers who work so hard on the event. About twice a month or so.
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41) EDITOR SEZ: I received notices from time to time, “Can you do a Zoom call?” The answer is yes, I’ve been on them but I’m not good at them. But if we don’t learn we let down the youth of today and they expect more from us. So, if anyone wants to ZOOM, let’s learn together.

42) GETTING TO KNOW OUR READERS DEPARTMENT. Bob Raymond Jr: I like the newsletter very much, I really look forward to them, they are great and very insightful. Keep up the good work. I live in Northern California and have been involved in Drag Racing since I was little. I used to go to the Fremont drag strip every chance I could. I’m related to Al Hubbard, of Vic Hubbard’s, he was my uncle. My Dad raced a flathead powered fuel coupe in the early fifty’s and met your Dad at a race in Pomona in the mid-fifties. My Godfather is Rich Guasco of Pure Hell fame and I have worked on his Altered and numerous Top Fuel dragsters and Funny cars for the past 28 years, mostly Nostalgia. I currently work on Dan Horan’s T/F Nostalgia Dragster with Pete Kaiser and Larry Gotelli, and we won the 2021 NHRA Heritage Series Championship. I learned everything I know from Rich. Sadly, my Dad passed away last October 1st, 2022, from a stroke, he was 88 years old. My Dad was a member of the Hayward Headhunters race club out of Hayward CA. My Dad was born in Buena Park, CA in 1934 and moved up North with his parents to Castro Valley in 1949 where he met his future Brother-in-law Al Hubbard and the Forsberg brothers, Jerry and Denny and started Drag racing soon after. I have attached a picture of my Dad’s race car. Please keep sending me the newsletter and thank you for doing all you do to keep us informed. Sincerely, Bob Raymond Jr
BOB: Here a response from Spencer Simon from NorCal.
RICHARD: I’ve been to the Hayward Headhunters with my late friend Jimmy Correia at Doug King’s place. It’s a blast. Though the group gathering has slimmed down over the years due to age. I currently have breakfast with Denny Forsberg and other fellas at Norman’s restaurant with a comfortable meeting with any kind of gossip we can think of whether it’s racing, mechanical, inventive, or what’s new every Wednesday and go off with anything with a nice breakfast. Afterwards, I’m on my way to work. These guys are a blessing. Maybe if I saw Raymond, I might recognize him. It’s great that we have this get together thing. Spencer Simon (Northern California reporter for the newsletter)

43) From: Lions Media Team media, Thursday, November 9, 2023, Lions Hall of Fame Dinner and 2nd Hall of Fame inductees honored: Robert ‘Bones’ Balogh, Keith Black, Doug ‘Cookie’ Cook, Jim Dunn, Gary Gabelich, Tom McEwen, Ed Pink, and especially Linda Vaughn. Lions Youth Engagement Program Shifts into High Gear this Fall Partnerships with the Society of Engineers (SAE) and Acceler8 will bring inspirational workshops and after-school programs to the Lions Automobilia Museum starting in October of this year. Students of all ages will be able to participate in a variety of programs designed to introduce them to the world of the automobile. Look for more information on Lions Automobilia website. VW Social Cruise coming soon.

44) Got unwanted bees? There are three ways to get rid of them, a) hire an exterminator, b) read up on it and do it yourself, c) the Parks way. I did get rid the bees, the Parks (hard) way. I learned that shoes, pants held firm with a rubber band, long sleeve shirt tucked in at the waist and wrist, a smoker helps, a hat with a veil is beneficial. Bees do not like to be drowned. They like it less when you burn them out. On the bright side, they are gone, and I understand “bee sting therapy” is quite the thing in chi-chi circles. Do not call me if you have bees, get the exterminator instead.

45) GETTING TO KNOW OUR READERS DEPARTMENT. Lauren Stoney. “My name is Lauren Stoney. I was born and raised in Charleston South Carolina, but I moved to Michigan because of the car culture. My love for racing and cars comes from watching my father race his 1989 mustang when I was a little girl. I bought my 1992 Ford Mustang 3 years ago, and I’ve been building the car ever since! I recently started getting into stick shift racing with it this year, and I commonly race in the NMRA circuit.”

46) Visit the Northeast Outlaw Pro Mod Association at neoutlawpromods.com, the Pro Modified Racing Association at facebook.com/promodifiedracing and the Empire Dragway at EmpireDragway.com for more information and event updates. Bruce Mehlenbacher is at Bruce@JAJentertainment

47) CAPTIONS: Ed’s name will be added to the Bryant Trophy. I found out many years ago that Ed Iskenderian and I had the same birthday when signing in on one of your birthday calendars at a Karter’s Lunch gathering. Had lunch with him (and a few friends) yesterday (he’s got 20 laps on me). Doug Stokes