Motorsports Newsletter 9/15/23

By Richard Parks

EDITOR: I know the newsletter is longer than normal, that’s because I did some work on my email list and generated more comments. Use the newsletter to keep in touch with old friends, share news and just enjoy memories of motorsports.

1) The 2023 NHRA Youth & Education Services Program is a FREE program that focuses on the importance of goals and continued education; additionally, it allows students to learn about and explore various career opportunities. Students are presented with career, educational, and scholarship opportunities from our official NHRA YES Program Partners: FORD, Gerber Collision & Glass, Mac Tools, and The Air Force. All students, teachers, parents, and chaperones are invited to receive a free race ticket for the In-N-Out Burger NHRA Finals event held in Pomona, California at In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip on Thursday November 9, 2023. This ticket will give students the opportunity to observe the same real-world scenarios discussed in the videos applied live and in person. John Baadilla, Youth Program is at jbaadilla.

2) Just in case you are the only one on this planet that has not seen this video. Enjoy and save, Jim Kerr. “Jay Leno meets his hero Bob Riggle and the iconic Hurst Hemi Under Glass,” CNBC Prime – YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OT789MAVVBs.
JIM: I am one of those unfortunate people, but now I have watched it thanks to you. Send me news on Roundy-rounders and zig-zag sports car racing. BTW, Jay gained a dozen wrinkles and a head of white hair after driving with Bob.
AND:
Keep it coming. Bob Riggle passed away on September 4th. Any word on services? Thanks, Jim Kerr
JIM: Nothing showed up on Legacy.com so far. If anyone knows, would they please send in details.
AND:
God bless Bob Riggle. Linda Vaughn

3) I love your newsletters. My husband Jerry Baltes was a top fuel racer in the early 1960’s. He passed this past November, and the newsletter is a great way for me to keep up with a lot of old friends. I hope you will continue to send these out and keep me on the list. Thank you, Pat Baltes (wife of Jerry Baltes)
PAT: I will be glad to keep you on the list and start on Jerry’s biography if you haven’t already. Everyone should keep their stories alive for the next generation. Write in often. My condolences to you and your family on losing Jerry.

4) The 29th Petersen Gala honoring Chip Ganassi and Bobby Rahal, October 7, 2023, 6PM-10PM, 6060 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90036, dedicated to supporting our education initiatives. For tickets contact Petersen Automotive Museum at gala.
AND:
From Petersen Automotive Museum (PAM). New Exhibition Opening Soon in September. 9/16 Hollywood Customs: modified for the movies exhibit. Petersen Gala 2023 Annual event. Little Sparks Youth workshop (video games). Wagonfest SoCal 2023 recap. CarStories podcast is back, starting season 3 with Donut Media legend James Pumphrey. The artistry of Mid-Century design with Bob Gurr. For more information contact pam.

5) Hot Wheels photo’s, people & Cool cars. See https://www.creighphotography.com/p960363603. From Hidden Pioneers Founder Bill Montgomery. Google Bill at https://www.google.com/search.
BILL: Great pictures from Creigh Photography. It said that you have 4.6 million entries on Google. Can that be true?

6) WORLD FINALS IS A GO!!! September 30-October 3, 2023. Fees are $550. Ron Main (ron) or 818-523-7005. Or JoAnnCarlson at SCTA Office, office.
RON: Thanks for the update. Our best to all the time trial teams.

7) Why isn’t HILA SWEET writing in? Dick Martin recently sent me his article on Parnelli Jones and it mentions Ummie Paulsen and Hila Morgan Paulsen Sweet. Hila, your jalopy and car racers reunions were outstanding, and we miss you. If you want the Parnelli Jones’ story just write to me and ask.

8) Continued from: MEL BASHORE Subject: International Raceway Park in Ona, West Virginia. “Research didn’t find reports that the drag strip was ever built. However, in late 1987, Ona Airpark, adjacent to the speedway oval was opened as a public airport and is still in operation today. Its runway is only 3,100 feet in length. One online source speculated that “a quarter mile dragstrip operated in 1969-1970; this probably used the Ona Airpark.” The source’s speculative guessing does not comport with information found in other documentation. More research is needed to determine if a drag strip ever got off the ground. The compiler’s current thinking is that the drag strip never moved beyond the planning stage and was never built.” (To be continued in the next newsletter)

9) Josie Brooks, “I can’t imagine my life, had drag racing not been introduced to it. It’s what we do,” said the Pro Bike racer from Arkona, Ontario, Canada. Pro Bike & Sled Series (PBSS) event at Empire Dragway in Leicester, NY, on September 22 & 23. A 16-vehicle qualified field of motorcycles and snow machines will compete on the Empire eighth-mile. Brooks started her racing career in the mid-1990’s, with a Chevrolet Camaro and also piloted a number of other door cars and a dragster. “I was fortunate to experience racing in different types of cars, but nothing touched the feeling I got, and still get, riding a bike!” Husband Dan is Josie’s Crew Chief. Daughter Jaymie assists with between round maintenance and keeps the logbooks straight.

10) The Amateur Athletic Association had all of Ralph DePalma donated papers and photographs, from his personal collections. Jack Streckwald: He worked for Eddie Meyer for many years, during the “transitional period” when Eddie and Bud moved away from the speed equipment business and began to focus more on their maintenance and repair efforts. Cars of the Stars, as it were. Jack is a lifelong SoCal Local and is full of stories about Hot Rodding in LA in the early ’50 and ’60’s. Jack had a little V8-60 powered MG – which in part landed him a job at the Meyer shop. Jack recounted stories of racing up Sepulveda Blvd before the 405 had been built, ducking from the cops on Mulholland by driving his low-slung MG under chained off fire roads, and all other hijinks. Ray Fageol: Lou Fageol’s son lives in the San Diego area. I believe he is about 90 years old now. He has lots if stories about his Dad’s racing efforts, car building dreams, and associations with various racers. I recall him mentioning meeting Ed Winfield, but you’ve probably met most of the Pioneers yourself. Lance Baumberger

11) GETTING TO KNOW OUR READERS DEPARTMENT. Linda Valdez. “I have had a love for cars and going fast for as long as I can remember. And to add the adrenaline rush you get from drag racing to that is amazing. My very first car was a Camaro, although it was a 1983, it was my ‘dream car’ at the time. When I first met my husband, one of the things I loved about him was that we share the same passion for cars. We bought a 1967 Camaro SS which was a show car for about 1 year until we turned it into my drag car. After I made my first pass in it down the track, I was hooked! We have been racing together ever since and have never looked back. I guess you can say…Racing is my drug!”

12) Historic Sportscar Racing (HSR) currently sanctions eight vintage and historic racing events at some of the world’s most renowned racetracks, including Road Atlanta, Sebring International Raceway, Daytona International Speedway and more. The complete schedule and full event information can be found on HSR’s website at www.HSRRace.com. Look for the HSR Channel on YouTube and follow HSR on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/HSRrace/ and on Twitter and Instagram at @HSR_race. A dedicated website for the Classic 24 Hour at Daytona presented by IMSA is available at www.Classic24hour.com. Adam Saal is at SaalGoodPR@Gmail.com or 321-890-2848.

13) More on Lake Perkolilli. Entries have been received from as far away as the UK for previous events, but you need to plan ahead. The link to Red Dust Revival 2025 is robertcampbell4

14) If you click on this link http://www.eurodragster.com/news/news.asp it will take you to the news page of eurodragster where Simon Groves, editor has posted the Mooneyes’ story which is of course the 60th Anniversary to the date today (10th Sept) of the Silverstone meeting in England 1964. You can view the story by clicking on the link where mentioned. Simon will post part 2 tomorrow so check in again for that. Hope you enjoy it. Cheers, John Hunt
READERS: If you want plenty of news on UK drag racing check out this newsletter by Simon Groves.
AND: You might also like to know Jerry Cookson, a group member of the BDRH and director in the BDRH of Fame is doing a live interview on Draglist on Monday (our time 1am Tuesday). I’m sure you have the links however here they are should you be interested. The image below is what’s been posted in advance of this. Hope you can use all this? https://www.facebook.com/john.r.bockelman/posts/pfbid02UEinKEjcmZg7bZJX5Pd4CmXX5fwiJx5PLHY En6ajVPoeonXwUzmk2vW22yGKDScGl. Interview will be at https://www.facebook.com/dragracinglist. Cheers, John

15) Mad Mike’s Hidden Garages movie teasers. See: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4b1oGUmZVIs&feature=youtu.be.

16) Sign-ups for our two upcoming car shows in Southern California are going really well. If any hot rods, muscle-cars and car or boat racers would like to display their vehicles and give their sponsors added exposure- SIGN UP TODAY. Nov. 18th – La Verne Holiday Car Show www.CruisinLaVerne.com Dec. 3rd – Brea Holiday Car Show www.BreaHolidayCarShow.com Both shows benefit the California Highway Patrol’s – CHiPs for Kids toy drive. Everyone is encouraged to bring a new unwrapped $10 toy. Craig Hoelzel Show Manager Craig@FlyingDeuces.com.

17) Two days of music, motorsports, car culture and consumers: expand your brand at SEMA Fest. Access a projected 30,000 music and racing enthusiasts with sponsorship activations, vehicle displays and more during the inaugural event, November 3-4, 2023. Don Smith

18) Bill Montgomery’s Hidden Garages. See: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XtdHRDrgSnc&feature=youtu.be.

19) I believe that Karen Nelson followed me as San Fernando’s track reporter, a true pioneer. Dave Wallace Jr
Pee.Ess. Ward’s first name is RoDger (super-common missteak). Recovering editor, DWjr
KAREN: We want to know all the stories you collected at San Fernando if indeed you were the track reporter there.
READERS: Bug Karen to tell us her stories. I’ll bet she has a great bio and stories to tell.
DAVE: Editors need editors. Stop recovering and “nitpick” on my newsletters. Of, Course it is RoDger and I blame it on Doug Stokes who sent me the caption. But I should have caught it. When Hila Sweet asked me to bring RODGER Ward to her Jalopy Reunion I jumpted at the chance (I left jumpted in so you could excoriate me). In the next 18 months I was blessed to take Rodger Ward to 12 events as his driver’s license had been taken away from him. It was one of the highlights of my life to get to know this man and his friends. So, READERS, if you notice an old racer who hasn’t been showing up to events, offer him a ride. You will definitely be rewarded in ways you cannot imagine.
AND:
Richard-that’s Ed Iskenderian that I’m bussing on our mutual July 10 Birthday, 102 and 82 respectively. I sure wish that Roger Ward was still around, great guy, his stories always rang true, he was a dear man and never got faster (Editor: do you mean feistier?) as he got older. BTW: I think that your fans would prefer it if you did not mess with bees, buddy… just saying. Doug Stokes
DOUG: I CAUGHT it this time. What is the name of the song…OOPS, I DID IT AGAIN. Definitely RODGER.

20) Only the 1/8-mile Barona Drags near San Diego, Irwindale Drag Strip nearer to Los Angeles, and the Famoso Dragstrip in Bakersfield serve 24 million people. See https://www.dragzine.com/news/socals-new-330-street-legal-dragway-could-mark-a-revolution/. By Andrew Wolf (Dragzine)
EDITOR: A 1/16th mile drag strip? Sounds intriguing. What do you think Jr Dragster drivers?

21) 27th Annual Haltech World Cup Finals Import vs Domestic November 1-5, 2023, Maryland International Raceways (MIR). $200,000 is now up for grabs at the Haltech World Cup Finals – Import vs Domestic presented by Wiseco on November 1-5, 2023. X275 vs Hot Rod is now $20,000 to win, and additional money added back to Semis, 1/4 finals and 1/8 finals in most classes. Stage 1 Racer Registration August 25 at Noon EDT. Stage 2 Racer Registration August 30 at Noon EDT. Spectator Tickets on sale September 1 at Noon EDT. Racer Registration & Tickets will be available at importvsdomestic.com/tickets. We will be at 100% capacity, so BUY your tickets in advance before we SELL OUT again. Office: 240-349-2538, Fax: 240-901-2950, Miller Brothers Productions, LLC, PO Box 2388, La Plata, MD 20646-2388. From Don Redmon

22) Editor: Bruce Wheeler is okay. The fires in Maui missed him. Here is his letter.
“It’s now been a full month since the awful fires that devastated Lahaina town, and heavily impacted a few other areas on the other side of the island, one of them about three miles from home, but never a threat. Lahaina was a pretty little town, most of it fully leveled now. There are, officially, 115 deaths, with several hundred folks still listed as missing. While a major part of the island is untouched, and fully open and available to visitors, tourism has slowed to a trickle, and that has everyone here crying the blues. Our business, weddings and family vacation photos, is 99% tourist generated, and every booking for the rest of the year has cancelled, with no new ones coming in. Plus, I’m still dealing with throat cancer, it, in itself, a game changer. Anyway, thanks again for posting my funding deal for Karen Raffa, Richard, every little bit helps! Much aloha, best regards. Bruce.” Here is the website Karen provided to help Bruce, https://givebutter.com/mDZCm5.

23) The Pro Bike & Sled Series (PBSS) was organized early in 2011. It was established for motorcycle and snowmobile drag racing teams to compete on a regular basis, in an organized and professional racing environment. The Series is comprised of a qualified field of 16 quick motorcycles and snowmobiles and presents the best in ET style, dialed-in drag racing. This Series competes on a Sportsman ladder. Contestants race in the four second range, at speeds reaching 150 mph and above. Competitors adhere to the technical and safety rules as outlined by the NHRA, IHRA and the World Drag Racing Alliance (WDRA).

24) 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

25) Hidden Pioneers car calendar of events:
SEPTEMBER 20, 2023, 7pm, Bill Montgomery to present to the SoCal Mustang Club, Burbank CA, 6pm to 10pm.
SEPTEMBER 23, 2023, Los Angeles Jessie Owens Park 17th Annual Inner-City Marathon & Health Festival.
SEPTEMBER 29, Friday Family night in Downey 6-8pm Columbia Memorial Space Center columbiaspacescience.org.

26) Ken Cooper was first influenced by American culture when he had access to the former World War II American barracks in his hometown of Sutton Coldfield which was bombed during the war. He decided to go into the motor trades at aged 15. He worked on English and American cars and learned to drive. After discovering hot rods in a film, he then found hot rodding magazines in Birmingham and bought his first car, a ’37 Ford Coupe with a flathead V8 engine. He then built his first hot rod, a 1933 Ford Cabriolet, which resulted in a change of job. Cheers, John Hunt

27) A FAVOR NEEDED DEPARTMENT: Can our readers assist Karen Nelson? Here is her email.
“I wrote stories for Drag Racing Magazine; Ralph Gudahl and Don Prieto were there at the same time (1967). Swingle was my first one (March of 1967), Goob Tuller (April 1967), Gary Gabelich (May 1967), Bones Balough (June 1967), Paula Murphy (July 1967), Mike Sorokin (August 1967), Ernie Hashim (Sept 1967), Kelly Brown (October 1967), Bob Tapia (Nov 1967), the Hoover Family (Dec 1967). I think there were more into 1968, but I no longer have the original copies. The other stories could be on the Allen family, James Warren, Art Malone. I was only 28 then and while I have a good memory for my age, I do not remember everything. If anyone has more issues they can make copies for me, and I will pay for them. I got a lot of support from Ralph to write them. TRULY THE GOOD OLD DAYS.” Karen Nelson

28) DRAGSTRIPS in the USA and Canada. Courtesy of the National Speedway Directory, 2504 Lake Avenue, Wilmette, ILLINOIS, 60091
Bluegrass Raceway Location: Owingsville, Kentucky Category: Dragstrips Length: 1/8-mile Surface: Paved.
Bonneville Salt Flats Speedway Location: Wendover, Utah Category: All Tracks, Dragstrips Length: 2-mile Surface: Dirt. Mentioned in my father’s story.
Bradenton Motorsports Park Location: Bradenton, Florida Category: Dragstrips Length: 1/4-mile Surface: Paved. Mentioned in my father’s story.
Brainerd Optimist Dragstrip Location: Ringgold, Georgia Category: Dragstrips Length: 1/8-mile Surface: Paved.

29) The EcoJet: Definitive Edition, Jay Leno’s Garage, YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=10q9_pB6unU. From Bill Montgomery

30) This Week on Cars Yeah Podcast Mark Greene interviews Kelly Dietrick of Exceptional Car Broker, Brokering Historic Competition Cars Worldwide at Historic Competition Services. Michael Schneider is the President of McPherson College. With niche degree programs such as automotive restoration. McPherson College garnered recent notoriety for having a student-restored 1953 Mercedes Benz 300S win 2nd in the Post War Luxury Class at the Pebble Beach Concours d’ Elegance. Sam Webster is an automotive enthusiast, fabricator, and podcaster and the Founder of Webster Auto Collective. Pete Vicari is the President of Vicari Auctions where they conduct numerous auctions across the southern USA.
“Mark Greene is at mark, or Cars Yeah, LLC 4618 131st St Ct NW Gig Harbor, Washington, 98332.

31) To see the Hidden Pioneers on Linktree, go to: https://linktr.ee/hiddenpioneers. From William Montgomery
hidden pioneers on Instagram. https://www.instagram.com/p/Cqemz1cugm5/.
hidden pioneers on Instagram. https://www.instagram.com/p/CmTSQESrgrK/?hl=en.
hidden pioneers on Instagram. https://www.instagram.com/p/Cu0n74MMemf/.
Supercool Photo of the Awesome Hidden Pioneers. https://www.instagram.com/p/Co7tJRjJL6L/?hl=en.

32) SEMA Washington DC office. The US Commerce Department’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) recently published a proposed rule expanding the agency’s efforts to improve the Section 232 steel and aluminum exclusion process on tariffs. The metal tariffs of 25% on steel and 10% on aluminum were initially imposed on various countries in 2018 under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962 on national security grounds. SEMA is opposed to the tariffs. Sent in by Don Smith.

33) I appreciate your newsletter very much. Very informative. Not very much to report on where I live at now. In the foothills of the Smokies in northwest North Carolina but I do appreciate reading about things. Myself, Jed Horton, and Eddie Careccia and Marty are coming out tonight to revival. I very much look forward to meeting you out there. I might have met you in the old days, I cannot remember, but I knew your dad very well and had a lotta good times with him and appreciated what he done very much. I was one of the lucky ones that got to drive front motor cars back motor cars and win the world championship. I had a very good career and I owe a lot of that to your dad, because he made it possible for all of us to race at a professional level. Hope to see you at Irwindale. Thank you, Jim Walther.
JIM: If you haven’t written your biography or stories, please start today. I encourage everyone to write for their families first and friends and public second. Your memories spark others to remember too and I can never get enough stories.

34) Please add John MacKichan’s story to your archives. He will be very pleased. I will work on filling out the other details via your noun suggestion (for bios and stories). To Jim Miller, I gave my husband a membership to AHRF during covid. I’m slowly making him into a hot rodder. Big fan of your hard work preserving hot rodding history and stories. Jessica (MacKichan) Gasper, Production Manager at Speedway Motors Museum (jbmackichan).
JESSICA: Please send us news on Speedway Motors Museum and events scheduled.

35) Nitro nationals will be coming to Tulsa Raceway Park this weekend; all the info is on our Facebook page if you wanted to use it. Thanks, Todd Martin, Managing Partner, 801 NW 122nd Street, Building B, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73114, or phone 918-437-7223 (Track), 405-759-7328 (Corp Office), and 405-833-2065 (Cell).

36) John Hunt sent in the following on British drag racers: Geoff Jago. Geoff left school at 15 and, after a year in the Portsmouth docks, gained an apprenticeship at a local garage in Portchester. During his nine years there he got interested in American cars and hot rods, starting by customising his dad’s Ford Consul Mk1. After leaving the garage he set up his own business doing car repairs and bodywork. Getting into hot rodding, he was the first importer of metal flake and created his first custom, Jago One, from a Ford Thames van which won a prize at the UK’s first custom car show organised by the British Hot Rod Association. Although his early customs were on British cars, his introduction to fibreglass got him thinking about Ford Model-T’s.

37) From: Rosco McGlashan – Aussie Invader Project is at rosco. Our mailing address is: Aussie Invader5R, 6 Karalundie Way, Mullaloo, Western Australia State, 6027, Australia. “This is a long road, and we are making headway. Hopefully, there will be light at the end of the tunnel very soon. Once we have completed our tie-down ground runs, we will then enter stage 3 of our project, preparing for our record runs. We will still need a major sponsor / financial partner to achieve this record, and that sponsor may well dictate where we stage our world record event. It could be the USA, the UAE, South Africa, but hopefully Australia. Our car is now basically complete, subject to minor changes. It looks really pretty, and anyone who has their name on our car as a sponsor or a 1,000 MPH Club member is welcome to come to our shop and take a look at the most ambitious backyard project ever undertaken in Australian history. However, these visits are subject to pre-arrangement and the understanding all the team are volunteers, so we have to limit numbers. Please CONTACT US to arrange a visit with me.”

38) I’ve been helping my buddy Mike Allen with research for his new book which tells the start-to-finish story of a remarkable motorsports’ facility. One that so many of us miss so dearly…Ontario Motor Speedway. Mike has been interviewing people who raced, worked, and/or just plain bought tickets went to events there and really loved the joint. He’s looking to incorporate a lot of those firsthand stories into his book. Got OMS? Mike can be contacted at: lmallen24. Doug Stokes
READERS: Please help out Mike Allen. This is an important part of racing history.

39) Pro Bike and Sled Series (PBSS) is at https://www.facebook.com/probikeandsledseries, and Empire Dragway is at EmpireDragway.com. Bruce F. Mehlenbacher is at Bruce@JAJentertainment.com.

40) The following is a list of names for the tags we have:
Bob Pierson 10/16/49, 129.12 MPH
Wally Ranstrom 11/12/49, 102.15 MPH
Cantley-Barker 11/12/49, 128.08 MPH
Bruce Sproull 10/16/49, 113.35 MPH
Don Ferrara 10/16/49, 112.92 MPH
Don Waite 10/16/49, 148.76 MPH
Don Willingham 10/16/49, 120.64 MPH
Don Willingham 11/12/49, 129.69 MPH
Ferrara-Yerger 11/12/49, 121.45 MPH
Manuel Butkie 10/16/49, 137.61 MPH
Rick Hernandez is at Rickh15, or Randy Hernandez at skydivejrh. They are the sons of Fran Hernandez.

41) Check out THE EPIC SAGA OF THE SURFERS at Top Fuel Wormhole: The Cole Coonce Drag Strip Reader. See https://topfuelwormhole.wordpress.com/2019/09/27/the-epic-saga-of-the-surfers-2/. John Lindsay and Mike Dakin

42) Please keep sending. Thanks! Jack
JACK: I have 3 favors to ask you. 1) Your last name, 2) have you written your bio and stories yet, and 3) send me news on your favorite motorsports for the newsletter.

43) GETTING TO KNOW OUR READERS DEPARTMENT. Eily Stafford. “When I was 12 years old my Dad took me to my first race, the Winternationals at Pomona. From the first pass I fell in love with the sound, the speed, and the smell of the world’s fastest motorsport. So, I decided to pursue it. After racing for almost 20 years, driving everything from 7 second blown alcohol altereds to nostalgia rear engine top fuel dragsters, earning multiple NHRA licenses, with a career best of 5.36 at 277mph, I still go back to the reason I fell in love with drag racing in the first place…the sound, the speed, and the smell.”
EILY: Welcome to the Motorsports Newsletter. Be sure to write in about your racing experiences.

44) Hi Richard, I am Kenny Kloth. I enjoy the newsletter very much. I have no input from here but you keep up the good work. Kenny Kloth
KENNY: What is your favorite motorsport, have you started on your biography and stories, and if or when you have will you share it with us?

45) John Hunt sent in a short bio on UK drag racer Bradley Cooper. Bradley’s father is UK hot rodding and drag racing pioneer Ken Cooper, was born into a drag racing environment. Ken’s slingshot was stored in the garage at home and Bradley’s first permanent job was at Automatic Transmission Products run by former drag racer Tony Whitehouse. Ken took Bradley to Shakespeare County Raceway on his 21st birthday, Ken’s first time at the strip for over 15 years. Ken was warmly welcomed back by many fellow racers and as a result Bradley acquired a deep interest in the sport. Ken built a new slingshot flathead engined dragster and in 2012, Bradley made his driving debut. Since then he has been a regular racer in Wild Bunch lifestyle events and an established part of the UK drag scene in his own right.

46) 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. Taraji P. Henson on Hidden Figures: A Mind Doesn’t Have a Color/Hardball/MSNBC /YouTube. See https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n5O3Ox1TAVs&t=18s. From Bill Montgomery.

47) From Don Smith. Dragzine Newsletter newsletter. Longtime racer Alan Hutcheson found the Ford Galaxie of his dreams and didn’t stop until he owned it; or Mike Grimsley and his Mustang he has owned and perfected for 50 years. Greg Stanfield Wins Inaugural NHRA Factory X Race. SoCal’s New 330-foot Street Legal Dragway Could Mark a Revolution. Angelle Sampey Trades in Two Wheels, Sets Sights on Top Fuel. Rhode Island Dragstrip. Yes, the smallest state in the US had a dragstrip. Abandoned Dragstrip—Abandoned Drag Cars. England ‘strip with unique refugees. Dragster Found in the Woods. Vintage dragster cut out of the trees and restored.

48) PRI Show offers over 1,000 exhibiting companies from all 50 states and 70 countries displaying the newest parts and technology. There are unlimited opportunities to meet with industry leaders and network with peers. With such a sizable event, getting the most for your attendance means advance planning for December 7-9, 2023.

49) CALENDAR OF EVENTS: SEPTEMBER 8-9: Mid-West Drag Racing Series at US 131 Motorsports Park. SEPTEMBER 14-16: Carolina Nationals at Darlington Dragway. SEPTEMBER 14-17: NHRA Nationals at Maple Grove Raceway. SEPTEMBER 15-16: Street Car Takeover at Edgewater Sports Park. SEPTEMBER 17-22: Hot Rod Drag Week. Power Automedia, 43460 Ridge Park Dr, Suite 170, Temecula, CA 92562, USA.

50) As part of their mission to preserve the legacy of motorsports for future generations, Lions Automobilia Foundation is proud to announce strategic partnerships with two automotive organizations. The SAE International and the Los Angeles-based Accelerate Education Group (Acceler8) will work with the team at Lions to host programs for elementary, middle, high school and college-age students. Lana Chrisman, Executive Director at Lions Automobilia Foundation & Museum said, “We are thrilled to shift our Youth Engagement program into high gear with new workshops and after-school programs for local students. Exploring the automotive world through in-person experiences at a place like Lions is a great way to excite kids about STEM education.”

51) John Hunt of the British Drag Racing Historians Association wrote in about their group: johnhunt.drn. Here are some of the articles that they have on file for UK drag racers. Bradley Cooper (published 6th February 2023)
Quote from Bradley Cooper: “I have just finished reading mine and dad’s story’s on Eurodragster. Thank you to everybody who put in a lot of time and effort to get them done and so well presented. I am very proud to have my story up there with some of the legends and icons of drag racing in the UK. I Hope some people out there were inspired by reading them and enjoyed them as much as me and dad had telling them. Flatheads forever!”

52) I love your newsletter and look forward to reading it each time. I’m part of the British Drag Racing Historian group and also like to take lots of photographs of all forms of motor racing. I don’t have any news at the moment I’m afraid. Keep up the good work. Regards Dave Dick
DAVE: I wonder why we Americans don’t have a Motorsports Historians group. We now have to catch up to the Brits.

53) Thanks for reaching out. I’d like to keep getting your newsletter. Truthfully, I generally only read about what coincides with my interests (LSR & traditional hot rods), but I appreciate what you’re doing and, as a history teacher, it’s important to keep the past alive. My dad (Doug King) was active in several mechanical worlds: LSR, nostalgia drags, hot rods, brass era cars, vintage planes, antique clocks, hit and miss motors, etc. His bio is in your collection. I did some of that with him (LSR & drags) and am currently keeping busy in the LSR and hot rod worlds. Brian King
BRIAN: Please start on your biography and stories. They are very important as well. Jim Miller, Roger Rohrdanz and I created the Land Speed Racing Historians Society and I was the editor of the newsletter, until I had to stop to finish my father’s 35 volume story, which is free to anyone who is interested. Your input is priceless too.

54) Hi Richard, I am just getting around to taking advantage of the newsletter. Where are you located? My friend, Lake Speed, might want to visit with you at some point for a project he has encouraged me to join. Thank you! Billy Godbold (President, Godbold Engineering, 9328 Canabridge Drive, Lakeland, TN 38002, Ph# 901-355-4306, www.godboldengineering.com)
BILLY: I spoke to Lake and have been sworn to secrecy until his project is up and running, so if word has spread, I’m innocent. It does sound like a fine idea though. I live in Fountain Valley, California and can be reached at 714-818-1281 (provided I remember to put the phone on the charger every once in a while).

55) I enjoy getting you letter. Keep it coming. Doug Brown
DOUG: What sort of motorsports are you most interested in? Would you work on your biography and stories, and would you share them with us?

56) GETTING TO KNOW OUR READERS DEPARTMENT. Tim Lewis. “I raced WV sedans with the buggies at Ascot from 1971 to ’81. We went to all of the open comp mini-stock races. To my knowledge, I won the biggest mini-stock purse ever, at least in the 1980’s, at $1500 in Marysville, CA. We went to Pearsonville, California and got fast qualifying time requiring me to start dead last. From there we won the heat race and then a 50-lap main. The dirt was so bad they stopped it at 25 and rewatered the track. We stood in line and got paid at 2am. I still hold A100BG records at Bonneville and A100G with DRLA in the AU. If it ever stops raining, I have 500, 750 and 1000cc bikes. I am in Gear Grinders and was in High Desert Racers. Looking forward to sharing. Tim Lewis

57) Someone who KNOWS how to get the news and get people excited is Bill Montgomery, “It Looks like the city of Banning is doing a good job bringing events to the community by collaborating with the right people. The Hidden Pioneers would like to join them soon when the time is right? We had a great introduction meeting waiting to hear back from them. I will keep you posted, take a look at this first flyer regarding EV technology!”
READERS: Check these out, a) Banning EV Expo, 9/23/2023, b) Banning Stagecoach Days, c) History Hangout with Loma Linda Historical Society, d) Mission Outpost and Ancient Trails, e) 1890’s Schoolhouse and Trains, f) Gilman Historic Ranch and Wagon Museum, g) Native American Culture with Malki Museum, h) Banning Car Show 9/30/2023.

58) It’s great, don’t stop. Tim Love
TIM: What motorsports do you favor? Have you written down your bio and stories? If not, please do and share it with us.

59) “Students at Corona High School recently took on a vehicle restoration project that served as a fun opportunity to work on a classic car for a deserving family. Shane Porter, a retired Fire Captain from Norco, purchased a 1969 Jeepster Commando to restore with his sons, Michael and Tim, but sadly passed away in 2022 before he had the chance to do so. After hearing of the story, Corona High School Automotive Technology teacher Bob Mauger decided to take on the project with his students with the end goal of returning the Jeep to the Porter family.” Story written by Will Conybeare (KTLA.com). Sent in by Hidden Pioneers Founder Bill Montgomery
READERS: This is what our educational system needs, far more automotive, technical and vocational courses.

60) Please see below for the latest press release from Lions Automobilia Foundation & Museum. Let me know if you have any questions. And thank you for your awesome newsletter! What would we all do without you? Camee Edelbrock
“Starting in October of this year, Lions Automobilia Museum will begin an after-school program driven by Aceler8, an exciting youth mentorship and workforce training program created by two veteran law enforcement officers in response to the increased number of teens in the LA County area in danger of involvement with the juvenile justice system. Designed for 14- to 24-year-old students, the Lions Automobilia workshops will provide hands-on training by automotive instructors in areas such as vehicle maintenance and engine assembly. Lions Automobilia Foundation & Museum is located at 2790 East Del Amo Blvd, Rancho Dominguez, CA. Open to the public most Saturdays. For more information about the Lions’ Youth Engagement Program, contact Lana Chrisman at LanaChrisman@LionsAutomobilia.org or call 310-223-3470.”

61) Beth Paretta, founder, owner, and team principal of Paretta Autosport, joined us for Race Industry Week. The focus of this session is on high-profile women executives within the motorsport industry and why diversity and inclusion is good business and how it can apply to your business. From Team Epartrade at team.

62) October Cars & Coffee. October 1, 2023, 7:30 am to 9:30 am, Hillbank Motor Corporation and the Segerstrom Shelby Event Center, 5 Whatney, Irvine, CA 92618, United States.

63) CAPTIONS: From: Randy Hernandez at skydivejrh.
Attached are photos of the timing tags we’re trying to re-home.