Motorsports Newsletter 12/09/23

By Richard Parks

EDITOR APOLOGIZES: I may have deleted some messages, and I have no way of checking. If your email does not show up it’s because I was working too fast and did not watch what I was doing. Apologies to all and resubmit if you don’t find your letter in the current newsletter.

I had a nice chat on Google (audio and visual) with John Hunt over in England (and it was free). Can any of you old-timers remember when it cost a month’s salary to call overseas on the phone and talk for 120 minutes? If you do, then you’ll probably know what an icebox and shifter were used for.
If someone in your family races quarter-midgets, Jr Dragsters, 5/8th size cars or any other vehicles, write in and tell us about them and where and when the races are held.
AND THIS:
Thank you for all the newsletters coming through and for the alerts to the British Drag Racing Historians pages on quartermilenewsmakers.

1) Merry Christmas Richard! Al & Jane Teague
TO AL & JANE and all the READERS: Merry Christmas, Blest Hannukkah, Happy and Safe Holidays to all of you.

2) Hemmings.com’s long-running Carspotting section now features contributions from Dave Wallace Jr, coinciding with the 70-year-old Hemmings organization’s "relaunch" promoted at SEMA. "Viewers landing on Hemmings.com can search ‘Carspotting’ to see my entries to date. It’s actually been fun so far!" Dave Wallace Jr
DAVE: Congratulations. We are delighted to see that you now have something to do to keep you busy. A quick link to Hemmings is https://www.hemmings.com/stories/car-culture/carspotting/.
READERS: Check out the articles on hoarding, Perth Australia, "when AMBR meant Bizarre," and much more.

3) This Saturday, December 9, 2023, Lions Automobilia Foundation and Museum features our Second Annual Spirit of Love Cruise and Toy Drive in conjunction with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Office. Join Santa and bring an unwrapped toy for entry into the Museum’s huge collection of Hot Rods, Willys Automobiles, Muscle Cars, Movie Cars, Race Cars and recreation of the legendary Lions Drag Strip Starting Line. Bring your hot rod, too! Opened in November, is a new tribute to Long Beach Marine Stadium with “Shockwave" blown fuel hydro, Muroc Dry Lakes with Mike Cook’s 292 MPH Land Speed Record Thunderbird, Off Road Racing with a Bill Stroppe race-winning Bronco and a collection of Clint Eastwood’s movie cars from Gran Torino, Bridges of Madison County and the 12-cylinder Lincoln from Honkytonk Man. Lions Automobilia Foundation & Museum is open on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 9AM-2PM For tickets and more information go to LionsAutomobilia.org. From: Darr Hawthorne at darrhawthorne1.
READERS: Please try to give me 3 weeks or more notice to your event in case of a delay in my schedule. Also, it takes 4 days to deliver the newsletter to everyone.

4) The Gold Coast Roadsters and Racing Club won the hotly contested SCTA championship in November with a six-point spread covering the first place, second place and third place clubs. The Gold Coast Roadsters club was founded in 1992 and 2023 is the first time they’ve won the prestigious championship competing against the much larger clubs dating back to 1937. From the SCTA website.

5) Linda Vaughn: Thank you all for participating in the 4th Annual Race Industry Week. We are always proud to have you join us. You were colorful, shared great stories, and expressed how business should be handled. We love your insights! From grassroots racing to the top series, the magic of the week is from gathering those decision makers and racing leaders and sharing their direction to the racing industry. If we have learned anything these past five years, is that there are new ways of ‘connecting’ the industry, and also conducting business, and we intend on paving the way. Thank you for your participation in making the week special. Judy Kean Judyk, and Francisque Savinien global. Sent in by Don Smith.

6) From: Mark Greene at Cars Yeah. This Week on Cars Yeah: Tony Principe (Finish Line Auto Club), Dean Case (Engineer/Communications), Ian Flux (Racer/Author), and Geoff Weiner (Lalique Specialist). Mark has interviewed 2433 people on his podcast. Reach Mark at info, or write to him at Cars Yeah, 4618 131st Street Court NW, Gig Harbor, Washington 98332.
READERS: I was interviewed by Mark, and he is so talented that he made me sound like a pro. It’s easy, done by phone, he prepares you ahead of time, sends you a format to get ready and the interview is over before you even know it. If I can do it, then so can YOU. We would love to hear from Don Prudhomme, Don Garlits, Tommy Ivo, Debbie Baker, Ron Armstrong, Steve Gibbs, Robin Millar, Bob Muravez, Stan Adams, JC Agajanian, Derek McLeish, Jim Miller, Chic Cannon and hundreds more of you on the Motorsports Newsletter. And don’t forget Bill Pratt (bilden) and Sam Auxier’s (Samauxier) excellent radio shows. They need guests too.

7) BRM Chronographes Endurance Challenge and Sasco Sports International/American Challenge Seasons Come to a Competitive Conclusion Friday at the HSR Sebring Historics at Sebring International Raceway. Eighth Edition of Classic Sebring 12 Hour Tribute Event for Sebring’s Rich Motorsports and Aviation History Saturday and Sunday at Sebring International Raceway Features New and Returning Historic Sports Cars and Classic Airplanes. Adam Saal is at SaalGoodPR@Gmail.com. 321-890-2848.
ADAM: The newsletter runs about a week to 10 days behind so announcements of coming events should be sent out as far in advance as possible, even a year ahead is acceptable. Plenty of notice monthly for your events is fine. Send them often and use 4 or 5 lines.

8) I’m now 85 and while I wrote about speed, speed machines, speed shows, the art of speed and the real speed engineers and drivers, I do not get to red line these days. When I had a staff, man, I could multitask; now I can barely monotask. The good news is that there are projects, just have to do ‘em on my timetable. And now, son of Wally Parks (one of my life leaders) let me say a great thank you for your newsletter. It is lively, packed with notes from everywhere and from some really great people. Be patient, we’ll get this in the archives. Michael Dobrin

9) "Pontiac Firebird: The Auto-Biography, New 4th Edition," by Marc Cranswick. $50USA; $65 Canada; £35 UK; hardback; 9.843×8.15in(25×20.7cm); 232 pages; 400 pictures; ISBN 9781787118041; UPC 636847018047. From: Veloce Publishing newsletter.

10) Scott McMullen will be at Autobooks on Saturday, December 23, 2023, 11 AM to 2 PM, to talk to motorsports and car fans regarding his new book, "Hi Po 1964 1/2; Ford’s First High Performance Mustang, History, Identification & Lore." Foreword written by Jay Leno. From: Tina Van Curen, Autobooks-Aerobooks, manager. Autobooks-Aerobooks is located at 2900 W. Magnolia Blvd, Burbank, CA 91505, or call 818-845-0707, www.autobooks-aerobooks.com.

11) A good idea. I have some Lyons photos from the late 1960’s (to give to museums). Roy Robinson
ROY: Your photos can be scanned and returned to you, with an extra thumb drive for you to keep, by Jim Miller. This way you can send your photos on to the Lions Drag Strip Museum, NHRA Motorsports Museum, Petersen Automotive Museum, Museum of American Speed and other museums. They would all appreciate copies and Jim Miller would post them at the American Hot Rod Foundation (ahrf.com). You can even keep your originals, knowing that copies will be kept safe in many fine institutions. Jim has already scanned my father’s photos and returned them to me with a thumb drive. Be sure to provide a description and captions for each photo if possible (dates, people and places).

12) We are seeking partners to build this project with us. Basically, it’s a Cracker Barrel style type of restaurant with a Hobby Shop. See the video here below. Maybe you can send it out to your list for us. See wefilm1.
JOE: There have been many projects put forward by hot rodders. Jack Mendenhall proposed a Super Racing Project for Stateline, Nevada (on the I-15 Freeway) and spoke to the casino owner there. He had plans drafted for a 3 mile long, paved land speed record course, drag strip, road course and one mile oval alongside the Freeway years before the Las Vegas Motor Speedway was built. It was contingent on a bullet train from Los Angeles to Las Vegas, but unfortunately the State of California with its brilliant politicians decided to route a bullet train to Bakersfield instead.
Mendenhall was not stymied and developed a theme amusement park for the town of Buellton, right off the 101 and 246 Highways. All the rides and buildings would be reminiscent of the 1920’s and ’30’s and you could buy 10 gallons of gas from the retro gas station for 19.9 cents a gallon and a hamburger, fries and malt for 25 cents just like you could in the 1930’s. The other merchandise and rides were modern prices. He could never find financing for this interesting project and Buellton was too far from major cities in Southern California to make it work, but the idea was appealing and still is.

13) Dick Martin and I were at Steve Gibb’s Nitro Reunion, Irwindale Speedway, November 4th at the autograph table signing posters and anything else that needs signing. Gibbs has sent up a lot of tables under the tent near the drag strip and we counted over 100 celebrities of racing there. Tommy Ivo, Don Prudhomme (Dick Martin wrote about Don for Rod & Custom, Ed Iskenderian, Robin Millar, Butch Leal, Bob and Sharon Muravez, Ed Pink, Linda Vaughn, Gibbs and hundreds more were there too. How I wish this reunion was a weekly event.

14) Steve Gibbs, written by Dick Martin 2016. SERIALIZED for the Motorsports Newsletter.
Steve was no longer on the outside looking in; he was in. He got to personally know the drag racing heroes he had watched from afar. He would have done it for nothing just for the opportunity. But through no fault of his own, Steve found himself out in 1963 when the dragstrip closed, as it was in the way of a major flood control project. "I was only at San Gabriel a short time when the strip shut down in ’63. So, I was no longer working in drag racing. But Jack Tice went to Fontana Drag City, and I went to Fontana for a short time. This was all part-time work. I was working at a market and for Knudsen Creamery at the time." Steve had been in and out of working in drag racing twice when he put that part of his life behind him. He became a service writer at Smith Ford in Garden Grove. "Jack Minnock had an interest in the San Gabriel dragstrip along with the Tice brothers, then he later got hooked up with Harry Snyder, who owned In-N-Out Burger in Baldwin Park. Gloria and I hung out at Harry’s first In-N-Out. Harry invested in Irwindale Raceway right off of Irwindale Avenue in Irwindale. Snyder was half owner and Minnock quarter owner. It was a good business opportunity for Snyder because the dragstrips were making good money," Steve explained. Dick Martin can be reached through Gone Racin’ at RnParks1@Juno.com. To see the captioned photographs go to https://www.motortrend.com/staff/dick-martin/.

15) DRAGSTRIPS in the USA and Canada. National Speedway Directory, 2504 Lake, Wilmette, Illinois, 60091
Mountain Park Dragway Location: Clay City, Kentucky. 1/4-mile Surface: Paved, Website.
Muncie Dragway Location: Muncie, Indiana. 1/4-mile Surface: Paved, Website. Mentioned in my father’s story.
Music City Raceway Location: Nashville, Tennessee. 1/8-mile Surface: Paved, Website.
Napierville Dragway Location: Napierville, Quebec. 1/4-mile Surface: Paved, Website.

16) We also congratulate our champions in the Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series: Vince Musolino (Top Dragster), Brandon Miller (Top Sportsman), Trevor Larson (Super Gas), John Labbous Jr (Super Comp), Kyle Rizzoli (Stock), Wyatt Wagner (Super Stock), Bruno Massel (Comp), Doug Gordon (Top Alcohol Funny Car) and Julie Nataas (Top Alcohol Dragster), as well as Aaron Stanfield in Factory Stock Showdown and Mike Castellana in NHRA Pro Mod. As we celebrate our fantastic season, we will continue to do everything we can to provide the safest possible environment for our race teams and the best possible show for everyone in attendance. Sincerely, Glen Cromwell, NHRA President

17) Epartrade DAY 4: THURSDAY, November 30, 2023, list of speakers. Adrian Newey, Oracle Red Bull Racing. Bobby Rahal, Co-owner of Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing. Kevin Harvick, the 2014 NASCAR Cup Series champion. Peter Thul, WRC Promoter GmbH. Rodi Basso, E1 World Championship. Davey Hamilton Jr, The Open Wheel Showdown. Matt Hartford, NHRA Pro Stock Driver and CEO of Total Seal Piston Rings. John Force, 16-Time NHRA Funny Car Champion. Robert Hight, 3-Time NHRA Funny Car Champion. Austin Prock, NHRA Top Fuel Driver for John Force. Racing. Tony Stewart, the three-time NASCAR Cup Series champion. Linda Vaughn, the First Lady of Motorsports. Jonathan Applegate, Mazda Motorsports. Stephan Papadakis, Owner of Papadakis Racing. Marty Fiolka, Crandon International Raceway. Jose Grijalva, SCORE International. Lou Gigliotti, G2 Motorsports Park. Jeremy Croiset, CEO of NASA. Ryan Sage, Formula DRIFT.

18) DAY 5: FRIDAY, December 1, 2023, guest speakers for Epartrade. Cal Wells, Legacy Motor Club. Brett Root, President of IMCA Racing. Beth Paretta, Owner of Paretta Autosport. Michele Abbate, Professional Race Car Driver. Hannah Greenemeier, Owner of Hannah Greenemeier Racing. Dicky Riegel, Lime Rock Park. Brooke Bond, Bosch US Motorsport. Chuck Lynch, AERA. Brian Roberts, AERA. Gustavo Estrada, Argentina 2002. Juan Cruz Fernandez, Argentina 2002. German Yunes, Argentina 2002. Ron Knoch, NADM (National Association of Diesel Motorsport). Jonathan Byrd, Indianapolis Speedrome. Troy Lee, Founder of Troy Lee Designs. Max Lee, Troy Lee Designs. John Waraniak, CEO of Have Blue. Josie Rimmer, DirtFish. Doug Kalitta, 2023 NHRA Top Fuel champion. Paul Woolnough, Formula G. Silvia Bellot, Las Vegas Grand Prix. Brad Sweet, World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series Champion. Jon Oberhofer, Crew Chief for JR Todd’s Nitro Funny Car. Rob Flynn, Crew Chief for Mike Salinas Nitro Funny Car. Aaron Brookes, Crew Chief for Bob Tasca’s Nitro Funny Car. Dave Darland, USAC National Champion. Pat Sullivan, special speaker. Mark Bourcier, special speaker. Mike Kerchner, special speaker. Dave Argabright, special speaker. Paul Pfanner, SPEED SPORT. Judy Kean, EPARTRADE. Francisque Savinien, EPARTRADE.

19) John Hunt of the British Drag Racing Historians Association wrote in about their group. Here are some of the articles that they have on file for UK drag racers. John is at johnhunt.drn.
Part 1 – Motor Psycho – Brian, Mick and Bob Gleadow (published 3rd January 2022)
Part 2 – Slingshot dragsters – Brian, Mick and Bob (published 10th January 2022)
Part 3 – Altered, econo Funny Car, Top Methanol Dragster (published 17th January 2022)
Part 4 – Mick’s circuit racing and karting 1998-2006 (published 24th January 2022)

20) 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: This is a great site. Thacker is an editor, writer, museum director and hot rodder.

21) The United States National Speedway Championships 9/23/23 by Howie Zechner. Do want to relay there is one more thing that makes these riders do the impossible. It’s the fans. Speedway spectators are some of the most loyal, fun loving, supportive people in the world. Young, old, family friendly it’s another world where action and entertainment are one. Those that go know. Those that don’t are missing the thrill of the spill where seeing sometimes makes you ask how is that possible. Video of all the 2023 United States National Speedway Championships main event and all the races may be watched on Facebook on RAZ Video page https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100066625146476. Howie Zechner.

22) Coastal 181 Book Store (serving East Coast racing fans) www.coastal181.com or 1-877-907-8181. Titles include: Let’s Go Racing the Amazing Story of the American Speed Association, by Rex Robbins and Dave Argabright; Let ‘Em All Go, by Chris Economaki and Dave Argabright; On Top of the World the Life and Times of a Racing Pioneer, by Larry Moore with Dave Argabright; Pole Position-Rex Mays the Life of America’s Most Popular Race Driver and a Long Look Back at American Auto Racing and Life circa 1931-1949, by Bob Schilling.

23) The following was written by Andrew Wolf. "Tracks that have joined WDRA for the 2023 season are Prescott Raceway Park in Arkansas, US 13 Dragway in Delaware, Immokalee Regional Raceway and North Florida Motorplex in Florida, Cordova Dragway in Illinois, Bunker Hill Dragstrip in Indiana, Eddyville Raceway Park and Onawa Dragway in Iowa, Beacon Dragway and I-64 Motorplex in Kentucky, Maryland International Raceway in Maryland, Lapeer International Dragway, Mid-Michigan Motorplex, The Ubly Dragway and US 131 Motorsports Park in Michigan, Gulfport Dragway in Mississippi, Mo-Kan Dragway in Missouri, Hi-Line Dragstrip in Montana, Empire Dragway in New York, Farmington Dragway and Piedmont Dragway in North Carolina, Beaver Springs Dragway and Keystone Raceway Park in Pennsylvania, Darlington Dragway and South Carolina Motorplex in South Carolina, Cherokee Race Park in Tennessee, Amarillo Dragway and I-30 Dragway in Texas and Canadian tracks Grand Bend Motorplex and Saint Thomas Raceway in Ontario.

24) Know your motorsports personality. Steve Phelps, President of NASCAR. Based in Daytona Beach, Florida, Phelps oversees all operations, competition and commercial, for the sanctioning body, including the management of 15 racetrack facilities and the International Motor Sports Association (IMSA) sports car series.
Masaaki Bandoh, chairman of GTA. Super GT is the top level of sports car racing in Japan and is a hugely popular series. The championship is sanctioned by the Japan Automobile Federation (JAF) and run by the GT Association (GTA). Compiled from Epartrade.

25) HSR Classic Daytona presented by IMSA Run Groups: Group E – Modern Prototype and GT: Run Group E this year looks like a battle between later generation Daytona Prototype "DP" cars and a nice entry of more contemporary LMP3 "P3" machines. The GT ranks are packed with Porsches, but 981-generation Cayman Club Sport models outnumber the 997 Cup car entries. Still looking for an "HSR Classics" overall Run Group victory after coming so close last year, an expected Group E front runner is the Hudson Historics 2014 #33 Corvette Daytona Prototype of John Reisman and two-time IMSA Daytona Prototype Champion Eric Curran. From Adam Saal at saalgoodpr.

26) From: Dragzine newsletter and Don Smith. Resilient NHRA Funny Car racer Dale Creasy Jr assures he’s not quitting. Doubts and debts have beset NHRA Funny Car’s Dale Creasy from time to time. But he is preparing for another season with new equipment after a mishap in October at Dallas. He says drag racing “is all I have." Jose Gonzalez resets 1/4-Mile Pro Mod world record. NHRA issues new Pro Mod weight breaks to attract nostalgia bodies.

27) From: Ryan Reierson at ryanreierson. Hot Rod Works has been sold. I purchased Hot Rod Works from Nick and Ken Smith. I will be keeping the same business plan that they have been using for the last 25+ years. The quality, honesty and availability will keep going as it has been but in a different location. Nick will continue to be a big resource for the shop and is helping in the transition to Texas. Between now and the first of the year I will be moving everything to Waco, Texas. This will be done as fast as possible and as smooth as possible. Please be patient during this transition period. I look forward to building relationships with past and future Hot Rod Works customers. If you need quick change or banjo rear axle upgrades or rebuilds, we are accepting them now. Please send to Hot Rod Works, 323 Industrial Drive, Suite G, Waco, Texas 76710. Contact: sales.hotrodworks.
RYAN: We are wishing you great success as you expand.

28) The PMRA/NEOPMA, Quick 32 Sportsman Series and Pro Bike & Sled Series (PBSS) will compete at the 1/8-mile track on Jun 21-22, 2024, and Aug 16-17, 2024. The Quick 32 Sportsman Series and Pro Bike & Sled Series (PBSS) are also scheduled for Jun 7-8, 2024, and Sept 13-14, 2024. From Bruce Mehlenbacher at Bruce@JAJentertainment.com.

29) Hi Richard: It certainly will be! Roughly in a week or so they will be uploaded on our YouTube channel and also on the epartrade platform. Just takes a little time to download and prepared for uploading! Appreciate you asking. Judy Kean
READERS: If you missed the original time for the speakers, you have another opportunity to hear them by going to YouTube in a few weeks. Look for Epartrade and then find the speakers you want to listen to by their names.

30) From: SEMA News semanews and Don Smith. Nominate a Candidate for the SEMA Board of Directors 2024 Election. There are multiple seats open across the manufacturer, service and distributor and retailer categories. Register for the PRI Show. More than 1,000 exhibitors will showcase the latest products, services, machinery, simulation and testing technologies and trailers, next week in downtown Indianapolis. Connecticut Withdraws Proposed Internal Combustion Engine Ban (ICE). Professional development program for SEMA Garage in Detroit, Michigan, May 16-17, 2024. Outdoor Recreation Economy Gets a Boost with New Bipartisan Bill, Hearing. SEMA-Supported Bills Filed to Repeal Virgina ICE Ban. Maximize Your Industry Connections with Exclusive Networking Events at the PRI Show. SheIsSEMA Spotlight: Melanie Henry of Martin & Company Advertising. Hyundai Opens Robot-Operated EV Plant in Singapore. SEMA is located at 1575 Valley Vista Drive, Diamond Bar, CA 91765.

31) The December issue of Vintage Metal magazine is at https://indd.adobe.com/view/080f4703-e04b-49c6-9dac-0093c
23cd7d9. This issue of Vintage Metal Magazine, the journal of the VSCCWA (robertcampbell4.
BOB: An excellent issue as usual. I admire how your members come together to keep up your clubhouse and racecourses for your events. Cheers.

32) BLAST FROM THE PAST. Dave Wallace Jr asked for a special column from the files. Here is the first one. "Ab Jenkins, who loved his native Utah as much as he loved endurance racing, invited Malcolm Campbell to the Bonneville Salt Flats to try his luck on the pristine, rock-hard salt. On September 3, 1935, Campbell, probably with some trepidation, drove his Campbell-Railton ‘Blue Bird’ internal combustion engine powered automobile with a 36.7 Litre (2240 cubic inch) V-12 Rolls-Royce R supercharged aero engine to an amazing land speed record of 301.129 mph (484.598 kph) to become the first driver to reach 300 mph." From the Wally & Barbara Parks story, We Did It Our Way.

33) The all-new Petersen workshop tour. Exclusive look into our renowned vault & never-before-seen workshop designed for just 25 guests per week. This immersive two-hour guided journey offers a rare glimpse into our renowned vault and, for the very first time, grants access to our workshop. Available only on Saturdays at 9:30AM. Space is limited. From: Petersen Automotive Museum info.

34) Jim McFarland tribute, written by Dave Wallace Jr for Hot Rod Magazine. SERIALIZED
HRM] How about the big-block turning 50 this year?
JM] That one took a little longer to come together, under different GM leadership, and evolved differently. It’s been refined a lot by the aftermarket. I’m not surprised it’s still around, though I don’t think it will ever enjoy the reputation of the small-block. Any time you have a big engine, that can translate into torque, but small-block vs big-block is comparing apples and oranges.
HRM] How many times since the 1960’s have you thought that future cars could never make more power than they did at the time (then did)?
JM] If I didn’t know how they’re doing it now, that would surprise me, but I do, so it doesn’t. Back then, we spent time with racers figuring out what worked with what; how to optimize a combination of parts, either by trial and error or track evaluation. Now, the various technologies evolve on a parallel course. An engineer might never leave his desk. Not only can you design parts with computers, but you can plug power figures into software to predict performance, including quarter-mile times. Although it might not seem like they’ll be able to improve much further, that’s what we thought in the 1960’s, too.

35) There can even be substantial tax benefits. “So many of our friends, inductees and fellow racers have important racing artifacts that they don’t know what to do with,” says MSHFA President George Levy. “Sometimes their kids don’t want them. Or they don’t want to sell them one by one, only to see them disappear from circulation. The Motorsports Hall of Fame of America is the perfect place to donate them so they can be seen, appreciated, and inspire future generations.” What kind of artifacts? All kinds. The highest priority are items relating to the MSHFA’s close to 300 inductees across every major form of motorsports — cars, planes, boats, motorcycles, trucks and off-road — and likely future inductees. For current MSHFA inductees and nominees, visit saalgoodpr.

36) I am enjoying this massive update that you put together. Looks like a lot of work. I have been trying to get Greg Sharp to see if he has a photo of your father astride or next to his copper-colored Honda Mini Trail bike. I purchased the mini trail from your brother’s estate. It means a lot to me to have Wally’s Honda but doesn’t mean that much to others without photographic proof. The title was in Barbara’s and David’s name since he transferred ownership. Please think of me if you stumble on such a photo. Charles Rollins
CHARLES (Ray Brock’s son-in-law): I’m glad you are keeping a history (provenance) on your treasures. Come over to my house and we’ll go through the 17 shoe boxes of photos and find it. As for authenticating the bike, my father heaped tons of stuff on my brother, including the mini trail that my brother left at his site on Bonneville Salt Flats and told me to watch it until he came back to pick me up. Around 10 pm I figured out that he wasn’t coming back, at least until long after the 200 MPH Banquet and rode it off the salt flats. It worked fine until I hit the guard trailer and then it conked out and I had to push and shove that temperamental beast nearly to the "camp" at the corner road. The tricks brothers play on each other.

37) Alex Berg Racing, abjr. In between the two races, Team Canada went to Scotland, and I got to experience some amazing sights and places throughout the Scottish Highlands. Below are some photos. Graham & Heather Brunton were so kind to give Team Canada a tour of the beauty of Scotland. We went to see the Edinburgh Castle and a few other sights. We also went to the Jim Clark Museum, which was something very significant and inspiring experience. Jim Clark is a hero of mine. Doug Niven (Cousin of Jim Clark) gave us a personal tour of the Jim Clark Museum. Big thanks to him. He made the tour very special. From: Doug Stokes (stokes28doug).
READERS: Alex’s letter will be serialized over the next coming newsletters.

38) Leah Pruett would’ve been in 2nd place in 2023’s fantastic 2023 Top Fuel battle but according to the nhra.com the Final Top 10 standings in the Camping World drag racing Series following the completion of the "In-N-Out Burgr (misspelled)" NHRA Finals, the final event of the season showed Top Fuel results as 1-Doug Kalitta 2649, 2-Steve Torrance 2601, and 3-Leah Pruett 2592 points. Perhaps you should tell NHRA they got it wrong and misspelt Burger too. Mike Collins
MIKE: Did Phil Burgess really do that? That was a tough ending in the Finals, and I was rooting for all three. Drag racing isn’t like Professional Wrestling where there are good guys to root for and bad guys to boo. In drag racing they’re all GOOD. One thing about In-N-Out Burger is that their food always tastes great no matter how we spell it.

39) November 5, 2023 – Results of the Historic Sportscar Racing (HSR) Classic Daytona presented by IMSA 24 Hour at Daytona International Raceway. A dominating drive similar to Reisman’s and Curran’s was turned in by Run Group C winner Lars Erik Nielsen who avoided near disaster in his race’s final segment after leading from Saturday’s first green flag in his immaculate 1990 #90 Porsche 962C. Nielsen was well in control halfway through the last round when he felt the right rear tire on the 962 start to go down exiting the high-banked NASCAR Turn 2. Nielsen slowly nursed the stricken Porsche back to the pits, minus some right-rear bodywork, and returned to the race with a fresh tire and the determination to get back to first overall by the finish. Nielsen retook the lead in the segment’s final minutes to claim his first HSR Classics victory. Adam Saal is at SaalGoodPR@Gmail.com.

40) I only found out by accident when I asked Johnny Walker (#47) what he’d been up to during the past weekend. "Oh, I won the Lake Elsinore Grand Prix, Classic 1976 to 1981 open class on a 440 Maico and finished 4th overall for the weekend," #47 replied. I wouldn’t let it go and reluctantly Johnny shared a few dozen stories about his early days of racing and how much he loves it. "My Junior speedway bike had pedals," Johnny joked as he showed me a picture on him sliding his bicycle. Speedway racer Johnny Walker is an interesting study. If you ever have the opportunity to talk with him, do it. He’s the real deal although you’ll never get him to admit it. From Howie Zechner

41) STORIES AVAILABLE ON REQUEST FROM THE GONE RACIN’ ARCHIVES; WRITE TO RnParks1.
CALIFORNIA HOT ROD REUNION 2003
CALIFORNIA HOT ROD REUNION 2005
CALIFORNIA HOT ROD REUNION 2006

42) Know your motorsports personality. Thomas Voss, CEO, German Touring Car Motor Racing Event GmbH. DTM is one of the world’s leading touring car championships. The series races in 16 events spread across eight race weekends. Manufacturers competing include Porsche, Lamborghini, Mercedes, BMW, Audi and Ferrari.
Undoubtedly the most successful designer in Formula 1 history, Adrian Newey, Oracle Red Bull Racing’s Chief Technical Officer, has won 11 Formula 1 Constructors’ Titles and propelled some of the sport’s most iconic racers to Drivers’ Championship success. Compiled from Epartrade.

43) Since its creation the SCTA, in conjunction with its sister organization the Bonneville Nationals Incorporated (BNI) have organized, sanctioned and recorded hundreds of meets and thousands of records. The Gold Coast Roadster club meets monthly at the Mendenhall Museum in Buellton and welcomes interested racers of both motorcycles and cars to attend and enjoy the camaraderie with other local racers. For more information about the club contact Mark & Vickie Mendenhall at Vvulture.
READERS: If you live along the Gold Coast from Santa Barbara to Paso Robles look into this club. They meet at the Mendenhall Petroleum & Sign Museum and are great men and women. I went with the GCR&R club to Black Rock Desert in 1997 to volunteer as Safety Patrols and spent 7 magical weeks as Craig Breedlove, Andy Greene and Richard Noble ran for the FIA World Land Speed Record. The Brits took the record at 763+ MPH. Love them Brits for their stick-to-it-tive-ness.

44) Edsel B. Ford II, Longtime “Godfather” of Ford’s Global Racing efforts, to receive Bob Russo Heritage Award at 2024 Motorsports Hall of Fame of America (MSHFA) induction ceremony presented by Toyota Racing in March. Great-Grandson of company founder Henry Ford and son of Henry Ford II has been familiar face at races and prominent ambassador for the sport for more than 50 years. Ford to receive prestigious award at the 36th Annual MSHFA induction ceremony presented by Toyota Racing at The Shores Resort & Spa in Daytona Beach on March 12, 2024. From Adam Saal at saalgoodpr.

45) DRAGSTRIPS in the USA and Canada. National Speedway Directory, 2504 Lake, Wilmette, Illinois, 60091
Dunn-Benson Dragstrip Location: Dunn, North Carolina. 1/8-mile Surface: Paved.
Dwayne’s World Fast Track Location: Bowman, South Carolina. 1/8-mile Surface: Paved.
Eastside Speedway Location: Waynesboro, Virginia. 1/8-mile Surface: Paved.
Eddyville Raceway Park Location: Eddyville, Iowa. 1/8-mile Surface: Paved.

46) 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

47) The Motorsports Hall of Fame of America (MSHFA) Class of 2024 Historic Category is for nominees whose main motorsports achievements occurred prior to 1960. Induction is decided by a straight vote among 40+ historians, authors and experts. “Earl B. Gilmore and Philip F. Walters represent the very best of American motorsports. We look forward to bringing their timeless, uniquely American stories and values to new generations,” said Motorsports Hall of Fame of America President George Levy. From Adam Saal at SaalGoodPR.

48) John Hunt of the British Drag Racing Historians Association wrote in about their group. Here are some of the articles that they have on file for UK drag racers. Links to pioneers, authors and historians’ meeting at Blackbushe on 28th July 2021: Surrey Pioneers’ reunion at Blackbushe. Gallery of Blackbushe reunion. Video of Blackbushereunion. If you would like to contact Eurodragster.com directly then send an E-Mail to editor. The above links go to UK drag racing history sites without which it would have not been possible to publish the pioneers’ stories. We’re also grateful for the help of Clive Rooms who has been a tremendous help for dates, results, times and speeds. John Hunt is at johnhunt.drn.

49) John Hunt sent in: 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 like-minded 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 1970’s and 1980’s. The second meeting was at the National Motor Museum, Beaulieu on 29th November 2022. The Group aims to promote the history of our sport through websites, Facebook, books and magazines. The group operates as an association and is not formally registered as an organisation.
READERS: If the British, Aussies and Canadians can create a Historians group, then why can’t we Yanks do the same?

50) EDITOR: The following is serialized. The Mehlenbachers joined an elite group of Canadian Drag Racing Hall of Fame inductees past and present, that includes racers, mechanics, crew chiefs, engine and chassis builders, track promoters, announcers, track officials, photographers, journalists, and sponsors."I am thrilled, but I am also extremely honoured for my father and the Mehlenbacher family to receive this recognition. It is a very special tribute to me and my family,” said Bruce F. Mehlenbacher. Bruce is at Bruce@JAJentertainment.com.

51) Part 1. John Fullerton attended the 1964 Drag Festival and using skills acquired from his day job, built with partner Derek Benbow a Ford Pop called Orange Crate which came out in 1967. They then bought a turtle T body from Geoff Jago and built Turtle T, running it from 1968 through 1969, then rebuilding it for 1970. After selling the rolling chassis to the Stones family who renamed it Tee Rat, John and Derek then built an injected nitro slingshot dragster, running it until 1973 following which it was sold to Tony Froome who ran it as Nitromania. http://www.eurodragster.com/news/features/
blogs/john_fullerton/default.asp.

52) Some highlights from Born to Race, Chapter 3 is titled "Expanding Racetracks and Opportunities."
a) Joining QMA and racing Quarter Midgets at Hagerstown, Phoenixville and Blackbird.
b) My father driving for Bentley at an exhibition event (us getting a 4.5-liter Bentley to enjoy driving after the event).
c) 2002 Indianapolis 500 – Myself being the Chief Driving Instructor for Kid Racer.
d) Uncle Oscar Koveleski teaching me the reaction test of catching a dollar bill in your hand.
From: Cord Kisthardt (gr44xjs)
READERS: Cord has written his life story and that of other people that he knew in racing.

53) From: National Hot Rod Association updates. NHRA welcomes motorsports legend Tony Stewart to Top Fuel for the 2024 Mission Foods Drag Racing Series season. Get tickets at NHRA.com/tickets to catch all the stars of NHRA in action. Don’t miss NHRA’s announcement from the PRI Show in Indianapolis today at 9am ET. Tune in to watch on YouTube, Facebook or NHRA.com. National Hot Rod Association, 140 Via Verde, Suite 100, San Dimas, CA 91773.

54) From: John Hunt at johnhunt.drn, British Drag Racing Historians. DOES ANYONE REMEMBER IN 1964 seeing this or has any information, items or copies from the following below? DID THIS ACTUALLY HAPPEN?
Lyle Kenyon Engle was the Executive editor of a new publication catering to the Rodding field, called American Rodding and the first issue September 1964 was to go on sale to newsstands and bookstalls in America in the middle of June. With colour inside and the front cover, being distributed nationally through-out the United States and Canada. This contained a highly publicized contest in which the winner will fly via BOAC to London, stay at the London Hilton and attend the ‘First British International Drag Festival’. American Rodding will also be sending two photographers and writers to England to cover our contest winners at / and the Festival. We have a copy of this publication where the contest was published, and the winners were mentioned in later issues.
What we would like to find out is, DID THIS ACTUALLY HAPPEN? We have a letter which said the following. That 2000 trucks throughout America will have posters on their sides talking about the ‘First British International Drag Festival’ in London, England, also newsstand cards and window streamers will be made up. If anyone knows anything about this or remembers seeing a poster, window streamer or one of the trucks we’d love to hear from you.
JOHN: Check out the Wally & Barbara Parks Story: We did it our Way. You will find information on Engle in years 1965 and later.

55) Just a quick note to say that following item 6 in the last newsletter from Ted Jones regarding Chrondek. I just wanted to say that I have an original and fully working Chrondek Christmas Tree in my garage but waiting for a little restoration along with one of the startline timing cells (the other was stolen). This system was purchased in between season’s 1989/90 for use at the revamped British drag strip Avon Park Raceway (formerly Long Marston Raceway) by Blacktop Promotions. This was in the days when Long Marston was leveled and re-laid to NHRA spec and was lined with American style grandstands (or bleachers). Although every racer and fan in the UK had thought we had arrived in drag racing standards back then Blacktop Promotions went into liquidation and the timing system was purchased by the track/airfield owner. In later years when the Chrondek fried itself during the annual Bulldog Bash Motorcycle Rally organised by the Hells Angels in 1998 a new Portatree Timing System was installed but the Chrondek Tree lived on as a show tree as well as a spare track tree should anyone run in to it! Sadly, the track closed its doors in 2018 and is now the site of a massive housing development just outside of Stratford Upon Avon, Warwickshire. But, as track manager for its final 12 years, the track owner allowed me to have the ‘tree which someday will end up as a museum piece for all to see in British drag racing. Please edit or amend where you see fit. Best regards from England. Jerry Cookson, quartermilenewsmakers.

56) Part 1 of 7 of The Gleadow Family. Brian, Mick and Bob Gleadow first got into drag racing seeing an early meet at RAF Chelveston, becoming mobile caterers for some early British events in the sport. Their first car was a Ford Pop which started with a flathead Ford engine, later upgraded to an Olds V8 and named Mangler. Learning more about mechanics and obtaining often hard to get parts, the brothers upgraded the car comprehensively including a strong roll cage and fibreglass body parts with new engine pieces. In 1970 the car was renamed Motor Psycho and was run until the end of 1973, with a new engine in that year, before selling it to Al O’Connor as the original Al’s Gasser. http://www.eurodragster.com/news/
features/blogs/gleadows/default.asp. From: John Hunt at johnhunt.drn.