By Richard Parks
1) EDITOR: Joe Adams is looking for advertisers to create a website for racing news. Joe is at wefilm1.
AND: Please keep topics civil. Sometimes that is impossible when you have been hurt by others but send in your news and comments anyway and I will get your message across and edit it so that it is not offensive to others. CODE words like corrupt, thieves, libbers, robbers, conservative, vile, evil, hateful, etc, belong in my old POBB (opinion newsletter), not in this motorsport’s newsletter. Have fun writing in but be NICE.
AND: “I tried sending you something, but it did not go through. Do you know why?”
ANSWER: Fonts can be confusing, especially r & n (in Arial) together look like an m, such as rnparks1 so I use (capital) R (small case) n (Capital) P arks1 or RnParks1. That’s one problem that may cause confusion. If your email doesn’t go through or I fail to reply, try, try again.
AND: “I notice a lot of redundant notices. Why is that?”
ANSWER: It’s because some people USE the newsletter and others remain MUM. Don’t be a MUMMY, tell me your news and help make the newsletter better. What comes in, goes right back out in the next issue.
AND: Friends and Family will be remembering the life of Legendary NHRA Funny Car and Top Fuel team owner and tuner Roland Leong on Thursday, March 21, 2024, 5:30 pm to 9pm, business casual or Hawaiian print shirt or dress encouraged, at a private celebration of life at the Lions Automobilia Foundation in Rancho Dominiquez, California. RSVP Required at millarkey Lana Chrisman at LanaChrisman, and Kenny Youngblood at bloodidit.
EDITOR: I signed up and hope to see you all there on March 21st, plus all the GIRLs (Girls of Irwindale Racing League).
2) Passings in 2023. In order not to overwhelm readers with grief this will be serialized in coming issues.
Arnold “Arnie” Kuhns, who dedicated his career to improving the safety and reliability of motorsports parts under the SFI Quality Assurance Standards program, passed away June 1. He was 83. Kuhns was a pioneer in the development of minimum safety standards for motorsports products to prevent failures and reduce injuries. He became the president of SFI, a non-profit foundation established to issue and administer safety standards for specialty/performance automotive and racing products, in 1984. At the time SFI had only two employees and four product standards for one race-sanctioning body. Product testing to performance standards was an innovative concept in the industry when SFI in the 1980s. SFI testing, and certification has grown into a steadfast program affiliated with nearly 40 sanctioning bodies and responsible for scores of specifications that have undoubtedly saved countless lives on the racetrack. Kuhns, who was inducted into the SEMA Hall of Fame in 2002 and SEMA’s Motorsports Parts Manufacturers Council (MPMC) Hall of Fame in 2016, most recently was the 2021 recipient of the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) John Melvin Award for Motorsports Safety. The award was created by SAE in memory of Dr John Melvin to recognize those who have initiated positive change in motorsports safety. Kuhns personally worked with Melvin on many safety projects over the years. Kuhns also previously had been awarded the USAC Jack O’Neal Award for Motorsports Safety and the SCCA George Snively Award for Outstanding Contributions in Motorsports Safety. https://www.nhra.com/news/2023/memoriam.
AND: Henry Robert “Bob” Stange, founder of Strange Engineering, passed away peacefully in his home in Zionsville, Indiana on May 22. He was 84. Early on his life, Stange developed an eye for innovation, a love of racing, and many friendships to share his life. Before long, local race car enthusiasts from the area were coming to have their parts fixed or modified by Stange. It was at this time, Bob and his then wife Sharron (Rosenberg) decided to take a leap of faith to build what would be known as Strange Engineering. His friends recall him sitting on the floor of his newly created company, creating and modifying parts through all hours of the night. He was a true lover of his craft, and he strived to ensure that every racer who chose to run his parts would not only be faster than their opponent, but also that they would be safe trusting their lives to his products. Strange Engineering would grow to become one of the most influential and well-known manufacturing companies in the sport of drag racing. Strange Engineering has been named Manufacturer of the Year several times, and Bob was inducted into the International Drag Racing Hall of Fame in 2010. “My father loved this way of life that we chose in the racing community,” said his son, Jeff. “The racing, the industry, the innovation, and most of all the people who make it all come alive.” Stange is survived by his two sons, Michael (wife Kathy, children Tyler, Samantha, and Jackson) and Jeffrey (wife Crystal, children Lexi, Austin and Wyatt), his loving baby sister Joy (Stange) Jefferson (husband Michael), Bob’s treasured nieces and nephews, Scott Jefferson (Chantelle), Julie (Jefferson) Miller, JillJefferson and Greg Jefferson. https://www.nhra.com/news/2023/memoriam.
AND: John Jodauga, a talented motorsports artist and 20-plus-year member of the National Dragster staff, passed away May 11 at age 77. Jodauga first worked for National Dragster both as an art director and staff writer from 1969 to 1978, again in 1984-85, and then worked on the editorial staff for 20 years, 1993-2013, before retiring. His talented artwork, most notably portraits of drivers being profiled, filled National Dragster in the 1970s and his artwork later adorned many front covers in his later years with us. He was a huge Pro Stock fan and expert on the class and authored an encyclopedic book on the topic for National Dragster in 2009. https://www.nhra.com/news/2023/memoriam.
AND: My “work wife” of 47 years, Melanie “Cassie” Parks passed away today from Covid. If you would like to make a donation in her name, please consider the Automotive Aftermarket Charitable Foundation, 5716 Folsom Blvd, Suite 149, Sacramento, CA 95819. Don Smith (PWA – Founder & Former Director Emeritus. Member: SEMA Hall of Fame & Person of the Year, Automotive Aftermarket Charitable Foundation – Champion’s Member, and International Drag Racing Hall of Fame Member)
3) March 10th, 2024 1st Floor – Hammer Gallery GET TICKETS for the African/American Motorist: Green Book Exhibit An exhibition developed by the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service (SITES) in collaboration with award-winning author, photographer, and cultural documentarian, Candacy Taylor, offers an immersive look at the reality of travel for African Americans in mid-century America and how the annual guide served as an indispensable resource for the nation’s rising African American middle class and evidence of a vibrant business class. Petersen Automotive Museum, 6060 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90036.
4) Lions Automobilia/Acceler8 Class Starts March 19, 2024. Here’s an upcoming Lions Automobilia piece for your Motorsports Newsletter. From: Darr Hawthorne at darrhawthorne1. The next session of the Lions Automobilia/Acceler8 after school automotive class starts March 19, 2024. Classes will be held at the Lions Automobilia Foundation on Tuesdays and Wednesday from 4:30pm to 6:30pm. This 6-week workshop, facilitated by Law Enforcement officers and automotive leaders, is designed to provide a comprehensive understanding of automotive basics. Geared for the ages of 14-24 and eager to embark on a journey into the automotive industry, seize this opportunity by signing up below. Be part of an engaging learning experience that combines practical knowledge with insights from industry experts. Stay tuned for additional class announcements in the coming months by subscribing to our newsletter. Let’s accelerate your passion for automobiles together! Lions Automobilia Foundation is located at 2790 E. Del Amo Blvd, Rancho Dominguez, CA 90221.
READERS: The early Drag and Safety Safaris from the 1950’s NHRA did exactly the same thing with their club activities and it was a rousing success. Let’s bring back WHAT WORKS again.
5) We grew up on Sebring and the joy of seeing the international teams and drivers on American soil. To my mind, Sebring
is still the top dog in US Endurance racing. This update will give you 60 total images and captions, 30 from each year. Dave Nicholas davnik6. Go to www.barcboys.com.
6) More on the passing of William “Bill” Bader Sr. “I will always treasure the memories I have as a kid at the Speedway, at the drag strip and riding on an Allsport 3-wheeler, but most treasured will be the memories of Bill as my brother-in-law and mentor. I am confident this strong, loving, giving man is in the presence of Jesus and telling Him wild stories of a life well lived.” Jeff Bertram
7) MICHAEL: “Since you’re on a deep dive into Drag Racing, you might as well get signed up for this (often wild and always colorful) ride into the world of Richard Parks (Wally’s son) and his freewheeling newsletter that always hits the red line v. early and stays pegged right through to the last item. He’s steeped in hot rod history, knows everyone, everyone knows him, and that’s the deal. He’s not looking for pretty, he’s aiming at getting information out wholesale/broadside/raw without much build-up. He’s a good friend, if you contact him do use my name (for some reason his father liked me too). Colorful? You might say that.” Doug Stokes
DOUG: Uh, er, um, thanks?
AND: “I would like to get on your emailing list please. I’m helping a friend put together a vintage dragster, going for the mid 1960’s Junior Fueler vibe, and Stokes has been passing along your very enjoyable newsletter. “ Michael Edick at mte.
MICHAEL: Welcome aboard. Yes, Wally Parks considered Doug Stokes for the position of NHRA Motorsports Museum Director but at the time Doug was having fun as the PR and Media Director for Irwindale Speedway and wasn’t available for the job. Dad told me that himself. However, not everyone knows me. Ed “the Camfather” Iskenderian still calls me DAVID Parks, but Isky has earned the right to call us whatever he wants.
AND: March 22nd is the 101st birthday for Hot Rodder Emeritus Alex Xydias, and in June/July Isky will hit the 103rd year mark. Other nonagenarians include Chic Cannon, Don Garlits and Gene Ellis.
READERS: send me lots of anniversary dates to post. Here’s a hint for reunions; take along an unmarked calendar and then stand in the food line and ask everyone to sign their signature on their date of birth as they go by you. Such a calendar will have immense historical value someday to give to museums and researchers.
8) Roland “The Hawaiian” Leong– Celebration of Life.Friends and Family will be remembering the life of Legendary NHRA Funny Car and Top Fuel team owner and tuner Roland Leong on Thursday, March 21, 2024, at a private celebration of life at the Lions Automobilia Foundation in Rancho Dominiquez, California. RSVP Required. Dress Code: Business Casual, Hawaiian Print encourage. Thursday March 21, 2024. Doors Open at 5:30pm. Location: Lions Automobilia Foundation, 2790 E Del Amo Blvd, Rancho Dominguez, CA 90221. Parking Entrance on Santa Fe Avenue. Street Parking is available. Valet Parking available at Lions Entrance. Local Transportation:MetroLink – Del Amo Blue Link Station across the street from Lion.Lodging: Recommended Hotel accommodations near Long Beach Airport. Go to https://www.tickettail
or.com/events/lionsautomobiliafoundation/1110420? From Robin Millar.
READERS: Remember, you must RSVP on the Lions website.
9) Historic Sportscar Racing (HSR) returns to Sebring International Raceway this weekend for a record-setting edition of the season-opening HSR Spring Fling, March 8-10. A full schedule of HSR vintage and historic endurance and sprint races has attracted a record event entry that is approaching 120 cars, the largest turnout since the Spring Fling was introduced as HSR’s annual opener in 2019. The three-day HSR event is the largest vintage and historic race to take place at Sebring to date in 2024 and sets the stage for next weekend’s 72nd running of the IMSA Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring on the legendary 3.74-mile Sebring International Raceway Road course. Dedicated to historic and vintage motorsport competition, HSR offers a variety of classes and run groups for sports cars and other road racing machines from the last 65 years. The weekend’s packed schedule of events includes four feature races and a full lineup of WeatherTech Sprint races for all run groups in a Saturday/Sunday doubleheader format. From: Adam Saal at SaalGoodPR.
10) I am thankful that you came through your emergency situation. I hope that you have a speedy recovery. Your work on the Newsletter is much needed and greatly appreciated. Keep up the good work. Dale Cook
AND: Hope you are feeling a lot better. As a matter of fact, Mr Petersen had his appendix removed when he was in his 70’s. Sort of unheard to have it so late in life. GiGi Carleton Schubeck
GIGI: I’m in great company then. Met Pete several times and he was always a gentleman.
AND: Sorry to hear you were ill and hope you are feeling better pal. We need your news! Drifting at Irwindale Speedway this weekend (not me, other people). Doug Stokes
11) Editor Bob Campbell sent in the February issue of Vintage Metal, the Journal of the Vintage Sports Car Club of Western Australia. To see it google robertcampbell4.
12) It was such a good time talking to you today, made my day! As requested, (I’ll get to the other stuff later), this summer DRAG cartoons Robin Millar will be traveling to Sweden for the 50th anniversary of Pite Dragway Tid and will be absent from June 29 to July 6th, 2024. Pite Dragway is at www.pitedragway.se. Midnight Race Week 2024 – Evenemang (pitea.se). Robin Millar MPC-DRAGcartoons Daughter of Pete Millar, King of Cartoons Publisher, Cartoonist, Dragracer, creator of CARtoons Magazine, publisher DRAGcartoons, Ed ‘Big Daddy’ Roth 310-5291831 www.laffyerasphalt.com.
13)Drag Racing’s Rebels: How the AHRA Changed Quarter-Mile Competition, written by Doug Boyce, from CarTech Publishers. Reviewed by Richard Parks for the Gone Racin’ series. 2023. (to be serialized)
The author explored the history of the AHRA in 190 pages of excellent text and equally great captioned photographs. This was not an easy task as original records for the AHRA were often missing, and the memories of past events were retold by men in their eighties and nineties; it was no easy task. On the other hand, I had the advantage of reviewing over a hundred-thousand documents and innumerable photos of the NHRA. With much less in the way of old documents Doug Boyce did an excellent job and produced a fine work. There will be occasions when others, or myself, question certain things about Boyce’s fine work, but that is to be expected in such a monumental work as Boyce took on. Gone Racin’ is at JrStk (to be continued in the next issue)
14) The Trakbytes website at www.trakbytes.co.uk has been updated this week. This time there are a total of 42 updates and new entries. At the top of the list for this update is an article telling the story of a remarkable quarter scale model of Alf Hagon’s JAP Drag Bike that was built over fifty years ago, and still survives today. The idea for this piece came about whilst I was researching material for Alf’s tale in the current series of Pioneer Stories on Eurodragster. You can find out all about it in the “Special Features” area of the website. The rest of the new material spans 42 years of UK Drag racing History, from 1961 to 2003. Many events that were previously detailed quite sparsely have been updated, and there are plenty of new entries of meetings where I previously had no details at all. I’ve added quite a lot of new material to the 2003 section, which is as far as the archive goes currently. These events are now an astonishing 20 years ago, something I struggled to comprehend as I researched them. I was working on the crew of the Showtime Funny Car in those days, and it really
doesn’t seem that long ago. Chris Dossett at chris.
15) 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. Mick Gleadow: “Our racing history is well covered in our Pioneer article, and it’s been fantastic and a great honour to have had the chance to tell our racing biography. I am a fan of the Nostalgia scene in drag racing, but I also think it’s important to have FIA championships and to be on the top table, as the saying goes ‘If you’re not at the table you’re probably on the menu.'” John is at johnhunt.drn. (to be continued in the next issue)
16) I tried to send you stories and each time your email bounced. Howie Zechner
HOWIE: Be sure that you send it to RnParks1Miller212.842 and Don is at dcs1755.
17) Books and Manuals from CarTech Publishing, 6118 Main Street, North Branch, Minnesota 55056, 1-800-551-4754,
www.CarTechBooks.com. Lost Hot Rods: Remarkable Stories of How They Were Found, by Pat Ganahl. EARLY FUNNY CARS: A History of Tech Evolution from Altered Wheelbase to Match Race Flip Tops 1964-1974, by Lou Hart. BULLITT, The Cars and People Behind Steve McQueen, by Matt Stone. DYNO DON: The Cars and Career of Dyno Don Nicholson, by Doug Boyce. COPO Camaro, Chevelle and Nova: Chevrolet’s Ultimate Muscle Cars, by Matt Avery.
18) Spring Fling racing action gets underway Friday afternoon with the always popular Sasco Sports International/American Challenge race at 3 p.m. EST. The Sasco Sports sprint features older production-based cars in a competitive mix including big-bore American iron like Camaros, Corvettes and Mustangs racing head-to-head with a variety of sports cars from Europe, including Porsches and BMWs, a Ferrari 308 GTB and a broad collection of British favorites, including Jaguars, an MGB, Lotus Elan, Elva Courier, Morgan 4/4 and a pair of Ginetta G4s. The flat-out Sasco Sports sprint has competitors racing for the overall win in addition to top-three honors in the International, American and Porsche classes. From: Adam Saal at 321-890-2848.
19) Mike Rockenfeller, Jenson Button and 2024 Hall inductee Jimmie Johnson co-drove the specially built Next Gen Camaro at Le Mans as the race’s designated Garage #56 entry and wowed the huge international motorsports crowd in attendance with the first appearance of a big-bore NASCAR stock car at “Circuit de la Sarthe” since 1976. The Camaro frequently turned laps quicker than the top-tier GT entries in the race and completed a stout 2,413.1 miles. Johnson drove the car to the finish in what was an emotional and uplifting moment for race fans and the dedicated crew of people that worked on the “NASCAR to Le Mans” Garage #56 project for several years. The Camaro can now be seen daily at the MSHFA Museum and will be used as part of the celebration of Johnson’s induction into the Hall next month. Adam Saal at SaalGoodPR.
20) Zane Clark, thank you for attending and speaking on behalf of SEMA on February 23rd. My people learned a lot and asked me many questions after they did not know. I talked to Paul yesterday and he is clear now and ready to move forward with our Team’s mission and structure. We did more than expected regarding getting people to know, see and understand what SEMA is about. Your staff did great, and everyone got something out of it with the COOL factor included. These are the highlights below with Important names of VIP people. This event was Epic and will be talked about for years to come! Bill
Montgomery
21) BOOK REVIEW Chasing Magic, by Bill Pitts, Foreword by Steve Gibbs, reviewed by Don Prieto. That introduction, folks, tells you an awful lot about the character and sincerity of the author and his effort to please the reader with a gripping adventure of the unknown. He spends his youth with his dad at the drag races and is totally immersed in the outrageous happenings out on the drag strip. From his viewpoint in the grandstands, he sees and feels the thunder produced by a Top Fuel dragster. He falls hopelessly in love, and that sets the groundwork to participate in this one-of-a-kind activity. This work will not disappoint. Like the “Field of Dreams movie with Kevin Costner,” it is a tale that makes you feel like you are part of the story. Get a copy today. Copies are available on Amazon, $35 for hard cover and $20 for soft cover.
READERS: You don’t have to be a professional to be a reviewer, you just have to have an opinion. Send me reviews and I will post them in the newsletters. Writers appreciate reviews and so do book buyers.
22) Ricky Smith was interviewed by Jack Korpela in Cycledrag magazine. There are more videos on the Cycledrag Youtube channel and the Cycledrag Facebook page and more will be coming soon. For an interesting and provocative read go to Cycledrag magazine or their YouTube channel. From Don Redmon.
23) BLAST FROM THE PAST…… From the Wally & Barbara Parksstory, We Did It Our Way.
1 SEPTEMBER 1939 World War II breaks out in Europe. On September 1, 1939, German units fire at other German units on the eastern border with Poland. Germany blames the Poles for the attack and declares war on Poland, invading their neighbor. On September 3rd the British and French send Germany an ultimatum to withdraw troops from occupied Poland which the Germans will refuse, causing a declaration of war between the allies (France and Great Britain) and axis powers (Germany and Austria). The Soviet Union also invades Poland on its western front; but is not condemned by the allies. World War II begins at this point although the first few months are called the “phony war,” as neither side attacks the other. By 1942 the USA will be dragged into the war and nearly 12 and a half million men (and thousands of women) will swell the American Armed Forces. Auto racing will stop by 1942 until war’s end.
24) Go to hcanode.
25) The latest stories published on eurodragster are the links below.
http://www.eurodragstereventcoverage.com/features/mike_hutcherson_pt1/default.asp.
http://www.eurodragstereventcoverage.com/features/mike_hutcherson_pt2/default.asp.
http://www.eurodragstereventcoverage.com/features/alf_hagon_pt1/default.asp.
http://www.eurodragstereventcoverage.com/features/alf_hagon_pt2/default.asp.
John Hunt of the British Drag Racing Historians Association is at johnhunt.drn.
26) Jackie Stewartworked with the Ford Motor Company and is in a multi-year contract with Heineken. Jackie is the founder of Race Against Dementia, President of Dyslexia Scotland, Founder and former Chairman of the Grand Prix Trust, President of the Springfield Youth Club, Vice-President of the British Racing Drivers’ Club and the British Dyslexia Association. He was awarded the OBE in 1972 and was knighted in 2001. He earned an Honorary Professorship from the University of Stirling and received eight Honorary Doctorates from US, Scottish and English Universities. He has received honors from His Majesty the King of Jordan and His Majesty the King of Bahrain. Sir Jackie and Lady Stewart married in 1962. They have two sons and nine grandchildren. From: Judy Stropus jstropus.
27) Lana Chrisman lanachrisman. Lions Automobilia Foundation is Southern California’s newest destination for car enthusiast to gather, share and explorer So Cal Car Culture. The Vette Set car show scheduled for March 2nd at Lions Museum has been postponed until March 23, 2024, 9am to 11am.
28) Don Smith sent in the following bio on Jim McLennan. (final in the series)
In 1969 Jim McLennan was inducted into the Bay Area Sports Writers’ Hall of Fame by the Chronicle’s Gordon Martin. In 1993 Jim was elected to the National Hot Rod Associations Hall of Fame. Jim was inducted into the International Drag Racing Hall of Fame in March 2007 in Florida. Jim McLennan, a Drag Racing Pioneer, passed away on February 9, 2007, at the age of 74.
29) June 23, 2024, Laguna Seca, California.
June 23, 2024, Spanish Grand Prix Barcelona, Spain.
June 23, 2024, Crayon 301 New Hampshire.
June 23, 2024, TBD Sahlen’s 6 Hours Watkins Glen, New York.
June 30, 2024, Austrian Grand Prix Spielberg, Austria.
June 30, 2024, Ally 400 Nashville, Tennessee.
June 30, 2024, Summit Racing Nationals Norwalk, Ohio.
June 30, 2024, Netherlands Assen, Netherlands.
30) US Inventor/Pro Motorsports Designer Joe Adams, CEO Adams Design & Print LLC and also DBA Adamstand™,
American Motorsports News. Skill Set: Photographer, Set Designer, Digital Designer Large Format, Small Format Print or Website & Web Video, CTV, TV, Web Video Productions, Static Digital Photoshop Designer, Posters, Brochures, Billboards, Banners, Web Site, Clothing, Proposal Production (Print or PDF) E- Brochures, Web Banners, Motion Digital Designer DVD, Video Mastering, Writing, Producing, Project Direction, Lighting Direction, Editing & Executive Production. J.E. Adams wefilm1.
31) From Sherm Porter’s schedule of events (fuely32).
MARCH 9, 2024, 11th St Patrick’s Day Car Show, St Louis de Montfert Church, Orcutt, CA, 10am-3pm, James at 805-878- 1739 or james www.kofccarshow.com.
MARCH 15-17, 2024, GOODGUYS 14th Spring Nationals, WestWorld/Scottsdale, Arizona, ’99 and earlier, 925-838-9876,
MARCH 15-17, 2024, 22nd Muscle Cars At The Strip, Las Vegas Motor Speedway, NV. www.matslv.com.
MARCH 16, 2024, 26th Super Cruise Car Show, Kern County Fairgrounds, Bakersfield, CA benefiting the Bakersfield
Firefighters Burn Foundation, Chris at 661-345-1627 or www.bakersfieldccc.org.
MARCH 21-24, 2024, Lucas Oil NHRA Winternationals, Fairplex/Pomona, CA. www.nhra.com.
MARCH 23-24, 2024, GOODGUYS, All American Get-Together, Pleasanton Fairgrounds, CA. All Years, 925-838-9876 or www.good-guys.com.
MARCH 30, 2024, Meet in the Middle, Central Coast Chapter, CA/Vintage Volkswagen Club of America, open to Air-Cooled VW’s, Nojoqui Falls/Buellton, CA. Eric 805-588-5729 (text) or elykens.
MARCH 30, 2024, 6th BarrelHouse Motorama, Free Event, 11am-3pm, Classic Rods & Trucks, Vintage Motorcycles, Tractors, Vendors, Live Music, Food, pre-register, https://barrelhousebrewing.com/2024-motorama-registration.
32) The flamboyant Terry Cook’s latest; amazing piece of work. Got a drive by yesterday from the Cookster to show me his new bike and hauler. See https://youtu.be/r_JFwLJApds. Mike Dakin
EDITOR: Terry, you never told us about your business. Write in and give us some details.
33) Executive Committee member for the Engine Builders Hall of Fame is Ron Shaver. Ron started drag racing as a kid in the ‘60s and went to school with Tom Hunt, the son of Joe Hunt who talked Shaver into building a sprint car. Shaver engines have powered winners in off-road competition, stock car racing and on the drag strip ever since. An aggressive development and test program, along with close working relationships with his blue-chip suppliers, sums up Shaver’s strategy in keeping the family business on the leading edge of the performance market.
34) DRAGSTRIPS in the USA and Canada. National Speedway Directory, 2504 Lake Ave, Wilmette, Illinois, 60091
Piste D Acceleration Pont-Rouge, Pont-Rouge, Quebec, Canada 1/4-mile
Pittsburgh Raceway Park, New Alexandria, Pennsylvania, 1/4-mile
Prairie Hill Dragway, Prairie Hill, Texas, 1/4-mile
Prescott Raceway, Prescott, Arkansas, 1/8-mile
35) BOOK REVIEW: Drag Racing’s Warren “The Professor” Johnson, the cars, people & wins behind his Pro Stock Success, written by Kelly Wade, from CarTech Publishers. Reviewed by Richard Parks for the Gone Racin’ series.
I thought the captioned photographs fascinating, with a focus on family. “I don’t think Kurtand I had any real serious disagreements, but we’ve never had words about anything because both of us are low key enough that we think through the problem,” said Warren. A willingness to admit one’s mistakes and to listen to another side is very hard to accomplish in motorsports. Another trait Warren mentions is the ability to listen to others. Successful people learn from others. WF has been accused of being an egotist, but he explains that having a healthy and positive attitude is not the same thing as egotism. Warren doesn’t put his trust in fate, but in hard work. (to be continued)
36) 2024 NASCAR XFINITY SERIES SCHEDULE Date Race / Track Network Start Time (ET) Radio
Saturday, February 17 Daytona International Speedway FS1 5:00 p.m. MRN/SiriusXM
Saturday, February 24 Atlanta Motor Speedway FS1 5:00 p.m. PRN/SiriusXM
Saturday, March 2 Las Vegas Motor Speedway FS1 5:00 p.m. PRN/SiriusXM
Saturday, March 9 Phoenix Raceway FS1 4:30 p.m. MRN/SiriusXM
Saturday, March 23 COTA FS1 5:00 p.m. PRN/SiriusXM
Saturday, March 30 Richmond Raceway FS1 1:30 p.m. MRN/SiriusXM
Saturday, April 6 Martinsville Speedway FS1 7:30 p.m. MRN/SiriusXM
Saturday, April 13 Texas Motor Speedway FS1 1:30 p.m. PRN/SiriusXM
Saturday, April 20 Talladega Superspeedway FOX 4:00 p.m. MRN/SiriusXM
Saturday, April 27 Dover Motor Speedway FS1 1:30 p.m. PRN/SiriusXM
Saturday, May 11 Darlington Raceway FS1 1:30 p.m. MRN/SiriusXM
Saturday, May 25 Charlotte Motor Speedway FOX 1:00 p.m. PRN/SiriusXM
Saturday, June 1 Portland International Raceway FS1 4:30 p.m. MRN/SiriusXM
Saturday, June 8 Sonoma Raceway FS1 8:00 p.m. PRN/SiriusXM
Saturday, June 15 Iowa Speedway USA 3:30 p.m. MRN/SiriusXM
Saturday, June 22 New Hampshire Motor Speedway USA 3:30 p.m. PRN/SiriusXM
Saturday, June 29 Nashville Superspeedway USA 5:00 p.m. PRN/SiriusXM
Saturday, July 6 Chicago Street Race NBC 2:30 p.m. MRN/SiriusXM
Saturday, July 13 Pocono Raceway USA 3:00 p.m. MRN/SiriusXM
Saturday, July 20 Indianapolis Motor Speedway USA 3:30 p.m. IMS/SiriusXM
Saturday, August 17 Michigan International Speedway USA 3:30 p.m. MRN/SiriusXM
Friday, August 23 Daytona International Speedway USA 7:30 p.m. MRN/SiriusXM
Saturday, August 31 Darlington Raceway USA 3:30 p.m. MRN/SiriusXM
Saturday, September 7 Atlanta Motor Speedway USA 3:00 p.m. PRN/SiriusXM
Saturday, September 14 Watkins Glen International USA 3:00 p.m. MRN/SiriusXM
Friday, September 20 Bristol Motor Speedway USA 7:30 p.m. PRN/SiriusXM
Saturday, September 28 Kansas Speedway USA 3:30 p.m. MRN/SiriusXM
Saturday, October 5 Talladega Superspeedway NBC 3:30 p.m. MRN/SiriusXM
Saturday, October 12 Charlotte Roval USA 3:30 p.m. PRN/SiriusXM
Saturday, October 19 Las Vegas Motor Speedway NBC 3:00 p.m. PRN/SiriusXM
Saturday, October 26 Homestead-Miami Speedway NBC 3:00 p.m. MRN/SiriusXM
Saturday, November 2 Martinsville Speedway USA 3:00 p.m. MRN/SiriusXM
Saturday, November 9 Phoenix Raceway USA 6:00 p.m. MRN/SiriusXM
37) “I admired Tom Davey’s dedication to the RRDC and the Safe is Fast program. He and Jim Mullen were instrumental in creating something near and dear to my father’s heart: teaching young drivers how to go fast as safely as possible! What I did not know about him was how good a driver he was. He was a class guy who never, at least to me, boasted about his past successes, as a writer, filmmaker and champion race-car driver. Tom was a great friend, talent and gave so much of himself to the RRDC,” said Bobby Akin about the BOB AKINaward.Jim Mullen accepted the award on behalf of Tom Davey. From: Judy Stropus jstropus.
38)Thanks for the memories with your email. I’ve known Jim Murphy for over 50 years when he came into Speedway Bike racing in the seventies. I am 76 now but I never knew how old Jim was until he told me about the 90th birthday dinner his family gave him. I still have him do machine work for me to this day and I see him at least once a month either at his house or in my shop. You have enlightened me on a few things I did not know about Jim. He is a longtime friend of mine. Bill Cody, Cody Racing Products, 13821 West Street, Garden Grove, CA 92843. 714-265-1576
BILL: As you remember stories, send them into me to add to the file. And send me news of Speedway Bike racing.
39) Ferrari Recap. This past weekend we played host to a beautiful landscape of Ferraris from far and wide. The winner of the people’s vote was an exclusive matte-silver 812 Competizione, an iconic model line celebrating Ferrari’s Front-Engine V12 heritage under the leadership of Enzo Ferrari. See more photos of the event on our website. Petersen Automotive
Museum, 6060 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90036.
40) HIDDEN PIONEERS: Public Relations Director/Authorlifecoach.com Ralph Sanders (Halftime) RALPH OCT22 RESUMEfinal.pdf (dropbox.com), https://www.dropbox.com/home?scs=true&select=RALPH+OCT22+RESUMEfinal.pdf.
Professional Team Photographer Creigh Photography | Hidden Pioneers | CSI Bill Montgomery, https://www.creigh
photography.com/f275268572. Prime Motivation High School tours Prime Motivation – CreatingEducational Experiences,
https://primemotivation.com/. 591 Telegraph Canyon Road, Suite 739, Chula Vista, CA 91910.
41) Know your motorsports personality. Jay Frye, President of IndyCar. 2023 featured a record-breaking season including the fastest pole speed, fastest front row and fastest field in the history of the Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge. On-track passing records, first recorded in 2006, were broken at six events. As an indicator of overall series health, 2023 also featured a record number of 27 full-time starters. Compiled from Epartrade.
AND: RACE INDUSTRY WEEK INTERVIEW. Learn more about Gridlife from Chris Stewart, Founder of Gridlife, joined us for the 4th Annual Race Industry Week. Hosted by George Tamayo of RACER.com. From Epartrade.
42) The March 2024 issue of Vintage Metal Magazine (Western Australia) is at https://indd.adobe.com/view/bb73e4a6-30ca-461a-8144-1cc85026cbf3. No events over here, so it is club news and historic stories. The Double-V8 was an amazing machine. Colin Murray was a doubtful character indeed. Regards, Bob Campbell.
43) Lana Chrisman lanachrisman. Tri-Five Celebration Car Show hosted by California Nomads, Saturday, March 30, 2024, car registration $35. Guest speakers “Hot Rods’ John McGann & Lucky Costa” with Project X, food, live music by Mad Man Billy, kids’ skill test challenge games and drawing.
44) Happy New Year! I hope your holidays were peaceful. Attached is the NHRA Motorsports Museum flyer for our 2024 Twilight Cruise dates. We would appreciate it if you could post the flyer or announce the dates. I think the NHRA Motorsports Museum is everybody’s favorite museum and hang out. We are open Wednesday thru Sunday, 10am-5pm. Regards, Patrick Wright, Operations Manager, Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum, 1101 McKinley Avenue, Building 3A, Pomona, CA 91768. Or write to pwright.
READERS: The Twilight Cruise nights begin on the 1st Wednesday of each month beginning in March and continuing
on to December, from 4 to 7 pm. There is a fun raffle type contest that goes half to the museum and the other half to contestants. A $5 entry fee also provides access to the museum. Members of the museum get in free.
45) Bet you already know a few of us. We all come from various backgrounds in motorsports from Crew Chiefs in NASCAR and NHRA, TV Analysts, Media Broadcasting, PR and Motorsports Communications and decades at the Performance Racing Industry trade show. There is no other place to find and resource over 34,000 racing businesses on earth. We are the creators of this Performance and Racing, business-to-business platform. We are also the producers of the weekly Tech Webinar series, Race Industry Now…and the producers with our friends at RACER and SPEED SPORT of Race Industry Week. It’s nice to visit a destination where you feel welcome. Meet the team here at team.
46) Vintage Metal Magazine (Western Australia) VSCC of WA Calendar 2024/March. Editor Bob Campbell.
3 Classic Cars & Coffee, UWA Business School Carpark, Hackett Dr, Crawley, Western Australia
6-10 Phillip Island Historic Races
9 Dad’s Army
11 General Meeting
12 Management Committee
18 Competition Group
19 Dad’s Army
21-24 Australian F1 Grand Prix
26 Dad’s Army
47) Hidden Pioneers Bring you the Industry Leaders of today & tomorrow of Transportation & Technology. Meet & talk with some of these Pioneers at the Summit. See Cool Jeremiah video below: https://youtu.be/C6ZD5zuFh1g.
48) Immediately following the Sasco Sports opener is the first B.R.M. Endurance Challenge race of the year to close out Friday’s schedule at 3:30 p.m. EST. The one-hour race, which includes a mandatory pit stop, is the first of two B.R.M. Endurance races on the weekend. Friday’s race features the Historic, Prototype and GT Modern (GTM) classes which are open to more modern racing machinery past its contemporary competition years. The race features everything from a 1976 Chevron B36 to a 2005 Audi R8 LMP to a 2012 Honda ARX-03b LMP in addition to several Daytona Prototype and Oreca FLM-09 LMPC cars and a typically strong lineup of Porsche Caymans and 996 and 997 “Cup” cars. From: Adam Saal at SaalGoodPR.
49) The Australian-based financial management and accounting firm Kelly+Partners, is making a bold and dynamic entrance into the US market under the leadership of founder Brett Kelly. TAUBLIEB Films is producing a broad slate of short-form and long-form content, including a feature documentary about the incredible rise and success of the firm as it expands globally, guided by Kelly. From Paul Taublieb at paul or go to www.taubliebfilms.com
50) Brad Gerber, VP Sales & CDO of NHRA (National Hot Rod Association), joined us for the 4th Annual Race Industry Week. Hosted by Brad Gillie from SiriusXM, Channel 90, Late Shift.
AND: Curtis Boggs will present this live webinar on Wednesday, February 28 at 9 am PST. Boggs is an Induction Engineer/Consultant and previous owner and founder of Race Flow Development. Hosted by Jeff Hammond from SiriusXM, Channel 90.
AND: SADEV will present this live webinar on Wednesday, March 6 at 9 am PST. Presented by Jeff “Fuzzy” Horton, Operations Manager, and Mike Dusold, founder of DUSOLD Designs and SADEV ambassador. Hosted by Jeff Hammond from SiriusXM, Channel 90. From: EPARTRADE team.
51) Video clip of my son, Scott Parks (mrscottparks) at the 5 hour and 26-minute mark of NHRA Today https://youtu.be/vP-ab8NsMlA.
52) Royce Rumsey just published “Trois Courbes.” Amongst all famous car collectors, the late, great Peter Mullin was the
definitive Francophile. His eponymous museum was a veritable repository of French art—in both automotive and artifact form. Appropriately, the primary title of the Mullin Museum was ‘French Curves.’ The French automotive form is curvilinear-owning to the drawing templates of the same name. At the end of the 2023 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance there were a trio of Delahayes remaining on the field and a quick capture of that trio is what is presented here in “Trios Courbes.” Go to roycer924_2.
53) Steve Gibbs, written by Dick Martin 2016. SERIALIZED for the Motorsports Newsletter. (caption) Steve’s wife, Gloria (aka Gordy), Darrell Gwynn, and Steve at the 1986 Winston Finals in Pomona, where Gwynn won his first NHRA Top Fuel event. Gwynn was tragically injured when he later sold his dragster to Harlin Thompson, an English drag racer, and planned an exhibition drag race at the Santa Pod dragstrip in Bedford, England, in 1990. During the run, he crashed into the guardrail, breaking his dragster in half. His injuries were extensive, and Steve flew to England to be with Darrell’s father, Jerry, who was team manager and crew chief. “I was very close to the family. Jerry was in pretty bad shape emotionally, and I went to give him some support.”
Dick Martin can be reached through Gone Racin’ at RnParks1. To see the captioned photographs go to https://www.motortrend.com/staff/dick-martin/.
54)Oscar Koveleski, a driver for Jack Deren’s race cars: written by Martin Rudow. Outside of racing and his Auto World business, Koveleski did public relations for Newman-Sharp Racing, which included among its drivers Scott Sharp, actors Paul Newman and Tom Cruise and Pro Football Hall of Famer Walter Payton. JC Argetsinger, one time president of International Motor Racing Research Center and a longtime observer of the racing scene, recalled a trick Koveleski played on Can-Am Series sponsor Johnson Wax. Koveleski and his crew emptied several cans of the wax and replaced it with butterscotch pudding. When the corporate sponsor stopped by the pits, Koveleski’s crew was eating the “wax” and declaring how good it tasted. “He was soon designated as the clown prince of racing,” Argetsinger said. (to be continued)
55) Ali Russell, Managing Director of Extreme E, joined us for the 4th Annual Race Industry Week. Hosted by Laurence Foster of RACER.com. From EPARTRADE.
AND: Stephan Papadakis, Owner of Papadakis Racing, joined us for the 4th Annual Race Industry Week. Hosted by Mike Kerchner of SPEED SPORT. From: EPARTRADE team.
AND: Brian Carter, CEO, World of Outlaws, joined us for the 4th Annual Race Industry Week. Hosted by Mike Kerchner of SPEED SPORT. From: EPARTRADE at team.
56) Remembering Jim McLennan; courtesy of Don Smith. “You could say that, as a drag racing announcer, I helped Jim McLennan sell food. I first met him through early editions of Drag News as we in the Midwest poured over results of those events where the Champion Speed Shop dragster gave good account and Al Caldwell waxed eloquent about Jim in Northern Briefs. We shook hands for the first time at the 1963 March Meet and remained friends thereafter. He was a charming and dear person with seemingly indefatigable spirit. I will miss him.” Jon Lundberg
“I moved to the Bay Area in 1968, and there is no doubt that Jim McLennan is responsible for some of my fondest memories at places like Fremont.” Warren Walther
57) Bob Riley was home recuperating from a fall but sent a video of his acceptance. His son Bill accepted the award on his behalf and was interviewed by M.C. Leigh Diffey in front of a capacity crowd. “It’s a great honor for my name to be mentioned in the same sentence as Phil Hill,” said Bob Riley, who told a story about watching Hill race at Sebring in 1958. “At the end of the sweeping left-hander there was a jog along to the straightaway. Phil Hill came around the sweeper and never touched the brake. He slid the car over to the straightaway without losing any speed. I thought he was going to lose it. Well, he didn’t lose it,” Riley said. “He didn’t come close to losing it. He won the race.” Bill Riley responded on behalf of his dad with, “I think the RRDC has such an enormous range of drivers in it, with all the different talents from all the different periods of racing. For Bob to have been here to get the PHIL HILL Award in front of all these racers in the room would have meant a lot. He is very honored.” From: Judy Stropus jstropus.
58) Big Daddy Returns:Gone Racin’ To see ”Big Daddy Returns.” Video review by Richard Parks, 30 August 2022. A very
different sort of drag racing video and one that I found quite appealing is ”Big Daddy Returns,” directed and produced by Dean Papadeas with Kenny Youngblood as the Narrator. The video is slick and professional, but the most important aspect is the heart and soul of this video. Papadeas mixes action, noise, character development, and classical music to obtain a fine movie. Gone Racin’ is at RNPARKS1@JUNO.COM. Dean Papadeas can be reached at deanpapadeas
. https://
59) Hidden Garages and Ultimate Collection will have a common theme to teach young students about Cool cars, locations & programs that can improve their lives. Each episode we will meet the Hidden Garage owner and talk with them about his/her space, how they find peace and joy working on things. Why they collect things, what inspired them and the love of having these things. Possibly they were passed along from others in their family and as a tradition to pass that onto the newer members of their family. From Bill Montgomery.
60) Peter Thul, Senior Director for Sport of WRC Promoter GmbH, joined us for the 4th Annual Race Industry Week. Hosted by Laurence Foster of RACER.com. https://www.epartrade.com/video/4b98a655-featured-racing-series-world-rally-championship-wrc-da272cc0-epartrade%E2%A0%80?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=4%20February-8&utm_content=4%20February-8+CID_569de1d6d232dc6ff5a426e16aef8363&utm_source=Newsletter&utm_
61) The NHRA High School Students YES program ten 10 city tour 2024. from Bill Montgomery (Hidden Pioneers).
April 5-7: 39th annual NHRA Arizona Nationals, Phoenix, Arizona.
April 12-14: NHRA Four-Wide Nationals, Las Vegas, Nevada.
May 17-19: Route 66 NHRA Nationals Raceway, Chicago, Illinois.
June 27-30: 18th annual Summit, Norwalk, Ohio.
July 19-21: 35th annual Nationals, Raceways, Seattle, Washington.
July 26-28: 36th NHRA, Sonoma Raceway, Sonoma, California.
August 28-September 2: Dodge Power NHRA, Indianapolis, Indiana.
September 20-22: NHRA Carolina, Dragway, Charlotte, North Carolina.
October 10-13: Texas NHRA Nationals, Dallas, Texas.
October 31-November 3: 24th NHRA Las Vegas Nevada Nationals, Las Vegas, Nevada.
62) The unique award has a glass top and sits on a race wheel with a historic provenance. RRDC member David Donohue, son of Mark Donohue, presented Kannard with the 2023 Road Racing Drivers Club’s (RRDC) MARK DONOHUE Award, which included a wheel donated by Team Penske that was used on the 2023 Indy 500-winning car driven by two-time NTT INDYCAR Series Champion Josef Newgarden. “When I received the call from [RRDC president] Bobby Rahalto let me know that I had been selected as the recipient of this award from the RRDC, it was the icing on the cake,” Ken Kannard said. “It’s pretty impressive for an amateur driver like me to be associated with the Mark Donohue Award. A lot of what he developed back then, we take for granted today. He was so smart in development and was so successful driving such a variety of cars. It’s really an honor to be recognized by an organization of drivers like the RRDC with this award.” From: Judy Stropus at jstropus.
63) Ken Breslauer’s “Sebring 1983: The Warhorse and the Hitchhiker” chronicles one of the greatest upsets in endurance racing history. A stolen pace car, the circuit nearly running out of fuel, cars getting lost on the runways and alligators on the track only added to the drama of Sebring 1983. Breslauer served as Media Director and Track Historian at Sebring International Raceway 1986-2021. His 1996 book on Sebring’s history won the Automotive Book of the Year Award in 1996. Breslauer specializes in commercial archeology and roadside attractions and has written several topics on Florida tourism history and the material culture of Florida travel. The Sebring 1983 book is available on eBay.com. It will also be available at this month’s season-opening Rolex 24 at Daytona at the Roger Warrick Automotive Art display. From Adam Saal at
saalgoodpr.
64) BLAST FROM THE PAST…… From the Wally&Barbara Parks story, We Did It Our Way. Prior to the SCTA’s first Bonneville Nationals in 1949 the Bonneville Salt Flats were used by a variety of public and corporate reasons; chief among them the attempts to set records for commercial purposes. In August 1934 Harry Hartz set 72 AAA stock car records at the salt flats in a Chrysler Imperial Airflow coupe, which reaped tremendous advertising for the Chrysler Corporation.
65) FIA World Rally Championship/Date/Country/Venue.
28 January 2024 Monte-Carlo Rallye, Monte-Carlo.
18 February 2024 Sweden Rally, Sweden.
31 March 2024 Kenya Safari Rally, Kenya.
21 April 2024 Croatia, Croatia Rally.
15 May 2024 Portugal Vodafone Rally de Portugal.
2 June 2024 Italia Rally, Italia Sardegna.
30 June 2024 Poland ORLEN Rally, Poland.
21 July 2024 Latvia Tet Rally, Latvia.
4 August 2024 Finland Secto Rally, Finland.
8 September 2024 Greece EKO Acropolis Rally, Greece.
29 September 2024 Chile Rally, Chile BioBo.
3 November 2024 Austria, Czech Republic, Germany Central European Rally.
24 November 2024 Japan FORUM8 Rally, Japan.
66) About the African American Automotive Association (AAAA) founded by Christopher Harris. The AAAA is an organization committed to enhancing diversity and inclusivity in the automotive industry. It aims to educate, inspire, and provide opportunities for African American professionals and enthusiasts within the automotive sector. They accomplished
this with events, their education curriculum and collaborative efforts. To learn more about the AAAA visit them at
hiddenpioneers).
67) EDITOR: The following is serialized. “The Mehlenbacher Family and the Kohler Dragway (AKA Super Boss Dragway, and Cayuga 1320 Dragway). Quality was the name of the game at Cayuga Speedway, and for race fans, competitors, media, and sponsors alike, the Speedway offered one of the most professionally operated motorsport facilities in North America. In 1991, Bruce co-founded Promark Motorsport International with John Massingberd, which produced Raceline Motorsports Television on TSN, Raceline Radio Network on Telemedia, and Snowtrax Television on TSN and Outdoor Life Network. The ever-popular Sled Ed was a highlight of this period. Raceline Radio Network is in its 31st year. It is hosted by Erik Tomas and still airs weekly year-round.” Bruce F. Mehlenbacher is at Brucetainment.com.
68) The weekend’s second B.R.M. Endurance race rolls off first thing Sunday morning at 8 a.m. EDT – remember the overnight “spring-ahead” time change – and features older cars in the Vintage and GT Classic (GTC) categories. The classic cars competing in this B.R.M. race include a pair of early 1960s Lotus 23b models, a Morgan 4/4 from the same era and full contingent of 1970s Porsche RSR, IROC and 914 entries that will battle with a 1969 Camaro and more contemporary BMWs that are still over two decades old. The other event in the weekend’s quartet of HSR feature races is the HSR Global GT sprint that showcases modern but retired GT racing machines. From: Adam Saal at 321-890-2848.
69) BANGshift.com was all over the 74th Grand National Roadster Show, at the LA County Fairplex with photos from Charles Wickam&Chad Reynolds and videos by Darr Hawthorne! There are in-depth stories and photos of America’s Most Beautiful Roadsters, an interview with Roy Brizio and galleries of photos of all the other hot rods and videos of the event! https://bangshift.com/?s=2024+roadster+show. Darr Hawthorne
70) We have started this new Division under the Hidden Pioneers Team. It’s called the ARTMIS PIONEERS welcomes
India as 27th Artemis Accords Signatory|NASA HiddenPioneers.
71) Coastal 181 Book Store (serving East Coast racing fans) www.coastal181.com or 1-877-907-8181. Titles include: “Cages are for Monkeys, Unleashed with Kevin Olson, Racing’s Zaniest Hall of Famer,” by Kevin Olson, with Lew Boyd. “Indy Split, the Big Money Battle That Nearly Destroyed Indy Racing,” by John Oreovicz. “Dialed In, the Jan Opperman Story,” by John Sawyer. “Wicked Fast, Racing through life with Bentley Warren,” by Bones Bourcier.
72) SPARK Shines at the Rolex 24: SPARK, the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America’s student education program that guides high school, trade school and college-age aspirants to careers in motorsports, shined in more ways than one at the Rolex 24. SPARK stands for “Students Preserving American Racing Knowledge,” and the #80 Lone Star Racing Mercedes-AMG GT3 team called on the Hall and SPARK for both some needed manpower and to give something back to the motorsports community while competing in the team’s first Rolex 24. Hall of Fame Executive Board Member and former IMSA President Scott Atherton toured the Rolex 24 paddock with SPARK student Nolan Lappin. Through SPARK’s mentorship programs, Atherton has been serving as a more than well qualified adviser for Lappin, who is a junior at Stetson University. Adam Saal at SaalGoodPR.
73) Editor Bob Campbell sent in the February issue of Vintage Metal, the Journal of the Vintage Sports Car Club of Western Australia. To see it google robertcampbell4.
74) DRAGSTRIPS in the USA and Canada. National Speedway Directory, 2504 Lake Avenue, Wilmette, Illinois.
Irwindale Dragstrip at Irwindale Event Center (Formerly Toyota Speedway at Irwindale), Irwindale, California, 1/8-mile
Island Dragway, Great Meadows, New Jersey, 1/4-mile
Jackson Dragway, Jackson, Tennessee, 1/8-mile
Jackson Dragway Park, Byram, Mississippi
75) VIPs included during the February 23rd SEMA Youth Conference: Steward Reed, former Art Center Transportation & Design Chair for the famous Art Center in Pasadena. He is responsible for teaching names like Chip Foose, his student, Dave Marek VIP of design for Acura/Honda and many more. He is considered one of the best Designers in the World with several awards to show his work. He was impressed and happy to be there for the industry! Bill Montgomery
76) EPARTRADE, the global sourcing platform for the worldwide racing industry, has announced the addition of Andrea Brake to their team as Vice President of Sales. With over twenty years of experience in sales, and nearly thirteen years working for Performance Racing Industry (PRI) and SEMA, Brake has a proven track record of exceeding sales targets, building lasting client relationships and assisting her customers achieve their marketing goals.
AND: Know your motorsports personality. Chris Stewart, Founder of Gridlife. Part racing event, part car show and part music festival, Gridlife brings all aspects of automotive passion together for one weekend to foster an environment that celebrates car culture as a whole. Compiled from Epartrade.
77) Thank you so much for the support. It means a lot to me! My lifetime Volunteer Achievement medals. Blessings, CSI Bill Montgomery. (Google the following for the presentation at SEMA headquarters) https://drive.google.com/
file/d/1UAKgt_YKwXUNMFuxCKzx1Gb3c_hLgBxz/view.
78) The Global GT race is home to everything from an Oldsmobile Cutlass GT car, Ferrari 360s and a Callaway Corvette that will take on the usual strong entry of Porsche 996, 997 and Caymans as well as newer 991 and 991.2 models. For detailed information on the HSR Spring Fling, including the competition schedule and entry lists, visit SaalGoodPR, 321-890-2848.
79) April 18-21, 2024, Viva Las Vegas 27 Rockabilly Weekend, Orleans Hotel, Las Vegas, NV. The largest event of its kind, bands, cars, burlesque. Tom @ 562-496-4287 or www.vivalasvegas.net.
April 19-21, 2024, ANRA Season Opener, Auto Club Famoso Raceway. www.anra.com.
April 19-28, 2024, 32nd Kool April Nites Classic Car Show, Redding, CA. Ltd to 2000 entries, www.koolaprilnites.com
or call 530-226-0844.
April 20, 2024, Hagerty Cars & Caffeine Car Show at Sonoma Raceway Speedtour. Toni 863-698-8620, or
tc, or https://speedtour.net/sonoma.
April 21, 2024, 52nd Antique Nationals Drag Race, Irwindale Speedway, Fontana. Clark Crump @ 909-294-5321 or www.foureverfour.com.
April 21, 2024, 4th Visalia Car Show, Pharaohs of Visalia Car Club. Glen 805-286-2448 or www.tinyurl.com.
April 11-14, 2024, 17th Vintage Kart shootout, Bakersfield Kart Raceway. https://www.bakersfieldkartraceway.com.
April 26-27, 2024, 37th Solvang Datsun Roadster Classic, Datsuns welcome. www.solvangroadstershow.com.
April 26-28, 2024, 47th NSRA Western Street Rod Nationals, Kern County Fairgrounds, Bakersfield, CA. 1988 and earlier. 574-875-4032 or www.nsra-usa.com.
April 26-28, 2024, Holley LS Fest West, Las Vegas Motor Speedway, registration coming soon. www.lsfest.com.
April 28, 2024, 31st Pacific Coast Dream Machines, Half Moon Bay Airport. More than 2000 vehicles, Military, Custom, Hot Rods, Classics, Tractors. 650-726-2328 or fuely32.
80) Greg Gill, President and CEO of SRO Motorsports America, joined us for the 4th Annual Race Industry Week. Hosted by Jim Roller of SPEED SPORT.
AND: Jerome Galpin, President & CEO of the NASCAR Whelen Euro Series and the President of Team FJ, joined us for the 4th Annual Race Industry Week. Hosted by Brad Gillie from SiriusXM, Channel 90, Late Shift. From: EPARTRADE at team.
81) Would you please put Rob Frazier on your list to receive your timely hot sheet bulletins and blasts. He’s a Great track announcer, I’m sure that you remember him. I appreciate this all to tatters and hope that you are doing OK/better my friend. Presently hiding out at an undisclosed location somewhere in Oregon (or thereabouts). Doug Stokes
ROB: Welcome. Please send me news on what you are doing.
82) According to the commentator, a 1933 Willys was about 130 quid if you bought it new in 1933. Watch ““DRAGSTRIP” 1960’s DRAG RACING IN UNITED KINGDOM CASTROL OIL PROMO FILM DON GARLITS XD81224″ on YouTube at hcanode.
READERS: This video was shot during the 1964 British Drag Racing Festival. A quid (or British Pound) was worth about $4.50 in 1933, so 130 quid was about $585 during the Great Depression for a new Willys. It’s a great (little) video worth watching.
83) Richard, more relevant information in this post than a lot of magazines. WELL DONE! Paul Escudero
PAUL: Thank you, but the credit goes to others who SEND material to the newsletter. They are the heroes. By The Way-Paul is our newsletter resident Science Fiction author who incorporates trains, cars, trucks, airplanes, submarines and everything automotive into his many books and motion picture scripts.
84) I’m so excited and happy that my youngest Daughter Saera Montgomerycame to the Summit. Thanks to everyone who showed support for this special day! God makes it all possible for me to receive the Lifetime Achievement Award (Transportation & Technology) December 2023. CSI Bill Montgomery
85) Edsel B. Ford IIwas named President and Chief Operation Officer for Ford Motor Credit starting in 1991 and was widely credited for helping bring the Ford Quality Care and Ford Credit brands to NASCAR, where Dale Jarrett took the colors to a NASCAR Cup Series Championship for Robert Yates Racing in 1999. He was also influential in helping bring Robert Yates and Jack Roush (MSHFA Class of 2022) together to form Roush Yates Engines just a few years later. Ford served on the Ford Motor Company Board of Directors for 33 years before retirement and has been very active over the years in philanthropic efforts, including the Detroit 300 Conservancy, the National Advisory Board of the Salvation Army, the Detroit Children’s Fund, the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum and The Henry Ford. From Adam Saal at saalgoodpr.
86) STORIES AVAILABLE ON REQUEST FROM THE GONE RACIN’ ARCHIVES; WRITE TO RnParks1.
GALLERY of Speed Day at the MSM 2014
GAS UP PARTY at MENDENHALL’S 2003
GEAR GRINDERS BANQUET 2009
87) CATALOG Review for the Gone Racin’ Series. Competition Products, reviewed by Richard Parks, 6 March 2024.
The catalog from Competition Products is quite impressive at 258 pages and divided up into 25 color coordinated sections. It has a 2-page index and easy to read instructions at the back of the catalog in how to order parts. The size is 8¼ by 11 inches, and ½ inch thickness. The cover is a high-quality, glossy front and back page, while the interior pages is fair to good stock paper. The depiction of the parts is also adequate to good quality. Competition Products offer free nationwide shipping on orders of $149 or more. Customers can reach this company at 800-233-0199, or by email at info. They also have a tech department available to answer questions. Gone Racin’ is at RnParks1.
88) Trakbytes website at www.trakbytes.co.uk. There are also a number of updates to the 1980’s section provided by long-time contributor Clive Rooms. There are updates to the Hall of Fame files for Sydney&Alan Allard, Allan Herridge,
Peter Crane, Dennis Priddle, Clive Skilton, The Pages, The Stones and Sammy Miller. All the new material has also been added to the Competitor Index, which contains an alphabetical listing of over 2500 names of racers who have made trips up the quarter mile, with links to their places in the archive. Check out the “What’s New” page on the site for a list of all the new material, and don’t forget I’m always keen to hear of any details you think should be included in the archive, or any corrections to any of the current entries. Chris Dossett at chris.
89) March 16, 2024, Little Sparks: My Car + Me 9 AM-10 AM. March 16, 2024, a group of red cars parked in the grass Detailing Workshop (Español) 9 AM-10 AM. March 16, 2024, Teen Auto Workshop (Español) 10 AM-12 PM Learn more.
From: Petersen Automotive Museum, info, 6060 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90036.
90) http://www.eurodragstereventcoverage.com/features/wally_parks_pt2/default.asp.
http://www.eurodragstereventcoverage.com/features/wally_parks_pt3/default.asp.
http://www.eurodragstereventcoverage.com/features/gerry_belton/default.asp.
http://www.eurodragstereventcoverage.com/features/wally_parks_pt4/default.asp.
http://www.eurodragstereventcoverage.com/features/wally_parks_pt5/default.asp.
http://www.eurodragstereventcoverage.com/features/alanallard/default.asp.
John Hunt of the British Drag Racing Historians Association is at johnhunt.drn
91) Inaugural P800 Rally March 18-23, 2024. March 23, 2024, Junior Concours 11 AM-2 PM. March 31, 2024, Silent Cruise-In 8 AM-11 AM. Petersen Automotive Museum, 6060 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90036.
