By Richard Parks
EDITOR: NOT AN ADVERTISEMENT. The Motorsports Newsletter does not take ads but will list notices that are received.
Rusty Wallace Racing will let you race in their cars at Dover Motor Speedway, April 14, 2024, see racewithrusty.com. Costs vary. Bristol Motor Speedway, April 27-28, 2024. Upcoming April & May Events: Hickory Motor Speedway, Richmond Raceway, South Boston Speedway, Lucas Oil Raceway, Nashville Superspeedway, Lonesome Pine Motorsports Park, Houston Motorsports Park, Stafford Motor Speedway, Seekonk Speedway, Kansas Speedway, and Iowa Speedway. Mailing address is Rusty Wallace Racing Experience, 65 Patterson Ave, Pawtucket, Rhode Island, 02860. Seems like a very small fee they charge. There are other businesses that will let amateur drivers on the big oval tracks and drag strips, but they haven’t sent me anything. Caveat: The editor does not encourage you to do so. You race at your own risk; drive safely.
AND: I can use REVIEWS. You don’t have to be an expert. Review videos, books, magazines, newspapers, catalogs, anything that you would like others to know about. The only experience you need is a love for what you review. Long or short, it doesn’t matter. Help out authors, videographers, magazine and newspaper editors, etc, by reviewing their work.
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1) Passings in 2023. In order not to overwhelm readers with grief this will be serialized in coming issues. Frank Aragona Jr, one of the greatest and fiercest NHRA Competition eliminator racers of the modern era, passed away February 10, 2023, surrounded by family after a long and brave battle with cancer. He was 53. https://www.nhra.com/news/
AND: Nelson Carter, longtime Funny Car owner of the Super Chief entries, died February 9, 2023. https://www.nhra.
AND: Veteran NHRA Top Alcohol Funny Car racer Dale Van Gundy, who with partner Keith Clark campaigned the Quarter Pounder entries for more than five decades, has died. See https://www.nhra.
AND: From John Gianoli at jgianoli1@comcast.net. My dad, Bruno Gianoli, passed tonight at 7pm, April 10, 2024.
AND: From Don Smith at dcs1755@sbcglobal.net
AND: From Jon Fon. Bruno had the machine shop in back of Ted Gotelli’s Speed Shop. Nice guy. He told me he attended Sacred Heart High School in San Francisco. Just like me.
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2) This box is EMPTY because you did not send in your comments or news to fill this space. Instead, some COMPLAINED that the newsletter did not represent their interests in Motorsports. SAD, oh so SAD.
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3) BOOK REVIEW Corvette Drag Racing: The Golden Era, by Jim Dillon (2023). Reviewed by Richard Parks for the Gone Racin‘ series of stories and biographies. (to be serialized in the Motorsports Newsletter)
A remarkable book for auto racing fans is Corvette Drag Racing: The Golden Era, by Jim Dillon. This is a sturdy, soft-cover book with a glued spine, measuring 8 1/2 by 11 inches and nearly an inch thick, covering 224 pages, divided into 25 chapters, and containing approximately 338 color and 113 black and white photographs. Dillon self-published this book and there is no printing company listed. The ISBN number is 9798856382265, which you may need if book sellers or buying on-line, though you can reach Dillon at jim@dillonreo.com. The paper quality is very good, with the feel of a heavier bond quality. There is no index, but the author has provided a dedication, preface and acknowledgement. Most readers ignore the why and how the author conceived his work, going directly into the first few chapters in order to understand what the book is about. However, take time to go over the acknowledgement, which tells us the sources used. Jim Dillon can be reached at jim@dillonreo.com and Gone Racin’ is at RnParks1@Juno.com. (to be continued)
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4) BLAST FROM THE PAST…… From the Wally & Barbara Parks story, We Did It Our Way. JANUARY 1941 Throttle Magazine and Jack Jerrils, aka Jack Peters.
Jack Peters saw great progress and hope in 1941. His real name was Jack Jerrils and why he chose to use an alias is a mystery. Peters was a member of the Western Timing Association and would show up at SCTA Board meetings to hand out copies of the WTA dry lakes programs and sell copies of a small publication that he created called Throttle Magazine. It was a monthly publication that reached a niche in auto racing similar to Ray Kuns’ Automobile Racing magazine. Throttle was actually flashier and more modern and up to date than Kuns’ work; it also seemed to please the younger hot rodders more. The magazine was a standard 8 ½ by 11 inches with a two-inch red border on the cover at the top and a gray bottom cover that reproduced a photograph of a race car.
READERS: It WAS a mystery until the editors of Rodder’s Journal came out with THROTTLE: The Complete Collection. This fantastic and well researched book is one of my prize possessions and a mainstay of my library.
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5) AH, THE MEMORIES DEPARTMENT: “A possible Jim McLennan story from Chris Pattison (Allard Dragon and Grim Reaper Nostalgia Altered) UK. Back in the Summer of 1968 I spent a wonderful time as the guest of Larry and Michon Ross staying in San Jose. I met them when Larry was in the USAF stationed in England and they were kind enough to ask me to join them when Larry retired. At the time UK residents were only allowed to take £50 (!) out of the country for holiday expenditure so I had to rely on truly American levels of hospitality, very grateful. We spent almost every weekend at Fremont and Larry persuaded the Manager to give us free passes for the duration on the basis of my antics with the Dragon. This he did with no hesitation although I was amused to note a pair of brass knuckles in the drawer of the cash register! There may have been a bulge on his hip as well but at this distance I cannot be sure, nor do I have a clear recollection of his appearance, but could this have been the legendary Mr McLennan?” Chris Pattison
READERS: Anyone know if McLennan managed Fremont in 1968?
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6) Gone Racin’ … Ak Miller’s Tribute. Story by Richard Parks. June 28, 2005 (to be serialized in upcoming issues)
Ak Miller met Jack Lufkin in the early 1950’s, just after Lufkin got out of the Air Force, and these two became a potent racing team, with Miller tuning the engines and Lufkin setting hundreds of land speed records. They later teamed up with Leonard Carr to form the Miller/Lufkin/Carr land speed racing team that put many people into the 200 MPH Club. Ak was instrumental in helping many young racers, including my brother David Parks, with advice, parts and engines, which assisted them in their racing careers. Miller turned to turbocharging and began another successful career. He made a lot of friends in this new business, including Dick Martin, known as Turboguy. Ak made it a lifetime goal to help others. Many people at the tribute came to pay their respects and to tell Ak how much he has meant to them. (to be continued)
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7) It is an honor to race the 1959 Old Yeller II Buick Special, in the “Peter Collins Trophy Race” at the April 13-14, 2024, Goodwood Members Meeting Race, live streamed…inspiration and beyond. “Peter Collins, British F1 Race Car Driver. For the 1956 season, Peter Collins joined Ferrari on the strength of a superb drive in the previous year’s Targa Florio, in which he partnered Stirling Moss to victory in a Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR. This proved to be a turning point, with a solid second-place finish behind Moss at the Monaco Grand Prix and wins at the Belgian and French Grands Prix. In those early days at Ferrari, Collins earned the unstinting admiration of Enzo Ferrari, devastated by the untimely death from muscular dystrophy at age 24 of his son, Dino and who turned to Collins for solace, treating him as a member of the family. From Ernie
Nagamatsu at etnracer@gmail.com. (to be continued)
ERNIE: Congratulations and we hope Old Yeller II does well at Goodwood.
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8) Book review, City of Speed: Los Angeles and the rise of American Racing, by Joe Scalzo. Reviewed by Doug Stokes. This book was written by Joe Scalzo in 2007 and is considered by many in the sport of motor racing to be one of the best renditions of the true story of speed that smoked out of Los Angeles and that quite literally filled the country with hot, noisy, fast race cars and went ahead to supply a phalanx of fast and fearless young guys to drive them. And Joe’s recounting of this epic time is just as fast and fearless as those drivers and damn well as loud as those unruly race cars. (to be continued in the next issue of the Motorsports Newsletter)
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9) When: June 29, 2024, to July 6, 2024 (Monday to Sunday) Where: Pite Dragway in Layngna’s, just outside Pitea, Sweden What: A week-long celebration of 50 years of drag racing at Pitea Dragway, organized by SHRA Lulea. Events: Get ready for thrilling drag races, Test-N-Tune sessions, and more adrenaline-pumping activities throughout the week. Pitea Dragway: Known for its top-notch track, Pitea Dragway has hosted drag racing competitions for half a century. Imagine standing on the elevated grandstand, watching the racing machines hurtle down the 402.3-meter strip. Robin Millar, MPC-DRAGcartoons, Daughter of Pete Millar, King of Cartoons Publisher, Cartoonist, Dragracer, the creator of CARtoons Magazine, publisher of DRAGcartoons, Ed ‘Big Daddy’ Roth, and Wonder Warthog. 310-529-1831, and
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10) WE GET MAIL DEPARTMENT: You’re still doing a very good job. It’s nice that it’s not all ‘mainstream.’ You individualize it. Keep it up please. Terry Fritz
TERRY: Thank you for the compliment. Please send me news as you hear of it. As Dave Wallace Jr describes the newsletter, “WEIRD, Man, simply weird.” It’s good to be ECLECTIC.
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11) Wally’s stories: courtesy of DRIVE Magazine, by Wally Parks (to be serialized in coming newsletters).
Even so, ‘old-timers,’ to me, are those funny little wooden boxes attached to the firewall on Ford’s early Model-Ts, feeding timed electricity through a simple rotating distributor to the spark plugs. They preceded the ring of V-shaped magnets attached to the flywheel in later Mode-Ts and which we hot rodders removed to lessen the weight of our flywheels. NHRA’s Museum is the result of many years’ hopeful planning, until its quarters – a concrete structure built by the government’s WPA (Work Progress Administration) in 1939 – was made available by the Los Angeles County Fairplex for 1998 opening. It was a dark-interior building, but it had a row of glass-front showcases stretching down its center, just waiting for somebody’s ‘show and tell’ discovery. And that someone was us! After what seemed like years, with Fairplex cooperation, we had renovated the building and made it into a bright showplace, ready for assembling the best artifacts and vehicles we could muster – to reflect a long overdue history of not only the best of drag racing, but many of the allied fields in many of the other historic forms of motorsports. (to be continued).
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12) April Vintage Metal Magazine (google https://indd.
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13) CSI Bill Montgomery visited Cincinnati where his sister Jackie Montgomery teaches math & science to 4th, 5th & 6 grade students and spoke about NASA, the space program of Artemis and technology. Today we are getting ready for Humans to go up on the SLS phase II of the mission. This time the news stopped by to show the need for safety in the streets out in front of the school. This is right up my wheelhouse being a transportation and technology expert. We need to bring back drivers’ education and lab/shop classes back to High School immediately. Media and Press is a good way to share what’s really going on to help get people’s attention to do something about it. Enjoy the stories and join me and the Hidden Pioneers as we go on a Nationwide tour with Prime Motivation.
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14) Books and Manuals from CarTech Publishing, 6118 Main Street, North Branch, Minnesota 55056, 1-800-551-4754,
www.CarTechBooks.com. 1) Quart
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15) NASCAR sports gambling policy gets drivers’ attention; enforcement a challenge maintaining the sport’s integrity is paramount, particularly as online sports gambling grows. NASCAR determined to cash in on sports gambling. The goal is to turn increased betting interest in NASCAR into higher TV ratings, larger attendance. From Don Smith and Autoweek Racing Daily autoweek@newsletter.
READERS POLL: Is this the proper way to go in motorsports or is it an inroad for corruption and unfairness?
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16) DRAGSTRIPS in the USA and Canada. National Speedway Directory, 2504 Lake Avenue, Wilmette, Illinois.
Saint Thomas Raceway Park (Formerly Saint Thomas Dragway), Sparta, Ontario, Canada 1/4-mile.
Samoa Drag Strip, Eureka, California, 1/4-mile.
San Antonio Raceway, San Antonio, Texas, 1/4-mile.
Sand Mountain Dragway, Section, Alabama, 1/8-mile.
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17) Oscar Koveleski was back on July 21, 1955, to take on the Brynfan Tyddyn Hillclimb race in the EM class and completed eleven laps but did not finish the race or the race was called at that point. (source: SCCA) “I remember listening to a meeting between Ed Lowther and Oscar. Oh, how I wish I had a tape recording of them! Ray Stone sent me a reference to an on-line video of a presentation with tons of details and short videos of actual races at the 1955 Fairchild races in Hagerstown, Maryland, featuring the President’s Cup.” Johnny Bornholdt. (to be continued)
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18) Dave Wallace Jr reports on circulation problems in the 1970’s drag racing publications. (continued from last week). One of our sister tabloids inside those swanky Newport Beach offices was Motorsports Weekly, whose paid circulation was given as 200,000 to advertisers. Its editor never could understand why little Drag News, with one-TENTH that number of subscribers, always received so much more reader mail than his paper. I’d later learn from another former employee that Motorsports Weekly’s total press run actually averaged TWO thousand copies, mostly distributed free at events & mailed to potential advertisers. Goodyear’s ad buyer either didn’t know or didn’t care, paying full price for each issue’s centerspread.
Finding myself unemployed & consequently flat broke twice in two years might’ve made a smarter person find another line of work. Thus was my thinking until Hot Rod magazine got wind of the Rackemann blowup & offered the writing job that I’d dreamt of since age 10. Haven’t had a check bounce since!
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19) Know your motorsports personality. Mark Rushbrook, Global Director, Ford Performance. Rushbrook oversees all of Ford’s racing initiatives globally in NASCAR with Mustang and F-150, Ford’s return to F1 with Oracle Red Bull Racing, Dakar, IMSA with Mustang GT3, WEC with Mustang GT3, SRO with Mustang GT3 and GT4, NHRA with Mustang Funny Car, SCORE with Bronco and F-150, Ultra4 with Bronco, Formula Drift with Mustang, World of Outlaws, WRC with Puma Rally1, Repco Supercars Championship with Mustang and more. Compiled from Epartrade.
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20) Latest news from Lions Automobilia Foundation media@
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21) Allen Berg Racing and Doran Motorsports Group (DMG) have joined forces for the 2024 season. Berg DMG Racing is set to compete in the 2024 Ligier JSF4 Series. DMG has helped launch the careers of many drivers, pushing race winners to the next level. “We are very excited to welcome the new alliance of Francois Doran, Alex Berg, and Allen Berg to the paddock this season.” Expressed USF4 Series Director Scott Goodyear. “I’ve known Allen since we raced FF1600 cars against each other years ago. Their combined experience will bring another top team to the series fighting for a Championship.” Allen Berg is at questions@
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22) Saturdays, 9:30AM, Petersen Automotive Museum’s “The Vault Workshop.” Presenting our Workshop Tour, an exclusive experience led by one of our expert docents, limited to 25 guests per week. The tour is a rare insight into our process of maintaining and restoring vehicles within our possession. Anticipate thrilling moments with sneak peeks at new exhibit vehicles, and fantastic photo opportunities. A little-known fact: in an effort to preserve the original condition of our cars, the majority of our cars run and drive, all thanks to our expert and brilliant mechanics. From: info@
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23) We need your vote for the Museum of American Speed located at 599 Oak Creek Drive, Lincoln, NE 68528. Go to
coln-nebraska/, to cast your vote. Museum of American Speed museum@
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24) Joining Dos Palmas will be the Mooneyes dragster that was the first American dragster ever to race in the United Kingdom in 1963. It was the car that really ignited British drag racing. Both iconic dragsters will be on display at Santa Pod’s Dragstalgia event on July 5-7, 2024. Also on the team will be American Randy Bradford and his nitro-burning Fiat Fuel Altered. Randy runs one of the last but fastest classic Fuel Altered’s in the United States and he will be racing Nick Davies in Havoc at Dragstalgia. “This is fantastic news,” said Nick Davies of ICE Automotive, “Havoc has been parked for some time as we really don’t have any similar cars to race but having Randy come over means we’ll load some nitro in the old Bantam and hopefully put that Fiat on the trailer.” Tony Thacker tonythacker32@gmail.
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25) WE GET MAIL DEPARTMENT: Always enjoy your efforts! But please, NO race results. (If I read your intro correctly). Race results are available immediately, be it your watch, computer, tablet, TV, etc. You’ll be wasting your time giving results that will be old news by the time it reaches your readers. I was in the newspaper industry for 43 years and saw it (news) literally kill newspapers via a slow death (as it is now) because many relied on the AP (Associated Press) to fill their pages. Internet made AP news old news by the time it was printed. Unique and Local news is how some of the remaining newspapers are surviving. Keep doing what you do Richard…giving “local” and unique news about our great racing industry and sport. Just my opinion. Greg Zyla extramile_2000@yahoo.com.
GREG: Sage and astute advice. I will try and do just that with a few exceptions: allowing rare news in, such as Speedway Bike, ice-racing and other under-reported results.
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26) In 1981, IMSA champion Jim Downing posed a significant safety question to his brother-in-law Robert Hubbard: “What can be done about head injuries in motor racing?” A professor of biomechanical engineering at Michigan State, Hubbard responded by inventing the HANS device, which Car and Driver Magazine would later describe as the “best safety invention since the seat belt.” Downing and Hubbard’s story is the subject of “CRASH! From Senna to Earnhardt How the HANS Helped Save Racing.” From: Judy Stropus is at jstropus@earthlink.net.
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27) Beth Paretta, Owner of Paretta Autosport and Co-Founder of WIMNA, Dicky Riegel, President and CEO of Lime Rock Park, and Brooke Bond, Motorsport Manager, Bosch US Motorsport, joined us for the 4th Annual Race Industry Week.
From: EPARTRADE at team@epartrade.com.
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28) Lions Automobilia Foundation’s 3rd Hall of Fame Awards Dinner & Silent Auction, Thursday, November 14, 2024, 4:45 PM-10 PM, Rancho Dominguez, CA 90221. Guests will be able to enjoy the Lions Automobilia Foundation Museum, from the eclectic collection of vintage race cars, muscle cars and hot rods to the city streets within the museum walls and the re-creation of the Lions Drag Strip. The evening begins with a cocktail mixer in the Long Beach Grand Prix Paddock Club followed by dinner and presentation of the Legends of Lions Award Ceremony. Proceeds from this event and silent auction go to support the Lions Automobilia Foundation Youth Engagement and Career Path Programs. Geared to engage students and young adults by unveiling the history of motorsports car culture in Southern California and assist them in discovering craftsmanship and passion invested in vehicle restoration, maintenance, and design. media@
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29) Online Vehicle Spotlight, Petersen Automotive Museum. Check out our Vehicle Spotlight on the Plymouth XNR. We’ve begun the process of archiving all of our vehicles online, including some of our most popular cars. From Netflix’s “Car Masters: Rust to Riches,” is the Plymouth XNR in our personal collection at the Petersen Automotive Museum. Currently residing in The Vault for public perusal, we have made it available online as a digital spotlight. From: info@
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30) I was happy to see Harry Hibler’s remarks, a racer, publisher, and all-around solid promoter of past and present drag racing. For over a year he has quietly worked on a project that I asked him to promote. Just recently he announced that he was able to hand that project to David Steele of American Hot Rod Foundation who has agreed to take the tape from an 8-track tape and will digitalize it showcasing Gene Kidders efforts at the first dragway in Omaha, Nebraska called Flightland. As so many early tracks were, it was an airport owned and operated by a man named Don Kroeger. Gene with his banking background and racing efforts promoted the paving, sanctioning and financing through Omaha National Bank and a lot of community effort to get the dragracers off the streets. Harry Hibler has also contributed to the effort by donating his background work on Cadzilla and many other early ventures promoting American Hot Rods expansion of museum pieces. Thanks to all who move the sport and its people forward in a positive way. Susann Kidder
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31) Our purpose is to Educate America about the basics of Transportation & Technology (Awareness, Events). Since 2004 we have been attending school events with Hidden Pioneers & Prime Motivation. Google: Charter Local Edition with Bill Montgomery, Marketing Team – Prime Motivation – YouTube. Hidden Pioneers.
The first video is 2 minutes of what we will see of the 2024 total solar eclipse: Through the Eyes of NASA (Highlights) (youtube.com). Google: https://www.youtube.com/watch?
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32) Royce Rumsey just published “Family Affair.” There are few cars that create a design feature so distinctive that it becomes the name for that feature across the entire automotive industry. Such is the case with the Lincoln Continental Mk I and its distinctive rear-mounted spare that became known simply as “The Continental Kit,” regardless of the automotive marque. Henry Ford II’s personal 1947 Lincoln Continental MkI Convertible is part of the renowned Lyon Collection. Google https://roycer924.
incisive and well researched writing.
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33) June 16, 2024, 28th Annual Father’s Day Cruisin’ Downtown Brea Car Show, 10am-4pm, Birch Street, Brea, CA. Show is benefiting the Orange County Food Bank. Cruisin’ Brea invites all Classic Cars, Street Rods, Musclecars, Trucks, Exotics, Sports Cars & Antiques. website at www.CruisinBrea.com. We are also producing the Palm Springs Car Show on Saturday, October 5th in Palm Springs, www.PalmSpringsCarFest.com. Craig Hoelzel at Craig@Flyinguces.com.
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34) Richard, Jack Dolan got me onto the newsletter a long while ago. As my only interest was LSR, go ahead a drop me from your mailing list. Mike Kelly
MIKE: I DON’T WANT YOU TO GO. Actually, the LSR news has been slow because the racing season hasn’t started yet. Mike Kaehny will be sending me news and I should have a lot more beginning in May. And Mike, I need your news and stories too. I’m keeping you on. I don’t remove LSR guys. My dad would skin me alive if I let an LSR guy go.
LSR FANS & RACERS: Help me out here with the news. LSR is close to the Parks Family’s Heart. Mike replied and he is staying. News, I need news.
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35) 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
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36) If it was just a few people complaining or it had only been going on for a race or two or even just one season. The bitching and moaning could be chalked up to the ol’ “racers always bitch.” But things have been strange in the PSM class since around the time Harley joined with V&H and brought in big money. This is not an overnight or even one racing season complaint and or problem. It has been an ongoing problem for the class for a long time. I have spoken about this, and I saw it firsthand in the 2000’s. Don Redmon at replikad@gmail.com.
DON: We don’t call it bitching, it’s “Mostly Peaceful Protesting.” Racers are nice guys and gals.
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37) 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@nhramuseum.org.
READERS: Here is the link to the museum’s flyer. 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 half to contestants. A $5 entry fee also provides access to the museum. Members of the museum get in free.
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38) “KARTING” by Leroi Tex Smith. Review by Doug Stokes at stokes28doug@gmail.com, for the Newsletter.
By the way, I’ve always preferred, referred, and capitalized the word, and have sworn a blood oath to NEVER to use the word “Go Kart” as that was the registered name of a specific company that manufactured Karts. You won’t find any modern day “Super Karts” with motorcycle engines and multi-speed gearboxes in this book, that came much later. And actually, the first Karts were all “direct drive” with no clutch at all … lift up the back end of the Kart, run, put the rear wheels back down on the ground and hop on … or have a friend do the same will you sat in the seat).
DOUG: Thank you for the review. Readers, please send any reviews you want, and I will publish it.
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39) The Official Newsletter of the DLRA 2 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING With the cancellation of Speed Week we also lost the chance to conduct the Annual General meeting. We are arranging for each State to provide a location to meet and a Zoom hook-up so that we can all be virtually together. There will be a General Meeting starting at 11am preceding the AGM where nominations for positions will be made, so if you are keen to help the club you need to be on the meeting or email us to let us know your intentions. All members will be sent an email with agendas and an invitation to join the Zoom meeting, so make sure we have your current email address. We have delegates in most States organising the meetings; Gus in Western Australia, Michael in South Australia, the Carlsons in New South Wales, Shane in Northern Territories, Bob in Queensland, Adrian in Tasmania and Greg in Victoria. Look for details as they become available on the DLRA Facebook page. Gary Satara at gsatara@
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40) HIDDEN PIONEERS: TEAM STRUCTURE & MEMBERS: DIRECTOR (CSI) BILL MONTGOMERY see Charter local edition, marketing team, Prime Motivation on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/
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41) DRAGSTRIPS in the USA and Canada. National Speedway Directory, 2504 Lake Avenue, Wilmette, Illinois.
Little River Dragway, Temple, Texas, 1/4-mile.
London Dragway, London, Kentucky, 1/4-mile.
Lonestar Motorsports Park, Sealy, Texas, 1/4-mile.
Lost Creek Raceway, Anaconda, Montana, 1/8-mile.
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42) From Voyage LA Magazine at https://voyagela.
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43) November 3, 2024, Brazilian Grand Prix Sao Paulo, Brazil.
November 3, 2024, Xfinity 500 Martinsville, Indiana.
November 3, 2024, NHRA Nevada Nationals Las Vegas, Nevada.
November 3, 2024, 6 Hours of Bahrain Sakhir, Bahrain.
November 3, 2024, Malaysia Sepang, Malaysia.
November 10, 2024, Cup Series Finale Phoenix, Arizona.
November 17, 2024, In-N-Out Burger NHRA Finals Pomona, California.
November 17, 2024, Grand Prix of Valencia Cheste, Valencia, Spain.
November 24, 2024, USA Las Vegas Grand Prix, Las Vegas, Nevada.
December 1, 2024, Qatar Grand Prix Losail, Qatar.
December 8, 2024, Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Yas Marina Circuit, Abu Dhabi.
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44) The Trakbytes website has been updated with 28 new or updated entries spanning 31 years of UK Drag racing history. The latest updates run from 1973 to 2004 and include the first UK drivers to compete in the USA. The archive entry for this event includes a link to an excellent article written many years ago for the site by Simon Groves. British Drag racing Historians Clive Rooms and Jerry Cookson have supplied a lot of the new material for the 1980’s section, and the latest entry covers the 2004 Easter Thunderball and Pro Fuel Shootout where two rookie Top Fuel drivers were making their licensing runs, one of whom was to become a future European champion, and one who is now running in the NHRA series. Also, the seventh and final volume of the Retford Scrapbooks has been uploaded. This contains more features and race reports from various publications from 1975 including the first UK rider into the eights and return visit of Danny Johnson
and his twin-engined Harley. Chris Dossett is at chris@trakbytes.co.uk.
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45) BLAST FROM THE PAST. From the Wally & Barbara Parks story, We Did It Our Way. MAY 1932: Dad’s first trip to the dry lakes. “The nearest thing to it, that I could imagine, would be like landing on the moon! After all the anticipation and last-minute preparation, a late night’s journey to Muroc dry lake and arrival at that legendary expanse of desert vastness was a one-time experience, never to be matched or ever forgotten. That was in 1932, when three of us young guys headed north out of Los Angeles in a 1925 Model-T Ford coupe with its freshly installed ’29 Model-A flathead engine.
CAN YOU IMAGINE: That one trip to the desert led to a career in motorsports and the founding of the NHRA.
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46) Vintage Metal Magazine (Western Australia) VSCC of WA Calendar 2024/June. Editor Bob Campbell.
1 Mt Clarence Hillclimb Club Hillclimb Championship Rd 2
2 Albany Classic Club Regularity Championship Rd 2 (Historic only)
8 Dad’s Army (working on the fabulous VSCC clubhouse)
10 General Meeting
11 Management Committee
17 Competition Group
18 Dad’s Army
25 Dad’s Army
1 Mt Clarence Hillclimb Club Hillclimb Championship Rd 2
2 Albany Classic Club Regularity Championship Rd 2 (Historic only)
8 Dad’s Army (working on the fabulous VSCC clubhouse)
10 General Meeting
11 Management Committee
17 Competition Group
18 Dad’s Army
25 Dad’s Army
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47) Hidden Pioneers brings you the industry leaders of today & tomorrow in Transportation & Technology. Meet Pioneer Dave Marek of Acura at the Summit. https://drive.google.com/file/
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48) 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,
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.
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49) For anyone who wants a copy of The Nitro Mash, send your request to rossgallagher@gmail.com. Ro
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50) Hall of Fame Inductee Bill Holland IDRHOF Founders Award. In 1968 Holland and Guedel updated their car and introduced an exciting new sponsor, TV’s Art Linkletter’s House Party. This show was network televised and a PR coup as it was the first time drag racing was positively featured in a nationally formatted broadcast. Also, in 1968 Bill Holland found himself writing a motorsports column for the Hollywood Citizen-Times, Valley News. In 1969 Bill accepted the Editorship of NHRA’s National Dragster weekly newspaper. He held that position until 1974 when he opened Holland Communications, an advertising and marketing agency focusing on the motorsports’ aftermarket. James Hill jameshill1947@gmail.com.
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51) The NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series first four-wide event of the season with the NHRA 4-Wide Nationals from The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway! Tune-in Friday at 11pm ET and Sunday at 11am ET for qualifications on FS1, followed by eliminations on Sunday evening at 7pm ET on FS1. Don’t miss a moment of the action in Phoenix by becoming a subscriber to NHRA.tv. Catch every second of NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series racing this year, plus select NHRA Sportsman events, historical archives, and more. NHRA, 140 Via Verde, Suite 100, San Dimas, CA 91773.
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52) STORIES AVAILABLE ON REQUEST FROM THE GONE RACIN’ ARCHIVES; WRITE TO RnParks1@juno.com.
GRAND National Roadster Show 2014
GRAND National Roadster Show 2016
GREAT AMERICAN ROAD RACE 2007
Story of Thomas ‘Pork Pie’ Graf at Bonneville
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53) This Week on Cars Yeah Mark Greene will interview Chris MacAllister (Vintage Racer). Chaya Milchstein (Author). Debbie Brisco (Vintage Racer). Ray Shaffer (Vintage Racer). Mark Greene is at Cars Yeah info@carsyeah.com, 4618 131st St Ct NW, Gig Harbor, Washington 98332.
READERS: This show is fantastic for automotive fans. Each show is about 30 minutes and Mark has done nearly 2500 interviews, many of whom you may know, and each one is very special. Mark will interview you for his show too, so send him your summary of your racing experience. I was interviewed and he made it so easy for me.
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54) Sienna Wildgust, NHRA Pro Stock’s youngest female racer is ‘breath of fresh air’ rival and 104-time winner Greg Anderson calls the 17-year-old Canadian, ‘The real deal.’ Ida Zetterstrom plays the waiting game before anticipated NHRA Top Fuel debut the 2023 FIA European drag racing champion determined to be successful ‘on the highest possible level.’ From Don Smith and Autoweek Racing Daily autoweek@newsletter.
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55) 100 Years of Legends: The Official Celebration of the Le Mans 24-Hours, all the important subjects have their place, including the great drivers and cars, and are presented in an appealing style with plenty of thought-provoking angles. Technical evolution receives particularly enlightening coverage, with emphasis on the innovations and curiosities so evident at Le Mans over the years. Extensive period illustration blends with infographics, diagrams, poster artwork and memorabilia to provide a visually vivid presentation. This is the complete story of the Le Mans 24-Hours, told from the inside. Judy Stropus is at jvstropus@gmail.com, or www.evropublishing.com.
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56) Coastal 181 Book Store (serving East Coast racing fans) www.coastal181.com or 1-877-907-8181. Titles include: “Rock ‘Em, Sock ‘Em, Travelin’ Sideways Dirt Show,” by Gary L. Parker. “Vintage Speed Parts, the Equipment that Fueled the Industry,” by Tony Thacker (reviewed at Gone Racin’). “Roland Leong ‘The Hawaiian,’ Drag Racing’s Iconic Top Fuel Owner & Tuner,” by Lou Hart (reviewed at Gone Racin’). “Early Funny Cars: 1964-1975,” by Lou Hart.
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57) Remembering Jim McLennan; courtesy of Don Smith. I first met Jim McLennan while we were looking for the Vagabond dragster. We would see him at all the races and stop to talk. He always called us “The Kids” and interested in the restoration and what was new. We were trying to track down the old “Champion” car later to become the M&R special. I will miss he’s smiling face and great stories. I found out by listening to his stories that he and my dad raced out at the Great Hiway at the same time, just in different car clubs. Larry Anderson
AND: Each time I saw Jim McLennan, he made me feel like family. His smile and warmth were contagious, and his big bear-hugs made you feel safe. I have missed seeing him at the races and am very saddened that his physical presence will not visit us there again. But his spirit, well, that’s another story. He is alive in my heart, and I will truly miss him. Mendy Fry
AND: Years later when my husband and I moved to the Boston area, Aunt Dot wrote to me to let me know that if things didn’t work out, she and Uncle Jim would send plane tickets for me and my son Matt. Ironically, my husband Brian was already one of Jim’s biggest fans and remained so! Fast forward to 1989 back in California building a house in rural Wilton. Uncle Jim McLennan and John Richardson came up to do the rough plumbing. What a special time – learning to weld copper and interpreting my husband’s Bostonian accent for them. Then later he and Mike came up with two plumbers and set all the fixtures. Mind you, of course, he wouldn’t take a penny for anything! He always made everyone in his life feel special, didn’t he, and anyone who knew him was blessed. Such a bittersweet time. Jeanice McNamara
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58) ABB FIA Formula E World Championship/Date/Country/
13 January 2024 Mexico Mexico City
26-27 January 2024 Saudi Arabia Diriyah
10 February 2024 India Hyderabad
16 March 2024 Brazil São Paulo
30 March 2024 Japan Tokyo
13-14 April 2024 Italy TBD
27 April 2024 Monaco Monaco
11-12 May 2024 Germany Berlin
25-26 May 2024 China Shanghai
29-30 June 2024 United States Portland
20-21 July 2024 Great Britain London
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59) A White House representative attended the February 23, 2024, SEMA Youth Conference to present my Lifetime Achievement Award for Volunteer Service in Transportation & Technology work for our country. He enjoyed the two special cars in the SEMA Garage/Lab downstairs. He took some nice pictures and opened up to me about how he likes cars and his sports Mercedes vehicle. Awesome man with a cool deep voice to make his point of excellence. Bill Montgomery
BILL: Congratulations. You worked hard and served our nation well and we are proud of your efforts.
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60) Book review, City of Speed: Los Angeles and the rise of American Racing, by Joe Scalzo. Reviewed by Doug Stokes.
“If anything (and like virtually all of Scalzo’s work) this book really ought to come equipped with a full seat belt and shoulder harness set up. It’s a direct (jolting at times) full-throttle saga of the streets of Los Angeles and the hopped-up car culture of southern California where white knuckles were standard equipment and speed was almost a religion. You really can’t miss it, there’s a cadence, a beat if you will, to this adrenaline-soaked story here. For me it feels like that special kind of punched up/low down, thumping/pumping timing of progressive jazz music, the beat sneaks up, slaps you in the back your head, whistles by and then turns back and just smiles at you.” Truth: not a word of this book is made up, cantilevered, puffed-up, false, phony, or over-hyped, this is the straight-on, true story of the real deal, the here fearlessly cataloged and well-certified. (This is the last in the installments of Joe Scalzo’s book, reviewed by Doug Stokes)
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61) Know your motorsports personality. Jim Campbell is Vice President of GM Performance & Motorsports. Jim is also responsible for strategy and product-marketing of Chevrolet and GMC trucks as well as accessories. Epartrade.
Mike Burch, Chief Operating Officer of Speedway Motorsports, joined us for the 4th Annual Race Industry Week. Hosted by Brad Gillie from SiriusXM, Channel 90, Late Shift. From: EPARTRADE team@epartrade.com.
Shaver Specialties Racing Engines will present this live webinar on Wednesday, April 17 at 9 am PST. Presented by Ron Shaver and “Dyno” Don MacAskill. Hosted by Jeff Hammond from SiriusXM, Channel 90.
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62) Combined World of Outlaws and High Limit Sprint Car Schedules/Date/Track/City/
7/12/2024 Wilmot Raceway Wilmot WI (Outlaws)
7/13/2024 Wilmot Raceway Wilmot WI (Outlaws)
7/13/2024 Portsmouth Raceway Park Portsmouth OH (High Limit)
7/16/2024 Attica Raceway Park Attica OH (Outlaws)
7/17/2024 Eldora Speedway Rossburg OH (High Limit)
7/18/2024 Eldora Speedway Rossburg OH (High Limit)
7/19/2024 Eldora Speedway Rossburg OH (Outlaws)
7/20/2024 Eldora Speedway Rossburg OH (Outlaws)
7/23/2024 Lernerville Speedway Sarver PA (High Limit)
7/24/2024 BAPS Motor Speedway York Haven PA (Outlaws)
7/26/2024 Williams Grove Speedway Mechanicsburg PA (Outlaws)
7/27/2024 Williams Grove Speedway Mechanicsburg PA (Outlaws)
7/28/2024 Weedsport Speedway Weedsport NY (Outlaws)
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63) Sherm Porter’s Schedule of car shows and events (fuely32@sbcglobal.net)
MAY 4, 2024, 23rd Hot Copper Car Show 2024, Copperopolis, Lake Tulloch Lions Club, open to all year cars & motorcycles, raffles, music, food/bars, 8am–3pm. Mary or Sue @ 209-213-3038 or www.hotcoppercarshow.com.
MAY 4, 2024, Hagerty Cars & Caffeine Car Show at Weathertech Laguna Seca Trans Am Speedfest. 863-698-8620 or tc@svra.com or www.speedtour.net/laguna-seca/
MAY 4-5, 2024, 4th Classic Car/Truck Show, Mariposa Fairgrounds. Butterfly Festival, www.Mariposabutterflyfestival.
MAY 5, 2024, 39th Annual Spring Turlock Swap Meet & Car Show, Stanislaus County Fairgrounds, CA. C10 PALOOZA – For info: 209-201-8491 or www.springfallturlock.com.
MAY 5, 2024, 41st Annual Classic Car Show, Rancho San Antonio Boys Home. https://www.
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64) The John Massingberd Memorial Award has been presented by the Pro Modified Racing Association (PMRA) to a new, deserving individual, who represents the same commitment, dedication and passion that John Massingberd conveyed for the sport of auto racing. This year’s award was presented on April 14, 2024, at the Drag Strip Memories show at the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum in Mount Hope, Ontario Canada to Erik Tomas. Massingberd, a long-time motor
sports media personality, was instrumental in promoting Canadian motorsports until his passing in December of 2008, after a long and courageous battle with ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. Bruce F. Mehlenbacher can be reached at
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65) Meet the amazing 10-year-old Jeremiah 1 & 5. A Journalist from Las Vegas who is led by his mother & TEAM HP. Google https://youtu.be/
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66) As it was in 2023 V&H’s main rider Gaige Herrera managed to win just about every PSM race last year. Gaige is from the Grudge Bike world. As Matt Smith says, V&H went from a Harley that regardless of what the rule book says, no one else could buy or ride. This is true as I am aware that they did offer a Harley back then to a rider I know for an exorbitant price with the provision that ONLY V&H could touch and maintain the bike. They are doing similar things now with who or which teams can get what Suzuki factory parts. There seems to be one set of rules for them and a different set of PSM rules for everyone else. Don Redmon at replikad@gmail.com.
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67) April Vintage Metal Magazine (google https://indd.
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68) BENETTON: Rebels of Formula 1, this book tells the entire 1986–2001 history of the Benetton team for the first time with insightful contributions from many of the key participants, including Flavio Briatore, Alessandro Benetton, Pat Symonds and Rory Byrne. With a lavish array of images accompanying the authoritative text, this is a book that will delight all Formula 1 enthusiasts. Judy Stropus at jvstropus@gmail.com
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69) Locked rearends; pros and cons, by Dale Cook. On the drag strip, and with factory suspension, torque applied to the drivetrain would twist the rear axle housing via the torque applied at the pinion. The effect lessened the tire-to-ground pressure of the right rear wheel, letting that tire spin. Utilizing some type of locking device as to the differential function, caused both tires to turn together and avoided “Smoking the Right Rear.” However, as things developed, including more and more Horsepower and specifically torque at the rear-end, it became imperative that both right and left drive tires have equal pressure to the ground. A properly designed and adjusted suspension system will have equal pressure on the drive tires. Anything less sets the stage for “Squirrely” handling. Any time that one “Slick” has more traction, there is the uncertainty as to the outcome of the “Pass.” (to be continued in the next issue)
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70) NOSTALGIC MEMORIES DEPARTMENT: “Major memories, apart from the racing, were of a gorgeous long-haired brunette who was always leaning on the rail when we were up in the bleachers at Fremont and all the girls in the ’27-T Touring that was always lurking behind the start line. Hey, I was only 20 years old! A racer with an Austin Gasser offered to give me a ride but the Manager (Jim McLennan?) wouldn’t allow it on the grounds of insurance coverage. However, I did get to run a Shelby GT350 Rent-a-Racer down the hallowed Fremont strip but, of course, that was not it’s natural element and not very exciting. I don’t have many regrets in my 76-year life, but I could have gone to see Janis Joplin, Big Brother and the Holding Company at San Jose Fairgrounds on May 18th, but decided to go to the Drags instead, figuring I would catch up with her some other time.” Cheers, Chris Pattison (Allard Dragon and Grim Reaper Nostalgia Altered) UK.
READERS: Will the lovely brunette please send Chris an email?
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71) Gone Racin’ … Ak Miller’s Tribute. Story by Richard Parks. June 28, 2005 (to be serialized in upcoming issues)
Jim and Steve Shaw edited film of Ak Miller’s career and made a video that was riveting to watch. Marilyn Miller donated the food and beverages for the guests. Robert “Pete” Petersen, Mr Hot Rod Magazine, Jerry Kugel and others donated funds to help put on the tribute. Boyd Harnell developed his photographs from the Pan-Americana Road Race and enlarged them to give to his old friend. Ed Justice Jr, president of Justice Brothers Car Care Products, put on a magic show that kept the audience enthralled, except for his dad, Ed Justice Sr, who knew all the tricks. George Barris came to pay his respects and to note that “the car culture has really come along.” George had just finished his own car show and auction in Hollywood in conjunction with Debbie Baker to raise funds for cancer research. (to be continued)
BUCKET LIST SUGGESTIONS: That everyone who has not seen Ed Justice Jr do his magic tricks get that chance.
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72) Royce Rumsey just published “Vier, Funf, Sechs.” VIER, FUNF, SECHS AutoGraphus Auto-Art Retrospective of Lufts 4, 5 and 6. In its first decade “Luft” (as it’s commonly known) has grown from a handful of air-cooled enthusiasts holding an ersatz bar-b-que gathering in Venice, California to multiple gatherings around the world, celebrating both the air and water-cooled variants of the Porsche brand. Go to https://roycer924.exposure.
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73) Hidden Garages Teasers ready to watch & share. Talk Fusion video at https://video-newsletters.
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74) F1 reveals 2025 schedule: Australia returns as opening race timing of Ramadan will keep the opener from returning to Middle East. Picking a Mount Rushmore (plus 4) of American racing Is sure to start a debate Autoweek asked veteran journalists and industry insiders to give us their top-8; the results were a little surprising. From Don Smith and Autoweek Racing Daily autoweek@newsletter.
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75) SoCal Solid Axle Corvette Club, Saturday, April 20, 2024, 9am-2pm. Stop by the Lions Automobilia Foundation for coffee and donuts, meet the So Cal Solid Axle Corvette Club and check out their rides. SPECIAL GUEST SPEAKER: Carl Olson, the 1972 NHRA Winternationals Top Fuel Eliminator and Lions “Last Drag Race” Champion, will be our featured guest speaker starting at 11am on the starting line inside the Lions Automobilia Museum. The Lions Team is attending the following events: 1) Fabulous Fords Forever at Irwindale Raceway on Sunday, April 21 from 10am to 3pm. 2) Seal Beach Classic Car Show on Main Street in Seal Beach on Saturday, April 27 from 9am to 3pm. 3) Women Motor Fest SoCal at Marconi Automotive Museum on Saturday, April 27 from 10am to 2pm. Lions Automobilia Foundation 2790 E Del Amo Blvd, East Rancho Dominguez, CA 90221-6008. media@
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76) I had a great day under the Sun as the Moon crossed over at 54% eclipse here in Corona, CA just as the NASA report said. It was a great site to see with the NASA issued solar glasses from Houston Space center. I also was able to call and speak to Dan Cherry who has helped me for more than 6 years with NASA material for the schools and youth movement. Dan was at an event with his family and other people watching the total eclipse in Texas. I love this current technology as we are able to do so much more than before in our lifetime. Bill Montgomery
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77) I got to thinking about how I came to write about some of the Legends of Hot Rodding and Ed Pink comes to mind. I was at SEMA, running late, not paying attention, when I ran into Ed, literally, knocking him down! Only then did I realize it was Ed Pink! Dusting Ed off, I asked; ‘do you have a minute’? It was so gratifying when Ed grabbed my sleeve at the Nitro Revival. Ed thanked me for writing his story in Rod & Custom. (August, 2012). Dick Martin
DICK: Ed Pink’s story will show up in this week’s newsletter. Serialized of course.
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78) ED PINK story, written by Dick Martin 2012 (captions left in text, to be serialized)
Hot rodders didn’t assemble engines—you know, put them back together as the manufacturer intended, your friendly car dealer did that. Hot rodders built engines. That bunch of upstarts not only didn’t follow the instructions, but they also had the audacity to improve Detroit’s designs by miles per hour that is! Flat-out miles per hour was not just confined to land speed racing, but at the newly introduced quarter-mile track in Santa Ana called a dragstrip. As drag racing progressed, sheer brutal horsepower powered the sport. That’s when the heavy hitters wanted a Black or Pink engine, and we’re not talkin’ color here! Black was the late Keith Black of the Greer-Black-Prudhomme dragster fame, and Pink is Ed Pink. To see the captioned photographs go to https://www.motortrend.com/
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79) C.S.I Bill Montgomery greets the fine men and women of the armed services at the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW 742). Click on this very cool Nitty Gritty report by Rodney Allen Rippy & CSI Bill from the Hidden Pioneers. Go to
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80) There are a lot more out there now, The Man Cub being one of the largest sanctioning groups now. https://www.
racemancup.com/, https://www.
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81) The World Championship ICE Racing Series racers: Logan McGrane; Beau Tackett; Blake Svensson; Dustin Paul; Jake Mataya; Jeremy Orr; Josh Shoup; Kenny Dahlin; Kirk Cheney; Mitch Harvat; Virgil Dale. Google:
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82) Trailblazers Banquet – April 6, 2024. For those that want to see this 79th gathering again or if you sadly missed it is available on the Trailblazers Facebook page. Here is the link, give it a look you’ll be glad you did. https://www.face
book.com/trailblazersmc/
book.com/media/set/?vanity=
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