Motorsports Newsletter 8/21/24

By Richard Parks

1) EDITOR’S CORNER: Museums, Libraries, Hall of Fame Program problems continued. Name recognition. In the last issue we discussed important and well-known people and corporations that can make an honors program more successful and less stressful. Individuals are liable to stay, but companies are at the whim of their customers and Board of Directors, so it is important to keep contacting possible new sponsors and supporters all the time. There are deadlines to reach before the funds or support for a company’s “Public Service” funds have run out. This even applies to government. Reach them early and provide a good program outline or do without.

AND: Many people are shut-ins or have medical problems that keep them housebound or unable to get out to events or use the internet or read a newsletter such as mine. The Motorsports Newsletter is my way of staying in touch with people and I’m nearly a shut-in myself. My sons, the Hidden Pioneers (Bill Montgomery and Jerry Rangel) often pick me up and take me places. I appreciate that very much. If you know of someone like that, who was once active, offer to pick them up and take them to an event if you can. Another way is to simply call and tell them the news that you know. Thank you, for your help can be the world to shut-ins and disabled people in sports.

AND: For this issue only, the editor will highlight TOPICS in one color only to see if it’s easier on the eyes.

AND: This week’s issue is on time, but the week after may face a short delay as I am going in for OP surgery. Wives, get your husbands to have regular medical check-ups. Don’t let them delay care. Thanks to Stacy Rauch Parks for alerting me to a potentially dangerous medical condition.

2) BMC 1100/1300 (ADO16) Austin, Morris, MG, Riley, Wolseley & Vanden Plas models £19.99, by Matthew Vale, Paperback, 21×14.8cm, 112 pages, 118 pictures, in stock soon. Also in the series: Triumph & Standard, Morris, Rootes (Hillman, Humber, Singer, Sunbeam, Talbot), Rover, Austin, Ford, Riley & Wolseley, Citroën and Jaguar. From: Veloce, fine automotive books, at newsletter.

3) PASSINGS: Long-time drag racer Robert Harlukowicz passed away February 24, 2024. He started his racing career in the mid-1960s class racing at all the Southern California dragstrips. He considered Lions his home track. He moved to southwestern Oregon in 1981 and continued bracket racing to the end. Harlukowicz won his last drag race in September. Tom Chastang of the “Wheeler Dealer” AA/FD. Veteran Oklahoma TAD and TAFC racer Ron Morrison. Wayne Del Rio, of the NorCal brothers racing team. Funny Car owner Mike McIntire Sr. Longtime Division 7 Modified standout Jim Stevens, age 88. Division 2 Super Stock and Comp car owner Glenn Young, age 80. NHRA updates.

AND: Thought you ought to know that former NHRA Senior VP Neil Britt passed away a couple of weeks ago. Phil Burgess ran a piece in National Dragster that’s here: mentor-creator-motivator-innovator. From Jon Asher

AND: Scott Bloomquist, died in a plane crash in Tennessee on August 16, 2024. NASCAR driver Kenny Wallace said Bloomquist was “the greatest dirt racer to ever live.” Bloomquist won 33 World of Outlaws Late Model races and 94 Lucas Oil Late Model races.

AND: World of Outlaws Late Model Series Director Steve Francis: “I spent six-eight weeks in Australia with Scott Bloomquist in the 1990s and just the things he talked about, knowing about with his race car, there wasn’t a piece on that race car he didn’t know. If it came in new, he took it apart to make sure he could take it apart and put it back together himself.”

AND: Another recent passing: Gary Fratus, a familiar sight in the pits at NHRA races for many years has died in a highway accident. The Lake Havasu, AZ resident was on the highway when a wild burro ran into his car, causing him to go into an oncoming truck. Gary was a field rep for driveline manufacturer Mark Williams Enterprises prior to his retirement. And I’m sure you’ve heard of Neil Britt’s passing. Bill Holland

BILL: I’ve heard of that happening on the way to Bonneville too. My condolences to Gary’s friends and family.

4) Please remove me from your newsletter list. Thanks for all you do and continue to do. From Debbie Baker, at Cruisin’ For A Cure, www.cruisinforacure.com.

DEBBIE: I have removed your email address from the list, but please send me monthly notices of what is going on with Cruisin’ For A Cure. What you and the volunteers have done to make this car show one of the most impressive events, is remarkable. The help you have given to Prostate Cancer Research is appreciated by so many in the car world. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts. You have made a difference.

5) (Paul Chamberlain’s story continued.) “And how about getting ‘netted’ in a huge ‘Drag Racing Raid‘ set up by the LAPD on ‘the road.’ Yeah, well, again, I was in the wrong place at the wrong time (Lemmy ‘splain as Ricky Ricardo used to say to Lucy). The river road, besides all of the above, was also a short cut to Hollywood from the eastern San Fernando Valley, Burbank, and Glendale areas. Everybody used it to drive over the Hollywood Hills, via Barham Blvd, to cruise Hollywood Blvd (think American Graffiti), because that was the ‘place to be’ on the weekends.” (to be continued)

6) Just wanted to let you know that we lost another of the “old racer” guys, Larry Ofria, founder, and owner of Valley Head Service passed on yesterday. Harry Hibler

READERS: Does anyone have a story on Larry? Please send it in for me to print. Was he a Bean Bandit?

AND: I don’t believe he was a Bean Bandit team member; he hung out at Frank Huzar’s RCS and most of the early employees there were Throttle Merchant members, and I believe he was a member in it but not positive about that either. He literally started VHS in a chicken coup in the mid-1950’s and built it into a well-established business. Harry Hibler

AND: Performance engine builder Larry Ofria of Valley Head Service in Northridge, CA has passed away. Larry and his company were one of the original exhibitors at the SEMA Show when it was held at Dodger Stadium in LA. His unique 1957 Chevy race car was a forerunner of today’s Pro Mod. Many industry professionals got their start by working at Valley Head Service. Larry made many friends in the industry in his lengthy career. Bill Holland

7) Obitruary: George Poteet, by David Tremayne restspirit. DEMON DRIVER. Part 1 (cont’d). George Roundal Poteet, who died at the age of 76 on July 16th, held the AA/BFS piston-engined-wheel-driven land speed record and achieved more runs over 400 mph than any driver in history. “Mike Cook!” “George Po!” Had you been unaware of the drama behind that simple greeting at Bonneville the weekend before the Singapore Grand Prix in 2014, it would just have seemed like a pair of old salt rats getting together. But Cook’s salutation was pregnant with pathos. Three years earlier, when the FIA Land Speed Records Commission last visited Bonneville, I’d stood alongside Mike as he exhorted his buddy George to get the job done in the 462 mph Speed Demon, an orange and white sliver of speed capable of knocking over Don Vesco’s 458.440 mph record for wheel-driven cars. The camaraderie of the salt racing community is always strong, but never more so than when somebody is about to go very fast. On that occasion George had been accelerating down the course on a 395-mph run. “Ease it down, George, don’t push it,” Cook had counselled, sotto voce, as if reciting to himself a universal prayer for Bonneville racers. “Ease it down, that’s it. Go buddy!” – 8) The Ultimate Guide on NHRA Drag Racing Series Betting in the US. Decimal Odds: This is the most popular method of stating odds globally. Usually, the odds below 2.0 represent the favorites, and those above 2.0 show the underdog. To calculate the total potential winnings, you simply have to multiply the amount waged by the odds provided. https://nxtbets.com/the-ultimate-guide-on-nhra-drag-racing-series-betting-in-the-us/. John Towle

AND: All links in the newsletter need to be copied and pasted into your browser in order to work.

9) You sure put a lot of effort into your newsletters. One correction on the Louie Meyer story…. Lou relief drove for Wilber Shaw for 100 miles in 1927, and actually gained some positions. Thanks for all your effort. Doug Clem, Sparks, Nevada.

READERS: Doug Clem has a museum dedicated to Bud Miller and the Miller family and opens it to visitors.

10) The Vintage Speedcar Association (NSW) Newsletter 245th Edition – Issue #6, June & July 2024. 16 pages. On Saturday night (Speedway night) May 25, the entertainment was provided by Sprintcars, Late Model Sedans, and Speedcars competing for bragging rights in the NSW Speedcar Championship. A rather good crowd was in attendance when racing got underway with a full moon rising in the clear eastern sky. Spectacular! Wife of track manager Garry Willmington, Natalie, arranged a corporate suite for our club and the view from the balcony was great. The track conditions remained good during the night and dust was fairly minimal. Officials kept the show running without too much time wasting between races. The entertainment was action packed with some close dicing in all divisions, along with some highspeed incidents. John/Maria Green ajkake.

11) The gold streamliner has set more SCTA class records than any other car in history and is arguably the most iconic car in land speed racing history. It was an emotional week for the Speed Demon team as their former driver and land speed racing legend, George Poteet, passed away on July 16. Poteet drove the Speed Demon from 2007 to 2021, winning the Hot Rod Magazine Trophy 10 times. He is credited for driving over 400 mph more times than anyone else in history. Members of Poteet’s family were on the salt to support the team and watch the car run, including his wife, Cathy, who had never been to Bonneville before. To win the Hot Rod Magazine Trophy with her in attendance was extra special. From: Ron Main ron.

12) August Vintage Metal magazine (Western Australia). Brough Superior, by Bill Buys. “George Brough started working with his dad, William, who started building motorbikes bearing his name in 1902. Seventeen years later George, who had by then made a name for himself as a motorbike racer, including a trio of successive wins in the London to Edinburgh and Back Trials, founded his own company.” For the full article go to robertcampbell4.

13) Here are the replies to the poll as to whether I should just use RED or MULTI-COLOR highlights:

Yes (Multicolor or Red). Bill Cody

It doesn’t matter to me if you use red or multiple colors, but I really appreciate you highlighting the topic of that item – that is very helpful. Tomi Fay Forbes

One color in highlighting is my choice, thanks Richard for all you do. Randy Colon

As always, I enjoy your newsletter. And I prefer using ONE color headlining as opposed to multiple hues much easier to read and no doubt easier on posting effort. Bill Holland

BILL: The next newsletter will be a test of the ONE-color type (I chose RED). Then I’ll try something else.

AND: I’ve always wondered if there was a key to colors you use, like a method to your madness. I’m sure you’ve put a lot of thought into it already but since you asked for input, KISS (Keep-It-Simple-Stupid). I like RED for notable NAMES (maybe PINK for women and underline for relevant names). I like GREEN for PLACES & EVENTS. I like ORANGE for THINGS of interest. Beyond that, a few other standard conventions are okay too, like the obvious BLUE for links, italics or quotes. BLACK for non-drag racing stuff. All CAPS for yelling, etc. Just my 2 cents. Thanks for doing what you do. Jim Partridge

JIM: You have broken the CODE.

14) BOOK REVIEW: The Last Open Road, written by Burt “BS” Levy. The second part of the review covers topics and quality of the content and writing. No two reviewers see the content in the same way and is judgmental. Chapter 1 is titled “Old Man Finzio,” and is reminiscent of crusty garage owners that most of us have known; and loved. The style and language remind me of the kind of shops that I used to hang around and nostalgically (mentally anyway) that I still love. There is something honest about a garage, a place to hang out, a home away from home. The characters are well drawn and brought to life, humorously and real. Levy has a real knack for feelings and emotions. The next chapter is “Big Ed’s Jag,” a bit raw, but hilarious. What mechanic doesn’t fall in love with English cars, only to realize they are both royalty and a pain. Yet the more difficult the foreign import the more stubborn the man with the wrenches. You’ll love this chapter. Gone Racin’ is at RnParks1. Author BS “Burt” Levy is at thinkfast. To be serialized, part 3.

15) Wally’s stories: courtesy of DRIVE Magazine, by Wally Parks (serialized). “And within a short time thereafter, Tiny Snell, a dedicated crusader if there ever was one, became NHRA’s first National Field Director. Dry lakes racing was never included as part of NHRA’s operations. Instead, we focused on memberships and the formation of car clubs, with ‘Dedicated to Safety’ our motto. It was the absence of speed and performance activities for its members that led to NHRA’s adoption and cultivation of a still new sport of drag racing, with its first rules borrowed from, guess where? – the Southern California Timing Association’s well established dry lakes guidelines.”

16) This Week on Cars Yeah Mark Greene interviews Estonia Ruf, Philipp Henke, Terry Karges and Sam Posey. Cars Yeah is at info.

READERS: Mark is a talented interviewer. He even made me sound good when I was on his show. If you have a story to tell contact Mark and ask him if he will interview you. These half hour shows of his are top of the line and fascinating. In the 2505 podcasts he has made you will find some very interesting people in the car culture.

17) Ed Iskenderian: The Legendary Camfather Celebrates 103 Years July 2024, by Donia Moore (continued).

The Birth of Isky Cams: After serving in World War II, Iskenderian returned home with a renewed determination to pursue his passion for automotive performance. In 1947, he founded Isky Racing Cams, a company that would revolutionize the world of camshaft design. At a time when most car enthusiasts were content with stock parts, Isky saw the potential for custom, high-performance components. Isky’s innovative approach to camshaft grinding and his meticulous attention to detail quickly earned him a reputation for quality and performance. His camshafts became the go-to choice for hot rodders, drag racers, and performance enthusiasts looking to gain an edge over the competition. The “Isky” name became synonymous with speed, reliability, and cutting-edge technology.

18) BLAST FROM THE PAST…… From the Wally & Barbara Parks story, We Did It Our Way. 1 JULY 1946 SCTA Minutes: racing at Bonneville discussed. There was some discussion about running at Bonneville and Major Gilbert moved that the Association send the fastest car from each class and one official with $100 expense money apiece. This motion goes to clubs. Plates were handed out and the meeting adjourned at 11:20. Respectfully submitted, Randy B. Shinn.”

19) Louis Meyer was AAA National champion in 1928, 1929 and 1933, scoring eight wins and 11 podiums. And was in 1936 also the inaugural recipient of the Indy winner’s Borg-Warner Trophy with their name and likeness eternalised upon it. In later years he would partner Dale Drake making the famous Meyer-Drake Offenhauser engines, before working with Ford from 1964 on the development of its Indy-winning Ford V8s. We met at Indy on that 1991 trip, when he was a spritely and garrulous 86. What a character! What was the secret to his boyish mien, I asked him. “Well, son,” he said, clasping my shoulder, “I just got married for the third time…” When he took his final chequer, at Searchlight, Nevada on October 7, 1995, he had 91 laps on his personal board. From: David Tremayne restspirit.

20) We are looking for Ak Miller stories. Here are some that we have collected. Another story always made him laugh. Wally Parks and Ak were making a small fire on the Bonneville Salt Flats to cook some frankfurters when this Texan drove up in a brand-new Cadillac and a ten-gallon Stetson on his head. The man asked a question about the time trials going on, but before Ak could answer there was an explosion that sent bits of charcoal and wood flying into the air and down on the man’s car, leaving scorch marks. The more Ak told that story the more people said he made it up. One day I asked my father about that story and dad broke up in laughter and said, “Boy was that guy mad,” which confirmed the story. (Source: Wally & Barbara Parks story, We Did It Our Way)

21) Books listed on Mark Greene’s Cars Year website mentioned by those appearing on Mark’s Podcast. 030: Chris Kimball – Extraordinary Automobiles, by Peter Vann and Gerald Asaria and America’s Wildest Show Rods of the 1960s and 1970s, by Scotty Gossen. 029: Tim McGrane – Long Lane with Turnings, by L.J. K. Setright. 028: Pete Chapouris – Hot Rod Milestones, by Ken Gross. 027: Don Weberg – The Car Collections of Oklahoma, by Ann Sherman. 026: David Stern – Code of Conduct, by Brad Thor. 025: Bill Neale – Sports Car Racing in the South, by Willem Oosthoek. 024: Bill Warner – The Havana Nocturn, by T.J. English, The Sugar King of Havana, by John Paul Rathbone and Blue Thunder, by Thomas Burdick. 023: Scott Whitehead – The Burning Room, by Michael Connelly. 022: Harold Cleworth – Cleworth: An Artful Life, by Harold Cleworth. 021: McKeel Hagerty – The Undertaking, by Thomas Lynch and Blue Ocean Strategy, by W. Chan Kim.

22) Almost 50 years ago – at the tender age of 19 – Harry Hurst was track photographer for the Sebring 12-Hour race in Florida. Hurst also photographed races at Daytona and Road Atlanta during, what many think were, the “Glory days of racing.” Hurst has published two books on the Sebring 12-Hour endurance race. His first book, 12 Hours of Sebring 1970 was published in 2004. Thomas Bryant, the iconic editor of Road & Track magazine, devoted his entire monthly column to a review of the book, calling it “one of the best racing event books I’ve ever read.” See harry.

23) Technology and Businesspeople (two other subcategories) also need to be supported in the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America (MSHFA). From the MSHFA website at https://www.mshf.com/.

24) (Randy Walls story continued.) “They shut down San Diego Raceway in Ramona in 1966. I raced there from 1963 to the time that it closed. I did well enough that the track offered me a portion of the gate proceeds to accept challenges from other racers. I was the local guy that the outsiders wanted to knock off. Some of the guys that ran against me were; Richard Schroeder, the Jolly Green Giant, Dea Keaton’s Peanuts, Harry Canary, Blumin’ Bullit Camaro, Jack Jones, and Fast Eddie Schartman. I won all of the races but one. I raced the last race there in 1966 and then they shut the drag strip down. Jack Jones is the guy that posed for the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) trophy that they call the ‘Wally’ and was top gas champ in 1968. He is the one I raced and beat in 1963 the first day out with my C/M Production. Jones was the engine builder and was partners with two other guys.” (to be continued)

EDITOR ADDS: Jack Jones modeled the suit, but I also saw my brother David posing in a fire suit as well for the award. My father didn’t want it named after him; however, the public pinned it on him and the “WALLY” title stuck. Once in the public domain, like the name “Big Daddy,” the “WALLY” became impossible to change.

25) Royce Rumsey just published “Peninsula Prequel.” Go to: https://roycer924.exposure.co/peninsula-prequel. Carmel’s annual automotive bacchanal continues to reign as THE most celebrated and famous of all annual automotive culture gatherings. The Monterey Peninsula is awash with multiple, star-studded automotive events

for now, over a week – attracting both corporate and individual enthusiasts of all stripes from around the world. The week+ automotive revelry around Carmel Valley, now in its 73rd year, has become the “Superbowl” for car people. Royce is at roycer924_2.

26) Pluto II Voyage to the Edge of the Universe screenplay in paperback, by Paul D. Escudero. Sci-Fi genre. From: Paul Escudero at railstankers666.

EDITOR: They say a screenplay is better than a normal book as it gives the reader the nuance and direction that the author intended. Same number of words, just set apart as in a script.

27) Oscar Koveleski’s 1955 Ferrari Sport Spider 857 at the Goodings auction on Saturday, at 2pm, in Monterey, California. Go to: mobile.

CHRIS: Whomever buys the 857, please let them know about the story his friends wrote on his racing career.

28) WHO WE ARE © 2024 GrandPrix+. Peter Nygaard, a law student at Copenhagen University, when he began taking photographs at Formula 1 races, he established the Grand Prix Photo company after he graduated in 1982 and has since attended more than 675 Grands Prix. Today he not only takes photographs but also writes and commentates. His company covers every Grand Prix and, with contacts all over the world, can supply photos from almost any motor race. David Tremayne is at restspirit.

29) K1 RaceGear & Freem will present this live webinar on Wednesday, August 21 at 9 am PST. Presented by JR Twedt, Director of Operations, K1 RaceGear & Freem. Hosted by Jeff Hammond from SiriusXM, Channel 90. From: team.

30) BOOK REVIEW: One Last Turn, (road racing) written by Martin Rudow and David Gaddis (cont’d).

One Last Turnis a high-quality, hardbound book with a cloth spine that is meant to last a lifetime. The silver foil on the front and spine of the book contrasts nicely with the black covering (casing) of the book and the glossy dust jacket protecting the book is glossy and colorful. Whatever you do, please keep the dust jacket with the book, which not only protects the book from damage, but literally doubles the value of the work. Strange as that seems, collectors pay a premium for a book with an intact dust cover. The Publisher is Dalton Watson Fine Books, in Deerfield, Illinois. The ISBN number is 978-1-956309-08-9, which is a quicker and easier way for the dealer to find the book you are looking for. The book is dedicated to everyone who participated or loved watching the United States Road Racing Championship and Canadian/Am Challenge Cup series.

31) The bit on the River Road (aka Forest Lawn Drive) brought back some memories. Bob’s Big Boy (diner) in Toluca Lake was a gathering spot for racers. Once I remember John ‘Tarzan’ Austin (Tommy Ivo’s long-time crewman and later a T/F driver on his own) returning to Bob’s Big Boy in his just purchased 1963-1/2 Ford Falcon Sprint (V-8 powered) with serious body damage, the result of a River Road speed contest gone wrong. I didn’t see the race, only the aftermath. Sixty years later Bob’s Big Boy is still a magnet for cool cars. Bill Holland

AND MORE BILL HOLLAND: When I was editor of National Dragster your dad would go through each issue after its publication and proofread it. Wally’s red pencil was a powerful tool. I will always regard him as my mentor who pushed for excellence.

BILL: As for the red (he used blue and other colors, especially orange) pencil, he even corrected my EMAILS to him. AND he circled the errors in my letters to him when I was in college. He used the pencil like a sword, and he never let anyone off the hook. I tried correcting his email once and IT DID NOT GO WELL. Send in more stories. The PAST still lives as long as we remember it.

32) A cool video from one of two of our Hidden Pioneers who love high school students and teach them how to wash & detail cars in and out of school. They can be at home and follow our directions & guidelines to make good money and a career if they choose to do so. This was on a Ford GT Heritage Edition from Camilo Pardo. Go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LqGofgTyoYI. Sent in by Bill Montgomery of Hidden Pioneers.

EDITOR ADDS: Here are some of Bill Montgomery’s highlights. High school wrestling state qualifier, twotime All-American college wrestler, high school and college soccer, All-Army soccer team, Semi-Pro soccer player, auto shop teacher four years, Mobile Electronics certificate, Circuit City District Manager five years, Prime Motivation Marketing Director, Board Member of Hidden Pioneers Team and Director, US Army Veteran, and 2024 President’s Lifetime Achievement Award.

33) The NeuroScience Innovation Foundation has been named the charitable beneficiary of the 2024 Chattanooga Motorcar Festival, hosted by Fifty Plus Foundation Inc, on October 11-13, 2024. The weekend activities, which are based in and around Chattanooga’s West Village, include Broad Arrow Auctions in the Convention Center, and Luftgekühlt returns to celebrate air-cooled Porsches. Other happenings during the Festival include activities for children and adults, celebrity meet and greets, car club gatherings, specialty displays, Concours d’Lemons, street festivals, a parade, and more. Car Club registration is now open at jvstropus.

34) LOVE THE NEWSLETTERS! But miss the POBB. Jeff Garvin

JEFF: We all miss the POBB, but to calm the public down the POBB is on hiatus.

35) Books and Manuals from CarTech Publishing, 6118 Main Street, North Branch, Minnesota 55056, 1-800-5514754, www.CarTechBooks.com. How to Supercharge & Turbocharge GM LS-Series Engines: Revised Edition, by Barry Kluczyk. LS Gen IV Engines 2005-Present: How to Build Max Performance, by Mike Mavrigian. LS Swaps: How to Swap GM LS Engines into Almost Anything, by Jefferson Bryant. How to Build Big-Inch GM LSSeries Engines, by Stephen Kim.

36) Historic Sportscar Racing (HSR) marks its fourth-straight year at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca (WRLS) as the official sanctioning body of this week’s Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion, the premier historic and vintage motorsports event in North America. The Pre-Reunion and Hillclimb marked the official opening of Monterey Car Week, but the focus now shifts to the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion, which features over 400 pure historic race cars on track from today, Wednesday, August 14 – through Saturday, August 17. From: Adam Saal at SaalGoodPR.

37) Latest Sci-fi genre story from our own Paul D. Escudero, Soylent Caravan screenplay. Excellent reading.

38) Keeping the legacy alive. Still looking for sponsors for the 2024/25 DRAG Cartoons Comic Paper. I’ll sell original Pete Millar Art. $200-$500 per page. Contact me for details Millarkey. Going to print Sept 20, 2024. Long live the flies! Robin Millar

READERS: Contact Robin about original Pete Millar artwork. He was a witty and funny comic strip writer in motorsports, along the same humor as with Tom Medley. Robin puts out a hilarious comic paper.

39) The Quarter Mile Foundation (QMF) has a new booth location at the end of Hot Rod Alley in the Central Hall during the SEMA Show. Booth number 22299 will be our home this year. Quarter Mile Foundation, hrudka, or hrudka.

40) When disconnected youth transition into education and employment, the effects are seen not only within the youth’s personal lives, but in modern-day and future society as well. Prime Motivation is working diligently to address this problem through offerings of several innovative Career and Educational Expos throughout California. It is with these expos that we intend to ultimately positively impact the growing epidemic of disconnected youth. Prime Motivation – Creating Educational Experiences website: HiddenPioneers.

EDITOR SEZ: In the doctor’s office yesterday, I spoke to a young phlebotomist who spent $20,000 to learn her trade and we talked about how it is a shame that high schools avoid teaching vocational subjects and force students to look elsewhere for the education that they truly want and need. The educational system is abandoning our youth.

41) My old pal Dave Wallace Jr has been forwarding me your excellent newsletter. Like the rest of us he is getting old and forgetful, so he asked me to ask you to add my name to your list. Keep up the good work, Reb Silay

REB: You’re on the list. Please tell me what sort of motorsports you enjoy and send in news. The Motorsports Newsletter is meant to keep everyone possible in touch with what the readers know. If you hear of a friend passing, send in a notice. We should never forget our friends in racing. Also include reunions, car shows, racing schedules or anything of interest and I’ll print it. Welcome aboard.

42) I don’t know if you saw it or not but the piece (full page) in today’s (Saturday, August 17) Wall Street Journal on George Poteet is a great tribute to him. In my opinion, having such an editorial tribute in the WSJ speaks volumes about the man, who he was and his accomplishments. Harry Hibler

HARRY: I used to get the WSJ. Trouble was it took me two weeks to read all of it since it was a magnificent newspaper and very detailed. Thank you for the notice as I’m sure some readers do have the WSJ.

43) 2024 Spirit of Competition Award Honoring “Big Daddy” Don Garlits! Saturday, October 12, 2024, from 10AM to 2PM. The Simeone Museum has selected “Big Daddy” Don Garlits as the 2024 Spirit of Competition Award Honoree to recognize his revolutionary contributions to drag racing and motorsports. Garlits’ relentless pursuit of innovation and excellence not only led to numerous championships but also transformed the sport with groundbreaking advancements in dragster design. His enduring passion, competitive spirit, and lasting impact on automotive culture embodies the very essence of the museum’s award. From: newsletter.

44) “Indy legend Andy Granatelli has also been in my thoughts quite a lot this week, while writing Parnelli’s obituary. I never met the larger-than-life STP boss, but we did talk once on the phone, and I found him an engaging character. I’m also a fan of the famed late LA Times columnist Jim Murray, and I’d love to share his excellent description of Andy here. ‘Andy is a big, loveable Italian bursting with life,’ he wrote. ‘He’s as extroverted as an otter. On race day, he’s down in the pits like a downed barrage balloon in a costume that looks like a combination of the aurora boreallis and a gangster’s funeral wreath. It does everything but give off sparks. It’s dangerous to stare too long at it with the naked eye.’” David Tremayne restspirit.

45) Greg Anderson is looking for his 3rd win this season at Brainerd International Raceway, which serves as the host of this weekend’s 42nd annual Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals. Greg Anderson, originally from nearby Duluth, Minnesota, has 105 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series wins to his credit, more than any other Pro Stock driver. At this weekend’s event in Brainerd, he’ll have his eye on his fourth overall title at Brainerd for KB Titan Racing. From nhracommunications.

EDITOR: News of this week comes out the next week beginning on Wednesday thru Friday.

46) One Giant Leap For Man; One Hard Fall To Earth [“Hemmings.com”], by Dave Wallace Jr for Car Spotting in Hemmings.com. Go to: man-one-hard-fall-to-earth/. “Instead of burning out, the driver was all hooked up and headed right at me,” Pomona helper Nick Paciuilli recalled 48 years after his painful 1976 Winternationals. “My last memory was jumping over the front axle. My hip evidently hit the right side of his engine, knocking out my wallet [pictured midair, ahead of the injectors]. That inertia threw me onto the spinning right-rear tire, which threw me up in the air. I came to on my back. No broken bones. I did receive severe body trauma and a blue officials’ jacket from NHRA with my name embroidered.” Veteran freelancer Jim Phillipson, working the starting line atop a ladder, somehow turned, focused, and fired in time to create a career photo.

47) 2025 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series schedule here on the FOX broadcast network. NHRA COUNTDOWN TO THE CHAMPIONSHIP October 9-12 40th annual Texas NHRA FallNationals Dallas October 30-Nov. 2 25th annual NHRA Nevada Nationals Las Vegas November 13-16 60th annual In-N-Out Burger NHRA Finals Pomona From: Bill Montgomery at Hidden Pioneers hiddenpioneers.

48) Trailblazers Gazette: Newsletter of the Trailblazers Motorcycle Club, August 2024. CYCLE ACTION magazine. It took a lot of negotiating with the Pomona track officials. Chris and his crew were not allowed to begin preparation until Saturday afternoon. They had to have the track in National race condition prior to motorcycle practice. Can you imagine the amount of effort it took to go from a thoroughbred track to a national motorcycle race caliber track in just a few short hours. And then they had to begin tearing it down immediately after the races and have it ready for the thoroughbred horses by 5 am that next morning for their training sessions! Holy smokes! Every hay bale, every blade of hay, food and drink wrappers, tear offs, and all signage had to be removed so it would not spook the horses. Those were the only conditions that the track management would agree to. Talk about stress. Gene Romero was Chris’ right-hand man. And Chris, Gene, and their crew pulled it off year after year for us. Would you like to promote a national race? No, I didn’t think so. Thank you for the memories, Chris. A Dan Mahony photo. Sent in by Chris Agajanian. (3rd in the series)

49) “BS” Burt Levy’s future “Burt sightings & signings. August 16-17: Once again at the Road America Paddock Shop during the Fanatec World Challenge weekend (note: Fri-Sat only), August 18 at the Coal Dock Concours in Port Washington, Wisconsin. I’ve heard it’s an incredible and eclectic event. Do drop in (it’s free to the public). August 25 (Sunday): At the SCCA display at Campbell & Third streets during the always amazing (and once again free) Geneva Concours in Geneva, Illinois. If you’ve never been, you should drop in. From: Think Fast Ink thinkfast-mindspring.com. (new book, Lotus Love Affair)

50) Racing pioneers Louis Unser and William K. Vanderbilt join the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America’s class of 2025. Family patriarch and Pikes Peak master, Louis Unser Sr conquered America’s premier hillclimb nine times and launched an American motorsports dynasty popularized by nephews and MSHFA inductees Bobby Unser, Al Unser and his son Al Unser Jr. Adam Saal SaalGoodPR.

51) Top Fuel’s Justin Ashley picked up his third win of the season on Sunday at Brainerd International Raceway, defeating Shawn Langdon in the final round of the 42nd Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals. Blake Alexander (Funny Car) and Dallas Glenn (Pro Stock) also won the 13th of 20 races during the 2024 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series season. From: nhracommunications.

52) Historic Sportscar Racing (HSR) Goes “Social” in Fourth Year at the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion HSR Competitor and Car Features on Facebook, YouTube and Twitter “X” with Host Marshall Pruett 50th RMMR Paddock Tour with HSR President Chris Ward. SaalGoodPR.

53) From your favorite hot rod to your daily driver, start racing today with NHRA Street Legal. NHRA Member Tracks across the country host Street Legal competitions of all kinds, with an emphasis on providing a fun and welcoming environment for new and experienced racers alike! With many events featuring open time trials and grudge racing, Street Legal offers a legal and controlled environment where racers of all skill levels can enjoy the sport of NHRA Drag Racing. Click to find an NHRA Street Legal Member Track near you. From: NHRA

54) Anthony “The Shoe” Platania from Rochester, NY, wheeled his Dream Team 2021 Power Chassis Race Cars Top Dragster entry to the Quick 32 Sportsman Series win at Empire Dragway in Leicester, New York, this past weekend. Charlie Emler Jr. from Spencerport, NY, won in the Top Sportsman division, but could not make the Quick 32 Sportsman Series overall Top Dragster vs. Top Sportsman final round in his 1968 Chevrolet Camaro, which is powered by a 738 cubic inch Buck Racing Engine on Nitrous. Bruce.

55) Royce Rumsey just published “Milanese Mello.” Go to: roycer924_2.

READERS: Royce is a writer, historian and photographer and chronicles the car culture. He writes about the William Lyons car collection at the Lyons Museum located next to the Orange County Airport (we call it John Wayne) in Santa Ana, CA.

56) Books from Dalton Watson Fine Books at www.daltonwatson.com: One Last Turn: Personal memories of the Can/Am Era’s Greatest Mechanic, Tuners and Crews, by Martin Rudow and David Gaddis. Gaston Grummer: the Art of Carrosserie (2 volume set), by Philippe-Gaston Grummer and Laurent Friry. Marcel Pourtout Carrossier: by Jon Pressnell. Paolo Martin: Visions in Design, by Paolo Martin with Gautam Sen.

57) I started to learn how to wrench on midgets. In the early ’70’s I met Louie Senter. He had just bought a dirt Champ car from Foyt. I helped him pull the Offy, and put the Ford engine in. Made that circuit for a couple of years until the corporate boys moved in and I moved on. Those were fun days. Reb Silay (new reader to the newsletter)

58) Ed Iskenderian: The Legendary Camfather Celebrates 103 Years July 2024, by Donia Moore (continued).

Pioneering Achievements and Contributions: Isky’s contributions to the automotive world are vast and varied. He was one of the first to use an overhead camshaft (OHC) design, which significantly improved engine performance and efficiency. His designs pushed the boundaries of what was possible, leading to faster, more powerful engines. One of his most notable achievements was the development of the “5-Cycle” camshaft, a groundbreaking innovation that allowed engines to breathe more efficiently. This camshaft design became a staple in the world of drag racing, helping racers achieve unprecedented speeds and performance levels. Isky’s influence extended beyond just camshafts. He was instrumental in the development of other high-performance components, including valve springs and lifters, which further enhanced engine performance. His relentless pursuit of perfection and his willingness to experiment with new ideas set him apart as a true innovator.

59) Wally’s stories: courtesy of DRIVE Magazine, by Wally Parks (serialized). “My father’s declaration at the 1950 AHRC (American Hot Rod Council, forerunner of the NHRA) meeting was slightly out of context. He never did that according to the records. Petersen and Parks hatched the NHRA in secret. The AHRC had little to do with the dry lakes and everything to do with hot rod clubs; drag racing became an issue two years later in 1953. Drag racing was supposed to be a summer sport for the new NHRA club structure. During the winter months when drag racing was difficult and dangerous in much of the nation, the activities for the clubs would be car shows, road trips, reliability runs, service activities for the general public, movies, etc.” (Richard Parks)

60) Royce Rumsey just published “The Unicorns’ Unicorn.” In the car culture, extremely rare cars and particularly those with mythological statusare commonly (and rightfully) referred to as “unicorns.” And among the horned steeds in this erstwhile Valhallan stables the most elusive and mythological are the Mercedes-Benz CLK-GTRs. Go to roycer924_2.

61) The Vintage Speedcar Association (NSW) Newsletter 245th Edition – Issue #6, June & July 2024. 16 pages. Winner of the NSW Speedcar Championship was Kaidon Brown who was in a class of his own. Those in attendance from the VSA of NSW were Phil Blackman, Clayton Blackman, Josh Blackman, Nate Blackman, Drew Blackman, Cyril and Sue Robinson, Morgan Willoughby, Ken Mason (travelled from Port Macquarie for the event), Greg Mann, Gordon Benny, Amanda Benny, Aaron Benny, Jason Inmon (also travelled from Port Macquarie), and Kevin Gilkison. Unfortunately, some of our members where doing demonstration runs in Tamworth and could not join us. We will look at the SIS 2024/2025 calendar and investigate if we should book another suite for a club social gathering. John/Maria Green at ajkake.

62) Books on Mark Greene’s Cars Year website mentioned by those appearing on Mark’s Podcast. 049: Henry Reisener – Forty Years of Design with Fiat by Dante Giacosa 048: Burt Levy Part Two – The Last Open Road by Burt Levy. Reviewed by Richard Parks. 047: Burt Levy Part One – Inside Shelby American by John Morton 046: Roger Allard Part Two – Red Wheels and White Side Walls – Bill Pollack 045: Roger Allard Part One – The Last Open Road by Burt Levy* 044: Adam Hammer – Shop Class as Soul Craft by Matthew B. Crawford 043: Randy Nonnenberg – Biographies of all kinds 042: Donald Osborne – Books by Burt Levy: The Last Open Road, The Fabulous Trashwagon, Montezuma’s Ferrari, Toly’s Ghost, and Red Reign; The 200 MPH Steamroller 041: Tony Singer – Liebe Zu Ihm (For the Love of Him) by Hermann Lapper

63) BLAST FROM THE PAST…… From the Wally & Barbara Parks story, We Did It Our Way. 20 SEPTEMBER 1946 Special Meeting; Bonneville go-ahead received. “Meeting called to order by Wally Parks at 8:30. Roll call Minutes of previous meeting read and approved. Wally explained why special meeting was called. Reason was that some of the clubs were not satisfied with the way the motions, rules and so forth were entered and were to be carried as rules. Wally read through the revised rules and by-laws were added and general discussion on rules. Main issue was – Rule on running of more than one car and receiving points on both. Motion – Any member may run more than 1 car at any meet. He will receive personal points for 1 car only, but his club will receive points for all cars qualifying for points. Voted and carried 22 to 2. Motion was made that any tarp cannot cover the steering wheel in any way. Voted on and carried 21 to 3. Motion to be taken back to clubs for discussion; that any internal combustion engine can be used in Unlimited class. Motion was made that rules as read and revised be accepted. voted and carried. Discussion and report on trophies. Burleigh Dolph gave report on invitation to Bonneville by Bud Winfield and that Kong Jackson will be able to get a written invitation. Article in Post magazine on Hot Rods read by Wally Parks. Meeting adjourned 10:15. Randy Shinn, Secretary.”

64) Bill Montgomery tells us about the creation of Hidden Pioneers (Part 3, to be serialized).

We started in 2017, and the first Team member was Tom Matano after meeting him at the Mazda Corp office’s Miata/MX5 reunion. I had 3 Mazda vehicles on display with the International Allstars Marketing Team. We had a few good sponsors and were in demand before social media hit the scene. I was able to talk with Tom there and got his contact info. We stayed in touch, and I asked him to be one of the Hidden Pioneers and he agreed. Tom Matano was the first Hidden Pioneer to join Bill Montgomery and Jennifer Rodriguez was the youngest Team member at 17 years old, in high school during her senior year. Bill Montgomery at HiddenPioneers.

65) In the Top Dragster division final, Platania defeated Brett Bennett from Avon, NY, with a 4.79 second 141.46 mph pass on a 4.79 dial-in vs. Bennett’s 4.54 seconds 151.46 mph on a 4.52 dial-in. Semi-finalists were Tyler Rudolph’s 2010 American Race Cars Dragster from Hemlock, NY and Rich Yacos’s 2018 Mike Bos Dragster from Cambria, NY and quarter-finalists were Mike Kalin, Craig Giordano, Buddy Forrest and Lucas Salemi. The number one qualifier in the Quick 32 Sportsman Series Top Dragster division was Mike Kalin from Niagara Falls, leading the field of 16 entries with a 3.88-second 187.89-mph pass in the eighth mile. Bruce.

66) World-class driver William K. Vanderbilt launched the Vanderbilt Cup in 1904, US racing’s first major trophy, seven years before the first Indianapolis 500 and two years before the inaugural French Grand Prix. Unser and Vanderbilt join previously announced Class of 2025 peers Skip Barber, Miguel Duhamel, Carl Haas, Ed Iskenderian, Dale Jarrett, Tony Schumacher and Bill Stroppe in the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America’s 37th induction class – 37th Motorsports Hall of Fame of America induction ceremony moves to the Hilton Daytona Beach Oceanfront Resort for March 10-11, 2025. Adam Saal SaalGoodPR.

67) One third-prize winner will be awarded a certificate that is good for one set of four passenger or light truck tires from Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company. NHRA Sweepstakes. The sweepstakes will begin at 9am ET on July 19, 2024, and end at 11:59pm ET on December 6, 2024. Go to: https://www.nhra.com/2024-nhra-sweep stakes-official-rules.

68) Ak Miller had wanted to join the US Army Air Corp (later changed to the US Air Force) during WWII but was transferred to the Army and sent to Europe to fight in the Battle of the Bulge. Surrounded, in freezing weather, with no support, he was forced to fight merely to stay alive. He came upon a German officer cooking a steak, cut from the flank of a dying cow, and so overcome by hunger, one having food and the other without, that they shot at each other for the food’s sake. Ak was quicker that day, winning the steak and a prisoner. He was less fortunate when frostbite ended his war and sent him back to England, unsure whether they would amputate his feet. (Source: Wally & Barbara Parks story, We Did It Our Way)

69) Obitruary: George Poteet, by David Tremayne restspirit. DEMON DRIVER. Part 2 (cont’d). George and Ron Main had created Speed Demon. They were Bonneville guys to their core, former flathead roadster racers whom the gods and Dame Fortune had steered together to create wheel-driven streamliners capable of speeds well in excess of four centuries. Highly individual racers, neither knew when to quit because they simply didn’t know what the word meant. It wasn’t in their lexicon. They’d gone to the 2011 Mike Cook Shootout at the hallowed temple of speed on Highway 80, on the border of Utah and Nevada, intent on pushing wheel-driven speed records as far beyond 400 mph as the mechanical elastic – and the luck – would stretch. They’d demonised the books already with a 436-mph peak, having broken records in the 2-3 and 3-5 litre classes, but now they want a lot more with a 347 cu in motor. The salt, particularly at the southern end of the track, was in pretty horrible condition, but George was able to hit 395 mph in four miles on the Sunday after starting at the better northern end, and even though that run ended prematurely with smoke in the cockpit, he was encouraged.

70) Start racing today with NHRA Street Legal. From: National Hot Rod Association updates. DIVISION 1 – Northeast Maryland top Cecil County Dragway Rising Sun Md. (quarter-mile) 410-287-5486 http://www.cecilcountydragway.com/. Mason-Dixon Dragway Boonsboro Md. (quarter-mile) 301-791-5193 http://www.masondixondragway.com/. New Brunswick top Miramichi Dragway Park Miramichi N.B. (quarter-mile) 506-624-7989 http://www.miramichidragwaypark.com/. New Hampshire top New England Dragway Epping N.H. (quarter-mile) 603-679-8001 http://www.newenglanddragway.com/. New Jersey top Island Dragway Great Meadows NJ. (quarter-mile) 908-637-6060 http://www.islanddragway.com/.

71) Media people are eligible every year for the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America (MSHFA). The next Mediaspecific vote is on the 2026 ballots, which will go out this fall. A Media wing to the Hall has been suggested, similar to what the National Baseball Hall of Fame pioneered years ago. From MSHFA website at https://www.mshf.com/.

72) Sherm Porter’s list of events and car shows for 2024, fuely32. Sept 5-8, 2024, Rat Pack Rendezvous, South Lake Tahoe, Vintage Trailer Rally, info. Sept 7, 2024, Roarin’ the Redwoods, Car Show, Roaring Camp, Felton, CA, by Cam Snappers of Capitola, 1975 and older cars & Trucks only, Gary at 408-309-5396 or John at 831-234-7140. Sept 14, 2024, All Ford Car Show & Swap Meet, The Santa Maria A’s, Old Town Orcutt, CA, Curt at 805-478-1231 or Jay at 805-598-8133, or www.santamariamodelaclub.com. Sept 15, 2024, El Mirage, CA, dry lakes speed time trials. See www.scta-bni.org. Sept 14-15, 2024, Grand National Truck Show, with trucks, vans & SUVs, top awards and the Inaugural “World’s Most Beautiful Truck” award competition, 1-877-763-7469 or www.rodshows.com.

73) We are looking for Ak Miller stories. Here are some that we have collected. Ak told another story about how an airline pilot wanted to drive his car and set a record. The pilot crashed in the car before there was arm net restraints and as the car tipped over the man’s hand flipped out and his hand was severed. That accident caused the SCTA to institute new safety guidelines. (Source: Wally & Barbara Parks story, We Did It Our Way)

74) Disney has announced that ESPN has acquired Haley’s 22-minute documentary short film, and she is herself establishing an enviable reputation as a trailblazer. It’ll be released shortly as part of ESPN Films’ 30 for 30 Shorts catalogue, and tells the story of Mary McGee, a young girl born in Juneau, Alaska on December 12,1936, who admits that initially she was an intimidated character who went on to develop the self-confidence that would later stand her in such good stead, and the art of composure, thanks to her brother Jim, who sadly died in a car race in California’s Vacaville in 1964. From: David Tremayne restspirit.

75) The Ultimate Guide on NHRA Drag Racing Series Betting in the US. Fractional Odds: Fractional odds are quite similar to decimal odds. The only difference is that when you multiply the faction offered by the amount waged, you’ll get the value of the profit earned, not the total potential winnings. guide-on-nhra-drag-racing-series-betting-in-the-us/. From John Towle.

76) Featured Racing Series: World Rally Championship 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. From: team.