Motorsports Newsletter 3/19/25

By Richard Parks

1) EDITOR’S CORNER: One of the reasons I have crafted so many newsletters over the years is to facilitate the spread of information that isn’t normally available without a great deal of effort and research. By reaching out to others to gather information I can then turn around and offer that data to others who might be interested. It is a fine line between what is useful and important and what is trivial and gossipy; but it is necessary. Below is one such exchange between Doug Boyce, a major author in automotive subjects and Spencer Simon, a man whom I admire for his never-ending search for automotive knowledge. One accumulates the facts and the other uses information to spread that knowledge to many others. Sometimes my Motorsports Newsletter seems like rumor, but I assure you that it is not. I regret not backing up the Car Racers, Boat Racers, Land Speed Racers and many other newsletters from the past because they held tremendous amounts of information and sometimes captioned photographs from the distant past and many of the contributors are no longer here to share their stories, photographs and facts. Then there are the other unsung recorders of history: Jim Miller, David Steele, Ron Main, Art Bagnall, Dick Martin, Ken Berg, Steve Mesmisian, Bob Frey, Mel Bashore, Landspeed Louise and hundreds of others whom we ought to thank for our automotive history and heritage. Another is my father, Wally Parks, who left me his records.
“Spencer: I was just reading through Richard Parks latest newsletter and came across the post suggesting we the readers contact you to see the photo you have that were captured by Skip Govia’s father. I’m slowly plugging away on a book which covers the sport, hobby as it exploded in the 1950’s and am eager to see what you have. Thanks kindly for sharing. Sincerely, Doug Boyce.”
“Doug, I only know it was part of Hillary Govia’s collection of his photos, he wasn’t the photographer. Skip (Hillary’s son) gave me access to the photos. If I remember right, the photographer was Jack T Chinn, who took numerous photos of the Oakland Grand National Roadster show at the time. Eric Rickman was also another great as well as some from Dean Moon; there are others, but I don’t know who they were. One photographer which I forgot his first name goes by the last name of Cobb. I have about 30-70 photos from different eras which belong to the Govia family. I was given permission to use the photos to send to Richard Parks of The Society of Land Speed Racing Historian Newsletters. I was really honored to help find the stories, pictures, history and meet many great people and unsung heroes in Northern California. Which was very interesting. Some were from SoCal that came to NorCal. One interesting person was Lee Chapel of Lee’s speed shop in Oakland, California. He was known to have the second oldest speed shop as far as I know. If the pictures are still online that I sent to the newsletters, they should still be on the newsletter page. If you need more information, let me know. Sincerely, Spencer Simon.”
READERS: I am reviewing Doug Boyce’s book and will have it available soon.
AND: All links in the newsletter need to be copied and pasted into your browser in order to work.
EDITOR SEZ: I had a nice phone visit with Steve Boggs and Herm Petersen. Boggs wants the NHRA to know that the pit parking is in terrible shape and needs expansion and the officials should get out in the pits and talk to the fans and racers like my dad did. I love being in the pits. Herm isn’t using the computer and would like text messages or calls. Ross Gallagher can put you in touch with Herm. He used to operate a deep-sea fishing boat out of Ketchikan and Sitka. How many of the readers went out on the boat with him? March 17th St Patrick birthdays: Sherry Teresa, Jim Miller and David Parks (who has passed on).

2) REMEMBERING OUR LOST FRIENDS DEPARTMENT:
a) I Iost a dear friend and mentor in Jim Kerr. We were associates together at Hurst-Campbell, and Hurst Performance Products from 1960 through about 1965. We shared desk space and answered George’s technical mail on Hurst products and just about everything Hurst-Campbell related. We traveled the country together going to NHRA events. Our relationship was extraordinary in that our families vacationed together snowmobiling at Old Forge, New York. Jim was the first “Hurst Shifter Doctor.” His loss to me is like losing a family member. He attended my wedding with his wife Mary in 1965. AND he never missed a Saturday night or Sunday morning Mass while we were traveling. Mary and Jim are now together. From Stephen Weiner
b) Karen Vivien Darby, August 10, 1945, to December 26, 2024. She was a great supporter of her husband Brian in the Vintage Speedcar Association (VSA) of New South Wales (NSW). She was an attendee at and enjoyed each of the VSA of NSW Presentation nights. From John & Maria Green.
c) We lost long time VSCC member James Dominic Karajancich. Peter Schofield has provided the following short appreciation of Jim and his beloved Bugatti, that he carefully restored over several years and that sold at Bonham’s auction at Les Grandes Marques du Monde au Grand Palais on February 8, 2018. He was born on December 1, 1930, and passed away on February 4, 2025. Known as “Jim” by many in the Car Club Fraternity he has had a number of interests and considerable achievements. From Bob Campbell of Vintage Metal Journal, Western Australia.
d) March 22nd would have been Alex Xydias’ 103 birthday. A family friend and a great hot-rodder.

3) WE GET MAIL DEPARTMENT: The following is an update by Steve Reyes on photo collections (Editor).
a) Photographer Charlie Strutt did commit suicide; he hung himself on his front porch so the traffic driving by could see him dangling on the front porch. Rich Enos was the NorCal photographer whose ex-wife burned all of his drag racing stuff. The late Rod Flint’s drag racing photos were just used in a book on San Fernando that was published by Arcadia. My book on OCIR published by Arcadia comes out in April. Arcadia seems to enjoy doing drag racing books, I’ve done 4 with them, Northern California drag racing, Southern California Funny Cars, Southern California Top Fuel Dragsters and Orange County International Raceway (OCIR). I wanted to do a biography style book with CarTech, but I was told “picture” books don’t sell. I had planned a “Reyes on Tour” book with photos and stories of traveling to cover all kind of automotive events. CarTech bought 12 photos and a cover for a Plymouth Superbird book that they were doing from me. Car Tech just published Lou Hart’s book on Leong, and it had over 400 photos in it. Steve Reyes
b) Rich Enos said that his wife Pat got all his photos. Rich Enos must be the one Steve Reyes was referring to. Pat also shot photographs with her husband. I don’t recall any other couple shooting in northern California. From: Ken Gentry at NHRA.
c) What about those A/Fuel Funny Cars, belonging to Steve Boggs who is a Guru. He had Alcohol Funny Cars, an A/Fuel Funny Car that won the Gators, first time I know of, with injected nitro. Steve and I the same age, 81, he’s been around forever, worked for Tony Bartone for the last 25 years, a great guy, very smart tuner, never wanted to do a top fuel or funny car, reminds me of John Stewart, personality wise. From Columbus and been around racing for his entire life, not sure if he’s ever had a job outside racing, you can call him if you like but get ready for a long conversation. Mike Dakin
d) My photos and a large part of Ralph Guldahl’s stuff is on Ewald’s WDIFL website. All one has to do is ask. If I like the use I let ’em have one-run-rights. The Junior Fuel book used lots of them as well as the Bob Sorrell book. All I ask for is photo credit. Don Prieto
e) You mentioned the book on the Australian Phillips Island racecourse, which is known to the US fans as the site of the “Australian Grand Prix” in the 1959 post-apocalyptic movie On the Beach. Nuclear war has depopulated the world, all but Gregory Peck’s submerged sub and the isolated continent of Australia. They finally decide that they will be overcome by the radiation cloud and face their fate in different ways. Scientist Fred Astaire has a Ferrari Monza, and wins the wreck filled race, before firing it up in his garage and gassing himself with the trophy. The race is partly filmed at Phillips Island but interspersed with Riverside Raceway footage. Bob Storck
f) Ed Iskenderian was inducted into the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America this past Tuesday. Doug Stokes
g) By “LandSpeed” Louise Ann Noeth. Nearly every person reading this article would not have been born before Ed “Isky” Iskenderian began his lifelong mechanical engineering adventure. Many thousands of engines have been made faster and more reliable simply by using one of his racing camshafts. However, if you believe there is nothing new to read about the 103-year-old man who still goes to work daily, you’d be wrong. Most know the legend, but here we reveal much more of the man. Simply put, Isky is a charmingly casual, unfussy fellow who only needs to look at a camshaft and can tell you the lobe specs and probably which engine it fits. His journey first found traction after spending nickels and dimes to build his Model T roadster. It was chosen as the cover car for the June 1948 Hot Rod magazine and hailed “Hot Rod of the Month.” This helped to ignite his foundational speed merchant business in the early 1950s. From being the first president of SEMA to now, 70 years later, as part of the PRI Hall of Fame inaugural class, those who can best park the spotlight on Isky’s pervasive and enduring influence on performance and racing are the ones who grew with him.
READERS: To see photos and a full article go to the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America (MSHFA) website.
h) I’m working on a book about Turkey Night, the iconic midget race that started at Gilmore Stadium and is now held at Ventura, California. Looking for stories, experiences etc. Thanks. Dave Wolin at davewolin.
i) Thanks Richard – actually got it (the newsletter) twice! Anne Proffit
READERS: Anne is BACK. Please let me know when you change email addresses or phone numbers so that I can remain in contact with you all. When your email doesn’t go through, I think the worst.
j) “I want to read more dry lakes and bonneville stuff, but don’t print my name.”
NO NAME and OTHERS: Okay, I’ll do better. I have two SCTA Racing News that were sent to me that I have been slow in processing and will do my best to catch up. Also, more drag racing news. Also, six very late, book reviews to read and write. I blame it on napping, too many naps every day.
k) Oliver Wang, Project Curator for the Japanese American National Museum, is looking for the August 1949 issue of the Russetta Timing Association (RTA) program. Nita Underwood replied that she only has SCTA programs. Anyone else have an August RTA program? If you do, please let Ernie Nagamatsu know so he can pass it on to Oliver.
l) Hired in 1983, Emeline King designed the 1994 Mustang interior and also worked on the 1989 Thunderbird, the wheel program, the 2000 Thunderbird, and designed cars in Europe. See video: hiddenpioneers.
m) That was good reading (Motorsports Special Newsletter), and I do remember George Hurst having something to do with the sparkless tools used in extraction in vehicle accidents. Very good history and interesting reading on a cold winter morning.
Thank you, Miler Mike Stewart
n) Howdy…. Love your newsletters. Thanks for including me. Just read all the good stuff about Jim Kerr. Great guy. I would like to add his devotion to SEMA. I was fortunate enough to serve on the SEMA Board of Directors with him for several years. He truly loved the Automotive aftermarket and though I did not see him at the SEMA Show the past couple years I always enjoyed sharing stories with him. His great smile and sense of humor will be missed. RIP Jim. From Ron Funfar (Hedman Headers)
RON: I miss Jim Kerr too. He wrote often and coaxed me to write, which made me better.
o) Thanks for sharing these heartfelt words from knowledgeable insiders, a rare treat in this post-print era. Speaking of old photos, your father told me how the publishers of his book (Yesterday & Today) destroyed ALL of the early B&W prints that he’d submitted along with the manuscript. Luckily, most of the 1955-&-later shots had been printed from PPC negs that luckily survive, thanks to Pete’s (Petersen) foresight. DWjr
DEAR DAVE WALLACE JR: When are you going to drop the JUNIOR? Custom is that you’re a junior until Dad goes and then you can be the senior. That’s not all that happened in the FEUD that was never made public, lawsuit and all. That incident is documented in the “book.” It left such a lasting impression that Pops never seriously attempted to publish his bio ever again.
p) MR ED: I keep the Jr for two reasons: (1) Sets me apart from all of the OTHER David/Dave Wallaces on earth (LOTS!); (2) Inspires inquiries about Senior DW (RIP), creating opportunities to honor his memory. This byline business dates to 1964-65, when our reporting duties at San Fernando Raceway overlapped & confused some readers & racers. At that early, insecure stage of my career (age 14-15), I was intent on separating identities from a famous father. (YOU might be able to relate, eh?)
DEAR DWJR: “Eh” agree.

4) EVENTS, SHOWS, MUSEUMS, TOURS, REUNIONS AND MORE:
a) 30th Cruisin’ Brea, June 15, 2025, 10am-4pm, Birch Street in Downtown Brea, CA. From: news.
b) 2025 International Speedsters Trials & Reunion – Registration Now Open. June 18-21, 2025. Event includes hill climb, tech seminars, road tour, awards dinner. Contact Museum of American Speed, 599 Oak Creek Drive, Lincoln, Nebraska 68528 or museum.
c) Lions Automobilia Feature Car Club: Mercedes-Benz Club of America, Los Angeles Chapter, Saturday, March 22, 2025, 9am-11am. Lions Automobilia Foundation, 2790 E Del Amo Blvd, East Rancho Dominguez, CA 90221-6008.
Lions Automobilia Foundation Museum Experience Welcomes Race Fans, Wednesday, March 26, 2025, 9AM-2PM. Lions Automobilia Foundation, Rancho Dominguez, CA 90221. Thursday, March 27, 2025, 9AM-2PM. Friday, March 28, 2025, 9AM-2PM. Saturday, March 29, 2025, 9AM-2PM.
The Lion’s Roar Newsletter: Go to https://lionsautomobilia.org/showparticapants-lions/?utm_source=Lions+Auto
mobilia+Foundation&utm_campaign=fe55796baeEMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2024_04_12_10_13_COPY_01&utm_medium
=email&utm_term=0_-7895626403-459138373. From: Lions Automobilia Foundation at media.
d) An important update for CAL-RODS car club and our annual car show. With the closure of the iconic Irwindale Speedway, we lost the home of our Classic Car Show & Drag Race. However, we’re excited to announce that we will be returning once again to the lush grass infield of Santa Anita Park on May 17, 2025, for our 14th annual “Run with a Winner” Car Show. Tickets are available now through our website at calrodscarclub.
e) The Vintage Speedcar Association Newsletter. PO Box 73 Wentworthville, New South Wales, Australia, 2145. 249th Edition, Issue 4, February/March 2025. From John & Maria Green. (Photo unavailable) Circa 1968 Liverpool Speedway. Leading the pack Garry Rush #65 Howard Revell #2 Lew Marshall #72 Sid Clarke #51 Johnnie Stewart #1 Barry Butterworth #27 and Sid Middlemass #54. Story on page 8 is a celebration of 22 years of Liverpool Speedway titled “The Place of Pace Speedway Meet.” Bankstown Paceway Demonstration Day, 29th March Bankstown Paceway. 5th April Demonstration run at Tamworth Speedway. 17th May Demonstration run at Illabo Motorsport Park. 24th May Demonstration run at Tamworth Speedway. 29th June VSA Annual Presentation Luncheon.
EDITOR: The oval track at Bankstown is about a 5/8th mile and is in a suburb of Sydney, used for horse racing & shows.
f) Record Entry for HSR Sebring Classic 12 Hour Presented by Mission Foods Delivers Record Results. Next up on the 2025 HSR schedule is the 47th HSR Mitty presented by Hagerty at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta (MRRA), April 24-27, 2025. For more information on the HSR Mitty, please visit the Official Event Page at www.HSRRace.com.
g) The inaugural HSR Classic Endurance Championship presented by Mission Foods will be the HSR Watkins Glen Classic 6-Hour race presented by Mission Foods, June 12-14, 2025, at Watkins Glen International. From Adam Saal, at 321-890-2848, or SaalGoodPR@Gmail.com.
h) The John Massingberd Memorial Award to be presented at Drag Strip Memories. Event to be held April 13, 2025, at the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum, 9280 Airport Road, Mount Hope, Ontario, Canada, L0R 1W0. From Bruce F. Mehlenbacher, Pro Modified Racing Association (PMRA), Telephone: 905-517-5345. Email: Bruce@JAJentertainment.com.
i) San Clemente High School Auto Shop’s Meet the Industry & Car Show at SCHS Auto Academy, 700 Avenida Pico, San Clemente, CA 92673, April 19, 2025, 11am-2pm. Showcasing Academy student projects, industry experts, food truck, raffles, etc. Be sure to attend this important car show on April 19th from 11am to 2pm to support the San Clemente high school automotive program. We are fortunate to still have a serious vocational education program and shop equipment that encourages interest in participating in jobs in the automotive industry, and in our hobby. email kntuckerking.

5) STORIES OR BIOGRAPHIES IN THE GONE RACIN’ ARCHIVES: Just write and ask for a free emailed copy (Editor).
BEEBE, Tim and Suzy (2012). Tim was a dragracer, and Suzy wrote columns for National Dragster.
BENHAM, Ron and Stormin’ Norman (2006). Members of the SCTA, dry lakes and Bonneville racers.
BERARDINI Brothers, Pat and Tony (2006). Early 1950’s drag racers in Southern California.
BERG, Ken (2012). Historian and keeper of the Meyer/Drake records.
BERTRAND, Pierre and SMITH, Clay (2006). 1930’s & ’40’s cam grinders. Clay went to the Indy 500 as chief mechanic.
BIERSMAN, Bill (2017). Bill Bierman’s Suicide King: 1961 Studebaker Hawk gasser. Written by Anna Marco
BLAIR, Don (2011). Early speed shop owner, SCTA/Bonneville, dry lakes, oval track car owner.
BLAISDELL, Lee and Mamie (2015). Lee was an SCTA & Hot Rod Magazine photographer in the 1940’s & ’50’s.

6) BOOKS AVAILABLE FOR SALE:
Ken Breslauer, the author, all-around motorsports enthusiast and the recognized expert on the history of the 12 Hours of Sebring, will be signing copies of his acclaimed book, Sebring 1983: The Warhorse and the Hitchhiker, this Friday, March 14, at Sebring International Raceway. The second printing of the popular book is almost sold out, but Breslauer will have copies available for signing in the Hall of Fame Building in the Sebring paddock adjacent to pit-in at the beginning of the circuit’s front straight. Scheduled hours on Friday for the signing are between 10am-3pm EDT. Adam Saal at SaalGoodPR.
“My Travels on Racer Road: Can-Am and Formula 1 in Their Golden Age,” by Pete Lyons, EVRO Publishing. Foreword by Sir Jackie Stewart. Epilogue by Mario Andretti. Pub/date: March 2025. US $90. CDN $120. ISBN: 9781910505878. Format: 240x210mm portrait (9.4in x 8.3in). Hardback. Page extent: 560. Illustration: 550 photographs, including color. From Judy Stropus at jvstropus.

7) NEWS FROM EPARTRADE: I can’t understand why more readers don’t sign up for the free videos and fascinating interviews posted on Epartrade. It’s like going to a Trade Show while sitting on your couch and learning all about the great people in motorsports. Besides, Judy Kean and Francisque Savinien are nice, sweet and pretty. Sign up NOW.
Marty Fiolka, promoter of Crandon International Raceway and the annual Red Bull Crandon World Cup, joined us for the 5th Annual Race Industry Week. Hosted by George Tamayo of RACER.com. team.
Gordon Steffens, President of Performance Plus Global Logistics, and former NASCAR Driver and FOX TV reporter Kenny Wallace joined host Jeff Hammond from SiriusXM, Channel 90, for the “International Shipping Made Easy” webinar.
“Sustainability in Motorsport: The Sustainable Championship Index,” by Enovation Consulting Featuring Dr Cristiana Pace, Founder & CEO of Enovation Consulting, Bernhard Hafenscher, Strategic Project Coordinator at WRC Promoter GmbH, and Logan Waddle, Sustainability Program Leader at Penske Entertainment. Hosted by Jeff Hammond from SiriusXM, Channel 90. The presentation will be live at 9am PST, Wednesday, March 19, 2025.
Cindy Sisson, Executive Director of Women in Motorsports North America. Hosted by Kelly Crandall of RACER.com.
Dustin Woods, CEO and Founder of DEMO (Demolition Entertainment Motorsports Organization) joined us. Hosted by Jeff Hammond from SiriusXM, Channel 90.

8) RETRACTION, OOPS, CONFESSIONS & APOLOGY DEPARTMENT:
Following the International Hot Rod Association’s (IHRA) announcement last week listing multiple racetracks as newly acquired properties, several track owners and representatives have come forward to clarify that they have not been purchased by IHRA-despite being included in the announcement. The IHRA’s original list of acquisitions included:
National Trail Raceway (Ohio); Maryland International Raceway (Maryland); Milan Dragway (Michigan); Dragway 42 (Ohio); Darlington Dragway (South Carolina); Galot Motorsports Park (North Carolina); and Kil-Kare Raceway (Ohio).
However, Drag Illustrated has confirmed with Darlington Dragway leadership that the track has not yet changed ownership. Additionally, a track representative from Galot Motorsports Park has confirmed that IHRA has not officially acquired their facilities. Similarly, Maryland International Raceway (MIR) issued a statement today emphasizing that it remains independently owned and was not aware of its inclusion in IHRA’s announcement before it was published. Meanwhile, Dragway 42 and Milan Dragway have confirmed that they are currently in the transition process of being acquired by IHRA, marking the first confirmations from any track listed in IHRA’s announcement. National Trail Raceway and Kil-Kare Raceway have not yet provided comments on the situation. The IHRA was contacted for a statement regarding these recent developments but had not responded by the time of publication. MIR has formally requested that IHRA correct its statement and remove its track from the list of acquisitions, and it remains to be seen whether other tracks will take similar action. The confusion surrounding IHRA’s initial announcement has raised questions, and further clarifications may be forthcoming from both the sanctioning body and the tracks involved. This story was originally published on March 11, 2025, in Drag Illustrated. From Brent Cannon.
BRENT: The Editor is sorrowful and repentant for jumping the gun.
From Landspeed Louise Ann Noeth: “Yes, I lit a honking big camping match inside the hall (Motorsports Hall of Fame of America Banquet) that could be seen by all in the back tables, and I had to put it out in David Hobbes’ wine glass sitting next to the lectern because I forgot you can’t just blow out something mixed with magnesium. I didn’t believe activating the sprinkler system would be appreciated.”

9) Vintage Metal magazine (www.vsccwa.com.au), October 2024-Issue #391 of The Journal of The Vintage Sports Car Club of Western Australia. Black Bess (continued). In late 1975 Harrison managed to persuade Veitch to sell the car back to him and performed a complete restoration after which it appeared at Amaroo in January 1977 where it won the City of Sydney Trophy.
With Granton’s death the car passed to his son Roger, a multiple Australian Hillclimb Champion, who raced it a few times, but it spent most of the late 1980’s and 1990’s on display at the Rorlach Museum in the Barossa Valley. Around 1997 it was sold to Frank Moore of Queensland to join his large collection of Australian racing specials. Bob Campbell, Editor.

10) BLAST FROM THE PAST…… From the Wally & Barbara Parks story, We Did It Our Way. Robert Jarvis Robinson.
Robert Jarvis Robinson was born on September 27, 1925, and passed away on May 6, 1950, at the age of 24 at an SCTA time trial held at El Mirage Dry Lake, California. He was driving the Ansen Automotive Class C Roadster and at the end of his 151-mph run, he was turning around in a wide sweep when he hit a sand dune. The car bounced 165 feet, hit the ground and then bounced end over end for another 720 feet before coming to a stop. Robinson was thrown from the car on its last flip when the safety belt split. He was from North Hollywood, California, driving a car owned by Bob Morton and George Rubio. From Mel Bashore and the records of Wally Parks.

11) BOOK REVIEWS:
a) Phillip Island; The inside Story of Australia’s fastest Racetrack, Our Home of Motorsport, by John Smailes. (cont’d) However, it is not a dry and hard to read saga, but a bright and enjoyable story that will carry the reader through the years. It is a hard book to put down until you have explored the entire history of the Phillip Island venue. An indication of the
research John put into this book is the list of interviews at the back of the book, almost two whole pages of interviewees, and the bibliography is an even bigger list. Add to that the many periodicals he hunted through for details of racing at Phillip Island and you will get some idea of the effort John put into producing this excellent account of the legendary track, or tracks to be more accurate. Bob Campbell, Editor, robertcampbell4.
b) A Lifelong Lotus Love Affair, by BS Levy. Published by Think Fast Ink, PO Box 7488, Westchester, Illinois 60154. Thingfast. 708-383-7203. ISBN: NOT YET AVAILABLE. 8 ½ x 11 x 7/8 inches, 268 pages. BW & Color photos not yet established: 139 photos. 25 additional graphs, drawings, charts, etc. Dedication, Acknowledgements, 15 Chapters. PREVIEW EDITION; not for sale yet.
Burt “BS” Levy is an acknowledged race car driver with a love of sports car racing and all types of cars, but in A Lifelong Lotus Love Affair, he relates his love for the Lotus and how it handles on the track. (For the entire review write to the Editor)

12) NATIONAL HOT ROD ASSOCIATION NEWS:
a) Rock-and-roll music and Arizona native Alice Cooper is set to perform at the “Off the Track” concert at the Wild Horse Pass Festival Grounds on March 22, 2025, as part of the 40th annual NHRA Arizona Nationals weekend, March 21-23.
b) The NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series returns to its birthplace for the historic 65th annual Lucas Oil NHRA Winternationals, March 27-30, 2025, at the In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip with plenty of special additions to make it a memorable weekend.
c) NHRA officials announced that Albuquerque Dragway is now in the NHRA Member Track Network as part of the NHRA’s Pacific Division (Division 7). Albuquerque Dragway has enjoyed a long and extensive drag racing history dating back to 1963. The facility has been a longtime NHRA Member Track over the years and track owner Robert Costa, who has been with the track since 2008, has been dedicated to providing a safe, competitive and exciting environment and facility for racers and teams.
d) NHRA officials announced that Thunder Valley Dragways has joined the NHRA Member Track Network as part of the NHRA’s West Central Division (Division 5). First opened in 1967 as an NHRA Member Track, Thunder Valley Dragways, which is located between Marion and Parker, South Dakota, is returning to its original roots in 2025. The track was built and is still owned and operated by Glen Rapp, while Cherrie Engbrecht has been with the track more than 20 years and is the office and track manager. The facility schedule runs from April through September each season, offering a variety of events catered to every type of racer and fan.

13) Ron Benham spoke about Ak Miller’s record run in the Earl Wooden Crossley Coupe. Benham had built the car which was sold to Earl Wooden. That car qualified many a land speed racer for a record, and Benham has built cars that put a lot of people into the record books, including Ak. (source Ron Benham June 28, 2005)

14) Vintage Metal Journal March 2025: Definition of a Historic or Classic Racing Car How do we define an historic or classic car? There has been some support for a sliding scale that recognises anything over 25 years old as historic or classic. Indeed, the Veteran Car Club of WA, more recently known as the Veteran and Classic Car Club of WA, has used this yardstick for many years. But many people think that, for racing, the definition should be more flexible. The FIA (Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile) recently revised its Appendix K regulations, which govern the awarding of Historic Technical Passports (HTPs) that rubber stamp a car’s eligibility for historic motor sport across most of the world. As of this year, the FIA accepts a range of race and rally cars dating from 1991 to 2000. This change is reflected in the recent move by MA to give us interim approval to extend eligibility for production sports cars to pre-2000, which has allowed the VSCC to accept newer cars into Round the Houses events. Bob Campbell, Editor, robertcampbell4.

15) SCTA, USFRA, DRY LAKES, BONNEVILLE & LAND SPEED NEWS: From the December 2023 issue of the SCTA Racing News sent to me by Jill Iversen (Editor). Exclusive interview with Danny Thompson, son of Mickey Thompson. Tegan Hammond, 300 mph stunt driver and Bonneville record holder. Oldest still published Hot Rod Magazine (SCTA Racing News that is) since 1938. 75th anniversary of Speedweek. Current clubs in the SCTA: Eliminators, Gear Grinders, Land Speed Racers (LSR), Milers, Gold Coast Roadster & Racing Club, High Desert Racers, Road Runners, Rod Riders, San Diego Roadster Club, Sidewinders, and Super Fours. Tribute to Pat McDowell. Ensuring Safety by Lee Kennedy (column). Schedule of Events. Take it to impound, by Mike Kaehny (column). Club and individual points standings. “At 78 years old you’ve got to race while you can,” Derek McLeish. Dirt or Salt, it’s all about speed, by Mike Manghelli (column).

16) Automotive books mentioned on the Cars Yeah website by those appearing on Ginger Baker Rust’s Podcast.
Paul Ward – https://paddock-speedshop.com/.
Le Mans: – 100 Years: A Century at the World’s Greatest Race, by Glen Smale.
Jamie Little – Essential Car Care for Women, by Jamie Little and Daniel McCormick.
Stuart Rowlands – Triumph Cars 100 Years, by Ross Alkureishi.
Prescott Kelly – Porsche: Excellence Was Expected, by Karl Ludvigsen.
John ‘Woody’ Woodard – Ford the Dust and the Glory, by Leo Levine.
Rick Barnett – Faster, by Neil Bascomb.
William Walker – The Last Lap: The Mysterious Demise of Pete Kreis at the Indianapolis 500, by William ‘Bill’ Walker.

17) Wally’s stories: courtesy of DRIVE Magazine, by Wally Parks (to be serialized in coming newsletters).
GEORGE HURST: A MAN WITH PIZZAZZ!

The combination of George’s energy, enthusiasm and mechanical skills, bolstered by Jack Duffy’s expertise as a master public-relations expert, contributed much to the prominence of Hurst, NHRA, SEMA and the growing credibility of the performance equipment industries. When the Hurst company was purchased and moved to Detroit, and George was no longer a key player, he stepped quietly aside, sacrificing the long-standing reputation he had earned as a devoted advocate for ingenuity and excitement in the world of automotive advancements. But, as a lasting icon in the motorsports field, the name George Hurst stands tall in the lineup of solid contributors.”

18) The Vintage Speedcar Association Newsletter. PO Box 73 Wentworthville, New South Wales, Australia, 2145. 249th Edition – Issue 4, February/March 2025. From John & Maria Green. For Sale Morton and May Vagabond N.S.W. 23 Speedcar. Also known as “Shell Firestone Special.” Originally built by Ron Ward in1960/61, 6 Cylinder Vauxhall Vagabond engine with McGee fuel injection. Also includes billycart and numerous spares $45,000. Contact: John Green.

19) BLAST FROM THE PAST …… From the Wally & Barbara Parks story, We Did It Our Way. My uncle Kenny Parks participated in the Memorial Day 500 Lap Jalopy Race at Carrell Speedway on or about May 28, 1950. The Jalopy was owned by R. P. McAlister and was listed in the program as car #17. The race was scheduled as a 500-lap event in order to celebrate the 500-mile Indy race at the Speedway in Indianapolis. The jalopy was a relatively old car, beat up and banged around and they didn’t look much like a racecar, but on the short tracks they were exciting to watch. They tended to throw dirt up into mounds, especially on the turns so that cars often tipped over and volunteers and crewmen would rush out under a caution flag as the cars were slowed, to turn the tipped over cars right-side up and back into the race. Often the cars would spin around and go the wrong way and crash into other cars. Though it was amusing for the fans those early jalopy racers had some angry tempers.

20) Vintage Metal magazine (robertcampbell4.

21) 2025 MSHOFA Ed Iskenderian Induction speech, by LandSpeed Louise Ann Noeth, Copyright 2025, part one.
Many thousands of engines have been made faster and more reliable simply by using one of Ed Iskenderian’s racing camshafts. Ed is a charmingly casual, unfussy fellow who conquers his competition one lobe at a time. This 103-year-old man, a lynchpin in Los Angeles when hot rodding gave birth to the speed equipment industry, still goes to work daily and contributes to his company and motorsports with enviable gusto. His self-taught mechanical engineering adventure began in the 1940’s. He bought a two-inch ad in the August 1948 issue of Speed Age magazine which inspired a couple of road racing brothers to buy his camshaft.
The boys not only ran the fastest lap in front 100,000 spectators but also won the inaugural Sports Car Grand Prix at Watkins Glen. Giddy with delight, Sam and Miles Collier, yes, those Colliers, sent Isky a 2-page letter of their marvelous milestone. Oh, and if you see the Swamp Rat wandering around here tonight, ask Don Garlits who rocketed him into worldwide renown. Though commonplace throughout motorsports today, Isky was elected the first President of SEMA because he had already started paying racers contingency money for using his products and created wearable advertising by giving racers free tee-shirts. Being fast and first is critical but what about Isky’s decades of discreet philanthropy helping thousands? It was only last year Ed learned how his decades-old kindness kick started a motorsports career, this story is as powerful as it is endearing. Landspeed Louise Ann Noeth is at louise. (to be continued)