By Richard Parks
1) EDITOR’S CORNER: Years ago, I found myself in the middle of a brouhaha, which is a common event for me. A Cleveland Museum had a change of leadership and decided to go modern, the antithesis of what museums are all about. They overspent and were faced with bankruptcy and the only idea they could come up with was to sell off a famous car collection, some 70 vehicles, rather than get rid of musty muskets and pioneer quilts, etc. That made sense to them since one car might fetch six figures and the other objects in the museum weren’t as highly valued. That led to a revolt from the docents and volunteers and a war in the local press. I wrote an editorial (okay, many editorials) and supported the volunteers. The docents decided to complain to the local newspapers, and the museum responded in kind, which divided the community. Possible legal repercussions muddied the water of good ideas and intentions. The director wasn’t happy with outside interference and told me so, but I could not let it go without telling her that the results of the board’s actions would not look good in the long run. The newspapers carried the story for nearly a year; publicity that did not make things easier for the museum director or the docents. In the end the volunteers left, and it isn’t easy finding devoted and long-serving docents. Eventually the issue was forgotten but never forgiven and we all learned a lesson. Board of Directors have to make hard decisions but should always listen to and respect the opinions of fans, museum goers, docents, sponsors and volunteers. It is easy to neglect speaking to the staff and public. In racing it is important to “get out in the stands and out to the pits,” and listen to people. We can survive a few times by ignoring what people think, but we cannot survive when we make it a habit. When that happens, we insulate ourselves. Hot rodders have never been and never will be elitist. That is our strength; to listen and learn from anyone who has a good idea.
AND: All links in the newsletter need to be copied and pasted into your browser in order to work.
AND: “I’ve seen a few things that are incorrect. Are you ok if we correct this and should I find any others?” Anon
That’s fine. Errors should always be corrected. I work off documents and I wasn’t at the event. When you are finished send me the corrections and where I can find the original text, as it is time consuming to find where it’s located. Also source your corrections, such as, “Source: Jedidiah Milleranski, Auto Historian, 2025,” or something of that nature.
2) REMEMBERING OUR LOST FRIENDS DEPARTMENT:
a) Performance Racing Industry Mourns Loss of SEMA Hall of Fame Inductee Jim Kerr, 91. Go to this website for photos and text: https://www.performanceracing.com/magazine/industry-news/industry-mourns-loss-sema-hall-fame-inductee-jim-kerr-91. From Paul W. Gibson.
PAUL: Thank you for this fine article. Jim emailed constantly and we struck up a friendship. He and others told me that I should write something on Oscar Koveleski, and it turned into a wonderful short history. I never met him in person, or we went to events not knowing each other at the time. He was a kind gentleman, and we will all miss him.
b) Does anyone know where Don Coonan is?
c) Does anyone know how I can reach Angus MacKenzie?
d) My Uncle, Phil Coonce drove Junior Gas at Lions and San Fernando drag strips with the Connelly & Coonce “Rat Patrol” in the late 1960’s. Uncle Phil passed away last Christmas season at his home in Coombs, British Columbia. Cole Coonce
COLE: Can we start on a set of stories for Phil or a bio?
e) Gene’s daughter informed us that her dad, Gene Ellis passed away on Saturday night, April 5, 2025, at home. He would
have been 99 on September 13. He and my dad were both born in 1926. Gene enlisted in the US Marine Corps at age 17. His funeral involved Military Honors. He was very fortunate to have one special child, Diane, a Professional Caretaker at his side for many years. Carole & Gunther
READERS: Gene raced at the Santa Ana Drags when it opened in 1950, but his passion was in open wheel racing. He was always supportive of others, and his memory was immense, right up to the end of his life.
3) WE GET MAIL DEPARTMENT:
a) John Massingberd’s no-holds-barred comments, perception of the sport, knowledge, and professionalism are missed, as are his unique vision, business acumen, and strong sense of dedication. He pioneered the field, breaking new ground in radio and television motorsports coverage. John was inducted into the Canadian Drag Racing Hall of Fame posthumously in 2022 and was inducted into the Canadian Motorsport Hall of Fame posthumously in 2023. Bruce F. Mehlenbacher, Pro Modified Racing Association (PMRA) at Bruce.
b) The International Motor Racing Research Center presents: “Straight Line Speed-the History of Niagara Dragway.” A day of memories, stories, photos and more as seen thru the eyes of Dean Johnson, Promoter, Niagara Dragway, 1964-1974. On display will be a 1963 AA/Top Fuel Dragster “Dead End Kids.” Free and open to the public on Saturday, May 10, 2025, from 1pm at International Motor Racing Research Center (IMRRC), 610 South Decatur Street, Watkins Glen, NY. Relive the history of drag racing in western NY. Call: 607-535-9044 or email: kip or www.racingarchives.org. From Kip Zeiter
c) Thank you very much for all of the history you have sent me. Brent Cannon
BRENT: You’re welcome. All the records and research are available to everyone, without charge.
d) For those looking for George Calloway, the last info I have: 1653 Adobe Mountain RD (directly adjacent to El Mirage dry lake), Adelanto, Ca 92301-9470. Cell #760-217-0749.
From Karen Nelson
KAREN: I called and spoke to George, and he would love having phone calls from people. His wife is not home, she is in a nursing home and a lady by the name of Stormy is staying with him and taking care of him. George has gone blind and no longer has access to the internet, but he went to Bonneville last year.
e) I’m overwhelmed. I didn’t realize the enormity of what you are doing. But at my age (90 in September) it’s too much for me to get thru. Thank you for what you already sent me. See you at the next event whatever it might be. Spider Razon
SPIDER: Where did you get the nickname spider? My sons and grandchildren’s generation did not bother with nicknames, but they were special to my father’s generation. I remember Ak Miller (“Kid“) telling me all the nicknames and one of them was “Oilcan” since no one could pronounce one of the early dry-lakers; to Ak it sounded just like oilcan. Dave Marquez called me “Silk.” Maybe the readers will pass on some special nom-de-plumes of the past.
f) A brief note about publishing: after dealing with a variety of printers and buying books 1000 at a time, I discovered Amazon. Maybe the quality isn’t there for a $100 coffee table book, but I’ve been happy with what they do for me. It’s print on demand, when you buy a book on Amazon, they print it and send it to you. I only stock what I need to fill orders for a month, and I think they print in every state and most countries. When a customer in England buys my book, it’s printed and shipped there in England, saving a lot. With their distribution I make almost as much as I do stocking and selling myself. Pretty easy, send them a pdf file and they print it. Not for everyone but it works for me. Dave Wolin
DAVE: Oops, I barely mentioned PRINT ON DEMAND. Thank you for letting me know. There have been some excellent print on demand books and it’s a good way to go for many authors.
g) The John Massingberd Memorial Award has been presented by the Pro Modified Racing Association (PMRA) to Michael Shane on April 13, 2025, at the DragStrip Memories show at the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum in Mount Hope, Ontario, Canada. Shane’s involvement in motorsport spans more than 55 years. He was a motorsport entrepreneur and the first to accomplish so many innovative promotions in our sport. He started drag racing in 1967 in a 1963 Corvette at the Ontario tracks of Mohawk Drag Strip in Deseronto, Cayuga Dragway in Cayuga, and Toronto International Dragway in Georgetown, along with Niagara Dragway in Niagara Falls, NY. From Bruce.
MICHAEL: Congratulations for a well-earned and deserved award.
h) Friday night racing is set to return to the Richmond, Virginia area and jumpstart a bold new vision for Southside Speedway.
a 20-year ground lease-to-purchase agreement for Southside Speedway. As part of the deal, investor group Competitive Racing Investments, led by Chesterfield native Lin O’Neill and business leader Jeff Oakley, has committed to revitalizing the track and restoring auto racing to the area. From Joe Skotnicki at Racing Promotion Monthly e-Magazine, March 2025 edition, www.Promotersnewsletter.com.
i) The 14th Annual “Run with a Winner” Classic Car Show, hosted by CAL-RODS Car Club will have NHRA Hall of Famer “Gentleman” Joe Schubeck at the event for a special book signing of his brand-new publication, Hot Rods, Trains and Planes. Saturday, May 17, 2025, on the beautiful grass infield of Santa Anita Park. Enjoy an incredible day filled with: Classic cars, Live horse racing, Music by The Gaslighters, and a chance to meet Joe Schubeck and get a signed copy of his new book. Show car entry is from 9am to 11am, with pre-registration available for just $40 (includes admission for the driver and up to three passengers). From Gary Driscoll, President, CAL-RODS Car Club at gdriscoll, or visit www.cal-rods.org.
j) BLM warns against illegal parties on public lands after breaking up unpermitted rave. Go to: ron.
READERS: Burning pallets on dry lakes and Bonneville may be fun to young people, but for land speed time trial racers it is deadly as the nails that are left behind may puncture tires, cause accidents and fatalities. I’ve seen it happen. Warn young people that there are reasons behind the laws that are meant to protect the public. It is a short (and rather disgusting) video that could have led to sad consequences.
4) STORIES OR BIOGRAPHIES IN THE GONE RACIN’ ARCHIVES: Just write and ask for a free emailed copy (Editor).
CASTELLI, Steve Jr……2023
CECACI, Dave……2023
CHAMBERLAIN, Paul……2024
CHERSKY, Stan……2011
CHILSON, Bob……2012
CHOISSER, Robert……2016
CHRISMAN, Art……2011
CHRISMAN, Art (Celebration of Life) ……2016
CHRISMAN, Art (Christmas Party) ……2006
5) BOOKS AVAILABLE FOR SALE:
MG Cars 1930 to 2006, by Trevor Alder, £17.99, 112 pages, 211 pictures, a comprehensive pictorial history of all MG cars produced from 1930 up to those in production in 2006 when the Rover group collapsed. This is the ‘go-to’ reference book if you want to compare your Magnettes, MGAs, Midgets or Maestros. Write to: newsletter.
In the Veloce series: Triumph & Standard, Morris,Rootes: (Hillman, Humber, Singer, Sunbeam, & Talbot), Rover, Austin, Ford, & Wolseley, Citroën, and Jaguar. Write to: newsletter.
Books from Coastal 181 bookstore at www.coastal181.com or 877-907-8181: The Last Cowboy: The Life and Times of Billy Pauch, by Buffy Swanson, Foreword by Ray Evernham.
The Definitive Book on the IMSA RS Series and All Its Derivations (IS etc), by Dave Wolin. 334 Pages – 8 1/2 x 11 / B&W – Covering the RS Series, from its beginnings at Talladega in 1969 to the last race at Sebring in 1993. Includes a DVD with all the photos, newspaper and magazine articles, yearbooks, rulebooks, videos, results and more.
6) EVENTS, SHOWS, MUSEUMS, TOURS, REUNIONS AND MORE:
a) CAL-RODS car club 14th Annual “Run with a Winner” car show returns to Santa Anita Park, May 17, 2025. A car show on the infield grass during horse racing at Santa Anita. Show cars on display, all makes & models, live music by The Gaslighters, trophies & special awards, huge raffle, food & vendors, pony rides & bounce house. Show car registration: $40 pre-registration (includes 4 passengers). 626-827-3744 or email Gary Driscoll at gdriscoll. From news.
b) 30th Cruisin’ Brea, June 15, 2025, 10am-4pm, Birch Street in Downtown Brea, CA. From: news.
c) 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.
d) 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.
e) Saturday, April 26, 2025, Pete Lyons will hold a book signing from 11am-3pm, for his book, My Travels on Racer Road; Can-Am and Formula 1 in Their Golden Age, Foreword by Jackie Stewart, Epilogue by Mario Andretti. Autobooks-Aerobooks, 2900 W. Magnolia Blvd, Burbank, CA 91505, 818-845-0707, www.autobooks-aerobooks.com.
f) Celebrating All the Amazing Moms; Cruise to Lions with Mom, Saturday, May 10, 2025. Moms get free admission. Lions Automobilia Foundation, 2790 E Del Amo Blvd, East Rancho Dominguez, CA 90221-6008.
g) Sherm Porter’s Calendar of Events for hot rodders and more.
MONTHLY: Jr’s Drive-In, 2nd Friday of the month, 603 E. Main, Santa Maria, CA, 5-8pm. For info: 805-925-5556.
WEEKLY-SATURDAYS-SUNDAY AUTOHANGOUT: open to anyone, no leader, supervision, trophies or vendors.
Every Saturday morning from 8am-11:30am. in Embarcadero Parking Lot, next to the PG&E stacks in Morro Bay.
BAKERY BUMS: Every Saturday 7am, Cider Creek Bakery, Paso Robles, CA, corner of Niblick/South River Road.
ORCUTT DERELICTS: Sunday 8am, Oak Knolls Shopping Center, Orcutt, CA corner of Clark/Bradley.
PISMO DERELICTS: Saturday 7am, OSH/ROSS Center, Pismo Beach, CA, 100+ cars on a sunny day.
SANTA BARBARA CARS & COFFEE: Sunday, Santa Barbara, CA, La Cumbre Plaza, 8am-10am.
APRIL 19, 2025, Barrel House Motorama, Paso Robles, CA. Free, 11am-5pm, Classic Rods/Trucks/Motorcycles/Tractors/ Vendors/Music/Food/Must pre-register. Go to: https://barrelhousebrewing.com/2025-motorama-registration.
APRIL 18-27, 2025, Kool April Nites Classic Car Show, Redding, CA. Go to: www.koolaprilnites.com.
APRIL 24-27, 2025, Viva Las Vegas, Rockabilly Weekend, Orleans Hotel, Las Vegas, Nevada. Largest event of its kind, bands, cars, burlesque. Go to: www.vivalasvegas.net.
APRIL 25-26, 2025, Solvang Datsun Roadster Classic, All Datsuns. Go to: www.solvangroadstershow.wordpress.com.
APRIL 25-27, 2025, ANRA Season Opener, Auto Club Famoso Raceway, CA. Go to: www.anra.com.
APRIL 25-27, 2025, 48th Annual NSRA Western Street Rod Nationals, Kern County Fairgrounds, Bakersfield, CA. 1988 & earlier. Go to: www.nsra-usa.com.
APRIL 25-27, 2025, “Woodies in the Valley,” Visalia, CA. Go to: info.
APRIL 25-27, 2025, Holley LS Fest West, Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Nevada. Go to: lsfest.
APRIL 26, 2025, ‘Motors on Main’ Car & Motorcycle Show, Downtown Gustine, CA. DJ, live band, food trucks, raffle, & photo booth. Call: 209-652-5223.
APRIL 26, 2025, Pan Draggers “Start-N-Summer” Rod Run, Kingsburg, CA. Go to: pandraggersfresno.
APRIL 26, 2025, Hagerty Cars & Caffeine Car Show, Sonoma Raceway Speedtour. Go to: https://speedtour.net/sonoma.
APRIL 27, 2025, Pasadena Roadster Club Reliability Run. Start location: Pasadena Elks Lodge, CA. Pre-1937 steel bodies (Brookville-bodied OK). Go to: INFO.
h) We hope to see you at the 5th Annual Global Diversity Summit/Hidden Pioneers Event at SALEEN Performance Labs Corona, California on 4/19/2025. We will also be in production for the Hidden Garages TV Series. Call us for more info. Rodney Allen Rippy, Ripped Marketing Group at 424-888-9578, or Bill Montgomery at HiddenPioneers.
7) NHRA, IHRA, DRAG RACING NEWS:
- a)Famoso Dragstrip will have new leadership in 2025, as Tim Huddleston, whose Irwindale Speedway and Dragstrip is slated for redevelopment in 2025, will move his team to the historic quartermile located just outside of Bakersfield, CA, and take over daily operation of the facility from longtime operator Blake Bowser. Bowser, whose leadership alongside his late father, John, has propelled the track back into the national spotlight, will continue to lead the charge for the facility’s two marquee events, the March Meet and the California Hot Rod Reunion, two staples of the NHRA Hot Rod Heritage Racing Series schedule.
From: Joe Skotnicki jskotnicki@racingpromomonthly.com.
- b)NHRA Social Media Roundup: Maddi Gordon warms up Capps’ Funny Car, photo gallery from Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Matt Latino learning Pro Stock ropes this season. From: updates@go.nhra.com.
- c) The International Hot Rod Association (IHRA) has acquired drag racing facilities and is actively expanding its event portfolio and partnerships, including music, entertainment, family fun, IHRA TV, a groundbreaking digital platform that will bring an extensive lineup of motorsports action to audiences worldwide, and racing series on snow, water, asphalt and dirt. From Joe Skotnicki at Racing Promotion Monthly e-Magazine, March 2025 edition, Promotersnewsletter.com.
- d)Sunday’s final results from the 25th annual NHRA Four-Wide Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. The race is the fourth of 20 in the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series: Top Fuel-Tony Stewart. Funny Car-Austin Prock. Pro Stock-Dallas Glenn. Top Alcohol Dragster-Shawn Cowie. Top Alcohol Funny Car-Madison Gordon. Competition Eliminator-Taylor Chomiski. Super Stock-Chad Guilford. Stock Eliminator-Scott Burton. Super Comp-Kris Whitfield. Super Gas-Ken Mostowich. Super Street-Larry Paden. Top Sportsman-Bryan Warr. Top Dragster- Steve Will. From: nhracommunications@nhra.com.
8) BOOK REVIEWS:
A History of Auto Racing in New England, Volume 1, by Dick Berggren 14
Vintage American Road Racing Cars 1950-1970, by Harold Pace & Mark Brinker 16
From Horseback to Horsepower; the autobiography of Chic Cannon NHRA 18
Kustom Kulture Queens, by Mitzi Valenzuela 20
Aventura, Alaska, Brasil, by William Carroll 22
9) AUTO & CAR BOOKS mentioned on Ginger Baker Rust’s Cars Yeah website by those appearing on her Podcast:
Doug Evans – Hot Rod Empire, by Matt Stone.
Richard Rawlings – Fast and Loud: Blood Sweat and Beers, by Richard Rawlings.
Myles Kornblatt – Max Hoffman, by Myles Kornblatt.
Colin Comer – Million Dollar Muscle Cars, by Colin Comer, Shelby Mustang Fifty Years, by Colin Comer.
Colin Comer – Shelby Cobra Fifty Years, by Colin Comer, The Unfair Advantage, by Mark Donohue.
Colin Comer – Shelby American 60 Years of High Performance, by Colin Comer and Richard J. Kopec.
Colin Comer – The Best Damn Garage in Town: The World According to Smokey, by Smokey Yunick.
Colin Comer – Smokey Yunick’s The Best Damn Garage in Town 3 Volume Set, by Smokey Yunick.
10) SPORTS CAR RACING NEWS:
- a)The HSR Sebring Classic: Several teams have doubled up on HSR Classic Endurance by Mission Foods Run Group victories in the past, but the 901 Shop is the first to win three different Groups in a single race. In the inaugural HSR Daytona Classic 24 Hour in 2014, Hudson Historics and team co-drivers Paul Reisman and his son John Reisman drove a Lola B2K/40 to the Run Group D win and backed it up with a Group F win – which is now Run Group G – in a quick Porsche Boxster. Most recently, Iconic Racing co-drivers Gérard Lopez and three-time Le Mans 24 Hour winner Marcel Fassler won Group A in a Lola T70 Mk III and Group F in an ex-JDC Motorsports Cadillac DPi in 2023. From SaalGoodPR@Gmail.com.
- b) 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 HSRRace.com. Adam Saal
- c)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.
- d) Royce Rumsey just published “Coventry en Province Française.” Jaguar’s brand and marque appeal was largely the work of Sir William Lyons. Starting in 1948 with its landmark introduction of its new concept car with its 3.5-liter DOHC inline hemi 6 “XK” engine. The “120” moniker was in reference to its top speed, 120MPH, which made it the fastest production automobile at that time. And within three years the Coventry stable of Jags (XK120 C-Types) went on to win the 1951 and 1953 LeMans 24-Hour classics. For the complete text and photos go to: https://roycer924.exposure.co/coventry-en-province-francaise. Royce can be reached at roycer924_2@mac.com.
11) BLAST FROM THE PAST…… From the Wally & Barbara Parks story, We Did It Our Way. 17 MAY 1950
The Gamblers of Las Vegas write to Hot Rod magazine. Larry Cripe, president of the Gamblers of Las Vegas car club wrote to ask if a notice can be placed in HRM about the club’s activities. They are holding supervised drag races on state highways under the sponsorship of local law enforcement. They welcome outside car clubs and drag racers to visit and race with them.
- a)Mari Bell and others have asked me if I can send all of the BLAST FROM THE PAST. I go into various sources and make up a new Blast from the Past each week.
12) OLD TIME HOT RODDERS SPEAK:
- a)Leslie Long said Joe Reath challenged Ak Miller to a race and lost, whereupon Jack Lufkin piped up, “Ak’s never been beaten in a fair race.” (source Leslie Long June 28, 2005) Ron Hope, driver of Don Green’s fuel altered drag car, The Rat Trap, talked about hanging around Ak Miller’s shop. He learned a great deal and said that “Ak and Jack Lufkin were a great influence and launched many a career and helped the kids along in their racing ventures.” (source Ron Hope June 28, 2005)
- b)Frank Morimoto spoke about the dry lakes’ days and Kam and Harry Oka and the Miller brothers. (source Frank Morimoto, June 28, 2005, at the NHRA Motorsports Museum)
- c)The Kern County Motorsports Hall of Fame 2025 Inductees are: Bowser Family, Marion Collins, Kevin Harvick, Ernie Hashim, Marshall “Digger” Helm, Terry Henry, Huth Family, Owen Kearns, Kurtis Family, Steve McGowan, Rick Mears, Rosie Roussel, Schweitzer Family, Frank Secrist, George Snider, and Marion Whittington. The official induction ceremony will take place at the “Streets of Bakersfield Car Show” on October 11, 2025. The Kern County Motorsports Hall of Fame is sponsored by the non-profit cruzin4charity, producers of the “Streets of Bakersfield Car Show, at kerncountymotorsportshof.com, and also www.cruizin4charity.com. Sent in by Dave Wolin at racinghistoryproject@gmail.com.
13) Vintage Metal magazine (www.vsccwa.com.au), October 2024-Issue #391 of The Journal of The Vintage Sports Car Club of Western Australia. 7. Zephyr Special (continued). Even with six little mufflers mounted on the stub exhausts the Zephyr engine is too loud for most circuits’ decibel restrictions, so the car’s career has been curtailed. Graeme and Robyn still own the Zephyr Special and at last report had no intention of selling it. BIBLIOGRAPHY: Information for this story came from: Historic Racing Cars in Australia by John Blanden; The Official 50-race History of the Australian Grand Prix; Optimism by Dick Willis; Around the Houses by Terry Walker; Wizard Smith by Steve Simpson plus my own archives (last in the series). Bob Campbell, Editor, robertcampbell4@icloud.com.
14) The Research Center currently has a 1963 AA/Top Fuel dragster on display. It was run by 3 fellows from Brooklyn who became known as “The Dead-End Kids.” Please check www.racingarchives.org, for photos of the car. Do you have any information on the car. Events competed in, fastest speed, ET, anything you might be able to provide would be helpful. I believe it’s powered by a 392 cubic inch Chrysler Hemi and another question I have is how much horsepower did those cars produce back in the early 1960’s? In association with the display car, on Saturday, May 10, 2025, the IMRRC will host its first Center Conversation of the season. It’s titled “Straight Line Speed – The history of Niagara Dragway.” I’m attempting to round up several others who competed at Niagara and might be interested in giving some insight into that era of drag racing. This is the first time in the history of the Research Center that we have had a car from the world of drag racing on display. Kip Zeiter, Coordinator of Visitor Services/Outreach IMRRC, Watkins Glen, NY. 607-535-9044. www.racingarchives.org.
15) WALLY’S STORIES: courtesy of DRIVE Magazine, by Wally Parks (to be serialized). INDIAN MOTORCYCLE DAY-WEST.
A few days later I knocked on the door again, and the bike’s owner kindly offered to show it to me. Propped under the tree, it was indeed weathered and both tires were definitely flat. But it had a two-cylinder engine nestled in its faded and rusty frame, and all its components looked to be intact, to me. When I nervously asked if he would be willing to sell it, he agreed that he might – and could I pay ten dollars for it? In my eagerness I answered Yes – not having the slightest notion of how I could pay for it, or how I would raise the money. Those were in Depression days when times were tough – and my parents had no money to spare, even for a kid-accommodating loan. But I found after-school odd jobs and built my little nest-egg – until the day came when I could produce the ten dollars to buy my Indian! Then proud as a peacock, I pushed it home, hoping all the neighbors would see me with my grand prize, then gently parked it in the back of my dad’s old one-car frame garage, where I polished and petted it every day – still having no idea of what I would or could do with it. But it was mine!
16) HIDDEN PIONEERS, EPARTRADE, CARS YEAH AND OTHER PODCASTS:
- a)Rodney Allen Rippy interviewed Hidden Pioneer Hank Williams on YouTube at https://youtu.be/jOzvG7n9qLo?si=NznQ
8zr7su8pgcCQ. People loved him and spent time with the Cool Jazz Man named “Cobra Hank.” From Bill Montgomery.
- b) This Week on Cars Yeah Ginger Baker Rust interviews Nigel Matthews who is the Chief Judge at the La Jolla Concours scheduled for April 27, 2025. To learn more and attend visit LaJollaConcours.com today. Also to be interviewed are Chris Peterson and Bob Kerner. From: Ginger@CarsYeah.com.
- c) Rodney Allen Rippy interviews the Hidden Pioneersat https://youtu.be/ggZwATpm_mY?si=dlqQbvmsxgtNt0Do.
- d)Episode #538: “Next-Level Performance Tech-JMS/Daytona Sensors/Daytona Twin Tec Uncovered,” by JMS Daytona Featuring Chris Johnson, CEO Product Designer, and Frank Kondas, National Sales Manager. Hosted by Jeff Hammond from SiriusXM, Channel 90. The presentation will be live at 9am, Wednesday, April 16, 2025. Antron Brown, the 2024 NHRA Top Fuel World Champion, joined us. Hosted by Joe Castello of WFO Radio. Mark Rushbrook, Global Director, Ford Performance, joined us. Hosted by Brad Gillie from SiriusXM, Channel 90, The Late Shift. From: team@epartrade.com.
17) April issue of the Vintage Metal Journal of the VCRR (WA): Our first competition event for 2025 is the Northam Motorsport Festival on 26/27 April. This begins on the Saturday with the Mt Ommanney Hill-climb being run by the Triumph Sports Owners Association. 50-entry limit this year. See https://indd.adobe.com/view/901ddc04-f150-4b22-b481-81cdd019d049 for photos and complete stories. From Bob Campbell, Editor.
We will also be having the Shannons Car Show at Bernard Park so if you’re seeking a break from the action on the track, come over and wander around the car display beside the Avon River. The 2025 Joondalup City Sprint open. For Red Dust Revival 2025, Motoring Past https://www.motoringpast.com.au/red-dust-revival. Photos
from Bygone Days, & Caversham, 2007. Go to https://indd.adobe.com/view/901ddc04-f150-4b22-b481-81cdd019d049 for photos and complete stories. From: Robert Campbell, Editor.
18) The Road Racing Drivers Club, and the Grand Prix Association of Long Beach, celebrated the Grand Prix’s 50 years of racing through the streets of this port city, at a gala held Thursday at the Westin Hotel in Long Beach, on April 10th. A record crowd of nearly 600 racing luminaries were in attendance at the dinner presented by Firestone. The evening featured TV commentator Ralph Sheheen as MC and RRDC president Bobby Rahal as host and interviewer of the honored guests from the half-century of competition in Long Beach. They were Mario Andretti, Al Unser Jr, Brian Redman, & former GPLB President, Jim Michaelian, was recognized for his many years of success with the Grand Prix by the incoming new owners of the GPLB, Penske Entertainment. Bud Denker, President of Penske Corp, also gave a shout-out to Chris Pook, whose brainstorm initially helped launch the GPLB in 1975. From Judy Stropus at jvstropus@gmail.com.
19) a) Stutz; Bearcat to Black Hawk, Harry Stutz to Frederick Moskowics. On April 12, 2025, a Day to honor the Stutz, a symbol of American motoring excellence at the Simeone Museum in Philadelphia. Featured Cars: 1909 American Underslung Traveler, 1916 Stutz Series 4C Bearcat, 1927 Stutz AA Blackhawk Challenger, 1928 Stutz BB Blackhawk Speedster, and 1929 Stutz Model M Supercharged Le Mans. From: newsletter@simeonemuseum.org, 6825 Norwitch Drive, Philadelphia, PA 19153.
- b)24-Heures du Simeone: The heroes of Le Mans will be honored on Saturday, June 14, 2025, at 9am, and ending on Sunday, June 15, 2025, at 12pm at the Simeone Automotive Museum. Those who stay for the entire event and validate their attendance will receive a commemorative patch marking their achievement. Admission for the entire weekend, including re-entry is $24. From: newsletter@simeonemuseum.org, 6825 Norwitch Drive, Philadelphia, PA 19153.
20) The Motorsports Hall of Fame of America announced its 2026 Induction Class today at the 50th running of the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach. The 38th Motorsports Hall of Fame of America (MSHFA) Induction Celebration presented by Toyota Gazoo Racing, which will formally usher the Class of 2026 into the MSHFA, will be held in the Hall’s home in Daytona Beach, Florida, March 9-10, 2026. The Class of 2026 includes two-time Daytona 500 Champion and winner of 15 straight NASCAR Most Popular Driver Awards Dale Earnhardt Jr (Stock Cars), beloved NHRA Competition Director Steve Gibbs (Drag Racing), one of America’s greatest living motorsports reporters Pete Lyons (Media), one of America’s most accomplished road racers John Morton (Sports Cars), 2000 MotoGP World Champion Kenny Roberts Jr (Motorcycles), one of “The Big Three” of modern winged Sprint Car racing Sammy Swindell (Open Wheel), and the winningest driver in Unlimited Hydroplane history Dave Villwock
(Powerboats). From Adam Saal at SaalGoodPR@gmail.com.
