Gone Racin� to the 3^rd Annual Legends of Ascot Reunion

Don Weaver and Belita Michnowicz organized and put on another outstanding reunion honoring JC Agajanian�s famed Ascot racetrack and the racers who competed there. The date of the event this year was October 22, 2005, on the grounds of the Perris Automotive Speedway (PAS), in Lake Perris, California. The reunion was held in a huge white circus tent provided for the attendees by Don Kazarian, track manager at the PAS. Kim Donner and Scott Daloisio represented the track and helped with the vintage racing program that was scheduled for that night�s races. Many people volunteered to help and made sure that the lines were short and the services easily obtained. Outside the tent there were about 30 vintage racecars on display, many of them would participate in the vintage race car event that evening. Those bringing race cars to display were: Andy Casale, Dan Curry, Duncan Emmons, Bill Gerard, Bob Hawks, Ken Hillberg, Dick Hughes, Walt James, Dave Kipp, John Lee, Steve Logan, Tom Malloy, Rich Mastroleo, Jimmy Oskie, Larry Pfitzenmaier, Marvin Richert, Jim Sheridan and John Steves. Over 600 people attended the event, parking up close so that there was easy access to the reunion, display cars and the exhibits. Participants brought photo albums and memorabilia from their racing days in the past to share with others. Every generation of racing at Ascot was represented, from the 1940�s to the 1990�s when the track was closed and redeveloped.

The day belonged to the racers, but without the help of Don and Belita, we wouldn�t have one of the finest reunions for car racing in Southern California. Don and Belita are busy working on this reunion all year long. The hours that they put in cannot be counted and what they can�t raise in sponsorship and ads for the program, they pay for out of their own pocket. Dozens of people volunteer to help them, and this year they procured a golf cart to help people get around and see things, or transport displays in and out of the exhibit. After registering and receiving the pit pass, each guest was photographed so that a permanent record of the reunion can be kept. Some of those providing photos for display and for the program included; Mike Arthur, Jim Chini, Big John Estopellan, Stan Hansen, Bruce Howey, Indianapolis Speedway, Bob Jones, Marv Keller, Gil Mahoney, Owen Richards, and Dave Wolf. Harold Osmer created the program. An auction was held and some very nice racing memorabilia were sold to benefit the reunion and keep it in the black. A goody bag was given to each of the attendees and it contained decals, flyers of coming events, an enameled hat pin, and a glossy program that had a great number of outstanding photos from the glory days of Ascot. The reunion catered some delicious food, and there were refreshments and drinks served all day. Hila Sweet and Sandra Bartosh announced that her Car Racers Reunion would not be held this year, but has been rescheduled for May 7, 2006, at Joe�s Garage, Tustin, California. Joe�s garage is owned by Joe MacPherson, and is an exemplary museum of famous racecars. Honorees for that event will be; Stanley Betz, Don Edmunds, Dick Kraft, Paula Murphy, Ummie Paulson and Dick Wallen. Special guests will be; Bob Hogle, Parnelli Jones, Russ Moynaugh, Sonny Nutter and Jimmy Oskie.

The program was the highlight of the event, as Don and Belita honored five outstanding people. Alex Morales, famed for his car, the �Tamale Wagon,� and a long time CRA member was honored for his dedication to the sport and the championships that his family and crew achieved. Those who drove Morales� cars were Bobby Hogle, Rick Goudy, Bobby Olivero, Chuck Hulse, Parnelli Jones, and A.J. Foyt. Bob Hogle was also one of the five honorees and was recognized in his own right as a CRA and Jalopy Champion. Inducted into the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame in 2001, Hogle was honored for his racing exploits, but he would tell people that helping other race drivers become champions was just as satisfying. Hal Minyard was next to be honored. Hal started out in Midget racing in the 40�s and moved up to the CRA Sprint cars in the 60�s, winning two championships, and then went racing in the USAC league. He excelled in 100 lap races. Minyard also won the SCMRA Championship in Vern Boone�s car. Danny McKnight was honored for his long career in racing. He began at the age of 8 in quarter midget cars, winning over 800 races. Danny then got into Half-midgets and TQ�s, then finally racing the full Midgets at 20. He won the 1974 Turkey Night Grand Prix at Ascot Park and seven championships in Midgets and Sprint cars. Danny has raced in the NMRA, USRC, CRA and USAC. Some of the best racecar drivers drove Ted Halibrand�s midget at Gilmore and other racetracks. He hired Duke Nalon, Bill Schindler, Karl Young, Johnny McDowell and others to drive for him. But it was as an inventor and engineer that Ted Halibrand is known by racers today. Halibrand used his knowledge of alloys gained from WWII to develop cast magnesium alloy wheels, which proved superior and very popular. His products expanded and the Halibrand name became synonymous with safety and reliability. He went on to design and build the famous Shrike rear engine Indy race cars.

The list of volunteers who helped Don and Belita put on this fabulous event; Sandra Bartosh, Norm Bogan, Denise Deleon, Bob Falcon, Chris Holt, Jerry Hudson, Lance Jennings, the Kazarian family, Linda Laski, Marcie Lloyd, Michael Michalik, Bobby Michnowicz, Dave Ondo, Barbara Thompson, Dale Smith, Hila Sweet, Suzanne Turner, Ken and Terry Wagner, Dave and Lois Ward and Richard Weaver were just a few of the many volunteers. Sponsors who came and gave their support and those that provided raffle prizes were; Chet Knox of Autobooks, Coker Tires, Edelbrock, Golden Age of Racing, Isky Racing Cams, Kathy Donovan, J.E. Pistons, Parnelli Jones, Lucas Oil, Meguiar�s Car Care Products, Mother�s Car Care Products, Larry Otani, Buzz Rose Publications, Sander Engineering, Shaver Specialties, Simpson Safety Equipment, SoCal Performance, Thunderhead, and Total Seal. After the reunion ended, all of the attendees were invited to watch that night�s racing schedule and see the vintage racing cars on the track. Tony Simon, Ken Hillberg and Walt James were instrumental in getting the vintage racing car program on the schedule for that night. Others in attendance were Jim Travis, Ralph Foster, Lloyd Hendrickson, Jim Kavanaugh, Buck Smith, Nick Arias Jr, Louie Senter, Bob Leggio, Doug Clem and his wife, JC Agajanian Jr and his wife, Bud and Joan Meyer and many more car racers, mechanics, family and friends.

Gone Racin� is at www.oilstick.com or Contact Richard parks at [email protected]

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