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SOCIETY OF LAND SPEED RACING HISTORIANS |
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Click On All Images For Larger View |
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Some Names To Look For In This Newsletter: |
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------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ President's Corner: |
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------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Editorial: |
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------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Will Scott called and they are airlifting him to Cedar Sinai Medical Center in the LA area right now. Below is off the net information. See http://www.csmc.edu/73.html . To call a patient, contact the hospital operator at 310-4-CEDARS or 310-423-3277 to reach a patient by telephone. There is only one doctor in Southern California that can perform this procedure and he works out of Cedar Sinai. For Gastroenterology issues this is the first medical center in Southern California to receive Magnet designation. Evelyn Roth |
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------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Some sad news from Arizona. Our dear friend Gordon Betz passed away Sunday afternoon. He watched the start of the Indy 500, slept a bit, saw the end of the race and went to lie down for a rest. When the nurse went in to check a short time later he was gone. Arrangements are pending. Art Meyers |
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------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ The following is from the National Midget Auto Racing Hall of Fame J. Gordon Betz. Inducted into the Hall of fame in 2001. |
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------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Editor: The following article was edited down from the original story entitled, Catching Up With Famed Official Gordon Betz, taken from the internet article on National Speed Sports Magazine. |
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------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Gordon Betz was a good friend of Ted Halibrand and the two of them served together for many years on the USAC board. Gordon's father was an LA banker and heavily involved in a new subdivision known as Beverly Hills. The investors decided to build a wooden speedway, a Board Track, at the subdivision as an attraction to have people visit to watch an auto race and be exposed to the available land parcels. As I understand, Gordon worked at the race track as a youth. Once the land had been parceled and sold the track was disassembled and moved to Culver City, possibly to serve the same purpose as it was used in the Beverly Hills scheme. It was once again moved to Playa Del Rey. Gordon moved from Beverly Hills to Arizona when he retired from banking in Los Angeles in the 1970's as did many of the retiring USAC board members; Art Meyers, Jack Beckley and Dick King, to name a few. I became acquainted with Gordon through his friendship with Ted Halibrand. Bob Falcon |
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------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ I am the adopted daughter of Kyle Orr, the brother of Karl. I was in awe of Uncle Karl and aunt Veda. I can't put into words how excited I was when I stumbled upon your story about them. Aunt Veda was not just a housewife; she was a secretary for a director at MGM. She was even an extra a few times. She was the neat one. She would clean up the oil on the driveway if any got on it. Did you know James Dean had hired Uncle Karl to be his mechanic? Uncle Karl was born in Kingston, Missouri. There were 4 boys and 2 girls and two half brothers. They were raised on a very large family farm. I thought they were the most exciting people ever and I wanted to be a race driver just like my aunt Veda. This sound a little since I am now 72 years old, but I'll tell you something, I drive a supercharged 2001 Buick and it can move when it needs too. Phyllis McNeil |
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------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ I wanted to give you a heads up about a book signing. You may already know about the book, “Harrell Engines and Racing Equipment Jim (White) Harrell and Nick Harrell”. It was written by Roger, Richard and Alec Harrell. I just got done reading the book, it really captured the era, the creativity, the focus and the longevity of Jim and Nick's passion for building race car engines and their love for drag racing. Roger Harrell recently sent me some information about a book signing in Burbank on May 30. I thought I would pass along the information to you. If you think your readers may be interested the information is below. Thank you, Susan Foshee |
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------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ In the spring of 2008 I was lucky enough to purchase Roy's 1922 Model T Roadster. I'm trying to get more information on Roy and the car. Any info or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. See: http://www.streetrodderweb.com/events/0906sr_7th_annual_alter_boys_jalopy_jamboree/photo_12.html . Thanks, Don Lang |
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------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Dateline-May 17th, East Coast Timing Association event, Maxton, North Carolina. Submitted by Burly Burlile. |
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------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Texas Mile, October 16-18, 2009. Goliad Industrial Air Park, $10 per person, Children 12 and under are free. See www.texasmile.com, for complete spectator and entrant rules and directions. For directions via a map, map program or Internet, utilize either Beeville or Goliad as a destination point, then Berclair and then follow the directions given below from Berclair to Goliad Industrial Air Park. Goliad County Seat, South Texas, Hwy 183 and US 59: Population: 1,975 (2000), 25 miles SE of Victoria, 29 miles NE of Beeville. From San Antonio 93 miles via US 181 S. From Austin 104 miles on US 183 S. From Houston 152 miles on US 59 S. Texas Mile, 9006 Sundown Dr, Pearland, TX 77584. Phone 281-303-1844 or 281-802-9863. e-mail: [email protected]. |
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------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Doing a Google search on Lee Chapel I just stumbled onto your interesting hotrod historical website, where I learned of your prolific 94 year old father's subsequent death from a hip injury. He was an amazing contributor to the developing innovative American hotrod scene. I'm trying to find information about Lee Chapel, and pics of his cars, especially his late 1940's-early '50's streamliner. Can you possibly suggest where, or whom I could talk with, to learn more about Lee. As a kid I would occasionally talk with Lee at his Oakland speed shop. When I built a modified V8-60 flathead engine to fit in my mid '50's English Ford Anglia/Squire wagon I would ask Lee questions about Ford flathead problems and modifications. Any suggestions you might have for me on researching Lee are most appreciated. Best regards, Bob Pratt, Oakland, California. "Over 40 years repairing and supplying parts for '60's English Ford Anglias & Cortinas." |
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------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ I am pleased to let you know a new land speed racing event located in the upper northeast in Limestone, Maine, just beside the Canadian border will present it's inaugural event on the weekend of August 1st and 2nd. Presented by the Lorin Timing Association on the retired Lorin Air Force Base, this great location will provide one and one half miles of top speed acceleration. All Volkswagens street cars, both air and water cooled, are welcome to race in the under 135 mile per hour Street classes. In particular, those folks following the 36hp Challenge will be glad to know all classes of 36hp engined VW bugs, buses and Ghias are welcomed and will run against ECTA records from the Maxton Mile in North Carolina and the official International 36hp Land Speed Racing Challenge record history. For further information, go to: www.lta-lsr.com, for Lorin Timing Association specific information. www.landracing.com, for general LSR updates and links. www.ecta-lsr.com, for East Coast Timing Association specific information. www.usfra.com, for Bonneville USFRA specific information and www.texasmile.net, for Mid-America specific information. Please come out and spectate or participate in racing for top speed. For further information on the 36hp Challenge go to www.burlyb.com. Also watch for news on the new International "1" Club. Information to follow! Burly Burlile |
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------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ The Loring Timing Association, a Land Speed Racing venue on the site of the former Loring AFB in Limestone, Maine. The LTA was conceived by Bob Wanner and Bob Jepson, two LSR devotees from the North-East who desired a place to run their cars a little more convenient to their homes. Our Inaugural event will be held: July 31 through August 2nd, 2009. The track itself is a large former USAF heavy bomber facility, maintained quite well since its tenants left over 10 years ago. Our preliminary media event, and subsequent research, makes us feel comfortable allowing at least 1.5 mile run to the timing traps, leaving about a one mile shutdown. The surface is as follows: Begins with 1000 feet of concrete, coupled with 6920 of asphalt to the traps, for a total of 1.5 miles of acceleration. Then followed by a shutdown of 3000 feet of asphalt, 1000 feet of concrete and final 1000 feet of asphalt. Early turn-offs to the left (west) are located at approximately 3800 feet and 6700 feet. Please utilize these early turn-off exits to the left (west), if your vehicle is not running well as to not hamper other competitors waiting in the staging area. There are two exits after the traps at 9000 and 12000 feet. If a competitor has any situation that requires emergency assistance they are to pull over to the right, (east), come to a complete stop and emergency (fire/medical) crews will respond to that location. The middle lane is off limits, while the left will be used for returning to pit/staging area. As this is our first event, we will stress safety first. Though most of those present are likely to be LSR veterans, both in competing and working, we are all new here, so bear with us! |
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------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ I need your assistance with a job at hand. I'm not selling anything, but trying to assemble a contact list of auto focused clubs for the Greater Los Angeles area along with contact information for the director, or secretary. The SoCal Chapter of The Society of Automotive Historians is planning to propose an arrangement wherein the Chapter will exchange space in their annual Literature Fair for promotional consideration. The Chapter will provide the space for a recruitment table to be operated during the fair in exchange for the local club's support making their membership aware of the event. If they "plug" us in their newsletter, that would be nice--but not a requirement. Anything you can provide will be appreciated, just send it to my E-address. If you will be forwarding a document, please send a cover message so I can give you credit, where due. Thanks, Bob Falcon |
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------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Click to read message. Please read it or the sender will think you ignored this. |
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------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Challengers and friends: I am pleased to announce a new but separate segment of the International 36hp Challenge. From the forties till today, 36hp Volkswagen racers (and 25hp) have been striving to achieve higher and higher speeds. As we have seen from results over the past five years of the 36hp Challenge, hitting 100 miles per hour is a difficult yet not impossible task. In Land Speed Racing for top speeds, the elite racers who have exceeded 200 (and now 300 and 400) miles per hour have been recognized by automatically achieving membership in the SCTA's exclusive 200 MPH Club. They even have a separate, unique club for those 200 mile per hour racers who set records in the dirt at El Mirage and Muroc called "the Dirty 2 Club." |
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------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Golden Hawk LSR Project, see www.goldenhawk.ca, (or click) http://goldenhawkproject.blogspot.com/. Randy Pierce |
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------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ I am very excited to announce that Lord March, the founder of Goodwood Festival of Speed and Goodwood Revival, has lent his support to the Music City Motor Jam through a special donation to the AMP Education Program. When I got the opportunity last year to be involved with setting up a vintage dragster display at Goodwood, I relished the thought of visiting the Mecca of motor sports events. Charles March is aware of the AMP Education program and its importance and was keen to help. When I emailed him last week to see if there was something he might donate to the raffle he replied: "More than happy to give a couple of passes to the Goodwood Revival and suggest, if this is someone coming over from the States, that we do 2 entry tickets for each day, so they can be here all weekend. We can also put paddock passes in the pack too, which would make them very sought after, as only members and VIP guests can get access to the paddock. I do hope this helps." The Goodwood Revival held in the UK on September 18th-20th. It does indeed! Where else are you going to find VIP Goodwood tickets, a signed guitar donated by Eric Clapton, sheet metal from Dale Jr and Tony Stewart and VIP pit passes to the Chevy Rock & Roll 400? Block the 27th of June (for the raffle) out and come join us for what is shaping up to be an amazing event. All the Best, Henry Astor, Founder & President, Astor Motor Productions Inc. [email protected]. 100 Avenue of the Americas, suite 1238, New York, NY 10013 |
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------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ MPG Members Invited to Speedway Motorcycle Racing Opening Night: Free Admission, Parking and Pit Access. Wednesday, May 27, 2009. MPG members (and one guest per member) are invited to attend opening night of Speedway Motorcycle Racing. When: Wednesday, May 27, 2009 at 7:00 p.m. Where: Industry Hills Expo Center, 16200 Temple Avenue, City of Industry, CA 91744. MPG Members get free parking, free admission and access to the pit area. An evening of racing consists of more than 40 sprint races. Those who wish to attend should RSVP to [email protected] with "Motor Press Guild/Speedway" in the subject line. If interest is high enough, co-promoter, CHIPS star and 1981/82 World Speedway Champion Bruce Penhall will arrange a pre-race get-together that will include free food and drink. For more information on Speedway Motorcycle Racing, go to http://www.industryspeedway.com/. For more information on MPG, go to www.motorpressguild.org. Ed Justice Jr |
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------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Saturday May 30 10AM - 2PM. HARRELL ENGINES AND RACING EQUIPMENT: Jim (White) Harrell & Nick Harrell A Thirty Year Journey Through Hot Rodding. Jim and Nick Harrell were well known LA area racers and builders from the 1930's through the 1950's. This is their story as told by their 2 nephews, Roger and Richard and their great grandnephew Alec who, at 13, is the youngest docent at the Automobile Driving Museum. Meet them all, hear the stories! |
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------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Stater Brothers Route 66 Rendezvous, California's largest cruisin' classic car show is to be held on the downtown streets of San Bernardino, September 17-20, 2009. See www.route-66.org. Karen Blanco |
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------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Thought you would like to know that the sales of Crazy Horses in the UK are hitting the roof. It is very significant. In Britain, the home of Formula One, the best selling motor sports book on Amazon is about British drag racing. Wow! That's one for potential sponsors. I'll get a copy to you closer to the release date in the USA. Brian Taylor, E-mail [email protected]. |
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------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1997 World Champion and seven-time AMA National Champion Greg Hancock will compete in Round One of the AMA/USA Speedway National Championship Series at the Orange County Fairgrounds in Costa Mesa, California on Saturday, June 6, 2009. Sanctioned by the American Motorcyclist Association and USA Speedway Inc, and inscribed by the Federation Internationale de Motociclisme (FIM), the National Championship Series is considered one of the most prestigious motorcycle races of the year. If you want to be the AMA Speedway National Champion then this is where it starts. You can't get there unless you're here. This is the fourth consecutive year International Speedway has hosted round one at the Orange County Fairgrounds and it has gotten a real following from competitors and fans alike. "This is serious high-dollar stuff," Costa Mesa promoter Brad Oxley told USA Speedway Board member Harald Zechner. "The best of the best will be here. They want the title, they want the money." Hancock, who competes in and is currently third in the exclusive European-based World Speedway Grand Prix Series, makes his home in Costa Mesa. "I started my career here in the Costa Mesa 'bullring' as a junior and won my first AMA National Championship here in 1995. Now I want to be the first American to win an eighth U.S. National Speedway title." Hancock is currently tied with retired Speedway legend Mike Bast who won seven national titles back in the 1970's. |
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------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Random Photos and Videos |
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------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Captions: Subject: Speed Demon 5-21-09. Streamliner photos sent in by Ron Main. |
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------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ LIONS DRAGSTRIP PHOTOS, Subject: YouTube - Return To Lions |
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----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Land Speed Racing Websites: |
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----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Jonathan Amo, Brett Arena, Henry Astor, Gale Banks, Glen Barrett, Mike Bastian, Lee Blaisdell, Jim Bremner, Warren Bullis, Burly Burlile, George Callaway, Gary Carmichael, John Backus, John Chambard, Jerry Cornelison, G. Thatcher Darwin, Jack Dolan, Ugo Fadini, Bob Falcon, Rich Fox, Glenn Freudenberger, Don Garlits, Bruce Geisler, Stan Goldstein, Andy Granatelli, Walt James, Wendy Jeffries, Ken Kelley, Mike Kelly, Bret Kepner, Kay Kimes, Jim Lattin, Mary Ann and Jack Lawford, Fred Lobello, Eric Loe, Dick Martin, Ron Martinez, Tom McIntyre, Don McMeekin, Bob McMillian, Tom Medley, Jim Miller, Don Montgomery, Bob Morton, Mark Morton, Paula Murphy, Landspeed Louise Ann Noeth, Frank Oddo, David Parks, Richard Parks, Wally Parks (in memoriam), Eric Rickman, Willard Ritchie, Roger Rohrdanz, Evelyn Roth, Ed Safarik, Frank Salzberg, Dave Seely, Charles Shaffer, Mike Stanton, David Steele, Doug Stokes, Bob Storck, Zach Suhr, Maggie Summers, Gary Svoboda, Pat Swanson, Al Teague, JD Tone, Jim Travis, Randy Travis, Jack Underwood and Tina Van Curen, Richard Venza. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
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