 |
 |
|
|
 |
|
|
|
Some Names To Look For In This Newsletter:
President's Corner, Editorials, On October 13, 2011 Tom Medley had a mishap that destroyed his garage and '40 Ford Coupe; Monday October 17, 2011: Three time AMA Grand National champion, two-time USAC Indy Car Champion Joe Leonard suffered a devastating double stroke at his home; Dave Thomas, 57 years old, of Acton, California, passed away on Saturday, October 22, 2011; According to Jack Underwood we have lost some very fine LSR people, among them are: Ed Mabry, Bubba Scott, Manuel Flores, Ed Farrell and Doug King; Saturday, October 22, 2011, is the El Mirage Fall Clean-up day; Lenny Schaeffer at [email protected] has a free newsletter that he sends out with news of hot rodding and custom car building in the New England area; The Smith Collection Museum of American Speed was recently honored with the 2011 Tourism Development Award from the Lincoln, Nebraska Chamber of Commerce; Kim Rudy and I, Glenn Rudy, Don’s son and daughter, would like to reach out to all of you, Dad’s friends and extended family, for a few reasons; Impound Insights. By Dan Warner (Editor-reprinted by permission of the author); Edward A. Winfield was my first engine and camshaft mentor; I have just written a book about J. Beauchamp; The early registration deadline is fast approaching for the 14th annual John Force Holiday Car Show which will be held on Sunday, December 4, 2011 from 10am-4pm; The Cluster Busters Hot Rod Club presented Justice Brothers President & CEO, Ed Justice Jr, with some very special items this month at the NHRA California Hot Rod Reunion; 26 October 2011; Report From the Racers Reunion 2011. By Bob Falcon; Www.Hotrodhotline has added “Employment” to its Classified Ad Section; Three Kings, by Tom Condran. Republished by permission of the author; Editor's note: The following letter is edited from the original.; Editor’s notes: A fine sportswriter who gets little recognition is Tim Kennedy; I just received an email from Karin Spurgin and it was her father that was part of the legendary SCTA Record Breaking Spurgin/Giovanine Roadster that the guys brought back from sitting in a backyard in Apple Valley for 40 years; The Wally Bell Show is broadcast each and every Wednesday, live with Gordy Foust, Greg Zyla, George Nye, Wally Bell and our invited guests; The last passes! We stood the tower! On to Ohio! Joe Timney, East Coast Timing Association; Speed Demon Hellfire Engine Getting Ready For SEMA
|
|
|
|
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
President's Corner:
Jim Miller is traveling to New York on assignment and will resume his column when he returns.
|
|
|
|
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Editorial:
I’m back to work. My eye is still bothering me but the doctor claims that it is a minor thing and not a detached retina. My vision is still somewhat blurry and it hurts to remain at the computer for more than an hour at a time. But progress is progress and I am thankful to be able to avoid surgery. Remember, all of you, that good health today can be gone in an instant tomorrow and right now is the time to prioritize and accomplish the most valuable projects in your life. Sit down, relax, think about your mortality and what you really, really want to achieve and then start on it. We’re an older group and time is now the most valuable commodity that we have. If you have neglected your family in the past, take some time to repair the damage. We can’t do anything about the past and we can’t borrow from the future. The only thing that we have control over is the present, so don’t waste another moment.
Recently a member of the SLSRH wrote to me to offer to give me an object of value and I had to turn him down. Many times our members look at their “stuff” (or “treasures” as Jack Underwood calls collectibles) and wonder what to do with them. This is a daunting task, for everyone has a house or garage full of things that they have collected over the years and these objects are a “store of memories.” Collectibles can be car parts, photographs, pit passes, pins, magazines, videos or just about any sort of object. They can be quite valuable to some people and just trash to others. For example, the only thing that I possess that belonged to my father’s father is a wrench. It is beaten up and hardly useable any more, but it is the only thing that I have that belonged to him. When I am gone who will treasure and value that old object? Museums have limited space and my grandfather wasn’t famous. Finding a home for such valuables is a concern for many of us, because if we don’t find a home for these objects then they are headed for the recycler or the dump. If that happens then the history and memories that are attached to the object die along with them.
I have suggested, as has Jim Miller and Roger Rohrdanz, that you undertake four projects; Biography, Stories, Captions and Inventory. The first, biography, takes only a few hours to do; record your life and give it to your family, friends and the SLSRH. Captioning your photographs takes longer and may require help from your family and friends, but an uncaptioned photograph is almost always a worthless photograph. Stories are not biographies; they are snapshots of an event that you feel is a valuable lesson to give to others. Stories contain advice on how we should act, live and treat other people. Stories can be funny, sad, tragic, dramatic and moving. Biographies tell us who you are, but stories tell us what you believe. We all have stories and when we bench race with other people it is the stories that have the most meaning. Finally, look at all those objects, collectibles, stuff and treasures that are in your home and garage and think how sad it would be if they ended up in the dump after you passed away. You can save many of these objects if you make an inventory and a will and tell people what their value is. Value can be measured in money or in memories and often times it is a value that can’t be measured. So make a list of what you have and why it is important, then mention it in your will or give your objects away to people who will treasure them.
Museums are always looking for donations and they provide us with a valuable service where artifacts can be stored and exhibited. But space is as dear to a museum as space is valuable to us. Museums have a limited amount of space and therefore they can’t possible keep all the things that are given to them. But they can find a good home for your valuable “treasures.” They do that by auctioning off those objects that they have duplicates of or which they can no longer keep in their collection. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Yes, your collectibles won’t stay in the museum, but they will find a good home with a new collector and the museum will derive revenue from their sale to help them survive and thrive. The important thing is that your keepsakes will find new homes after you are gone and will be protected for another generation. But they will only be protected if you inventory and give a history or provenance of the objects. A wrench is only a wrench unless it was owned by someone who people admire and wish to remember by possessing that wrench. There are many fine museums around the country and the world that you should consider donating your collectibles. I often give things to the Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum in Pomona, California. My family has donated a great deal of our collectibles to them; some objects are on loan and other objects have been gifted to the museum.
|
|
|
|
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
On October 13, 2011 Tom Medley had a mishap that destroyed his garage and '40 Ford Coupe. Carl Brunson forwarded this report on the incident to me today and I wanted to share the news with our many friends at Hotrod Hotline. As many should know Tom Medley is one of the icons of hot rodding/street rodding. He was part of the premiere staff in the early days of Hot Rod Magazine, Publisher/Editor of Rod & Custom magazine, creator of "Stroker McGurk" and with Tex Smith founder of the first Rod & Custom Street Rod Nationals in Peoria in 1970. NSRA was founded at this event, another milestone in Medley's long career. Another Medley creation was "Rodney Rodder." Jim Clark
-----------------------------
Burbank Firefighters had their hands full when they arrived on scene on Verdugo Avenue, Thursday afternoon as they had a garage well involved with fire. A 91 year-old occupant was knocked to the ground after attempting to start the car and it backfired and caught fire. Firefighters made a quick knock down but were unable to save the garage or any of its contents which included a 1940 Ford Coupe and a mobile trailer sitting near the garage. Firefighter/Paramedics treated the resident, Tom Medley, the owner of both the home and of the car, who was knocked to the ground after the fire started. Medley declined any further medical treatment. Burbank Fire sent three engines, two truck companies, a paramedic unit and Battalion Chief, Assistant Chief Tom Lenahan. The damage was listed at $30,000 to the garage and $60,000 to its contents with no injuries to firefighters and the cause is being listed as an accidental backfire from the car’s engine. Carl Brunson
|
|
|
|
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Monday October 17, 2011: Three time AMA Grand National champion, two-time USAC Indy Car Champion Joe Leonard suffered a devastating double stroke at his home. Joe and his Doctors have been concerned with a 70% clogged Carotid artery, due to the risk and his age, they decided not to operate. Sixty days later its 100% clogged and this is the result. It was touch and go, but he has shown progress and the next 24 hours will tell the tale. He will be transferred to an acute rehab to help restore his abilities to function. He has memory, speech loss, and is paralyzed on his entire left side. The Neurologist told us, he shouldn’t have survived. Please keep him in your prayers. Sent in by Bill Marvel, Roy Caruthers and Bob Falcon
|
|
|
|
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dave Thomas, 57 years old, of Acton, California, passed away on Saturday, October 22, 2011. Dave was a member of the SCTA, Sidewinders club, and had raced for many years at El Mirage and Bonneville. He is survived by his brother and sister, Gary and Cindy Thomas. He will be missed by all that knew him. The service will be held on Wednesday, October 26, 2011 at Chapel of the Valley Mortuary, 1755 E. Avenue R Palmdale, California (661) 947-7118. Viewing is from 1 pm – 3 pm, Service is from 3 pm – 4 pm. Fellowship to follow from 4 pm – 6 pm. Gary Thomas can be reached at (818) 808-9492.
--------------------------
Dave Thomas was very interested in LSR. He attended all the lakes meets, and was a really 'nice guy.' He bought my old Crew Cab that had been rusted out after 13 years at the salt because it had a good engine. I’m sorry to hear about his passing. Ken Walkey
|
|
|
|
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
According to Jack Underwood we have lost some very fine LSR people, among them are; Ed Mabry, Bubba Scott, Manuel Flores, Ed Farrell and Doug King. If anyone has some stories to tell or can help with a biography, please send me what you have.
|
|
|
|
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Saturday, October 22, 2011, is the El Mirage Fall Clean-up day. Sorry for the short notice. Please plan to be at the El Mirage Visitor’s Center at 7:30 am for breakfast (donation is $3) and come armed with gloves and a willingness to pick up trash around the lakebed. Thank you all for your help in keeping our playground tidy and the BLM happy with our commitment to the area. Kind regards, Miriam Macmillan, Secretary of the SCTA, [email protected].
Miriam: I will post your notice in the Society of Land Speed Racing Historians Newsletter, but unfortunately by the time it gets to the website the clean-up day will have passed. I would also like to mention that the third week in October is usually reserved for the California Hot Rod Reunion (CHRR) in Bakersfield and a good many of the land speeding community will be away. This has been a real problem for people who do not know of this event. I've just had to tell another group that they scheduled their event for the same weekend. The CHRR attracts 20,000 hot rodders and racers and it is never a good idea to schedule an event against them. Every weekend has conflicts; there is no perfect date, but I always advise groups to avoid going up against the CHRR, which is sponsored by the Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum, and is hugely popular with hot rodders and sponsors.
|
|
|
|
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lenny Schaeffer at [email protected] has a free newsletter that he sends out with news of hot rodding and custom car building in the New England area. Just contact him and ask to be put on the mailing list and if you have a story and photos to send to him he might publish it as well.
|
|
|
|
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Smith Collection Museum of American Speed was recently honored with the 2011 Tourism Development Award from the Lincoln, Nebraska Chamber of Commerce. The Smith Collection Museum of American Speed earned the Tourism Development Award in recognition of its efforts to attract tourists to the city of Lincoln. The museum welcomes thousands of visitors each year and has made Lincoln a destination for automotive enthusiasts from across the country and around the globe. The museum has also played a key role in attracting major automotive events to the area, including the Hot Rod Super Nationals and SCCA Pro Solo Finale. Founded in 1992, the Smith Collection Museum of American Speed represents more than six decades of passion and dedicated involvement in racing and hot rodding by founders “Speedy” Bill and Joyce Smith. Much more than a car collection, the museum celebrates the quest for performance and technological innovation that has captivated millions of Americans since the dawn of the automobile. The spacious three-story facility is located adjacent to Speedway Motors in Lincoln, Nebraska, and showcases the world’s largest collection of vintage and exotic racing engines, dozens of historic race cars and specialty vehicles, and thousands of pieces of vintage speed equipment and memorabilia. The Smith Collection Museum of American Speed is a federally recognized 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization. Learn more about the museum and tour times at MuseumofAmericanSpeed.com.
|
|
|
|
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Kim Rudy and I, Glenn Rudy, Don’s son and daughter, would like to reach out to all of you, Dad’s friends and extended family, for a few reasons:
1) First and foremost, to thank you all so much for the friendship and support you gave our father throughout his years. Thank you!
2) Second, and with equal heartfelt gratitude, to thank you all for the support you have given, and continue to give us during the challenging times surrounding Dad’s passing. You have our sincere thanks and appreciation.
3) Third, to send out some information on a few of Dad’s vehicles that may be of interest to some of you, or to someone you may know. Dad had the following vehicles that we are hoping to sell, and/or to get some feedback on:
a) 29 Foot Coachmen Trailer, Year 2000 paired with a 1984 Ford F250 Truck Rigged with Towing Gear. The trailer is in pretty good condition. Has slide to extend the indoor living space. A new owner may want to replace the somewhat worn carpeting, but the appliances and furnishings inside (TV, stove, microwave, refrigerator, freezer, dinette, couch, walk-around Queen bed) remain in overall good condition. *Please see the photos attached – others available.
b) Johnson Seahorse Outboard Motor Boat and Trailer – Motor Model HD 25. Great for fishing, water skiing, or just puttering around. *Please see photo attached (no picture was included in this newsletter).
c) 1966 Ford Mustang. This one was actually my very first car that Dad was keeping for me, and gradually restoring for the second time. Our mom, Pam, was the first owner of the Mustang. After it sat in the family garage for several years, Dad restored it the first time, and then he and Mom gave it to Kim soon after she turned 16. The Mustang truly feels like an honorary family member, and is a long-loved family vehicle. Wondering if anyone would be interested in helping complete the Mustang restoration Dad had started, and worked on gradually over the years. The Mustang now mainly needs new paint and interior, plus some minor mechanical stuff after sitting for a while. For the right price, I’m considering selling the Mustang as well, but for the aforementioned reasons, am somewhat reticent to do so. Kim is the primary point of contact for Don’s vehicles, and can be reached by phone at 323-931-4886, or by email at [email protected]. If need be, I can be contacted as well at 310-460-8556. If you have any questions, interest, and/or input, please let us know. Thank you again to all of you for your friendship and support, and for any feedback you may have on the items above. Warm Regards, Kim Rudy and Glenn Rudy - Don Rudy’s daughter and son
|
|
|
|
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Impound Insights. By Dan Warner (Editor-reprinted by permission of the author)
My travel to World of Speed and Mike Cook’s Shootout last month prevented an El Mirage September report. The car count was down, 87 counted by registration. Poor, unseasonal, weather on Saturday made have been a factor. The course held up but the event ended when everyone had all the runs they wanted. Records included only four cars and three bikes. The cars consisted of the H/BGR of Edwall Eyres Moreland, driven by Mark Lintner at 177.965. The Lattin and Gillette American Austin coupe ran in the V4F/VFAlt class posting a 118.955 and driven by Billy Lattin. Tyler Osborn drove the ’37 Ford Tudor of Ferguson & Osborn with Ferguson/Ardun heads to a XXF/BVGC record of 145.689. Gerry Enck brought out his Dodge Dakota PU with a 5 cylinder Mercedes Benz diesel to set the F/DT record 127.434 under the Tracer Racing banner.
The bikes running records were Ralph Hudson on his 650-APS-G entry at 183.582. Ralph also ran his 1000-APS-G Honda to a new 210.592 class record. Derek McLeish rode the Team McLeish Bros 1000-SCS-F entry to a 1987.834 record. That about covers it for September 2011. The October meet was much better weather wise although I heard that the course was bad by the time the third round was called. Nice fall temps and little to no wind were experienced by the competitors. The car entries counted for 8 new records and the bikes at three. The still wind in the morning caused some clock problems but, the timing crew figured it out.
On the car side, Lattin and Gillette were at it again with their American Austin coupe. This month Billy Lattin ran in the V4F/VGAlt class with an impressive 121.650. Ferguson Racing moved to the dark side by replacing their beloved vintage engines with a small block Chevy. This let DIII, Don Ferguson III, to run two passes at 236, the fastest being 236.700 in B/FS class. Erik Hansson let Ruth Lundring drive again this month. Ruth used a V4F Model B engine the set the V4F/BFL record at 157.405. Pete Prentice drove the J/GC of V & M Racing to break ‘the ton’ with a class record of 102.009. Willie Boelcke changed to B engine this month in his B/GRMR and set a record at 205.510. Willie had a complete film crew from Germany on hand to record the moment. Gerry Enck had the Tracer Racing F/DT out for the second time and bumped last month’s record to 132.737. The famous, see Hot Rod magazine, the Dec.11 issue for details, had Keith Pederson in the seat of the G/BMMP to set the record at 165.669. Keith got his spin pin after the lights when the truck swapped ends an came up on the nose. Team member Cup Cake’s new air dam will need a rebuild. Last of the car records belonged to Miriam Macmillan. She drove her Hondata CRX in the F/BGCC class to a new record of 197.009. Miriam bested husband Doug’s record from a couple of years ago by 4 MPH.
As mentioned three bikes set records. In the 650-APS-G Ralph Hudson ran the new record up to a speed of 187.829. John Noonan was on the 1000-APSBF bike of Noonan/Tyson/Falls racing running a record of 214.505. Riches Nelson Aardema had the electric bike out again after not being able to run at the rained out World Finals event. Dusty Vagedes was in the saddle and upped the APS-Omega record 187.829.
The El Mirage 200 MPH Club held their annual dinner/raffle in the SCTA building on Saturday night. A great turnout and a table loaded with prizes made for a super event that was open to everyone. The list of updated El Mirage 2011 records follows:
2011
EL MIRAGE CAR RECORDS
10.A Special Construction Category
Unblown Fuel Streamliner - /FS
B Ferguson Racing D. Ferguson III 10/11 236.700
Blown Fuel Lakester - /BFL
V4F Erik Hansson R. Lundring 10/11 157.405
10.B Vintage Category
Blown Fuel Modified Roadster - /BFMR
G Pro Per Racing D. Stringfellow 05/11 172.983
H On Line Racing R. Sights 05/11 165.015
Unblown Fuel Modified Roadster - /FMR
V4F Nelson & Creel E. Nelson 06/11 138.551
Blown Gas Modified Roadster - /BGMR
H On Line Racing B. Sights 06/11 168.233
Unblown Gas Modified Roadster - /GMR
C Lefevers & Jesel K. Lefevers 05/11 213.609
Blown Fuel Rear Engine Modified Roadster - /BFRMR
C Emmons Special C. M. Emmons 05/11 236.476
Unblown Gas Rear Engine Modified Roadster - /GRMR
B Low Sodium W. Boelcke 10/11 205.510
C Low Sodium W. Boelcke 05/11 201.413
D Vintage Hammer Spl F. Valdez 05/11 196.588
Blown Fuel Roadster - /BFR
A Cummins Beck Davidson Thornsberry D. Davidson 06/11 251.553
H Edwall Eyres Moreland M. Lintner 06/11 184.337
Unblown Fuel Roadster - /FR
C BMR Racing A. Fogliadini 06/11 250.600
Blown Gas Roadster - /BGR
H Edwall Eyres Moreland M. Lintner 09/11 177.965
Blown Street Roadster - /BSTR
C Vintage Hot Rod D. Cummins 05/11 208.723
G LTD Sights Racing B. Sights 05/11 146.573
Blown Vintage Gas Competition Coupe - /BVGCC
XXF Ferguson & Osborn T. Osborn 06/11 161.169
Unblown Vintage Fuel Altered Coupe - /VFALT
V4F Lattin & Gillette By. Lattin 09/11 118.955
Blown Vintage Gas Altered Coupe - /BVGALT
XXF Ferguson & Osborn T. Osborn 05/11 159.101
Unblown Vintage Gas Altered Coupe - /VGALT
V4F Lattin & Gillett By. Lattin 10/11 121.650
Blown Vintage Gas Coupe - /BVGC
XXF Ferguson & Osborn T. Osborn 09/11 145.689
10.D Modified Category
Blown Fuel Competition Coupe - /BFCC
H Hondata CRX M. Macmillan 06/11 170.721
Blown Gas Competition Coupe - /BGCC
F Hondata CRX M. Macmillan 10/11 197.009
H Hondata CRX M. Macmillan 05/11 201.666
Unblown Gas Coupe - /GC
J V & M Racing P. Prentice 10/11 102.009
Unblown Gas Modified Sports - /GMS
B Jesel & Cook M. Cook Sr 05/11 220.302
Blown Modified Mid-Mini Pickup - /BMMP
G White Goose Bar Racing K. Pedersen 10/11 165.669
10.F Diesel Truck Category
Diesel Truck - /DT
F Tracer Racing G. Enck 10/11 132.737
2011 EL MIRAGE MOTORCYCLE RECORDS
50cc
SC-BF Team McLeish/Grether D. McLeish 06/11 65.267
250cc
P-P Mercury M. Anderson 05/11 141.988
650cc
APS-G Ralph Hudson R. Hudson 10/11 187.829
P-P Honda Racing R. Leclercq 05/11 165.063
750cc
A-PG Long Gone MS C. Klimiek 05/11 140.181
SC-PBG MPH Racing H. Meeker 05/11 134.419
1000cc
A-G Butler, Pflum, Wagner J. Pflum 05/11 186.050
APS-BF Noonan-Tyson Falls Racing J. Noonan 10/11 214.505
APS-F Jim Hoogerhyde J. Hoogerhyde 05/11 203.149
APS-G Ralph Hudson R. Hudson 09/11 210.592
A-VG Jim Robinson J. Robinson 05/11 138.066
P-P Butler, Pflum, Wagner J. Pflum 05/11 196.190
SCS-F Team McLeish Bros D. McLeish 09/11 187.834
1350cc
A-BG Womack Sandin Tudor P. Womack 05/11 227.870
APS-BF Noonan Noonan Moreland J. Noonan 05/11 239.580
APS-BG Noonan Moreland Dashle J. Noonan 06/11 232.721
SC-PBF Isley Racing D. Isley 05/11 165.106
Omega
APS-Omega Riches Nelson Aardema D. Vagedes 10/11 149.506
|
|
|
|
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Edward A. Winfield was my first engine and camshaft mentor. I met him when he was semi-retired in San Francisco. Ed would show me letters from an Ed Nino asking for a SBC cam grind with a certain lift and duration and Ed would grind the cam and send it off. The next month Ed would receive another order and letter saying how the car ran at the drags and wanted a little more duration and lift. Ed had a stack of these "orders" and we both found out that they became the STX series of cams at Racer Brown’s shop where Ed Nino worked! Ed taught me about lobe centers, durations, a little about air flow and carbs. He made me look for old internal combustion books that were written by Lichty, Obert and Ricardo. The reason he made me look for those books was because I would ask him a question and Ed would tell me that the answer to my question can be found in the Lichty book, etc. The next mentor that I had for my engine education was Clifford H. Collins. Dema Elgin
|
|
|
|
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I have just written a book about J. Beauchamp. He raced hotrods at Olympic Stadium in the spring of 1950. I am wondering if John Hollansworth might have some memories of Beauchamp or hot rod races he and Beauchamp were in. I couldn't find an email address for John, but I was thinking you might be able to forward this to him -- and if you have any information about Beauchamp I am interested. The book is 280 double spaced typed pages with 380 footnotes in the back. I have a lot of interesting material. I researched the book part time for five years. What I am hoping to do is locate a publisher. John Havick, [email protected].
Readers: If anyone has any knowledge or records of J. Beauchamp please let us know.
---------------------------------
My book is 281 pages with my 380 footnotes -- these are all typed and double spaced pages -- and I have shipped off to a publisher for review. Meanwhile, my curiosity and ability still to make some adjustments to the manuscript keeps me on the prowl for just a little more information. There were some Kansas City hot rod drivers who came to Council Bluffs in 1949 -- I guess someone in your circle would know about that already? I will save your emails so if this gets accepted for publication I can do something for you. Thanks again. John Havick, [email protected].
John: Here is some information on the Sprint Car Hall of Fame in case you haven't contacted them yet.
Sprint Car Hall of Fame, One Sprint Capital Place, 1000 North Lincoln Street (P.O. Box 542), Knoxville, Iowa 50138. The museum phone number is 641-842-6176. The museum Fax number is 641-842-6177. Toll-Free Hotline: 1-800-874-4488. E-Mail: [email protected]. Museum Hours: April through September the schedule is Monday - Friday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; on Saturday the museum is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and on Sunday from 12 Noon to 5 p.m. (open until 7 p.m. on race nights). The Fall and Winter months schedule from October through March is: Monday - Friday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and on Saturday and Sunday the museum is open from 12 Noon to 5 p.m. Museum Admission: Adult donations are $4.00, Students and Seniors (over 60) are $3.00, Children (under 5) and members of the museum get in free.
|
|
|
|
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The early registration deadline is fast approaching for the 14th annual John Force Holiday Car Show which will be held on Sunday, December 4, 2011 from 10am-4pm. If you haven’t already sent your entry form in yet, I encourage you to do so. Entries for this year’s show are coming in at a record pace, so don’t delay in getting your registration form to us if you want to be a part of this huge show. Let your friends and club members know about the show also. If you have already sent in your entry, you will be receiving your move-in packet around November 18. The show is again benefiting the California Highway Patrol’s – “CHiP’s for Kids” toy drive. Last year’s show collected nearly 8,000 toys for underprivileged children in Southern California. This year’s show will be featuring Pontiacs in a special area of the show and is open to all sports cars, street rods, classics, trucks, muscle cars and exotics. The event is pre-registration with the early-bird deadline of November 6 for $40. After November 6 the entry fee is $50. VIP Parking in premium locations is available for $75 which includes a free In N' Out Burger lunch. All pre-registered entries receive an “Official Event T-Shirt,” a limited edition souvenir lanyard and “Participant Card.” We are looking forward to seeing you at this year’s car show which will feature John Force’s actual crashed funny car from his Dallas wreck, Mike Ryan’s Freightliner race truck, Mike Harrah’s Batmobile, a special display of Bonneville race cars including the 426mph “Speed Demon” of Poteet & Main along with hundreds of other unique and wild show cars, movie cars and racecars. Entertainment will feature the bands of: The Chris Anderson Group, Lil’ Mo & The Dynaflo’s and a tribute to Elvis with Scot Bruce performing. There will be something for the entire family. Craig Hoelzel Show Manager. Email: [email protected].
|
|
|
|
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Cluster Busters Hot Rod Club presented Justice Brothers President & CEO, Ed Justice Jr, with some very special items this month at the NHRA California Hot Rod Reunion. One of the items was an original club jacket from 1948. The Cluster Busters Hot Rod Club was founded 1948. They are the third oldest, still active, car club in the nation. The Cluster Busters Hot Rod Club was honored with the Justice Brothers Reunion Spotlight at the 2011 NHRA National Hot Rod Reunion in Bowling Green, Kentucky. All of the donated items will be on display at the Justice Brothers Racing Museum and Private Collection in Duarte, California.
|
|
|
|
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
26 October 2011; Report From the Racers Reunion 2011. By Bob Falcon
This annual event was founded by Hila Sweet back in the 1980’s in an effort to gather all the old 1950’s Jalopy racers from Culver City Speedway. Then later Long Beach Veterans Memorial Stadium and after that Gardena Speedway and when that track went “dark” the dirt half-mile at Ascot Park. Hila was one of the first lady drivers and started in the Jalopy class car since that was the entry level into dirt oval track racing. At its inception the event was known as The Jalopy Racers Reunion and the attendee were the participants of the era. Hila changed the name to The Racers Reunion because, as she told me, “You fellas began with Jalopy’s but you all went off into other forms of the sport.” The venue for this year was The Riverside International Automotive Museum. Hila passed the baton to Norma and Davey Jordan to handle the organization and promotion as she packed her luggage and headed off for Texas. But she did show up for the ceremonies. The crowd was a little sparse compared to other years but the food was out of this world with catering by Abby who does most of the Fabulous Fifties events. The event sponsor was Ford of Upland dealership owner Jim Sheridan, son of the Culver City Jalopy Races Starter-Jim Sheridan. The program paid homage to Jim’s replacement Starter “Jumpin” Jack Summers who handled the racing at Gardena and later Ascot Park. Jack was known for his acrobatic moves. Although I earned my spurs driving Jalopy’s at Culver City Speedway and many other tracks around So Cal, I never competed in any events where “Jumpin Jack” waved the flags because by the time he came on the scene I was off doing stuff in other forms of auto racing. All in all, it was a well-staged event and the museum management was outstanding in their treatment to their guests. We plan to attend the 2012 reunion.
|
|
|
|
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Www.Hotrodhotline has added “Employment” to its Classified Ad Section. If you are "Seeking a Job" the Ads are free. The “Help Wanted” Ads are on special as an introductory offer. Help Wanted Ads are $50 for a six months placement. Email for details on how to take advantage of this offer at [email protected] or give us a call at 877-700-2468.
|
|
|
|
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Three Kings, by Tom Condran. Republished by permission of the author.
“There came wise men” … Matthew 2:1. Every so often, someone unique rises to change our world. These three made our engines roar. Sir Harry Ricardo; Son of a family of economists, Ricardo took a different path, to engineering the new internal combustion engine. He was first to realize that explosions during combustion; detonation, or “knock” limited power and damaged engines. So Ricardo invented a counterintuitive tight (“quench”) zone between part of the head and a rising piston. That squeeze made turbulence in the air/fuel charge before combustion. Air and fuel well mixed burned more evenly. Detonation occurred less often. Power and reliability rose. In WWI Ricardo was called to replace unreliable 105-horsepower engines in 30-ton Mark I tanks. So he built a tougher short block plus his high-turbulence head (and more), and made 150 HP. Ricardo-engine tanks finally broke the stalemate of trench warfare. Ricardo was knighted. Sir Harry went on to investigate resistance-to- detonation (“anti-knock”) strengths of the many hydrocarbons in gasoline. He measured each in a variable-compression engine he had also built, and rated them on the scale now termed Octane. Ricardo thought up the concept of “anti-knock” gas additives, then discovered the first, aniline. His engineering text The High-Speed Engine was a bible among automakers for decades.
Ed Winfield was a self-taught Renaissance Man of high-performance engines and the Father of Hot-Rodding. In his teens he swept floors for the Miller Racing Team and kept his eyes open. He built his own race cars “out of junk,” winning by creativity against expensive equipment, on dirt tracks and dry lakes in 1920’s Southern California. He realized that intake charge velocity, not mass air-flow, filled cylinders and made power, so he built his own manifolds. He knew that even fuel distribution across the rpm band was essential, so he cast and built a revolutionary variable-Venturi carburetor. In 1927 five racecars in the Indy 500 pulled on Winfield carbs. In 1929 all but one did. He understood that the cam was the “brains” of the engine, so he ground his own cams. Instead of being a machine-tool cam as all others were, his cams were designed to let the engine make the power it wanted to. They carried clearance ramps before Detroit or Europe imagined them, and fast flanks and rounded noses for high rpms. The famous “Duntov” cam for 1950’s Chevy V8’s duplicated a Winfield. Racer Brown STX-series cams for 1960’s Mopars were all Winfield designs. Winfield even fixed engines, redesigning Ford’s Four-Cam Indy V8 into a perennial 500 winner. Ed Winfield’s accomplishments crossed decades, and so did his influence. Racers followed his principles and designs. Some built a business.
Clifford Collins advanced from a small-town boy who loved engines to a Ph.D. engineer designing engines for the WWII war effort. Post-War he founded Harman and Collins, the first mail-order cam producer for the burgeoning hot-rod market. War needs had refined the first high-octane pump gasoline. So any engine could make more power by raising the compression and sliding in a cam to match. Collins designed a range of fast cams (and ignition systems) that anybody could buy. His company ran double shifts to answer orders. Collins was inspired by Ed Winfield. After him, inspired by both Winfield and Collins, came Ed Iskenderian, Harvey Crane, and others. We all won.
|
|
|
|
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Editor's note: The following letter is edited from the original.
The Maxx2racing Team car set records at every LSR event it entered. The team and the car will try for additional records in 2012 at the Mojave Mile, the new ECTA events, the LTA Loring events, and a Nascar Bodied car at the famed Bonneville Salt Flats. Drop by The Royal Purple Maxx2Racing ‘Bad Bird’ LSR Race Car booth at this year’s SEMA Show for our Media Event and meet Dane Buckley of Point Imaging, as he oversees the wrapping of the new colors for our race car in 3M Materials. The car is being completely repainted by Tony Taylor, owner of CMF Fabrication in Fallon, Nevada. We again thank Royal Purple for their continuing sponsorship. Some of the publications that we are seen at are "BAD BIRD II" http://maxx2racing.info/, BonnevilleRacing.com, National Speed Sport News online, LandspeedRacing, Bonneville Racing News, PhotoBucket, RacingIn, StreetFire, MyRideisMe.com, LS1.com, MojaveMile.com, LTA Loring.com, the Society of Land Speed Racing Historians Newsletter, USFRA.com, ECTA, Manta.com, LS1tech.com, Lateral-G.Net, TheCarCommunity.com, WinningRide.com, RacingJunk. Thanks again to each and every one of you for showing your continuing support for our team, Maxx2Racing, and our race cars. See you at the show. Richard (aka MAXX) and Judy White, Lovelock, Nevada 775-273-3616/980-7457. EMAIL-[email protected], The MAXX2RACING (M2) Team, The Royal Purple Maxx2Racing ‘Bad Bird’ LSR Race Car LTA, Loring, Maine C/GCT Record Holder/208.490 MPH. AA/GCT Maxton Mile, NC Record Holder/205.886 MPH. Mojave Mile Nascar Bodied Car Record/202.4 MPH. Mojave Mile Land Speed Auto 1st Place/April 2011. http://maxx2racing.com/, http://maxx2racing.org/, http://maxx2racing.info/.
|
|
|
|
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Editor’s notes: A fine sportswriter who gets little recognition is Tim Kennedy. Recently I have been writing to him and received this response.
“I still write the Irwindale weekly racing stories and the annual championship awards banquet story. I also do the annual program updates, such as most main event victories, racing division descriptions, and one-lap track records by racing divisions. The track program lists me as Contributing Writer & Statistician. My writing (racing result stories & columns) appears on Internet websites such as www.RacingWest.com, openwheelracing.com, www.toyotaspeedwayatirwindale,com, and hotrodhotline.com. When National Speed Sport news was still printed (to March 2011) my Turkey Night Midget GP was a lead story the week following that classic race. The editor said they still want it for their Internet NSSN.” Tim Kennedy
|
|
|
|
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I just received an email from Karin Spurgin and it was her father that was part of the legendary SCTA Record Breaking Spurgin/Giovanine Roadster that the guys brought back from sitting in a backyard in Apple Valley for 40 years. We all proudly wore our Albata Shirts. Karin was in tears to see her father's passion and work displayed on the greens of Pebble Beach. The roadster was then at the PV Concours last month against tough competition of Pre-WWII Land Speed Dry Lakes racers and the Spurgin/Giovanine Roadster won first place. Karin wore her Albata shirt proudly and carried the trophy to her father's car. She just wrote a poem about her dad and how the S-G Roadster came back to life and brought back more memories. Here is my letter to the two crew guys that restored the S-G. View the short film clip of the Spurgin/Giovanine roadster at http://vimeo.com/7447847. Ernie Nagamatsu
-------------------------
To: Bill Erickson and Will Kalbermatter
Karin Spurgin was so moved and touched to be a part of the PV Concours and to hold the First Place Trophy at the Spurgin/Giovanine Roadster last month. She wrote this touching and beautiful piece but it also speaks to your hard work and endless effort with sleepless nights for all of us to get it just right and to what Spurgin and Giovanine had envisioned for that one special sleek black and silver aluminum Land Speed Record Breaking Car. What you both did as a project became much more than just a physical Dry Lakes roadster that raced. Karin could feel the memories of her father and it again returned to her. Chuck Spurgin, her dad, was again bigger than life and was standing a bit closer to her because of it. You touched her life as she wrote this poem. Thanks to the both of you for making it happen for her and for many others. You should be very proud and pleased in your souls that you did it right. Ernie & Elaine Nagamatsu
-------------------------
I CRADLED YOU. By Karin Spurgin. October 2011
I stood holding the trophy, standing by your car so newly refurbished.
Brought back to life by another with kindness and care, resurrected from desert dust and a generation of rest and hiding.
Your passion before I was born. Guy stuff with friends, communing in talent, intrigue, art and the love of cars.
I only can guess at the fulfillment of those years. Hanging out with your buds, locking into the cadence of brothers sequestered in their garages building, deciding, inventing and second guessing.
I stood holding the trophy, gently pressed against the little shining car minutes after the award, looking out over the vast, blue, beckoning ocean we sailed on for years, sun kissing my reaching face as the wind’s fan kept me cool, I waited for Bill to take the picture.
My life with you flooded back, every moment sharply real filling my body and heart. Through your car is how you stay to be with me. I get it, question answered. This is how I will always know you are here.
I stood holding the trophy, overcome with the grandness of it all, feeling you right there, tears flooding up. I’m not in my body yet all senses are reaching, tingling with awe. I am warmed and held by the sun and wind, your arms possibly, with the vast blue backdrop my only pallet.
I cradle you sweetly in my arms just as I did when they handed me your ashes. I cradled you then, carefully walking across the street, holding you gently in this awesome moment too big for words, and surprised by the weight of you in that little box. I held the trophy.
You cradled me and watched my back for all my days, doing it still, drawing me in to learn about this life that was yours in your younger years full of passion and wonder.
I stood holding the trophy.
Karin Spurgin
|
|
|
|
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Wally Bell Show is broadcast each and every Wednesday, live with Gordy Foust, Greg Zyla, George Nye, Wally Bell and our invited guests. www.dragracersreunion.ning.com and click on radio banner, www.racersreunionradio.com, or www.zeusradio.ning.com. Call in number 877-500-9387. Call to listen at 1-347-884-9756. Join Gordy Foust, Jeff Gilder, Greg Zyla, George Nye, and Wally Bell or email to [email protected] or [email protected].
|
|
|
|
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The last passes! We stood the tower! On to Ohio! Joe Timney, East Coast Timing Association
Joe and members of the Maxton racing fraternity: Is there a history of land speed racing at the Maxton site? If not, would those being emailed like to share their memories of the events held at Maxton. We have been working on biographies of land speed and other kinds of auto racing but a huge gap in our efforts has been with the history of the tracks around the country. In a few situations there are men and women who chronicle a certain track that they grew up at and these personal histories are sometimes the only source that we have to remember the places where racing took place. Once we lose these historians we lose the history and even the knowledge of the track itself. We have several bios in the works that are slowly coming along that will provide a big boost to our accumulated history, but we could really use some history on the racing sites as well. If you can share your stories or would like some help on editing please let me know.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Land Speed Racing Websites:
www.hotrodhotline.com, www.landspeedracing.com
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Members:
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.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
|
|
|
[HRHL Home] [2011 Show Coverage] [Classifieds] [Press Releases]
[Advertising Information] [Buyers Guide] [Vendor Directory]
[Barn & Field Cars] [Biker Hotline] [Blast to the Past] [Book Reviews]
[Build Articles] [Club Directory] [Event Listings] [From our Friends]
[Garage Shots] [Guest Columnists] [Hotrod MD] [Landspeed Racing]
[Modern Rods] [New Products] [Newsletter Archive] [Order a Catalog]
[Our Heroes] [Rodders Forum] [Rodders Row] [Shop Tours] [Site Map]
[Stolen] [Tech] [Vanity Plates] [Young Rodders] [EMAIL]
|
|
|
|
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Copyright 1999 - 2011 Hot Rod Hot Line All Rights Reserved
No Portion May Be Used Without Our Written Permission
Contact Us Toll Free (877) 700-2468 or (208) 562-0470
230 S. Cole Rd, Boise, ID 83709
|
|
|
