Pascal Memishian with legendary top fuel dragster driver Bob Muravez.
Story by Richard parks
The Grand National Roadster show was held on January 23-25, 2015 on the grounds of the Los Angeles County Fairplex, in Pomona, California. This was a spectacular event with cars, celebrities, bands, pin-stripers auction, pin-up beauty contest and much more. We sometimes think of car shows as a “man” thing and forget that women are big supporters and admirers of the car culture. Here are just a few of the ladies that I met at the show and a little background on their contributions (apologies to those I have missed).
Anna Marco is an editor, writer, photographer, researcher, historian of the car culture, member of the Society of Land Speed Racing Historians, back-up girl for Stormy Byrd’s drag racing team and an avid car fan. The stories she writes on racing brings out the spirit of the men and women who love to race. She also writes and photographs the car show and cruising scene. Faith Granger is a movie maker, director and producer of DEUCE OF SPADES. Her style of movie making brings out the angst and emotions that drive men and women in the car culture. Anika Buck is the co-owner with her husband, John Buck, of the Grand National Roadster Show in Pomona, California. She works diligently to make it easier for participants, sponsors, vendors and spectators to enjoy the show.
Andreanna Ditton is the editor of the MotorheadMedia.com, a division of Internet Brands, including www.hotrodhotline.com, www.racingJunk.com and other e-magazines belonging to the large internet media firm. Andreanna oversees the placement of content, ads and correspondence and travels to many shows around the nation, talking to sponsors, advertisers and fans. Pascal L. Memishian lives in Greenwich, Connecticut. She is the daughter of Steve Memishian who founded the American Hot Rod Foundation (www.ahrf.com), based in New York City, NY. Pascal is an avid supporter of the work being done by the foundation to preserve and save our hot rodding culture. She has a degree in business from George Washington University, was a fashion designer and has black belts in a number of martial arts. Pascal believes in healthy living and eating nutritionally and is involved in fitness programs. She is currently a Director of the American Hot Rod Foundation and founder of PLM StyleStrategies, LLC.
Mitzi Valenzuela is the owner of Mitzi & Co in San Dimas, California, and is a master photographer. Slim and agile, she maneuvers the camera around her models and the cars they rest in or lean against. Mitzi began taking photographs just before the boudoir photo rage began. She has this kind and sympathetic way of directing the models, many of whom are married and mothers, for that special photo for their spouses. Her company has expanded into calendars and magazines, done tastefully with that 1940’s pin-up style reminiscent of Betty Grable. Mitzi is just as adept at bringing out the Betty Page in her models as well. At the show on Friday she conducted a photo shoot with models Ashlyn Coco and Lindy Sue, until the light gave out. Mitzi is also the Chief photographer at Classic & Kustoms Bombs magazine.
Photo by Ralph Guerra
The Grand National Roadster Show has had a Hall of Fame since 1960 and many of the honorees have been respected in the hot rodding and custom car world. Evelyn Casaurang is a charter member of the GNRS Hall of Fame in 1960. Mary Slonaker, co-founder of the Grand National Roadster Show with her husband Al Slonaker in 1949, was inducted into the GNRS Hall of Fame in 1962. Barbara Livingston Parks was inducted into the GNRS Hall of Fame Honoree in 1963. Barbara was the wife of Wally Parks and assisted him in founding the National Hot Rod Association in 1951. She is my step-mother and I can tell you that every success my father ever had with the NHRA had her help and support. Beverly Johnson went into the GNRS Hall of Fame in 1965. Kathy Livingston was inducted into the GNRS Hall of Fame in 2012. Susan Brizio went into the GNRS Hall of Fame in 2013. Penny Pichette, with her late husband Rich Pichette, created the West Coast Kustoms Cruisin Nationals in 1982. Penny was inducted into the GNRS Hall of fame in 2014. The 2015 West Coast Kustoms Cruisin Nationals will be held in Santa Maria, California at the Santa Maria Fairpark on May 22-24, 2015.
In building 5 I came across Austin and Maya Conley. Maya is 8 years old and was roller skating up and down the aisles with her Pomeranian dog on a leash. She was having so much fun that I stopped and asked her parents where they were from. Maya, her mother Austin and father Cadi drove down to the show from Humboldt County in northern California, in their 1962 green and white Bel Air. Austin told this story, “Cadi spent the money on the car that he gave me and wrote on the dashboard, ‘Austin, will you marry me?’ Of course I said yes.” A family enjoying a car show is what the hot rodding culture is all about.
Women are important in helping to run the GNRS. Besides those who bring their cars to show, there were ladies who were models at the various booths, security guards, secretaries, food booths, vendors and sponsors. A great percentage of the spectators were women and they were just as eager to see the cars as were the guys.
Another group of ladies were the pin-up beauty contestants that was organized and directed by Mitzi Valenzuela. Many of the contestants were mothers and wives who just enjoy dressing up in 1940’s and ‘50’s clothing and hair fashions. Others are professional models and entertainers who live the Retro lifestyle from the past; the hair is puffed up, the lipstick is blood red and the eyes look deep into your soul just like in the film noir movies. Sandy Stillman said that she was a, “Tom boy at heart. I love to go camping and watch cars being worked on. I’m an animal lover and a huge supporter of the military.” Miranda Barrie, whose stage name is Miss Miranda said, “I’m a professional burlesque performer. I am the great-great niece of J.M. Barrie, author of the book PETER PAN. I play the musical saw and write and speak Japanese fluently.”
Celia Flores said, “I’m a tom boy at heart. I love cars and horror films. I’ll take a comedy over a drama romance any day. I can cook and bake among the best of them. I am a mother of three. I was inspired to do pin-up because my grandmother was such a beauty pin-up herself.” There is a sauciness and liveliness that brings back old memories of the past. Cheri Harrison told us, “I am highly active in my community. I own the company Sugar Bear Creations. I also play the guitar and drums, snowboard, weld, and hunt.” Cheri makes artificial flowers for the hair and scarves that bring back the nostalgia look of the 1940’s. Denielle Sorsigilli is a businesswoman who enjoys the retro style, “I enjoy every facet of pin-up modeling and work as a senior administrator for Delicious Dolls Magazine. I have also judged pin-up competitions (i.e. Rumble on Central) as well as featuring a write-up for the event,” she said. Writers and photographers from all over the United States, England and Australia contribute pin-up pictures to the magazine.
Jenny Vasquez said, “I placed first in the Mooneye’s December, 2014 Pin-Up Contest. I attended college in Hawaii and studied abroad in Seville, Spain. I love to run and stay active. I’m a huge fan of Elvis and I can never say no to chocolate.” Jessie Walsh added, “I am a certified Regulatory Compliance Manager and Vendor Program Manager. I’m currently studying towards my Bachelor degree in Education to teach history and humanities. I am also an avid juggler.” These ladies have brains as well as beauty. Georgiana Alvarez told us, “I’m a self-proclaimed geek, football loving, video game playing, Lego collecting, wanna be pin-up hobbit.” Jacquie Macias said, “I’ve been a vegetarian for ten years. I work as a full-time hairstylist and when I was younger I wanted to be a stunt car driver.” Amanda Newman added, “I’m a vintage dress collector and music enthusiast. When I’m not modeling I love to travel and experience new things.” Amber Wilcox mentioned, “I eat fire, not animals. I have been modeling since I was 15 and am a natural redhead.”
Kristen Ortiz said, “I am the founder of PartTimePinUp.com. I live in Hermosa Beach, where I work as the national brand ambassador for Deep Eddy Vodka. Every morning I start my day by watching cartoons with my three dogs.” Miss Ortiz is known as Lil Miss KO and was born in San Antonio, Texas. She went through her mother’s and grandmother’s closets for vintage clothing to wear at home. She dressed in modern clothing to fit in during high school and college. But on coming to California she experienced acceptance in her efforts to live the retro and vintage clothing lifestyles. For Kristen it is more than just clothing. The vintage lifestyle also harkens back to a time that was more honest. It’s how she wants to look, feel, and dress up and the way she wants to play. She developed her own website to show others that it’s okay to be who you are. She instructs others on the proper use of corsetry and styles of the 1940’s and ‘50’s.
Gone Racin’ is at [email protected].
