Motorsports Newsletter 9/22/23
By Richard Parks
1) EDITOR: Press releases are reduced in size. Most readers’ comments are reduced as well to stay within the limited space in the newsletter. Sometimes the information is so interesting that I “serialize” it in several future newsletters. But sometimes that is not possible, and a letter may exceed the 4 to 5 line rule. This is not the New York Times.
Secondly, I use the “EDITOR IS STUPID RULE.” This is a RULE where if you SEND something and I feel it is interesting to others I will include it in the newsletter. If you send the editor a message and you DON’T want it broadcast then write “Confidential,” or “Private…do not include in newsletter.” If you fail to tell me what is confidential or that you want it kept a secret, then don’t complain later as I will invoke the EDITOR IS STUPID RULE. Normally I don’t like secrets. I will abide by the “SECRECY EXCLUSION RULE,” but if it is a secret and you tell me is it really a secret anymore?
2) EDITOR: I’ve been referred to as Mr Obituary, the Grim Reaper, the Fifth Horseman, Black Sheep and other colorful monikers for reporting on deaths, but it is important to remember those that have passed away and if possible, to provide dates and places of the funerals, memorials or celebrations of life. Many people are hurt to find out a dear friend has passed, and they have missed a chance to say goodbye and to meet their old friends at memorials or celebrations of life. Please send me notices as soon as possible, because it does take me time to get the word out. Everyone should be remembered; no one should be left out. If you see me scribbling at a funeral, I am writing a story on the event.
3) I don’t know if you heard that Les Leggitt, the great engine builder for the dry lakes and Bonneville, has passed away. Arrangements are pending. Lee Thyer
LEE: What a huge loss. Les was always so pleasant and helpful to our family. If you find details, would you send them to me for the next newsletter.
4) Heard that Steve Castelli of Santa Rosa, CA (Windsor) passed away last week. That’s all I know; have not seen an obit yet. From Bob Choisser
READERS: If anyone knows, would they write and give details.
5) A friend, Jim Kerr, suggested I contact you about my husband Gene Kidder. Back in your Dad’s day Gene was appointed an NHRA division advisor by your Dad and that letter appointing Gene I donated recently to NARHOF after my sweet blue eyed husband of 35 years passed this January. I do not want his memory forgotten, and he is inducted into the Hall of Fame group 2006. He was instrumental in bringing the first sanctioned NHRA track (Flightland) to locals, but I do feel his reach extended beyond the Midwest and Omaha. He traveled with the Kansas City Badman to Miami Dragway, which was Dave Rupp’s Drag track then in the winter circa 1962 to compete year round having purchased Dick Landry’s Funny car. He later on purchased and ran Gene Snow’s Funny car as well. Susan Kidder (Editor: the letter will be serialized in upcoming newsletters)
SUSAN: It’s possible to add more to Gene’s and your stories and biographies. Gene was mentioned often in my father’s story and if you want to read it, let me know and I will send it to you. Gene Kidder was a Regional Representative and quite important to the mission of the early NHRA when it depended on volunteers. My condolences on to you and the family on Gene’s passing.
6) Bob Storck sent this in. “Nothing is ever really lost to us as long as we remember it.” Lucy Maud Montgomery. She was best known for writing “Anne of Green Gables” and penned these words in her 1913 novel, “The Golden Road,” This quote serves as a poignant reminder of the power of memory to preserve the people and experiences that have touched our lives. As long as we hold them in our memories, they will continue to be available to us, ever present in our hearts and minds and a comfort in times of grief and longing. Focusing on good times, good lessons and good memories keep loved ones with us throughout times when they’re absent or have left us.
BOB: We can go one step further, write down our memories, stories and life history and give it to our family and friends. I love the movies and serials on Anne of Green Gables and wish I could write that well.
7) It was the 60th Anniversary to the date today (10th September) of the Silverstone meeting in England in 1964. Mooneyes came to England to challenge Sydney Allard to a match race, but they were joined with a surprise visit from Mickey Thompson with the Harvey Aluminium Special. You can read the full story by clicking on the 2 links below. Cheers, John Hunt
Part 1, http://www.eurodragstereventcoverage.com/features/mooneyes1963_pt1/default.asp
Part 2, http://www.eurodragstereventcoverage.com/features/mooneyes1963_pt2/default.asp
8) Please note that if you wish to receive a free NHRA Race ticket and attend in person, the deadline to Register is Tuesday November 7th, 2023, at 3 PM Pacific Time. All Students, Teachers, Chaperones, Bus Drivers, Parents, Relatives, etc. that wish to attend need to each individually register prior to the deadline in order to receive a free ticket to the event. In order to sign up and attend the NHRA YES Program, simply go to jbaadilla.
9) The 53rd United States National Speedway Championship Motorcycle races Saturday Night September 23rd, 2023, gates open at 6:00pm, first race starts at 7:30pm Orange County Fairgrounds 88 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa, California, contact.
EDITOR: I’ve covered Speedway Bike, and it is a fascinating and fast action sport. We are blessed with two Speedway arenas in Southern California: The Grand and Orange County Bullring. Brad Oxley and his family are very pleasant and supportive. You will love the far end if you like mud splatter. The kids do. For my article on Speedway write to me and I will send it to you.
10) Historic Sportscar Racing (HSR) Final Five Stretch of Races Off and Running this Weekend at Road America, Daytona International Speedway, Sebring International Raceway, Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta, WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. HSR this weekend is at Road America. The opening event is off and running right now with HSR’s guest appearance at the Vintage Sports Car Drivers Association (VSCDA) Elkhart Lake Vintage Festival (ELVF) this weekend. HSR returns to Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta for the HSR Fall Historics, September 21 24, 2023. The Fall Classic has developed an appeal and popularity of its own and is the first of three return visits to race circuits in the final five race stretch. Adam Saal is at SaalGoodPR@Gmail.com.
11) WORLD FINALS IS A GO! September 30 October 3, 2023. Fees are $550. Ron Main (ron) or 818 523 7005. Or JoAnn Carlson at SCTA Office, office@scta bni.org.
12) NHRA YES (Youth & Educational Services) video, see: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U2JU7HOynxY. Bill Montgomery & Jerry Rangel
13) Thanks for the link, THE EPIC SAGA OF THE SURFERS at Top Fuel Wormhole: The Cole Coonce Drag Strip Reader. See https://topfuelwormhole.wordpress.com/2019/09/27/the epic saga of the surfers 2/. This feature on the Surfers Top Fuel team (Skinner, Jobe, and Sorokin) originally ran in HOT ROD in 1996 and is now part of “Top Fuel Wormhole,” a collection of 1990’s era articles I penned for HRM, Super Stock & Drag Illustrated, Full Throttle News, etc. Anyway, in articles for those publications, I tried to focus on the sport’s outside thinkers, if not just out and out outsiders; e.g., the Surfers, Jocko Johnson, Arley Langlo, Brent Fanning, etc. For those interested, “Top Fuel Wormhole” is available from Amazon here: https://www.amazon.com/Top Fuel Wormhole Cole Coonce/dp/0971997764/. Keep up the yeoman work. Cole Coonce
14) “There is no such thing as too much horsepower, just not enough traction,” Carroll Shelby. Sent in by Don Smith.
15) Excerpted from the Oscar Koveleski Story. Written by John Dinkel. “In 1970 Oscar Koveleski brought Jackie Stewart, Stirling Moss, Dan Gurney and Graham Hill together on the Ed Sullivan Show for a mano a mano slot car race with a prize of $50,000, which at the time was the largest purse anyone would ever have won in racing. And the trophy went to Jackie Stewart. https://www.gettyimages.ae/detail/news photo/portrait of dan gurney graham hill sterling moss and jackie news photo/672296626.”
16) I enjoy your newsletters. Lots of work to get these out. A note the Society of Automotive Historians (SAH), of which I’m a member, covers a lot of racing but not much of California’s. You should join. My Ascot book has done amazingly well. Fans have asked for another with stories of racers, spectators, workers, etc., so that’s underway. You might ask your readers with any Ascot stories to contact me. And in this issue, you mention Tim Lewis and ministocks. I’d like to talk to him. Dave Wolin
DAVE: I’ve notified Tim, and years ago I was a member of SAH, California Chapter, along with Joan Denver Meyer, Harold Osmer and others.
17) This Week on Cars Yeah podcast, Mark Greene interviews Jeff Zwart (commercial film director, racer, photographer, cameraman, and author), Brian Redman (who drove in 358 races in his professional career), Frank Wiesmann (Manager of Product Communications at Porsche Cars North America), and Patrick Long (F 1 Porsche factory driver). Mailing address: Cars Yeah, 4618 131st St Ct NW, Gig Harbor, Washington 98332, or inspiration.
18) Speakers: John Force, Brittany Force & Robert Hight. John Force, 16 Time NHRA Funny Car Champion; Brittany Force, 2022 NHRA Top Fuel Champion and 2 Time NHRA Top Fuel Champion; and Robert Hight, 3 Time NHRA Funny Car Champion, joined us for Race Industry Week. Hosted by Joe Castello from WFO Radio. Sent in by team. https://www.epartrade.com/video/50546b20 featured speakers john force brittany force robert hight da272cc0 epartrade?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=23%20September 8&utm_content=23%20September 8+CID_8ab717545c7ff911ca368ce47362b9d2&utm_source=Newsletter&utm_term=Click%20here%20to.
19) GETTING TO KNOW OUR READERS. My name is Ashley Finney; I race in ladies only drag series at Bunker Hill Dragstrip in Indiana with my 2017 Mustang GT Convertible. I married into a drag racing family, and eventually our son TKO got in a JR dragster. he’s a multiple track champion, and two time top 5 world finisher in IHRA. I love to do all things behind the scenes in racing, such as social media and 50/50. I have worked almost every position possible! That’s how I got the nickname Race Mom! I love bringing new people into the sport, especially women. It’s my purpose to make them feel welcomed, comfortable, important and make them want to come back!
ASHLEY: Thank you for a great short bio and I will post it late next week. Be sure to write your biography and save all your stories and share with us, and especially with your family.
20) EDITOR: Here’s my system for writing biographies. The system is simple. For a biography use NOUNS in chronological order. Like this: name, date of birth, place of birth, where you grew up, friends, jobs, racing, etc. Start out by listing nouns, then go back and write ONE sentence or more about that noun. Stories don’t have to be in chronological order. Do not use negativity where possible, but if something is bad try and show both sides. Write a few sentences a day and keep it on your computer. Add what you want, don’t mention what you don’t want. Be careful about those still living, such as children, financial records, etc. Have fun and share it with your family and friends (and me if you want to).
21) Book signing for Dave Friedman’s images of Racing 1958 1965, this Saturday, October 7, 2023, from 10AM to 2PM at Autobooks/Aerobooks, 2900 West Magnolia Blvd, Burbank, CA 91505, 818 845 0707, www.autobooks aerobooks.com, Autobooks Aerobooks is at manager@autobooks aerobooks.com.
22) IT’S THE BIG ONE The 53rd UNITED STATES NATIONAL Speedway Championship MOTORCYCLE RACES SATURDAY NIGHT SEPTEMBER 23rd, 2023, gates open at 6pm. first race at 7:30pm, Orange County Fairgrounds 88 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa, CA www.costamesaspeedway.net. From Agajanian Family and Brad Oxley.
23) Ken Cooper joined the British Hot Rod Association and took his yellow ’37 Ford Coupe to the historic first meeting in September 1962 at the Watling Street Cafe near Junction 9 of the M1. Thanks to Brian Sparrow who was involved with the National Sprint Association, cars were allowed to run at sprint meetings. Eventually, having already run at the Brighton Speed Trials, cars had their own meetings and Drag Festivals took place. With all this activity, the RAC were involved in regulating the sport and Santa Pod Raceway opened in 1966 only a short time after the Drag Festivals. Cheers, John Hunt
24) Royce Rumsey just published “Morse Coda.” See https://roycer924.exposure.co/morse coda. “The automobile is arguably the ultimate product expression and result of art and science. And certainly, an early example of such resides with the venerable Mercedes Benz SSKs. The result of the combination of Ferdinand Porsche’s automotive engineering genius wrapped in the 7ltr thundering potency styling of Barker, Corsica, Murphy, Gangloff, Sindelfingen and most profoundly Willy White’s ‘Count Trossi’ masterwork, the SSKs are the optimum exemplum of automotive Art and Science.”
EDITOR: The photographs are exquisite. The Boat Tailed Roadster reminds me of Ron Henderson’s Lady Dragon.
25) SEPTEMBER 29 30 to OCTOBER 1 ANRA Fall Nationals, Auto Club Famoso Raceway. www.anra.com.
SEPTEMBER 30 OCTOBER 3 World Finals, Bonneville. www.scta bni.org.
OCTOBER 1 Fall Tulare Auto Swap C/10 Palooza, International Agri Center, Tulare, CA. www.springfalltulare.net. OCTOBER 5 7 Sixth Annual Streets of Bakersfield Cruizin’ Shine. 661 588 7933 or tony@Cruizin4Charity.com. OCTOBER 7 8 Eagle Field Drags, Fourteenth Annual Hot Rod Gathering, 1972 and earlier flag start. 559 351 3537 or www.eaglefielddrags.com.
OCTOBER 7 Sixteenth Annual Winfield Watson Gathering, Gene Winfield’s Custom Shop, 8201 Sierra Highway, Mojave, CA. 661 824 4728 or fuely32.
26) I love getting your email, I really enjoy the history of drag racing. I saw this posted today in the women of motor sports. @womeninmotorsportsna. “In 1964, after 20 rejected petitions, Barbara Hamilton made history as the first woman licensed by the NHRA to drive a supercharged dragster in competition. She went on to become a highly successful racer and paved the way for many women in drag racing to come. Source: NHRA. Thank you for having me here.” Crafty Kate.
CRAFTY: We need more women in sports at all levels, including mechanics and drivers. Welcome.
27) I love your newsletters. I reached out to John Baadilla with the YES program you shared, and we are going to work with him bringing some foster children in our community outreach program to the event on November 9 in Pomona at the NHRA. Thank you for all you do. Kelly Anderson of Girls Of Irwindale
28) What a great team the Hidden Pioneers have with all the right stuff! I’m looking forward to family night at the Columbia Memorial Space Center a week from tomorrow! Keep the dream alive! “Space Pam” Pamela Leestma
SPACE PAM: The NASA space center in Downey is a great place to take the family. September 29, 2023.
29) Confirmed Roland Leong’s Book signing of the Lou Hart written book, Lions Automobilia Museum on Saturday October 7th, 2023, from 11am to 2pm. 2790 E. Del Amo Blvd, Rancho Dominguez, CA 90221. From Darr Hawthorne
DARR: Thank you. Will Roland also be at Autobooks/Aerobooks in Burbank, CA? I’m working on the review now.
30) Girls on the gas…or any other fuel. My TEDx Talk on record setting women in motorsports just dropped here in the Midwest: Here’s the Link: https://youtu.be/0sIzEuuIjEU?si=fDc T2XfNFixmeQf, How Fast Can She Go? “LandSpeed” Louise Noeth TEDxStLouis from TEDx. “Did you know HUNDREDS of gals have set more than a THOUSAND land speed records on the Bonneville Salt Flats? Yeah, well me neither until I asked the right doggone questions. I explain in less than 20 minutes complete with spiffy pix. I structured the talk on a non racing audience in hopes of attracting more ladies to the sport…at least to take a serious look about participating.”
31) How do you know a scam from a legitimate email? One way is to look at the sender. Check out the following:
Order Confirmation for “Mr Car Doe” <jdoe> from “Joseph” <scam>
OR:
Cookware Confirmation for “Jane Doe” <MrsCarWidow>, from “Sung Kim” <scam>
What can you do? I enjoy deleting them into the JUNK file.
32) Continued from: MEL BASHORE Subject: International Raceway Park in Ona, West Virginia.
Questions need to be answered about the airport. Was it built and opened in 1987 or was it built earlier and used for a drag strip? DSL reader, Michi, did some research on this question: “I just had a look through a range of survey images over at the USGS Earth Viewer. I’ve images taken in ’67, ’76 and ’84 with no signs of a strip. The first appearance of the airstrip was in the next image set taken in ’88. So that seems to work out to there not being a dragstrip at all at the racetrack.” This seems to settle the question. Despite its listing in the 1970 NHRA track guide, the drag strip at Ona was never built. I think I’ve settled on the matter, i.e., that there never was a drag strip built, but if your father’s files are organized in such a manner as to shed further light on this planned strip, I’d be interested to learn about it. Thanks, Mel Bashore
READERS: Mel is a historian, writer and prolific researcher and a good supporter of the newsletter.
33) The Motorsports Hall of Fame of America (MSHFA) announced today at the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion that Earl B. Gilmore and Phil Walters, aka “Ted Tappett,” will join the Hall of Fame’s Class of 2024 in the Historic Category. Gilmore and Walters join seven other members of the Class of 2024 who were announced in April at the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach: Austin Coil (Drag Racing), Scott Dixon (Open Wheel), Jim Downing & Dr Robert Hubbard (Technology), Bud Ekins (Motorcycles), Jimmie Johnson (Stock Cars), Paul Newman (At Large) and John Surtees (Sports Cars). The 36th Annual MSHFA Induction Celebration Presented by Toyota Racing will take place March 11 12, 2024 in Daytona Beach, Florida. From Adam Saal at SaalGoodPR, 321 890 2848
34) Petersen Automotive Museum (PAM) new exhibit, HOLLYWOOD CUSTOMS: MODIFIED FOR THE MOVIES. September 16th, 2023, Opening Day. Since the advent of the motion picture, automobiles have been prominently featured on screen, serving not just to transport characters from one place to another but also to reveal aspects of the characters’ personalities and serve as important plot devices. Whatever the level of customization, the alterations made to movie and television cars help create the automotive characters that serve alongside the human actors and aid in establishing the world in which the story takes place. 6060 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90036 or gala.
35) PRIME FINAL 101718.mp4 Google Drive We found this Cool Car to be a big Hit at High Schools. Admin & Teachers Love it. See https://drive.google.com/file/d/1SfkZddvicU7FXtEMHNbaWeQb0HLEqFme/view. Bill Montgomery and Jerry Rangel
36) The Haltech World Cup Finals presented by Wiseco – Import vs Domestic. The 27th annual Haltech World Cup Finals presented by Wiseco Import vs Domestic event will take place at Maryland International Raceway on November 1 5, 2023. The event features Import vs Domestic Drag Racing with 11 Heads Up classes competing for over $200,000 in cash purse & awards, IBT Bikini Contest, and a Huge Vendor Midway. The event is busting at the seams with over 50,000 fans in attendance, and over 2 million views on the live feed. For more information on WCF, visit www.importvsdomestic.com or connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube @importvsdomestic. Office: 240 349 2538, Fax: 240 901 2950, Miller Brothers Productions, LLC, PO Box 2388, La Plata, MD 20646 2388. From Don Redmon
37) Elmer “Unsprung” Snyder built the car in 1953, using a full width chassis and narrowed in about 1957, used a small block chevy and started building the body. We ran the car for 25 years from when nostalgia racing started at Fremont Drag Strip. With the SB Chevy the car ran in the 9’s at about 155 mph, no drag chutes available then, so he had to develop one, but that’s another story. Jim Deist told me the history of the drag chute which was really interesting. Tim Love
TIM: I have a story on Jim Deist. Anna Marco wrote a story on Elmer and both are available by writing to me.
38) Charter Local Edition with Bill Montgomery, Marketing & Prime Motivation, go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UTS1OB_WQ3Y. From William Montgomery
EDITOR: Bill and Jerry Rangel make some professional looking videos. Worth a look.
39) Dick Martin and I will be at Steve Gibb’s Nitro Reunion, Irwindale Speedway, November 4th (event runs from 3rd to 5th) at the autograph table signing posters and anything else that needs signing. Gibbs has sent up a lot of tables under the tent near the drag strip and I counted over 100 celebrities of racing there. Sat next to Don Prudhomme, but he gave me “THAT LOOK” and so I exchanged seats with Dick Martin who wrote about Don for Rod & Custom. Ed Iskenderian, Linda Vaughn, Gibbs and so many more were there too. Bring your family and whatever you want signed and we’ll oblige. That goes for you too (Bob) Muravez, fans want your signature too.
40) DRAGSTRIPS in the USA and Canada. Courtesy of the National Speedway Directory, 2504 Lake Avenue, Wilmette, ILLINOIS, 60091
Bremerton Raceway Location: Bremerton, Washington Category: Dragstrips Length: 1/4 mile Surface: Paved. Mentioned in my father’s story.
Bristol Dragway Location: Bristol, Tennessee Category: Dragstrips Length: 1/4 mile Surface: Paved. Mentioned in my father’s story.
Brown County Dragway Location: Morgantown, Indiana Category: Dragstrips Length: 1/8 mile Surface: Paved.
Bunker Hill Dragstrip Location: Bunker Hill, Indiana Category: Dragstrips Length: 1/8 mile Surface: Paved. Mentioned in my father’s story.
41) John Clagett, President and CEO of the Trans Am Race Company, joined us for Race Industry Week. Hosted by Paul Pfanner of RACER.com. From Epartrade. Google https://www.epartrade.com/video/4818c7d7 featured racing series trans am da272cc0 epartrade?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=23%20September 9&utm_content=23%20
September9+CID_b0f2831629bd830a06be83800db7cfd3&utm_source=Newsletter&utm_term=watch%20the%20full%20interview.
42) I was playing around with the keyboard and learned a trick and it might work for you. I held down the control key (don’t release it as you roll) on my keyboard and then used the “roller” on the mouse and I could increase (roll it forward) or decrease (roll it backward) the size of the print. See if you can do that on your computer and if so then you can read any size print that is sent to you.
43) September 14th is my stepmother’s birthday. Barbara Livingston Parks was quite a lady and deserves as much credit for the NHRA’s success as my dad did.
44) You can see our Bonneville coverage here: https://www.torqtalk.com. Please feel free to share or pass it on. HUGE thanks to the SCTA BNI and your volunteers for all your hard work; we appreciate it. Tony Thacker
READERS: This is a great site. Thacker is an editor, writer, museum director and hot rodder.
45) FAMILY & GOOD FRIENDS… Many thanks. for your wishes. Was set for two days & ended up eight days. After toe removed, they cleared all my arteries for better blood flow. Got some good pain pills. My nurse LuLu is staying here for a few days & nights. Big thank you to daughters Donna & Lynn who were with me thru it all. Don Smith
DON: Get well soon. You’re a big part of the Motorsports Newsletter.
46) John Hunt of the British Drag Racing Historians Association wrote in about their group. John is at johnhunt.drn. Here are some of the articles that they have on file for UK drag racers.
Geoff Jago, part 1 (published 4th March 2022)
Geoff Jago, part 2 (published 11th March 2022)
Geoff Jago, part 3 (published 18th March 2022)
Geoff Jago, part 4 Stuart Jago’s story (published 21st March 2022)
Geoff Jago designed and built a mold for a Ford Model T body, building a hot rod that he displayed at the 1965 Blackbushe Drag Fest, but it did not run. Advertising in Drag Racing & Hot Rod Magazine, national newspaper coverage and display at the International Racing Car Show helped spread the word. Geoff also got his first hot rod registered for road use. Within years he had sold hundreds of T buckets, many of which became used for drag racing, and Geoff became a full time hot rod builder.
Geoff Jago Part 1 can be viewed at this link http://www.eurodragster.com/news/features/blogs/geoff_jago/default.asp
Geoff Jago left school at 15 and, after a year in the Portsmouth docks, gained an apprenticeship at a local garage in Portchester. During his nine years there he got interested in American cars and hot rods, starting by customising his dad’s Ford Consul Mk1. After leaving the garage he set up his own business doing car repairs and bodywork. Getting into hot rodding, he was the first importer of metal flake and created his first custom, Jago One, from a Ford Thames van which won a prize at the UK’s first custom car show organised by the British Hot Rod Association. Although his early customs were on British cars, his introduction to fibreglass got him thinking about Ford Model Ts.
47) In 1989, Carroll Shelby joined with the SCCA to design and develop a ‘Shelby Can Am’ to be used in SCCA amateur and professional racing. This would be a ‘spec formula’ in that the cars would only race against each other and was intended to build on the success of the Sports Renault (now Spec Racer Ford) that had been running very successfully in SCCA racing since 1984. From John Dinkel
48) GETTING TO KNOW OUR READERS DEPARTMENT: Toni Ramos. “My dad had a hot rod in his younger days and as a teen I hung out with my cousin Dan, who built a couple cars for racing at local tracks and used to go with the family to watch the racing. So, my love of cars & racing started young. My name is Toni Ramos and I drive a 1963 Chevy Corvair and the countless hours my husband and I have put into making my car so special that people enjoy giving me a wave, thumbs up or a simple honk letting me know they love it as well, makes me feel good.”
AND:
“The Gorgeous Irwindale Racing Ladies (GIRL) is an organization made up of females of all ages who love all and any type of motor sports. Whether it’s drag racing, motorcycles, demolition derby, sprint cars, boats, etc. We aren’t all racers. Some are collectors and attend car shows. Even girls who love low riders are a part of our organization. We are all inclusive!!!! We love to encourage other females to be the best at what they love.” Kelly Anderson
49) Charter Local Edition with Bill Montgomery, Marketing Team Prime Motivation. Bill Montgomery & Jerry Rangel YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UTS1OB_WQ3Y.
50) Maui resident Bruce Wheeler has been diagnosed with Stage 1 throat cancer. Please help with medical expenses. https://givebutter.com/mDZCm5?fbclid=IwAR33zx8CpOThXpM49nbfRpSAiWTsD9EylgXgSANGCBnTMMZHM48aO9IFxE.
The Wheeler ‘Ohana Funding Campaign Thanks You. From Karen Raffa at karenraffa.
51) I’d like to know if any of your readers recognize this car. It came from a CA collection and was supposedly built by a famous CA hotrodder. No name. On firewall is a Pacific Coast Timing Association tag stating car was owned by Andrews and it ran 133 in 1962 but no location is filled in. Only Andrews I’ve heard of is Jack Andrews who co-founded ANSEN and SEMA. Car is Cad powered and has unusual coil over suspension on all 4 corners. Nice replica T steel body also unidentified. What happened to Jack Andrews after he left Ansen? Could he have built this car? Any help is appreciated. Thanks, Dave Ward
DAVE: The only Andrews that I have is Scott Andrews. His father may or may not have built the car you seek info on. I’ve sent this message and photo to Jim Miller. If anyone knows it would be him. I’m backlogged with photos and am looking for a pro in working with “copying & pasting” photos, a talent that I seem to lack. As soon as I can, will send out the photo. You should be contacting SCTA members; they’re all that’s left.
AND:
The last time I heard of any PCTA (Pacific Coast Timing Association) event was back in 1945. Here is the top of one of their tags from that event. If your tag looks like this, it’s probably real but the PCTA wasn’t around in the 1960’s. How was it marked? Stamped? engraved? You can see the punch set used on the tag I sent. A pix would be nice. I’ve seen a tag stamped Muroc dated in the late 1950’s. That’s impossible. I say this because I’ve shot a bunch of Tags on roadsters that came off different cars and know of a bunch stamped later tags posing as originals. The only timing association left in SoCal was the SCTA as Russetta had merged with them around that time. There was an Andrews that ran at Bonneville in 1966 that was part of the Ball Point Banana streamliner team from Stockton. Another Andrews was Keith Andrews that drove the Dunn Engineering Kurtis roadster at Indy in 1956. Jack Andrews was Louie Senter’s partner and raced at the lakes in 1938. After Louie bought him out in the late 1940’s he disappeared. In 1965 there was a Chester Andrews who was drag racing in Texas. Too bad the front end has lot of bump steer built into it. Jim Miller
AND:
Thanks for your prompt and thoughtful reply and for putting me in touch with Jim Miller. Both of you have been helpful.
I do look forward to being included in your future circular emails. I guess whatever happened to Jack Andrews after he left Ansen is going to remain a mystery. Sincerely, Dave Ward
AND:
Gone Racin’… Scott Andrews biography. Written by Scott Andrews, editing by Richard Parks. Circa 2012.
The Andrews Clan has its roots solidly planted in Southern California. …Chuck Bigbee (Scott’s GF) was also active in the Southern California Timing Association and raced at the Muroc Dry Lake in his 1932 roadster before and after World War II. He also helped Lupe Boyd run his 1929 roadster that was apparently well ahead of its time. He related to me recently that Lupe went 109 MPH with the roadster and that was really fast in those days. Lupe and Chuck’s favorite hangouts were at Curries Malt Shop on Crenshaw or at the Big Pig in Culver City, California.
My father, Gary Andrews, was born in Santa Monica, California in 1942. His side of the family moved to Southern California from the Midwest. Gary’s mother was Rose Lee Jones and she was born in Kansas City, Missouri. Gary’s Dad was George Wilburn Andrews, and he came from Knoxville, Tennessee and moved to Los Angeles in 1946 to open a drive in “car hop” restaurant/hot dog stand in Bellflower, California. …On the racing side my Dad was in charge of the shop at C.T. Automotive in North Hollywood, California and was involved with the Top Fuel dragster that was campaigned out of that business.
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