NEWSLETTER 26 - November 19, 2007

President's Corner: By Jim Miller. 

Editor's notes: I print all emails sent to me unless you print PERSONAL or CONFIDENTIAL in the body of the text or in the subject box. If it appears to be confidential or have no historical references, then I won't publish your email. It is your responsibility to make sure that any emails, phone calls or letters that you DON'T want made public, be made perfectly clear. I deal in volume with 5 newsletters and the constant computer crashes and troubles only slow me down. I also reserve the right to edit your letters and correct punctuation, grammar, spelling and obvious errors. Since my skills are rudimentary, this may amuse some of the grammarians out there. The editor loves split infinitives. His English teachers developed gray hair in trying to break him of this habit. He also drops into first, second and third person as you would shift gears racing down the El Mirage dry lakebed. I want to thank my brother for helping me iron out some recent problems that my computer was giving me. Also, thanks go to Roger Rohrdanz for computer assistance. I am patiently waiting for your autobiographies. Now that you are members and reading the newsletters, I expect that each and every one of you will do at least a short 2 or 3 page story on your life and racing memories, except for Kelley who is entitled to go 20 pages any time he pleases.

First let me say how sorry I am that your Dad has passed on...what a wonderful life he had though. He was simply put, A GIANT. I don't know if you've heard yet, but I got a phone call from a very good source in California that Ray Brown has passed on. I believe the date of his death was last Sunday, November 11, 2007. I have been searching for an obit in a variety of Southern CA newspapers but can't find one yet. I believe that he lived in the San Fernando Valley and was retired from the Superior Industries Company. Can you verify this? Anyone you can call? I believe this to be true as my source was very close to Ray. Bruce Aydelotte, New Jersey  Bruce and the Readers: Thank you for your kind thoughts. My definition of a GIANT is this: A person who needs at least 10 people to match his/her work in life. My brother and I have been stretched to the limit trying to do only a few of the things my dad did in his life. Yes, Bruce, he was a GIANT. Does anyone out there know about Ray Brown and did we get his history recorded before it was too late?

Zach: Sorry that I couldn't get your letter into issue #25, where Jim Miller gave a fine description of the Hallock Brothers. My computer is just driving me crazy and has slowed down my mail. Can anybody help Zach with his question. As to whether the newsletter will take inquiries or even ads the answer is this; if it helps to increase our knowledge of land speed racing and hot rodding, then we will run what is sent in. Building and restoring a car is as important to us as recording the life history of one of our original land speed pioneers. Stories about a unique method, innovation or invention is as much a part of what we do as are stories about people and places.

It's confirmed, Ray Brown's Memorial Service will be at 3PM on Monday, November 19, 2007 at Forest Lawn, North Hollywood, California. See http://www.forestlawn.com/Visitors-Guide/Service-LocatorDetail.asp?dec_id=114951&tid=27160709340127091179734. I had always hoped to meet your father on one of my LA Roadster Show trips. I visit the museum every time I'm there and thought I might get lucky and bump into him, never did. I am sorry to this day. But his was a great life, we should all be so talented and fortunate! Brucie Aydelotte http://home.comcast.net/~cuznbrucie/WHEELERS.htm

Thanks for calling me about Doug Harrison. Mitzie and I took them to dinner and had a wonderful visit. I am looking forward to the event for your father next year. Yes, I would like to join your society. I asked Louise about an age requirement and her comment was that I am almost historical in my own right. I have read each and everyone of the newsletters. Great work. If a get together happens at Jim Travis' then that is just less than a mile from me. Regards, Kay Kimes   Kay and the Readers: It is a pleasure to have you join us. Kay and many other original 1949 Bonneville Racers were honored at the 1999 50th Anniversary Reunion hosted by Alex Xydias at the Silver Smith Hotel and Casino, in Wendover, Nevada. Actually it was the 51st Anniversary, but 50th or 51st, it is always a treat to meet the Bonneville pioneers.

Editor: If you have any stories on hot rodding or LSR to submit, send them to me at [email protected].

Editor's notes: Both obituaries on Al Holbert come from Tom McIntyre. The editor runs all obituaries whether they relate to land speed and hot rodding or simply car racing in general. The reason is that there are crossover topics that affect us all. 

Bob Holbert, father of legendary Porsche racer Al Holbert and a renowned sports car racer in his own right as well as a leading Porsche dealer, passed away on Monday in Warrington, Pa, at the age of 84. The Warrington dealership that Holbert started in a garage in 1951 now has 93 employees, and is America's oldest authorized Porsche dealership. As a racer, Bob Holbert won four SCCA National Championships and won the United States Road Racing Championship title. He won six class victories at the 12 Hours of Sebring - where his son Al would go on to win twice overall - before he retired in 1964 after the death in Indianapolis of his friend and co-driver Dave McDonald. In 2004, both Holberts were inducted into Sebring International Raceway's Hall of Fame, a group that also includes Mario Andretti and Carroll Shelby. "Through his dealership and racing successes, Bob Holbert helped establish the Porsche brand in America," said Peter Schwarzenbauer, president and chief executive officer of Porsche Cars North America. "He was a true American Porsche pioneer."

Robert Holbert, one of the United States' first Porsche dealers and a prominent Porsche race driver in the '50's and '60's, died in his native Warrington, Pennsylvania, on Nov. 12, 2007. Holbert was born in Warrington in 1923, and he opened a garage in the late '40s. The business moved to the more famous Holbert's Garage building across the street in 1951, when Holbert started a repair and parts business specializing in foreign and sports cars. In 1954, Holbert's Garage became one of the first authorized Porsche dealers in the country, and it continues today as one of the most well-known and oldest Porsche dealerships in America. Holbert's love and knowledge of cars included a distinguished racing career, with awards ranging from the New York Times' "Best Sports Car Driver" for three separate years to top finishes in the 12 Hours of Sebring. He drove to a record six class victories at Sebring, including second overall in 1960. Holbert started racing in 1953 in an MG, then switched to Porsches in 1957 after seeing driver Jack McAfee pass seven drivers--all in cars with bigger engines--in a Porsche 550 Spyder at Cumberland Raceway. His subsequent racing activities in Porsche's RS-550 and RSK led to four SCCA national championships and a podium finish at Le Mans with Masten Gregory. Holbert also sold Roger Penske his first race car in 1958. "Through his dealership and racing successes, Bob Holbert helped establish the Porsche brand in America," said Peter Schwarzenbauer, president and CEO of Porsche Cars North America. "He was a true American Porsche pioneer." Holbert later became a Shelby Cobra team factory driver, winning the first United States Road Racing Championship title in 1963. He and frequent co-driver Dave McDonald won the GT class at Sebring in 1964. McDonald's death in a racing accident at Indianapolis several months later was a major factor in Holbert's decision to retire from racing later that year. Holbert's son Al helped run the dealership and was the president of Porsche Motorsport North America. He had a strong racing career of his own, winning Sebring twice (1976 and '81), the 24 Hours of Le Mans three times and multiple IMSA titles before his career was cut short by a 1988 plane crash. Holbert's other son, Larry, has been the president and general manager of the family-owned dealership for the past 25 years.

Editor's notes: The following came from Art Evans and is directed to road course racers. If any of you are members and have not received notice, contact Art asap. If you are not a member of the Fab 50's you must be invited by one of the members as a guest. All road course racers and fans are welcome to join the Fab 50's if they are sponsored by a member. 

"Fabulous Fifties Banquet, Wednesday, December 5, 2007 Banquet at the Petersen Museum honoring John Fitch, who just turned 90. He has had a sensational career as the first SCCA National Champion, Sebring winner, Stirling Moss co-driver, WWII hero and POW, course designer, car developer, safety engineer and more. Speakers will outline his accomplishments. December 1 is cut-off date. The event is at the Petersen Automotive Museum 6 pm, cost is $60 per person. You must make a reservation. It includes an all-you-can-eat feast." 

Re: El Mirage. Info in the newsletter is incorrect. Saturday was great. Weather beautiful, nominal tailwinds all day (El Mirage horsepower). Had a couple of spins and a spectacular spinout-semi crash where the car left the ground, did a 360 during which it shucked the left rear axle assembly and came back down. Driver uninjured. There were a lot of entries, but everyone present got their one run and several records were set. Meet called at 2:30pm. Sunday morning, no ambulance. Heard that the ambulance driver quit in the middle of the night and there was nobody to drive. While we were waiting around for a relief driver to show, the wind came up and blew big time. We waited around till about 11:00am and they finally called the meet. Check the SCTA web site for records and what I understand is a terrific video of the spin/crash. Bob McMillian

I was at El Mirage Sunday as was Jim Miller. He'll agree, at one point you couldn't see your hand in front of your face the blowing dust was so bad. In fact I drove by tech before I realized I passed it. They prayed for rain in Georgia and got some. We need to do likewise because El Mirage is as chewed up as I've seen it in years from lack of water. Dick Martin   Dick: The Rain God and the Weather Chief have already been thought of by past land speed and drag racing pioneers. My father had a "Keep the Rain Away" tie that he always wore at Indy. I saw the tie. It's well worn and a priceless collectible that we will keep and protect. "Indian Chiefs" often did anti-rain dances prior to the events. The word RAIN was actually a forbidden word when I was growing up. Dad tried never to use it. He would say, "that wet stuff," or "liquid problems," or a variety of phrases, but he avoided the R word. A lot of racing groups, especially the oval track guys, had a number of superstitions about the weather and what they could do to control or mitigate it. The SCTA would be wise to designate a special volunteer position called "Chief Blow away the Wet Stuff." He would bring back the original spirit of our pioneers who created dry lakes and Bonneville racing.

Back from El Mirage and getting caught up on things...I have scanned (.jpeg) images of the first pages of the documents you are interested in and attached them to this reply. If any of these items look like it is something you need and can use, I will Xerox hard copies and get them to you. It was interesting reading the minutes of these meeting again, especially the March 3, 1941 meeting. Your Dad declined nomination for the SCTA Presidency as did Bob Rufi. Neat seeing a bunch of historic names mentioned in these minutes. Also interesting to see that some of the same issues we have today they also dealt with "back in the day." Samples attached. Let me know what you need. Jerry Cornelison    Jerry: I have the documents and I'm sharing your letter with our members. We are trying to find the correct dates when these records were typed out and include them with the documents that my brother and I have. The results will be published and made available to whomever would like a copy and read about the origins of the SCTA. My brother and I have read and reread the manuscript and asked my father about what happened in the formation of the SCTA and other land speed time trial associations. 

Members:

Jonathan Amo, Brett Arena, Henry Astor, Glen Barrett, Lee Blaisdell, Warren Bullis, Gary Carmichael, Jerry Cornelison, G. Thatcher Darwin, Jack Dolan, Ugo Fadini, Robert Falcon, Rich Fox, Glenn Freudenberger, Don Garlits, Bruce Geisler, Stan Goldstein, Andy Granatelli, Walt James, Wendy Jeffries, Ken Kelley, Mike Kelly, Kay Kimes, Jim Lattin, Mary Ann and Jack Lawford, Fred Lobello, Dick Martin, Ron Martinez, Tom McIntyre, Don McMeekin, Bob McMillian, Tom Medley, Jim Miller, Don Montgomery, Mark Morton, Paula Murphy, Louise Ann Noeth, David Parks, Richard Parks, Wally Parks (in memoriam), Eric Rickman, Willard Ritchie, Roger Rohrdanz, Evelyn Roth, Ed Safarik, Frank Salzberg, Charles Shaffer, Mike Stanton, David Steele, Doug Stokes, Bob Storck, Zach Suhr, Pat Swanson, Al Teague, JD Tone and Jack Underwood.

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