NEWSLETTER 58 - May 8, 2008 |
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President's Corner: By Jim Miller (1-818-846-5139) |
Editorial: Recently there have been some deaths in our racing community and while we are saddened by their passing, we realized a double loss in that we had wanted to interview them and couldn't find the time. It hurts even more, because we will never have the opportunity to hear their stories and know their life history. The same thing happened with my father. He was going to write his biography, but just never got around to it, or probably never wanted to write it. I've written some biographies and articles, about 250 so far, some about people and some about events and book reviews. The problem is that there are hundred of thousands of interesting people to write about and there is simply NO TIME for Jim Miller and I, among others, to write on them all. We do the best that we can, but it simply isn't good enough and will never be adequate for our stated goal of saving our heritage and history. We need your help. We need each and every one of you to write your life's history. Then we need each of you to go out and write about someone you know about in racing. Someone who is a friend, or fellow racer, or perhaps a complete stranger, but one you have admired. It doesn't have to be an opus or trilogy of a thousand pages. It can be just one, two or three pages in length. You don't have to be a writer, poet or artiste. You simply have to ask the questions and record the answers. Here's a format for you to start with and you can change or alter your questions as you wish. |
Bernard Li August 2, 1946 - May 3, 2008 |
I just got a call from Las Vegas... A good guy, a friend of mine from Pocatello Idaho that ran the "Century Speed Shop" in Pocatello in the 50'ties died in Vegas. He had moved to Vegas and opened a machine shop. I'll get some more details when I go to Vegas. Oh, Terry Roche was his name...a pioneer in racing! Scrub Hansen |
Editor's notes; The following are stories about Chuck Daigh, who passed away recently. |
Few if any dry lakes stuff. I got down here in mid 1950's. Eric Rickman |
I was sorry to hear about Eichenhofer's passing, but have a question. I note the word "official" in the text about him being the first to go over 200mph at El Mirage. It has always been my understanding that the first person to break the 200mph barrier at El Mirage was Otto Ryssman. I spoke with Otto, at length about this issue at a Gas Up Party two or three years ago. Apparently, when he made his run for which he received a timing slip, it didn't get put in the "book," or something like that. I recall mentioning the incident while giving an acceptance speech for Jim Culbert, when Jim was inducted into the DLRHOF. Otto was sitting in the front row and I told the assemblage that it was high time Otto got credit for his achievement. Apparently nobody paid attention. I mention this only because I respected Otto highly and think that he should get the credit he deserves. Bob McMillian |
Called "A Tribute to American Ingenuity," the new exhibit will honor the 60th anniversary of Honest Charley Speed Shop as well as the 50th anniversary of Coker Tire. The exhibit runs through November 16, 2008. The May 7 opening is in conjunction with the Museum's monthly Prolong® Twilight Cruise Night. "The long, colorful history of these two legendary companies will be a real treat to see," said Tony Thacker, executive director of the Parks Museum. "Both had major influences on the hot rod and racing industries," he added. "My family and I are honored that the NHRA has decided to help us celebrate our golden anniversary at the fantastic Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum," Corky Coker said. "Wally Parks helped legitimize the car hobby and was one of the first staffers at Hot Rod Magazine. Honest Charley Card was one of Hot Rod's first advertisers, and Coker has been supporting car guys since its inception, so it's a great fit and we're very excited." Harold Coker started the Coker Tire Company in 1958. Coker had the vision of making rare and obsolete tires commercially available to antique car collectors. This vision came from firsthand knowledge of the needs of the car collector and hobbyist, as he himself was one among their ranks. Having collected and restored cars for years, he recognized the need for this specialty area that his fellow hobbyists had so often demanded. In 1974, Harold's son Corky was handed the reigns of the antique tire company. The vintage tires represented less than five percent of the company's total tire business. Today, Coker Tire is the world's largest and most prominent supplier of antique and classic tires for automobiles, trucks and motorcycles. Corky Coker also had a hand in reviving Honest Charley, one of the first speed shops in America. "Honest" Charley Card established the store in 1948 in the foothills of the Great Smokey Mountains in Chattanooga, Tennessee. It featured a unique combination of automotive, performance and custom accessories and worldwide distribution of the humorous Honest Charley catalogs. Honest Charley was one of the first advertisers featured in Hot Rod Magazine. It was one of the first speed shops with coast-to-coast distribution, and one of the first computerized automotive businesses. "Honest" was a fixture at both Daytona and at Indy for many years. He retired in late 1970. In 1998, the Honest Charley name and trademarks were acquired by Coker. The store is now located within the Coker Tire Complex in historic downtown Chattanooga. The exhibit will feature rare photos, catalogs, artifacts and memorabilia from the rich history of the two companies, according to Greg Sharp, curator of the Parks Museum. Several significant vehicles will be on display, including: |
Yes, my dad (Tony Berardini) died on April 29, 1975, at the veteran's hospital in Long Beach, California. My dad was the brother who started the race team. I love my uncle to death, but it was my dad who orchestrated the team. My uncle Pat has gotten most of the credit for the success of the team, (God bless him) but Tony was THE MAN! He was approximately 14 years older in those days (1950-1956) than Pat and it took a little doing to get Pat completely convinced to be a full time player. But he came around and he indeed was great at what he did. Call me selfish, but I just wish Dad could have been here a little longer to get his due. You might say I'm kind of a chip off the old block, I won the 2003 Good-Guys Hot Rod division at Pomona. Still race at Super Chevy & other P.S.C.A. events. I have a '67 Impala that run's 10:97 @ 121.62 M.P.H. Carlo J. Berardini 55 |
Gone Racin’ with the Berardini Brothers |
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If you can get a copy of “The Rodder's Journal #14” there is a great article called, “The Goleta Drags Scrapbook”. Interviews with all the guys that made it go. Bob Joehnck, we go about, A quarter mile, when asked. He was the ramrod, being the older guy in the group. I tried to get additional copies, but they were out. Give it a try. If you can get some, let me know. He signed mine. Tim Tuthill |
I guess that the biggest problem is that record keeping at the dry lakes in the early days was hit or miss. I guess that is what happened with Otto's run. One of my brother SDRC members is the current SCTA Secretary. I can ask him about who takes care of the records and where they are. It would be a task, but all of the older documents could be scanned and archived in computer files. We are currently doing that with early Roadster Club minutes, etc. |
Sorry about that draft that got away from me on the Land speed car. I didn't even get to spell check it. Lets try that again. Thanks for the updates. I enjoy the wide variety of articles you guys do. I was wondering if you have done anything on the North American Eagles ride? They are going for the Land speed record soon and need more exposure. I think you could help them a lot if you gave them a plug on your site. The team in a bunch of Americans and Canadians that have got together and have put together a cool set of wheels. The goal is to go 800 mph. I can hook you up with Ed (the Driver). See http://www.twispnapa.zoomshare.com/. Dwain and Erika Hutson, Twisp, Washington |
We have added a section to our "Swap Meet" for the sale of Racing memorabilia and also racing parts. If you go to our classifieds www.hotrodhotline.com/classifieds/classifieds.php and then click on "Swap Meet," you will see a category for Racing memorabilia and racing parts. These ads are free and include 4 pictures. We also have a section in the Classifieds under Vehicles for sale where people can list Dragsters and Race Cars for sale. There is a charge for these ads but the cost is very small considering the exposure. Just wanted to let you know about these changes. Thanks, Mary Ann Lawford |
The 26th Annual Literature Faire and Exchange will be held on June 22, 2008 by the Society of Automotive Historians Southern California Chapter at the Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum at the Los Angeles County Fairplex, in Pomona, California. Enter at Gate 1 off of McKinley Road not far from the intersection of McKinley and White Avenue. No car parts are allowed, but all sorts of photographs, collectibles, books, catalogs, brochures, memorabilia and much more will be on display by vendors. Vendor spaces are 10x20 feet and the rental is $30 if paid by May 1st and $40 thereafter. No applications for space after June 15th will be accepted. Vendors should call Bob Ewing at 693-3580. Time is 8AM to 3PM. Admission is free, parking is in the Museum parking lot. Catering truck will be on premises. Jay Leno often comes out for this Faire. Last year Phil Hill's personal library was for sale at reasonable prices. (Retyped from an announcement received from Landspeed Louise Ann Noeth) |
I just want to say what a fine and valuable letter you have written here. Everyone should read it and take it to heart. I am writing articles all the time, and know how important it is to add to our histories and biographies. I didn't know you were heavily into land speed histories. I worked for a number of years with Craig Breedlove and wrote the ABC TV special (1968) on his life on the salt. Also, it was my father's HRD that Rollie Free rode at Bonneville for the record in 1948. My friend Jerry Hatfield has just written a marvelous biography of Rollie titled "Flat Out" which you probably know. A number of photos from my archive appear in that book. I didn't know Chuck that well, though he did drive sports cars a couple of times for my father. I'll be in touch soon concerning some of those bits of history. I was (at)...Black Rock...only two days...while making a film on Craig's (Breedlove) SOA (spirit of America) jetcar during its construction. Will Edgar |
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The Museum has been supplying cars to the event for a few years, according to Tony Thacker, executive director of the Parks Museum. "We took Ak Miller's “El Caballo” over in 2005," he said, "and last year we shipped the Mickey Thompson “Challenger” along with several other significant land speed record holders. This year, it's the turn of the dragsters so we're coordinating the shipment of 11 cars." The 3-day festival runs from July 11-13 and is held at the Goodwood House in West Sussex, England. Thacker said the first American dragsters shipped to England were the “Mooneyes” dragster and Mickey Thompson's “Harvey Aluminum Special” in 1963. "My dad took me to see them and I'm honored to be a part of this celebration of American horsepower. And the “Mooneyes” dragster will be a part of the team returning 45 years after it first raced in the UK." |
Riverside International Museum, located at 815 Marlborough, Suite 200, Riverside, California. The museum celebrates the history of the old Riverside International Raceway and drag strip. From Los Angeles, San Diego or Palm Springs, take the 60 freeway and get off at the Blaine off-ramp. Go north on Iowa Avenue, turn east on Marlborough Avenue. You can also go north on the 215 freeway and get off on the Columbus Avenue offramp. Go east on Columbus, south on Iowa and east on Marlborough. For information on the museum, see their website at: www.RiversideInternationalRaceway.com. Davey Jordan |
The Fabulous Fifties is a non-organization of road racers who get together occasionally to celebrate and keep the history of road racing alive. If you were a road racer, a fan or want to join this group, please let me know. You have to be nominated by a member, and I'm a member. There are no dues, duties or obligations, but it would be helpful if you sent a donation in once a year to help the Fab 50's with their mailing costs for their newsletter and announcements. They are a great group of people and include John and Ginny Dixon, Art Evans, Phil Hill, Dan Gurney, Carroll Shelby, Dick Guldstrand and many more. The Bothwell Ranch gathering is June 14. It is open only to members and their guests. |
In my home office, I have a shelf with trophies from our racing days in the fifties. They are of various sizes and garishness, but I must admit my favorite is a 7-inch ashtray from the Sports Car Club of America (SCCA). It 's engraved Saugus Drags 1955 First Place. A bit of background is reqiured --- my Special was designed and built for road racing. We raced everywhere on the West Coast: Torrey Pines, Willow Springs, Golden Gate, Santa Barbara etc etc. So what were we doing drag racing? Well, almost everyone did it, but to be honest I enjoyed winning something, anything. The first two years of racing the Special, we couldn't keep the engine cool and we didn't finish a single race. It buoyed our spirits to be a winner at something while we sought the magic cure. In the fifties and early sixties there were two car clubs: the SCCA and the California Sports Car Club (CSCC). Art Evans recently reminded me that if you wanted to participate in all the races on the West Coast you had to belong to both clubs. However the drivers' hearts usually belonged to one club or the other. The SCCA was made up mostly of wealthy folks who bought the newest, shiniest, fastest cars that Europe had to offer. Many of them made a point of looking down on the peasantry in the Cal Club and with some justification. Most of us were worker drones who had to scramble to raise the money to go racing on the cheap. As Bill Pollack said recently, "The Cal Club was made up of real he-men who followed the three Ds - dirty, dumb and dangerous." My car was not aesthetically pelasing (ed note - butt ugly). It was a take-off of the Manning Special and was literally a junkyard special. The suspension, running gear, axles and wheels came from our friendly local junkyards. However, there were two significant differences between the Manning Special and my car. One - we went over every square inch of the car with one goal - make it lighter. For example, the fenders, doors, hood, floor panels, etc were thin aluminum sheets. Two - the really important difference was the engine. Tom Sparks was the undisputed drag race champion for many years. His supercharged fuelie Willys coupe was undefeated in his class and on some days he was first overall defeating full-on dragsters! He built a version of that engine for my car. It was a slat-head Ford V-8 putting out close to 200 horsepower. We turned 12 to 14 second quarter miles with top speeds of 105 to 112 MPH. Those were virtually unheard-of times in those days and are still impressive in today's world. For example a new C-6 Corvette can't beat those times. We were undefeated in drag racing. So here I am in Saugus surrounded by gorgeous up market cars. There were Jaguars, Mercedes, Ferraris, some sort of a Maseratti Grand Prix car and an absolutely stunning French car - Art thinks it was a Talbot Lago. My poor outcast car and I were shunned as if we had the plague. I will admit that a few friends spoke to us, but everybody made it quite clear that they wished we weren't there. As you can imagine, that only strengthened our resolve, and we blew everybody off by a substantial margin. I am told that the SCCA officials were so angry and upset about this outcome that they never had another drag race. Gee guys, I'm really, really sorry. Jacques Bellesiles (Editor; the following is through the courtesy of the Fab 50's newsletter and their member, Jacques Bellesiles) |
I am forwarding an email from someone requesting your email address. Thanks, Mary Ann Lawford (www.hotrodhotline.com and www.landspeedracing.com) |
Hello Jack...it's Garry Baker in Melbourne Australia, I'm looking for Richard Parks latest email address, perhaps you can help. The last one I have is [email protected], but it does not seem to work anymore. Cheers, Garry |
Just one further note about Chuck Daigh. He joined the Lakers club, one of the SCTA clubs, a couple years back. Dave Kleeman, a Laker and friend/helper of Chuck's, would report on the progress with the new blown flat head lakester Chuck was building. Chuck never made it to a club meeting, or a club banquet, but we all were very interested in his lakes car project, and followed Dave's reports with great interest. We were hoping to have a club meeting at Chuck's shop in the near future, but we will have to chock that up to opportunities missed! I hope Dave or someone will pick up where Chuck left off on the lakester. There's a lot of innovation and engineering in that car that many would appreciate, and we would love to see it run! Jim Snyder |
Gil Bouffard sent in his website link at www.fastlinesinternational.com. |
My name is [Capt] Ed Ballinger and I would like to join your outfit. I have been speaking to Mr Parks about the organization for sometime and finally learned how to turn this computer on --- and there you were. If I need some experience in the field to qualify for membership perhaps this information will help: I'm the former Team Capt for Craig Breedlove's Land Speed Team and I hold NHRA Rocket Exhibition license # 10. Please relate whatever I need to do or pledge and like that. All the best and thanks in advance. Capt Ed |
Links to other land speed and hotrodding websites: |
Members: Jonathan Amo, Brett Arena, Henry Astor, Gale Banks, Glen Barrett, Mike Bastian, Lee Blaisdell, Jim Bremner, Warren Bullis, 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, Dick Martin, Ron Martinez, Tom McIntyre, Don McMeekin, Bob McMillian, Tom Medley, Jim Miller, Don Montgomery, Bob Morton, Mark Morton, Paula Murphy, Louise Ann Noeth, Frank Oddo, David Parks, Richard Parks, Wally Parks (in memoriam), Eric Rickman, Willard Ritchie, Roger Rohrdanz, Evelyn Roth, Ed Safarik, Frank Salzberg, Dave Seely, Charles Shaffer, Mike Stanton, David Steele, Doug Stokes, Bob Storck, Zach Suhr, Maggie Summers, Gary Svoboda, Pat Swanson, Al Teague, JD Tone, Jim Travis, Randy Travis, Jack Underwood and Tina Van Curen, Richard Venza. |
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