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David Daniels passed away on Tuesday, August 5th, due to a motorcycle accident in Florida. Our condolences to his mother, Eileen Daniels, and to his wife and children. Eileen and her late husband, Bob Daniels, worked for NHRA in the early days of drag racing, when it was evolving into a brand new sport.
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Do you know any history on the Harrell intakes? Did Nick Harrell make them and when? Thank you very much, Mike Kelley
Mike: Try http://www.lakeheaders.com/Harrell_flathead_heads_and_intake.html, www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/archive/index.php/t-225576.html, http://www.roadsters.com/pioneers/. I googled Nick Harrell and got the following websites on Nick and another on Dick Harrell. Perhaps our readers know something about the Harrell intakes.
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Editor's notes: The following was received and is a good example of how to go about transmitting your bios. "I appreciate everything your trying to do, it's a lot of work I know, BUT, there is nothing left on my computer re: the bio. All I have is a hard copy I spent two hours doing. What do you want me to do?" Anon
Anon: If what you mean by hard copy is a hand written copy of your life and not a computer generated story, then there are a couple of things that you can do. The first way is to type it as an email and then send me a copy and save the email in your SENT box for your own records. The advantage of doing it this way is that you can rewrite it, add or subtract from your story whenever you want. A bio is meant to be short in size in the beginning and grow as we remember events. We leave it to our families and to those who love history. A second thing you can do is have a friend scan the hard copy by using a scanner, and the material goes directly into a picture file. Unfortunately, once scanned as a picture, it cannot be recopied, but it can only be read as a document. The third thing that you can do is create the story in a Word Document and then send me an email with the Word Doc ATTACHED. The fourth thing to do is send it to me as a hard copy and I will retype it as I can find the time, but time is really hard to come by these days. When in doubt, call me and maybe I can walk you through the process. Understanding the computer is sometimes very difficult and stops people from writing their life's story. People think that I'm a pro, but I'm not. I can do two or three things well, because I do them hundreds of times, but ask me to do a new process, like backing up my computer and I'm completely lost. What I have going for me is choosing good friends and helpers, like Roger Rohrdanz and David Parks. They make the computer easier for me to use.
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I would like to be added to your publication subscription list. Club Affiliation: San Diego Roadster Club and the Road Ramblers. Vehicle: I/GS #5555. I have been receiving forwards of the publication from Mr. Bill Romo, a friend of many years, and member of SDRC and the Bean Bandits. Thank you for your consideration. Gordie Clausen
Gordie: The Society of Land Speed Racing Historians is open to everyone and is free of charge. We have no rules, requirements, dues or fees, but we do ask our members to write their biographies and share them with the members. Another thing that we ask is for our members to caption all their photographs, so that when we leave them to our family and friends someday, they will know what the photos are all about. It's very easy to use those adhesive peel off stickers and attach them to the back of the photographs. All you have to do to join is go to the website that carries our newsletter at www.landspeedracing.com. There will be instructions for you to sign in. Once you do that you will receive an automatic email, once a week, of the newsletter. Since we are all volunteers and there is no income or salaries, the newsletter may or may not come out each week. I try and send the newsletter out on Wednesdays directly to the website and they assign staff as they are able to process the newsletter and get it on-line, then sent out as a group email. You will notice that the news in the newsletter will shift to a certain topic each week and that's because we are not a professional magazine with reporters covering all fields simultaneously. Our news is sent to us as our members respond, for they are our researchers and field journalists. Sometimes a death spurs a flood of letters and memories about someone, or their club. Sometimes we get a new member and that causes others to write in and tell stories about events. When the news starts to slacken off I will go to the internet and google a few sites and try and find something. Or, I will pull another folder or file from the archive that my father left me and use that on the newsletter. So far we haven't had any problems finding current and old news, but the reason for the Society and its newsletter is to reach out and find the old-timers and get them to tell us about the past. Have we been successful in "casting the net" out there among the land speed racing community? You bet we have. We are working on biographies as fast as we can, plus book and movie reviews and first hand accounts. To see those accounts, you need to go to www.hotrodhotline.com, Guest Columnist, to see the stories and bios listed under the Richard Parks/Roger Rohrdanz Gone Racin' by-line. We figure that we've accumulated about 10 full size books in the last 12 months since we organized. You will see Charles McMahon's story on the Road Ramblers and San Diego Roadster Club. Fred Lobello has promised us his biography and we hope you will provide your biography as well. Welcome aboard.
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Southern California Timing Association Minutes, Board/Reps Meeting, July 25, 2008. At the Denny's Restaurant, Irwindale, California.
The meeting was called to order at 7:32pm by Don Ferguson III for President Roy Creel. The Flag Salute was lead by Fred Dannenfelzer. Roy explained that Bobby Sykes had the real flag and that he was in Northern California taking care of some family business. Roll Call of Board Members: Roy Creel, Jim Dunn, Mike Manghelli, Don Ferguson III, Russ Eyres, Frank Scott, Judy Sights, Tom Evans, Steve Toller, Warren Bullis, Alan Fogalidini, Mike Waters, Van Butler, Jim Jensen, Mike Cook, Jim Lattin. Associate Board: Steve Davies, Bob Webb, Dana Wilson, Ed Safarik, Ron Cohn, Doug Robinson, Dan Warner, Lonnie Martin, Ron Main, Keith Allen. Guests: Bobby Sights, Mike Spacek, Mark Johnson, Monte Warnoch, Bob Oppermann, Bob Chilson, George Callaway, Bruce Vaughn, Wilhelminia Hedrich, Clif Wheeler, Dean Spencer, Mike LeFevers, Delia Riley, Eddie Marlen.
Club Reps present: Eliminators: Clark Phillips, Steve Phillips. Gear Grinders: John Drake, Dan Chilson, Mark Vigeant. Gold Cost Rdsts: None. Hi Desert Racers: Larry Burford, Bruce Kelly. Lakers: None. LSR: Jon Meyer. Milers: Steve Shotrosky, Pete Shotrosky. Road Runners: Jerry Cornelison, Pat Riley. Rod Riders: Jim Travis. SDRC: Skip Hedrich, Jim Lattin, J D Tone. Sidewinders: Dale Martin, Jim Miller, John Romero. Super Fours: Gene Barbee.
Health and Welfare - Steve Davies reported that a member of the LSR had passed away suddenly, Larry Teeters. Ron Main of the Sidewinders reported that Paul Stanley and Jerry Musil had passed on also. Paul had been president of the Sidewinders for 11 years. Barry Kaplan passed away on July 2, he was the Kaplan of the Kaplan and Carr, the first to go 300 MPH on El Mirage. Dave McCain was attacked by a dog and required skin grafts on his arm, he is doing OK now.
June Minutes - There were several corrections to the minutes, the filling of the hole at the end of the road was done by the BLM and has given permission for the Save the Salt to finish the project, probably after Speedweek. Completion will require some heavy equipment to move the salt. The driver of the truck that Bobby Sykes was trying to stop was returning with the group of people helping the Freudiger's vehicle was not the push truck. Judy Sights made a motion to accept the minutes as corrected, seconded by Mike Cook. Motion carried.
Treasurer's Report - Judy Sights handed out copies of the Check Register for July. BNI has paid for half of the Rule Book printing, most was expenses. Not a good month without a Lakes meet.
BNI Report - Mike Waters reported that everyone is preparing for Speedweek. The group went to the salt, it was hard and dry until a storm went through and dropped some water on the salt. Mike Cook got a report by phone that the water was almost gone now. Trip report is on the web site. Discussion on the saving of pits, it was decided that one 40 foot wide pit and the two adjacent pits (120 foot total) could be saved by workers. The pits will not be open on Saturday, will be open at 7:00am on Sunday morning. There will be two short courses, the record return runs will be on the designated course for each day. Rebar, - Ron Main has donated 100 more five foot lengths of epoxy coated rebar for the pit stakes.
Treasurer's Report - Steve Toller handed out copies of the Check Register, Steve still has some monies to put into the account. There has been one post entry so far and a reminder that the class changes are $300.00.
Save the Salt - Russ Eyres reported that the bank account was at $49,064.00 with all bills paid. The only outstanding project was the repair at the end of the road and the 'stuck' area. The BLM has given permission to repair the areas, will need some heavy equipment. Russ had some books that were discovered by the nephew of Dan Francisco on hopping up engines and were for sale at $10.00 each. The books were published in 1966.
El Mirage Dry Lakes Meet (Cancelled) - Roy said that he and George Callaway have a system for reporting on the condition of the lake bed. Roy then goes and looks at the lake bed and makes the decision on running or canceling the meet. Roy went Friday morning and then called Ed Safarik that the meet was canceled, Ed had the news on the web in just a few minutes. Roy also called Gregg Carlson and the announcement was put on the answering machine. There was still a little standing water near the center of the lake bed and the surface was soft and not dry underneath. The High Desert Racers kept most people off of the lakebed, discussion.
200 MPH Line Abuse at El Mirage - Roy said that most racers have a hard time watching people run before them out of the 200 MPH. There was a record and the points that were disallowed because the vehicle was not qualified to run out of the 200 MPH line. Come and talk to the Race Director if there is a problem or you are not sure if you can run in the 200 MPH line, discussion. The line can be removed if the racers do not want to have it. Lonnie Martin said that the BLM does close the gates at El Mirage. Larry Burford, president of the High Desert Racers said that a lot of people were turned back from getting onto the wet lake bed, discussion. Russ Eyres asked how effective is closing the gates? Lonnie said that it does work and keeps most of the people off of the lake bed. Jim Jensen asked why the mud patrol is needed? It keeps people from finding another way onto the lake bed if someone is there to watch the lake bed, discussion. Jim Travis asked how soon are the gates closed after the lake bed it wet? Lonnie said that the gates are closed immediately after there is water on the lake bed. September Course Preparation date is Saturday September 6th, Lakers and the Milers. Lonnie reminded everyone to call ahead and tell Tiny what time you will be there, don't drive up there in the middle of the night and expect to have the gate/building opened.
Car Tech - Alan Fogliadini reported that there were 3 or 4 new inspectors for Bonneville. They will need shirts and hats, give list of sizes to Mike Cook. Mike Cook said that there might not be enough time to get them done, will do the best that can be done, discussion. Dana said that the shirts are ordered from San Bernardino and then go to be embroided.
Motorcycle Tech - Van Butler said that there is a house keeping item that needs to be updated. The Board changed the Omega classes to only two and the computer codes need to be revised also. Van proposed using body code #490 for APS/Omega, electric and steam class. Body code #491 should be used for Streamlined Omega, electric and steam class. Dan Warner, Tom Evans, and Ed Safarik all agreed to the new codes, discussion. Van Butler moved to used the new computer codes, Tom Evans seconded. Motion Carried.
Another computer code that need to be added is A/Production Supercharged, there are several vehicles that have a engines and superchargers, discussion. Need to add at the Rules Meeting.
Blank Timing Tags on e-bay - Roy reported that one blank tag was sold on e-bay for $740.00, engraved tags are the property of the seller. The blank tag was sold by the son of Major Gilbert who used to do the timing tags like J D Tone. Roy wrote the son a letter to cease and desist which was not complied with. A second letter from our lawyer was send to the son to stop selling blank tags on e-bay. An agreement was reached, the son will return all of the blank tags to SCTA except for four which will not be sold.
Jerry Cornelison asked about the BLM info on the El Mirage pass that was on the web site. The start date for the pass is October 2008 and will be good until October 2009. SCTA will probably sell the passes for $75.00, a savings of $15.00. The pass is for one vehicle and support vehicles. The passes will only be good on the SCTA race weekend dates, discussion. The extra vehicles are to be used for the course preparation dates, etc, discussion. The passes are different than the National Park passes which are $10.00 for people over 65. These passes exclude the use of the camp grounds.
Speedweek dates for 2009 - The dates for 2009 are August 8th through the 17th of August. The starting date will be picked after the 2008 Speedweek to see how the offset start date works. Meeting adjourned at 8:10pm.
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News from the Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum. Special exhibits now showing at the museum include; Coker Tire & Honest Charley, a tribute to American ingenuity-on going. Hot Rod Magazine 60th Anniversary-on going. NASCAR in California and a salute to 60 years of stock car racing-begins August 6th, followed by the twi-light car cruise for August. SEMA Hall of Fame, permanent display at the museum, representing the heroes who made the Specialty Equipment Market Association the success that it is today. 100th Anniversary of the Harley/Davidson motorcycle and 2nd annual classic motorcycle day featuring the Indian Motorcycle. October 2nd at the museum, free to the public. Tribute to the Trophy Queens exhibit starting August 27 and the monthly twi-light car cruise for September. The museum will hold two car cruises in August, as the L.A. County Fair will take up all the dates in September. Model 40, the '33-'34 Ford tribute will be held on December 6, followed by the monthly twi-light car cruise at the museum. The Holley NHRA National Hot Rod Reunion was held in Bowling Green, Kentucky in June, on Father's day weekend. Next year's Holley NHRR will be June 19-21, 2009 at Beech Bend Raceway, in Bowling Green, Kentucky. The California Hot Rod Reunion will be held on October 10-12, 2008 at the Auto Club of Southern California Famoso Raceway. The Goodwood Festival of Speed exhibited 10 vintage drag cars. They were; Mooneyes dragster, Glass Slipper, Art Chrisman's #25 car, Hustler 1, Tommy Ivo's Barnstormer and the Ivo 4-engine car, Howard Cam's Rattler, Beebe & Mulligan, Addict and the Over the Hill Gang drag car. The Prolong Twilight Cruise, sponsored by Prolong car care products and Budweiser are on; August 6, August 27, October 1, November 5 and December 3. The gift shop at the museum now has some great jackets, patches, decals, books, tapes, clothing and memorabilia. You can see what they have at http://museum.NHRA.com or call them at 909-622-2133. Info taken from the museum newsletter
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There are new posts on the blog at www.goldenhawk.ca, (or click) http://goldenhawkproject.blogspot.com/. Randy Pierce
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What is schedule for the 2009 season? A group of us would like to make the trip and a couple of them need lots of lead time to book their vacations? Thanks, Cliff
Cliff: I don't know what the schedule for the SCTA or BNI is at this point. You might find out on the internet by googling SCTA, as they have a good website. I'll bring this up to our President, Jim Miller, who is a club rep and he might know. If you meant some other schedule, then please email me at Rnparks1@juno.com and let me know and we will try and find out for you. Also, go to www.hotrodhotline.com and make it one of your "favorites" so that you can see the research that we do. Then go to www.landspeedracing.com and sign in for the free membership and you will get our weekly newsletters. That way you will get news of events as we hear of it and it will also be a reminder. Let us know more about your group, if they race and your background. One of our main goals is to get all of our members to write their own biographies and caption all their photos.
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My friend John Staiger purchased Ron Benham's Berkley from Keith Turk in November last year. Ever since we have been trying to put together the complete history of this great car. I saw from reading one of your stories that you know Norman Benham. If so can you send us his contact information, or if he prefers send him ours. We will have the car at Speed Week with a 3.5 liter Aurora V8 for power, and run in E/FMS. Thanks for your help. Gary C Hensley, gary@hensleys.us, www.arrowracing.org.
Gary: I removed your home phone and address, but left your website and email address as that seems less intrusive to you and anyone with information can email you directly, or send a response to me, which I will publish in the newsletter. There were many people who knew Ron and might be able to give you some history on the car, including our president, Jim Miller. Once you have that history, write it down, including your history and John's and then send it to us to be published in our archives. Why is this so important? Because telling your story and the car's history will cast a net out to a wider audience, one of whom might be able to give you even more information. We are a historical society and so the more history we can save, the more of our heritage we can pass on to the next generation.
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So few cars have ever been built with engines bigger than 20 liters that its a treat to ever see one in person. This year the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance will feature four in its 20+ Liter Class and I thought the release below would be of interest to you. Pictures are available at http://www.pebblebeachconcours.net/pages/3017/Photos.htm. Mike Shaw
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I have been asked how the voting for the Hall of Fame is done. Here are, the guide lines. Procedure for Election of Dry Lakes Racing Hall of Fame Inductees: In the spring of each year, a Ballot will be mailed to all the current living Hall of Fame Members, all SCTA Clubs, the SCTA Board, the USFRA Club, the ECTA and the Bonneville 200 MPH Club. Each Hall of Fame member will fill out his Ballot to his preference and each Club will solicit their Club members so as to compile the votes for the Club Ballot. If there is a person or vehicle you feel should be inducted, the Gold Coast R&R Club advise that you contact other Hall of Fame members and other associated clubs to solicit their votes. Each BALLOT is embossed with the Gold Coast Roadster & Racing Club, Official Seal and only these Ballots will be counted. It is important that the votes are listed in order of preference. Example Entry #1 is worth six points, #2 is five points and so on to #6 at one point. The completed Ballots are returned to the Gold Coast R&R Club in an envelope with the word Ballot on the back no later than the date listed on the Ballot. All Ballots are tallied by a group of GCR&R members under the President's supervision and direction following strict guidelines. The nominees with the most votes in each category become the Inductee. The vehicle Inductees must be able to be on display at the event, to receive their award. If unable to be present, the vehicle with the next highest number of votes is contacted. From Doug Odom, resent by David Parks
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Your mission at the SOCIETY OF LAND SPEED RACING HISTORIANS and your help are greatly valued by John and myself. We are both extremely proud of our membership in the land speed racing family. John is a second generation land speed racer (this is his rookie year as a driver), his father and his father's racing partner Jack (read fake uncle) and cousins had many notable accomplishments on the salt. I spent some time in California as a kid and first went to the salt in 1956 or '57 with a neighbor on one side of the house (Tommy Ivo lived on the other side) and started racing on the salt in 1970. We will certainly continue documenting the Berkley and I'm sure after Speed Week we will have time to send you the additional information on our effort with the Berkley and our team. Our team is Staiger/Hensley Racing, the car name is Spirits of the Lakes, 569 E/FMS. I hope we get a chance to meet you in person on the salt in a couple of weeks. Yours, Gary C. Hensley
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The Gold Coast Roadster & Racing Club presents the 16th Annual Gas-Up Party and Dry Lakes Racing Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, to be held on September 27, 2008, from 9am to 5pm, at Mendenhall's Petroleum Museum, 24 Zaca Street, Buellton, California. For details, directions, motel accommodations and ticket prices call 805-245-8519 or 805-937-4617. Mailing address is P.O. Box 1234, Buellton, California 93427. (From a letter sent by the Gold Coast Roadster & Racing Club)
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The Gold Coast Roadster & Racing Club has announced their list of honorees for the 2008 Dry Lakes Racing Hall of Fame. Here are the categories listed by them. People who have contributed; Don Ferguson III, Mike Manghelli, Jim Jenson, Steve Toller, Dennis Varni, and Robert "Bob" Webb. Historical Race Vehicle; Deeds 4 WD Roadster. Presently Running Vehicle; Danny Boy Streamliner. Motorcycle; Vance Breeze's Harley Davidson Sportster. People From The Past (Deceased); Quinn Epperly and James "Jim" Feuling. Manufacturer of the Year; ERC Racing Fuels, Rick Gold. Historian Of The Year; John Thawley Jr. The Society of Land Speed Racing Historians congratulates all the honorees. We have a biography on Bob Webb and will attempt to get bios on the other Hall of Fame Members as soon as possible. (From a letter sent by the Gold Coast Roadster & Racing Club)
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The following is an internet article on Quinn Epperly, who will be honored by the Dry Lakes Hall of Fame in September.
Quinn Epperly died on January 7, 2001 at the age of 87. Epperly came up with a radical approach in racing car design in the mid 1950's. Epperly's cars featured a lower frontal area because he placed the Offy four cylinder engine on its side rather than in the upright position as was the usual custom for the old Indy roadsters of that era. In 1957, cars built by Epperly finished first and second in the "Indianapolis 500" as Sam Hanks beat Jim Rathmann. In 1958 Jimmy Bryan won the "500" in the same Belond Special that had carried Hanks to victory the previous year. Rookie George Amick finished second in another Epperly creation, while Tony Bettenhausen finished fourth in yet another car built by Epperly.
I recall the Epperly cars. They looked good. Most of them had neat little shark fins sticking up from the rear end of the car. The Epperly cars were lower at the front than the cars built by A.J. Watson. Epperly's cars appeared to be smaller and lighter. My earliest racing hero Tony Bettenhausen liked the cars Quinn Epperly built. Tony drove the red number 33 Jones & Maley Special in the 1958 "500" and led for the only time in his career. In 1959 Tony drove another Epperly "laydown," the orange Hoover Motor Express Special, to fourth place in the "500" for the second consecutive year. Bettenhausen had the fastest car at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in May 1961. It was the Autolite Special owned by Lindsey Hopkins. Epperly built the car in 1960 but it didn't qualify for the "500." Bettenhausen talked Hopkins into buying the car for 1961. At the time Tony was killed on Friday May 12, testing Paul Russo's car at the Speedway, he had 2 1/2 mph (149.25 ) on the rest of the field. There's little doubt in my mind Bettenhausen would've broken the one minute 150 mph barrier the following day during the opening of qualifications for the 1961 "500." Bob Jennings' WORLD O' RACING
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The following is an internet article on John Thawley Jr, who will be honored by the Dry Lakes Hall of Fame in September.
John Thawley maintains an archive filled with trackside photography from SCCA SPEED World Challenge, American LeMans, Grand American Series, Trans-Am and Champ Car. In 2003, Thawley was the official photographer for the Trans-Am Series for the BFGoodrich Cup.
Recent projects include publishing the officially licensed SCCA Pro SPEED World Challenge 2005 Year In Review and American Le Mans Series 2005 Collection, Champions. The American Le Mans 2005 Collection, Champions series, in addition to the linen bound edition, included a leather bound collector's volume and a signed and numbered boxed set of prints. Thawley also published the SCCA Pro Racing SPEED World Challenge 2004 Yearbooks and team photo books of Cadillac Racing, Corvette Racing, Turner Motorsports and Champion Audi RS6. In 2003 he published the Limited Edition Trans-Am Series book, Time Certain. Thawley's racing images have been featured in print for companies such as Acura, Cadillac, Ferrari, Jaguar, Lexus, Maserati, Mazda, Raybesto, StopTech in the pages of Autoweek, USA Today, SportsCar, Vette and others. In addition to being a full-time motorsports photographer, John Thawley owns Creative Communications Group. Creative Communications Group is a company specializing in graphic design for print and electronic online applications. Unlike traditional graphic designers,Thawley has pursued the integration of online communications with traditional media as a seamless language. From the website at http://www.johnthawley.com/.
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The following is an internet article on James J. Feuling, who will be honored by the Dry Lakes Hall of Fame in September.
US Patent 5893348-Combustion chamber system having an improved valve arrangement. http://www.patentstorm.us/patents/5893348.html.
James J. Feuling, founder/President of Feuling Advanced Technologies, Mercedes-Benz three-valve cylinder head. See www.feuling.com.
James Joseph Feuling (March 11, 1945 – December 4, 2002) was a land speed record holder, member of the 200 and clubs, inventor, author, publisher, philosopher, pilot, motorcycle and automobile designer/builder/racer and leading-edge researcher/developer in the field of engine design and fluid dynamics. In 1999, Jim Feuling sued Daimler-Chrylser for infringing on his patents, for essentially a three valves per cylinder internal combustion head, which were licensed to Ford Motor Co, Mazda, Jaguar, Aston Martin, and Volvo. Jim Feuling founded Feuling Engineering—later to become Feuling R&D/Advanced Technologies—in 1974. The first shop was located in El Cajon, California. His experience with high-efficiency engines began at an early age. He started riding motorcycles at age five and flying aircraft at age eleven. He tuned and raced his own motorcycles and won the California State TT Championship at 16. He graduated from high school in Honolulu, Hawaii, attended Southwestern College and the... (full article at wikipedia)
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The following is an internet article on Rick Gold, who will be honored by the Dry Lakes Hall of Fame in September.
Rick Gold of ERC Fuels, who supplies all the various grades of official Bonneville gasoline, aids the racers by posting the current atmospherics throughout the day to aid in tuning. http://www.bikeland.org/bridges/Bonneville-Field-Trip.html, and alky / nitro. Also on the internet was; Jun 4, 2008 ... Rick Gold ERC Fuels owner. By Scott Johnson on Jun 10, 2008, Johnson, Young. See www.motorists.org/blog/helpful-information/tired-of-high-gas-prices-dont-ask-the-government-for-help/
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The following is an internet article on Robert "Bob" Webb, who will be honored by the Dry Lakes Hall of Fame in September.
See www.hotrodhotline.com, Guest Columnist and www.landspeedracing.com.
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The following is an internet article on Vance Breeze and his Harley/Davidson Sportster Land Speed bike, who will be honored by the Dry Lakes Hall of Fame in September. Courtesy of Whitek.com.
"On October 15, 1997 I went with Vance Breeze of Santa Maria Harley-Davidson and Roger Chatelet of Ram Jett retainer to the famed Bonneville Salt Flats at Wendover, Utah to partake in the world speed finals. Vance holds records in a few classes for fastest motorcycle, as well as my personal favorite, being the man who has gone the closest to setting a record exceeding 200 MPH without actually exceeding 200 MPH, . I had never been to Bonneville and only knew about it what I'd seen on TV, and that there was a Pontiac of the same name. I had the notion that it was sort of like riding on a very long, straight, flat freeway. I couldn't have been more wrong. It's much more like riding at ridiculous speed down a sand wash that has been grooved and torn up by dune buggies. On two wheels, this is downright frightening., We were running what is, to my knowledge, the first nitromethane burning electronically fuel injected motorcycle in existence. This was done by adding two extra injectors to a standard WhiTek Engine Control System, and swapping the fuel pump and pressure regulator for bigger ones with seals made to stand up to nitro and alcohol. The WhiTek ECS is versatile enough to control the modified system and only two hours were spent on a dyno, tuning. We'd have spent more time, but this project was done on an extremely short schedule. We started the engine for the first time and tuned it on Monday night, spent Tuesday enroute to Utah, and raced on Wednesday." Full article is at, http://www.whitek.com/bnvle.htm.
Another article on Vance is at http://www.bikernet.com/Bonneville2007/PageViewer.asp?PageID=1580.
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The following is an internet article on the Danny Boy Streamliner, which will be honored by the Dry Lakes Hall of Fame in September.
Danny Boy Streamliner 2004. Yet, O Lord, you are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter, we are all the work of your hand. Isaiah 64:8, www.dannyboystreamliner.com/. And also; The Danny Boy Streamliner http://www.dannyboystreamliner.com/. Dempsey's World Record Associates' White Lightning Electric Streamliner — 245 mph, on www.roadsters.com/lsr/
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The following is an internet article on the Deeds 4W Roadster, who will be honored by the Dry Lakes Hall of Fame in September.
I would like to tip my hat to the Deed's Roadster for winning the vote for "Historical Vehicle" at the Dry Lakes Racing Hall of Fame, See www.landracing.com/forum/index.php?topic=3779.0
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The following is an internet article on Mike Manghelli, who will be honored by the Dry Lakes Hall of Fame in September. Courtesy of www.landracing.com - 2004 Mike Waters Interview Part 4 of 4Sep 25, 2007 ... Mike: Here Mike Manghelli comes to center stage, he is our nitrous guru! Mike started working on our program with us early on. The nitrous ..., www.landracing.com/index.php?option=com_content &task= view&id=106. Also, see SCTA/BNI Officers and Board MembersCommunications, Mike Manghelli, www.scta-bni.org/SCTA-NewWeb/Contact_Info%20.htm.
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The following is an internet article on Don Ferguson III, who will be honored by the Dry Lakes Hall of Fame in September.
Don Ferguson III new XXO/Fuel Streamliner Record 300.943 MPH on ...Don Ferguson III lays down a return record run to capture the XXO/Fuel Streamliner record with a Wayne Head GMC 6 engine. Listen to it fly.... 300.943 MPH, www.technorati.com/videos/youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DwF_qjB3iqzE.
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The following is an internet article on Jim Jenson, who will be honored by the Dry Lakes Hall of Fame in September.
www.Landracing.com - The premier Land Speed Website on the internet. ... Russ Eyres, Fred Dannenfelzer, Jim Jensen, Jim Dunn and Larry Volk. ..., www.landracing.com/. See also; Russ Eyres, Fred Dannenfelzer, Jim Jensen, Jim Dunn and Larry Volk. ... Mickey Thompson Tires to produce tires for land speed racing in 2008 Click Here ...www.scta-bni.org/SCTA-NewWeb/news/whats_new.htm - 22k
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The following is an internet article on Steve Toller, who will be honored by the Dry Lakes Hall of Fame in September.
Driver: Jim Dunn and Steve Toller. Crew Chief: Gary Dunn. Crew: Dennis Dunn, John Mac Farlane. Sponsors: IExile Turbo - Rick Head owner. rick@exileturbo.com ..., www.landspeedracerssocal.org/members/j-dunn.html.See also; Society of LandSpeed Historians -Oilstick.com1) Please put me on your list to send the Land speed Historians newsletter. .... Steve Toller is driving and just missed bumping our record by less ... www.oilstick.com/sportsfans/pg14071026.htm.
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The following is an internet article on Dennis Varni, who will be honored by the Dry Lakes Hall of Fame in September.
Bonneville Dreams - Popular MechanicsTraveling in style in an '82 Cadillac funeral limo, Dennis Varni, from Monte Sereno, California, who holds the land speed recored on a 1000cc motorcycle, www.popularmechanics.com/automotive/motorsports/2169297.html?page=6. Also see Dennis Varni is a successful investor and businessman who wears many hats. His posts include principal of Green Valley Disposal Company, member of the Board of Directors of Green Team Inc., and principal in the San Leandro Garbage Company. Achieving speeds of up to 240 mph, with a lifetime goal of 270+ mph, the recent sale of his company and "retirement" hasn't slowed Dennis Varni down a bit. On the contrary, it has given him more time to focus on his longtime hobby and undying fascination with cars, cars and more cars. According to Varni, he "eats, drinks and sleeps cars." Already an active member of the car enthusiast community, his involvement in MoreCars.net side of SmartNav Systems is a natural progression in his pursuit of creating the ultimate gathering place for car buffs, young and old alike. A daredevil at heart, Varni has been a self-described "hot-rodder" for as long as he can remember. He has raced all over the world, from the Bonneville salt flat land speed time trials to the Tour de France. Most recently he competed in the Carrera Pan America in Mexico, placing first in his class. He has appeared in over 50 feature articles covering his car collection and car-racing career, and is considered a hot rod legend. Currently residing in Los Gatos, California, Varni has been happily married for 32 years and has three daughters. See http://www.morecars.net/MCAbout/Bios.htm.
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Thank you so much for sending the attached response to my request. I have visited the L.S.Racing site and submitted the formal request and have been added. I appreciate your assistance and the time you took to write more than most folks can imagine. I haven't found the article on the Road Ramblers yet but will continue to look for it later. Gordie Clausen
Gordie: The Road Ramblers and SDRC is mentioned in the article on Charles McMahon, which is at www.hotrodhotline.com, Guest Columnist, under Richard and Roger Rohrdanz or Gone Racin' which is our by-line. Also, they are mentioned in the minutes of the SCTA book that my father was working on before he passed away. The history of the club has not been completely written and needs to be. If you can, talk to Fred Lobello and other San Diego residents and see if you can put together a history of the club with the members that joined, the cars they ran, the offices they held and the events and activities that they participated in. I have a guideline that I can send you, or that you can find in the old newsletters, that will help you and others write your biography and I will help you edit it and get it ready for publication.
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Save The Salt! Salt Pumping for 2008 Started Larry Volk's 2-22-08 Report. "I made a trip to Intrepid on 2-22-08 at the request of Russ Draper; also there were people from the BLM, Techs from the flow meter Co. and people from Intrepid. Russ started the pumps at 7:00 am, the calibration techs certified the flow meter, flow was holding steady at 6500 gallons per hour at 24 percent salt content, this percentage is the maximum percentage the pumps can handle. The target tonnage is 400,000. I have included photos of the deferent stages it takes to pump salt onto the Bonneville Salt Flats." Larry Volk
It has come to our attention that there are a number of folks out there that are not fully aware of what our Save The Salt organization is all about. To that end we have comprised the following brief history of when and why Save The Salt was formed. We hope this tells the story "In a Nutshell." Thanks to Mary West (Secretary of Save The Salt) for putting this history together and thanks to JoAnn Carlson (SCTA/BNI Office) for forwarding the note to us from a gentleman who is a new competitor at Bonneville. He said that he knew Save The Salt was important but he wondered what it was. By the way, he sent a donation along with his inquiry.
Save The Salt, a brief history: During the (1930-1940) era the Bonneville Salt Flats was able to support the weight of 10-ton twin-engine streamliners that roared down the 13.5-mile long Race Courses. The Hot Rods roared onto the salt flats in 1949 with the first Speed Week event and have run every year since. Of course a few years were missed due to weather. By the early 1960's the pioneers of Land Speed Racing began to notice subtle changes in the surface of the raceway. There were discussions of why the surface seemed to be getting weaker and that this unique body of land was shrinking. We were able to get only as much as 7 miles of decent salt for our courses, if we were lucky.
It wasn't long before fingers were pointed at the mining industry on the south side of interstate 80. Owned by Kaiser Chemical, their operations covered some 50 sq. miles of the salt flats. Rick Vesco, our first chairman of Save The Salt, spearheaded the effort to meet with Utah State and Federal Government officials as well as the Chemical Company to resolve the problem of salt depletion. The goal was to return the salt that was accumulating in their settling ponds at the mining facility to the Raceway. These early cries for help continued until 1989 when the Save the Salt Organization was founded and struggled to achieve recognition as they began to see the heavy toll the mining industry was taking on the salt flats.
In the meantime Kaiser Chemical had sold the operation to Reilly Chemical and a new 20-year lease for mining had been signed. The once healthy 18 plus inches of salt had become so fragile that the Race Courses had to be moved farther and farther east. Running on the long International Race Course was no longer possible. Reilly Industries was forcing water through canals crisscrossing the flats into their evaporation ponds from which potash was extracted. It was estimated that the process was taking an estimated 850,000 tons of salt from the flats each year. The Save the Salt Board has members from the Southern California Timing Assn (SCTA), Bonneville Nationals Inc (BNI) and Utah Salt Flats Racers Assn (USFRA). This group was able to negotiate a restoration agreement in 1997. Working hand in hand with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and Reilly Chemical Co. they began to work together to return salt from the ponds. The Lay down Project was to reverse the process by pumping brine water back onto the salt flats at the rate of 1.5 million tons of salt each year for 5 years. The BLM, Reilly Chemical and the Racers embraced the plan. It was a giant step forward with Government and Industry working together. From the beginning of the pumping project racers began to notice changes in the surface. By the end of the 5-year pumping plan the racers were able to get back to running on the old International Course. Though not as long, there was a noticeable difference in the hardness and durability of the racecourses and on a few occasions we were able to get as much as an 11 mile course. Once again the Potash Plant has been sold. Intrepid Industries is now the owner and has shown an interest in our quest to have a healthy Bonneville Salt Flats and a strong racecourse surface. They showed their support by once again starting the pumping process the first of February 2005. We commend them for their efforts. The Save the Salt Board is committed to working with both the BLM and Intrepid Industries. While there is still a lot more to be done, our vigilance appears to have paid off, not just for the racing competitors but also by preserving this historical natural treasure, The Bonneville Salt Flats, for future generations to come. Anyone wishing to contribute to the Save the Salt fund may do so by mailing to: Save The Salt, Russ Eyres, 3673 Milikin St., San Diego, Ca. 92122. Technical Advisors: Rick Vesco, Bonner Denton, Gordon Hoyt, Duane McKinney. Save The Salt Board: Chairman: Larry Volk, Secretary: Mary West, Treasurer: Mike Waters. Members of the Board: BNI, Roy Creel, SCTA, Mike Cook, USFRA, Gary Allen.
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