SOCIETY OF LAND SPEED RACING HISTORIANS |
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------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Over the weekend, I heard a 3rd hand report that Lynn Wineland had died. Is this so? What can you tell me? Jean Perry |
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ I just got the word from Shirley Boyd, who received a report from Stan Benge. Latest is that Lloyd Ruby is on a life support system. More news as it breaks. Bob Falcon |
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Editor's notes: I received a phone call from Kay Kimes, member of the Wheelers car club from the 1940's. He informs us that the scheduled memorial services for Jim Deist will be at the Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum, in Pomona, California, on the grounds of the Los Angeles County Fairplex. He didn't know whether it would be an open event for those that knew Jim, or if it was a closed event for family and friends, so interested parties should call the museum at 909-622-2133 for more information about time and date. Kay also let us know that he has a video of movie footage of the Wheelers at El Mirage and at Bonneville in the early 1950's. For more information on Kay and his history in land speed racing, go to www.hotrodhotline.com, guest columnists and read his biography. |
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ I am very excited to announce that as of last night I am DONE editing all the flashback scenes in my upcoming Hot Rod Feature Film DEUCE OF SPADES (www.deuceofspadesmovie.com). I laid all 45 scenes on the timeline and they are clocking at about 1 hour and 40 minutes. So basically, 1 hour and 40 minutes of being submerged in the fifties hot rod era!! All of which was filmed on a ZERO budget. I was amazed at how well we were able to pull it off! Remember: The film is not done yet, I have to film the remainder of the scenes which take place in the modern days. I suspect the film total length will be about 2 hours and a half. it is, after all, a drama. Please see the latest film teaser here (incredible flagging footage) http://www.vimeo.com/3670169. FAITH GRANGER, Filmmaker. See www.deuceofspadesmovie.com, and www.theparkbenchmovie.com. |
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Do you have any contact information for Chuck Lamb? Tam McPartland, would like to have his comments added to the following link. http://www.tamsoldracecarsite.net/MartinHillZCorvetteSpec9.html, Thanks, Ron Cummings |
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ I don't know if I have ever sent you this information before or not. This is material from the "Doug and Roy Caruthers" page on our "Member Spotlight" page on the Road Runners website: http://www.ussarcherfish.com/roadrunners/member.htm. It is a brief bio on the Caruthers family. Doug was a Road Runner in the 40's and owned and raced the car that later became the Chrisman #25 Dragster. Roy is a current member of the Road Runners and lives in Indianapolis. Roy/Doug Caruthers bio: http://www.ussarcherfish.com/roadrunners/caruthers/roybio.htm. Pictures and more info from Road Runners "Member Spotlight" page: http://www.ussarcherfish.com/roadrunners/caruthers/caruthers.htm. Jerry Cornelison, Road Runners historian |
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ I have been in touch with Ernie Nagamatsu over the years as well as a few of the Fab fifties group, also the Cal Club, Jim Sitz, Dorothy Iskiderian and Max Balchowsky over the years. Max tested his creations at the drag strips frequently, maybe more so than the road courses. One story I got from his brother was that when he was traveling back from West Virginia (his family's home) in the Doretti, he pulled off into a drag strip in Oklahoma and ran without unpacking and won. I'd like to document that to say the least. His brother-in-law, Jimmie (last name unknown) related to me that they spent a lot of time at Saugus. I was watching Roy Rogers and Howdy Doody when all of this was happening. I always thought I wanted to be born earlier and be a cowboy, but I think after several years researching the Fifties for info, maybe I would rather have been a California Car Junkie in the Fifties. As it is, I got to be a Flower Child Sailor during Vietnam driving around in British Sports cars. I'll keep diggin' for more later. Max's entry into Road racing with a street rod was somewhat shunned by some. However the powers that were asked him to change a few things on his car to conform. He did and the rest of the story. One of the Mid-Western track websites has a similar story I'll try and dig it up. Thanks, Tom Householder |
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ I was wondering if the brain trust has any information regarding a home movie that was shot pre-WW II on the dry lakes most likely at a Western Timing Meet. I was told about the film by Jerry Stohler and he said that it may have been shot by Freddy Lobello. Jerry Stohler and Frank Lurry both had copies of this film on VHS and both copies have been lent out to be copied. Jerry's was never returned and Frank's went to a reputable source. I have been told there are a few shots of the Sandy's Muffler Shop roadster with the number 111 on it. That would make it an SCTA event during the '41 season, this could be incorrect though. Michael Brennan |
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ SPECIAL BULLETIN: The Bill and Marie Jenks Annual "Santa Ana Drags Reunion and Main Malt Picnic" is scheduled for 10:00 AM, Saturday, April 4, 2009. The place will be in Santiago Park, along the Santiago Creek, off Memory Lane, east of Main Street, in Orange. Going north on Main Street from Santa Ana or south from Orange on Main Street, turn east on Memory Lane. Go east on Memory Lane for about a 1000 feet to the first street and turn right, which leads down into the creek to a concrete parking area. Bring your albums of the Santa Ana Drags, food, drinks and folding chairs. For more information call Leslie Long at 714-921-1814, who is the coordinator for the event. Marie Jenks started this reunion to honor the pioneers of the 1950's Santa Ana Dragstrip, where drag racing came of age. Check MapQuest or call Leslie for directions. Sent by Richard Parks, editor of the Society of Land Speed Racing Historians newsletter, on www.landspeedracing.com. |
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ My book Crazy Horses; the history of British drag racing, will be published by Haynes in the UK at the end of April and in the USA at the end of August. I'll make sure you get a review copy in time. Haynes North America Inc's main outlets are people such as Pep Boys, AutoZone and Advance, but that is only for the manuals. Motorbooks International distribute the other titles and I've been asked to advise them on the best distribution channels to the drag racing and hot rodding fraternity in the USA and name some key events worth attending. Our plan is to have an East Coast launch at Don Garlits museum in Florida with the book being made available via his shop, but as yet I have not recommended a West Coast launch event/venue. SEMA in Vegas is important of course, but that's October/November and the California Hot Rod Reunion is October 16-18, 2009. I also think the book should be made available via the Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports museum's gift shop. Does the NHRA sell books from a store at its meetings? If not, how can I find out the names of those with concessions to sell books at NHRA meets? Hopefully you can advise so that I can pass on details to Motorbooks International. Brian Taylor, Tel - 01395-579733. E-mail [email protected]. |
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ This is a photo I took a few years ago around February 2003. It was taken from a color enhanced video/dvd on early drag racing. I asked Ron Main about this film and he was going to look into it. I don't know who made it, but I would love to get a copy. |
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ I'm wondering if you might care to write a little intro about our love of hot rodding, or how things came to evolve from men like your father. Anything that might be fitting. This info below about what your father set out to do, and how it all came from love of the sport and keeping kids off the streets is powerful stuff. I'd love for you to share a little blurb, or anything you might care to share. I wish to help promote safety, Land Speed Racing, all that your father Wally and the other great Pioneers have left us. We are forever in their debt. I also believe it is time we bring hot rodding lost in car show parking lots, back onto the track. Safety, power, knowledge, and life long friendships should move from lawn chairs in burgers joints, to stands at the track! I'm also putting together some programs for each month, soon to cover stats, etc. We also have a hot rod trick of the month section, adds for babbiting, and other old time services and goodies coming! |
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------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ I recently read this in Rod And Custom magazine: "One of, if not the, oldest hot rod club is the Outriders, formed in 1932 and restricted to a membership of 50, which means a member has to almost die before you can be asked to join!" I was wondering which club is THE oldest Hotrod Club in US? I had heard it was the SIDEWINDERS... Fill me in. Faith Granger, Deuce of Spades filmmaker. See these websites, www.deuceofspadesmovie.com, and www.theparkbenchmovie.com. |
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ I put together a little web page to tell people about the Harrell Engines book. It should come up on a Google search soon. It's not too professional looking, but it's free. When you have a spare moment, take a look at: www.HarrellEnginesHotRodding.com. I will have copies of the book in a week and will get one to you then. Roger Harrell |
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------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ The editor asks: Question for the day, what is the only club in the SCTA to currently have a working filmmaker as a member? |
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Leroi 'Tex' Smith is retiring and is selling his Hot Rod How-to book publishing business. "I've been involved with automotive publishing since the very early l950's, now I'm going fishing! I created Tex Smith Publishing in l984 in response to the growing dearth of reliable how-to information for hot rod enthusiasts worldwide. Focus of the effort was to build a timeless library of reliable books that could be updated on a regular basis, adding, modifying, and replacing titles as necessary to reflect the hobby needs at any particular time. This we have done with remarkable success," said Tex. Contact Jim Clark at [email protected] for more information. |
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ I thought you may also like to post another founding car club of the SCTA. This time I bring you the Los Angeles Idlers car club members roster I have been assembling. I feel this one is very close to complete. The club had at least three club houses I know of, very possibly as many as half a dozen though. The first few club houses are a mystery at the moment, but one was located at Jefferson and Hill Street, beginning in May of 1939 and the next at 9524 South Normandie Street, beginning in December of 1940. This is possibly the last or second to the last Idlers club house. The first Idlers club member's jackets were issued in January of 1939. They were a black leather jacket with green lettering. They were visited by a representative of the Sta-Lube oil company in 1939 and that meeting lead to the offering of a Sta-Lube Trophy to be awarded to the fastest Idler club member at the next dry lakes race; which based on racing programs would have been Sandy Belond. Best regards, Michael Brennan |
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Idlers Car Club Members Roster, by Michael Brennan and Richard Parks. The Idlers were one of the original 8 car clubs that organized in November of 1937 to form the Southern California Timing Association. The other clubs were the Sidewinders, 90 MPH club, Ramblers, Throttlers, Road Runners, Knight Riders and Night Flyers. Within a few months the Gophers, Velociteers and Outriders joined the SCTA. Do you know of any living members of the club? |
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Do you want to use the (PW for Pre-WWII) & (DIED) or (Deceased) as we have been doing with the Gophers list to maintain consistency? I also noticed you added the SCTA member dates to the Idlers. I can go back through my sources and come up with a date for entry as a member to the Idlers and then we could have both of those dates for our data bases. I think the Idlers best years were pre-war, that is when their attendance was highest, basing this on racer turn-out at the lakes. I don't think the Idlers did well after about mid-1940, their attendance at the lakes was poor and post war was even worse, although that is when they posted some of their best runs. I see by the programs that Sandy had a preference for Russetta and Western meets rather then SCTA timing events. I wonder if that was consistent with the other Idlers? Michael Brennan |
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ I have some photos to send you. However I will not be able to be there. Living in Ohio and all, will forward you some stuff later. Let me know who is collecting photos. Tom Householder |
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ We are leaving for England the day of this fun event. Hope you are doing well, and you will come to the Reunion, we still have our booth, love to see you. Orah Mae Millar and Robin |
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ I have some photos of Balchowsky with a Doretti at the Santa Ana strip. Would like any documentation of Max's or any other Doretti activities there. Tom Householder |
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Kent Fuller once told of a drag strip at Scotts Valley, close to Santa Cruz, and near where he grew up. I noticed it wasn't among those on your excellent list of California drag strips. Do you know anything at all about that operation? As I recall, Fuller said it had a very short shut down, and if you didn't stop soon enough you would go over a cliff, or some such awful thing. It didn't last very long as I understand it. Bruce Wheeler |
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ I do have a lot of Doretti images from Max Balchowsky and he always loved to tell the story about having two similar black Dorettis and making a run at the San Fernando Drags with one and then coming back with the other car. I am off to Burma (Myanmar) this Thursday night for a short trip. I need a WWII Jeep and an Indiana Jones hat with a bull whip. Ernie Nagamatsu |
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ There are two references I have of Max Balchowsky at the drag races. I don't know the results of the Santa Ana race. |
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ I am sending you a photo of my Grandfather at the Pomona dragstrip. He is the one in the bomber jacket named Ricardo Enriquez or better known as Hot Rod or Rod Enriquez. Just wanted to see if you have some info on him and the car he was standing by. I knew he was very active in drag racing and did a lot of work in land speed record up in El Mirage. As a kid looking at all the awards and photo, I really am trying to see if anyone may know him or the cars he worked on and drove. David Enriquez |
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------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Here are some shots of Chuck Lamb's shop somewhere in Brea, California. He mostly runs around in Ferrari circles now. He formerly owned Corvette and McLaren sport racing cars in road racing. See http://www.pelicanparts.com/swapmeet_pics/ChuckLamb04/Page1.htm. See also Tam McPartland at http://www.tamsoldracecarsite.net/MartinHillZCorvetteSpec9.html. Ron Cummings |
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Streamliners on the salt just made the cover of Machine Design. See http://machinedesign.com/article/building-a-1000-mph-car-0303, by Steve Mraz - Senior Editor. Sent in by Werner Schwarz and Ken Kelley |
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------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Thanks for the comments on the Jeeps of WWII that were jerry-rigged and hopped up by the Hot Rodders in the service. Max Balchowsky told me many stories of the Burma Campaign as he was an aircraft mechanic and he was assigned to complex tasks to keep the aircraft flying. I have Max's survival suit with the different languages on the suit in the event of a capture. I have a small English-Japanese dictionary as he was trying to learn the Japanese language and he said he was brought before a hearing as they wondered why he had the dictionary and was practicing Japanese in Burma. There is a story there about the service men that tinkered with Jeeps during the war and how they tricked out the engines with parts they had. Sounds like another story for you as you are the best in "fleshing out" good stories. Thanks for the Doretti information and the Drag Races. Of the over 55 race trophies I have from Max over half are Drag Race trophies. Most times Max would show up at San Fernando and they would open the gate for him. The announcer would announce that the Old Yeller has arrived and let him go to the staging area. He would rip off a run as he had the fastest "Sports Car Category" racer and then he would turn around and go home leaving the trophies to the other guys in the class. He wanted to just check the low end torque and gearing. Max told me that story many times. Ernie Nagamatsu |
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------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ I just discovered that the dragster belonged to Paul Leon and looks like it was Pomona for the setting of the picture. David W Enriquez |
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------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Tuesday, March 24, 2009 - Indianapolis 500 standout Lloyd Ruby, one of the most popular drivers in Indianapolis Motor Speedway history, died March 23 in Wichita Falls, Texas. He was 81. The hugely respected and much-beloved Ruby competed in 18 consecutive Indianapolis 500 Mile Races between 1960 and 1977 but never was able to pull off what had always seemed to be the inevitable victory. He led the "500" in five out of six starts between 1966 and 1971, only to have something either break or else delay him in some fashion while in a commanding position. "He should have won the '500' two or three times," 1963 Indianapolis 500 winner Parnelli Jones said. Ruby led for a career total of 126 laps, the seventh-highest number by a driver who never won. He finished 12th or higher in 11 different |
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------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Biography of Dick Wells, author unknown. March 2007. Dick Wells is a friend of the family. He is one of those "always there," but hard to recognize by the public type of guys. His list of achievements is very long and he isn't through with the creative process. Wells comes on the car and drag racing scene in 1960 as a young man who felt the need to get out on the road and see America. Just as the early pioneers were leaving the new sport of drag racing, a new generation was taking over and Wells was positioned to write on and supervise much of this new age of drag racing. Besides all the jobs and responsibilities that he had in his life, one thing stands out; he was a confidant to the racing world. My father relied on Dick Wells in helping him operate the NHRA and many other businessmen did the same thing. You may not hear Wells mentioned, but his presence was just about everywhere and if he didn't make the decisions, you can bet that he helped to influence them in auto racing. Wells is one of those unsung individuals that we rarely hear about. But without him, I can guarantee you that auto racing would have turned out very differently than it did. He is that important. |
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------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ The 2009 Hot Rod Heritage Series is now in its second season. There are 14 categories: Nostalgia Top Fuel; Nostalgia Funny Car; A/Fuel; Junior Fuel; 7.0 Eliminator; AA/Gas Supercharged; Nostalgia Eliminator 1, Nostalgia Eliminator 2; Nostalgia Eliminator 3; A Gas; B Gas; C Gas; D Gas; and Hot Rod. The 2009 NHRA Hot Rod Heritage Racing Series Schedule is as follows: April 3-5, Nostalgia Sportsman Shootout, Fontana, California. May 15-17, Las Vegas Speed Spectacular, Las Vegas, Nevada. June 12-13, Arizona Fuel & Gas Nationals, Wittmann, Arizona. July 10-11, WCTA Fremont Reunion, Sacramento, California. August 13-16, 38th Annual Pepsi NightFire Nationals, Boise, Idaho. September 11-13, Southern California Shootout (tentative), Fontana, California. October 16-18, California Hot Rod Reunion, Bakersfield, California. See www.autoclubfamosoraceway.com. Bill Groak |
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Land Speed Racing Websites: |
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----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Jonathan Amo, Brett Arena, Henry Astor, Gale Banks, Glen Barrett, Mike Bastian, Lee Blaisdell, Jim Bremner, Warren Bullis, Burly Burlile, 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, Eric Loe, Dick Martin, Ron Martinez, Tom McIntyre, Don McMeekin, Bob McMillian, Tom Medley, Jim Miller, Don Montgomery, Bob Morton, Mark Morton, Paula Murphy, Landspeed 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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