SOCIETY OF LAND SPEED RACING HISTORIANS
NEWSLETTER 135 - October 29, 2009
Editor: Richard Parks [email protected]
President's Corner: By Jim Miller (1-818-846-5139)

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Some Names To Look For In This Newsletter:
 President's Corner, Editorials, I was finally released from the hospital - Jerry Cornelison, Thanks for your reply - It appears that many legends are planning on appearing at the services, Bill Thomas remembered as Hi-Po pioneer, Racing Clubs, the following information has appeared in the newsletter before and it also is public record, Friends of the Challenge and fellow land speed racers check out the news below from Jeremy Freedman in Texas, The following information is from the website http://seven-streamliner.com/ and was sent in by member Evelyn Roth, Lenny Schaeffer's Chop-Shop Customs Newsletter has a lot of very interesting hot rodding stories and articles, Dick Messer the director of the Petersen Automotive museum is having the 1st Annual Petersen Automotive Museum Garage Sale and Swap Meet, As Jim Miller will tell you I handle all of the club functions, A phish sometimes called a "fishing expedition" is a scam and it's quite simple, The Gold Coast Club doesn't have a historian but we do have an extensive collection of photo albums of old racing photos, The two that can probably help you are Jack Kelly who is the former president of the Eliminators and Phil Kane (pronounced Kah-nee) who is the secretary/treasurer, I received word today from Maxton North Carolina that Bruce Cook joined the exclusive 36hp Challenge "1" Club yesterday during the final ECTA land speed racing event of the year, McBride and Moreau Streamliner for sale, Jim and Richard; Do you have a format you are working with to get the clubs history, Well Howdy; I Need a Little Help Folks, We have a Gold Coast meeting next week and I will talk to the club about your request for historical info, The International Drag Racing Hall of Fame based at Don Garlits Museum of Drag Racing Ocala Florida has announced the induction to the Hall of Fame for the year 2010, The Southern California Chapter of the Society of Automotive Historians announced the winner of the 2009 James Valentine Memorial Award, The Petersen Automotive Museum November/December 2009 newsletter courtesy of Chris Brown, Gone Racin'… Rockin' Down the Highway the Cars and People that made Rock and Roll by Paul Grushkin, Gone Racin'…Harrell Engines & Racing Equipment; Jim (White) Harrell & Nick Harrell by Roger H. Harrell with Richard C. Harrell and Alec R. Harrell Carlson

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President's Corner:  
   I spent the weekend at beautiful, old El Mirage. It was great except for our friend mother nature's contribution, which is called wind. On Saturday morning it was fine until she showed up and lasted way past the time we ended up crawling all over cars to make sure they passed the safety inspections. The hardest part is when you crawl under a car to look for say a drive shaft sling and your face gets sandblasted with good ol' Elmo dust. And try checking off boxes on the inspection form when you can't keep the paperwork flat. Hey, it's all in a days work for us masochists. In the end we even got some records between wind blasts on Sunday. What's amazing is that one of the record setting car owner's, Ron Cohn, appears on a document I talk about below. On the upside of our dustbowl is striking gold with the presentation to me of results from 128 different S.C.T.A. meets from 1973 to 1996. Thanks go to Dan Warner. Among the treasures were results from some of the quarter mile drags the association put on in the past, rare stuff indeed. Yet to be sorted are also some results sheets from Bonneville.

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Editorial:  
   The SLSRH newsletter is concerned with all straight-line racing, but because we have more records concerning the Southern California Timing Association (SCTA) we tend to concentrate on their history. There are only a few clubs still in existence and so I am going to give them some space in the newsletter for their history should any of their members wish to inform us of their research. The list of clubs will appear in each newsletter just after the obituaries and editorial. There are 12 clubs listed, but if you have a particular club that you would like me to add, just say so and I will do it. This is a category to remind us of past and present clubs that have actively participated in straight-line racing and can be located anywhere in the world. They will still be listed each week regardless of whether their club historians have sent in any research to be posted. This is our way of remembering the clubs, for since the beginning of organized land speed racing and early drag racing, it was the clubs that made the timing associations strong and viable.

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Hello Richard and Jim, At 12:59PM on October 21, I was finally released from the hospital. It was GREAT to get home after my 12 day stay in the hospital. I'm getting better each day and hope to return to the computer more and more each day so I can catch up on lot's of things including past issues of the Society of Land Speed Racing Historians Newsletter, getting my Road Runners website caught up, continuing Road Runners historical research, etc. Each day is better than the last and I am highly motivated for a shorter rather than longer recovery. I will have a home health care nurse and physical therapist for the next 4 to 6 weeks. Not sure when they will let me drive again. I'm hoping to get to El Mirage for one of the two days of our 2009 season ending race but that remains to be seen. Not sure if I will be able to make the November SCTA Board/Reps meeting. October is definitely out and we'll see about December. I want to get back into the flow as soon as possible. In closing many, many thanks for the prayers, well wishes, phone calls and visits while in the hospital. It is and was greatly appreciated. I'll be back up to SPEED soon! My best to all. Jerry Cornelison, Road Runners - SCTA (est. 1937) See http://www.ussarcherfish.com/roadrunners
Jerry: Glad to see you released. Hospitals may be necessary evils, but they are no fun. I heard you were out tree climbing. Driving a 200 mph car is what LSR people do, climbing trees is what we don't do. We are glad you are home and regaining your health and hope to hear about your new research projects on the Road Runners club.

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Thanks for your reply. It appears that many legends are planning on appearing at the services (see Newsletter 134) and we will try and document what we can about Bo O'Brochta, but there are so many things that he accomplished we are just beginning to put together the pieces. I will keep in touch. Regards Nate and Sheri Goodwin

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Bill Thomas remembered as Hi-Po pioneer. October 21, 2009, by John Gunnell (Old Cars Weekly)
   Chevrolet high-performance legend Bill Thomas Sr, died on Saturday October 10, 2009 in California. Thomas helped Chevrolet achieve racing superiority and lock in its high-performance reputation. When the Chevy II arrived, he devised a kit that allowed enthusiasts to readily drop a 327-cid Corvette V-8 into the new Chevy compact. The kit included complete chassis and drive train upgrades to go along with the bigger engine. Thomas created racing versions of the Corvair, too. In 1962, he built a fuel-injected 327-powered Chevy II for the SCCA Production class at Riverside Raceway. Known as "Bad Bascom's Ghost," the car was banned by SCCA and wound up with racer Dickie Harrell, who shoe horned a 427 Z11 V-8 under the hood and called it "Retribution II." The car was very successful in match racing. The Cheetah was a street performance and racing car built by Thomas in the early-to-mid-'60's to run wheel-to-wheel with Carroll Shelby's Cobras. The prototype Cheetah was largely the work of a Thomas' employee named Don Edmunds, but Thomas personally coordinated support for the project. Using his racing connections, Thomas arranged to have Chevrolet provide the car's major component parts. When the 1967 Camaro arrived to compete for sales in the "youth market," the car was capable of accommodating big-block V-8 power. Bill Thomas became one of a handful of dealers nationwide who marketed "super Camaros."

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Racing Clubs:
Eliminators,
Gear Grinders,
Gold Coast Roadster and Racing Club,
Hi Desert Racers,
Lakers,
LSR,
Milers,
Road Runners,
Rod Riders,
San Diego Roadster Club,
Sidewinders,
Super Fours. 

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The normal policy of the SLSRH is to only print information that has been authorized by the person in question. However, the following information has appeared in the newsletter before and it also is public record, showing up on the SCTA website. Actual street addresses have been removed, but phone numbers, website information and email addresses have been left in.
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Eliminators: Dan Neuenschwander, 909-873-9975, [email protected], no website.
Gear Grinders: Kim Harding, 949-355-4506, [email protected], http://thegeargrinders.com/about_us
Gold Coast Roadster and Racing Club: Matt Williams, 805-965-4141, www.oilstick.com
High Desert Racers: Bruce Kelly, 760-868-5995, [email protected], no website.
Lakers: Warren Bullis, 714-525-3378, [email protected], no website.
Land Speed Racers: Donny Cummins, 714-974-5194, [email protected], no website.
Milers: Doug Robinson, 626-440-0440, [email protected], no website.
Road Runners: Mike Ferguson, 951-683-8276. Jerry Cornelison, www.ussarcherfish.com/roadrunners
Rod Riders: Dave Kirsch, 310-259-2226, [email protected], www.rodridersracing.com/history.htm
San Diego Roadster Club: Eric Eyres, 858-673-0129, [email protected], no website.
Sidewinders: Ron Main, 818-883-3408, [email protected], http://mmeierle.com/sidewinders
Super Fours: Keith Allen, 818-367-0346, [email protected], no website.

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Friends of the Challenge and fellow land speed racers, check out the news below from Jeremy Freedman in Texas. His car is a "street legal" 97 VW Golf GTi running a 3.0 VR6, turbocharged. This is his second visit to the Texas Mile located in Goliad, Texas. Although 36hp VW's have yet to make a pass at Goliad, Jeremy's efforts are going a long way to making VW's welcome, be they water or air cooled. Be sure to watch his video of the 205 mile per hour pass. Also, Bruce Cook will be attempting to break the Blackline/Birks DSS record of 103 miles per hour this weekend in Maxton, North Carolina and also gain entry into the "1" Club. Good luck to Bruce, Cody and Whitey. This will be his last race in the 51 split as a new 36hp bug is coming together that should be even faster. Again, congratulations to Jeremy and may the "Speed" be with you Bruce! Burly and the 36hp Challenge family
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Hey Burly, I thought I would update you on the weekend at the Texas Mile. First pass on Friday we broke 3rd and 5th gears. We got it back to the pits and started pulling it apart. Despite the car falling off the jacks with no tires on (I thought we were done then) we were able to get another tranny in the car to go out and run again. That pass the boost was turned off and was running just waste gate. The car went 186 and felt perfect so we shut her down for the night and waited until Saturday to run again. On Saturday we went out and ran 191, 198, and then the 204! I finally did it! We got to 200mph! We decided to end on a good note and partied the night away celebrating the 204mph pass. We woke up Sunday and turned it up since we had met our goal on Saturday and the car went 206, and then 208! We did it Burly! We stole the show and I've never had so much fun in my LIFE! I can tell you that 200+ mph is fast and in the little VW it's a handful to keep her going straight! Thanks Jeremy Free. See http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oYEiEL-keZg, 205 mile per hour VW pass.

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The following information is from the website http://seven-streamliner.com/, and was sent in by member Evelyn Roth, who also publishes www.oilstick.com.
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How fast in 367.382 mph? That's 538 feet per second and 5 football fields in 3.3 seconds. To make it a world record you have to back it up within 2 hours the opposite direction thru the measured mile. BUB V-4, 400hp in a package the size of a 1 liter V-Twin. This purpose built motor was designed for one thing, to break the absolute motorcycle world record. Last winter 'Seven' was further developed by using the A2Wind Tunnel (A2WT) facility in South Carolina. It scored the lowest Coefficient of Drag that the A2WT has ever recorded. With this new data we are ensuring we not only retain the current world record, but exceed it in this next coming year. Denis Manning has been in LSR (Land Speed Racing) for the better part of 40 years. Denis first got the record in 1970 with a Harley powered streamliner with rider Cal Rayborn at 265.492mph. He has built seven streamliners and held the record with two of them, the most recent being 'Seven.' With his team at BUB Racing he is set to reclaim the record and strive for 400mph. BUB 7 is now the fastest motorcycle on the planet, pending FIM ratification. Chris Carr set a new FIM world record & AMA national record at 367.382 mph thru the mile with an exit speed of 372.534 mph at the Cook Private Meet at the Bonneville Salt Flats Utah.

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Lenny Schaeffer's Chop-Shop Customs Newsletter has a lot of very interesting hot rodding stories and articles on the hot rod scene back in New England. See http://www.imakenews.com/chopshopcustoms/index000391542.cfm?x=bgcmwt4,bbpDBsHn. Periodically Lenny will even run one of my Gone Racin' articles. Hot rodders, especially along the East Coast, will find this to be of great value.

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Dick Messer, the director of the Petersen Automotive museum is having the 1st Annual Petersen Automotive Museum Garage Sale and Swap Meet! See: http://campaign.constantcontact.com/renderv=001QllXe3DdxGVCGcWekQn4jZ_ekYIdbHHjTW07txLsTNG6REY, or Google Petersen Automotive Museum for details. The event will take place on Saturday, December 5, 2009, from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., rain or shine, at the Petersen Automotive Museum, 6060 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90036. Sent in by Ron Main

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As Jim Miller will tell you I handle all of the club functions, but as such we have no historian. Tom Finn Sr has been a Miler since it was formed. Doug Robinson
Doug: Perhaps at your next club meeting you can ask if anyone in the Milers would be interested in being a club historian and a liaison with our newsletter. We would like to know when the club formed, who were your members and any other history or news of the club.

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Hi, I really don't mean to inconvenience you right now but am sorry, I made a quick trip to the UK and I lost my wallet which contains my passport and credit cards. I know this may sound odd, but it all happened very fast. I've been to the US embassy and they're willing to help me fly without my passport but I have to pay for my ticket and I'm out of cash and you know I can't have access to my bank without my credit card over here. I have contacted my bank but they need more verification. Please can you lend me some funds right now? I'll pay back as soon as I get home. I need to get on the next available flight home. Please reply as soon as you get this message so I can forward the details as to where to send the funds. You can reach me via the hotel's desk phone if you can, the numbers are, 011447024056985 or 011447024010664. I await your response. Thanks (Various names show up here)
   Readers: The above is a "Phish." A phish, sometimes called a "fishing expedition" is a scam and it's quite simple. Create a stressful situation and send it out over the internet in great volume. Most people will see it for the scam that it is and simply delete it. The con artists will hold the phone numbers open for only a short time and then bolt with whatever funds come in from unsuspecting and worried friends and relatives of the "alleged victims." The first thing the con artists need to do is get large numbers of email addresses and they do that in several ways. One, they go to websites and click on the "contact" email address, then they try and find the password. There are machines that will try every combination and with enough time they will discover that your password is your wife's name or your favorite pet. Another way to get lots of email addresses is to receive one of those obnoxious "FORWARDS." You know those lists that are forwarded, re-forwarded on and on until the email is five feet long with thousands of email addresses on them. Lazy, inconsiderate people find it so easy to "forward" someone else's email and then add their friends to the list by way of CC, instead of BCC. It is so simple to erase all the old email addresses and BCC your own email addresses, but then some people have perfected LAZINESS to such an art form that to roll over and play dead is too much for them to do. They just lie there with their eyes open on their backs and resent having to even breathe. Well, stealing email addresses from such lazy louts is very easy to do. Another way is to simply "buy" lists of email addresses and there are lots of people out there who collect email addresses and sell them to whomever wants to buy them for a price. My address list is about 2400 names and I never sell them, but I will give them out to worthy causes, but I have to know the person that I am dealing with and if they have a hint of shadiness about them, they won't get the lists. Okay, now you know how the scam artist got your email address, but to make this profitable the scammer has to do this in volume and they never have the time to alter the message, so you can almost memorize the request. It's almost always in England, they've lost their wallet, passport and credit cards and the US Embassy will help them get home IF you will send some money to these friends or relatives of yours. The curious thing is always this, how did they remember your email address and where did they get a computer? If you were "lost in London" would you remember MY email address? You probably wouldn't remember my email, but you would remember a phone number or two and it probably wouldn't be mine, but your Mom's. The scammer doesn't want to talk to YOU, but he does want you to call back to the "hotel desk" and find out where to send the money. The con or sting works just often enough to keep the "game" profitable and on-going. There are just enough dupes to be skinned. Sooner or later the scammers will go to Gone Racin' and see my email address and they will discover the password and hack the information in my address book and send you a notice in my name. "Help, save Richard Parks who's stuck in London." Except that I've never been to London, have no interest in ever going there and would rather cut off my arm than ask anyone for help. But you're going to fall for it and when you realize what a simpleton you've been the first phone call you make will not be to the police, but to me and you'll say, "How could you do this." The only response that I or anyone else can give is..."Do What?" Protect your computer, don't send out "forwarded" emails without erasing all the email addresses and PHONE the person in question first before you send any money to anyone.

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The Gold Coast Club doesn't have a historian but we do have an extensive collection of photo albums of old racing photos, all the Gas Up events since the beginning, and other photos. Jim may have checked them out at the last Gas Up where they are always put out on display and overseen by Art Male, one of the original Dry Lakes Racers from the 1940's. He has original photos from the '40's with your Dad in some of them. Of course Tim Rochlitzer has been there since the beginning of the club, and so has Matt Williams and they would be your best resource, although he isn't on line except by phone. Possibly Mark & Vicky Mendenhall may be able to help as they have the file cabinets and files left behind by Will Scott and Jack Mendenhall himself. They might be able to look stuff up for you as well. They monitor the club's official phone number, which is 805-245-8519. That would be your best start. I hope this helps. Your review of the Aussie's DVD of the 2008 Speedweek came out in the latest issue of the Bonneville Racing News and has gotten a nice, positive response. I have received 11 orders so far from that article alone. Thank you so much for your candid thoughts on the DVD. Gail Phillips
   Gail: At the next meeting of the Gold Coast Club, ask around and see if anyone would like to be a historian for the club and a liaison with the SLSRH newsletter or any of the other fine LSR newsletters. I will hold a special section open for the club's history and current events. I appreciate all the phone numbers, but email is much faster for me and when I have to use the phone, it slows me way down. What we are looking for is a history of the club, the members over the years, when the club formed and what the club has achieved over the years. Be sure to send me short updates on the DVD and any testimonials. We are here to help anyone in LSR succeed at whatever enterprise they undertake, so we want to know if the Aussies did a tape for 2009 at Bonneville and if they have done any other tapes, such as at Lake Gairdner. They have a unique and interesting style. We will give them all the publicity that we can and that goes for the GCR&R club as well.

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The two that can probably help you are Jack Kelly who is the former president of the Eliminators, and Phil Kane (pronounced Kah-nee) who is the secretary/treasurer. Dan Neuenschwander
   Dan: Thank you for the information. I didn't phone them, preferring to send an email instead. Partly that is due to the fact that on the phone people feel more pressured to respond, but by email they feel more comfortable in simply turning down a request. We have a few historians who are already trying to restore the history of their clubs, plus Michael Brennan who has been working on two defunct clubs. A land speed or drag racing club does not have to have a historian or scribe, but it makes it so much easier when I am editing the Society of Land Speed Racing Historians newsletter when Jim Miller and I have a liaison to go to for information. Or like Jerry Cornelison, who actively researches the club he is with and shares that information with us. My volume is so great that I have to use the internet. The phone just takes up too much of my day. I'm going to set up a section in the front of the newsletter for news and history from the various LSR clubs. We want to know when clubs were founded and who their members were over the years. We also want to know what was unique about the club, their cars and records. Perhaps you can ask your members at the next club meeting and see if anyone is interested in working with us or with any of the other fine land speed racing newsletters. Jim Miller has just found result sheets going back to the 1970's. You would think that the SCTA has records since their beginning, but they don't. The same goes for Russetta, Western, Muroc, Bell and all the other timing associations. Slowly, dedicated historians and researchers are finding records of the past and we are printing them in an effort to save our history and heritage. We would be grateful to have a working relationship with the Eliminators and our newsletter.

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I received word today from Maxton, North Carolina, that Bruce Cook joined the exclusive 36hp Challenge "1" Club yesterday during the final ECTA land speed racing event of the year. Bruce came within fifteen hundredths of a mile per hour of gaining entrance to the "1" Club during the May ECTA meet driving his tan Canadian 51 split window but rectified that Saturday with a pass of 101.772 miles per hour on a rough, windy and sometimes wet race course using a Whitey Worsham prepped dual carb 36hp motor. Bruce becomes just the fifth driver to take a 36hp motored Volkswagen over the 100 mile per hour barrier. He joins Dick Beith, Tom Bruch, Justin McAllister and Richard Troy in this exclusive group. Congratulations to Bruce, Whitey, Cody and the whole Laurel Springs crew for their dedication and effort. Bruce, your "1" Club decals will be in the mail tomorrow. See "1" Club details at Ultimate Air Cooled on - http://www.ultimateaircooled.com/landspeed.html. Stay tuned for complete 36hp Challenge record updates and upcoming news soon. Till then, may the Speed be with you (Bruce coined that saying, appropriate, isn't it!) Burly Burlile
   Burly: Have you attempted to compile a comprehensive list of all VW records from the distant past to the present. We tend to think of the VW in terms that are current, but the history of the car and the company would probably surprise a lot of people. Whatever records you have on the past records we will post in this newsletter.

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McBride and Moreau Streamliner for sale. After a great deal of thought Don and I have made the decision to sell our Streamliner. For all of you involved in Land Speed Racing I will be preparing the car for sale over the next few months. I would appreciate if you could pass the word on to anyone who might be interested. Don and I would like to thank everyone involved over the past 16 years that helped us set 4 land speed records and become members of the 200 mph club. I have attached a simple photo to pass on. Fast wishes. Terry Moreau, CET, Vice President NICET #111204 Level IV, 509-483-6215 x104. Cell 509-991-2817.
   Terry and Don: Send us any new updates, links or websites where the car can be viewed and I will run it in the SLSRH newsletter.

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Jim and Richard; Do you have a format you are working with to get the clubs history. The older clubs have a lot of background to cover so I am wondering what order you are looking for so we can get you the information. This will take a little time. Glen Barrett
   Glen: The only format or system that we have had so far is "first in-first out." As fast as we can we have been publishing what we find and the lack of an index or a system has been hurtful, but we can only go as fast and as organized as the number and quality of our researchers. Lacking an index has been a real hardship, though Mary Ann Lawford has been trying to assign a simple guide for each newsletter. I suggest that you just send us what you have found and researched and are sure of it's content. I do have an outline guide that we use for our biographies and if you extrapolate that to a format it would be like this;
  a) Name, date of incorporation, original members and officers of the club
  b) Goals, records, activities and members added to the club since its formation
  c) Current membership, records and activities and what goals the club now has for itself.
But we will take whatever we can get. Send emails and attachments to the attention of Jim Miller and myself. Jim processes a lot of information and sends it to the American Hot Rod Foundation or AHRF, and sometimes to the SLSRH as well. We don't care who publishes the material and we support all newsletters and websites dedicated to the preservation of straight-line racing, including our own.

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Well Howdy, I Need a Little Help Folks in Lake Hughes, Castaic, Val Verde, Canyon Country, Santa Clarita, San Fernando, Burbank, Glendale, La Crescenta, and outlining Areas. In the next couple of weeks I'm going to be hosting a couple of events in your area and I haven't had the chance to get out and market these events so I was wondering if you all might be able to help me by going to my web site, down loading and printing some filers to hand out in your neighborhood to local merchants, weekly Cruise ins, like Bob's Big Boy etc. My first event is going to be held on: Sunday November 1st 2009, Castaic Regional Sports Complex, 31230 North Castaic Road, Castaic, CA 91384.
My next event will be held on: Sunday November 15th 2009, Crescenta Valley Park, 3901 Dunsmore Avenue, La Crescenta, CA 91214.
These events include not only a Classic Car and Motorcycle show but Amusement Rides, Mid Way, Farmers Market, Vendors and Live Entertainment! Show Hours 10 AM - 4PM, Registration Hours 8:00 AM - 10:00AM. Registration $ 20 per Vehicle includes 5 Free Ride Tickets! The web address is http://www.MoldyShows.com. Once inside, go to the "Vendor Info Forms & Show Fliers" link in bottom
navigator. The most economical flier is "2 up on a page mini flier." The flier is 8.5 " x 11" that you can cut in half! When you click on the link it will open up your Adobe reader for printing. The fliers are in color, don't worry they print great in black 'n white! If you have any questions I can be reached at 800-880-6567 or 661-944-2299. Well there you have it, I truly hope that you can make one of these events! If you know of someone who is interested in becoming a vendor please give them my information. Tha' Moldy one
Moldy: The first thing that you need to do is type up a short and readable notice. I had to remove a lot of **** and that is time consuming for editors. What happens is that newsletter editors tend to delete notices that take a lot of editing to fit their style. So make it short, sweet and simple. Also, one notice is insufficient and will be overlooked. You have to flood the internet with notices and vary them to keep them interesting. Never over write or make your announcements too long. When they are too long the average reader will simply delete it unread. Also, many people will not open attachments and will delete unread what you have sent. The trick is to send lots of short notices. Another trick is to Google and find as many local groups in the area of your car shows and write to them with your message. You can never send out enough notices and your email address book can never be too large for the types of activities that you are trying to accomplish. I publish once a week and so you should try and send new and varied announcements that often.

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I compiled ALL of the "fastest" recorded speeds for each car or driver (not records) 14 years ago and have maintained this through today. The speeds were found in stories, result sheets, etc and may not be verifiable on result sheets. I cannot find a good source for daily and event result sheets. I did this for an article I wrote for Hot VW's magazine and this is what led me to become the "unofficial" historian for all things VW relating to land speed racing. They have never been transferred to the computer but are still in a typed format. After I retire (1 year from now) hopefully I will have the time to put them in a format that can be easily updated and shared. If you have patience in me, it will be done, I just cannot say when. Burly Burlile
Burly: We look forward to the day when you can do this. Perhaps Jim Miller can show you a trick or two about scanning, where you don't have to retype word for word, but merely copy and paste from the original to a disk. I know that my brother and I scanned some material once. Keep up the good work and give us a history of the VW in land speed racing back to when the company formed.

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We have a Gold Coast meeting next week and I will talk to the club about your request for historical info. I know that using the phone these days is really time consuming as I have discovered these past 3+ years while I worked on the program and attempted to reach people about their Bio's. So I understand that you prefer to email. At least Mark & Vickie Mendenhall are on line and easily reachable. Also, the Aussie's did film again this year at Speedweek and they will be making another DVD. Even though this year's story will catch up on several of the teams from '08, to see how they did, the focus will be of their own team running their '34 Roadster and their 3 drivers on their first time driving at Bonneville. I'm not sure if they will be making that one available in the U.S. or not, but if they do I will be sure to let you know. They really appreciated your help and the review very much, and your generous offer of future support. Gail Phillips
   Gail: We will wait for news. The GCR&R club needs to have a historian, since they have done so much for the history of the sport and hold the only known Hall of Fame. The history of racing in your area is rich and colorful and should be researched and made known to our fans.

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I have some fantastic news to share today! I wanted to update you and all your readers on the status of my period drama DEUCE OF SPADES. The movie is now completed, although needing the last finishing touches and some tightening of edits. A first very private screening at my house Saturday October 17th yielded incredible outcome. Male and female audiences alike were blown away and the audience rated the cinematography unanimously a 5 stars over 5. This was including 5 very critical film producers/filmmakers who were present that evening. A week later I took the film all the way to Daytona Beach, Florida where it was tested again, in front of a larger public this time. Over 600 hotrodders showed up to our Daytona Beach Dream Cruise Test Screening Premiere and participated in the feedback survey. Both screenings yielded there same results: The audience was very engaged and attentive throughout the film, laughing at the funny moments, participating during the exciting moments and crying during the heart wrenching moments. And not a single eye was dry at the end of the film. Both screenings ended with an explosion of applause and as you know people rarely applaud at movie theaters these days. The response and feedbacks have been so overwhelmingly positive! I am very happy to report that we have a winner on our hands! Advanced DVDs are now selling on the film's site www.deuceofspadesmovie.com and I am asking all those who are supporting this film to purchase an advanced copy to help me raise the funds to press the first batch of DVDs in late December. Advanced DVDs will be hand numbered and autographed by both me and the stars of the film. They will be first to be dispatched when the film is released, which should be either during the Christmas Holidays or later in January. Support this great endeavor! Order your copy here now: www.deuceofspadesmovie.com or www.deuceofspades.com. Faith Granger, Filmmaker (If the Movie link doesn’t work just go to www.deuceofspades.com and enter.. Then select then click on the Advanced DVD Sales link).

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The International Drag Racing Hall of Fame, based at Don Garlits Museum of Drag Racing, Ocala, Florida has announced the induction to the Hall of Fame for the year 2010. The list of eight inductees is as follows:
John Buttera (Chassis & Body builder), Jack Engle (Cam Pioneer), Leroy Goldstein (Driver - F/C - T/F), Dickie Harrell (Mr Chevrolet), Jim Read (Australian Champion), Bill Simpson (Pioneer - Safety equipment), Bob Stange (Pioneer - Drive line parts), and Bobby Warren (Sportsman Champion).
The popular ceremony will take place at the Hilton University of Florida Conference Center on March 11, 2010 during the NHRA Gator Nationals. A cocktail reception starts at 6:00 PM with dinner served at 7:00PM. Be certain to reserve your table early. Corporate Table sponsorship includes seating for ten, listing in the program, and a copy of the annual DVD, at a cost of $1000. Additional seating is available at $100 each for each ticket. Call Peggy Hunnewell at 352-245-8661 or 877-271-3278 or fax 352-245-6895 for more information. The Don Garlits Museum of Drag Racing is located at 13700 SW 16th Avenue, Ocala, Florida 34473.

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The Southern California Chapter of the Society of Automotive Historians announced the winner of the 2009 James Valentine Memorial Award is "LandSpeed" Louise Ann Noeth, Goodguys Goodtimes Gazette columnist and author of best-selling book, Bonneville Salt Flats. The award for periodicals is granted for Excellence in Automotive Historical Research was presented for her "The Science of Speed" which appeared as her October 2008 FUEL FOR THOUGHT column. The thing which impressed me about the article," explained Bob Ewing speaking for the Chapter "was the importance of the physical records. Lots of people have anecdotes to relate about who did what and when, but to have actual physical evidence of the event years after it was over is something else again. A real human touch to the whole story." The Valentine Memorial Award is named for the late J.H. Valentine, at one time the recognized authority of automobiles built in Los Angeles. Always a strong supporter of the Southern California Chapter SAH, Valentine devoted his life to accurately compiling nearly insignificant data on early automobiles one by one. With no chance of personal wealth, he ensured that future historians would have a large quantity of priceless material. The Valentine Award honors authors whose automotive historical research is linked to people and events in California, but does not preclude significant historical milestones anywhere in the world.
"Walt Sheehan is virtually unknown in land speed racing circles, yet he was directly responsible for all five of Craig Breedlove's World Land
Speed Records" said author Noeth of the winning column, "I am forever grateful to the Goodguys Gazette for providing monthly space the past
seven years enabling me to tell wonderful stories of the worlds fastest cars, trucks and motorcycles. The Society of Automotive Historians
Southern California Chapter humbles me with the honor." Louise Ann Noeth was first honored by her fellow SAH SoCal members when she was awarded the Valentine for her book: Bonneville Salt Flats in 2002. Known to her readers as "Landspeed Louise," she became the first
recipient of the award to be honored for both a book and an article in a periodical. "What's an FIA World Land Speed Record Worth?," which
appeared in the Goodguys Goodtimes Gazette in October 2004, recounts her efforts to spur the FIA, which is nominally responsible for land speed record keeping as well as other aspects of motor sports, to officially recognize the efforts of competitors before they passed away. She again took periodicals top honors in 2006 with the September 2005 FUEL FOR THOUGHT column "Speedy Thoughts From Wally Parks."
To download a PDF of the 2009 winning article: http://www.landspeedproductions.biz/media/FFT_Oct08.pdf.

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The Petersen Automotive Museum November/December 2009 newsletter, courtesy of Chris Brown.
a) Tribute to Trans AM racing Exhibit Opens Thursday, November 12, 2009 through Sunday, December 13, 2009 Bruce Meyer Gallery. From its beginning in 1966 through the summer of 1972, the Trans Am series offered the best racing of the era. More drivers from Indy, Sports Car and Can Am participated in Trans Am than any other single series. The factories used the Trans Am venue to market their new Mustang, Camaro, Firebird Challenger and Javelin pony cars. To win in the Trans Am meant sales success in the showroom. The racing was fierce, fast and feisty.
b) AMBR WINNERS, Opens Saturday, December 19th, 2009 through Sunday, January 31st 2010 Bruce Meyer Gallery Celebrate the history of the prestigious Grand National Roadster Show with a visit to the Petersen Automotive Museum! On January 31st, 2010, the "America's Most Beautiful Roadster" award (or AMBR) will be given to one talented contender at the Grand National Roadster Show in Pomona, California. Several past AMBR winners are in The Museum's permanent collection, including the first America's Most Beautiful Roadster, Bill Niekamp's 1929 Ford that won the award in 1950. These roadsters will join many other past AMBR winners in the Bruce Meyer Gallery at The Petersen for a rare display of hot rodding's history.
c) FANTASIES IN FIBERGLASS Opens Saturday, February 27, 2010 Gordon R. Howard Gallery Invented in the 1930s, fiberglass was first used as heat insulation before automobile enthusiasts came to recognize its potential as a material for car bodies and other components. From Corvettes to dune buggies, many of the most iconic fiberglass customs and production cars of the past half-century will be on display at the Petersen Automotive Museum beginning in the spring of 2010. Together, they offer an interesting contrast to both the mainstream cars that populate our motoring landscape and those made of carbon fiber, the newest wonder material to be embraced by today's innovators.
d) NEW EVENTS Tribute to TransAm racing Events Thursday, November 12, 2009 6:00 p.m. Dinner and Cocktails, 2:00 p.m. Panel Discussion: "How to Cheat in TransAm." This year, our Annual Tribute Night will honor the drivers and crews of the Trans Am racing era. Many of the actual cars are restored to perfection and will be on display to rekindle the memories of this exciting period. The evening will include a Cocktail hour where you can meet your favorite Trans Am Drivers and see the Trans Am Cars. Following that will be a Buffet Dinner, Live Auction, Films and Interviews with the stars of the era. Parnelli Jones, George Follmer, Jim Hall, Carroll Shelby, Sam Posey and many other drivers and crew will be with us to share their memories. Cocktails begin at 6:00 p.m. At 2:00 p.m. there will be a fun filled panel discussion with the evening's invitees who will discuss the topic, "How to Cheat in Trans Am." Get your tickets in advance. Both of the day's events are sure to sell out! Go to www.petersen.org for tickets and information.
e) BOOK SIGNING: WINNING: THE RACING LIFE OF PAUL NEWMAN By Matt Stone and Preston Lerner Saturday, November 21, 2009, 1 p.m.-3 p.m. Hollywood Gallery Motor Trend Editor, Matt Stone and Automobile Magazine contributing writer, Preston Lerner will be on hand to talk about and sign copies of his new book, Winning: The Racing Life of Paul Newman. The book chronicles the award-winning actor's other life as a successful race car driver. Admission to the Museum is free on November 21 with purchase of the book in the Museum Store.
f) FOURTH ANNUAL CARNIVAL AND FAMILY FUN DAY Saturday, December 5, 2009, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Petersen Museum Bring the whole family to the Museum for a day of fun and lessons on child and car safety. Kids will get to participate in unique arts and crafts, and parents can learn the proper way to install car safety seats. Other activities will include face painting and balloon sculpture. For more information, call Liv Amend 323-964-6308.
g) PETERSEN AUTOMOTIVE MUSEUM GARAGE SALE AND SWAP MEET. Saturday, December 5, 2009, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Petersen Museum Parking Structure. Now is your chance to buy some of the vehicles, props, parts, store products and duplicate literature that is no longer needed here at the Museum. Several Museum vehicles will be sold in a no reserve silent auction. Museum members will also have booths set up to sell items and vehicles from their personal collections as well. Find that missing part for your exotic, classic, or muscle car or motorcycle, buy a Christmas gift for the auto enthusiast in your life, or purchase a restoration project, or drive home in the car of your dreams!
h) ONGOING EXHIBITIONS. California Car Design: Local Style, Global Influence. Open through Sunday, February 7, 2010 Gordon R. Howard Gallery. California Car Design will tell the story of locally influenced automobiles and explains how progressive local designers like Harley Earl and Dutch Darrin brought a fresh approach to a conservative profession. It will also explore California's design evolution from the early days of coach-building, through the trend setting customizing in the 1950's, to currently being the home to the most automotive studios in the world.
i) NEW CAR SHOWROOM; Through Sunday, March 7, 2010 Streetscape. The three makes that we feature in our 1939 New Car Showroom are: LaSalle (created 1927, discontinued 1940), Oldsmobile (created 1897, discontinued 2004), and Pontiac (created 1926, will be discontinued in 2010).
j) SOUNDS OF SPEED; Now extended through April 25, 2010! ArtWall. From the Beach Boy's first recordings to The Fast and The Furious soundtrack, see a unique collection of 180 automotive-inspired albums accumulated by "Speedy Bill" Smith.
k) Over A Century of Service: Automobile Club of Southern California; Through Sunday, January 24, 2010 Racing Corridor. Come to the exhibit and experience how the AAA has been woven into the rich fabric of everyday life in southern California through vehicles, photos, and stories.
l) WHAT WERE THEY THINKING? Misfits of Motordom; now extended through Sunday, July 4, 2010! Grand Salon. This in-depth study of the truly bizarre, the poorly developed, and the unfeasible ideas that people have seriously attempted to sell to the general public has now been extended due to popular demand! This autotorium of automobile oddities from around the globe is certainly the only assembly of vehicles where the Edsel is the "normal" car!
m) IMAGINING THE FUTURE: The Southern California Automotive Design Studio, Presented in Cooperation with Art Center College of Design. Ongoing Exhibit. Visitors will see a comparison of a 1930's studio with a modern-day studio with various examples of the creative process in 2-D and 3-D form from different points in California's rich automotive history. Design demonstrations by Art Center students will occur in the exhibit on the second and fourth Sunday of every month from approximately 10am-3pm.
n) HOT WHEELS® HALL OF FAME. The Hot Wheels Hall of Fame at the Petersen Automotive Museum, features Hot Wheels® full-size and die-cast cars, original models, wooden patterns, injection molds and drawings of original vehicle designs.
o) Hollywood Star Cars. Vehicles of Hollywood lore including the Batmobile, "Black Beauty" driven by Bruce Lee in The Green Hornet television series, the "Hannibal 8" driven by Jack Lemmon in The Great Race (1965), a replica of the "Mach 5" from Speed Racer (2008), "Herbie the Love Bug", the VW bus from Little Miss Sunshine (2006), plus cars once owned by Steve McQueen, Elvis Presley, Elton John, Fred Astaire, and more!
p) ALTERNATIVE POWER: LESSONS FROM THE PAST, INSPIRATION FOR THE FUTURE. From the highly styled 1963 Chrysler Turbine to the General Motors EV1, automobiles equipped with innovative propulsion systems are presented to illustrate the growth of alternative vehicle technology.
q) ONGOING PROGRAMS FOR CHILDREN & FAMILIES; MAY FAMILY DISCOVERY CENTER. Open Tuesday-Friday, 10am-4pm, and Saturday & Sunday, 10am-5pm. The May Family Discovery Center is an interactive learning center that teaches basic scientific principles using the fundamental elements of the car.
r) DISCOVERY DAY; Car Activities & L.A. BookPALS. First Saturday of every month, 1-4pm. Join us on the first Saturday of each month for arts and crafts, and at 2:30pm, actors from L.A. BookPALS read stories. The program is included in Museum general admission. Call 323-964-6308 for more information. Future topics include: November 7, Cork People. Create Hot Wheels-sized cork people to decorate your Thanksgiving table.
s) SPECIAL FEATURES AT THE PETERSEN; SPECIAL EVENTS AND FILMING - Please call (323) 964-6348 or visit www.petersenevents.org to host your event or shoot film at one of LA's most exciting venues!
t) Birthday Parties - The Museum offers a wonderful venue for children's birthday parties. Party guests can enjoy all three floors of the museum including the May Family Discovery Center. For more information or to book your party, call 323-964-6373.
u) SCHOOL TOURS. Taking a field trip to the Pete is an excellent way to teach your students about the history of Los Angeles and its intertwined relationship with the automobile. Students learn basic scientific principles and their applications as they explore hands-on activities in the Discovery Center. School Tours focus on history/social science, visual arts, and science & technology. Call (323) 964-6358 for information and reservations.
v) GROUP TOURS - A docent-led tour is available to groups of ten or more. - (323) 964-6346.
w) VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES - Come and be a part of the Petersen's "Pit Crew." New Docent Training Class will be held in the fall of 2008. For an application or more information call - (323) 964-6358, email [email protected], or visit www.petersen.org.
x) MUSEUM STORE - Excellent souvenirs and gifts for auto enthusiasts (323)964-6328.

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Gone Racin'… Rockin' Down the Highway, the Cars and People that made Rock and Roll, by Paul Grushkin Book review by Richard Parks, photographic consultant Roger Rohrdanz

Rockin' Down the Highway is a hardbound book suitable for music and car lovers and written by Paul Grushkin. The book measures 11 inches wide and 12 inches in height and contains 240 pages on high quality, heavy bond, waxed paper. Normally I take the time and break down all the photographs, posters, drawings and miscellaneous visual objects to let the reader know exactly what to expect. But it was obvious that this was going to take all day to do that. Grushkin has crafted a visibly stunning reference work on the music, mostly American that was influenced by the car culture. This is a lushly rich book full of interesting posters, film shots, music records, disks, labels, magazine covers, drawings, ticket stubs, black and while and color photographs. Grushkin wrote The Art of Rock, and then followed it up with The Art of Modern Rock. He then wrote The Grateful Dead: The Official Book of the Deadheads and Treasures of the Hard Rock Caf�. Grushkin has been around the music world for a long time and was an archivist and historian. He owns his own line of apparel called Phantom Clothing. His latest book merges the car culture and the songs and music that went hand in hand with young people and fast cars. The dust cover jacket is impressive and adds a great deal to the book. Rockin' down the highway in a '50's red convertible and holding a red and white guitar as the open road beckons is a masterful use of visual description to use on the cover. Take very good care of the dust cover jacket because it is impressive. Rockin' Down the Highway was published by Voyageur Press in 2006, located in St Paul, Minnesota. The ISBN# is 13-978-0-7603-2292-5 and can be ordered through any bookstore or contact Autobooks/Aerobooks at 818-845-0707.
This is a massive and thorough book with excellent text and story development. Yet it is the visual objects that Grushkin uses liberally in the book that draws the eye and keeps your attention riveted to the book. It doesn't take long before you are dreaming about the past and reliving all those exciting days from the 1940's up through the present day. Music, as Grushkin so readily shows us, is an integral part of our lives and the music in Rockin' Down the Highway was truly inspired by the car culture. The price of the book is a very reasonable $40 and in a hardbound edition too. Mike Ness writes the Foreword and Grushkin sets the tone with an introduction. The book is broken down into eight substantial chapters. There is a credits and acknowledgments page that is very informative as to where the author obtained much of his material. Ending the book is a comprehensive and complete three-page index. The photographs are superb, ranging from black and white to color, with off-tones that are exquisite. Every style of music, except classical is represented and posters and artwork run the gamut from pinstripers to punk. Each of the eight chapters chronicles the development of music and the car culture down through the decades to the present day. The cars are hot, the music is nostalgic, the women are alluring and the men are masters of their domain, the way we always thought our youthful culture looked like. There are photos of the local diner where the young guys and gals are hanging out. The wild roadster barreling down the street with kids standing up and whooping. Photos of Elvis just before he made it big with girlfriends Yvonne Lime and June Juanico. It was an age of innocence and promise.
Rockin' Down the Highway also portrays a darker side with an edge. A car and music culture that also contained danger and death, speed and mayhem. A world willing to push the envelope and take risks that often proved fatal. This was a world where drug usage and alcohol addictions were combined with speed to create a lethal outcome. Street racing became an outlaw culture. Gradually organized drag racing made an impact and raised the standards of respectability. The artwork of Ed "Big Daddy" Roth fills up several pages and points out the rising strength of the youthful counterculture in music and in the resistance to the Viet Nam conflict. The Beachboys, Annette and Fabian rivet the nation with the Southern California sun and sea culture. There is Detroit and Motown and the music that would influence much of our language and culture and evolve into R&B and Rap. Country, Western, Soul and balladeers would leave their mark. Billy F. Gibbons and ZZ Top left a lasting impression with his music and his Cadzilla; a sleek, low and stylish Cadillac designed by Larry Erickson. Probably one of the best lyrics is from "Big Red Rocket of Love," and it goes like this…"I got a red car with blue tail lights, shiny red seats with lining in white, Leopard Skin dash with a louvered hood, she goes ba-ba-ba-ba-ba-ba-when she's running good. Let's go ride into the mountains above, She's low, my big red rocket of love." Grushkin has written a book that all hot rodders and car fans can appreciate. It's a book that shows how we lived and loved, our virtues and vices. It brings back those memories that made us what we are. Gone Racin' is at [email protected].

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Gone Racin'…Harrell Engines & Racing Equipment; Jim (White) Harrell & Nick Harrell, by Roger H. Harrell, with Richard C. Harrell and Alec R. Harrell Carlson. Book review by Richard Parks, photographic consultant Roger Rohrdanz.
A delightful paperback book on early dry lakes racing and engine building during the early to mid twentieth century is titled Harrell Engines & Racing Equipment; Jim (White) Harrell & Nick Harrell. Written by Roger H. Harrell, with assistance from Richard C. Harrell and Alec R. Harrell Carlson, this book details the story of the Harrell engines and racing equipment that played an important role in our racing history. Harrell Engines & Racing Equipment; Jim (White) Harrell & Nick Harrell is a paperback book measuring six by nine inches, with 154 pages. The cover shows a black and white photograph of Jim Harrell's modified roadster at Muroc in 1941 as it set a record of 127.65 miles per hour (mph) in the modified roadster class, an impressive time for that day and age. The photograph on the back cover shows the two Harrell brothers at their shop with the roadster. It is a nostalgic start to a book on a racing family that was a cornerstone of our racing community. The pages are on a white bond matte paper. The photographs are all in black and white, some clear and some grainy, depending on the age of the photographs that the authors used. All of the photographs were visibly clear, but remember that the technology of the age then makes it difficult to reproduce today in some cases. There were 60 photographs, 8 newspaper ads, 7 tables and one newspaper article. The authors footnoted topics and provided an excellent three page index for the scholar and the average reader to use. There was also a five page pictorial appendix of the Harrell family so that you could see the men and women who were being chronicled in the book. The book contains a contents section, photographic index, list of tables, preface, introduction and six chapters. It shows the care and thoroughness of someone with an academic background, but it is easy to read and to locate sources.
The Harrell family is proud of the accomplishments of Jim and Nick Harrell and the book is a memorial to their mechanical genius. Jim changed his name to White, then back to Harrell again, thus the confusion and the authors reference to Jim (White) Harrell. Some of Jim's customers and racing friends knew him as White and others as Harrell. The book gives the reasons for the change in names and that in itself is a fascinating story. This wasn't an easy book to write. The authors knew some of the history of the Harrell brothers, but so much of what they did they kept to themselves. This was an odyssey of sorts, a trek back in time and to do that the authors had to interview men and women who knew the Harrell brothers. They also found old programs, newspaper ads and articles and other sources with which to better understand what had happened over the years. The authors travelled to Jack's Garage in Fountain Valley, to see a special man and dry lakes historian, Jack Underwood, who opened his archives for research. They met with Leslie Long who has been dedicating his life to compiling the records and names of all those who raced on the dry lakes of Southern California and at the original drag racing strip at the Santa Ana Airport. They talked to Curt Giovanine, who opened up the photographic archives of his father, Bob, co-owner of the famous Spurgin/Giovanine roadster. They used the SCTA Racing News and programs, Throttle Magazine and newspaper articles. Some of the people they interviewed included; Pat Berardini, Vic Meleo, Rod McCarrell, Cary Harrell Prather, Wayne Pollaccia, whose father Tony also raced drag boats, Augie Esposito, Don Montgomery, Al 'Mousie' Marcellus, Terry Baldwin, Ed Iskenderian and others. These sources alone comprise an engrossing story of the times.
Chapter One is titled 'Jim's Speed Shop and Jim's Auto Parts.' In the Introduction, the authors begin the story in the South and tell how the family relocated to Southern California, where they settled. In Chapter One, Jim worked as an auto mechanic and since this is during the Great Depression, his business did whatever auto work that he could find. In 1928 Jim returned to Georgia, but problems ensued and the family moved back to California, this time to stay for good. Jim was born in 1903 and was older than the typical hot rodder who raced their cars on the streets and dry lakes in the '30's and this age and maturity influenced many around him. Jim Harrell opened his shop in 1932 and did the usual repairs, but also added rudimentary speed equipment, for the industry had not achieved the degree of sophistication that it has today. The dry lakes of California beckoned many young men to come out and test their cars against the one thing that is unchangeable, time itself. Jim participated in these organized time trials and set records. His status in the racing community was rising, until the attack on Pearl Harbor by the Japanese Imperial Navy ended racing during World War II. Jim worked as a welder in the ship yards at night and at his garage and auto parts store during the day. In Chapter Two, the authors detail the close relationship that Jim Harrell had with several racing friends. Tony Capanna, another legendary dry lakes racer and mechanic, lived just around the corner and would learn from Harrell. Men who would become close friends and fans of Jim's was Bob Noble, Bob Knapton and other members of the Albata Club, such as Babe Ouse, Chuck Spurgin, Bob Giovanine, Ralph Schenck and Nick DeFabrity.
Jim's brother, Nick Harrell, had worked off an on with his brother, but after World War II, he went to work full time in the shop and assumed a major role in the business. Jim and his fellow racers in the Albata car club had been one of the leading groups in the pre-war SCTA and after hostilities had ended and racing started up again, the club and its members regained the top spot at the dry lakes that the war had interrupted. Over the next few years the members of the Albata and other car clubs would be lured away from land speed racing and go into other forms of auto racing. Some would do well at the oval tracks in midget and sprint car racing. Some would follow road racing with Carroll Shelby, Briggs Cunningham and Dan Gurney. And some would move into a new sport which they called drag racing. The SCTA would almost collapse like the other timing associations and the car club scene would fade away, much like Jive, Be-bop, Swing, Drive-in theatres and the corner Drive-In restaurants. Another siren call for dry lakes racers was boat racing and it flourished. Whether it was on lakes, marinas or the ocean, boat racing was much cleaner than the dusty dry lakes, the weather was nicer and there were always plenty of beautiful women in alluring bathing suits. Boat racing was the place to be and for a good engine builder like the Harrell Brothers, a sport that gave them exposure and prestige. The Harrells were also finding success with the track roadsters, an exciting sport that combined the best of the rugged little midgets and the power of the sprinters. But it wasn't only in racing that the Harrell Brothers were gaining a reputation. Young men were no longer building cars for the dry lakes; they were instead building street hot rods and racing illegally on the streets. This led to the formation of official drag strips and in 1951, the founding of the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) in an effort to provide alternatives for illegal street racing. Street rods for performance and show were to become a large part of the Harrell business.
The Harrell speed shop attracted lots of attention and some of the drag racers would include Willie Borsch, Mousie Marcellus, Tony and Pat Berardini, Don Bell, the Pollaccia brothers, Bob Morgan and many other young men who would go on to fame in drag racing and other forms of motorsports racing. Harrell engines figured prominently in Don Bell's and Pat Berardini's success at the Santa Ana Airport drags in the early 1950's. Don Bell's real name was Donald Allan Dodd, and no one quite knows why he went with an alias, but using a racing alias was quite common back then. The tragic death of Don Bell at El Mirage in 1953 ended a strong friendship between the two men. Cars running Harrell engines also did well at other dragstrips throughout the area. In early 1956, Jim Harrell teamed up with Wild Willie Borsch and put a Chrysler OH engine in the car. It seems like an eternity has passed since the Harrell/Borsch roadster wowed the crowds with speeds in the high 120's and elapsed times in the 11 seconds. But in those days that was fast, gut-wrenching fast and even today, when we are jaded by 300mph drag cars, it just isn't the same. By July 1959, Borsch was recording speeds of 137 mph, then a month later up that to 144 mph. Borsch beat Tony Nancy to win the Smokers March meet in 1961, running an even 150 mph. Borsch added an airfoil to the roadster in 1964 and the car picked up the nickname 'Flying Wing,' which was later modified to 'Winged Express.' This is a type of roadster, with short wheelbases, powerful engines and running on nitromethane, that evolved into the wildly popular, but highly unstable Fuel Altereds class. These weaving, unpredictable cars would fascinate drag racing crowds until they were banned. Today they still run, but on the nostalgia circuit and the safety features have improved immensely from that era. By 1966, the roadster had reached a speed of 181 mph and Jim Harrell had decided to retire. Borsch took on a new partner, Al 'Mousie' Marcellus, who is still the car's owner. The last chapter talks about the legacy of the Harrell brothers and what they meant to dry lakes, oval track and early drag racing history. The rights to the Harrell Los Angeles™ heads and intake manifolds are now owned by Gordy Cushman of Rockford, Illinois, who is making and selling them today. Harrell Engines & Racing Equipment; Jim (White) Harrell & Nick Harrell, is published by R&M Publishing of Hermosa Beach, California and can be found at Autobooks/Aerobooks, in Burbank, California. See http://www.autobooks-aerobooks.com, and www.harrellengineshotrodding.com. Gone Racin' is at [email protected].

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Land Speed Racing Websites:
www.hotrodhotline.com, www.landspeedracing.com

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Members:

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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