SOCIETY OF LAND SPEED RACING HISTORIANS
NEWSLETTER 94 - January 14, 2009
Editor: Richard Parks [email protected]
President's Corner: By Jim Miller (1-818-846-5139)

Click On All Images For Larger View

Some Names To Look For In This Newsletter:
Eric Rickman Update, Still no info for Bud Morrill, Tying to get a hold of Wild Bill the flame painter, Correction on the captions, lists of SCTA Awards into clubs, February 24th The Discovery Channel (TDC) will air a new show called Wreckreation Nation, 2009 Schedule Press Release International 36 hp Land Speed Challenge Coming Events Schedule and Guidelines, and pictures

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President's Corner:
Richard Parks just informed me that Land Speed Racer Paula Murphy was nominated to the Motorsports Hall of Fame. Congrats Paula. He also sent me a list of folks that have been inducted in the past and asked me how many had played around with land speed racing. I thought it would be a slam-dunk to do a quick run through and scratch out the non-players. Boy was I wrong. Most of the names should be familiar to you, but you may not associate them with LSR. Besides B-ville there was the early speed events at Daytona up to the 1930's. Most people have also forgotton that Bill France started a thing called Speedweeks on the sand at Daytona in 1950 that included speed runs on the beach. One must also not forget the tire testing track in the southwest where Foyt set some impressive records. There was also the dry lakes before the salt pilgrimage. They were home to many on the list also. With that, let's look at the hall-of-famers who played in our sandboxes.
Leo Mehl (Goodyear Tire Man probably had a hand in LSR tires too)
John Fitch (Drove at B-ville in a gull-wing Mercedes)
Curtis Turner (Raced on the sand at Daytona)
Hershel McGriff (Raced on the sand at Daytona)
John Holman, Ralph Moody (prepped Fords that ran at B-ville and Daytona)
Troy Ruttman (Ran at B-ville)
Don Vesco (set bike and car Records)
Ed Donovan (raced at the lakes in the '40's)
Paul Mantz (Raced on the sand at Daytona)
Fred Offenhauser (Built Miller engines that broke LSR records)
Andy Granatelli (Ran Russetta and B-ville)
Ken Miles (Ran an MG at B-ville)
Fred Lorenzen (Ran a Ford at B-ville)
Smokey Yunick (Raced on the sand at Daytona and set a record)
Danny Ongais (Ran at B-ville w/Thompson)
Bob Hannah (building a liner for B-ville as we speak)
Sam Hanks (Ran at lakes before WWII)
Wood Brothers (Prepped Ford cars for B-ville)
Frank Kurtis (Ran his Sports car at B-ville, built NOVI's for assult there)
Harry Miller (Built cars that set records at Muroc and closed circuits)
Frank Lockhart (Set record at Muroc, crashed and died at Daytona)
Tim Flock (Raced on the sand at Daytona)
Don Nicholson (Raced at the lakes and B-ville before drag racing)
Tommy Milton (Set Record at Daytona)
Jimmy Murphy (Prepped car for Milton at Daytona and was faster than him)
Carl Kiekhaefer (Think his cars set some endurance records)
Colin Chapman (set speed records in a Lotus 11 in Belgium)
Art Chrisman (Ran both Daytona and B-ville)
Fred Duesenburg (Built Milton record car and Mormon Meteor)
Tony Bettenhausen (Set records at B-ville in an OSCA)
Bob Nordskog (Raced at set record at Muroc before WWII)
Briggs Cunningham (Raced on the sand at Daytona)
Henry Ford (Set LSR Record at Lake St. Claire in 1903)
Mauri Rose (Ran exibition laps on Daytona Sand in GM Firebird)
Roger Penske (Owned Porsche that set closed course record)
Keith Black (Built race engines for numerous record holders)
Rex Mays (ran at Muroc before WWII and at b-ville in '49)
Glenn "Fireball" Roberts (Ran on sand at Daytona)
Malcolm Campbell (Set many speed records)
Bobby Unser Ran car at B-ville)
Craig Breedlove (Set records at B-ville, ran lakes)
Wally Parks (Drove Daytona sand, lakes and B-ville)
Louis Meyer (With son Bud ran first rear engined rdstr at lakes before WWII)
David Pearson (Think he ran at B-ville in a Ford)
J. C. Agajanian (Entered a Ferrari at B-ville)
Ralph DePalma (Set record at Daytona in a Packard)
Joe Petrali (Official at LSR runs)
Carroll Shelby (Set records at B-villein an Austin-Healey)
Art Arfons (Ran B-ville)
Joe Leonard (Set Motorcycle records before turning to cars)
Dan Gurney (Ran B-ville)
Junior Johnson (Ran at Daytona beach)
Glenn Curtiss (Ran at Daytona beach before WWI)
Mickey Thompson (Ran lakes, B-ville, everywhere)
Mario Andretti (Ran at B-ville in a Ford)
Mark Donohue (Set closed course speed record in Penske Porsche)
William France Sr. (Ran Speedweeks acceleration races on sand at Daytona)
Barney Oldfield (Ran at Daytona Before WWI)
Don Garlits (Ran B-ville and set record)
Cannon Ball Baker (Set many distance records on public roads)
A.J. Foyt (Set closed course record, ran B-ville)
Phil Hill (Set record at B-ville, ran at a Russetta meet both in MG's)
There were a few more on the list that set records on closed circuits and a few of the stock car guys might of run the beach or salt but the research part would take to much time to confirm. LSR Rules.

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Editorial:
To the Readers. Many of you have been sending in photos to share in the newsletter. The newsletter is run on a shoestring. There is your editor, me, and the publisher, the Lawfords who own www.landspeedracing.com. We are not compensated and we have no back-up. That is, if something happens to either of us the newsletter and the Society flounders and most likely, ends. Unless there are volunteers and so far and into the foreseeable future, there hasn't been any. Would we accept back-ups and volunteers? You bet we would. Anyone who would like to be an assistant editor can contact me and I will be glad to share assignments with you. To a certain extent, we do have a back-up on the Publisher's end with Tina Van Curen at www.autobooks/aerobooks.com who also publishes the newsletters. We also have support from Evelyn Roth at www.oilstick.com. But we have no co-editor or any other editorial staff. In order to make a free and interesting newsletter available, it has to be simple, quick, easily edited and problem free. Problems will occur and they take up a great deal of my time. Unless there are others who share the time and workload, it is your responsibility to make sure that what you send in is edited, double-checked, triple-checked and print ready so that I only have to do a minimum of editing. Since most of you aren't that familiar with editing, just do your best. Here are some rules.
a) If you use Microsoft Word 2007, it won't be compatible with my 2003 system and I will have to do a lot of editing or resend it back to you and ask you to type it out as a simple email.
b) Don't send attachments if you can help it. Send me an email. Everything we do is a simple email format.
c) Get your articles, stories and inquiries in on time. I normally send the newsletters to www.landspeedracing.com on Wednesdays.
d) Do your research, write your bios, caption your photos and spare me from having to call you to get the material word by word.
e) Send photos to me to double check and list in the newsletter. I will then send them to the website.
f) Size of text and stories doesn't matter, the website can take just about whatever you can send, but the more you send the more careful you should be in making sure that your grammar, spelling, names, etc are correct. It takes a lot of time for me to edit material I'm not familiar with.
g) If you don't see what you sent in within 3 weeks in the newsletter, then we couldn't use it for some reason and you need to contact me and find out what happened. I try to let you know but volume is such that sometimes I can't contact you to let you know the status of your article.

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He has suffered a major setback and has been transferred back to intensive care. They found he has contracted a major staff infection and they are attempting to treat it with antibiotics. Throughout this he remains unconscious. Micheal Rickman
   Micheal: I am very sorry to hear that. He is and always will be one of my favorite examples of a person to live up to. Please let the family know how much we care and that we will keep Eric in our hearts, minds and prayers. Thank you for periodically letting us know what is happening

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So far no one has sent me any information on Bud Morrill. Still trying. Glen Barrett
Glen: Thank you for continuing to follow up on this.

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These photographs (Cool Old Drag Race Photo's) are from the NHRA website. They have been circulating the internet for about the past two weeks and we have received them several times, but not sure if we can use them or not. I don't think the NHRA would mind, but not sure.  Mary Ann Lawford
   Mary Ann: Ownership issues and releases are sticky problems. Several of our readers have given us some interesting and helpful advice in how to handle photographs and text. The drag racing photos are slightly outside of our area. The Society of Land Speed Racing Historians is concerned with the topics that surround land speed racing. The first era was that of the Europeans and it was always a quest among the more wealthy class to see how fast they could go. As the automobile became more accessible to the general public, straightline racing entered its second era, that of the dry lakes. Associated with dry lakes land speed racing was hot rodding in general. The third era of straightline racing occured when the land speed racers took to the streets, air strips and shorter courses and thus developed the new sport of drag racing. It was still straightline racing, but it was no longer land speed racing and it evolved into a completely new form of racing. The SLSRH has decided to cover all forms of land speed racing and hot rodding as it applies to dry lakes racing. We also cover the first few years of early drag racing as often a car run at the drag strips came directly from the dry lakes. But by the end of the 1950's, the two sports had become separated and their similarity ends. From time to time we add various racing articles, such as drags and oval track, because it relates in some way to land speed racing. It is because of this overlap that I send in photographs that I've received to the websites to add to the newsletters. Where there is a legal issue as to ownership or release, my advice is to not run the photographs or text. In many cases, the owners of the material will probably not object and might even be grateful for publishing them, but we have to follow a certain format, which is to get permission first before publishing.

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My name is Paul Ricketts. I'm trying to get a hold of Wild Bill the flame painter. Not for flames, we're both harmonica players. I know his brother too, but I can't seem to find either one of their phone numbers. Can you help me? If you don't want to give me (a total stranger to you) his number, could you please pass on my number to him. Just tell him Paul the VW mechanic in La Habra, a friend of Magic, needs to get ahold of him. My daytime phone number is (714) 870-1971. Or you can give him my email address. Thank you very much, Paul Ricketts
   Paul: I will post your request in the Society of Land Speed Racing Historians Newsletter for you. You might have more success if you attend the up-coming Grand National Roadster Show in Pomona, California on January 23-25, 2009. There will be auto painters, pinstripers and sign painters at this event and they will even hold their Annual Pinstripers Reunion. With so many painters in attendance, your chances of finding this person may be very good. I checked my business cards and couldn't find either spelling, but he sounds like a pinstriper and if he is the person you are looking for, then I may have even interviewed him. The pinstripers often go by just one name or a phrase.

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The terms "Edelbrock Head" and "Model A Ford" imply that the car is a four cylinder Ford equipped with an Edelbrock cylinder head!
Photographically this statement proves to be incorrect. In the first place Vic Edelbrock never made any cylinder heads for the Model A/B/C Fords. All his equipment was designed to be used on the Ford flathead V8 engine and I believe his early units were for use on the 21 stud variant that was in production until 1936/37 when the new engine had 24 studs, and several other superficial changes. As an old Ford four cylinder guy I'm just keeping you honest. Bob Falcon
   Bob: Thank you for the update. 

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Notes from the editor to the President of the Society, Jim Miller:
I broke down the lists of SCTA Awards into clubs, but not dates, just so that I could see who has been honored. I have several questions. One, is Roy and Multy Aldrich the same guy? Two, was Al Thayer both a Road Runner and a Rod Rider or was that a typographical mistake? Three, is the Sidewinder Howard Johnson or Johansen? Is it Paul Stanley? Is it Elise Tucker? Now, Why haven't the SCTA honored Jack Henry, Johnny Ryan, Nellie Taylor, Henry Ford, Jack Peters, George Wight, George Riley, Chuck Spurgin, Bob Giovanine, Jack Mendenhall, Art Tilton, Thatcher Darwin and many others? Especially Thatcher Darwin, since he's still alive and the SCTA wouldn't have survived after the war without him. Please check the list for me to see if we have any biographical data on any of them.
Albata; Tony Capanna
Eliminators; Jack Underwood
Esquires; Bob Brissett
Gear Grinders; Glen Barrett, Gary Cagle, H.L. Carter, Mike Haslam, Burke LeSage, Jim Lindsley, Allen Rice, James Rice, James Travis, Bob Webb
High Desert Racers; Larry Burford, George Callaway, Butch Reynolds, Vicki Spring, Monte Warnock
Hornets; Roy Aldrich
Lakers; Roy "Multy" Aldrich, Vera Aldrich, Warren Bullis, Emil Grisotti, Phillip Grisotti, James Koehler
Lancers; Bill Davis, Paul Stratton
LSR; Kent Cowgur, Billy Hodges, Jim Dunn
Milers; Mike Stewart, Don Riepe, Greg Carlson, JoAnn Carlson
Nite Owls; Walt June
Road Runners; Reese Adams, Bill Burke, Bruce Geisler, Emil Grisotti, Harvey Haller, George Hanson, Gordon Hoyt, Jerry Kugel, Jack Lufkin, Ak Miller, Larry 'Old Dad' Miller, Wally Parks, Al Thayer
Rod Riders; Jerry Bates, Mel Chastain, Mike Cook, Bruce Geisler, Elmo Gillette, Wayne Harvey, Ken Hoover, Chuck Kalbach, Jim Lyon, Verlin Marshall, Mike Stewart, Al Teague, Al Thayer
SDRC members; Lou Bingham, John Cramer, Otto Crocker, Dennis Dalton, Peter Dean, Ed Fenn, Bob Higbee, Jim Jensen, Joyce Jensen, Henry Louie, Bill Taylor, Robert Thomas, J.D. Tone, Jerry Tucker, Fred Willer, Boswell Willis, Lionel Wynn
Sidewinders; Don Carr, Ron Cohn, Fred Dannenfelzer, Julian Doty, Wes Hutchins, Howard Johnson, Lee Kennedy, Mike Manghelli, Lonnie Martin, Jim Miller, Bill Saderup, Ed Safarik,Werner Schwarz, Paul Stanley, Ken Walkey, Dan Warner, Harry Woerner, Earl Wooden
Super Fours; Keith Allen, Alan Barbee, Gene Barbee, Bruce Johnston, Duane Kofoed, Gregg Waters, Mike Waters
Wheelers; Jerry Eisert, Jack Stewart
No club mentioned; Ed Adams, Gray Baskerville, Dean Batchelor, Tom Beatty, George Bentley, Keith Black, Tom Bryant, Mary Carson, Jim Colbert, Penny Cook, Roy Creel, Mark Dees, Jim Deist, Vic Edelbrock Sr, Ed Elliott, Tom Evans, Don Francisco, Bill Graham, Andy Granatelli, Meb Healy, Dottie Higbee, Stu Hilborn, Ed Iskenderian, Kong Jackson, Ab Jenkins, Harold Johansen, Howard Johansen, Berry Kaplan, Jim Lattin, Lester Leggitt, Mel Leighton, Phyllis Lindsley, Tammy Barrett MacDowell, Pam Manghelli, Barney Navarro, Louise Opperman, Karl Orr, Veda Orr, Roy Richter, Bob Rufi, Carolyn Sager, Charles Scott, Judy Sights, Eldon Snapp, Beverly Stanley, Paul Stanton, Clyde Sturdy, Bob Summers, Bill Taylor, Mickey Thompson, Elise Tucker, Roscoe Turner, Don Vesco, John Vesco, Rick Vesco, Joane Warner, Mike Waters, Nolan White, Dana Wilson, and Alex Xydias.
JIM MILLER'S RESPONSE:
Yes Roy and Multy is the same guy. He went by the nickname "Multi" because his T motor used Riley Multi-lifts. Al Thayer was both a Road Runner and a Rod Rider. Lots of guys switched clubs. I'm in two clubs right now myself. Sidewinder Howard Johnson was a real person and different from Howard Johansen. It should be Paul Stanley. It's Elise Tucker. As to the nominations, it's all right-in. I bet you 90% of the people in the S.C.T.A. would only know the name Henry Ford and maybe Jack Mendenhall or possibly Bob Giovanine. Sad but true. I've enclosed a shot that maybe you can answer a question about. It's a rear view of the Burke-Francisco tank "Sweet 16" at the lakes on May 19, 1947. Is that your dad on the left with the hat and goggles on? I know he drove the car that year. This fellow is really tall like your dad. The subject of the Tilton/Dean trophy wasn't discussed. Hope this answers some questions. Jim Miller
THE EDITOR'S RESPONSE:
Jim, I don't think the tall man with the goggles is my father. He never dressed like that. The facial appearance doesn't look like him and he always wore a white pith helmet and light colored clothes. I don't think I ever saw him in a plaid shirt. From the very beginning at the dry lakes he felt that he needed to present a more "official and businesslike" wardrobe, since he was older and many of the kids looked up to him. He made a concerted effort to copy those whom he admired, like Lee Ryan. I could be wrong and I'm hoping those who were at the lakes just after the war can tell us. As I've said before, the SCTA has every right to choose whom they will honor and the Society of Land Speed Racing Historians will always accept that fact, but we are historians, perhaps amateur ones, and it is our job to dig, probe and ask questions in the search for the truth. Thank you for the updates and corrections. Now tell us something about each of those mentioned as award winners so we will know who they are.

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On or about February 24th, The Discovery Channel (TDC) will air a new show called Wreckreation Nation with Dave Mordal that was filmed at this years World of Speed. Interviews were done with 36hp Challenge racers we hope will make the cut. Please find the time schedule for your area and enjoy. Also below, I have included the 2009 36hp Challenge information sheets with upgrades and refinements. The two new records set by Bruce Cook and Bruch/Anderson set new standards for 36hp motors, both Stone Stock and New Age but the original Supercharged and Dual Carb records have not yet been touched. Hopefully your efforts will relegate those speeds to the history books in 2009. Please contact me at the email address above if you should have any questions. May the Speed be with you. Burly Burlile

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2009 Schedule Press Release INTERNATIONAL 36 hp LAND SPEED CHALLENGE Coming Events Schedule.
Mar 28-29 The TEXAS MILE (36hp Challenge). One mile standing start time trial, Goliad AFB, Goliad, TX. All VW racers and spectators welcome. For information visit [email protected]. For 36hp Challenge guideline information visit www.burlyb.com.
Oct 17-18 Second date/same information!
Apr 4-5 East Coast Timing Association (36hp Challenge). One mile standing start time trial, Maxton AFB, Maxton, NC. All VW racers and spectators welcome. For information visit www.ecta-lsr.com. For 36hp Challenge guideline information visit www.burlyb.com.
May 16-17 Second date/same information!
Jun 27-28 Third date/same information!
Sept 16-19 World of Speed (130 MPH Club and 36hp Challenge). One mile standing start time trial (along with unlimited top speed streamliners and hot rods on the long eight mile course) at the world famous Bonneville Salt Flats, Wendover, UT. All VW racers and spectators welcome. For information visit www.saltflats.com. For 36hp Challenge guideline information visit www.burlyb.com.
Sep 19-20 Fourth date/same information!
Oct 24-25 Fifth date/same information!
QUESTIONS? Please contact Burly Burlile at [email protected] or call 435-752 4359 after 7pm, M.S.T.

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2009 NATIONAL 36hp LANDSPEED CHALLENGE 36hp ENGINE/CAR Guidelines.
BASIC ENGINE: 36hp (25hp) engine case (block) with stock 36hp cylinder head studs in stock locations(8mm studs O.K.), original VW 36hp head, Okrasa, Denzel and aftermarket 36hp heads with or without modifications (no 1200-1600cc or Porsche based heads!). All engine sheet metal, to include a "functioning generator and cooling fan" are mandatory in all engine classes along with stock 36hp or period 36hp aluminum valve covers and gaskets (replica alloy valve covers for 36hp heads are O.K.!). Transmission must be a Volkswagen 4 speed swing(non-synchro or full-synchro) or I.R.S. original or modified Bug transmission( five speed conversions and Hewland style transmissions not permissible!). The front end may be lowered using commonly available VW axle beams or devices "excluding NARROWED axle beams" in ALL classes! Rear sway bars or camber compensators are acceptable and "Moon Disc" style hub cabs when securely installed following USFRA, ECTA and Texas Mile guidelines may be used in ALL classes.
NOTE: Nitrous systems are not allowed in 36hp Challenge cars or 130 Mile Per Hour Club categories!
CLASSES:
SS (Stone Stock) - Stock 36hp engine with single 28 PCI carburetor with no modifications. Must be equipped with a stock VW style exhaust system and tips, air cleaner, VW Bosch branded distributor and coil(Pertronix Ignitor, full flow oil system and engine balancing are O.K.!). Extractor exhaust systems not allowed!
SSS (Super Stock Single) - Modified singleport 36hp engine with single 28PCI carburetor. Requires any Bosch distributor and coil. No displacement, camshaft or header limitations.
DSS (Dual Super Stock) - Pre 1965 period style dual carburetor and non-28PCI single carburetor systems only, fitted to modified stock VW 36hp cylinder heads or period aftermarket 36hp dual port cylinder heads(or replicas)! Requires any Bosch distributor and coil. Dual spark plug conversions O.K.. No displacement, camshaft or header limitations.
K36 (Supercharged/Kompressor) - Any pre-1970 mechanically driven supercharger. Requires any Bosch distributor and coil. Dual spark plug conversions O.K.. No displacement, camshaft or header limitations. Dual period correct superchargers are acceptable.
NA36 (NEW AGE) - Any turbocharged or post 1971 supercharger or non-traditional external engine modifications. Nitrous not allowed! No displacement limitations within the stock cylinder head stud locations. Camshaft, exhaust and ignitions systems are open. Exhaust systems on turbocharged New Age bugs can exit through the deck lid.
BODY/VEHICLE - Any year Type 111/113/133 stock Volkswagen Beetle, Super Beetle or Cal Look sedan body with stock VW bumpers(NOTE: Convertible and sliding cloth sunroof bodies require added safety equipment-(i.e. bolt-in 4 point roll bar available from EMPI suppliers- part #3116 ). Type 1 Karmann Ghia bodied cars will compete in separate categories (as described above) and will not be eligible for recognition beyond 36hp Challenge Record listings or be eligible for top speed 36hp Beetle records. All metal body and fenders with all lights, VW bumpers, and running boards in place and functioning. Wiper blades & arms, antenna, outside mirrors and license plates may be removed during competition but must be in place prior to and through technical inspection. Interior must include two front seats, rear seat back(bottom portion of rear seat may be left out), headliner and door panels.
SAFETY EQUIPMENT (contact each respective sanctioning body for latest 130 MPH CLUB (or equivalent ) rules and race dates before you plan on competing!).
Basic Minimum guidelines(36hp Classes only!):
1. 2 point seat belt (USFRA only) for cars below 100mph (VW's above 100mph required to have 3 point seat belts (www.saltflats.com).
2. 3 point seat belt (ECTA & TEXAS MILE only!) www.ecta-lsr.com
3. Full face helmet (Snell 2000 or later approved with visor!).
4. Dual (2) throttle return springs.
5. Excellent condition "S" rated tires (to 112 mph!) inflated to 50 pounds with hub caps and trim rings removed (H rated tires required if speed
exceeds 100 mph!). Properly fitted Moon Discs hubcaps are allowed (Plus they look great!).
6. Metal valve stem caps (all cars running above 100 MPH will be equipped with METAL VALVE STEMS!)
7. Overall sound and safe vehicle, licensed and insured for street operation. You must present both your current state drivers license and
vehicle insurance card during tech inspection!
8. Sanctioning body specific membership and entry fees.
9. "NO NITROUS" or alcohol may be used for fuel. Race gas & high octane pump gas is O.K. (Revision-E-85 pump gas is NOT allowed).
10. Fire extinguisher "securely" mounted inside passenger compartment.
11. "ALL" loose items inside passenger compartment and trunk must be removed (including spare tire and jack).
12. Battery must be "secured" to floor pan with permanent stock or improved fixture. Burly Burlile

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Editor's notes: I just received an email from one of our members that he is changing his email address. If that happens to you, please go to our website address, which is www.landspeedracing.com and make a change of address so that you continue to receive your emailed version of the newsletter sent weekly.

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Bob Falcon: I'd vote for Gus Maanum. I was a fan of his style of drawing and used to mimic his style. I have a few of the old decals that were adorned with his drawing style. He always signed his work in printed style italics with an underline. When they engraved the plates they probably deleted the signature.

This poster depicts three midget race cars roaring around the high banks of the recently paved (1946-?) Culver City Speedway. My poster is signed by Bill Loadvine who was the promoter at the speedway during that era. Maanum always placed 'speed lines' on his illustrations. I also believe I have some of his very early work that is printed in a copy of a Veda Orr dry lakes magazine."
Editor: I have copies, but not originals of the drawings done by Gus Maanum. Do you know which club he belonged to and if he raced?
Bob Falcon: "Don't have a clue but will check the Veda Orr copy and see if she has anything. I also think he did many illustrations for HRM. He also illustrated many of the decals from those days of water soluble glue."

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Ernie forwarded your email to me as I am helping with the Spurgin/Giovanine restoration. I just thought you would like to know that I have the minutes, reps reports etc. for Albata from 1940 until the club was disbanded. I don't have time to become the "club historian" right now as I am restoring the Ralph Schenck streamliner, maybe later. Terry Baldwin
Terry: That's fantastic that you have the records. Please keep us informed as to your progress on the Ralph Schenck streamliner and all the details. We are really happy to see this important car restored and brought back to its former glory. Does the car have original frame, body and engine or just parts? Will this be a restoration or a recreation? Our newsletter is at www.landspeedracing.com. Check us out and sign up, it's a free newsletter dedicated to hot rodding, land speed and early drag racing history and heritage. Perhaps we can check back with you later and see how we can scan or make available the Albata club records for historians to use.

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G'day Richard, as you may know I'm building a roadster inspired by the Giovanine/Spurgin lakes roadster. In my search for info & photos I found the G/S roadster in the 1957 Hot Rod Annual. At the time it was owned by Robert Cano, the car still wore the Mothersills lettering and Von Dutch stripes. Also something that maybe worth looking into is a photo posted on the AHRF website; www.ahrf.com/image_detail.php?type=collection&position=6&CollectionID=54ID:BNF_081

 This always causes some disappointments with the prior owners of the car and their families who feel that their contributions won't be recognized. To a certain extent, this can be mitigated by two things; 1) creating a history and provenance that completely details in text and photographs the complete history of the car, and 2) possibly recreating another version of the other cars. Point number one is easier, for recreating all 5 of the Spurgin/Giovanine/Borgh car is financially difficult. Although, we have three versions of Dick Kraft's bug, with the one in the Don Garlits Museum understood as the "restored" car and the other two versions being considered as the "recreated" cars, though all three may have a few parts that are original. Letters from Dick Kraft to Don Garlits imply that the greater amount of originality reside with the Garlits car and oral statements by Steve Gibbs confirms that. So if it's not possible to create 5 cars, each representing a different phase of the Spurgin/Giovanine/Borgh car, then a complete, thorough and accurate pictorial history is necessary. Ernie Nagamatsu will do just that. I've seen his work on the on-going research into the Max Balchowsky Old Yeller II and it is impressive. He will do the same historical and pictorial work for the Spurgin/Giovanine/Borgh car and he will set the standard for car restorers to follow. The next step is to find someone willing to take on the recreation of the Francisco/Burke/Parks belly tank and the Bob Rufi Streamliner, among many others. We haven't even begun to tap the rich legacy of land speed racing cars and their history.

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Chop-Shop Customs, located in Woburn, Massachusetts is open Mon-Fri @ 8am and Saturdays by appointment, for custom metal fabrication, body work and quality painting; 235 D Salem St, Woburn MA 01801, 781-939-5660, www.chop-shopcustoms.com. Lenny Schaeffer

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The following photographs were sent in by Jack Underwood.

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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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