SOCIETY OF LAND SPEED RACING HISTORIANS
NEWSLETTER 155 - March 18, 2010
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:
 President's Corner, Editorials, The following email was received from Betty Packard who received it from Stirling Moss who was seriously injured in an accident, Following an accident at his home in Mayfair on Saturday evening as a result of a lift malfunction Sir Stirling Moss suffered two broken ankles four broken bones to his foot skin abrasions and four chipped vertebrae, Betty Packard sent us the following, I received an email from Tina Van Curen at Autobooks/Aerobooks she was asking if we had heard from William Carroll recently, I was corresponding with Albert Drake (the author) several years ago and he was living in Oregon, You may recall in the Cleveland Plain Dealer article that the administrator said all of the collections are sharing the culling of the objects equally, I really appreciate the help, This note was in my files, I have to say that I am overwhelmed I just finished reading the book that I got from the Wally Park's museum on Mickey Thompson, I went to High School with Verlin Marshall back in the early 1950's, Thanks so much for your response I did talk to Ed Houtz who was a close friend of Verlin Marshall months ago, Rockabilly Rod Reunion returns to The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway May 28-30 for three days and two nights at two venues, Gone Racin'… L.A. Roadster a Retrospective by Dick Wells and Jack Stewart, Bill France presents check to Art Malone, Bob and Art before run, Just after the run

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

President's Corner:  
I'm still having technical problems trying to download pictures I took at the Mojave mile so let's look at another source of land speed info. Let's go back a few decades and look at a source of info we usually pass by. Pick up any old magazine and what do you have besides editorial? It's what pays for the printing and such; it's the advertisements. The first one is from Hop Up magazine back in December 1951. It's from Auto Accessories, one of those long gone companies that use to sell car parts. The car featured in the ad is the early version of Tom Beatty's famous belly tank lakester with the Auto Accessories name plastered all over the side with chalk. Looks like the Tom Cat set a record at Bonneville with a two way at 185.809 and had a one way at 188+. Of the six manufacturers listed only J&E Pistons is still a real player in the speed parts world. Navarro is now in the hands of H&H and is ramping up production of Barney's flattie parts. The first sponsor of the Bonneville 200 MPH Club, Grant hasn't made rings for years and is best known these days for steering wheels. Moving on to December '53 we find our departed friend Ray Brown hocking his wares. After working for Eddie Meyer, Ray started his own hot rod shop. From that he got in on the ground floor of auto safety with his seat belt empire. Later he was the man when it came to aluminum wheel manufacturing. He was a real mover and shaker in the early fifties and was one of the first to hop up the then new Chrysler Hemi.
The most conspicuous of the early advertisers, especially with full page ads, was again Gerry Grant's piston ring empire. This ad shows his rings were in the fastest single engine car in America; 252 mph at the time was a huge number. His rings were also in America's fastest car period, the Kenz and Leslie liner. Next up is a Valvoline ad from '64. Our old pal Andy Granatelli was behind the Studebaker breaking over 300 records at Bonneville. I uncovered the following clips on You Tube hyping his Avanti exploits; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YG8pdR6VAXw. While going through some other old magazines, I stumbled upon a story called "Greased Lightning Strikes the Flats" from the August '47 issue of Pop Mechanics. It has a nice story of Cobb's exploits and mentions Ab Jenkins Novi Indy car modified to capture some endurance records. There was also a drawing of Ab's proposed '48 machine that never got built. It was so cool looking I had to scan it for you. This puppy was conceived to run at 450 mph and was planned by Ed and Bud Winfield and sketched out by the Master himself, Leo Goossen. Two 1,000 hp engines were to have powered the 21 foot long streamliner; 450 mph is still waiting so who's going to do it? Land speed stuff is all over the place and all it takes is time to dig it out. All I can say is, are you going to be the one?

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Editorial:   
I've just finished another 7 book reviews and Roger Rohrdanz is busy taking photographs of the covers. When the book reviews have been cross checked and the photos are done, he will send them to www.hotrodhotline.com, book review section. You don't have to actually buy a book that doesn't interest you, but the reason that I do book reviews is so that you will know what is available out there and can look for it and add it to your library. If you have a book in your library that you would like others to know about, then do a review on it and send it in to me to have posted on the website. If you don't know how to do book reviews; just read a few of my reviews and copy the format. I use a very simple template to create the reviews. The first thing that I do is explain what the book looks like; its dimension, size, number of photographs and other charts and graphs. Then I describe the quality of the book's construction and the materials used. I tell the reader who wrote the book, who published it and where it can be found. The second and third paragraphs are concerned with what's in the book and I end with a recommendation; buy or don't buy. I don't relate everything that is found in the book or give away the plot. I give just enough information so that you, the buyer and reader, can make a decision as to whether you want to consider buying the book or not. I also do movie and video reviews when I am asked to. I will do a review for you under these conditions; sometimes I will buy a book and review it and sometimes a book is sent to me to review. If a book is sent to me and the author wants it returned, then he must send a postage paid return envelope.
I never quite know where I'm going to find a gem. Jim Miller will tell you the same thing. One book that someone tossed out was called Road Trips, Head Trips, AND Other CAR-crazed writings, by Jean Lindamood. I picked it up, read a few paragraphs and was going to throw it into the Good Will box, otherwise known as Jack's Garage, in Fountain Valley, California. But I checked the table of contents for any interesting names and there was Frank Lockhart. Miller had written about him before and now there is a man who is doing a research project on Lockhart. Is that Karma or what? So I kept the book and in my spare time I will try and condense the article and tell the readers what I found out on this racing icon of the 1920's. I received word from the Gas-Up committee and the Gold Coast Roadster and Racing Club (GCR&RC) that the next Dry Lakes Racers Hall of Fame and Gas-Up Party will be their 18th and not their 19th. A member wrote in recently to say that she has been unable to motivate her club's members to write their biographies, stories or caption their photographs. Lamentably this is human nature to avoid recording our history and heritage for the next generation. I wish it wasn't so, but the fact is that only one in ten thousand will be motivated to write their biographies, caption their photographs or tell their stories in writing. It will be our children and grandchildren who will feel robbed of their past.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The following email was received from Betty Packard who received it from Stirling Moss, who was seriously injured in an accident.
----------------------------
March 9, 2010. To all my friends and all those who are kind enough to care.
Dear All of You:
The last few days have been quite fantastic and I'd like to thank each and every one of you for your kind thoughts, messages and other. On Saturday evening, I was at home with Susie, Elliot and Helen and about to leave for a Curry, for which we were running late. I asked Helen to join me in the lift to go downstairs, because Susie and Elliot were smart enough not to ride in my lift. I opened the door and stepped into the lift, with Helen ready to follow me, which she never did. That is because the lift had stopped on the floor above and incorrectly allowed the door beneath it to open. Still chatting to Helen, I stepped into the open doorway -- and fell to the bottom of the lift shaft. The ambulance was called and arrived at racing speed, whereupon they put me onto a series of about 10 stretchers! Having finally settled on what must have seemed a good one, I was taken, along with my family to the Royal London Hospital in White Chapel, where they used another batch of similar stretchers! They did a good job of helping me, but were unable to do the requisite surgery. So, on Sunday, I was moved to the Princess Grace, where a fantastically efficient, kind and amusing staff did all the jobs.
I am now in a lovely room, number 222, and with the help of Elliot and the porter, am finally on the email. That does not mean that I will be able to actually send this to you, but I will try! Now for the future ... which I can see with Susie, Helen and Elliot around me, is going to be a bloody struggle! As some of you may know, Susie and I are booked on a seaborne cruise for our 30th Anniversary, next month. I have to cross the hurdle of getting the doctors, and family hangers-on, to allow me to thin my blood, in order to avoid any issues involving deep vein thrombosis. It will be six to eight weeks from Sunday before I will able to put any load on my feet. Therefore I'm facing my sixth or seventh reduction to a wheelchair (Susie says she's stopped counting) which I must admit, is rather boring. The good news is; that I didn't sell the wheelchair after the last shunt! The whole thing is a real pain in the arse, if I had looked where I was going, I wouldn't be here at all, so it's my own damn fault. I have been absolutely overwhelmed by your collective concern and kindness. I can tell you that currently I'm lying in hospital, taking deep breaths, lifting one arm with the other, raising my legs (with plasters on the end) and doing all I can do to keep myself as mobile as possible, but, having said that, I'm not yet winning the battle. I'm not sure when I'll be able to go home but the lift has to work, otherwise I'll never be able to get upstairs in my wheelchair, maybe I'll go and stay with Helen And Elliot for a while. This really has opened my eyes to how kind all my friends are, over an old ex-racing driver, flogging a fading image! I look forward to seeing you soon. Many thanks for all of your thoughts. Ciao. Stirling Moss
----------------------------
Note: You many leave a note for Mr. Moss at this location: www.stirlingmoss.com/articles/news/press-release-following-stirlings-accident.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Following an accident at his home in Mayfair on Saturday evening, as a result of a lift malfunction, Sir Stirling Moss suffered two broken ankles, four broken bones to his foot, skin abrasions and four chipped vertebrae. He is now comfortable and recovering in a London hospital after surgery to both ankles. His immediate family was present with him at the time of the accident, Paramedics were called and he was taken to the Royal London Hospital. He remained conscious throughout. With the assistance of Professor Sid Watkins he was moved on Sunday to a hospital closer to his home where he underwent surgery on both his ankles, which were plated and pinned. The accident occurred as a consequence of falling down three floors in the lift shaft at his home. The door to the lift, that should have remained locked if the lift was not on the floor that it was called from, opened in error. He stepped into the narrow open shaft in the expectation that the lift would be present for him to walk into, as it should have been.
Lady Moss, Stirling's wife, stated, "This was a very unfortunate accident; it could have just as easily been another member of the family stepping into where the lift should have been." The family is very relieved that Stirling survived the fall, demonstrating that his body still has the same resilience to injury as it did in his racing days. He is comfortable, following a good night's rest post surgery, and is well on the road to recovery. It is expected that it will take up to 6 weeks for him to recover from his injuries. The family would like to thank everyone, on behalf of Stirling, for their messages of support. Updates will be posted here: http://twitter.com/StirlingMossCom. See also; www.stirlingmoss.com.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Betty Packard sent us the following;
-------------------------
Jim Hayhoe, former Indy Car owner died from Cancer yesterday at 4:10pm in Palm Springs, California. No details on funeral arrangements as of yet. From V. Bruce Walkup
-------------------------
I received a phone call from Jennifer Booth Morrical Saturday morning, March 13, 2010, to let me know that my dear friend Connie Booth lost her battle with cancer earlier that morning. Connie was one of the hardest working people that I have ever met. She always had a smile on her face and a good word for everyone. Connie was once married to Chuck Booth, race car driver in the 1960's and '70's. Chuck Booth passed away several years ago. Connie loved life and had an amazing attitude about everything and everyone. Connie is survived by her daughter Jennifer Booth Morrical and her son-in-law Troy Morrical, her two granddaughters, Paige Booth and Josie Morrical, her Mother who lives in Iowa and a sister Karen Swiger who lives in California. Connie was predeceased by her Dad three years ago and her brother Hal who died last year. Sent in from Patty Crockett Howell

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I received an email from Tina Van Curen at Autobooks/Aerobooks. She was asking if we had heard from William Carroll recently. I sent off an email to his last known addresses and called his home phone number. The phone was disconnected and both email addresses came back as unknown. It always worries me whenever that happens. Does anyone know where Bill is, or if he is okay? William Carroll wrote the great little booklet, Muroc, When the Hot Rods Ran.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I was corresponding with Albert Drake (the author) several years ago and he was living in Oregon. I think he self-published his books under the name of "Flat Out Press." There are four or five of his books on my shelves and the one I am looking at as a result of your piece in SLSRH Newsletter #154 has a really neat inscription from him to me on the overleaf. The title of this book is Hot Rodder!: From Lakes to Street with a Copyright date of 1993. A response to Gil Bouffard (Item 6 in #154); I agree totally with Gil. There is an expression in horse racing that states, "There are Jockeys and Passengers." When a racing series reverts to mass produced spec race cars with limiting rules that legislate ingenuity out of the formula the end result is present day Indy Car Racing where there are more passengers with their butts in the race car seats than real drivers. Add in a factor with several guys hacking away at laptop computers to tune the cars and it morphs itself into movie studio reality with the publicity agents as the driving force. Happy to hear your good words to Zach Suhr who is helping Joe Devine to relaunch The Alternate. Phyllis had printed two portions of my story about Ted Halibrand but it broke off at 1951 so I will be writing to Zach to suggest he start it from the first part again. Also, as you may know, I am now the "long pole in the tent" with the SoCal Chapter of The Society of Automotive Historians and we are now issuing our Newsletter electronically. The first electronic version was last month and we will be phasing into monthly distribution. I will see that you are added to the E-list as a media outlet. Bob Falcon
Bob: Congratulations on becoming the president of The Society of Automotive Historians (SAH), SoCal Chapter. A great deal of the Society of Land Speed Racing Historians is based on the SAH. It is a great organization devoted to furthering automotive history and heritage. The SAH takes in every aspect of the automotive culture, including passenger cars, racing and auto development. If you find Drake, ask him to call me. You are right; innovation is stifled when racing is standardized. It's happening in drag racing as well as open wheel and stock car racing. One place where standardization is NOT allowed is land speed racing where creativity is encouraged. If you can build it, you can race it in land speed racing.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

You may recall in the Cleveland Plain Dealer article that the administrator said all of the collections are sharing the culling of the objects equally. From the published figures in the article The Crawford assets are being sold by more than 2 to 1. Here is just another example; the Curtiss Flying Boat has been in the collection for more than 65 years. I doubt that the leaders know that there was a Curtiss plant on the eastside of Cleveland not far from the location of the Crawford Auto-Aviation Museum. It even has a Cleveland pedigree. I don't know what is meant by not being relevant to Cleveland and the Land of the Western Reserve history. Google the following link; http://www.bonhams.com/cgi-bin/public.sh/pubweb/publicSite.rsContinent=USA&screen=lotdetailsNoFlash&iSaleItemNo=4470826&iSaleNo=18480&iSaleSectionN o. Mike Kacsala
----------------------------
Please find the link and the Cleveland Plain Dealer Editorial March 09, 2010. I understand one of the Cleveland radio stations gave the Crawford situation a great deal of airplay after this past Sunday's Cleveland Plain Dealer story and the discussion by the radio hostess (longtime Clevelander) was not very flattering to the Western Reserve Historical Society and its Administration. Please feel free to post the editorial if you deem appropriate or not if you feel we are whipping a dead horse. Mike Kacsala
Mike: I don't feel that you are whipping a dead horse when you are exercising your right to free speech and that speech isn't libelous or slanderous. In fact, what you have said is exactly what has been reported and what the museum administration has admitted. It should be out in the open, because all of us are asked at one point or another to give charity to an individual or group. I do that all the time and I donate to the Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum. I need to have trust in the way they operate the charitable groups that I donate to or I won't give money or collectible items. In this case I trust the Motorsports Museum. I don't think that I will be giving anything to the Ohio museum that is mentioned in the article. And that's a shame, because my ancestors were pioneers in Ohio, not far from where the museum is located. I'm sure that we have something of interest that they could use, but if they simply sell it off after they receive it from me, why should I give it to them in the first place. Trust is everything to a museum. I'm not saying that the museum in question is untrustworthy. I'm not saying that at all, but the actions and the reactions cannot benefit this facility.
Reactions are normal by the way. It is the actions that get an institution into trouble. The Board cannot say, "We are hurt by the reaction to our actions." That is illogical. The way to solve that is to never commit the actions that create a negative reaction; that is the Board of Directors fault. It would be like saying, "I am hurt by your look of disgust at me after I did something to harm you." If the Board is upset with the way the public, volunteers, media and donors are reacting, then it was the Board's action that is responsible for the reactions of the people. It is obvious to anyone who reads the editorial by the Plain Dealer, that the Board is trying to make the problem appear to be the negative reaction to their decisions. I can guarantee this; if the actions and plans had been different, the reaction to those actions and plans would have been different also. Maybe the Board would have made it worse or maybe they would have made it better, but there were alternatives and the Board chose not to follow those alternatives. They cannot eat their cake and have it too. The bottom line is that the Board and the Administration have the right to proceed with selling off artifacts to balance the budget, and the public has the right to be upset with these leaders. The proper response to this is; work with the Board or run a slate of candidates to defeat them. This is the fair way to do it. If you cannot do either of these options, then the question is why should you continue to hit your head against a brick wall. Support another fine museum in the area, probably one that will buy up some of the pieces being sold.
----------------------------
Honesty with donors and the public would help the Western Reserve Historical Society: editorial. By The Plain Dealer Editorial Board
March 09, 2010. Google http://www.cleveland.com/opinion/index.ssf/2010/03/honesty_with_donors_an d_the_pu.html.
----------------------------
CEO Gainor Davis of the Western Reserve Historical Society is not responsible for the millions of dollars in debt rung up by starry-eyed predecessors. Previous administrations, and some who still serve on the society's board of trustees, wanted a gleaming transportation museum at Burke Lakefront Airport in the 1990's, among other expansions -- but built a wall of red ink instead. Davis' job is to clean up the mess. She and the board have made a start, slicing debt by nearly two-thirds, to $2.6 million, from a high of at least $7.2 million. But their approach may be more costly, as Plain Dealer reporter Joan Mazzolini outlined on Sunday. Instead of cutting costs and raising revenues through an open and collaborative process, they have sold valuable cars and other treasures without notice to backers and even quietly recast the society's mission so they could sell even more. Credibility suffered as donors found out too late that their treasures were gone. Mazzolini reported that change is coming. A new collections policy, to be considered next month, should put an end to part of this round robin of sales.
Davis says the historical society sold its items quietly on the advice of auction house officials, who warned publicity would likely hurt sales. But auction house sales are hardly secret. In the age of the Internet, clarity, as well as honesty, is the best policy. The extent of the society's sales revealed by Mazzolini also raises questions about whether the society has become too used to selling its collections to bring in money -- an approach that could destroy it in the long run. Of course the Western Reserve Historical Society has the right to sell off pieces it owns, and it must consider such an approach if its survival is on the line. Yet it also has a duty to its benefactors and the donors of those items to fairly and honestly explain how and why it's making those decisions. The society needs to establish quickly a fairer, more forthright process for resolving the rest of its debt.
----------------------------
Here is a commentary in this Sunday's Cleveland Plain Dealer. An interesting read to say the least. It seems the local print media isn't going to let this rest. Mike Kacsala
Google: http://www.cleveland.com/onstage/index.ssf/2010/03/post_17.html. Valuable lessons from the Western Reserve Historical Society mess - Commentary. By Tony Brown, The Plain Dealer, March 14, 2010.
Mike: The media often gets involved and refuses to let a problem drop, after the damage has been done

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I really appreciate the help. Nice that Mary Ann got me in touch. The running of the article on your website is a great idea. Go ahead and display my email address, please. Thanks for the idea of the phone tree and Don Weaver's name, as well. I'll send updates as I have them.  Regards, John Bayer
   John: Be sure to call Jim Miller. He has written before on Lockhart, a land speed racer that we should never forget.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

This note was in my files: "George Duvall took me to the SCTA meeting in December 1937. He said, Julian, this is your birthday present." Julian Doty was 15 years old at the time he went with his uncle to the Reps meeting. He remembers Duvall, Dick Van Austin and the Cannon Brothers. I believe he said they were representing the Throttlers. He recalls the following clubs; Idlers, Outriders, Throttlers, 90 mph Club, Pasadena Roadster Club, Ramblers and Sidewinders. There were probably others, such as the Road Runners.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I just heard that the two networks have made up...now Direct TV patrons can view the IRL Indy Car Series races.  Bob Falcon

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I have to say that I am overwhelmed. I just finished reading the book that I got from the Wally Park's museum on Mickey Thompson. It was titled the Fast Life and Tragic Death of a Racing Legend, by Eric Arneson. I could not imagine such a person who went to all that incredible length of love for all of the different types of racing. That was way beyond and more unexpected than what I imagined. I haven't read a great and real biography since the book on The Romanov's, the final chapter. This was really tense and I could feel the reality of it. The documentary was insane. It's not what anyone would think. It's real life. Thanks Jim Miller, you and Danny Thompson for signing the book to my surprise. Spencer Simon
Spencer: Our family has known the Thompson's for seven decades. My father and Mickey worked on the Hot Rod Exposition of 1948. Mickey went around and used his charm and assertive influence to get parts for the car that was built while the show was on, and then raffled off to a lucky winner. If any of our readers know who that lucky winner of the hot rod was, we would be glad to know and possibly get in touch with him. Judy Thompson still comes to some of the reunions and events. Ron Henderson knew Judy and Mickey personally. My uncle George Forteville worked with Mickey at the Los Angeles Times plant in Orange County. Mickey was a pressman and also wrote racing reports for the sports section. Mickey, according to George, was a favorite of the manager at the plant and spent most of his time in the repair shop tinkering and working on his cars. The other pressmen liked Mickey, but resented the favoritism shown to him as they had to do his job as well as their own. Mickey was very charismatic. My father was very stoical and controlled around everyone, except Mickey. He always seemed nervous when he was near Thompson, as if he had to put his best foot forward and impress him. Mickey commanded that kind of respect and admiration. Yet he could be very cruel if he wanted to be, charming a person on one occasion and cutting that person down the next. I only met him once, officially, though I saw him at various places. He struck me as a very focused and committed man, who could be urbane and utterly charming, but others have told me that he had a wicked sense of humor and was fond of playing jokes on people. We tend to judge him based on our evolved feelings, greater sensitivity and maturity today, but if we go back to the 1940's, '50's and '60's and remember what we were like back then, Mickey was quite normal for the times he lived in. He was committed to his family and very protective of his sister, Colleen Thompson Campbell. He was loyal to his friends, admired by the public and fierce in opposing those he disliked. In Ron Henderson's biography, which will be out soon, there is a section devoted to Mickey Thompson and it is a fascinating insight into an American racing legend. Mickey sometimes is idolized to the point that he is overlooked as an individual. He was far more complex and interesting than the stories that circulate about him.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I went to High School with Verlin Marshall back in the early 1950's. I sold Verlin my black '42 Ford Coupe back then ('46 grill). I just wondered if you were familiar with that car. It is a long shot but I am trying to locate the car. I know that Verlin passed in 2004. Thanks for any information you might have or where you might direct me. Bill Kuskey, [email protected]
Bill: I will run your request in this week's newsletter, but with only your email address and not your home address or phone number. My suggestion for you would be to tell us all that you know about Verlin, you, who was closest to Verlin, etc. The more we know the better we can direct you to people who knew Verlin closely. You can use the newsletter to post new discoveries or what you have found out. We publish once a week and we will run your requests whenever you write to us. The next thing to do is to get a phone tree going. Call Jim Miller, our President, and ask him who he knows that might have answers for you. Whenever you are about to hang up, ask that person to give you 5 names and addresses of people that they think might be able to help you. This approach has the advantage of getting answers quickly and letting people know that you are looking. My info tells me that he was a Rod Rider and their website is; http://www.rodridersracing.com/history.htm. Updated: March 3, 2010. If you don't have phone numbers or contact points for the Rod Riders listed below, let us know and we will try and get them for you.
---------------------------------
Rod Rider Annual D/S Award for Amazing Unawareness and Dimwitted Actions; 1997 Joe Gialich, 1998 John "JD" Davis, 1999 Ray Trobee,
2000 - 2003 Not Distributed, 2004 Kenny Bell, 2005 David Kirsch, 2006 Not Distributed, 2007 Jim Travis, 2008 Bob Nakonieczny, 2009 Tony Huntimer.
---------------------------------
Recognition of Rod Rider Dedication; 2004 Verlin Marshal & Bill Deming, 2005 Muffler Tom Steinbrecher & Chuck Kalbach, 2006 Al Teague, 2007 Joe Anderson & Van Prothero, 2008 Bruce Geisler, 2009 Jerry Bates.
---------------------------------
Jack Stewart Memorial Award for Outstanding Rod Rider Participation; 1969 Bruce Geisler, 1970 Mel Chastain, 1971 Doral Eckhardt, 1972 Lionel Huss, 1973 Elmo Gillette, 1974 Gary McNamara, 1975 Rick Aigner, 1976 Mike Stewart, 1977 Mike Cook, 1978 Elmo Gillette, 1979 Al Thayer, 1980 Verlin Marshall, 1981 Al Teague, 1982 Jim Lattin, 1983 Larry Allen, 1984 John Helash, 1985 Jerry Bates, 1986 Chuck Kalbach, 1987 Don Ferguson Jr,1988 Tom Steinbrecher, 1989 Clayton McArthur, 1990 Karen Davis, 1991 Wes Hutchins, 1992 Bill Mesler, 1993 Kent Morrison, 1994 Rick Grant, 1995 David Willis, 1996 Ron Cochran, 1997 John E. Duncanson, 1998 Mickey Trobee, 1999 John Ritter, 2000-2003 Not Distributed, 2004 Jim Billingsley, 2005 Vince Davis, 2006 Tom Sauter, 2007 Gary Banta, 2008 Tony and Chick Huntimer, 2009 Miriam Macmillan.
---------------------------------
Al Thayer Memorial Award for Outstanding Ingenuity, Design and Craftsmanship; 1988 Al Teague, 1989 Dave Blayney, 1990 Van Prothero, 1991 "Muffler" Tom Steinbrecher, 1992 Jim Hooker, 1993 Not Awarded, 1994 Not Awarded, 1995 Al Sanderson, 1996 Bates & Thorton, 1997 Royce McClintick, 1998 Al Sanderson, 1999 Andy Flagg, 2000-2003 Not Distributed, 2004 Fox & Anderson, 2005 Great Bear Racing, 2006 Wayne & Nathan Phillips, 2007 Doug Macmillan, 2008 Erik Hanssen, 2009 Don Ferguson Jr.
---------------------------------
Top Speed - Car; 1968 Bjorkquist & Richardson C/CC 198.67, 1969 Al Teague C/FR 210.77, 1970 * Al Teague A/FR 220.04, 1971 Al Teague A/FR 223.32, 1972 LeVan Prothero C/PRO 179.64, 1973 * Al Teague A/FR 235.60, 1974 Al Teague A/L 221.67, 1975 Sadd, Teague, & Bentley A/FR 226.70, 1976 * Al Teague A/L 221.13, 1977 * Leggitt & Langlo A/L 252.52, 1978 Burke Bros., Cook & Inkman AA/CC 224.44, 1979 Al Teague A/L 238.72, 1980 * Al Teague A/L 250.00, 1981 Al Teague FS 262.39, 1982 Hoover, Sanderson & Torrez B/FS 224.31, 1983 Al Teague A/FR 228.55, 1984 Hoover & Torrez E/FS 229.59, 1985 Arnold, Marshall, & Thayer B/L 224.38, 1986 Arnold, Marshall, & Thayer B/L 233.82, 1987 Don Ferguson Jr., Sr., & III XO/FMR 205.85, 1988 Don Ferguson Jr., Sr., & III XO/FMR 205.71, 1989 Tannburg & Blayney B/FC 203.07, 1990 Redi-Strip Special A/GL 208.77, 1991 Shyster B/BGL 201.48, 1992 Shyster B/BGL 239.62, 1993 Bjorkquist & Salkins B/BGL 227.02, 1994 Don Bjorkquist B/BGL 257.01, 1995 Marshall, Thayer, Glenn, & Banta D/BFCC 201.46, 1996 Marshall, Thayer, Glenn, & Banta D/BFCC 213.13, 1997 Munroe, Churchill, & Block AA/FALT 210.42,
1998 Marshall, Thayer, Banta, & Van Dorn D/BFCC 217.07, 1999 Norm Benham AA/FL 226.12, 2000 Van Prothero C/GC 191.96, 2001 Randy Ferguson XXO/FL 212.27, 2002 Ferguson & Crooke XXR/FL 216.07, 2003 Ferguson & Crooke XXF/FS 215.39, 2004 Ferguson Racing XXF/GS 190.96, 2005 Ferguson & Osborn XXO/GS 206.69, 2006 Kelley & Prentice B/BGMR 233.891, 2007 Ferguson & Osborn XXF/FMR 193.238, 2008 Ferguson Racing XXF/BFS 222.318, 2009 Eric Hansson XF/BGL 203.059. (* equals SCTA Top Speed)
---------------------------------
Top Speed - Bike: 1985 Clupper Racing 168.44; 1986 Clupper Racing 165.74; 1987 Clupper Racing 177.44; 1988 For Harry 121.90; 1989 Tim Torrez 157.84; 1990 Bad News Racing 152.57; 1991 Bad News Racing 140.52; 1992 David Willis 146.58; 1993 David Willis 136.372; 1994 David Willis 148.87; 1995 David Willis 143.19; 1996 Royce McClintick 170.26; 1997 Royce McClintick 170.11; 1998 Royce McClintick 181.019; 1999 Debra Ritter 62.878; 2000 David Willis 124.598; 2001 David Willis 123.678; 2002 David Willis 124.726; 2003 David Willis 128.182; 2004 David Willis 142.613; 2005 David Willis 130.84; 2006 Mouse Racing 45.151; 2007 Mad Kat APS-G 95.180; 2008 Mouse Racing SC-PG 42.522 mph; 2009 Jeff Tobey P-P 185.400.
---------------------------------
Top Points - Car: 1968 * Hutchinson & Hope 1003; 1969 * Geisler & Kehoe 1110; 1970 * LeVan Prothero 1320; 1971 Huss & Summer 834; 1972 Huss & Summer 633; 1973 McGee & Geisler 915; 1974 Schottmuller & McNamara 1132; 1975 Jim Lattin 1162; 1976 Burke Bros. & Cook 1169; 1977 Burke Bros. 1104; 1978 * Lattin & Gillette Cook, & Inkman Bill Deming 1055 Tie 1395; 1979 Don Ferguson Jr. & Sr. 1264; 1980 Lattin & Gillette 1167; 1981 Mike Cook 1294; 1982 Anderson & Prothero 1157; 1983 Piner & Eastwood 1226; 1984 Shelby Charger 1142; 1985 * Shelby Charger 1372; 1986 Hoover & Torrez 1235; 1987 * Don Ferguson Jr., Sr. & III 929; 1988 Lattin, Gillette, Allen, & Morrison 1188; 1989 Tom's Muffler-Deming 1292; 1990 Tom's Muffler-Deming 1100; 1991 Tom's Muffler-Deming 1004; 1992 Tom's Muffler-Deming 1103; 1993 Bud Jones-KKM Special 1076; 1994 Lattin & Gillette 1275; 1995 Tom's Muffler-Deming 1032; 1996 Tom's Muffler-Deming Tie 1055; 1997 Al Sanderson 1101; 1998 Al Sanderson 952; 1999 Bill Deming 1056; 2000 "Muffler" Tom Steinbrecher 887; 2001 Bill & Mike Deming 1071; 2002 KDM Racing 1079; 2003 Ferguson, Osborne, & Spacek 767; 2004 Fox & Anderson 689; 2005 Thorton, Bates & Duncanson 911; 2006 Great Bear Racing 1212; 2007 Great Bear Racing 1040; 2008 Hondata RSX 1132; 2009 * Hondata RSX 1398. (* SCTA Top Points)
---------------------------------
Top Points - Bike: 1969 Jim Drinker 560, 1970 Doral Eckhardt 610, 1971 * Bob Braverman 837, 1972 Bob Braverman 595, 1973 Bob Braverman 759, 1974 Doral Eckhardt 982, 1975 Peter Breede 931, 1976 Peter Breede 1038, 1977 Peter Breede 955, 1978 to 1982 no record available, 1983 Rich McClurkan 568, 1984 Rich McClurkan 893, 1985 Clupper Racing 774, 1986 Clupper Racing 1171, 1987 Clupper Racing 741, 1988 For Harry 331, 1989 Tracy Price 421, 1990 Vic Davey 557, 1991 Rick Grant 822, 1992 Rick Grant 1062, 1993 Rick Grant 1105, 1994 David Willis 1166, 1995 David Willis 1131, 1996 Ken Ohrt 1175, 1997 Ken Ohrt 436, 1998 Finger Tight Racing 661, 1999 Debra Ritter 635, 2000 David Willis 530, 2001 David Willis 1025, 2002 David Willis 826, 2003 David Willis 580, 2004 David Willis 698, 2005 David Willis 837, 2006 Mouse Racing 352, 2007 Mad Kat 120, 2008 Mouse Racing 230, 2009 Jeff Tobey 572. (*SCTA Top Points)
---------------------------------
Rod Riders Past and Present Officers (first named is club president, then vice-president, third is secretary, fourth is treasurer and the last one named is the Sergeant at Arms.)

1959 Bruce Geisler, Marlon Sefton, Marlon Sefton.
1960 Bruce Geisler, Harry Mardon, Marlon Sefton, Marlon Sefton.
1961 Harry Mardon, Bruce Geisler, Herman Gillilan, Don Piersall, Lionel Huss.
1962 Harry Mardon, LeVan Prothero, Lionel Huss, Bob Kinghagen, Bob Klinghagen.
1963 Bruce Geisler, Dave Waugh, Jim Lyon, Harry Mardon, Gary Eychison.
1964 Bob Klinghagen, Bruce Geisler, Don Chaney, Harry Mardon, John Hagen.
1965 Bill Burke, Mel Chastain, Bruce Geisler, Harry Mardon, Jim Lindsay.
1966 Don Bjorkquist, Mel Chastain, Red Hamilton, Tom Hutchison, Bruce Geisler.
1967 Jack Stewart, Al Thayer, Gary McHugh, Terry Ducheane, Danny Ritter.
1968 Jack Stewart, Theo Ozen, Jim Lyon, Terry Ducheane, Leo Brown. May 1968 Theo Ozen became president upon the death of Jack
Stewart in May 1968.
1969 Bill Burke, Tom Hutchison, Gary McHugh, Bruce Geisler, Jim Drinker.
1970 Lionel Huss, Eldon Winter, Jim Lyon, Bruce Geisler, Mel Chastain.
1971 Bob Kehoe, Leo Brown, Bob Braverman, Bruce Geisler, Vern McGee.
1972 Elmo Gillette, Al Teague, Jim Vestal, Bruce Geisler, Vern McGee.
1973 Elmo Gillette, Doral Eckhardt, Jim Lyon, Bruce Geisler, Vern McGee.
1974 Jim Lyon, Jack Choate, Wayne Harvey, Bruce Geisler, Greg Gillette.
1975 Elmo Gillette, Jack Choate, Wayne Harvey, Dora Eckhardt, Mike Stewart.
1976 Mike Stewart, Gary McNamara, Lon Spencer, Elmo Gillette, Greg Gillette.
1977 Mike Woodward, Tom Bolitho, John Helash, Elmo Gillette, Mike Cook.
1978 Mike Cook, Les Leggitt, Mike Dominques, Elmo Gillette, Mike Gillette.
1979 Jim Lattin, Tony Stone, Jim Wilcoxson, Elmo Gillette, Mike Gillette.
1980 Jim Lattin, Rick Thayer, Sandy Subisak, Elmo Gillette, Mike O'Shea.
1981 Mike Cook, Rick Thayer, Rene Forsha, Elmo Gillette, Mark Gillette.
1982 Rick Thayer, Mike Cook, Ken Rickard, Jim Lattin, Greg Hiltunen.
1983 John Helash, Mike Cook, Ken Rickard, Jim Lattin, Mike Gilbert.
1984 John Helash, Bill McClurkan, Dick Dyer, Jim Lattin, Ken Hoover.
1985 Paul Turunen, John Helash, Dick Dyer, Jim Lattin, Ken Hoover.
1986 Elmo Gillette, Chuck Kalbach, Dick Dyer, Jim Lattin, John Helash.
1987 Elmo Gillette, Chuck Kalbach, Jerry Bates, Jim Lattin, Tom Price.
1988 Elmo Gillette, Chuck Kalbach, Jerry Bates, Jim Lattin, Tom Price.
1989 Chuck Kalbach, Jerry Bates, Karen Davis, Elmo Gillette, Bill Mesler.
1990 Chuck Kalbach, Jerry Bates, Karen Davis, Elmo Gillette, Bill Mesler.
1991 Chuck Kalbach, Jerry Bates, Karen Davis, Elmo Gillette, Bill Mesler.
1992 Jerry Bates, Bob Solesbee, Wes Hutchins, Kent Morrison, Bill McClurkan.
1993 Jerry Bates, Bob Walsh, Karen Davis, Kent Morrison, Wes Hutchins.
1994 Jerry Bates, Bill Mesler, Karen Davis, Kent Morrison, Vince Davis.
1995 Bob Walsh, Rick Thayer, Karen Davis, Vince Davis, R. H. Hill.
1996 Chuck Kalbach, Jerry Bates, Karen Davis, Ron Cochran, Ray Trobee.
1997 Chuck Kalbach, J.D. Davis, Karen Davis, Ron Cochran, Ray Trobee.
1998 Jerry Bates, Ray Trobee, Royce McClintick, Ron Cochran, J.D. Davis.
1999 Ray Trobee, Vince Davis, Mickey Trobee, Ron Cochran, Rick Carpenter.
2000 Ray Trobee, J.D. Davis, Mickey Trobee, Ron Cochran, Karen Davis.
2001 Karen Davis, Mike Deming, Karen Davis (acting), Jerry Bates, Rick Grant.
2002 Karen Davis, Don Ferguson III, Karen Davis, Jerry Bates, Jamie Duncanson.
2003 Don Ferguson III, Jamie Duncanson, Karen Davis, Jerry Bates, Rick Grant.
2004 Don Ferguson III, Jamie Duncanson, Karen Davis, Jerry Bates, Rick Grant.
2005 Don Ferguson III, Sam Solinsky, David Kirsch, Jerry Bates, Karen Davis.
2006 Don Ferguson III, Chris Field, David Kirsch, Jerry Bates, Karen Davis.
2007 Don Ferguson III, Chris Field, David Kirsch, Jerry Bates, Karen Davis.
2008 David Kirsch, Jim Travis, Miriam Macmillan, Tami Field, Ken Pike.
2009 David Kirsch, Jim Travis, Miriam Macmillan, Tami Field, Chick Huntimer.
2010 David Kirsch, Chick Huntimer, Miriam Macmillan, Tami Field, Karen Davis.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Thanks so much for your response. I did talk to Ed Houtz who was a close friend of Verlin Marshall months ago. He did not have any information for me. Verlin was a year ahead of me in High School. I knew him but we were not close friends. So I really do not have much information about him. I sold my '42 Ford Coupe to him in about 1957. The engine was a 3/4 race engine, 1/4 by 1/8 with a Potvin cam. I turned 79 MPH at the Pomona drag strip in 1954. I know that Verlin raced the '42 Ford at the Dry Lakes but I don't know how long he kept the car. We were both friends with Joe Miller who lived in Chino and also raced at Dry Lakes. Joe Miller was well known at the Dry Lakes. Could you run the ad with a header reading: "Seeking 1942 black Ford coupe. Then seeking to find '42 black Ford Coupe once owned by Verlin Marshall. Please contact me with any information you might have at [email protected]." Would that work? In the meantime I will do as you suggested and call Jim Miller. I had been to the Rod Riders site and saw where Verlin won an award in 2000. Can you send me your web site address again? Where can I see the ad when you run it? Do you have Jim Miller's phone number? Thanks again. Bill Kuskey
Bill: The website is www.landspeedracing.com. The newsletter represents The Society of Land Speed Racing Historians. Any request, within reason, is published in the newsletter and is not considered an ad, and we are glad to print what you send us. Jim's phone number is listed on the masthead, above the President's Column. Ask him if he can give you Al Teague and Mike Cook's phone number. They can give you other phone numbers to call to see who might remember where the car is. The more phone calls you make the more you widen the search pattern and the more leads that you acquire. I hope you find your car.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Rockabilly Rod Reunion returns to The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway May 28-30 for three days and two nights at two venues. Featuring: NHRA Hot Rod Heritage Drag Racing Series, Bo Huff's Ultimate Garage Party & Car Show, pin-up superstar Sabina Kelly, Jason Beam's pinstriper showdown, tattoo showcase and the ultimate burn-out contest. Friday, May 28 - Day 1 The Strip at LVMS (10am-5pm) - NHRA Hot Rod Heritage Test 'n' Tune. Neon Garage at LVMS (5pm-2 am) - Bo Huff's Ultimate Garage Party kick-off and car show, featuring: nine consecutive hours of live bands, vendor displays, cruising, flame-throwing. Neon Garage is located in the infield of the 1.5-mile superspeedway. Saturday, May 29 - Day 2 The Strip at LVMS (9am-5pm) - NHRA Hot Rod Heritage Series qualifying and Nitro Funny Cars. Swap meet, car cruise, pinstriper showdown (10am-2pm), rockabilly DJ and live music, tattoo artists and tattoo showcase. $2 draft beer all weekend long! Neon Garage (5pm-2am) - Bo Huff's Ultimate Garage Party & Car Show. The bands keep it cranking, pin-up contest at 10pm ($1000 to win), guys' pompadour contest, car show judging (5pm-Midnight), vendor displays, and much more. Sunday, May 30 - Day 3 The Strip at LVMS (9am-5pm) - NHRA Hot Rod Heritage Series final eliminations. Car cruise, car show awards ceremony (2pm), swap meet, hot rod runs, burn-out contest (3pm), rockabilly DJ and live music. Spectator admission: 3-day adult super pass (all 3 days at The Strip and both nights at Neon Garage): $49. 3-day kids' super pass: $15. Single-event segment tickets: $25 for adults, $7 for kids. Kids 5 and under are free. Vehicle passes: $75 (includes full-event ticket to the show, one car show entry and one pass down the drag strip on Sunday). Camping: $75 (located at LVMS drag strip's "Burn-out RV" lot) Move-in Friday at 11 am and stay until 11 am Monday. Swap meet: $45 (10' x 20' space on Saturday and Sunday at The Strip). Tickets are on sale at: www.LVMS.com and Ticketmaster. Additional event info: (702) 632-8213. Event website: www.RockabillyRodReunion.com. Information at LVMS.com: http://www.lvms.com/strip/media/news/553965.html.
Directions from Las Vegas: I-15 North to Exit 54 Speedway Boulevard (15 miles north of downtown Las Vegas). John Bisci

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Gone Racin'… L.A. Roadster, a Retrospective, by Dick Wells and Jack Stewart. Book Review by Richard Parks, photographic consultant Roger Rohrdanz

Dick Wells and Jack Stewart of the L.A. Roadster Club have written a book, L.A. Roadsters, A Retrospective, that will thrill the hearts of roadster lovers everywhere. There are 381 photos of every conceivable kind of roadster style, body and design. Well written and highly informative biographies of club members, car builders and famous celebrities are found throughout the book. A short history of the club offers an insight into the hot rodding scene of the golden era of hot rodding in the 1950's.
The book runs to 182 pages in a soft cover format that looks terrific on one's coffee table in the living room or den. The graphics are excellent with a stylish cherry red '32 roadster on a white background cover. I didn't mind that the book wasn't in a hardcover format. There are six well-written introductions to the book by well-known and respected members of the hot rodding era. An introduction sets the stage for a book and yet they are hardly ever read. But with Dick Wells, Wally Parks, Tom Medley, Robert E. "Pete" Petersen and Ken Gross adding their thoughts to the book that was the first place that I looked.
The cars were the second place. One drawback was the lack of an index. This book was meant for the autograph seeker, but lacking an index makes it harder to locate people. This didn't stop me from getting Linda Vaughan's signature and a hug (she's on page 178). Wally Parks (page v), Dick Wells (page iv), and Jack Stewart (page iii) soon gave me their autographs and I was really into the swing of collecting. Plan on taking your copy to the next L.A. Roadster show on Father's Day 2003 and track down the members and their fascinating cars.
The biographies were just right. They touched on the highpoints of their lives, but didn't dwell on the meaningless. Most hot rodders want lots of pictures and a few lines of text to put the cars into some perspective. This book has the feel of a Rodders Journal written by a hot rodder. For the newcomer to hot rodding, this book almost has the feel of an encyclopedia, and I learned a great deal about a lot of people and cars that I had seen before, but truly didn't know much about. This isn't a bookcase type of book. It isn't meant to be "owned," but to be read, dog-eared, shared with friends while bench racing and thoroughly written upon. Jot down special stories next to the car that you remember, phone and email numbers, autographs and bon mots. It's just like the high school album that we passed around when we were young at heart.
I counted all 381 roadsters shown in this book. Front, side and rear angles were mingled with close-ups of the engine compartments and interiors. The black and white photos gave the book a very nostalgic look to it. I didn't mind that the only color photo was on the cover. Most photos of the era were in black and white, and color photos would have distracted from the visual feel of it all. Though the L.A. Roadster Club designated a time span in the early and mid 1930's as the era of the classic roadster look, you won't find a standard body in this book. Genius inspired the creations that you will see included here. Classic cars with fenders and no modifications, to out of this world T-buckets fit for the "Munsters," are found throughout the work. Check out Rick Stees "doghouse" wood camper shell, and Don Kendall's low slung dragster style roadster for the rebel in all of us. For the classic roadster look, check out Pete Van Eiderstine's 1932 Ford and Dick Page's 1932 black deuce highboy Ford, with red interior and chopped windshield.
Whenever it seems that conformity is about to take hold, a new breed steps forward to expand the norms. Check out Russ Klindworth's 1928 roadster pick-up truck with a Chevy engine and three two-barrel carburetors. Some of these are famous, including Norm Grabowski's "77 Sunset Strip" Model T driven by Edd "Kookie" Burns. The preferred 1930's look gives way to far older cars such as Martin Hoffman's pre-flapper 1915 T-bucket roadster with a quad-carbureted Olds engine. Add some raccoon tails and furry coats and this car is the cat's meow. The photo of Arnold's diner from "Happy Days" brought back lots of old memories.
Tom McMullen popping his chute as a policeman pulls him over is a classic shot. Though it was staged by a friend, this picture brings out the pathos of the times when hot rodders were considered hooligans at best and the police as being intolerant. Today the hot rodder has earned his proper place in society as a true craftsman, designer and artist. Many policemen now have joined the hot rodding ranks and no longer stop a hot rodder for cosmetic defects on the car. There were four or five old nostalgic photos showing past sites of the L.A. Roadster show. There could have been more, to show the evolution of this club and the growth of the L.A. Roadster show. There is enough material to bring out a second book on this subject, and perhaps add more nostalgic photos and an index. This is a must have book for the sincere "roadster fanatic," one to read and reread. The quality of the photos and the writing of the text show a professional hand behind its creation.
Gone Racin' can be reached at [email protected]

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Gone Racin'… My Road to Indy; a narrative by Len Sutton. Book review by Richard Parks, photographic consultant Roger Rohrdanz

My Road to Indy; a narrative by Len Sutton is a 10 by 9 inch hard cover book telling the story of Len Sutton, a prominent car racer from the Pacific Northwest. The book has an appealing coffee table look to it, but comes without a dust jacket. There were two thousand copies made, so it is in a limited run, but there are still books left from the second printing. The quality of the book and the paper used is excellent. There are 94 pages with adequate text to tell the story and 173 first class photos throughout the book. Of the photos, 5 are in color and 168 are in black and white or sepia toned. The reason for the preponderance of black and white photos is due to the fact that Sutton's racing career began in the 1940's, continuing through the 1960's. Color photos wouldn't have enhanced the style any more than the black and white photos and the overall quality is very high. There are twenty additional charts, maps and other interesting drawings that help to tell Sutton's story. The forward is by Donald Davidson, well known Indianapolis Motor Speedway Historian. A short dedication is followed by a clear and concise table of contents and five chapters, averaging about 18 pages each. The book ends with an acknowledgment, credits, two pages of statistics and a very thorough index. The book itself shows a great deal of care in the crafting and quality of the overall look and having an index makes it easy to review back and check the material. The listed price is $39 (includes shipping/handling) and is published by the author, with the printing done by Walsworth Publishing Company, Marceline, Missouri. The cover and book design was done by Christy Sutton, the author's daughter and the ISBN number is 0-9725421-0-8. The book is available through www.lensutton.com.
Len Sutton has recently passed away and we have lost another one of those legendary men and women who raced during the golden age of open wheel racing. Some of those great car racers of that era were Rodger Ward, Parnelli Jones, Billy Vukovich, Dick Rathman, Troy Ruttman, Eddie Sachs, Lloyd Ruby and Tony Bettenhausen. The layout of the book makes it easy to read and the tables and charts help the reader to see the progression in Sutton's life. Chapter One begins with his youth and a little known incident where as a two-year-old he fell into a well and was buried in dirt for two hours. Len was always energetic and held a paper route and trapped muskrats for their pelts during the Great Depression. He enlisted in the Navy during World War II and flew in B-26's. Sutton was discharged in 1945 and returned to his hometown of Portland, Oregon, where he soon took to driving track roadsters. His big break came when he met Rolla Vollstedt and George "Pop" Koch. The team became very successful with Sutton driving, Vollstedt as the car owner and Koch as the chief mechanic and car builder. Sutton raced successfully in the Pacific Northwest then went south to California and racetracks like Carrell Speedway and Huntington Beach. It wasn't long before he took up midget racing with a powerful Offy engine. Sutton won the Pacific Northwest track roadster championship from 1951-53 in Vollstedt's car. In 1954, he replaced Jack McGrath in Ranald Ferguson's '53 Lincoln and drove the Panamericana Mexican Road race. He crashed the car trying to avoid some cattle that had wandered onto the road and ended up in a body cast for four months.
Len moved up to Sprint cars and had a string of successes to his credit, which enabled him to qualify for the Big Race, the Indy 500. He had dominated the Pacific Northwest in track roadsters, midgets and sprint cars throughout the first half of the 1950's, and now he turned his attention to competing against the best racers in the country. Sutton did quite well and finished in the top 20 or better in each year from 1957 through the end of his racing career. He passed his rookie test at the Indy 500 in 1956, but a serious crash put him out of the race. Sutton was now married and he and his wife Anita had two daughters, Christy and Hollie. He didn't race at the 500 in 1957, but in 1958 he started 27 and an accident on the first lap put his car out of the race. He finished 32, but he had made the race. In 1959, Sutton had slightly better luck, lasting 34 laps and then hitting the wall, giving him another 32nd finish, but he had moved up to the 22nd starting position. From then on Len would start no worse than 12th and would have a 4th, 5th and two 8th positions, putting him in a good spot to win it all. Luck plays a large role in who will win at Indy and who won't. In 1960 he started 5th but engine trouble on the 47th lap put him out of the race and he finished 30th overall. In 1961 he was 8th starting the race and transmission failure on the 110th lap ended his day, though he improved to a 19th place showing. In 1962 his teammate was Rodger Ward, one of the greatest drivers America has ever produced. Sutton started 4th overall; his best showing ever at Indy and this time his car didn't fail him. He came in second that year to Ward, only 11 seconds behind. Len failed to make the field at the 1963 Indy 500 and though he placed 15th in 1964, and 12th in 1965, his chance for victory at the 500 had passed him by.
At a race in Milwaukee after his close loss to Ward in 1962, Sutton crashed and crushed the discs in his back and punctured a lung. He recovered to finish out the season. Rolla Vollstedt had developed a rear-engined car, sleek and aerodynamic. It had taken all of 1963 and '64 to perfect but the speeds had impressed others and A.J. Watson had made two cars after watching Rolla's car perform. Sutton's car performed well and he was in a good position, but Dave MacDonald's car collided with Eddie Sachs creating a terrible crash and tremendous fireball. Len managed to drive around it but the race was stopped. The race was restarted an hour and a half later but a parts failure ended Sutton's second best chance at winning the 500, and giving the rear-engined car that glory of victory. Len was also racing stock cars and placed tenth in 1964. Vollstedt designed a new car for Sutton in the 1965 race, and it gave the team nothing but trouble. An oil leak proved hard to stop, then during a pit stop the spark plugs were replaced and finally the fuel injector nozzles were tweaked. That slowed the car enough to put it out of serious contention, but Sutton still managed to bring the car into a 12th place finish. Len raced at Milwaukee, where he crashed twice and this time did not qualify. Langhorne was his next race and he had a muscle cramp that almost put him out of the race. Mel Kenyon was seriously burned in an accident and Sutton began to think that it was time to retire and think of his family. Len Sutton was a remarkable racer and his story is a compelling one for motor racing enthusiasts. He has left behind a book that will entertain and enlighten the most avid fan of racing.
Gone Racin' is at [email protected]. For more details see WWW.LENSUTTON.COM.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[HRHL Home] [2010 Show Coverage] [Classifieds] [Press Releases] [Stolen] [Tech]
[Guest Columnists] [Build Articles] [Barn & Field Cars] [Book Reviews] [Shop Tours]
[Garage Shots] [Rodders Row] [Young Rodders] [Vanity Plates] [From our Friends]
[Our Heroes] [Blast to the Past] [Modern Rods] [Newsletter Archive] [Event Listings]
[Club Directory] [Biker Hotline] [Landspeed Racing] [Buyers Guide] [Order a Catalog]
[Vendor Directory] [Rodders Forum] [New Products] [Advertising Information]
[Hotrod MD] [Site Map] [EMAIL]

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Copyright 1999 - 2010 Hot Rod Hot Line All Rights Reserved
No Portion May Be Used Without Our Written Permission
Contact Us Toll Free (877) 700-2468 or (208) 562-0470
230 S. Cole Rd, Boise, ID 83709