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NEWSLETTER 18 - November 5, 2007

President's Corner: By Jim Miller. Nothing received this week.

Editor's notes: You may have been wondering why you have been getting more than one newsletter per week. The normal procedure is to accumulate the research and correspondence as it comes in and resend it out to the members on each Wednesday. At some point there will be a lack of research or news and the newsletter may be very brief or I might be away and be unable to send it that week. More likely, the readers may receive two or even three newsletters a week because of volume of mail received. If that happens, I cut off a newsletter when it has gotten to be larger than 5 or 6 email sized screens. There is no use tempting the automatic spam filters of your systems. Since I have been recovering a lot of emails from my crashed computer system, that has necessitated extra issues. Soon, we should be getting back to a normal, once a week routine for sending out newsletters.

I've seen you since then, I think, but the stay was a lot longer than the estimated four days! We were in the ICU for about 10 days and then transferred to a Care Center and we finally were released from there on 2 October! We spent a few weeks with daughter Michelle, who lives in Altadena until I decided I wanted to be in my own home. While in the Care Center we made a side trip to the ER since the blood pressure decreased from my slightly low normal to 52 over 72! They had been treating me for hypertension, an ailment I have never had in my long life! After the return to my own digs, I began having minor dizzy spells! So I laid out on the couch with the feet elevated on the armrest and my head laying flat on a seat cushion, and after a spell, the dizziness went away. My theory was that there was no blood getting to my brain, so I called my regular doc and told the nurse that I was going to check into the ER, which happens to be across the street from the doc's office. My son rushed over from Simi and on arrival called 911. So, Bob, the quiet guy on Zerelda Street, suddenly had a fire engine, a paramedic bus and an ambulance parked in our cul de sac! In the ER they determined I needed blood so they pumped in two units...then later one more. In ICU the next day they pumped in one more unit...and the next day, before they released me, they pumped in one more! So, to answer your question, I recovered fine, but the docs tried to kill me! Thanks, Bob Falcon   Bob and the Readers: My computer crashed a long time ago and all my RnParks1 emails were lost in limbo until I got DSL. Bob Falcon had sent me an email, lost in the darkness of the internet, and now recently come to light. It's been a year and he's alive and well, which is fortunate for us since he is so useful. Bob is an Oval guy who raced in circles, but he has helped us out on the Boat Racers Reunion, the drags and the landspeed groups. He helped construct the Shoehorn and he's active in the Society of Automotive Historians. Bob Falcon is what we call a RESOURCE. And you can't have too many resources when you need help. Hospitals, as we have seen, can be much more dangerous than the race track.

Editor's notes: Received in March 2007.

I will be in Detroit signing my new Deuce-75 years of the '32 Ford book at Autorama. For more info see http://www.autorama.com/casi/detroit.htm, Cheers, Robert Genat, www.zonefivephoto.com

Editor's notes: This came to me in February 2007.

Southern California has produced plenty of horsepower and heroes since Barney Oldfield headlined San Diego’s first automobile race in 1907. That historic event kicks off 100 Racing Years, a new book from HotRodNostalgia.com. More than 400 vintage photos document a century of evolution for all forms of competition vehicles — including SoCal inventions that became known as hot rods, dragsters, off-road racers and speedway bikes. Everything from go-karts to unlimited hydroplanes is covered by author Johnny McDonald, 25-year motorsports writer for the San Diego Union. Newspaper excerpts and detailed photo captions document long-gone race tracks including Paradise Mesa, Torrey Pines, Balboa, Cajon, Ramona, Del Mar, Carlsbad, Silvergate and Legion Ascot. Hot-rod artist Bob (“Father Of The Flame Job”) McCoy illustrated both front and back covers. The 144 inside pages are B&W. This softbound book measures 10-3/4 by 8-1/4 inches. Touring pros such as Oldfield, Don Garlits, Jimmy Caruthers and Roger DeCoster are pictured alongside homegrown heroes Phil Hill, Rex Mays, Don Prudhomme, Jim Rathmann, Don Vesco, Jack McGrath, Rodger Ward, Troy Ruttman, Johnny Parsons, Phil Hill, Carroll Shelby, Dan Gurney, Jimmie Johnson, Bill Thomas, Ted Cyr, the Bean Bandits, Emory Cook, Jerry Baltes, Jim Nelson, Jess Van Deventer, John Mulligan, Tommy Allen, Sandy Belond, Bill Muncey, Bill Stroppe, Parnelli Jones, Ivan Stewart, Mickey Thompson, Larry Minor, Marty Tripes, Frank Arciero, Marty Smith, Broc Glover and Rick Johnson, among many more. “San Diego Motorsports: 100 Racing Years” (PN 1066) can be purchased 24/7 from Hot Rod Nostalgia’s SECURE Web store at http://hotrodnostalgia.com/Store/Books/books01.html#1066. To charge to Visa or Mastercard, call (209) 293-2114 Monday through Friday, 9-5, PT. To order by mail, send $24.95 plus $8.95 delivery charge to Hot Rod Nostalgia, P.O. Box 249, West Point, CA 95255-0249. (Calif. residents, add $1.81 tax.)

Editor's notes: This came back in January 2007.

1/23/2007 - Photojournalist Peter Brock Injured at SCORE Laughlin Desert Challenge Las Vegas, Nevada,Photojournalist and Vintage Motorsport contributor, Peter Brock, 66, was badly injured Saturday, January 20, while covering the SCORE Laughlin Desert Challenge event in the Nevada desert. Brock was photographing on a section of the course when an out-of-control 1600-class race truck left the course and hit him from behind, throwing him about 30 feet. He suffered a badly broken leg, including his femur and ankle and numerous bruises. Medical personel on site immediately rendered aidand transported him to a nearby hospital, after which he was airlifted to University Medical Center in Las Vegas for surgery. Brock spoke to us today from his hospital bed and is in very good spirits despite his injuries and knows that it will take some time to get his leg back in shape. His wife Gayle, who accompanies him to all the races and who also is a photographer, has been with him since the accident. He's expected to remain in the hospital for several more days and then will recupertate at his Washington state home. Although Brock is widely known today for his work as a photojournalist covering races around the world, he is also known as the designer of the world-famous Shelby Cobra Daytona Coupe back in 1963, a car (six were built) that went on to beat Ferrari for the World Manufacturers Championship in 1965. He is also the designer of the current Brock Superformance Coupe. www.vettefinderjim.com

Editor's notes: The following was received in January 2007. Ken Kelley sent this in.

Here are some photos of an engine an ex-Rod Rider has for sale. He has two of them. Contact George if interested. I have no first-hand knowledge of these engines, but they look good in the photos. Summary is from an e-bay ad. His name is George Noriega. [email protected] . Summary; Built by an experienced racer and professional builder, this engine is made specifically for alcohol. This is a power packed engine right for the professional racer. This has been run only 5 times and then removed and stored. Here's what you get: Moon timing cover with 110 Enderle Pump Steel Crank Aluminum Rods Aluminum Pistons Iskenderian Cam Mondelo Heads Donovan Rocker System Weiand Intake Manifold with Certified SFI Burst plate and Down Nozzles Hampton Blower Crower Injector Hat With Nozzles Vertex Magnito Zoomies Exhaust This is a dry block engine perfect for your short runs down the track. What's your record? This complete 392 Chrystler Long Block Engine is located in Tehachapi, CA. Tehachapi is located only 2 hours from the San Fernando Valley, 2 1/2 ours from LA, 1 hour from Bakersfield and 2 1/2 hours from Ventura County.

Editor's notes: Thatcher Darwin has given me some information on the Dills Bills that would have restricted hotrodding in California just after WWII. As soon as I can, or Thatcher can write the account, we will get this historic and fascinating part of our history out to the members.

Editor's notes: The following email came from Glen Barrett and was sent October 2006.

October 8, 2006. We (SCTA/BNI) bought our mobile home in September of 05 and I am elated to report that A&A Mobile Homes has finally finished their task of relocating it to our El Mirage site. Prodding them along required numerous phone calls during this past year. Tiny and Ruth Roberts moved in on the Saturday of our September Lakes meet. All utilities are now in place and operating. We are currently operating on the storage tank for water supply. I met with Mike Simons (Bell Steel) Friday morning at 7AM on my way to the World Finals and did a walk thru on the storage building. This was my first sighting of the building and it is definitely a landmark. My son taking a commercial flight spotted it from the air. With the exception of a few nuts and bolts that needed to be tightened everything looked great. Pat Morin of Pro Line doors arrived at 8 AM to measure the openings for the large sectional doors for the parking bays. It takes about 2 weeks to get the doors made so they more than likely will not be installed by the weekend of our October Lakes meet. At 8:15 Tiny and I are off to the SALT. The drilling rig for the water well arrived on Saturday while the advance work party was gathered at roads end looking at the lake that we normally refer to as the Bonneville Salt flats. A heavy duty rain storm Friday night deposited about an inch of water down the whole course as attested to by Mike Waters and Fast Freddie Dannenfelzer braving the lake in Mike's amphibious Ford Courier. (BNI is investigating an air boat for future course checks.) I'm sure that some of the water was from the tears of our gathered volunteer group. It was a huge disappointment to be forced to call the meet. Back to the water well. It will be done in a couple of weeks. Jay Bowman will soon finish the electrical work in the storage building which includes a few fluorescent lights and a couple of outlets along with power to the radio tower. This electrical is on the permit and is the last item remaining to call for a final inspection on the building. We will be doing some concrete flat work for approaches, etc., which does not require permits. Be sure to visit the property during the upcoming lakes meet and don't forget BLM's Annual El Mirage Trash Cleanup on Saturday. Info is on the web site. Jim Dunn

Editor's notes: The following email was sent by Charles Shaffer in October 2006, but my system couldn't receive it at the time and open it.

I have been able to confirm the rumor--there is no doubt. Two or three weeks ago, Craig Breedlove sold his 1996-1997 jet car to wealthy aviation and sailing record-setter Steve Fossett, complete with semi-trailer and presumably parts. If you would like more information on Fossett, see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Fossett.Breedlove believed he was within sight of a possible sponsorship deal, but the offer from Fossett was too good to pass up. Sir Richard Branson, a sometime collaborator with Fossett, is not thought to be involved with this particular venture. The Deseret Morning News reported on Oct. 3 that on Sept. 30 Fossett drove 298 mph at the Bonneville Salt Flats in Ron Main's EcoFire streamliner to gain some LSR driving experience. http://www.deseretnews.com/dn/view2/1,4382,650195707,00.html?textfield=Fossett Breedlove will remain involved with the car and the record attempts, though not as owner nor primary driver. I think that his role could be characterized as team operations director, consultant, designer, and driving instructor/coach. He has opened a shop facility in Reno to serve as the project base. The car will probably be moved there within the next few weeks. Presumably a crew of mechanics and technicians will be hired. I do not know if the car will continue to be called the "Spirit of America" nor do I know of the planned color scheme. It is anticipated that the cockpit and perhaps some of the body will have to be modified to allow Fossett adequate room to sit in the car; he is somewhat larger than Breedlove. The planned venue for running the car will not be the Black Rock Desert. More than a year ago, Breedlove located another dry lakebed in Nevada of suitable length. It is on BLM land, but there is no public access. Access is only possible via privately-owned ranchland. He has secured agreements from the ranchers for the team's access. This will allow them to control access as necessary to avoid safety issues with large crowds. The location is secret--I do not know any more about it. We may not be able to see the runs. I hate to hear of Craig having to give up part of his dream, but as an LSR fan it is good news that the car may be run again with possible record attempts 11 months from now (just my guess). He remains firmly convinced that the car is easily capable of speeds above 800 mph. In 1998-2000, considerable work was done on the frame to straighten it from damage done by the world's fastest U-turn accident in Oct. 1996. Some other aerodynamic modifications have also been made, and there may be further modifications that are planned but not yet implemented. Charles Shaffer

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Members:

Members: Jonathan Amo, Brett Arena, Henry Astor, Glen Barrett, Lee Blaisdell, Warren Bullis, Gary Carmichael, G. Thatcher Darwin, Jack Dolan, Ugo Fadini, Robert Falcon, Rich Fox, Glenn Freudenberger, Don Garlits, Bruce Geisler, Stan Goldstein, Andy Granatelli, Walt James, Wendy Jeffries, Mike Kelly, Mary Ann and Jack Lawford, Fred Lobello, Dick Martin, Ron Martinez, Tom McIntyre, Don McMeekin, Tom Medley, Jim Miller, Don Montgomery, Mark Morton, Louise Ann Noeth, David Parks, Richard Parks, Wally Parks (in memoriam), Eric Rickman, Willard Ritchie, Roger Rohrdanz, Evelyn Roth, Ed Safarik, Frank Salzberg, Charles Shaffer, Mike Stanton, David Steele, Doug Stokes, Bob Storck, Pat Swanson, Al Teague, JD Tone and Jack Underwood.

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