SOCIETY OF LAND SPEED RACING HISTORIANS
NEWSLETTER 74 - August 27, 2008
Editor: Richard Parks [email protected]
President's Corner: By Jim Miller (1-818-846-5139)

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President's Corner: By Jim Miller (1-818-846-5139)
   This week I am at Bonneville so here's some food for thought while working on my sunburn. I'm always on the lookout for information pertaining to our sport of land speed racing and never know where it will come from. For instance a couple of week ago I went down to Isky's for lunch and after a fine meal at the local burger joint it was back to Ed's place for more bench racing with longtime friend John Athan. On my way out John said take some magazines. Seems the lobby table is the dumping ground for all sorts of reading material, so I left with an armful of stuff. That night I went through everything and ran across something that should be of interest to you. In a magazine called "Vintage Oval Racing" was an ad for a new book called "Beach Racers, Daytona before NASCAR." The next day it was off to the bookstore to order a copy. Needless to say it's a good read and covers the beach races from the beginning to 1910. While I'm hocking books, check out "Weltrekordfahrzeuge." No I can't read it or pronounce it correctally because it's in German but with 350 pages and zillions of photos on land speed racing you gotta get it. Along the lines of info, back in 2000, 'Standard 1320 Productions' released two CD's with every issue of Drag News burned on them. Hidden away amoung the pages is some coverage of S.C.T.A. and Russeta lakes meets and Drag races. It's another must for serious researchers.

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Editorial:
   Recently I spoke to Tony Thacker, Director of the Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum, in Pomona, California. That facility is celebrating its tenth anniversary and they are making every effort to continue their growth. About an 8th of the building is dedicated to land speed racing and hot rodding. Tony said that they are in the process of expanding their cubbard space so that they can accommodate more artifacts and that if I know of anyone who would like to donate their collections to the museum, to let him know. There are a lot of fine museums around the country, but museums dedicated to land speed racing are not that common. Jim Miller and I have been looking for places that can receive your collections, but so far it has been very difficult. The best thing is to look regionally in your area to see if the local museums and car collections can use your trophies, car plaques and other memorabilia. One of the best of the racing museums in the Eastern United States is the Don Garlits Drag Racing Museum, near Ocala, Florida. Don also has a large contingent of land speed and early drag racing cars and memorabilia. The problem that museums have is money, or the lack of it, which stops them from archiving and restoring old photographs, parts and other kinds of memorabilia. Often they only have room for the best parts of someone's collections and must sell what they can't use. Of course, the best place for your collections is right at home, with your children and grandchildren, because it is their legacy too. But many children of land speed racers have no room for 'treasures' and must jettison what you have saved. It is a difficult decision to decide whether to keep and store somebody else's valuables or just dispose of them. My brother and I have that problem with our father's possessions. One entire bedroom in my house is dedicated to preserving his memorabilia and the room is filled with boxes, halfway up to the ceiling. I have only an inkling of what's there and it will take time to do an inventory. Tony told us that he would be grateful for a donation from any of the hot rodders and dry lakes racers. Some of the objects that we give to the Museum will be auctioned off and we know that. To raise money to keep the museum going and to have a place to meet and hang out is a worthy cause and the museum will give you a tax donation for your donated memorabilia. This also allows your collection to go to another fan of land speed racing who will cherish it just as much. When people pay high amounts of money at auctions to help out various museums, they are going to take very good care of their new artifact. I would like to tell you that everything that you donate would go into the "Mr Smith" wing at the museum, but that would be dishonest. Only a few objects actually ever get displayed. But your objects will have a new life and they will go to help keep the museum strong and with a museum we have a place to meet and remember the past and even do some research. Now, is there anybody out there that would like a 6-piece table setting used by Wally Parks? If so, the editor will donate it to the museum and you can bid on it during their February and November auctions.

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 I may be confused, but when I mentioned him to my wife she said Welcher. He was known as "Snuffy." His son may even have all of his timing tags. I remember he had like a shoe box full. I'll let you known when I hear from Johnny.  Kay Kimes
   Kay: When the Society needs investigative research, why Jim Miller and I are the ones to go to. That's humor. Actually, you gave me the parts of the puzzle. I found the service station where Johnny Welcher was working at and he is the son of Orville "Snuffy" Welcher, whom all the guys called Welchel. It seems that Orville's brother didn't like the name Welcher and changed it to Welchel and Orville followed his lead. Now there is a bit of land speed information that NONE of us knew before today. I'll be speaking to the family and will bring you Orville's story. He raced back in the 1930's and '40's and he and his family knew all of the old timers. We are hoping for a great story here and it's all thanks to Kay Kimes and his wife for letting us know. Sadly, Orville passed away a few years ago, but he kept riding his favorite motorcycle right up to the end.

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The other day I got an e-mail from Mike Davis, the nephew of George Ausburn who was an early member of the Road Runners Club. That was a name I did not have on our Alumni List. Mike said George was involved with the Don Francisco bellytank and ran with the Miller brothers and others. According to Mike, his uncle lives in Texas and has a bunch of pictures. Mike is going to send me some pix (which I will pass along). I'm waiting for more details. Jerry Cornelison
   Jerry: Send me the phone number for Mike and his uncle George so that I can call them. This generation is passing so quickly that we have no time to lose if we are to interview them and record the history of land speed racing. The members of the Society can also help by interviewing all the people that they know or can find, because a handful of us are insufficient for the task at hand. We need EVERYONE looking and reporting and interviewing if we are to succeed in saving our past.

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 I will pass this on to George and get him on the website. Thanks! Please send me the outline and I will get it to George.  Blake Sanders
   Blake: Thank you very much. The guideline is below and when you have helped him type it out, send it to me as a regular email and I will edit it and send it back to you to have George add more detail. You have no idea how important George is to our understanding of land speed racing back in the late 1930's and '40's. We thank you very much for helping us. Please read the newsletters and the bios and tell us what you think. Write your own bio as well, then caption all your photographs. 
a) Where did your family come from; your parents and grandparents and what did they do for a living?
b) Where were you born and where did you grow up? What elementary, junior high and high school did you attend?
c) Did you take any shop classes, while you were in school? Name your friends, especially those interested in racing.
d) Did you join any car clubs or work on or own a car, or a race car, or work as a crewman on a race car while in school?
e) What kind of jobs did you have as a young person while growing up? What kinds of hobbies and interests did you have?
f) What did you do after graduation? Did you join the military? Were you drafted? Did you fight in the war?
g) What kind of racing did you get involved in? Did you own a racecar, drive a racecar or work as a crewman? 
h) Who were some of your friends that were involved in racing with you? Name and describe them.
i) Tell us about your family, your wife and children. Were they involved in racing?
j) What kind of work did you find after you left school? Was it racing related employment?
k) Are you retired from racing? What are you doing today?

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To All Our Friends, The POP Motorsports landspeed race team has returned from Bonneville's Speedweek with a sad tale to tell. The Streamliner didn't make it. Crew Chief Doug Odom made a first test run on Monday and managed a respectable 236 MPH run although he had an engine fire during his shut down when an oil hose came loose. It took a day and a half to repair the damage and change engines and then Gail drove her first test run late Wednesday. The run went well until the shut down at the 5 mile when the high-speed chute came out and all went topsy-turvy. When we see the video that was fortunately taken by the event videographer, we'll have a better idea about why it happened, but at 242 MPH the car flipped on its side, slid a long ways, then began to pencil roll until it came to a stop, fortunately top side up. Gail managed to get herself out, with a little helping hand that she later discovered was her own husband's - Al was the first car on the scene. After no fewer than 5 paramedics had checked her over she was able to convince them that she was okay. They insisted she go to the hospital to be checked by a Dr but it was a 2 hr drive away so she also managed to have Al drive her instead of an ambulance. Even the Dr couldn't find anything wrong except a slight headache which a few aspirin took care of easily. The prediction of sore muscles the next day did not materialize although several bruises did appear in odd places. 5 accidents occurred in 2 days but we believe none had serious injuries, thankfully. The salt was the best it has been in over 30 years and they had 3 courses set up, 1 long and 2 short so even the lines were manageable. If you are so inclined here are two links to news reports from Salt Lake City TV stations. Copy and paste into your browser bar and then find the small TV on the page with a heading about Bonneville then click on it to start the news report. http://www.truveo.com/82008-Drivers-crash-at-Bonneville-Salt-Flats/id/2019346910, http://www.ksl.com/index.php?nid=148&sid=4070161, Several photos are attached which we hope won't bog down your computers too much. We are thankful that we all returned home safe and sound and next week we will begin thinking about our future racing plans and goals. Our best wishes to all our special friends. Gail & Al Phillips, www.popmotorsports.com.

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Looks like all Road Runners have left the Salt and it turned out to be a very good week, adding four new records and two new 200 Club members., #675 XXO/FCC Harris & Wester - new record 207.320 & Bonneville 200MPH Club - Bill Harris, #6751 XXO/FALT Harris & Wester - new record 207.190 & Bonneville 200MPH Club - Richard Ross, #1616 B/DT - McRat Racing - new record 166.850 - Pat McSwain, #3076 C/STR - San Berdoo Roadsters - new record 210.288 - Jim Kitchen, #7008 A/PP - Campbell Racing - 8 runs for the week on their first Bonneville trip - best at 139.946 - Casey & Tim Campbell, Congratulation to all!, Full details on Road Runners News page on our website: http://www.ussarcherfish.com/roadrunners/news.htm, Jerry Cornelison, Road Runners - SCTA, (est. 1937)

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Editor's notes: The following two messages were received on August 25, 2008.
"The mother of Evelyn Roth passed away this morning, August 25th, in Santa Maria. No plans as of yet. Evelyn is the webmaster of www.Oilstick.com and www.SolvangCA.com. Will Scott"
"Hi, just to let you know mom died this morning. She had the stroke a week ago Saturday, then pneumonia took her this morning. Very peaceful - but, she put up a good fight. Evelyn Roth"
Dear Evelyn and Will: The Society of Land Speed Racing Historians and all of our members send you our condolences at this time. Many of us knew your mother and what a great influence she had on her family and friends. She was always a welcome sight at the Gas-UP Parties and Dry Lakes Hall of Fame inductions, where she helped you in the booths and with the many jobs required for that event. Your mother and Chuck Abbott were good friends for many years and the two of them will be remembered by those of us fortunate to know them both. We also appreciate how much work and effort that you have put into www.oilstick.com to keep the Mendenhall Gas Pump Museum in the public's eye and for your assistance with promoting all the racing activity in the Santa Maria region of Santa Barbara County. We remember your dedicated volunteerism at Black Rock in 1997, when Breedlove, Noble and Green vied for the ultimate land speed record. We also remember how much effort Will Scott put forth in the Black Rock expedition and to help Jack Mendenhall at the museum. Send us a story or biography on your mother, yourself and Will so that we can add it to our growing list of histories that we are collecting.

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Thought you'd like to know about this discovery. While reorganizing my personal library I uncovered an old dry lakes publication. "Veda Orr's Lakes Pictorial-1946 Season"! I recall, when as a teen, I would visit Karl's Culver City Speed Shop and Veda would be at a desk, organizing snapshots and banging-out copy on an old upright typewriter. In fact I knew the Orr's pretty well, in those days since their home was just a few blocks from my parents, in Culver City. The Orr's were real hot rodders! Their "family car" was a 1932 Ford Roadster with full fenders and a canvas top. Veda used to run this car at the lakes meets. Karl and Veda were divorced (perhaps in the 1960's). Karl had closed the speed shop in the mid to late 1950's and went to work for Douglas Aircraft in Santa Monica. He was a regular visitor to my dad's shop. I recall that I was working the Swing Shift at AiResearch and building my 1932 coupe Jalopy racer in my dad's shop. Karl would stop by and check out my work, give me a few tips and go to the beer bar on the corner for lunch. One day he took a very long lunch and was headed back to the "Bird Farm" and declared he was going to tell them to shove it! He then disappeared off the radar. A few years later I was in Bouquet Canyon and spied a sign that read "Karl Orr Speed Shop" and we had a reunion. He had married a rather attractive, younger lady and seemed to be content...and still stocked Creme Soda in his soft drink machine. Several years later I was told (by Jim Bremner, I believe) that Karl and Veda had remarried and they were living in the San Diego area. I think I had learned later that they both had "crossed the finish-line." I always liked them, they were really kind to me. Bob Falcon
   Bob: We devoted some issues to Karl and Veda in past issues, but since they were among the major players at the Lakes, we can never have enough information on them. Jim Miller and I tried to track down their whereabouts, or since they had no children, any relatives or friends. It appears they moved to a rural area to the north of Los Angeles and retired there. Whatever memories you have of the Orr's would be very much appreciated. Where they lived, how they appeared, what they said, etc.

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Road Runners Bonneville Update Wed, Aug 20, 2008 07:52 AM Results as posted a/o Wednesday morning 7:30am Pacific time - Correction to Bill Harris' new record time: 207.320, Down run speed was 207.334 and return run was 207.296. The Harris & Wester team spent yesterday prepping the #675 Camaro for a class change and a run at their XXO/FALT record set last year at World Finals by Richard Ross. The McRat Racing B/DT (prospective member Pat McSwain) qualified for a record and backed it up but no record was shown as of the Wednesday morning on the SCTA-BNI web site results. There was an issue with the safety net that limited their speed to 150 but they were running on a open record. Not sure what the issue is at this point. It appears that the "blown engine" reported on Jim Kitchen's C/STR must have been a minor issue. Jim qualified the car for record on Tuesday with a 210.181 pass, 2.205-mph over the existing record. The Campbell Family A/PP made two runs yesterday at 129.213 and 128.476. They are chasing a long standing record of 193.402. Road Runners results are updated and posted on the Road Runners News web page as soon as available.   Jerry Cornelison

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Road Runners Salt Report - Bonneville, Wed, Aug 20, 2008 10:09 PM, Wednesday on the Salt: Jim Kitchen backed up his C/STR qualifing speed of 210.181 with a 210.396 for a new record of 210.289. I know he is very glad to have his record back. Congratulations Jim! Richard Ross qualified the Harris & Wester GMC/Camaro at 209.965 against his own XXO/FALT record of 196.488 set at World Finals last October. He will be out Thursday morning to back it up. Hopefully there will be a new record and Red Hat in Richard's immediate future. Good luck Rich! Prospective member Pat McSwain qualifed his B/DT at 168.770 to run against the record he set Tuesday of 149.998. The truck is limited to 175 due to not having a parachute, window clips and roof rails. Good luck on the backup run Thursday Pat! The Campbell Family Racing A/PP laid down three consistent runs today of 134.656, 134.564 and 132.806. Still searching for speed but I suspect they are having lot's of fun on their first Bonneville experience. Good job guys! All results are posted on the Road Runners News page as soon as available. Updates made several times a day.  Jerry Cornelison

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The Motorsports Educational Foundation, Kenneth L. Berg-Archivist. Ken has researched their history and done taped interviews with a number of racing greats including: George Bignotti, Stuart Hilborn, John Drake, Bud Meyer and Lou Meyer. They have loaned him their personal albums and documents which he has scanned into his computers. Friends have loaned him tapes and files on Leo Goossen, Dale Drake, Clint Brawner, Dick Jones, Fred Gerhardt, Gordon Schroeder and others. These have been compiled in a PDF format allowing continuous addition and improvement while merging the voice tapes with text and pictures. I am talking to Ken about publishing his work on www.hotrodhotline.com in the future. Ken's goal is to bring our racing heritage and history to our youth and give them a foundation in the competitive aptitudes displayed by racers as they sharpen the Racer's Edge in motorsports racing (land, sea and air) and all the jobs and possibilities that exist in racing and other careers that will benefit from a competitive attitude. His approach is to work through the schools. A similar program is also a part of the Youth Services Department within the NHRA. If anyone is interested in this project that Ken is working on, please let me know and I will pass the word on to him.

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I'm on the salt with limited email access, then moving to Missouri in early September. I can't add much to what you wrote -- you got it right!
I am working as an Associate Producer for Big Fish Entertainment and the Discovery Channel to create a one-hour special program that will air in late December or early January next year on land speed racing. The budget is great and the production crew is running me ragged each day, but the footage I have seen so far is stunning. This will be a fabulous show and I am humbled to be part of it. Speedy Regards, "LandSpeed" Louise Ann Noeth www.landspeedproductions.biz

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 I was reading the results for yesterday's Land Speed Records and I saw the term "Turn Out" for a car that I am unfamiliar with. What does that mean? I have looked all over the Net and can't find anything. Thank You. Pat Geiger, Burbank, CA
   Pat: I've sent a copy of your email to about 15 of the most knowledgeable land speed racers and officials that I could think of and hopefully we'll start to receive some replies. I've heard of the term, "Turn Out," in the minutes of the SCTA from 1937 through 1948 and it always refers to a car that leaves the course before going through the timing traps. There may be other definitions to the term "Turn Out" that I'm unfamiliar with and therefore I always go to my brain trust of SCTA guys who know all the ins and outs. Way back in the beginning of land speed racing on the dry lakes, it was determined that a car that made a successful run would turn out or go off to the right or left after they made a successful run. If the car was in trouble, the driver was to go in the opposite direction and this would notify the patrols, timer and spectators that something was wrong and to get down the course and find out if the driver needed any help. Today this is still the practice and the roving and static patrols watch every action of the driver and car as it goes through the timing trap and makes its exit. The safety patrols have been perfecting their craft since the 1920's and every innovation and discovery makes them better. The NHRA Safety Safari is a direct descendant of these early safety patrols and we couldn't possibly keep an accurate account of the drivers they have saved and assisted over the decades.

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Turn out is just what it says, the vehicle "turned out," or off the course, usually before the lights or after the first mile or so, because maybe the car was 'breaking down,' not running right, maybe it wasn't coming up to speed. The driver says, "why waste the engine," and turns out/off the course.  Ken Walkey

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Your description of a "turn out" is exactly as I understand it. Turn outs can be for a variety of reasons but usually are for problems with the vehicle or problems experienced by driver/rider. At El Mirage a turn out to the left is for non-emergency reasons. A turn out to the right is for emergency related problems with the vehicle or driver/rider. Also if the driver/rider suspects they have lost parts on the course they turn out to the right so officials can conduct a course sweep. A turn out to the right always causes the Emergency Vehicles to roll to the scene. At Bonneville, the procedure is the same except, depending on the way the course is laid out and which course you are on, the non-emergency vs. emergency turn outs may be different. Generally at Bonneville an emergency turn out is to the middle, between the two courses, in the direction of the Timing Tower. Jerry Cornelison

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I am impressed with the website. I haven't looked at all of it yet. Snuffy's Brother is John L. Welcher. Sincerely, John E. Welcher

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Hello John, Richard cc'd me a copy of his e-mail response to you. I am the historian for the Road Runners and also maintain our website: http://www.ussarcherfish.com/roadrunners/. I have your Uncle listed as a Charter Member of the Club but no other information. We also have a Johnny Welchel listed as a member around 1939. Is he a relation also? You will find a lot of information on our website including an "Alumni List" that has many, many names I'm sure your Uncle will recognize. There is also a "Back in the Day" page which has many old photos and a few stories that your Uncle will most likely recognize also. These two sections of our Website are a "work in progress" as we add new names, pictures and stories as we are able to get them. Also, we maintain a private list of contact information for former and current members. If your Uncle would like to be added and/or you as a contact for him, please send that info to me. We send out frequent information about what is happening with the Road Runners racing and social activities. Jerry Cornelison, Road Runners

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I'm back from B-ville and have a lot of catching up. To answer this question is easy. A turn out is when someone turns off the racetrack before passing the first timing light. Say you're pushed off from the line and the engine doesn't start, or you pull away from the push car and the engine doesn't run right. Maybe you've gone 1/2 mile and a rod comes out the side of the block or the tranny explodes on the first shift. Jim Miller

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Would it be possible for you to post the Wilfried Eibach interview/biography on Wikipedia? Best regards, Oliver Rathlein
Oliver: I'm sure that it would be no problem. My computer skills are rudimentary at best, so you would probably have to have someone knowledgeable among your staff submit it to Wikipedia. I'm sending you the article with permission to post it as you please to that website or any other website. The websites that we use, www.hotrodhotline.com and www.landspeedracing.com, have first rights, but after a period of time has elapsed, it is appropriate to send it to other places. Every once in a while I visit and read something on Wikipedia, although it sometimes is lacking in material and often biased. That could be due to the fact that the website allows anyone and everyone to post material and it cannot be checked out by a single, professional authority. But I have nothing personal against Wikipedia or any of the other sites that post biographical or historical works. The Eibach family has a great story to tell and of course, it isn't over as the family is still making history. I would also recommend that each and every one surrounding the Eibach Springs story write their own biographies and caption all their photographs, because the staff that Roger and I saw also have a story to tell and history to leave behind. Let me know how you progress with putting the Eibach biography on Wikipedia.

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We tried to post one of our articles and they blocked our IP address as "commercial," that's why we were hoping to have you try, since your are a legitimate journalist and not affiliated with Eibach. Nick our marketing coordinator can walk you through it, if you would like to give it a try. Your other articles would be posted there as well! We do understand if you need to decline for whatever reason, so no worries there. Best regards, Oliver Rathlein
   Oliver: Please have Nick call me when it's convenient for him and I will try and follow his instructions. I might as well learn. It sounds like a promising thing to do.

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Up until about three years ago I worked as an Independent Contractor in the Sargent Fletcher (SFI) marketing department. SFI was engaged in the design and manufacturing of external fuel tanks and special purpose pods for military aircraft. A popular product line was the fuel tanks used on the F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft. One ship-set was composed of two 370 Gallon under wing tanks and a single 300 gallon elliptical shaped tank that hung from hard points on the fuselage belly. This tank family was designed to handle 9 G stress loads. The aircraft in ferry or patrol mode flew at near Mach One. One day the SFI manufacturing manager contacted me and asked if I would mind speaking to a guy who wanted to build a race car using one of our tanks. That's how I met Ron Benham and his son. I traded Ron some scrap pieces of one of our 370 gallon tanks for some minor machine work for one of the exhibit shipping crates that were my responsibility. Ron's son had a dry lakes car built around a 450 gallon tank that SFI designed but was manufactured by Royal Industries located in Alhambra.
   I suggested to Ron that he fabricate his new car as a monocoque structure since it was designed to withstand the really high G forces. The skins were 0.090 inch thickness 6061 aluminum he would only need to add some skin strength around the cockpit entry and the hood area, both of which could be accomplished with a 0.090 doublers riveted to the skin. He would need to fabricate some frame structures for the suspension but the result would be a very light car. Aerodynamically the tank was designed to exceed Mach One, but he would need to fabricate a small front wing to place down force on the nose because these tanks were known to "fly" when jettisoned. I gave him a peek at the devices contained within the jettison breech and the tail tank anchor, that does not release the tank from the aircraft until the nose is pointed straight down. Ron built the car to package a flat head Ford V8 engine he had for sale, so he fabricated a tube frame and hung the tank skins on the vehicle. I know he ran the car at Bonneville but cannot recall his speed. Bob Falcon
   Bob: I've been told that oval track guys couldn't possibly know anything about land speed racing, but you are a font of valuable information and it shows that there is a large cross-over from one sport to the next. The silver-looking, polished aluminum tank went touring all over the country, with a British flag on the car as Stormin' Norman Benham (Ron's son) found a sponsor with British roots. Exactly how fast the car went and where it is today is unknown, but most likely, when we find Norm, he can answer that question. The car looked very fast. Ron was inducted into the Dry Lakes Hall of Fame and he is credited with the honor of building the cars that got more drivers into the 200 Mph club than any other car builder. Keep sending in your stories, Bob, because they are extremely interesting.

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I need a picture (or, 2 or 3) of a dry lakes car(s), doesn’t have to be a certain car, but one I can feature on my advertisements for www.HistoricRaceCarForum.com which will be released soon. It will eventually feature several areas:
Authenticating and selling historic quarter mile and dry lakes cars
A search format that racers can use to seek out ‘missing in action’ famous race cars
Buyer’s guide for authentication
Museum rotation / placement feature (non-profit)
Writers forum for true but short stories from historic racing (non-profit)
It will be a personalized site where I only deal with authentic cars and authentic individuals who either raced, owned, built, drove or ‘leaned on the fence’ and watched racing over the decades. (I will not have dealers as clients.) I’m currently working with Doug Thorley (formerly Doug’s Headers) to sell his museum funny car at Wally Park’s museum and Junior Thompson’s Opel Kadett that he and Maz co-owned AA/GS (original car found with finish restoration by Junior), plus a handful of other cars. (Currently in conversation with owners of about 8 vintage cars.) We’ll start slow and careful and build trust in the arena of hot rodders and racers. So anyway I need a photo of a dry lakes car and the permission to use it. Can you help? Don Burdge, Historic Race Car Forum & Dream Rod Locator Consultant, Phone: 619-804-8033, Email: [email protected], Website: www.HistoricRaceCarForum.com, Website: www.DreamRodLocator.com.
Don: Contact Jim Miller. Use the phone number on the newsletter to contact him. Our Society of Land Speed Racing Historians does not take any ads, but we do try and help land speed racers and fans meet. We do not make any recommendations, so you need to present your program to those who respond to you. We do have a small Report on Borrowers Guide that we will make available to people. Your name is not on it and if you would like to be added to the list, please let us know. That guide does allow a coding system so that borrowers, lenders and those doing business can find out if the other party is reliable. I've included your websites in the newsletter and your phone number and email address for any interested parties to contact you. I did not show your residence, because the newsletter's policy is to protect privacy. You are welcome to write in any time and explain your projects and what you are trying to do. The Society recognizes the good that agents and collectors can do to keep artifacts from ending up in the dump and we encourage collectors who collect as a means of storing value and preserving the past. We also encourage those restorers, builders and detectives who track down and find valuable cars and artifacts and bring them into the light of day, restoring the objects and preserving our history.

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Editor's notes: The following is from Ron Main's website.
Ron Main has the World's Fastest Flathead, see http://www.flatfire.com. The death of the Ford flathead V-8 has been greatly exaggerated. Powered By The Vortech Millennium Ford Flathead V-8 Engine, Ron Main Owner/Driver. Engine Specifications; Block: Ford 1946, 59a V-8 Bore: 3.307 Stroke 4.375, Cubic Inches: 301 Horsepower: 653. Mission Possible; Bringing the first mass-produced v-8 Ford flathead into the 21st century with a near 300 mph Bonneville land speed record. The Millennium Engine: The revolutionary DLI reversed port Vortech supercharged millennium engine began with a 1946 stock Ford block. DLI reversed the intake and exhaust ports and increased the displacement from 239 to 301 cubic inches. Other modifications include: Bruce Crower "inverse radius" roller cams, Moldex Billet crank, Ross domed forged aluminum pistons, Manley titanium valves, Accel digital fuel injection-computer controlled with MSD fuel injection, programmable and EFI coupled, Vortech crank driven T-trim blower with 16 pounds of boost, Tony Barron finned aluminum heads, duel Mallory super Magnetos with two spark plugs per cylinder. The Death Of The Ford Flathead V-8 Has Been Greatly Exaggerated. Ford’s fabulous flathead was declared dead 45 years ago, a victim of the overhead valve revolution. The declaration of its demise may have been premature. Flatfire’s first test runs at Bonneville this year with only 50% boost, the car easily reached speeds in excess of 240 mile per hour. The steering is being adjusted for better handling for Flatfire’s land speed record attempt in 2000. Flatheads Forever; Flatfire and the [Vortech millennium Ford v-8 Ford flathead] engine has set as it goal a new land speed record of 300 mph at the Bonneville Salt Flats next year. The Ford Vortech powered car will be setting new land speed records in the year 2000. The dedication, talent and creativity of these uncommonly gifted people put together our latest effort to bring Ford's first Flathead V-8 into the Twenty-First Century with a Bonneville Land Speed Record Run for the new millennium. Sponsors are; Dick & Mike Landy & D. L. I. Industries, Jim Middlebrook & Vortech Engineering, Ernie Cross & Auto Marine Machine, Tom Patterson Engineering, Bruce Crower & Crower Motorsports, Rich Manchen Welding, Bobby Walden & Walden Speed Shop, Jerico Transmissions, Baron Racing Heads, ZMax Micro Lubricants, Duttweiler Performance, Aviaid Competition Oil Systems, Paul Green & Rebar Machine Service, Rewarder Custom Headers Inc, Ross Racing Pistons, ERC Racing Fuels, Abstract Fiberglass, Winners Circle Kustom Paint and especially my teen angel, Vanessa, for making my life wonderful. Flatfire Team & Ron Main

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BAKERSFIELD, Calif. – (Aug. 20, 2008) – California Hot Rod Reunion Honorees will now have a special area to meet and greet fans, thanks to a new sponsorship deal with Dynamat and the Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum. Dynamat, a manufacturer of noise and heat reduction materials for automobiles, will serve as the official sponsor of the “Dynamic Legends” VIPs and Honorees Site at the 3-day event, Oct. 10-12, Auto Club Famoso Raceway, Bakersfield, Calif. The Dynamic Legends VIP and Honoree site will be a gathering place for past and present Reunion Grand Marshals, Honorees, special displays and, of course, a place for fans to meet face-to-face with the Honorees. This year’s Dynamic Legends headliners include Grand Marshal Junior Thompson, along with Honorees Steve Davis, John Edmunds, Georgia Seipel, Walt Rhodes and Butch Maas. The Dynamic Legends area will be located in the Grove at Famoso Auto Club Raceway below the Auto Club sign and alongside the Justice Brothers Car Care Products Reunion Spotlight area, which this year shines on Gas Ronda. The Museum is also working with Dynamat and other sponsors to bring the Dynamat Vintage Dragsters display to the Reunion. The display includes Al Bergler’s Gratiot Auto Supply Competition Coupe, Larry Payne’s Gang Green Top Fueler and Ed Golden’s Probe III Top Fueler.
Dynamat will also sponsor a similar area at the 2009 Holley NHRA National Hot Rod Reunion in Bowling Green, Ky., June 19-21. “We’re excited to team up with Dynamat as the headline sponsor of the Dynamic Legends at this year’s California Hot Rod Reunion, and we look forward to a continued relationship with them at future Reunion events,” said Greg Sharp, curator of the nonprofit Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum, which produces the Reunion. “The California Hot Rod Reunion is a terrific venue to interact with our most valued customers,” stated Scott Whittaker, president of Dynamat. “Our participation as a sponsor allows us to provide education of our products and learn from our customers.” The 17th annual California Hot Rod Reunion, presented by the Automobile Club of Southern California, Oct. 10-12 at Auto Club Famoso Raceway in Bakersfield, Calif., is a 3-day festival of speed, hot rods and American automotive enthusiasm. It’s also the season finale of the inaugural NHRA’s Hot Rod Heritage nostalgia drag racing series. Produced by the Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum, presented by the Automobile Club of Southern California, and located in Pomona, Calif., the Reunion is part of the museum’s “living history” philosophy, which works to bring to life the sights, sounds and people who made history in the early days of drag racing, land speed racing and the golden age of American car culture.
Unique among motorsports events, the Reunion honors some of the top names in hot rodding from the past and features a fabulous array of cool drag cars, street rods and customs of the historic and present-day hot rod eras. Those purchasing their credentials at least three weeks before the event receive significant added value including a “goodie” bag, Reunion program, commemorative dash plaque and a colorful and collectible plastic souvenir credential. Three-day credentials ($55 each) are available by calling 800/884-NHRA (6472) or by completing a form found in the Reunion section of the Museum’s Website (http://museum.nhra.com). Auto Club members receive a $5 discount off Adult credential prices. Daily general admission tickets/pit passes will be available at Auto Club Famoso Raceway gate, (www.famosoraceway.com). Cost per person: Friday, $20; Saturday, $20; Sunday, $15. Children 15 and under are free when accompanied by an adult. Auto Club discount is also available at the gate: $2 off Friday and Saturday and, $1 off Sunday. The Reunion features a wide variety of activities and events, including:
NHRA vintage drag racing, featuring some the sport’s most famous and historic cars and drivers, racing in such classes at Nostalgia Top Fuel, Funny Car, Fuel Altereds, Supercharged Gassers, Classic Super Stock, Hot Rods and others. It’s the grand finale of the NHRA’s Hot Rod Heritage Series.
Hundreds of gleaming pre-1972 hot rods, street rods, custom cars, rat rods, classics and muscle cars. “Memory Lane” will have a display of nostalgic race cars. The Justice Bros. Spotlight Award will fall on drag racer Gas Ronda.
California Hot Rod Reunion Reception, held at the DoubleTree Hotel in Bakersfield, Fri., Oct. 10, from 7 p.m.- 10 p.m. Open to everyone at no charge, it’s a tribute to the Reunion’s Grand Marshal, gasser great Junior Thompson, and the other Honorees. The reception offers a chance for fans to meet some of drag racing’s heroes.
Cacklefest on Saturday evening, where nitro-burning historic, front-engine top-fuel dragsters and other classic race cars are push started just like in the “old days.”
The Swap meet and Reunion Midway filled with hot rod and automotive related vendors. Something for everyone!
Information, including a full activities schedule, entry forms and tickets to the CHRR, is available through the Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum at http://museum.nhra.com or by sending a post card or note to California Hot Rod Reunion, 1101 McKinley Ave., Bldg, 3A, Pomona, Calif. 91768. Requests can be emailed to [email protected]. Proceeds of the California Hot Rod Reunion benefit the Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum. Celebrating its 10th anniversary and named for the founder of the National Hot Rod Association, the Parks Museum, presented by the Automobile Club of Southern California houses the very roots of hot rodding. Scores of famous vehicles spanning American motorsports history are on display, including winning cars representing 50 years of drag racing, dry lakes and salt-flat racers, oval track challengers and exhibits describing their colorful backgrounds. The Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum is open Wednesday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., PST. Current NHRA members are admitted free and Auto Club members enjoy a $2 discount. Admission for non-members is $7 for adults, $5 for seniors 60 and older, $5 for juniors six through 15, and free for children under the age of five. The Museum is also available for special group tours. The Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum is located at Fairplex Gate 1, 1101 W. McKinley Ave. in Pomona. For further information on special exhibits, museum events or directions, call 909-622-2133 or visit http://museum.nhra.com. From Bill Groak, PCG Campbell.

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Links to other land speed and hotrodding websites:
www.landspeedproductions.biz, http://www.landracing.com, www.speedrecordclub.com,
http://www.ahrf.com/video.php, www.hotrodhotline.com,
www.landspeedracing.com, www.Autobooks-Aerobooks.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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