SOCIETY OF LAND SPEED RACING HISTORIANS
NEWSLETTER 86 - Novmeber 20, 2008
Editor: Richard Parks [email protected]
President's Corner: By Jim Miller (1-818-846-5139)

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Some Names To Look For In This Newsletter:
Last Race of the 2008 El Mirage Season, Update on Eric “Rick” Rickman, Passed Away: Jack Engle - Buddy Fitzgerel - Jocko Johnson - Joe Orlando, Paula Murphy is recovering, Pictures from Jacko/Garlets Streamliner, Cover Story for American Moorcyclist Magazine, Searching For Photos of Ak Miller Modified Ford Pinto Called Pangra, Books by Art Events.

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President's Corner:  
   Well it's over. The last race of the 2008 El Mirage season is in the bag. The last meet of the year is a two day affair so us lucky folks go out Friday and inspect cars. We do the same on Saturday. On Sunday it's impound and record certification. In between it's bench racing and drink liquid refreshments, eat and sleep. All of it is great fun. The tracks have not been too good for the last few races as there was a soft spot about 3/4th down the track and a few lucky souls got to go around in circles that they call a spin. At this meet we had two spins and one bike went down out of 151 entries, which totalled 225 runs down the track. On Sunday I played hooky and strolled around with my camera to shoot some pix for the newsletter.

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Editorial:
"How come I am not a member?" The following email was received from a land speeder whose credentials are impeccable. He's a man that we all admire and look up to. He's one of the few to have posted BIG speeds and who is always active, in his club, with his duties, helping others, recording the past and without him, our sport would be much less than it is. Yet he asks why he isn't a member. The answer is this, "You are all members, you just don't know it yet." If you read the newsletters, send in photographs, biographies, stories or news, then you are a member. We don't have rules, forms, fees or duties. We simply have members who enjoy land speed racing, early drag racing and hot rodding and the entrance requirements are simply a desire to love your sport and keep it alive in your hearts. We expect all of our members to share their passion, to open up their minds and memories and share their biographies and stories and to spread the word to those who someday will take our places. But this land speed racer didn't see his name in the list of members and wonders why.
He was referring to the Index to the website, where the newsletter is archived. When we first started the newsletter, whoever wrote back to us was added to a list of members. We really don't have a membership form, dues or any other requirements to be a member, just a willingness to record our own biographies and a love of history, in this case, land speed, drag racing and hot rodding. We have a fine list of members, but lately we haven't been keeping pace by adding names to the list of alphabetized members. Being a volunteer group, we are faced with other tasks and we let this get away from us, so I contacted Mary Ann Lawford at www.landspeedracing.com and she informed me that a lot of new members have been signing in to receive the emailed version of the newsletter. She told me to mention to all of you who want to have your name listed as "official" members on the website to let her know. Or you can send me an email and I will let her know that we need to add your name to the list. There is a reason that we list the members. Knowing who is contributing and reading the newsletter lets us all know whether we are reaching everyone that we possibly could. Also, it tells us who are potential contributors to the newsletter. You don't have to have your name listed, but if you want to, just let Mary Ann or me know and we will add your name to the list.

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Jack Engle, (Engle Cams) early lakes racer Member of the Low Flyers Hot Rod club of Santa Monica, ran a McCulloch-blown Cragar/Model T on A-Rails his own cam, Ran 113 mph at El Mirage in 1939. Robert "Jocko" Johnson, Jocko's porting service, race car and body designer and builder. Helped many lakes and drag racers for over 50 years. Services for both are pending. Glen Barrett
   Glen and the readers: Does anyone have a biography or obituary that we can run in the Society of Land Speed Racing Historians Newsletter on Jack or Jocko? Please let me know as soon as possible so that I can get something distributed, especially for the services.

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They have taken him (Eric "Rick" Rickman) off the respirator (Friday, November 14) and he is breathing on his own. He has more minutes of awareness, more so than before which is progress. He still has an assisting heart pump, they don't know when that can be turned off. I have told him you are rooting for him and he managed to say, that's good. I will be sure to keep you posted if there's anything new to report. Micheal Rickman
   Micheal: Keep us posted. Rickman is beloved by all the racing community for his lifetime of dedicated service to all things automotive.
   Additional news:
Saturday, November 15; Yesterday they were able to sit him up and dangle his feet over the age of the bad, a major milestone in the recovery of this type. Virginia (his wife) managed to feed him a little solid food for the first time. Today they are hoping they can get him to take in fewer steps and set up in a chair for a while. Once again major milestones in recovery even those they say it doesn't mean he's out of the woods by any means. I can tell you more after I go visit him tomorrow.  Micheal Rickman
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Sunday, November 16; Unfortunately the good news was short lived. I went to see him on Sunday and he is now back on a feeding tube and in very guarded condition. A major concern is his kidney function.  Micheal Rickman
   Micheal: We are following the reports about your father, Eric Rickman and we are keeping him in our hearts, thoughts and prayers. Always let him know how important he is to all of the racing community and his friends. He is a very special person and we want him to know that. Drag racing will always consider him to be one of the founding fathers of the sport. His accomplishments are so varied and so valuable to all that we hold dear.

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Paula Murphy is recovering and home from the hospital. All our wishes go out to her and her family for a speedy recovery. Paula has promised us that she will do her biography

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Road Runners, Friends, SCTA Board: I just received some very sad and shocking news from Reese Adams. It is my sad duty to inform you that Buddy Fitzgerel has passed away. Buddy was at last night's Road Runners meeting and all seemed fine. He was planning on being at El Mirage this weekend. I have no other details regarding his death at this time but will pass along additional information as soon as it is available. Buddy and his former Racing Partner, John Alvaney (deceased) still hold the XF/PRO record of 130.813, set at El Mirage in 1984 in their "Thrifty Fifty" Ford Coupe. Buddy raced in a variety of classes over the years at El Mirage, Muroc and Bonneville. Buddy joined the Road Runners in 1959. Rest in peace Buddy. You will be missed. Jerry Cornelison, Secretary - Road Runners.
   Jerry: Do you have a biography or obituary for Buddy? If you don't, can you write up a short piece on his life and what he was like from your memory of him in the Road Runners? I don't want any of these guys to leave us without at least some memory of them saved for posterity. Also, what about his partner, John Alvaney, do you know anything about him that you could share? We are very sorry to hear of Buddy's passing.

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Funeral services for Buddy Fitzgerel will be on Thursday, November 20, 2008 at Memory Garden Memorial Park and Mortuary, 455 W. Central Avenue, Brea, California. Viewing is at 2:30 pm with services following at 3 pm. Memory Garden Memorial Park is located between North Puente St and North Brea Blvd on West Central Avenue. Jerry Cornelison, Road Runners http://www.ussarcherfish.com/roadrunners
Jerry: I'll send this to Mary Ann Lawford to post on www.hotrodhotline.com.

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Joanie (Johnson) just called and asked me to spread this very sad news. Jocko Johnson had a massive heart attack this morning around 4am (November 14, 2008). He had not been feeling well the past few days and they went to bed very early last night. She woke and saw that he had tried to sit up and then he had fallen backward on the bed and was gone. It was quick and easy, but very sad for Joanie. Karen Raffa
Karen: Do you have a biography or obituary that I can run about Jocko in the Society of Land Speed Racing Historians Newsletter on www.landspeedracing.com? If not, any memories that you have of Jocko would be very much appreciated.

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I believe I have Jocko all "parted out" as he wished. Kruse is going to spread the word for a Last Jocko's Taco Party on Saturday, November 29 at Burke LeSage's place in Joshua Tree.  Joanie Johnson

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Waldo Stakes sent in instructions for Robert Jocko Johnson's Celebration of Life, set for Saturday, November 29, 2008, from 10 AM to 4 PM, at Burke LeSage's home at 6915 Sunny Vista Road, Joshua Tree, California. Contributions to help can be made out to Joanie Johnson. Taken from the Standard 1320 Club website

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See http://www.nitrogeezers.com/Cars%20-%20Garlits_Jacko%20Liner.htm. Here is a link to photos I shot of the Jocko/Garlits liner when Don Cook drove it at Lakeland in 1973. Franklin Ratliff

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Jocko Johnson article by Cole Coonce, see http://www.kerosenebomb.com/html//29palms.html. Outside magazine, August 1999. "Jocko's Rocket Will the car of the future come screaming out of the Mojave desert?" By Brad Wetzler, see http://outside.away.com/outside/magazine/0899/9908jocko.html. I think McCraw set an obit to Auto Week and I will get you a copy. Courtesy of NHRA, See http://www.nhra.com/content/notebook.asp?articleid=34055&zoneid=87. Robert "Jocko" Johnson, who built some of drag racing's swoopiest machines, including his notable but unsuccessful "JockoLiner" with "Big Daddy" Don Garlits, died November 14, 2008 of a massive heart attack. He was 72. The remaining story and Photos are on the website. Karen Raffa

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At our most recent MSRA meeting, big bird mentioned Joe Orlando's physical condition. Long time hot rodder and all around nice guy Joe Orlando passed away Saturday morning. Thanks to Vito, Bird and Baron, here are the arrangements for Joe Orlando's wake and funeral. Wake: Greeley Funeral Home, 212 Washington Street, Gloucester, MA, Tuesday 5-9pm. Funeral: St. Ann's Church, 70 Pleasant Street, Gloucester, MA, Wednesday 11am. I'm told that Washington Street is the first right off the first rotary on Rte 128 in the Gloucester area. Joe was a super guy with an awesome red hammered 1934 big block sedan delivery that he built many years ago. Way back, he was an MSRA member. Later, he joined the Strokers located more in his back yard. He leaves his wife Lorna. I'll always remember that huge hand and arm reaching out of the drivers window of that 34 with his trademark friendly wave. Gil Coraine
Gil: I'm sending this to Mary Ann Lawford at www.hotrodhotline.com as well. Please pass along our condolences to Joe Orlando's family. Also, if you have some stories to tell about Joe, please pass them along to add to the next newsletter. Tell us more about the MSRA, where it is located and what the goals of your group are.

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We are the cover story for American Motorcyclist Magazine for December. First time since Cycle January 1970 issue that a motorcycle streamliner has made the cover of a major motorcycle magazine. Cover see http://www.amadirectlink.com/magazine/index.asp. Story see
http://www.amadirectlink.com/magazine/dec2008/public/feature1.pdf. We are supposed to be featured as Bike of the Month in Bike Magazine the largest circulation motorcycle magazine in the UK. Thanks for all your support, Mike Akatiff
Mike: Send us your biography and any reports on your racing team's progress and we will add it to The Society of Land Speed Racing Historians Newsletter at www.landspeedracing.com.

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I started on this a while back and it got on the back burner. I'll give it another go. Jim Dunn
Jim: We've had some really great biographies from some of the racers already and I'm really looking forward to seeing yours.

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My November FUEL FOR THOUGHT column appears in the Goodguys Gazette. It deals with the elongated battle with the FIA to update its records listings so that many errors and omissions would be corrected. The vast majority of problems were solidly detrimental to American land speed racers, but a few British records were also screwed up as well. After five years the work is done and if you are reading this it is because I believe you to have an interest in the outcome. For those of you with websites, please feel free to upload this file to your site so that others might become informed. The relationship between the FIA and land speed racers has been very contentious through the years for reasons that stem mainly from being ignored and marginalized. I hope that this fine step in the right direction is only first of many for the sport. Speedy Regards, "LandSpeed" Louise Ann Noeth. www.landspeedproductions.biz
Editor: I was unable to copy and paste LandSpeed's fine article. Look for the Goodguys Gazette to read the article or contact LandSpeed Louise to ask her to send you a PDF file to read on your computer.

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KS is doing ok. Has more bad days than good but you know KS. He is tough. So sorry that you lost your father. KS always spoke highly of him. Good luck to you and thanks again. LaVaun and KS Pittman
LaVaun and KS: I'm not sure if I had your email address, in the past we communicated by snail mail. KS was alsways special to us. I remember when you came to the 1st Annual Boat Racers Reunion at the Motorsports Museum in 2000. That was some gathering and we might not be able to do that again as we have lost so many of the boat and car guys from the 1950's and '60's. Not very many people know that KS raced both boats and cars. It was a very exciting era in American racing. Please give KS a hug from all his fans and have him check out the research that we are doing on www.landspeedracing.com and www.hotrodhotline.com.

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Hi All. This will be a brief report on the season final SCTA 2 day meet at El Mirage. I arrived around 8 AM on Friday (November 14, 2008) greeted by an absolutely gorgeous morning, unloaded my truck and hooked up with fellow inspector Bruce Vaughn in the inspection area.

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I am searching for photos of a car put together at Ak Miller's back in the early 1970's. It was a modified Ford Pinto called a Pangra that was furnished by Jack Stratton at Huntington Ford in Arcadia, California. The car never did go well because of a very hurried/slap dash assembly, but it is a part of my past in that I was a major part of its being at the Flats at all. Bill Edwards had grafted a Bosch f.i. onto the motor with help from Fairchilds up in Pasadena. I do know some photos were taken. I used to have a large portrait of the car on the salt with me, Jack Lufkin & Jack Stratton (the Huntington Ford guy). My kids don't believe I did what I tell them. I want to prove it. Some photos were taken by Ralph Welch. Thanks for any help. Steven Thomsen
Steven: I will put this in today's newsletter that goes to www.landspeedracing.com. Jack Lufkin still operates Miller's Garage and he may know something. The phone number there is 562-949-8333. Leonard Carr at Champion Automotive might also know and you can reach him through Lufkin. I'll send this to Jim Miller and see if he has any photographs or knowledge of the car and it's whereabouts. As for the doubters, the BEST way to prove your history is to write it down and publish it. You can send it here and we will put it in the newsletter. The more you document and write about an event, the more others can write back and comment on it and then you have multiple sources supporting your claim to an event. So write in often and tell us about your experiences in land speed racing and the people that you knew, like Miller, Lufkin, Stratton and Edwards, some of the biggest names in our sport.

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The 59th Annual Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance will be held on August 16, 2009. Those wishing to participate must return entry forms by January 7, 2009. Contact Sean Jacobs at [email protected] for more information. Bugatti and Bentley will be the featured cars. Also celebrating the centennials of Morgan and Audi and the designs of Zagato. Jeff Green 310-224-4961

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Road Runners and Friends, The meeting notes from the November Road Runners Meeting are now posted on our website: http://www.ussarcherfish.com/roadrunners/news.htm. Hope to see many of you at El Mirage this weekend. Looks like we could have 10 Road Runners cars and motorcycles running. Also, remember the big "Road Runners End of Season" party hosted by Richard and Rachel Ross on Saturday evening. Should be a GREAT weekend! Jerry Cornelison, Road Runners - SCTA (est. 1937)

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ROAD RUNNERS News / Special Events:, Last Updated: Wednesday, November 12, 2008. Meet Results and Photos, Road Runner Meeting Notes - Tuesday, November 11th, 7pm at Ed Martin Garage - Vice President Jack Masson conducted the meeting due to President Mike Ferguson being "under the weather: Get well Mike! You have to race this weekend! Club Members welcomed two guests: David Minder, prospective member, attended his third meeting. Dave will be submitting his application for membership at the December meeting. Kieth Landrox, prospective member, attended his second meeting. Kieth will be one of the driver's for the Blown Gas Roadster that Leonard Carr is building. Election of Officers for 2009: President - Mike Ferguson, Vice-President - Jack Masson, Secretary - Jerry Cornelison, Treasurer - Reese Adams, Sgt. At Arms - Bill Harris, Records Keeper - Amanda Ferguson. All Offices effective January 1, 2009. Timing tags for the September El Mirage meet were distributed, including Pat McSwain's Red Timing Tag and Record Certificate for the B/DT record he set at 163.674. Congratulations Pat! Bill Harris and the Harris & Wester Team presented the Road Runners with three beautiful new Patrol signs with Road Runners and SCTA logos. Very nice. They will be on display on our Patrol vehicle at El Mirage this weekend. Thanks to the Harris & Wester Team. The new signs were definitely needed and long over due! If you would like a report on all the Club business conducted at the meeting, please contact Secretary Jerry Cornelison for an e-mail copy of the minutes. Next regular business meeting of the Road Runners is Tuesday, December 9th at 7pm, at Ed Martin Garage. Also, if in the area, don't forget "Burrito Thursdays" at Ed Martin Garage.

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This past Saturday, I had the honor to be awarded the SoCal Chapter of The Society of Automotive Historians (SAH) James Valentine Memorial Award "For excellence in research for published work in a periodical...

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Books by Art Evans; a) “Torrey Pines Remembered”, b) “Ken Miles”, c) “Pebble Beach Remembered”, d) “Paramount Ranch Remembered”, e) “Racing Sports Cars”, f) “Golden Gate Remembered”, and g) ‘Shelby, the Race Driver”. Art Evans, 310-540-8068 or [email protected]. The editor tried to copy and paste the entire description of the books, but the pdf file that Art sent caused the words to truncate. The rule is, if I can easily copy the material I will, and if I can't then I will only give a brief description of what was received for the newsletter. All of Art's books are fantastic. He is a great writer and photographer and if you want to learn more about the history of west coast road racing in the 1940's, '50's and '60's, then Art's books are the best source. You can buy direct from Art or call Tina Van Curen at Autobooks/Aerobooks in Burbank, California to order. Autobooks has a wide selection of car and racing books and she is a member of our society.

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

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Members:

Jonathan Amo, Brett Arena, Henry Astor, Gale Banks, Glen Barrett, Mike Bastian, Lee Blaisdell, Jim Bremner, Warren Bullis, Burly Burlile, George Callaway, Gary Carmichael, John Backus, John Chambard, Jerry Cornelison, G. Thatcher Darwin, Jack Dolan, Ugo Fadini, Bob Falcon, Rich Fox, Glenn Freudenberger, Don Garlits, Bruce Geisler, Stan Goldstein, Andy Granatelli, Walt James, Wendy Jeffries, Ken Kelley, Mike Kelly, Bret Kepner, Kay Kimes, Jim Lattin, Mary Ann and Jack Lawford, Fred Lobello, Eric Loe, Dick Martin, Ron Martinez, Tom McIntyre, Don McMeekin, Bob McMillian, Tom Medley, Jim Miller, Don Montgomery, Bob Morton, Mark Morton, Paula Murphy, Landspeed Louise Ann Noeth, Frank Oddo, David Parks, Richard Parks, Wally Parks (in memoriam), Eric Rickman, Willard Ritchie, Roger Rohrdanz, Evelyn Roth, Ed Safarik, Frank Salzberg, Dave Seely, Charles Shaffer, Mike Stanton, David Steele, Doug Stokes, Bob Storck, Zach Suhr, Maggie Summers, Gary Svoboda, Pat Swanson, Al Teague, JD Tone, Jim Travis, Randy Travis, Jack Underwood and Tina Van Curen, Richard Venza.

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