SOCIETY OF LAND SPEED RACING HISTORIANS |
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Some Names To Look For In This Newsletter: |
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ President's Corner: |
Three paragraphs into Chapter 22 I found more LSR information. It's now 1934 and Harry Hartz and Wilbur Shaw have accepted an invitation from Chrysler Corporation to make a series of record attempts in the new Chrysler Airflow at Bonneville in August. They were going after Class B records for cars with displacements between 305" and 488." They ran on a 10-mile circular course for 24 hours and ended up setting the record by running a steady 95 mph and covered 2,026.405 miles for a new record of 84.434 mph. One thing you didn't read in the press clippings was the problem they had with tires. The drivers wanted to use Firestones but Chryslers ran on another brand and they blew out constantly. One story has it that a Chrysler dealer from Salt Lake City took all the tires he could find off the new cars in his showroom to keep the racer in supply. Now for some added trivia. One report says the car ran 86.2 mph in a mile where another says it ran a flying mile at 95.7. It also said the car ran 90 mph for 500 miles and set 72 new National Records with the straight-8 powered CU coupe. One report also has the records standing for 23 years. It gets even more interesting now. Another report has Hartz setting an endurance record at Daytona Speedway in '34 and at Daytona in '35. Confusing? You bet. Supposedly the same design labeled as a De Soto with a 6-banger set 32 stock car records and did a flying mile at 86.2 and ran 100 miles at 80.9, 500 miles at 76.2 and 2000 miles at 74.7 again with Hartz as the driver. To add even more confusion one picture shows an Airflow with a Mobile sticker on it at what looks like Muroc. I think we need a Chrysler authority to sort all this stuff out for us. Needless to say many manufacturers did speed runs to sell their cars and most of this history has been lost. It looks like we have yet another task cut out for us historians to tackle. |
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Editorial: |
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ I will be returning to El Mirage to film some pick up shots for DEUCE OF SPADES. This includes some shots for the 1955 El Mirage SCTA meet flashback, which I think is going to bring back a lot of memories for some of you! I have missed being on the lake terribly. I can't wait to return! Visit the blog for more info on my Hot Rod period film and behind the scenes stories at: http://deuceofspades.bravejournal.com/. |
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ The Drag Racing Hall of Fame Banquet was March 12th, 2009, at the Hilton in Gainesville, Florida. The 2009 Inductees were; Steve Carbone, Ed Garlits, Marvin Graham, Hayden Proffitt, Fritz Voigt and Sid Waterman. Don Garlits |
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ The Celebration in Memory of Jim Poetker-Baker will be held at Mariner's Church in Irvine, California on Saturday, April 18, 2009 at 11-2 p.m. Debbie Baker asks that we come and celebrate the way Jim would have liked; a spirit of hot rodding, music, laughter and good memories. The Answer, the band that plays every year at Cruisin' For A Cure, will be on hand to play Jim's favorite music. Address: 5100 Newport Coast, in Irvine. Corner of Newport Coast and Bonita Canyon. Edited from an email sent in by Debbie Baker |
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ The SCTA 2009 racing schedule for El Mirage Dry Lake; May 16-17, June 14, July 12, September 13, October 25, and November 14-15. Bonneville racing schedule for the SCTA/BNI is; Speed Week August 8-14, and World Finals October 7-10. |
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ There are new posts on the Jim Deist Memorial at www.goldenhawk.ca, or http://goldenhawkproject.blogspot.com/. Randy Pierce |
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Thanks for what you're doing...Your newsletter is Fantastic. Racer Bud Delauer |
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ I am the son of Mel Chastain who worked for Mickey Thompson for about 10 years and is also a lifetime member of the 200 mph club. I enjoy your info. I am also Mike Cook's stepbrother if you need any history or info, just ask. I have many photos of lakes, Bonneville and drags from years gone by. Yours truly, Larry Chastain |
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ My name is Megan Boyd, and I'm from near Canton, Ohio. As an avid land speed and traditional hot rod enthusiast I would like to become a member of the Society of Land Speed Racing Historians and help preserve this important history in any way I can. I enjoy reading the newsletters and would love to be involved in helping to gather and preserve history for future generations to appreciate and learn from. I enjoy doing research and interviews, I have a degree in journalism and public relations and aren't afraid to talk to people! I see Zach Suhr is a member, he is a good friend of mine. We both are on the same parallel when it comes to preserving the past through our hot rods and activities. I've also enjoyed talking with Jim Miller at Bonneville amongst other places my hot rod passion has lead me. I've grown up around hot rods and are fortunate to have a few of my own. I recently found a 1931 Ford Model A roadster in a barn where it had been parked for nearly 30 years! For the most part it is stock but has been upgraded with '35 wire wheels and juice brakes. I plan to build a hopped up B motor for it in the near future but enjoy cruising it around with the original A motor in the mean time. In addition to my Model A I also have a '53 Chevy Bel Air with a rare after market Rajo (Racing Joe of Model T fame) 6 cylinder racing head and additional intake allowing me to run 3 carbs (one on the Rajo, two on the Fenton). I've attached a few pictures of each. I look forward to hearing from you and helping out in any way I can. I truly believe that the SLSRH is doing an important task, one that I would be honored to be a part of. Thank you, Megan Boyd, Waynesburg, Ohio |
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ How does one join this august group? I have written stories in three magazines about Bonneville. Most of the articles are about history. Here's one (opening photograph is by me). Roger Meiners, Milford, Michigan |
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Our show next year is the last weekend in January. January 29-31, 2010. We look forward to seeing you out and about and at our event as well. John Buck |
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ (Editor's notes: Here is a response to an email that I sent to Susan Sanborn, Director of the Toyota Motorsports Museum in Torrance, California.) "All we have on this is one article from a 1992 Toyota Today. We have no other documentation or photos though. Here is the article." Susan Sanborn |
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Henry Astor, formerly the director of the American Hot Rod Foundation (AHRF), now has a website called Astor Motor Productions. You can get on his mailing list by emailing [email protected] and requesting to be added. |
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ I will put together my dad's racing history for you and others to enjoy. His history will take up enough of your space as it is somewhat lengthy in itself. I will get it to you as soon as I can. Larry Chastain |
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Motorcycles will be part of the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance for the first time this year and I thought you'd be interested in the release below. See http://www.pebblebeachconcours.net/pages/3017/Photos.htm. Jeff Green |
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Road Runners and Friends. The Meeting Notes (enclosed below) from last evening's Road Runners Meeting are now posted on the News Page of our website. Road Runner Meeting Notes - Tuesday, April 13th, 7pm at Ed Martin Garage - The April Meeting of the Road Runners began with a display of many of Buddy Fitzgerel's Bonneville and El Mirage trophies. We also had his vintage 60's era, silver fire suit that he used in his B/STR and the "Thrifty Fifty" XF/PRO before he got his newer fabric suit. The family recently presented these items to the Club following the passing of our long time member and friend, last November. We had two guests for this meeting, Bill Carling (prospective member - third meeting) and Charles Shimko (prospective member - fourth meeting). Bill Carling submitted his application for membership and was voted into the Club. He will be racing his 2007 Harly Super Glide (Dyna), beginning at the May meet. Welcome to the Club Bill! Charles Shimko will be submitting his membership application following the May El Mirage meet. Reminder that you need your BLM/EL Mirage Pass to get on the Lake in May. You can mail your check and return address (ASAP!!) to Judy Sights - SCTA Treasurer, and she will mail your Passes back to you. Judy's address is listed on page 163 of the 2009 SCTA-BNI Rulebook. Our annual Banquet/BBQ date has been changed to June 6th. Turns out that May 23rd, or original date, is Memorial Day Weekend this year. Mark your calendars for June 6th. More details to follow. Richard Ross (Bonneville & El Mirage Record Holder and Bonneville 200MPH Club Member) of the Harris & Wester Camaro Team and also driver for the Masson Racing G/GALT, announced that he has joined the US Army and will be leaving for Basic Training this month. He may be back in October or November to get some seat time in the Harris & Wester Camaro and Masson Racing Altered before he deploys to Iraq or Afghanistan. Best wishes and God Speed from your fellow Road Runners Richard. 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, May 12th at 7pm, at Ed Martin Garage. Also, if in the area, don't forget "Burrito Thursdays" at Ed Martin Garage! Road Runners - SCTA (est. 1937) http://www.ussarcherfish.com/roadrunners. Jerry Cornelison |
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ I have had the honor to drive on the salt to abtain a class A license and help a friend tune up a streamliner so the main driver could chase a record. Now I have the bug. Can you blame me? I would like to build a lakester and have no idea what's under the skin. With my drag racing back ground I have an idea but I'm not sure. Here are some questions; Round tubing - what size? Square tubing - what size? Noticed no rear "kick up" is that a correct asumption? Who could fab a roll cage if I sent them the dimensions? Could I look at one somewhere? Not to copy, but give me a starting point and a general idea of the construction before I proceed and have to undo it all. Pics would help too, I'm sure. Thank you, Doug Sitton |
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Captions: Drag racing scenes sent in by Evelyn Roth. Original photographers unknown. Click on Images for Larger Pictures. |
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----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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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