By Richard Parks
1) EDITOR’S CORNER: Do you find notes to yourself but then wonder why did you make them? Notes can be a time saver or a time waster. Please help me out. If you have asked me to do something and it’s been a week without reply, please email or call me and give me a reminder. My dad was a note taker; but was far better than me at giving a speedy response.
AND: This issue is longer than most due to end of year banquets, shows, reunions, final races, etc.
AND: Can anyone explain what “remote host said connections not accepted from servers without a valid sender domain.”
AND: All links in the newsletter need to be copied and pasted into your browser in order to work.
AND: “Why are there so many items from some people?” Good question. The answer is that they write to me more often. I always ask the readers to send me info on schedules, their racing activities, shows, reunions, etc, and THEY are the people that reply. I rarely, if ever, turn down news. It may be repetitious, but they care enough to let me know so I put their news in the newsletter. I want the newsletter to be fun, informative, there is no charge, we all learn something, so write in. I’ll post it.
AND: My hand is hurting. I’m sitting down to type, but if I stand and type it feels better. Any others have the same problem?
2) REMEMBERING OUR LOST FRIENDS DEPARTMENT: August “Augie” Pabst, courtesy of Pagenkopf Funeral Home (serialized part 7). He loved treating his family and friends to dinners at Red Circle Inn -or as Augie called it “The Green Square Out”-, Hartland Inn, OLC and Glenda’s. His witty sense of humor and his fierce love for those in his life will be sorely missed by all who were fortunate enough to know him. And yes, he drove his Hertz Ford Falcon rental car into the Mark Thomas Hotel pool in Monterey, CA in October of 1961, on a bet. A family burial and a private celebration of life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Augie’s name may be made to the Pabst Mansion, a place near and dear to his heart. As Augie was known for saying, “drive fast!” Sent in by Dave Nicholas.
3) More LIONS HALL OF FAME news: The 2023 and now the 2024 Hall of Fame awards banquets are now on YouTube. Type in either one: you can re-watch the show. My wife was right, the Aloha shirt failed to hide my, uh, well it was still large. Jack Beckman did a tremendous job and then a day later he had to go racing. He did both jobs well and came away with a “Wally” in Funny Car on Sunday, while his partner, Austin Prock came away with the season championship in Funny car for the John Force team.
Does anyone know if the Diner at the Lions Automobilia Foundation Museum actually serve food? Seems like a great place for an In-‘N-Out Burger restaurant.
RICHARD: It was a pleasure to finally meet you face-to-face last evening at the Lion’s event. I’m sure you’re proud of all your father achieved in his lifetime and all contributed to the motorsports industry. I was proud watching the video! After our chat, I thought I would sign you up for Race Industry Week so you can join us. Once you receive the live ‘link’ you’ll be able to join on any of the interviews. Just click that link! Perhaps your sons or grandchildren can show you too. We will soon be coming out with the schedule, my co-worker and I are confirming the last presenters now. Hope you enjoy watching. Here are the 471 other webinars we’ve produced: https://www.youtube.com/@EPARTRADE. Judy Kean, Board Member West Coast Stock Car Motorsports Hall of Fame, Cars Yeah Interview/What is epartrade #2146: Judy Kean/CARS YEAH.
JUDY: What an honor it was, both to see Dad honored and to meet you and so many other friends in racing. Tell us more about the West Coast Stock Car Hall of Fame, if there’s a website, where it’s located, etc.
4) I’m plugging away on a follow-up to my 2014 Cartech Books release, “Drag Racing’s Quarter Mile Warriors – Then and Now.” The first volume was jam packed with surviving, original, and restored cars of the 1950’s through 1970’s, and proved very popular. Ten years on, the caliber, and number of restored and surviving cars has only increased. The new book, like the first volume, covers all categories from Fuel Dragsters to Stockers. The goal of the book is to help preserve the history of the sport by sharing the story of each car included. Credits and acknowledgements will be given with each feature. To date, I’ve got approximately 70 cars lined up. Drop me an email if you have a surviving or original car that fits the bill. Thanks, Doug Boyce at jrstk.
5) Simca and the Ford V8-60, by Bob Campbell, editor of Vintage Metal, Western Australia. (cont’d from the previous issue)
The Ardun head began production in 1947, but Ford was also working on the problem and a new, larger capacity flathead V8 of 337 cubic inches was introduced for Ford trucks in January 1948 that pretty well solved the block cracking problem. However, by that time the hotrodders of America had discovered the Ardun head and according to the Motor Trend magazine of December 1951, by just fitting Ardun heads to a 100 bhp flathead Ford, you could bump its power to 175 bhp. There were two versions of the Ardun head, the one described above, and a smaller version designed for the V8-60 engine that came out a couple of years after the original. But the Ardun head wasn’t perfect. (continued)
6) All American Truck Show & veteran coat drive, November 9, 2024, 9am-2pm. Collector car & parts sale Lions indoor swap meet, March 15, 2025. 2024 Lions Automobilia Hall of Fame Awards dinner & silent auction, November 14, 2024, hosted by Jack Beckman, contact Lana Chrisman for tickets at media. 3 Museum Couples Cruise, February 15, 2025, including Segerstrom Shelby Museum, Marconi Auto Museum and Lions Automobilia Museum, 7:30am to past 2 pm. From:
media, Lions Automobilia Foundation, 2790 E Del Amo Blvd, East Rancho Dominguez, CA 90221-6008.
7) June 12-14, 2025. Historic Sportscar Racing (HSR) Classic Six Hours of Watkins Glen and The Glen Historics – Watkins Glen International, Watkins Glen, New York. saalgoodpr.
8) Books and Manuals from CarTech Publishing, 6118 Main Street, North Branch, Minnesota 55056, 1-800-551-4754,
www.CarTechBooks.com. How to Restore Your Jeep: 1941-1986. How to Rebuild the Small Block Chevrolet. And How to Restore Your 1947-1955 Chevy Truck.
9) BLAST FROM THE PAST…… From the Wally & Barbara Parks story, We Did It Our Way. 1 MAY 1949 Drop Dead Letter
Wally Parks had not joined Hot Rod magazine yet, but he did send in SCTA reports to be published in the magazine and it was only a matter of time before Pete Petersen would entice him away from his job at the SCTA to join the editorial staff at HRM. An amusing letter to the editor and a response from Bob Lindsay and Pete Petersen in their more youthful and exuberant phase occurred in the May issue of HRM. A miffed reader wrote in, “Mr. Robert R. Lindsay and Mr. R. E. Petersen and all the staff of Hot Rod: DROP DEAD!” To which the editors replied, “Wherever possible, the staff tries to comply with the readers’ requests.”
With the reply was a photograph of the office secretaries with Lindsay and Petersen laying on the floor in a death pose. The raucous humor at the magazine did not become more serious when my father became editor; it became even more outrageous.
10) The drama dropped in Run Group D where what appeared to be an easy run to the win for Todd Sloan in his ex-Michael Shank Racing 2006 #601 Riley XX Daytona Prototype was almost a near miss. Sloan was in control and closing out the laps in Sunday’s fourth and final round only to be called to the pits for an inspection. Priceless time was lost as Sloan’s team and HSR officials examined the rear of the car and found nothing wrong. Sloan returned to the race with a great deal of his lead gone, but before anyone could really tell how much ground was lost, the No. 601’s nearest challenger came to a stop on track. The big bore R&R Motorsports2002 #96 Ford Mustang AGT of Ray Bonthron and Darin Brassfield was a little over two minutes behind Sloan’s Riley heading into the fourth round but slowed with apparent mechanical issues just as the opportunity to make a move presented itself. Adam Saal at SaalGoodPR.
11) Books on Mark Greene’s Cars Year website mentioned by those appearing on Mark’s Podcast.
Paul Duchene – The Vintage Motor Car Pocket Book, by Cecil Clutton and Peking to Paris, by Luigi Barzini.
Mark Lizewskie – The Bugatti Queen, by Miranda Seymour.
Kevin Clemens – Sideways to Sydney, by Innes Ireland and Peking to Paris, by Luigi Barzini.
Michael Ross – The Art of Racing in the Rain, by Garth Stein, Rockin’ Garages, by Tom Cotter, Ken Gross, & Michael Ross.
Satch Carlson – Catch 22, by Joseph Heller, The Kings of the Road, by Ken Purdy and Stand on It, by Stroker Ace.
Lisa Noble – Stand on It, by Stroker Ace.
Patrick Foster – The History of Packard, by Beverly Kimes and International Harvester Trucks, by Patrick Foster.
Dennis Palatov – Kimini, by Kurt Bilinski.
Klaus Schnitzer – The Art of Racing in the Rain, by Garth Stein.
12) The Smothers Brothers’ Flirtation with Oldsmobile, written by Diego Rosenberg for The ClassicCars.com Journal: Your daily dose of steel, rubber and soul. Part 15. And the race team? Problems soon crept up – not on the drag strip, but in the TV studio. The Smothers Brothers were constantly battling CBS censors over content, language, and sensibilities and sensitivities of the status quo. CBS bosses began to demand show previews for an “affiliate review” so folks in certain markets wouldn’t get offended. After catching an offending bit similar to one that had angered viewers earlier, the bosses immediately fired the brothers in April 1969 – despite the fact that the show had already been renewed for another season. In the spring of 1969, the The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour was cancelled, the victim of both cultural and network censors—this despite having been renewed for the 1969-70 season. The racing team returned for 1970, though not in the team colors. The diminished presentation of the Smothers Brothers Racing Team eventually led to the removal of any Smothers Brothers reference before the end of the 1970 racing season, with Oldsmobile’s support continuing through 1971. Special thanks go to Pete Kost, Carl Schiefer and, of course, Jeff Kane.
13) Big Four Ferrari 857 Sells at Pebble Beach (serialized in coming issues, November 2024 issue of Vintage Metal)
Three 857 Sports were entered for the RAC Tourist Trophy race at Dundrod in September 1955. This car, chassis 0588M, was one of them. It was down to be driven by Maurice Trintignant and Umberto Maglioli, but Olivier Gendebien took it out to practice and rolled it into a ball. Olivier was carted off to hospital with an injured arm and the 857 was shipped back to Carrozzeria Scaglietti, who had built the body, to be rebuilt. It was rebuilt in its present form, becoming the only 857 with a tailfin. On completion of the repairs the car was sold to John Edgar in California by Luigi Chinetti for $US17,500 as a new car! Bob Campbell at robertcampbell4.
14) The Inaugural Classic Endurance Championship Presented by Mission Foods concludes back at Daytona a year from now with the 11th edition of the HSR Daytona Classic 24 Hour Presented by Mission Foods, November 5–9, 2025. Adam Saal
15) We are looking for Ak Miller stories. Here are some that we have collected. Ak met Jack Lufkin in the early 1950’s, just after Lufkin got out of the Air Force, and these two became a potent racing team, with Miller tuning the engines and Lufkin setting hundreds of land speed records. They later teamed up with Leonard Carr to form the Miller/Lufkin/Carr land speed racing team that put many people into the 200 MPH Club. Ak was instrumental in helping many young racers, including my brother David, with advice, parts and engines, which assisted them in their racing careers. (Source: Wally & Barbara Parks story, We Did It Our Way. June 28, 2005)
16) Wally’s stories: courtesy of DRIVE Magazine, by Wally Parks (to be serialized in coming newsletters). Law Enforcement.
Two men my father forgot to add were very important in their areas. The first was Harold Shorb in Hanover, Pennsylvania who assisted in creating several drag racing programs and drag strips and was a Regional Advisor. The other was motorcycle officer Carl Poppe who organized car clubs in the Cincinnati area and was a Regional Advisor as well. Poppe was crucial in developing Edgewater drag strip near Cincinnati at the risk of being fired by his Police Chief who hated drag racing. Poppe was censured, placed on desk duty and threatened constantly, but fought for safe and sanctioned drag racing because he knew that it was the best alternative to illegal street racing.
17) Collector Car Corner: Cars We Remember. Big Dodge rumors and some history about the beloved brand, by Greg Zyla. (to be serialized) In 1914 Horace and John Dodge decided it was time to build their own car, which they did with success. Novel to the industry was the Dodges’ use of the first ever steel body. Prior manufacturers utilized much wood in the process, but the Dodge brothers wanted more structural integrity. The car was an instant success, and by 1920, was second to Ford in overall sales with 140,000 units sold. However, much sadness hit the Dodge family that same year. Horace contacted viral pneumonia while on a business trip with his brother, and nearly died. John, who was at his brother’s bedside throughout the ordeal and helped nurse Horace back to health, then contacted the same pneumonia and did die. Eleven months after John’s death, Horace, succumbed to a liver disorder, ending a great era of Dodge ingenuity. Greg Zyla is a syndicated auto columnist and welcomes reader questions at greg. (Continued)
18) How did you miss these (topics)? That bedside pix (of Tony Stewart, wife Leah Pruett Stewart and newborn baby) is epic, and Tony looks stunned. Go to: https://www.aol.com/nascars-tony-stewart-drives-race-200226747.html. There should also be some mention of the bizarre light plane crash in the race motorhome lot, delaying the event, largely as the emergency crews were tied up. Go to: https://www.msn.com/en-us/autos/news/nhra-finals-halted-due-to-small-plane-crash-at-pomona-dragstrip/ar-AA1ufz7N. Bob Storck
BOB: I missed the race, but my three sons were there, and they gave me the scoop. Congratulations to Leah and Tony, and our prayers are with the injured for a full recovery. The Safety Safari and ambulance crews are top-notch. I’ve interviewed them in the past and they are excellent at their jobs.
RICHARD: You never miss a good story. These should have separate billing, especially as I can’t think of two other top-level racers having a child, though a few have married like Erik Carlsson and Pat Moss and many racers have married into other racing families, like Kevin Harvick and Robert Hight. Delaying a race for a plane crash (is) a not to be repeated first. Bob Storck
BOB: Tell us more about Pat Moss and Erik Carlsson. I’m not familiar with them. Putting off having a family because both parents are active racers is a tough decision, but many do so. There is no greater happiness than a happy family and creating another generation of racers. As for delays in motorsports, that happens when emergencies occur at races and the ambulance has to leave with the victims. It happened many times at the dry lakes, and at drag races and other forms of motorsports. Tho’ it causes delays, we are proud of our Safety Safaris and our medical crews and glad to help those in distress.
RICHARD: Pat Moss was Sir Stirling Moss’ sister, a championship horsewoman who followed her brother into auto racing. In the heyday of International Rallies, she won many women’s classes, was Champion several years, and won outright, beating the men. She married Swede Erik Carlsson, many times overall winner of the pinnacle Monte Carlo Rally in a 1-liter Saab 96. Pat drove mostly BMC cars, often joined in the same team by Erik in endurance races like Sebring driving big and small Austin Healeys. In their day, often considered the Golden Age of Rallying, they were considered the top rally drivers in the world for their gender. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pat_Moss, and https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erik_Carlsson.
NASCAR/Indy/Pikes Peak winning racer Wally Dallenbach, Jr married Robin McCall, a top-level Kelly Girl/Busch series driver. The Kelly Girls series had drivers of both sexes. Their daughter Kate has competed and won in local level NASCAR events.
Another winning Kelly Girl vet, Patty Moise competed often in NASCAR against her husband to be, Elton Sawyer, a winner in the Busch Series. Sawyer is currently the senior Vice President of competition of NASCAR having served in many management roles for the sanctioning body since retiring as a driver.
19) We believe that exposing students to these cutting-edge fields at a young age will fuel their passion and open doors to exciting career possibilities. Internships are another key component of our program. Through Hidden Pioneers, students have the opportunity to gain real-world experience and develop valuable skills that will set them apart in the competitive job market. We also strive to connect our students with job placement opportunities, ensuring that they have a clear path towards success. Hidden Pioneers is at hiddenpioneers.
20) Books from Dalton Watson Fine Books: Bentley: Fifty Years of the Marque, by Johnnie Green, Hageman, King and Bennett. Making a Marque: Rolls-Royce Motorcar Promotion 1904-1940, by Peter Moss and Richard Roberts. Nash-Healey: A Grand Alliance (2-volume set), by John Nikas and Herve Chevalier. See: www.daltonwatson.com.
21) Royce Rumsey just published “Ein Deutscher Frosch in der Scheune Gefunden.” The legendary Carrera RS was the creation of Porsche icons Ernst Fuhrmann and Norbert Singer–as they set about to create a ‘hot rod’ neunelfter by stripping out a much weight as possible (including removal of soundproofing) and significantly increasing the 2.4-6 displacement to 2.7ltr and the power from 190 to 210hp (including Bosch MFI). To see the full article and photos go to roycer924_2.
22) BOOKS: MG Cars 1930 to 2006 £17.99, by Trevor Alder, 112 pages, 211 pictures. Porsche Racing Cars 2006 to 2023
£75/$90/Hardback, 25x25cm, 256 pages, 535 pictures. From: Veloce newsletter, an imprint of David and Charles, 2 Poundbury Business Centre, Middle Farm Way, Dorchester, Dorset DT1 3WA United Kingdom.
23) At Hidden Pioneers, we believe in nurturing young talent from an early age. We bring programs to the schools, like NASA internships starting from the age of 16. This incredible opportunity allows students to work side by side with some of the brightest minds in the world, gaining invaluable experience and knowledge that will shape their future. Our solution provides hands-on career education and mentorship to high school students. We will partner with local schools to offer the following programs: Bring back vocational classes like woodshop, metalwork, and automotive repair. These programs give students practical skills for trades careers. Educate teachers on emerging career fields in science, technology, engineering, arts, and math. This ensures students get exposure to high-demand industries. Hidden Pioneers is at hiddenpioneers.
24) This Week on Cars Yeah Mark Greene interviews Bill Kirk, Scott Shrader and Townsend Bell. From: info.
25) (Editor: The original question is repeated for clarity) Here’s a question I have that one of your readers may have an answer to. I have a website with over 11,400 car club plaques shown. Someone recently sent me some photos of the plaques her dad had, and I added them to my website. Two of them were from Longview, Washington State and I posted the photos on that page at clubplaques.
BILL: I believe it might be for the Thurston County Mills and Vangalors, but I can’t be certain. Any readers that came from Olympia, Washington?
MARTY: Perhaps one of you can answer Bill Junge’s question, directly, or recommend another source? Entry below is from Richard Parks’s xlnt, free newsletter, this week’s edition. If you’re not already subscribed, suggest adding your e-addresses via RnParks1. DWjr
DAVE: I think I have the answer to the question of the meaning of TC. I called a buddy, named Rod Brown who has lived in Longview all of his 84 years. The cities of Longview and Kelso border each other, he thinks it is for Twin Cities. Marty Strode
AND: Northwest fabricator Marty Strode’s response to Item 32, current edition, re car-club plaques. I’ve encouraged him to apply for subscribership to your fine publication. Marty’s current projects include building a track-legal tribute to George Santos’s Top Banana streamliner (as documented on Marty’s Facebook page). You truly are providing a valuable service; a written connection that’s largely been lost with the demise of national print periodicals, alas. Dave Wallace Jr
DAVE: Thank you, but I give credit to the internet, YouTube, Facebook, Twitter (X), websites, etc. We live in a new world that brings history alive in the car culture and beyond. Seems to me there was a famous hydroplane race called Twin Cities on the Columbia River in Washington State. Don Edwards and I passed by it in early 2000 on our way to SeaFest.
26) Burnout! 60th Anniversary of British International Drag Racing Festival (continued). After an exhaustive and frustrating process for Nick Pettitt and I supplying endless amounts of information and a large selection of photographs and original items available for display, there followed much toing and froing of emails and phone calls as the items and information were whittled down to a usable quantity with a large amount not being used. This is a necessary editing process when making a museum exhibition. The result is an exhibition called ‘Burnout! 60th Anniversary of British International Drag Racing Festival’ and is now open at the National Motor Museum’s in Focus temporary exhibition gallery. I believe I speak for all of the BDRH members in saying we are all very proud and grateful for this opportunity to have the 60th Anniversary of the 1964 Drag Festival celebrated at the National Motor Museum at Beaulieu running for over five months. John Hunt is at johnhunt.drn. (cont’d)
27) Join us discussing the Turkey Bowl, one of 19 Jaguar XJS TWR 5 speed, Jaguar XJ-SC, Jaguar history, Camel GT Corvette updates and much more on this episode. Go to: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1wejKvfu4NaeDxGmi7LPbW?si=mQykYRe
gr44xjs.
28) The Racing Promotion Monthly Newsletter, issue 54.11, The Promoters Voice & Form since 1972, the November edition. For subscription email Joe Skotnicki at jskotnicki This is a great publication for insurers, track owners and operators, racers, team owners, public relations officers and more, with the latest news. This issue mentioned the closing of Irwindale, a “palace” to short track racing, types of insurance coverage, Ventura Speedway, Wall (NJ) Speedway, the airplane crash at the In-‘N-Out Burger NHRA Finals at Pomona Raceway and much more.
29) Guenther Steiner, one of Formula 1’s most popular and high-profile Team Principals, has joined the impressive lineup of featured speakers for the 5th Annual RACE INDUSTRY WEEK, Monday through Thursday, Dec 2-5, 2024.
The following will be at the PRI Show. Boundary Racing Pumps in booth #3169 Yellow Hall. PPlus Global Logistics in booth #3421 Yellow Hall. Daido Metal in booth #4707 in Yellow Hall. Ei Engine Ice in booth #2112 Green Hall. MPD Racing in booth #2525 Green Hall. Fueltech in booth #3601 Yellow Hall. Bell Racing USA in booth #1913 Green Hall. team.
30) My latest screenplay is called 51 Reasons to ask 51 Questions Screenplay, by Paul D Escudero.
READERS: If you like Science Fiction then look for Paul Escudero’s books and screenplays at major bookstores or on-line. He is a prolific writer and doomed to be ultra famous someday. He is an original reader of the newsletter and a car and train fanatic.
31) The Vintage Speedcar Association Newsletter #247 (New South Wales, Australia) Issue 2 October/November 2024.
President: Kevin Gilkison. Vice President: John Campbell. Secretary: Nicole Fullager. Treasurer: Greg Wells. Events Director: Alan Mace. Assistant Events Director: Shane Fullager and Terry Young. Newsletter Editor: Keith Nicholls. Social Committee: Margaret Wells, Leanne Middlemass, Mary-Rose Vella, Keith Nicholls, Nicole Fullager and David Hunt. Technical Committee: Bill Wells, Bob Lewis, Alan Day, Kevin Griffiths, and Bob Blacklaw. Historian: Greg Mann. Assistant Historian: Ray Dean. Car Registration Officer: Greg Mann. Regalia Officer: Nicole Fullager. Club Photographers John Stanley, and Keith Nicholls. From: John & Maria Green at ajkake.
32) 2025 NHRA LUCAS OIL DRAG RACING SERIES SCHEDULE: NORTHEAST DIVISION
Maple Grove Raceway: May 22-25, 2025. Lebanon Valley Dragway: July 3-6, 2025.
Numidia Dragway: July 31-August 1, 2025.
Numidia Dragway: August 2-3, 2025.
New England Dragway: August 22-24, 2025.
Virginia Motorsports Park: September 4-7, 2025.
Cecil County Dragway: October 17-19, 2025. From: nhracommunications
33) The Simeone Foundation Automotive Museum held a special day. In the 1960s sports car racing in America was dominated by Shelby American, the company started by Carroll Shelby to build the iconic Cobra. Honored for the success of Shelby American were: New Zealander John Ohlsen, Englishman Ken Miles, and the Americans Peter Brock and Phil Remington. Chuck Cantwell, the father of the Shelby GT 350 shared his insights into these key members of the Shelby team from his personal experience, as well as the cars he and they created. From newsletter.
34) (Editor: here is a recap of the NHRA Finals Yes program by Bill Montgomery.) The school kids getting some awareness about cool cars, people and STEAM activities. Guest speakers had the chance to speak with them under the white Tent. I
picked up Isky the Cam-Father. We arrived just in time for the first group of students in the pit area to see the vendors and Ed at the SkillsUSA booth, a proud partner of the YES program. David Earhart has been around for many years and has a good history with this event. The students asked for Isky’s autograph. I took Ed over to the presentation under the White Tent. At 103 he can do whatever he wants. He went out to the hot rod alley car show area where we ran into Bob Beck and Hot Rod Holley to name a couple of people. We went to see a Youth Jr Dragster Driver who is a 17-year-old student. She was not there at the time to meet Ed, but we took some good pictures of her car with Mike (Dad & Owner of Team). It was lunchtime and of course In-‘N-Out was the first choice. The next day (Saturday) we had an event at JFK High School with Ron Ferguson a former Rocket Scientist and President of the Delorean Owners club. We had over 200 students to hear what we had to say about STREAM activities and possible jobs when they graduate. NASA was a big topic. Our partners there were Ad Astra magazine, Dupont Registry
magazine, Hot Wheels, NASA, US Airforce, Space Force, and 360 Waterless Technology. Sunday we were back at Pomona. We saw people running towards the track to find out a Plane had crashed next to the bleachers not too far from us. This happened before 11am and caused a two-hour delay. No one died which was a blessing. We met Scott Parks and his family. We saw Lynsi Snyder (of In-‘N-Out) getting ready to run in the staging lanes.
35) Kyle Larson, 2021 NASCAR Cup Series Champion and one of the most respected drivers in NASCAR, Midget, Sprint Car, Late Model & INDYCAR, has joined the impressive lineup of featured speakers for the 5th Annual RACE INDUSTRY WEEK, Monday through Thursday, Dec 2-5, 2024. From: team.
AND: The following will be at the PRI Show: Penske Racing Shocks in booth #425 Green Hall; Sunnen in booth #5101 Yellow Hall; GET’M Performance in booth 1845 Green Hall; Turbosmart in booth 347 Green Hall; Reid Rocker Arms in booth #1201, Green Hall; Hotshot’s Secret in booth #3701 Yellow Hall; Trailer Alarm in booth #7006 Yellow Room.
36) Run Group E, which had the honor of starting the HSR Classic 24 Hour on Saturday, proved to be the closest contest of the race with more than 30 pristinely prepared GT cars literally taking it down to the wire in Sunday morning’s group finale. The British duo of Mike Jordan and his son Andrew Jordan held the lead at halfway and going into the race’s fourth and final segment in their Jordan Racing Team 2011 #77 Porsche 997.2 GT3 Cup. While the Group A, B and F winners turned in largely trouble-free runs to the finish, the other half of the 10th Classic 24 run order delivered the more familiar drama and close fights to the finish. Adam Saal at SaalGoodPR.
37) 5th Annual Race Industry Week December 2-5, 2024, featured speakers: Kevin Miller, President and CEO of The United States Auto Club (USAC). Brian Carter is the CEO of the World of Outlaws. Chris Ward is President of Historic Sportscar Racing (HSR). Barry Wasner is Chip Ganassi Racing’s Senior Manager of INDYCAR Operations. Tim Seebold along with his longtime friend John Schubert created the F1 Powerboat Championship. Cindy Sisson is the Executive Director of Women in Motorsports North America (WIMNA). Jonathan Applegate is the operational lead for Mazda’s motorsports activities in North America. Pierre Lenfant is the Sporting Coordinator A.S.O. Motorsport Events (Dakar). From: team.
38) Start racing today with NHRA Street Legal. From: National Hot Rod Association updates. DIVISON 7
Pacific Arizona, Tucson Dragway, Tucson, Arizona, (1/4-mile), 520-762-9700, http://www.tucsondragway.com/.
Firebird Motorsports Park, Chandler Arizona, (1/4-mile), 520-796-5601, https://racefirebird.com/.
California In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip, Pomona, California, (1/4-mile), 909-593-7010.
Barona Drag Strip, Lakeside, California, (1/8-mile), 619-607-5449, http://www.baronadrags.com/.
Famoso Dragstrip, McFarland, California, (1/8-mile), 844-346-4876, http://www.famosoraceway.com/.
Irwindale Dragstrip, Irwindale, California, (1/8-mile), 626-358-1100, www.irwindalespeedway.com.
Redding Drag Strip, Redding, California, (1/4-mile), 530-215-3003, http://www.reddingdragstrip.info/.
39) The Ultimate Guide on NHRA Drag Racing Series Betting in the US. Conclusion: NHRA drag racing betting is still in its infant stages. There is not much information regarding this thrilling sport that is rapidly gaining the attention of motorsport fans in the US. However, we have tried to cover every betting insight and strategy that will help you place successful bets. If you have any queries, please contact our customer support team and visit our website for more of our betting guides. https://nxtbets.com
/the-ultimate-guide-on-nhra-drag-racing-series-betting-in-the-us/. John Towle
40) Mike Hull, Chip Ganassi Racing’s Managing Director and the Chief Strategist on the No. 9 PNC Bank Honda driven by six-time INDYCAR champion Scott Dixon, has joined the impressive lineup of featured speakers for the 5th Annual Race Industry Week, Monday through Thursday, Dec 2-Dec 5, 2024.
AND: The following companies will be attending the PRI Show: Darton Sleeves in booth #2301 Green Hall; GFB Deceptor Pro II, booth #243 Green Hall; Maradyne, booth #1714 Green Hall; Mec CNC booth 5755 Yellow Hall; PBM Performance booth #1343 Green Hall; Reid Racing booth #1201 Green Hall; Speedmaster booth #3233 Yellow Hall; MetalAce booth #5329 Yellow Hall; Buffalo Turbine booth #1725 Green Hall. From: team.
41) Wally’s stories: courtesy of DRIVE Magazine, by Wally Parks (to be serialized in coming newsletters). Law Enforcement
My father continued with his article, “One program is called ‘Beat the Heat’ in which eligible contestants at drag racing events can race against the cops, for personal satisfaction and peer recognition. It comes back to the philosophy that you can sometimes gain more with law encouragement than enforcement and is an asset to areas where local drag strips exist. ‘Beat the Heat’ was started years ago by a Florida policeman Don Robertson, who now is the operations manager for Gainesville Raceway, one of NHRA’s finest racing facilities. And one enthusiastic group that has become nationally active is Beat the Heat, Inc, an organization of former and present police officers with its national headquarters in Amarillo, Texas (beattheheatinc.org).
42) With the Jordans’ holding only just over a four-second gap on the closest challenger, however, a half dozen competitors went into the fourth and final round with a shot at the win. The Jordan’s fought to the finish with a second-place final segment run but were nipped for the victory and ultimately overall Group honors by the 2018 #898 Charles Wicht Racing Porsche 991.2 Cup of Michael Merritt and Steve Dunn. The #898 team led only the closing stages of the fourth segment, but that was enough for Dunn to take the checkered flag 11.342 seconds ahead of the Jordans for the closest finish of the 10th Anniversary HSR Classic Daytona 24 Hour Presented by Mission Foods. Adam Saal at SaalGoodPR.
43) September 5-7, 2025. Historic Sportscar Racing (HSR) at VIR Historics Weekend – VIRginia International Raceway, Alton, Virginia. saalgoodpr.
44) The Vintage Speedcar Association Newsletter #247 (New South Wales, Australia) Issue 2 October/November 2024. New Members Bob Haselgrove of Sunbury Victoria Currently owns and drives the ex Des Nash Holden Vic 55 speedcar & ex Des Nash TQ. John Finch of Davistown NSW. In 1969 built Compact #98 and drove at Sydney Showground, Canberra, Goulburn, Newcastle, Liverpool & Queensland. Joined National Speedcar Club in 1969. Drove # 7 midget owned by Terry Clifford. Also drove #4 Super Modified owned by Wally Puch. Raced sedan at Lismore Speedway. Was President of NSW Vintage Compact Speedcar Club for around 3 years. Our Club extends a warm welcome to our new members. From: John & Maria Green.
45) Burnout! 60th Anniversary of British International Drag Racing Festival (continued). The Drag Festival was such an important occasion at the time for the growth of British Drag Racing. What this Exhibition means to the BDRH, is that it will be seen by many thousands of visitors and give them an understanding of how the Motor Sport of Drag Racing started in England and then in Europe. Nick’s video includes a quick look at the exhibition, then he films Dave Riswick talking to Derek Metcalf and the opening speeches, firing up the Allard Chrysler dragster, Chris Pattison taking a seat in the Allard Chrysler, Alan Allard talking to Rob Mackie and then Nick climbs into the Allard Chrysler dragster. You can view Nick’s video by going to https://www.you
johnhunt.drn. (cont’d)
46) Western Australia Circuit Master Challenge, September 2024, by Paul Bartlett VSCC Motorsport Australia Delegate. With three years in the planning, the WA Historic Touring Car Club, has run an inaugural new event, to determine who can “master” both Wanneroo Raceway and Collie Motorplex circuits. The event was organised over 2 consecutive weekends in September, to allow interstate and international visitors, to bring their family and friends for a holiday in the west, and race at two very different tracks. Interstate visitors travelled from South Australia, NSW and Qld to compete at the inaugural event. One driver, Nick Swift (driving a Mini on loan from Rodney Hansen in Qld) and his wife even flew in from the UK after racing at the Goodwood Revival on the previous weekend. Qualifying and 5 races were scheduled at both tracks and an additional Mini only Challenge Race was held at Collie Motorplex. Racing was fast and furious but very clean at Wanneroo and Collie, except in the Mini Challenge which saw some damage to several cars whilst enthusiastically competing for the same corners. Luckily, some quick in pit repairs saw all of them return to the track for the next race. (For the full article see the November issue of Vintage Metal.)
47) We host NASA scientists and engineers as guest speakers. Learning from industry experts ignites students, passion in STEM. Provide internships and mentorships. Gaining real-world experience guides students’ career paths. Hold an innovation contest for students to invent solutions to real problems. This promotes critical thinking and creativity. By making education relevant to future jobs, our programs enable students to turn their interests into meaningful careers. Join our team to inspire the next generation of innovators and pioneers. Hidden Pioneers is at hiddenpioneers.
48) Books on Mark Greene’s Cars Year website mentioned by those appearing on Mark’s Podcast.
Rob Ida – Indomitable Tin Goose: A Biography of Preston Tucker, by Charles T. Pearson.
Bruce Meyer – World Registery of Cobras and GT40s, by Rick Kopec.
John Light – Stealing Speed, by Max Oxley.
Toby Peterson – The Illustrated Buyers Guide to Deloreans, by James V. Espey and Failing Forward, by John C. Maxwell.
Harrod Blank – Art Cars, by Harrod Blank.
Zack Miller – A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius, by Dave Eggers.
Steve Wood – Go Like Hell, by A.J. Baime.
Steve Johann – The Bible, Man’s Search for Meaning, by Viktor E. Frankl and The Bible.
Billy Hammon – Engineer to Win, by Carroll Smith.
49) Longtime historic and vintage racing team Autometrics and solo team driver Cory Friedman prevailed in another non-stop GT battle for their first overall HSR Classic race win with a Run Group C victory in the 1995 #14 Autometrics Porsche 993 RSR. The Porsche was the same one the Autometrics team campaigned in the 2001 Rolex 24 at Daytona as the only air-cooled, normally aspirated Porsche competing that year, and one of the last ever of that legendary type and generation to run in the Rolex 24. Adam Saal at SaalGoodPR.
50) BLAST FROM THE PAST…… From the Wally & Barbara Parks story, We Did It Our Way. 20 JUNE 1949 Assemblyman G. Delbert Morris and AB2640. California Assemblyman G. Delbert Morris responded to a letter from Helen Marovich concerning her fears about Assembly Bill 2640. This is not the first or the last time that state officials will try to ban various types of cars on California roads. In 1945 G. Thatcher Darwin went to Sacramento to protest a bill that would have banned all customized cars (meaning hot rods). Such a bill would have condemned any car on the road that had the least “improvements” on them and made stock cars the only vehicles that could be driven legally.
51) Big Four Ferrari 857 Sells at Pebble Beach (serialized in coming issues, November 2024 issue of Vintage Metal). John Edgar had quite a stable of Ferrari sports cars including the 1954 Le Mans winning 375+, a 275 Sport Barchetta, 340 America, 410 and of course the 857. In 1956 he had his driver Jack McAfee pilot the 857 to second at Palm Springs, a win at the Stockton Road Races then second in class, third overall at Pebble Beach in a race that saw the death of Ernie McAfee (no relation) and the end of racing at the Pebble Beach road course. That would have meant the end of racing on the Monterey Peninsula, but nearby Fort Ord provided the Laguna Seca course that is still in operation. Bob Campbell at robertcampbell4.
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