By Richard Parks<\/p>\n
1) EDITOR\u2019S CORNER: Every car person has a collection. It might not be cars, but maybe photographs, documents, memorabilia and more. Have you thought about where your prized possessions will go when you are gone? So much is lost when our “treasures” haven\u2019t been deeded to those who will carry it on. Value lies not in its sale value, but in its historical importance. Don\u2019t let your history be forgotten.<\/p>\n
AND: All links in the newsletter need to be copied and pasted into your browser in order to work.<\/p>\n
2) REMEMBERING OUR LOST FRIENDS DEPARTMENT: Lost Speedways in 2024, by Chris Romano & Bob Storck.
\nThis year we lost I-64 Motorplex drag strip in Kentucky, East Bay Raceway Park in Florida, Battlefield Dragstrip in Mississippi, South Bend Motor Speedway in Indiana closed after almost 78 years. State Park Speedway in Wisconsin closed after 71 years. Humberstone Speedway in Ontario lost their lease, ending a 50-year run. Star crossed Irwindale Speedway and dragstrip closed after a difficult 20-year history. Eastside Speedway drag strip in Waynesboro, VA closed its doors and will be taken over by a solar farm. Heartland Park in Kansas which hosted major NASCAR, NHRA, SCCA and many sports and vintage events finally succumbed to finances.<\/p>\n
US sports cars\/road racing, by Chris Romano & Bob Storck.
\nRamin Abdolvahabi, 58, a renowned neurosurgeon and racer in the IMSA Pilot Challenge died of pancreatic cancer.
\nBilly Dingman, 78, found success in IMSA with the Dingman Brothers Racing Team, winning at Miami twice. He later fielded cars in NASCAR and drag racing.
\nBob Riley, 93, started out designing winning Indy Cars for A.J. Foyt and Pat Patrick, but it was in IMSA sports cars that his talent shown brightest, designing multiple winners.<\/p>\n
3) A video uploaded Monday shows demolition equipment tearing down the grandstands at Irwindale Speedway. Story by Caleb Jacobs. See https:\/\/www.thedrive.com\/news\/irwindale-speedway-is-being-demolished-after-years-in-limbo<\/a>. Please add a quote from me: “Damn them all to hell.” Doug Stokes<\/p>\n EDITOR: Doug Stokes was the Information and Press Box Director and promoted Irwindale Raceway for years.<\/p>\n 4) WE GET MAIL DEPARTMENT:<\/p>\n a) Glad to see that you are back and finally feeling better. I\u2019m sure that the wonderful job you do with the worldwide Motorsports Newsletter is very taxing and as you get older it gets tougher. I can tell you that at 96 everything gets tougher. I am in good health which is a blessing but everything else is harder to get done. Stay healthy, Richard, and keep up the good word at least twice a month. Chic Cannon<\/p>\n READERS: Did you know that the California Hot Rod Reunion was actually started by Chic Cannon in the 1980\u2019s in Templeton, California and it was called The Hot Rodders Reunion.<\/p>\n b) Here\u2019s a snap of Ak Miller\u2019s obituary from the LA Times. It was dated December 21, 2005, and was written by Shav Glick! Your Pop is in the pic too. All the best. Mike Kaehny at mike.kaehny.<\/p>\n READERS: The photo shows Ak Miller in the Hot Rod Magazine Special, with Wally Parks and Ray Brock looking on.<\/p>\n c) I think it was Tex Smith\u2019s “Moto Awards?” What ever happened to them? Why only two years? Kenny Youngblood<\/p>\n KENNY: I don\u2019t remember such an award being mentioned in my father\u2019s papers, but I\u2019m sure Tex probably did have such awards. I remember one time he created an award out of blown dragster parts and presented it to my father. Neatest looking “lamp” ever made and it\u2019s in the Motorsports Museum.<\/p>\n d) Will (let) Greg Sharp (know) ASAP. He LOVES the \u2018letter; doesn\u2019t have a whole lot else to look forward to (although a teeny-tiny bit of blurred vision occasionally returns, in brief bursts). He especially enjoys the direct quotes from your dad. If you haven\u2019t already called, why don\u2019cha? I try to time calls between normal mealtimes because he\u2019d rather talk than eat whenever a call comes in. NOTE: The basic Siri-speaker system in his room works only for IN-coming calls; he\u2019s unable to “dial out.” If you call & get no answer or tone, he\u2019s either on the phone or out with an attendant. Keep trying: 626-650-5452. DWjr<\/p>\n DAVE: I\u2019ll print your letter as I\u2019m sure some of Greg\u2019s friends don\u2019t know where he is right now.<\/p>\n 5) The latest issue can be read at https:\/\/indd.adobe.com\/view\/f6f74cbe-481b-4ac9-89d6-0c1bd8ab41ca<\/a>. Got your latest newsletter. Glad to hear that you are better. Look after yourself and keep the newsletters coming. Bob Campbell<\/p>\n READERS: To read the February issue of the Vintage Sports Car Club of Western Australia (VSCC) copy the link in your browser and hit search. Australia has fantastic racing all over the continent and magnificent dry lakes and salt lakes that are sometimes used for racing. The beaches are world famous and the people welcoming, especially so when you let them know you race and enjoy motorsports as much as they do. In the February issue of VINTAGE METAL Journal, you will find articles on their banquets, parties and the fabulous clubhouse they constructed for their meetings. News on “Round-the-Houses” race, a story of “Challenging Bathurst” racecourse, many pages of old race cars, interesting sidenotes, historical article on the Phillips\u2019 head screw and screwdriver, cars for sale and more. If you plan on having an Australian vacation let me know and I will give you some contacts “down under.”<\/p>\n 6) Proposed new date for Hidden Garages event at Steve Saleen\u2019s site in Corona is April 19, 2025. Steve says his campus can accommodate 100-120 cars. I\u2019m envisioning filling it with Mustangs. Building upon the foundation that Bill Montgomery has created, we can make this a memorable event. John Clinard (info at hiddenpioneers).<\/p>\n 7) This is a film that is better than Switchblade Sisters. You won\u2019t believe this one. It\u2019s now available on blue ray DVD. See https:<\/p>\n \/\/grassrootsmotorsports.com\/news\/pit-stop-film-about-figure-8-racing-oddly-shows-no-<\/a> pit-stops\/. https:\/\/www<\/a>.youtube.com\/watc<\/p>\n h?v=l9GSSMOWZ9k. https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=hWJDJV-BNg0<\/a>. https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=lWn7<\/a>r_o-vOM<\/a>.<\/p>\n The 1969 movie Pit Stop was filmed at several locations in California, including: Ascot Park Speedway, located at 18601 S. Vermont Avenue, Gardena; California Barris Kustom Kars showroom, located in North Hollywood, Los Angeles, California. From: Ron Main at ron.<\/p>\n 8) NHRA\u2019s The Sports Report: Laris Motorsports Cajun SPORTSnationals set for March 12-16. Racers who have yet to win titles but have been close. Full schedule for Summit Racing. Junior Drag Racing League schedule released. The following tracks have been added to NHRA in 2025: Wichita Raceway Park (Division 4), Concho Valley Dragway, Darlington Dragway (Division 2), and Interstate Raceway (Division 5). McPhillips Racing signs Melanie Johnson for 2025. Brainerd International Raceway to host hockey day Minnesota in 2027. Full slate of 2024 Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series broadcasts on NHRA\u2019s YouTube channel. Sportsman Appreciation event at Gainesville Raceway, February 26, 2025. HQ offices located at 140 Via Verde, Suite 100 San Dimas, CA 91773. From: updates.<\/p>\n 9) This Week on Cars Yeah Ginger Baker Rust interviews “Boston Be A Man” (yes, that\u2019s his name), Matt Stone, and John Wright. Go to info.<\/p>\n 10) Chris Pook Named 2025 Motorsports Hall of Fame of America Bob Russo Heritage Award Winner and 37th MSHFA Induction Celebration Presented by Toyota Racing Honorary Chair. Complete Class of 2025 Honorees Includes Skip Barber (Sports Cars), Miguel Duhamel (Motorcycles), Carl Haas (Open Wheel), Ed Iskenderian (At Large), Dale Jarrett (Stock Cars), Chris Pook (Heritage Award), Tony Schumacher (Drag Racing), Bill Stroppe (Off Road), Louie Unser (Historic) and William K. Vanderbilt (Historic). From Adam Saal at SaalGoodPR<\/p>\n 11) Chris Agajanian reported on the recent Motorcycle Legends 2025 Hot Shoe Hall of Fame. Hosts were Keith Mashburn, Terry Clanton and Jerry Bernardo. Also onstage were Chris Agajanian, Bubba Shobert, Brad Lackey, Dave Aldana, Brad Oxley, Fred Hoess, Robie Peterson, Jack Penton, Doug Dubach, Billy Gray and Ty Davis. Also attending were “King” Kenny Roberts, Garth Brow, Ralph White, Jimmy Odom, Norm Francis, Gerrit Wolsink, Billy Grossi, Mike Konle, Miguel DuHamel, Jean Fink, Dave Joiner, Brian Uchida and Scott Rousseau. On display were Robie Peterson\u2019s hillclimb and Joe Kopp\u2019s AMA Grand National bikes. Agajanian spoke of Ascot Park, flat track, motocross and speedway events. The event in Las Vegas, was created by Gene Woods in 2020 to honor motorcycle racing and the racers who made it memorable.<\/p>\n 12) BOOKS: Cranswick on Classic Chevrolet Corvette 1953-1996, by Mark Cranswick, \u00a360\/$90 Hardback, 20.7x25cm, 240 pages, 425 pictures. Alfa Romeo Cars in Motorsport Since 1945, \u00a380, Hardback, 29.5\u00d726.5cm, 328 pages, 370 pictures.<\/p>\n Porsche 911 991: The Definitive History, 2011 to 2019, \u00a350\/$70, Hardback, 20.7x25cm, 224 pages, 364 pictures. Jaguar: All the Cars Updated, Paperback Edition, \u00a340\/$60, Paperback, 17\u00d723.5cm, 424 pages, 982 pictures. Veloce newsletter.<\/p>\n 13) VSA (Vintage Speedcar Association) Newsletter of NSW (New South Wales, Australia) issue #247 October\/November 2024 (More on Chromefest). As seems to be the norm these days, the VSANSW display was very short on numbers considering the number of members we have, and the amount of cars we have in our fleet. We had only six midgets! They were; #1 Gary Pollock, #8 Rhonda and Kevin Gilkison, #38 Al Mace, #54 Greg Wells, #55 Nicole and Shane Fullagar, and #67 Terry Young. Thankfully we had other vintage speedway cars to bolster our effort. Thanks to Sid Middlemass with compact speedcar #5, Dave Hunt\u2019s hot rod #76, Dave Donaldson #14 sprintcar, and super modifieds #66 Nicole and Shane Fullagar, #77 Bob Rolf (I think that car may have changed hands during the weekend) and #2 Ron Scheers (Saturday only). Attention was certainly drawn to our area with engine starts performed by a show car, a drag car, and Dave Hunt\u2019s hot rod. It remains a fact there\u2019s nothing like the sound of a V8! From: John & Maria Green at ajkake.<\/p>\n 14) Lead Writer Diego Rosenberg is a native of Wilmington, Delaware and Princeton, New Jersey, giving him plenty of exposure to the charms of Carlisle and Englishtown. Though his first love is Citroen, he fell for muscle cars after being seduced by 1950s finned flyers\u2014in fact, he\u2019s written two books on American muscle. But please don\u2019t think there is a strong American bias because foreign weirdness is never far from his heart. With a penchant for underground music from the 1960-70s, Diego and his family reside in metropolitan Phoenix. From: Diego Rosenberg diegor at The ClassicCars.com Journal: Your daily dose of steel, rubber and soul.<\/p>\n 15) 2025 NHRA LUCAS OIL DRAG RACING SERIES SCHEDULE: PACIFIC DIVISION Firebird Motorsports Park: February 20-21, 2025. Firebird Motorsports Park: February 22-23, 2025. The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway: April 16-17, 2025. The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway: April 18-19, 2025. Famoso Dragstrip: September 25-26, 2025. Famoso Dragstrip: September 27-28, 2025. The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway: November 6-9, 2025. From: nhracommunications.<\/p>\n 16) Vintage Metal magazine (robertcampbell4.<\/p>\n 17) Lions Automobilia Foundation Museum Experience: Wed Feb 19, 2025, 9AM-2 PM PST. Sat Feb 22 9AM-2PM PST. Wed Feb 26 9AM-2PM PST. Lions Automobilia Foundation SAE Seminar \u2013 \u201cElectrification \u2013 Challenges & Opportunities\u201d Panel Discussion, Wed Feb 26, 6:30PM- 8:30PM PST. Lions Automobilia Foundation, Rancho Dominguez, CA 90221<\/p>\n 18) Wally\u2019s stories: courtesy of DRIVE Magazine, by Wally Parks (to be serialized in coming newsletters). DEAN MOON<\/p>\n \u201cAll eyes on Dean Moon! Back in the early 1950s \u2013 as a crusader for safety among the nation\u2019s hot rodders and car clubs \u2013 the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) was inspired and aided by members of an emerging industry of manufacturers and distributors of products aimed at a growing market for performance equipment and services. A positive result was the formation of SEMA \u2013 the Speed Equipment Manufacturers Association (later changed with the organization\u2019s growth to Specialty Equipment Market Association). Its founders and early leaders were actively involved in the development of products distributed primarily through speed shops and mail-order sales. Early SEMA presidents, like Paul Schiefer, an avid racer whose roadsters were top of the line in dry lake speed trials and whose flywheels opened up a new page in drag racing\u2019s performance efficiency; Wilcap\u2019s Willie Garner; Bell Auto Parts owner Roy Richter, an icon in auto racing; and Vic Edelbrock Jr, of Edelbrock performance equipment \u2013 all were graduates of the early speed equipment hobby\u2019s hands-on school.”<\/p>\n 19) EVENTS: Happy to announce that the CA Army National Guard Band will lead the Track Walk at the NHRA Winternationals on Sunday, March 30th. Join the parade up and down the strip and enjoy the music while doing it. Later, they will be performing and marching throughout the pits. Marvin Weston<\/p>\n COOL CRUISE Car Show in La Verne, CA on Saturday, April 19, 2025. This year\u2019s show is again benefiting the La Verne K9 Police Foundation. 50\/50 raffle. Craig Hoelzel at info.<\/p>\n Simeone Foundation Automotive Museum FAS Foundation, 6825 Norwitch Drive, Philadelphia, PA 19153, or newsletter.<\/p>\n 20) BLAST FROM THE PAST\u2026\u2026 From the Wally & Barbara Parks story, We Did It Our Way. 31 JANUARY 1950 Denver Timing Association and Cec Miller. John McKindley, secretary of the Denver Timing Association, wrote that they can\u2019t attend the conference set for February 5 in Fresno, but a member, Cec Miller may be in the area and will try and report on the proceedings. This shows the scope of what Wally Parks was trying to accomplish; he was not after a California association of car clubs; he wanted it to be a national committee with power to act.<\/p>\n 21) Books and Manuals from CarTech Publishing, 6118 Main Street, North Branch, Minnesota 55056, 1-800-551-4754,<\/p>\n www.CarTechBooks.com<\/a>. How to Rebuild and Modify Ford C4 and C6 Automotive Transmissions. Four Differentials: How to Rebuild the 8.8 and 9 Inch. Ford Y-Block Engines: How to Rebuild and Modify. Ford FE Engines: How to Rebuild.<\/p>\n 22) Bob Corn of Roush Racing, traveled to the event from Michigan along with his wife Nancy. He spoke to the crowd about his days with Ak Miller at Ford Motor Company when he was a young engineer and Miller was Ford\u2019s Racing Consultant. Ak traveled all over the country setting up the Ford Racing Team displays and recalled how that had been some of the best times of his life. \u201cI\u2019ll always be a Ford man,\u201d said Ak. (source Bob Corn June 28, 2005)<\/p>\n 23) MORE FROM EPARTRADE: The following will speak at the 5th Annual Race Industry Week.<\/p>\n Adrien Le Pan de Ligny, Development Lead, Motorsports Events, Dakar. Hosted by Brad Gillie from SiriusXM, Channel 90, Late Shift. Michael Cobb, President and CEO of SCCA (Sports Car Club of America). Hosted by Richard James of RACER.com. 24) Books mentioned on Cars Year website by those appearing on podcast.<\/p>\n Dean Case \u2013 The Art of Racing in the Rain<\/a> by Garth Stein and Dirt Tracks to Glory<\/a> by Sylvia Wilkinson.<\/p>\n Ian Flux \u2013 For Flux Sake<\/a> by Ian Flux.<\/p>\n Geoff Weiner \u2013 Unique Lalique Mascots<\/a> by Geoff Weiner.<\/p>\n Carlos Segura \u2013 The ABCs of the Automotive Industry<\/a> by Carlos Segura<\/p>\n David Culshaw \u2013 Alvis Society \u2013 A Century of Drivers<\/a> by David Culshaw<\/p>\n Allan Rosenberg \u2013 Inside Track<\/a> by Derek Hill, Doug Nye and Steve Dawson; and A Day at the Factory about VW manufacturing.<\/p>\n 25) Vintage Metal magazine (robertcampbell4.<\/p>\n 26) Brad Gerber, VP Sales & CDO of NHRA, joined us for the 5th Annual Race Industry Week. Hosted by Joe Castello of WFO Radio. Also interviewed was Erica Enders, Six-Time NHRA Pro Stock World Champion. Beth Paretta, VP of Sporting of Formula E, joined us for the 5th Annual Race Industry Week. Hosted by Laurence Foster of RACER.com. Also interviewed was Alan Gow, Chief Executive of British Touring Car Championship & the President of FIA Touring Car Commission. team.<\/p>\n 27) VSA (Vintage Speedcar Association) Newsletter of NSW (New South Wales, Australia) issue #247 October\/November 2024 (More on Chromefest). The entire weekend can be summed up with words expressed by Dave Hunt. A weekend full of great cars, workshops, music, good friends, camaraderie, lots of laughs, and heaps of sledging. The response we received from the general public was stunning. So many people enquired as to where they can see the cars on track, and others spoke about watching the cars at tracks which are now just a memory. And I think we have some new membership forms coming. I would love to know how we get more cars on display. Maybe next year we can arrange a night out for drinks and dinner on the Saturday night. Save the date of 24-26th October 2025 for a great weekend. From: John & Maria Green at ajkake.<\/p>\n 28) A Hidden Garages production, from Hidden Pioneers. Rodney Allen Rippy, from child star actor to media executive on the Jim Masters Show. Go to: https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=Z7WhX_tlTiw<\/a>.<\/p>\n 29) Wally\u2019s stories: courtesy of DRIVE Magazine, by Wally Parks (to be serialized in coming newsletters). DEAN MOON<\/p>\n SEMA\u2019s first president was Ed \u2018Isky\u2019 Iskenderian, whose background included many dry lakes excursions and tooling around in his fenderless, hopped-up flathead-powered T roadster (the original is on display at the NHRA Motorsports Museum in Pomona, California). SEMA\u2019s second president was Dean Moon, the founder of Moon Equipment \u2013 better known for his hot flathead Ford V-8 Coupe\u2019s fast performances at the dry lakes, and as a \u2018regular\u2019 among the herd of hot rodders who frequented Whittier, California\u2019s Hula Hut drive-in, in nightly forerunners of today\u2019s popular cruise-ins such as the Twilight Cruise held on the first Wednesday of each month at the Museum.<\/p>\n 30) Books: Maserati 450S, by Walter Baumer and Jean Francois Blachette. Maserati A6GCS, by Walter Baumer and Jean Francois Blachette. Maserati A6G 2000 Frua\/Pininfarina\/Vignale\/Allemano, by Walter Baumer. See: www.daltonwatson.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n 31) BLAST FROM THE PAST\u2026\u2026 From the Wally & Barbara Parks story, We Did It Our Way. 8 FEBRUARY 1950 Olympic Timing Association. Charles Cummings wrote to HRM that the Olympic Timing Association has been formed, and they have procured an abandoned airstrip with an asphalt runway near Bremerton, Washington. I went to that drag strip fourteen years later; it was situated on a hilltop in a wooded forest. Besides its beauty and charm it was in excellent condition though it was a bit disconcerting to see the cars go over the hill and out of sight of the spectators.<\/p>\n 32) Highlighting EPARTRADE\u2019s Premier Suppliers Exhibiting at PRI: HARROP ENGINEERING Booth #4333 HOT SHOT\u2019S SECRET Booth #3701 ICENGINEWORKS Booth #5329 IMPROVED RACING Booth #7206 ISKY RACING CAMS Booth #3913 JD SQUARED, INC. Booth #5649 JMS PERFORMANCE Booth #2511 KLOTZ Booth #625 LINE2LINE COATINGS Booth #1604 MAC\u2019S CUSTOM TIE DOWNS Booth #4104 MAHLE MOTORSPORT Booth #1601 MARADYNE HIGH PERFORMANCE FANS Booth #1714 MEGA-LINE RACING ELECTRONIC Booth #4524 METALACE Booth #5329 MOTOR STATE DISTRIBUTING Booth #2525 GST RACING SEALS Booth #4906 HALTECH Booth #825, 925 HMS MOTORSPORT Booth #3359 HRX Booth #2975 IMPACT RACING Booth #3529 INTERCOMP Booth #1401. From: team.<\/p>\n 33) Vintage Metal magazine (robertcampbell4.<\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n The post Motorsports Newsletter 2\/16\/25<\/a> appeared first on Drag Racing List<\/a>.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" By Richard Parks 1) EDITOR\u2019S CORNER: Every car person has a collection. It might not be cars, but maybe photographs, documents, memorabilia and more. Have you thought about where your prized possessions will go when you are gone? So much is lost when our “treasures” haven\u2019t been deeded to those who will carry it on. 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\nRyan Sage, one of the original founders of Formula DRIFT. Hosted by Taro Koki of RACER.com. Jason Dienhart, President and CEO of Global Time Attack and Super Lap Battle joined us for. Hosted by Taro Koki of RACER.com. Frm: team.<\/p>\n