Motorsports Newsletter 7/03/24

By Richard Parks

1. EDITORIAL: Odds will be released, and wagers will be accepted beginning with the Super Grip NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals, which takes place June 7-9 at Bristol Dragway. “PlayNHRA marks a huge and significant step forward for the NHRA and its fans,” NHRA Vice President and Chief Development Officer Brad Gerber said. “This initiative will provide a destination for fans to enjoy the safest and most regulated place to bet on NHRA drag racing, participate in fantasy games, and engage with our sport in so many new ways.” www.NHRA.com, & David Kennedy AND: The Ultimate Guide on NHRA Drag Racing Series Betting in the US. Understanding NHRA Race Format As discussed earlier, there are many drag racing categories, but only four stand out: Top Fuel Dragster, Funny Car, Pro Stock, and Pro Stock Motorcycle categories. The racing sessions are divided into three parts: Practice/Training sessions, Qualifying round and Final race. https://nxtbets.com/the-ultimate-guide-on-nhra-drag-racing-series-betting-in-the-us/. John Towle EDITORIAL: I’ve asked a few folks that are connected with the Motorsports Hall of Fame (MSHF) about the early photographers of motorsports? That was the only way many people got to see motorsports back in the day was through photographs. In magazines, newspapers, etc. There was no TV coverage on almost all motorsports in the past. Many of these early photographers traveled the circuit of their motorsport of choice and promoted the heck out of it through their images. I know firsthand these guys didn’t get rich but did it for the love of the sport. Anyway, I brought this up to the folks at the MSHF and I was told that they basically didn’t count. Steve Reyes sreyes@reyesontour.com STEVE: I want to put this in my newsletter. You are perfectly correct. Without the photogs, writers, historians, promoters, sponsors, editors, PR and a host of others in motorsports we wouldn’t have the vibrant culture that we do today. My Dad always supported the men and women who filled the stands and wrote and photographed the events. They were vital and there should be a place in every Hall of Fame for these valued people. AND: John Force’s Crash at the VIRGINIA NATIONALS is big news in the Drag racing world. He won the first round, but the car exploded across the finish line at over 300 mph. John is in Neuro ICU. The latest is that he is improving with News Releases being left to his family. I picked up this information from the Internet. For more information, you might want to Google John Force 300 mph Crash or something similar. Dale Cook DALE: “NHRA Funny Car legend John Force was taken to a Richmond-area hospital Sunday afternoon following his fiery, wall-smashing, high-speed crash during the first round of the PlayNHRA Virginia Nationals.” From Autoweek
2. There was the time Ak Miller bought a yacht. He referred to it as a Yech. After two misadventures (First and second trips off the dock. One of which resulted in a hole in the Yech) Ak decided to go to a Yeching class. He told me the instructor was a drunk in a yeching cap. The final test was to chart a course from Los Angeles harbor around Catalina Island and then to San Francisco. Ak charted a course from Los Angeles to the Salten Sea in the California desert. Figures. (source: Tim Kraushaar (aka) Weed/Starter at Lions Drags). EDITOR: Tim is collecting more Ak stories. Send me your AK stories to compile and send back to you.
3. Our father, Donald C. Smith, born on October 4, 1933, passed away Sunday, June 16, 2024, after battling several health issues. He was born in San Francisco to Cathryn (Caffarelli) and Donald E. Smith. He attended Commerce High School and City College of San Francisco. He served in the US Navy with an honorable discharge October 31, 1959. On June 7, 1952, he married Patricia Ann Carlson (deceased 2014). They purchased their first home in Daly City, California where they raised three daughters. He was a partner, then owner of Champion Speed Shop. He was also a partner of Half Moon Bay and Cotati Drag Strips. His love of the automotive industry continued opening High Performance Distributors in Colma, California. He is survived by his 3 daughters: Cathryn Spencer, Donna Hovan (Joe) and Lynn Landucci; five grandchildren: Vinny Bona (Jamie), Kristin Lynch (Mike), Joey Hovan (Kendra), Danielle Landucci (Dave Lewerenz), Matt Hovan (Natalia); and by nine great-grandchildren: Mylah Hovan, Mackson Hovan, Daxon Lewerenz, Donovan Lewerenz, Major Hovan, Declyn Lynch, Noah Hovan, Payton Lynch, Knox Hovan. Friends are invited to join the family for a celebration of Don’s life from 6 to 8 pm on Thursday, June 27, 2024, at Sneider & Sullivan & O’Connell’s, 977 S. El Camino Real, San Mateo. To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store. Published by San Francisco Chronicle on June 20, 2024. From Don’s Children and John Towle, courtesy of the SEMA on-line news: https://www.sema.org/news-media/enews/2024/26/industry-mourns-loss-1987-sema-hall-fame-inductee-don-smith.
4. Greg Sharp mined his extensive photo library to come up with an amazing assortment of images that show the short lived but impactful Track Roadster era. This shot from 1953 at the Carrell Speedway in Southern California shows a particularly active and interesting pit/infield area. Visible are entries from Engle Cams, Chrisman Garage and Blair’s Muffler Shop. From Steve Coonan customerservice@roddersjournal.com. Sent in by Don Smith.
5. The Return of Nazdar. In 2018, two of Nicholas race buddies, Kevin Richards and Mike Eaton, found and bought the same car Nicholas had race in IMSA, Nazdar the BMW 2002. Nicholas recalls, “I had no idea the car had been found let alone purchased. It wasn’t until Spring when we were getting Honeybee ready for Sebring that I saw the car, all dusty and a bit shoddy looking, but complete. After 44 years it certainly was a surprise and a sight for sore eyes. Over the next few years, Kevin Richards took the car completely apart and rebuilt it from the ground up. The engine was sent to an old BMW friend, Ray Korman, who was amazed at the condition of the engine, the same one used in the car in 1973. Ray rebuilt it and we are still racing with that engine today.” Dave Nicholas at davnik6@gmail.com.
6. Rick Lorenzen: His Legacy Continues. Rick Lorenzen 1941-2024: Forever in Our Hearts. It is with a heavy heart that we share the news of the passing of our beloved founder, Rick Lorenzen on Sunday, June 16, 2024. Rick’s passion and dedication to Southern California’s automotive culture has left an indelible mark on all of us. His leadership was instrumental in building Price Transfer, FCL Logistics and the Lions Automobilia Foundation, and his unwavering passion will impact those who knew him forever. Lions media@lionsautomobilia.org, and Doug Stokes AND: Very interesting newsletter, sorry to hear about Lorenzen. If there ever was a super fan of drag racing, he was it. I hope the museum stays open as a tribute to him. Steve Reyes sreyes@reyesontour.com
7. Paul Chamberlain’s story continued. “I worked at NHRA for two summers, 1958 and 1959. After graduating high school in February of 1959, I started classes at Art Center College of Design as (you guessed it) a Transportation Major. I was gonna design cars; more about that and NHRA later. After my summer’s tenure, my brother Harry Chamberlain took over and he even got to go to the Nationals. The staff at NHRA boasted some of the top names; Jack Clark, Dick Wells, Dick Joy of course Wally and Barbara (although Wally worked out of PPC). And I must mention Beverly Johnson, truly the “go-to gal” if you really needed to get things done. She was the unsung hero of the day.” (to be continued) READERS: All these people mentioned by Paul are listed in the Wally & Barbara Parks Story: We Did It Our Way.
8. SCTA & BNI event calendar for 2024. Always check the SCTA website for information regarding the events before attending. May 18-19, 2024 (two-day event, El Mirage Dry Lake). June 9, 2024 (El Mirage Dry Lake). July 14, 2024 (El Mirage Dry Lake). Bonneville (Utah) Speedweek, August 3-9, 2024. September 15, 2024 (El Mirage Dry Lake). Bonneville (Utah) World Finals, September 28-October 1, 2024. October 20, 2024 (El Mirage Dry Lake). November 9-10, 2024 (two-day event, El Mirage Dry Lake). rulebookinfo@scta-bni.org, 661-802-1355.
9. NHRA News: History on the line for Herrera at Virginia Nationals. Richmond marks final race of Pro Mod regular season. Father’s Day to remember at Wally Parks Nostalgia Nats. Catch the LATEST NHRA NEWS
10. The Hillclimb at Mt Ommanney on April 27. Photos by Dennis Marcus. https://indd.adobe.com/view/8931f083-d4e9-4526-b4b7-1a670c4bb615. Vintage Metal Magazine, Vintage Sports Car Club of Western Australia.
11. I appreciate being on the newsletter circulation. Thank you for the behind-the-scenes hard work. I was a bit thrown by item 8 in the current newsletter, as the way it reads, I was looking for a link or picture. Herb Andrews HERB: Don Smith sent this to me, and I will miss his communications. He was a very special man to my father and me. I believe the source was a part of a longer article that I broke into segments due to its size, so there may have been a link in one of the sections. Contact Steve or Don Coonan at mdskipjack@comcast.net, and perhaps they can provide a link for you. Thank you for the compliment, but I must thank all those who contribute because that is how I keep up with the world of motorsports. At 80, I don’t get out much anymore. AND: Thank you for the kind words about my Dad, Don Smith. We laid him to rest this morning with thankful but saddened hearts that he is at his final resting place beside my mom, Patricia. I know he thoroughly enjoyed sending you his bits and pieces of his fond memories in the automotive industry. We will all miss him. Thanks to all of you who knew him and have sent beautiful thoughts and condolences to our family and me. Donna Smith
12. Books and Manuals from CarTech Publishing, 6118 Main Street, North Branch, Minnesota 55056, 1-800-551-4754, www.CarTechBooks.com. How to Build Big-Inch Chevy Small-Blocks, by Graham Hansen. Camaro 5th Gen 2020-2015: How to Build and Modify, by Scott Parker. Camaro Concept Cars: Developing Chevrolet’s Pony Car, by Scott Kolecki. Chevelle Restoration & Authenticity Guide 1970-1972, by Dale McIntosh & Rick Nelson. 1969 Chevrolet Chevelle SS 396: Muscle Cars in Detail #12, by Dale McIntosh. Chevelle Performance Projects: 1964-1972, by Cole Quinnell.
13. WE GET VISITORS DEPT: Spencer Simon drove down from the San Francisco Bay area to pick up a motor and stopped by to visit. It’s a pleasure to see him in person and hear about the NorCal guys from his area. Spencer was an area reporter for the old Society of Land Speed Racing Historians Newsletter and contributed many historical articles. Spencer knows all the garages up north and visits them to bench race with the old-timers. Let’s all keep in touch with each other and write down some of the memories of the past and share with the younger generation.
14. MONDAY, APRIL 19, 1993, SPORTS Copyright 1993/THE TIMES MIRROR COMPANY JIM MURRAY LONG BEACH GRAND PRIX. Roger Penske, reprinted courtesy of Linda Murray. “Paul Tracy spent more time on wheels than entire teamster locals in eastern Canada. When he was 15, he was competing in world championship Kart races. As he got older, he was around cars so much he almost needed a periodic oil change himself. Canadian kids are supposed to head for the ice as soon as they’re old enough to lace on skates. Paul Tracy preferred a garage to a rink, wheels to skates. He wanted to be an Unser, not a Gretzky. He won a Can-Am race when he was only 16, the youngest ever. He was winning races before his voice changed. He was driving cars when other kids hadn’t gotten off tricycles.” From: Jim Murray Memorial Foundation murrayscholars@aol.com.
15. I assiduously read your lively, informative and very important newsletter. My only observation is that it is sad to hear about our heroes and idols of the hot rod and speed world passing on – and sadly taking with them a few more memories of this grand epoch in American history. I do see young guys here in Santa Rosa that keep the nitro flames alive – Speed Shop employees and the like. Keep ‘em rolling. Michael Dobrin
16. BLAST FROM THE PAST…… From the Wally & Barbara Parks story, We Did It Our Way. 8 FEBRUARY 1945 Letter from General Motors to Dad. J. D. FitzGerald, personnel manager for the General Motors plant in South Gate wrote to my father asking permission to run one of his cartoons in the company magazine and offering $5 in war stamps as compensation. FitzGerald wrote, “Dear Wally: Please find attached a copy of the current issue of General Motors Folks magazine as well as a letter from Mr Milton E. Mumblow, Managing Editor of the attached publication, extending to you $5 worth of War Stamps for the privilege of using the cartoon contained in the magazine.”
17. Duffy Livingstone, by Dick Martin (for photographs go to https://www.motortrend.com/staff/dick-martin/.) “I entered the Examiner Grand Prix because I knew I wouldn’t make the race. They had the top cars from all over the US plus they had Formula One drivers from Europe competing. I thought I can go out there race day, Saturday, and get 25 gallons of free fuel, a case of oil and a quart of brake fluid. Take a couple of laps, go home, drain the fuel, set the oil on the shelf, go back Sunday and get another 25 gallons of fuel, the oil, and the brake fluid.” Tech inspections were held in Hollywood the week before. Duffy ran his car through inspection primarily to get his pit pass. But Duff had an ulterior motive. He gave the pass to his friend who worked at a photo lab. “He cranked off a few for my buddies. I thought that my buddies and I could sit in the infield and watch the race…rub elbows with the big wheels,” laughed Duffy. (cont’d)
18. TWIN BARRELS article for DRIVE Magazine by Wally Parks. One of the favorite places for such entertainment, back then, was the Twin-Barrels – a popular drive-in located in Los Angeles, about 40 miles west of where we lived, and just off LaBrea on Melrose. Its Friday night agenda, for the regulars who frequented the weekend gatherings, included some hot laps around the block, which were not the least bit appreciated by the neighbors. Two of the more spectacular roadster heroes were a young guy called ‘Friday,’ who later became a midget car race-driver, and Connie Wiedel, noted for his coke-bottle-lens vision impairment and who was a hands-on contributor to Andy Granatelli’s enterprising Grancor speed equipment ventures. (to be continued)
19. The remaining NHRA YES (Youth & Education Services) event the Hidden Pioneers plan to support. 2024 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series Season Schedule. Nov 14-17, 2024, 59th annual In-N-Out Burger NHRA Finals, In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip, Pomona, Calif. To purchase or renew tickets, please visit www.nhra.com. Hidden Pioneers hiddenpioneers@gmail.com.
20. BOOK REVIEW: Where They Raced; Auto racing venues in Los Angeles, 1900-1990, by Harold L. Osmer (to be serialized). Sixteen board tracks were built in the East and 8 along the Pacific Rim states. Board tracks were as short as a half mile and as long as two miles and their smooth steep banked tracks gave lots of thrills and chills. The first board track was built in 1910 at Playa Del Rey in Venice, California and the last board track was built in 1928 at Woodbridge, New Jersey. They attracted huge audiences for the day but maintenance, age, development and changing tastes doomed them after two decades of marvelous excitement. The aerial photos and maps bring back an earlier day. Harold Osmer is at program@hopublishing.com. (to be continued)

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