| Gone Racin' Newsletter by Richard Parks #103 Dec 28, 2005 | ||
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News:
*Sherry Lee Roussel passed away from cancer. Born
in St Louis, MO, raised in Culver City,
CA, and resided until her death in Bakersfield, CA. Sherry used
to babysit for the Cal Niday,
Johnny McDowell, Johnnie Parsons and other racing
families. She married Rosie Roussel
after he won the 100 lap feature race at Balboa Stadium on Labor
Day in 1959. They promoted
and managed Saugus and Bakersfield Speedways together. She passed
away on December 21,
at the age of 69.
*This from NHRA but the legend only begins with Drag Racing! Former
Top Fuel racer Steve
Carbone, whose name was seared into the drag racing
history books after his famous starting-
line burndown with “Big Daddy” Don Garlits at the
'71 U.S. Nationals, passed away Dec 20.
Carbone, of Tulsa, had suffered a brain aneurysm two weeks earlier.
He was 62. Carbone also
was the '69 NHRA World champ in Top Fuel and a championship
sprint-car engine builder. In
the last 10 or 15 years Steve had been real active building Sprint
Car engines as well as finding
new talent. You could always count on seeing Steve and other
members of the family at Open
Wheel Shows from the Midgets at Chili Bowl to the World of Outlaw
Shows. Making his name
in the "sling-shot" style dragsters Carbone teamed up with the
Offixco bunch more than once tour-
ing the dirt tracks of Texas, and Oklahoma. When you're at Chili
Bowl look up the many regular
old timers and they'll be happy to fill you in on Steve Carbones
escapes. (Patty Frost)
*Neil Thompson and Bob Webb are both
out of the hospital and home. Bob Martin is going
into the hospital. (Jack Underwood)
-----------------------------
*After reading of Ak Miller's death in the LA Times,
I...picked up a copy of DRIVE Magazine,
where I read your article about him. I met Ak in 1950, when I joined the Road Runners. In 1951, at El Mirage I loaned him 5 gallons of methanol. The last time I saw him was at a California Racers Reunion held at the NHRA museum a few years ago. We talked of all the guys in the club back in the early '50's and I reminded him about the alki and he laughed when I told him he owed me about 5,000 gallons of the stuff. He will be missed. (Vic Enyart)
*I'm saddened to learn of Ak Miller's passing. I knew
him well during the time I was Secretary
of the SCTA. I would appreciate the article about
him...(Thatcher Darwin)
*Chris Meredith is set to return to the Formula Ford
Zetec Cooper Tire Championship Series
in 2006, but he's switching teams and will drive for Cape
Motorsports. (Linda K. Mansfield)
*James Dean: At Speed, By Lee Raskin.
11x11, 144 pages, 200+ photographs, $29.95. The
newest offering from the always-in-top-gear David Bull
Publishing celebrates the life and times
of one of the most enduring pop icons in American history,
James Dean. (Autobooks)
*Ken Freund at
kfreund@affinitygroup.com is
looking for Bill Groat.
*Did you know that Rosie Roussel used to drive for
my Grandparents? The Sunset Auto
Supply Special. Also driven by Nick Valenta,
Allen Heath, and others. I'm attaching a couple
pictures of Rosie and my Grandpa with the car. My Grandpa's the
one in the cap. I believe, if
I'm not mistaken, that my Grandpa is still, to this day, the only
car owner to win a Championship
in three associations in one year - 1951. I could be mistaken,
but I don't think so because I think
that was right around the time my Dad (Walt James)
became President of the California Road-
ster Association (CRA) and combined all the local associations
into one. (Vicki James)
-----------------------------------
*The Dirt Nation radio show will spotlight the Dirt Motorsports
organization on the Dec 26 show,
8-10PM EST on WLRT 1490 THE OUTLAW and can be accessed over the
internet at:
www.racetalklive.com and
is hosted by Dave Seay and Doc Lehman.
Dirt Motorpsorts is a
racing and sports entertainment company which owns and operates
four of motorsports' premier
sanctioning bodies: the World of Outlaws, DIRT MotorSports
Modified Series, United Midwest-
ern Promoters (UMP) and the Mid-America Racing Series (MARS).
Through these sanctioning
bodies, DIRT MotorSports organizes and promotes 16 national and
regional racing series includ-
ing the World of Outlaws Sprint Series and the World of Outlaws
Stacker 2 Late Model Series.
See www.dirtnation.net,
or www.racetalklive.com
(Doc Lehman)
*SpeedFreaks Radio show interviewed NHRA racers
Angelle Sampey and Richie Stevens;
Motorcycle champion, AMA Superbiker Josh Hayes;
and U.S. Marine F-18 pilot Mike
Pagano. See
http://www.speedfreaks.tv/articles/320,1.html Also see
SpeedFreaks Sunday
Radio Show: 10 pm ET or 7 pm PT, and SpeedFreaks Saturday Radio
Show: 4 pm ET or 1
pm PT. Additional Sunday night LIVE coverage
http://www.SportsByline.com,
the Armed
Forces Network and on Sirius Satellite Radio's channel 122, via
Sports Byline USA.
*Bill Center, Dennis Bickmeier at
California Speedway and myself (Jim Short) are putting
together a farewell fete for Shav Glick and
also paying homage to Les Richter (Center says
I
should include myself, since I'm retiring too). The date is
Thursday, Feb 23, 2006, to coincide
with NASCAR's visit. The place is the speedway, in one of the
hospitality tents. The rest of the
details are being worked out, but we wanted to make everyone
aware of the date so you can
plan travel or social calendars accordingly. (Jim Short)
--------------------------------
*4th Annual Holley/NHRA National Hot Rod Reunion, June
16-18, 2006, Beach Bend
Raceway Park, Bowling Green, Kentucky.
Malcolm Durham, one of the honorees, began his
drag racing career in 1957 with a '56 Chevy in his native
North Carolina. After moving to the
Washington D.C. area he worked as a mechanic at Hicks
Chevrolet and campaigned a 409 '62
Chevy out of the dealership. (www.hotrodhotline.com)
*SO-CAL Speed Shop, founded in 1946 by Alex
Xydias, and revived by Pete Chapouris
in
1997. This exhibit chronicles its history and trend-setting
vehicles at the Wally Parks NHRA
Motorsports Museum. Called “60 Years of SO-CAL Speed,” it will
run from Jan 20-Apr 9,
2006 in the Museum’s special exhibit hall. (www.hotrodhotline.com)
*5th Annual B'ville NW Banquet that will be
held 18 Feb 2006, Shilo Inn Portland Airport,
11707 NE Airport Way, Portland, Oregon. $48/per person,
registration limit of 150 for this
event. See Glenn Freudenberger at
Fotofreud@aol.com.
Burke LeSage is the featured
speaker. Burke's first trip to Bonneville was in 1951. He
entered the 200 MPH Club in 1963
Shilo Inn 503-252-7500. We have a block of rooms held for
us at a reduced rate, mention
you are with the B'Ville Northwest Reunion. (Glenn
Freudenberger)
-------------------------------
Racing schedules:
*7th ANNUAL CRUISIN' FOR A CURE, Sept 23,
2006, Orange County Fair and Expo
Center, Costa Mesa, CA. All proceeds go to Prostate
Cancer Research at the Jonnson Cancer
Center Foundation at UCLA Medical Center. Free PSA
testing for men. Food, entertainment,
sponsor's booth, drawings, celebrities, 3000+ hot rods,
antiques, sportscars, classic and muscle
cars on display. For more info call Debbie Baker
at 949-752-5115x10 or
dbaker52@aol.com
*ASA SPEED TRUCK CHALLENGE Series 2006
schedule:
*AutoZone Super Chevy Show Tour XXV (AutoStar
Productions) 2006 SCHEDULE:
*CALIFORNIA DRAGWAY 2005 schedule. Located at
the dragstrip, on the grounds of the
California Speedway, Fontana, CA. For more
info Contact Dave Danish at 909-429-5060
or go online at
www.Californiaspeedway.com. All dates and times are
subject to change:
*CROWN ROYAL IROC Series 2006 schedule:
*DirtRacers Radio airs every Sunday evening
on WQKT 104.5 FM from 6-8PM. The show
is hosted by Doc Lehman & Ryan
Pearson, and can also be heard at:
www.wqkt.com
MACS Late Model series racers will be invited on the
show. (Doc Lehman/Ryan Pearson)
*GOODGUYS 2006 Schedule of
Events. See
www.goodguys.com or call 925-838-9876:
*GRAND AM CUP 2006 Racing Schedule:
Jan 4-7, Daytona Test Days, Daytona International Speedway Jan 26-27, 150 Miles/2 Hours, Daytona International Speedway *Points-paying heat races to set field for final event. **Grand Touring Only ***Daytona Prototypes Only (Nate Siebens and Linda K. Mansfield)
*GRAND AMERICAN ROLEX Sports Car
Series 2006 schedule (Linda K. Mansfield)
*GRAND AMERICAN ROLEX 2006 Series Schedule:
Jan 4-7, Daytona Test Days, Daytona International Speedway
Jan 26-29, 24 Hours, Daytona International Speedway *Points-paying heat races to set field for final event. **Grand Touring Only ***Daytona Prototypes Only (Nate Siebens and Linda K. Mansfield)
*INDUSTRY HILLS SPEEDWAY MOTORCYCLE Races at
the Industry Hills Event
Center, in the City of Industry, CA. Wednesday Nights,
AMA Sanctioned. Adults $12,
Juniors $8, Children $4, and those 5 and under are FREE!
Tapes Up 7:30 PM. Contact:
Freddie Orosco at 909-681-4911, For rider signup see Ryan
Evans at 626-643-7598 or
email sideways31@aol.com.
*IRWINDALE DRAGWAY, Located at
Irwindale Speedway, Irwindale, CA. NHRA
Street Legal sanctioned drag racing every Thursday night
from January to November. Pros
and street legal racing welcome. See
www.Irwindalespeedway.com for Summit schedule and
Junior Dragster program. 1/8 mile track. Entrance fee
$20. Spectators are $10. See Dragstrip
track manager Bob Klein 626-358-1100 x 211. (Carrie
Rogers)
*IRWINDALE SPEEDWAY programs, see
www.Irwindalespeedway.com for schedules and
updates. Gates open 4:30, races start at 6pm.
(Carrie Rogers)
*JOHN FORCE Cruise Night is held on
the last Wednesday of each month from 5-8 P.M.
at the shop in Yorba Linda, CA 92887. Contact
Craig Hoelzel for details about vendor space,
how to show your car, or for directions. Craig is
at
craig@johnforceracing.com While you
are there, check out the Force Racestation gift
shop next door. It is a fascinating store filled
with all sorts of collectibles, including broken
parts from John's Funny Cars, autographed by
the 13 time NHRA Funny Car Champion himself.
You'll find artwork, paintings, photographs,
hats, jackets, apparel, pins, die cast cars,
souvenirs and just about anything that you could
want.
If Force is in town and not on the race car
circuit, he will be glad to sign your collectible.
See
hundreds of hot rods and vintage cars, rock to the
music of the '50's, purchase some delicious
food, and meet your fellow hot rodders. Celebrity
racers and hot rodders are known to show
up for this one of a kind hot rod cruise night at
the legendary John Force Racestation.
*KING of INDIANA
Sprint Series 2006 Schedule: For
info call Mike OLeary 812-825-9614
*LAS VEGAS MOTOR SPEEDWAY 2006 Schedule at
The Strip
JANUARY 20-22 – Nitro Blast-Off preseason test session
-- 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
27 – Bracket Test ‘n’ Tune – 11a.m.–5 p.m.
27 – BFGoodrich Midnight Mayhem – 7 p.m.–Midnight. 28 – Bracket Championship Kick-Off – 9 a.m.–4 p.m. 28 – Silver State 1/8-Mile Bracket Challenge – 4–9 p.m. 29 – Bracket Championship Kick-Off – 9 a.m.–4 p.m.
(John Bisci, LVMS Public Relations, 702-632-8231,
jbisci@lvms.com)
*MATTEL Children's Hospital
2nd Annual Car Show and Easter Egg Hunt, April 15,
2006, 9am-3pm, at the John Force RaceStation,
22722 Old Canal Road, Yorba Linda, CA
92887. Open to all street rods, muscle cars, classics,
trucks, antiques, exotics and sports cars.
Food, awards, entertainment and sponsor's booths onsite.
All proceeds go to cancer research.
For more info call Debbie Baker at
949-752-5115x10 or
dbaker52@aol.com
*MEDIA ASSOCIATIONS contact points for
writers, journalists, photographers, etc:
Automotive Press Association, Detroit -
jdgilbert@cbs.com,
Detroit Press Club Foundation
www.icnpr.net
International Automotive Media Awards -
whaessner@earthlink.net,
International Motor Press Association, NYC -
www.impa.org,
Midwest Automotive Media Association, Chicago -
www.mamaonline.org,
Motor Press Guild, Los Angeles -
www.motorpressguild.org,
New England Motor Press Association, Boston -
www.nempa.org,
Northwest Automotive Press Association, Port Orchard, WA-
www.nwapa.org,
Phoenix Automotive Press Association, Phoenix-
ledsall@cox.net,
Rocky Mountain Automotive Press, Denver -
vince@theweekenddrive.com,
Society of Automotive Historians -
www.autohistory.org,
Southeast Automotive Media Organization, Charlotte, NC
www.southeastautomedia.org,
Texas Auto Writers Association, Red Oak TX -
http://www.TexasAutoWriters.org,
Truck Writers of North America,
www.twna.org
Washington Automotive Press Association, D.C. -
www.washautopress.org,
Western Automotive Journalists, San Francisco -
www.waj.org,
*MID-ATLANTIC Championship Series
(MACS) 2006 racing schedule: See
macs1@verizon.net and http://www.macsracing.com (Andy
Geesey)
*NEXTEL (NASCAR) Cup Series
2006 schedule:
*NHRA POWERade Drag Racing 2006 Series
schedule.
Feb 9-12, Pomona, CA.
Feb 24-26, Phoenix, AZ
*PERRIS AUTO DRAGWAY, Street Legal Drag Strip
at The PAS (Perris Auto Speedway)
will open on Friday, January 6, 2006. Drag racing will
continue on every Friday thereafter.
The course is a 1/8 mile dragstrip and is open to anyone
16-years old or over with a valid
registration, drivers license and a helmet. Cars, trucks
and motorcycles are allowed. Gates will
open at 4 PM every Friday with racing from 5-10:30 PM.
Tech will close at 9 PM, and you
cannot run if you do not go through tech
inspections. Spectators $10, competitors $20. The
Perris Auto Speedway is on the Lake Perris
Fairgrounds. Take the 215 Freeway, exit at the
Ramona Expressway and go east two and a half miles to the
fairgrounds. For more information
call 951-940-0134, or email them at racesatthepas@aol.com 18700
Lake Perris Drive, Perris,
CA 92571,
www.perrisautospeedway.com (Kim Donner/Scott Daloisio)
*PERRIS AUTO SPEEDWAY, 2006 Racing Schedule:
18700 Lake Perris Drive, Perris, CA
92571, call 951-940-0134 or go on-line at www.perrisautospeedway.com
Jan 28 Open Practice, Afternoon/Evening Pit Gate will
Open at 1pm, Open House for the Fans
Feb 4 Opening Day For The USAC/CRA Sprint Cars - Day
Race
*SCTA El Mirage Dry Lakes (Southern California) Timing Trials 2006 schedule:
May 6-7, Jun 11, Jul 16, Sept 10, Oct 22, Nov 11-12.
*SCTA/BNI Bonneville Speedweek: Aug 12-18,
2006.
*SCTA/BNI Bonneville World Finals: Oct
11-14, 2006.
*SEMA Club Newsletter (SAN
Club Events) is at
www.semasan.com (Jason Tolleson)
Dec 30-Jan 1, Blythe, CA, Resolutions ’06,
www.resoshow.com or
909/590-0785
Jan 6-8, Chattanooga, TN, Chattanooga World of Wheels www.customautoshows.com
Jan 7, Stockton, CA, Circle Track Trade Show and Swap
Meet, 209/982-4309
Jan 8, Countryside, ILL, 35th Super Swap Meet Goofygirlblaha@aol.com
Jan 8, Countryside, ILL, 35th Swap, Model A Restorer’s
Club,
www.thechatteronline.com
*SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA TOP COMP 2006 Series Schedule: (Gregg Suyenaga)
*SPECIAL REUNIONS AND EVENTS during the
year:
CRA Reunion in January, hosted by Walt
and Dottie James
Car Racers Reunion in April, hosted by Hila
Sweet and Parnelli Jones
Gas-Up Party and Dry Lakes Hall of Fame in
September, hosted by Gold Coast Club
Legends of Ascot Reunion in October, hosted by
Don and Belita Weaver
*STACKER 2 World of Outlaws Late Model Series
2006 Schedule:
(Doc Lehman)
*WALLY PARKS NHRA Motorsports Museum 2006
schedule of events: 909-622-8562
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