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2006 OLD DRAG RACERS REUNION - Final Newsletter

From Sol Stewart

THIS IS LONG...LOTS OF INFORMATION...PLEASE READ VERY CAREFULLY

FRIDAY Sept. 29th Legends Of Drag Racing Dinner/Ceremony

We only have 63 tickets left fot this Dinner-Ceremony. When they are all gone, we will be full....Sold out. Friday, Sept.15th is the date I have to meet with the caterer and turn in the money and the head count for the dinner. Any money received after Sept. 14th will be returned. NO TICKETS, if any are left, will be sold after that date and no tickets will be available at the door on Sept. 29th. A Panama City police officer will be taking up tickets at the door and only persons holding a ticket will be allowed in. The door opens at 7pm CST, a cash bar will be available thru out the evening...The buffet will be served at 7:45pm and the Ceremony will start shortly there after. Special guests for the Dinner/Ceremony will be Don Garlits, Darrell Gwynn, Jerry Gwynn and Buddy Martin...There is a fair chance Roy Hill and David Pearson will come with Buddy Martin. HOW TO GET TICKETS TO THIS??? CONTACT ME (Sol Stewart - see contact info below)
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A video production company from Nashville, Tenn. is coming to the ODRR to video interviews for a SPECIAL "The Early Days of Drag Racing". They were at the big NHRA Reunion in Bowling Green, Ky. several weeks back and heard about our Event and now they are coming to Panama City to see what we are about.
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Do we have any members of the ODRR who use Royal Purple Oil Products? Bobby Likis has this company as one of his major sponsors. Bobby would like to interview at least 3 of you on his National Radio Show on Saturday morning Sept. 30th, direct from the Car Show. PLEASE get in touch with me if you use the Royal Purple products and would like to be interviewed on national radio...just might be something in it for you!
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CHARLIE MORRIS from the famous 422 Racing Group in Penn. will be at the Reunion
doing interviews and gathering information and pictures for his new book, "Drag Racing
In the 60's".
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HALL OF MEMORIES 8:30am CST Saturday morning, Sept. 30th Ball Room

Again we ask everyone to bring old drag racing pictures, memorabilia, and racing artifacts
and place them in the "Hall of Memories" for everyone to see, enjoy and reminisce over.
Share these old treasures with others, just as the car show people share their cars in the
Car Show.
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CAR SHOW 8:30am CST Saturday morning, Sept. 30th Rear Parking Lot of the Motel

PLEASE let me or ROB COLE know if you plan to enter your car in the CAR SHOW. It is FREE ENTRY and we are expecting a big turnout. PHIL BONNER is bringing his famous 1964 T-Bolt to the CAR SHOW. We understand a gent from central Fla. is bringing the "FireBall" Roberts 57 Ford round track car...300HP 312. Also there is a good chance Marvin Panch will bring his 62 Pontiac round track car, thanks to the help of his good friend and ODRR member Sonny Rollo. There is a good chance that we will have as many as 7 origional 1964 T-Bolts at the CAR SHOW. We hope Todd Werner will bring his 1968 RONNIE SOX BARRACUDA. PLEASE let me know if you would like to enter the "CACKLE FEST" during the CAR SHOW. This will start at 11am. We will also have a limited number of cars for the "BURN OUT" contest(10) which starts a 11:30am. PLEASE let me know if you would like to enter your car in this. Trophies will be awarded in the Car Show, the CACKLE FEST and the BURNOUTS.
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DRAG RACING SATURDAY NIGHT
Any cars entered in our CAR SHOW will be able to run in a special Bracket Race at the local drag strip on Saturday night. Entry fee for car and driver will be $40.00 and there will be a 100% pay back...For Instance...if we have 20 cars from the CAR SHOW race, there will be an $800.00 payout. There will be a special race for ODRR members over 75 yrs. old. Already there has been one protest filed that claims GEORGE WARREN is not old enough to race in this event. He will be required to provide a birth certificate proving he is 75 or older. Also, ELLIS MILNER(WOW, 49 yrs. in drag racing) is bringing his beautiful 1957 Chevy PRO MOD car to the CAR SHOW and for his daughter LYNN MILNER to drive in a MATCH RACE Saturday night at the track. LYNN is an outstanding PRO MOD racer and consistantly turns the 1/8 mile in the 4.20's at better than 170 MPH.

Below is a partial list of Race Cars we hope will be ready to race after the CAR SHOW...
AUBREY PADGETT...."BIG IRON" CHEVY
ROBERT McLELLAND..."BIG CHIEF" PONTIAC
BILL TRIPOLI...SS/DA 67 FAIRLANE 427
RUSTY GILLIS...69 MUSTANG 428CJ
WILLARD O'BRIAN..."OLD RUSTY" CHEVY
JIMMY SPINKS..."COUNTRY BOY" CHEVY
R. D. HELMS...CHEVY
SPEEDY BALL...CHEVY POWERED FORD
JOE TEUTON...426 HEMI BARRACUDA
CHARLES COOK...WILLYS COUPE
MARCO DeCESARIS...DICK BRANNAN'S T-BOLT
TOM GOULD...28 TIMES NAT. RECORD CORVAIR
JEFF NELSON...71 MUSTANG
MIKE OSBURN... 1964 FORD 427
PLEASE advise me if you would like to race your car at the local drag strip on Saturday
night sept. 30th. The car must be in the CAR SHOW Saturday morning in order to get into our SPECIAL BRACKET RACE Saturday night.
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HALL OF FAME CEREMONY SATURDAY 2pm MOTEL BALL ROOM
The WORD is out...there are two or three of the 2006 Hall Of Fame inductees who may
get "ROASTED" real good....LOOK OUT RANDY....There will be celebs galore for everyone to meet and talk to....
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THE HOST MOTEL - HOLIDAY INN SELECT PANAMA CITY, FLA.
The phone # for reservations is 850-769-0000. REMEMBER to tell them you are with the OLD DRAG RACERS REUNION to get the good room rate.

FOR ANYTHING ELSE.....CONTACT
SOL STEWART P. O. BOX 144
JACKSON, ALA. 36545
251-246-5588

EMAIL: T_P@Bellsouth.net

Dick Brannan Feature Article

CompetitionPlus.com is featuring an article about legendary Ford drag racer and Georgia resident Dick Brannan. He is a true-blue Ford man and he is one of the few drivers that were brand loyal for their whole racing career. Mr. Brannan was a dominating driver during the 1960s and early 1970s and he is now promoting Ford car shows/reunions.

His tremendous Brannan-Hammes All Ford South Classic was held earlier this year in Cumming, GA. Don't miss the second annual event in 2007!

Dick Brannan Article
All Ford South Classic Photos

The photo used in the article of Dick's Maverick Pro Stocker was shot by GeorgiaDragRacing.com photo journalist Marvin T. Smith at the 1970 Atlanta $10,000 held at Atlanta Speed Shop Dragway in Covington, GA.

Top Fuel and Blown Altered classes added to the Southern Nostalgia Shootout

From Marvin T. Smith

Top Fuel Dragster and Blown Altered classes have been added to the program of the Southern Nostalgia Shootout, scheduled for October 27-29, 2006, in beautiful Cecil, Georgia. These highly popular classes are some of the fastest in nostalgia racing. Nitromethane or alcohol fuel is permitted in either class. Payout for each class is a nostalgic $1000 for the winner, $500 for the runner-up, and $250 for each semifinalist.

A few professional vending area, swap meet, and car corral spaces are still available. Sponsorships for a few of the ten racing classes are also still available. Additional information for the event can be found at SGMPracing.com or contact Mark Adams (229) 253-1025.

Todd, Scelzi, Connolly and Hines Win the NHRA POWERade Mopar Mile-High NHRA Nationals

NHRA Recap

Upcoming Southeast Drag Racing Reunions and Events

Hayes Southeastern Mopar Meet at Atlanta Dragway September 8 & 9, 2006
Nostalgia Funny Cars!
2006 Event Flyer
More Info
Atlanta Dragway

2002 Photos
2003 Photos
2004 Photos
2005 Photos

Old Drag Racers Reunion - Sept 29 - October 1, 2006 - Panama City, Florida
2006 Event Flyer

For more information, contact:
Sol Stewart
PO Box 144
Jackson, AL 36525
251-246-5588
t_pet@bellsouth.net

2002 Article
2003 Article
2004 Article

2002 Photos
2003 Photos
2004 Photos
2005 Photos



East Coast Drag Times Hall of Fame & Reunion - October 20-22, 2006 - Henderson, North Carolina
2006 Event Flyer
Official East Coast Drag Times Hall of Fame Site

2002 Article
2003 Article
2004 Article
2005 Article

2002 Photos
2003 Photos
2004 Photos
2004 Photos - Album 2
2004 Photos Album 3
2005 Photos

Southern Nostalgia Shootout at South Georgia Motorsports Park October 27-29, 2006

2006 Event Flyer
SGMP

Track information and a registration form can be found at SGMP.
Race questions - Mark Adams at 229-253-1025
Car show questions - David Dean at 229-460-2463

Update: Top Fuel Dragster and Blown Altered classes have been added to the program of the Southern Nostalgia Shootout, scheduled for October 27-29, 2006, in beautiful Cecil, Georgia. These highly popular classes are some of the fastest in nostalgia racing. Nitromethane or alcohol fuel is permitted in either class. Payout for each class is a nostalgic $1000 for the winner, $500 for the runner-up, and $250 for each semifinalist.

A few professional vending area, swap meet, and car corral spaces are still available. Sponsorships for a few of the ten racing classes are also still available. Additional information for the event can be found at SGMPracing.com or contact Mark Adams (229) 253-1025.

Cars and Stars at the NHRA National Hot Rod Reunion

by Ed Miles
Photos

There were numerous notable drag racing cars present at Bowling Green. and while unable to mention them all, here are a few which seemed to draw the attention of the throngs of people present.

On display, " in your face" in the hotel lobby was the bright yellow "More Aggravation" fuel coupe, and although a recreation, it was beautiful. Raymond Godman from Memphis, Tennessee brought his Tennessee Bo-Weevil funny car, fuel dragster, and fuel roadster. Don Garlits brought his recreated "Swamp Rat VIII" from the museum in Ocala, Florida, and Barbara Hamilton also was on hand with her beautiful blue Willys gasser, an original car with amazingly the original paint !

One of the most interesting and historical cars present was the "Chizler" along with its creator Chris, " The Golden Greek" Karamesines, who started racing in 1952 and still races his modern rear-engined top fuel dragster in selected venues today. He is the oldest licensed Top Fuel driver and say he still enjoys nailing the throttle , in his words, " it keep you young". This particular car made drag racing history in 1960, at Alton, Illinois, with a pass of 204.54 mph. That was unheard of in those day and in fact for years to come. In recognition of this historic event, the car was enshrined in Chicago's Museum of Science and Industry in the mid-60s, and then in the 80s was moved to the Don Garlits Museum of Drag Racing in Ocala, Florida, where it remained until Ron Johnson of www.cacklefest.com sponsored it to be restored by Alex Mikkelsen at American Roadster in Placentia , California, and it was on hand, to be cranked up by none other than 'the Greek" himself, at the festivities at Bowling Green. Karamesines had a broad smile on his face and said this was the first time he had been in this car since the mid 60's. This is the kind of things that happen yearly at this event.

Another notable car with Georgia roots was on hand after being rescued from an Oklahoma barn and making it debut appearance was Greg Sullivan's "Strip Teaser", presently by Cory Lee. The car, originally owned by Bob Thomas (and driven by Howard Neal) of Ellijay, Georgia, is a 1965 Falcon AFX , restored with its red, white and blue paint job, with a reclining nude woman painted on the door , along with the expression "If she's paid, she'll go". The car sports a Ford 427 High Riser side oiler, Hilborn Injectors, and a four speed top-loader transmission. The car had been sold several times and ended up in Oklahoma covered with brown paint, and in the process of sanding down to be refinished, the original red, white, and blue colors started being uncovered. Thankfully work ceased until the history of the car could be traced and verified, and we have the end project to enjoy.

Last but not least a couple of Georgia cars were category winners in the Soffseal Show and Shine competition. In the custom category was the 1955 Chevrolet Bel-Air brought by Tony and Amy Spenser of Gaffney, Georgia. In the Muscle Car category the winner was the 1967 Chevelle belonging to Tim Childers of Cumming, Georgia. Congratulations to these along with the other winners of hundreds of beautiful cars.

Of course, the personal stars on hand for the event were to many to list, but among the honorees were of course,Barbara Hamilton, the Grand Marshall of the event, who for the record was the first woman licensed by NHRA to drive a supercharged vehicle, (to give some perspective, Shirley Muldowney was the fifth). Of particular significance in my opinion was the fact that not only was Barbara the driver, but she also built the engines, after of course, she finished her day job as a secretary. In addition, I found it amazing the she and her partner and friend, Nancy Leonello, flat-towed the Willys all the way across the country behind a 1965 Impala to compete with the big boys in California. Two 20 year old women with a race car in tow headed to California would turn some heads today....so imagine what that was like in the mid-60s !

Other honorees were Jim Farr and Bill Rowll , commonly known as "Short Round and Dauber" who have painted countless race cars , motorcycles,and hot rods for over forty years. Their paint designs and techniques are unsurpassed in their craft.

Also honored were brothers Gene and Ron Logghe, who originally started racing sports cars and drag cars, but moved to chassis builders after being approached in the 60s from Ford and Mercury to develop something to help compete against the altered wheelbased Chrysler funny cars. What they came up with was first tube framed flip top funny cars which were campaigned by Don Nicholson, Eddie Schartman, and Jack Chrisman, and that basic design is still in use in today's funny cars.

Another chassis builder recognized was Mike Spitzer, who along with his brother debuted a rear engined dragster in 1971 which set an NHRA record and lay the groundwork for a company that has built more that 3500 race cars. Mike has built sportsman and competition , alcohol and junior dragsters, in addition to land speed record cars , spinning off a business of all types of chassis components. In the most recent years he has won many awards for his work in street rods and custom cars.

Another honoree was Bobby Langley, a Texas drag racer known for his long line of Scorpion dragsters which were known for their distinctive look in addition to accent pinstriping and the crew in matching uniforms which were all sewn by Bobby's devoted wife, Ruth.

The Justice Brothers Reunion Spotlight Award went to over fifteen top fuel motorcycle races who contacted, assembled and on hand to be recognized through the hard work of Frank Spittle. These oft-forgotten daredevils surely deserve their place in the spotlight and in drag racing history.

Last but certainly not least, an honoree who was unable to attend because of ill health was Malcolm Durham. A native of North Carolina began his career with a '57 Chevy and later moved to the Washington D.C. area , affiliated with a Chevrolet dealer, got one of the 427 Z11 Impalas and later when Chevrolet withdrew from race support, dropped the 427 into a '64 Chevelle and went to match racing up and down the east coast under the name "Strip Blazer", amassing an incredible record of winning 90 per cent of his matches from March through October of 1964, this is amazing since this was against the Ford Thunderbolts and the Might Mopar machines of that east coast region. During the late sixties he went on to funny cars before retiring from the Pro Stock ranks in 1984, a solid Bow-Tie guy from beginning to end. To say Malcolm Durham was a giant for the sport is not an exaggeration, he was a giant in stature and in his racing achievements , a true gentleman in a sometimes rowdy sport, but in addition he was a true pioneer racing throughout the then segregated south, doing it without any affirmative action or diversity programs, but merely through hard work and dedication while leaving a legacy of class and dignity. Malcolm's award was received by his son, Bernard who thankfully got it into his dad's hands before he died less than a week later, however considering Malcolm's life and the example he left, it was only a token of the awards and rewards that he had laid up in heaven.

Thanks to theses sources for facts contributing to this article: The Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum, The Pacific Communications Group, and the Bowling Green Daily News.

Ups and Downs at the NHRR

by Ed Miles

Photos

Visitors to Beech Bend Park for the National Hot Rod Reunion this year saw a new sight as they crested the horizon, a towering wooden structure of a new roller coaster, and in many ways there were many ups and downs for the Fourth edition of this great event.

UP--Attendance, eclipsing last years estimate of over 30,000, evidenced by the sales of items at the event. The official T-shirts for the event were all gone on Friday, and the balance of souvenirs were completely gone on Saturday. Long lines were in place all day long on Saturday at the concession stands with food items completely gone by mid-afternoon.

Down-Rain, late afternoon Saturday brought welcome relief from the muggy heat , limiting afternoon race sessions, however cleared in time for the evening Cacklefest.

Up--Race and Car show entries. Over 700 race cars and over 1600 street rods were on hand and you can at least double that for the cruise in vehicles, which ranged from street rods, custom cars, muscle cars, antique and vintage cars and of course , much to the chagrin of one of the events sponsors- Dupont Automotive Finishes, the emerging " Rat Rod".

Up-- Vendors, more and more of the latest items out and remakes of old item for all the automotive world continues to become available and on display for the hot rod and vintage market.

Down-- The realization that time is taking its toll and we recall some of the great drag racing competitors who have passed on since this time last year.

Up--Traffic. This years volume of traffic lined up on the Beech Bend road waiting to get in the grounds caused residual back up on surrounding highway and into the city streets of Bowling Green, however in keeping with the feeling of good times everyone took it in stride and accepted it as a matter of fact situation, a sort of car show of its own.

BOWMAN ENJOYS FIRST WIN AT ATLANTA DRAGWAY, BELL RUTLEDGE AND PREVES REPEAT

RACE DATE: July 15, 2006
EVENT: Summit ET Race at Atlanta Dragway in 2006
by Tim Glover

Photos

(Commerce, GA - July 15) Racers might have worried a bit about the threat of rain, but the storms held off for Atlanta Dragway, and another great day was had by all. The day was especially sweet for Brett Bowman, who enjoyed his first ever win in the Jr Dragster class. Thomas Bell, (Super Pro) Jacob Rutledge (Pro) and Scott Preves (Sportsman), all former winners, got to add another trophy to the mantle with their victories. Also, the folks from the
Year One car show received the opportunity to enjoy passes down the track after the regular Summit race was in the books.

Super Pro racer Thomas Bell's entire crew was missing in action, but that didn't stop him. "If the gate's open, I'm going to be here," said Bell. (His wife Tammy went to the Smith reunion, and Freddie and Angie Lewis were taking a well deserved vacation to the beach.) Bell just dug in and made the rounds with his Toccoa, GA based '05 Undercover dragster, meeting veteran racer Doug Richardson of Ballground, GA in the final. Richardson won the lane choice in the final, and put Bell into the right lane, which Bell asn't run in months. It didn't really matter to Bell. Both racers nailed their dial in time with dead-on passes, but Bell's .015 second reaction time
advantage made the difference when he crossed the big end stripe .013 seconds before Richardson with a 4.896 at 139.38mph. Richardson's numbers with his '02 dragster were 5.238 at 131.11mph. Bubba Rich ('02 Firebird - Gainesville, GA) and Jim Onda ('96 dragster - Toccoa, GA) were the semi-final finishers.

Jacob Rutledge from Braselton, GA made it to his fifth Pro final in 2006, and made tonight's event his second win of the season. Rutledge met second year racer Scott Austin from Buford, Ga in the final, and used a reaction time advantage to take the win with his Laser Grader of Atlanta / Nan Harman Dempsey backed '79 Capri. Austin's '68 Camaro went a little better on the numbers with a 13.08 at 102.21mph (13.00 dial), and Rutledge skimmed about ten mph off his '79 Capri's usual numbers with an 11.93 at 101.74mph (11.83 goal). Austin had been particularly frustrated earlier in the day, and was ready to call it quits and go home. However, he chose to stick it out, and was rewarded with his first ever final round appearance. "I'm glad I stuck around," added Austin. Rutledge congratulated Austin for his performance, and then thanked some more people who helped him get to the winner's circle, Holly Rutledge, Howard Warren, Joey Rutledge and Tyler Rutledge. Chris Carlile ('69 Camaro - Canton, GA) and Kim Ellington ('81 Camaro - Conyers, GA) finished in the semi-final round.

Only two thousandths of a second separated the finalists at the finish line in the Sportsman final round. Scott Preves, the '99 Division Two Sportsman champion, came out on the winning end of the double breakout race with his rusty Monroe, GA based '93 Lumina. Harold Wilson ('74 Nova SS - Winder, GA) actually crossed the finish line first, but broke out more than Preves with
a 13.827, 96.21mph pass (13.94 target). Preves ran 16.620 at 77.18mph (16.73 dial) with his Lumina, which only has 240,354 miles on the odometer. Mel Abney ('67 Camaro - Cumming, GA) was the lone semi-finalist. "I had to go to the Stacy Blanton School of Finish Line Driving after the first round. That was a fiasco. He got me straightened out after that," added Preves.

Many of Atlanta Dragway's Jr Dragster racers went to the Eastern Conference finals in Bristol, but there was still a good turnout for the combined Jr Dragster class. Blackwell's Garage stepped in today and sponsored the winner's trophy, which was awarded to 14 year old Brett Bowman of Homer, GA for his performance. Bowman, who has been racing for over five years, and has made it to many finals, enjoyed winning his first race against Allen Long (14 - Ballground, GA). Bowman ran a very good 9.24 at 69.71mph (9.20 dial). Long was just a bit too anxious at the starting line, lighting up the dreaded tomato colored bulb with a too quick react. He then carded a 10.65 at 63.33mph (10.16 goal). Ashley Snelgrove (12 - Dahlonega, GA) and Harvey
Snelgrove (14 - Dahlonega, GA) were the semi-final finishers. "This is Awesome," exclaimed Bowman. His father, Howard Bowman, recently won the Motorcycle class at the Drag News AllStar race. Howard also has a '68 Chevy II race car, but said it was actually more fun to crew for his son Brett.

Sanctioned by the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA), Atlanta Dragway is located just off I-85 at Exit 149 in the Banks Crossing area of Commerce, Georgia. Information on all 2006 events may be obtained by calling the track office (706-335-2301) or logging on to www.atlantadragway.com .

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SUPER PRO CAR HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Thomas Bell '05 Undercover Toccoa, GA 4.89 139.38 (4.89)
R/U: Doug Richardson '02 dragster Ballground, GA 5.23 131.11 (5.23)
Semi: Bubba Rich '02 Firebird Gainesville, GA
Semi: Jim Onda '96 dragster Toccoa, GA
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PRO CAR HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Jacob Rutledge '79 Capri Braselton, GA 11.83 101.74 (11.83)
R/U: Scott Austin '68 Camaro Buford, GA 13.08 102.21 (13.00)
Semi: Kim Ellington '81 Camaro Conyers, GA
Semi: Chris Carlile '69 Camaro Canton, GA
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SPORTSMAN CAR HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Scott Preves '93 Lumina Monroe, GA 16.62 77.18 (16.73)
R/U: Harold Wilson '74 Nova SS Winder, GA 13.82 96.21 (13.94)
Semi: Mel Abney '67 Camaro Cumming,
Semi:
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COMBO JR DRAGSTER AGE HOMETOWN ET MPH DIAL-IN
Win: Brett Bowman 14 Homer, GA 9.24 69.71 (9.20)
R/U: Allen Long 14 Ballground, GA 10.65 63.30 (10.16)
Semi: Ashley Snelgrove 12 Dahlonega, GA
Semi: Harvey Snelgrove 14 Dahlonega, GA
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