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.comBurke 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