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“Miss Mighty Mopar” – Judy Lilly
Parma Heights, Ohio (July 18, 2012) – The Quarter Mile Foundation’s efforts to capture first person interviews of many of the surviving pioneers of drag racing was boosted by the addition of 15 more veterans (plus a spouse) at the recent 11th Annual York – U.S. 30 Reunion and Nostalgia Nationals at the York (Pa.) Expo Center (July 13 & 14, 2012).
Using facilities within the York Expo Center at York Fairgrounds to record the interviews, the Foundation added a number of East Coast racers, promoters, photographers, journalists and aftermarket figures to the historical record of the sport.
The interviewees were:
• Margaret Altizer
• Arnie (“The Farmer”) Beswick
• Francis Butler
• Gordy Foust
• Dave Hale
• Ben Koch
• Judy (“Miss Mighty Mopar”) Lilly
• Larry Lombardo
• Bob (“Beaver Bob”) McCardle
• Bill Pratt
• Frank Spittle
• Jere Stahl
• Jim Stuempfle
• Chuck Stolze
• Arlen (“Akron Arlen”) Vanke
The Foundation was able to expand the interview of former NHRA Division One Director and York Reunion promoter, Darwin Doll, whose interview was shortened at the 2011 event. Additionally, Margaret Altizer, the wife of Gene Altizer (S&S Racing Team), added a wife’s unique perspective of the powerhouse “Gasser” teams in the 1960s, as well as her continued involvement with the team’s strong presence in the today’s drag racing nostalgia movement.
The Foundation has now recorded 179 pioneer interviews for the PROJECT 1320 documentary film about the early days of drag racing and the performance automotive aftermarket. Thanks to the continuing support of the National Hot Rod Association, the Foundation will be filming more pioneer interviews at the NHRA’s MAC Tools U.S. Nationals at Lucas Oil Raceway in Indianapolis, Ind. over the Labor Day weekend.
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The Quarter Mile Foundation is a 501(c) (3) not-for-profit foundation, which is producing PROJECT 1320, a documentary film series about the history of drag racing and the parallel growth of the performance automotive aftermarket.
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