Category Archives: News & Events

Quarter Mile Foundation and Project 1320 News

Performance Warehouse Association lends support to Quarter Mile Foundation and PROJECT 1320

Parma Heights, Ohio (DATE) – At the 2011 SEMA Show, the Performance Warehouse Association (PWA) surprised Quarter Mile Foundation Chairman Traci Hrudka with a generous contribution to the Foundation’s PROJECT 1320 effort to compile the history of drag racing and the performance aftermarket.

“I guess you could say I was more than pleasantly surprised when John Towle (PWA President) presented me with the Association’s generous contribution,” said Traci Hrudka, Foundation Chairman. “I was aware that there was discussion among the PWA Board regarding some degree of support, but what the association provided us with definitely will be put to good use in securing additional interviews of our pioneers.”

John Towle, the PWA’s long time President (who recalled his own memories and observations in an interview for the documentary at the Show), commented, “The PWA is very proud and pleased to support the Quarter Mile Foundation and the PROJECT 1320 documentary effort.

“The industry has been blessed with many ‘pioneers’ who have given their blood, sweat and tears to make this industry what it is today. They developed parts and equipment which has been the driving force behind every one of our companies. But, we have missed hearing their stories, and lost far many important ones!

“We at PWA feel strongly that the Quarter Mile Foundation’s PROJECT 1320 is the best way to capture our pioneers’ recollections in their own words.

“On a personal level, I would like to ask you to please reach into your pocket and send the Foundation your check. Here is some simple math: If you have worked in this industry for 5-1/2 years and you put 5 cents in a dish each day of that period, you would have over $100.00. So send your $100 or more today! PROJECT 1320 must continue to preserve the “voices” for all to hear and see.”

Quarter Mile Foundation announces more pioneer interviews be conducted at the 2011 SEMA Show

Parma Heights, Ohio (October 25, 2011) – The Quarter Mile Foundation has announced it will conduct nine additional interviews of drag racing and performance industry pioneers during the 2011 SEMA Show at the Las Vegas Convention Center, November 1 – 4, 2011.

“We have added nine more individuals who contributed to the performance aftermarket and/or drag racing to the interview list this coming week at the SEMA Show,” said Traci Hrudka, Foundation Chairman. “This will bring the total number of interviews to be conducted at the show to 23, and there may be some late additions.

“Again, the Foundation is very pleased to work with SEMA and CONVEXX to have the ability to complete these interviews for the PROJECT 1320 documentary film.”

The interviews will be conducted by noted drag racing historian, Don Gillespie.

Newly confirmed for interviews are:

Vic Edelbrock, Jr.
Bob Vandergriff, Sr.
Herb Fishel
Bob DeVour
John Force
John Towle
Kenny Youngblood
George Barris
Mike Zimmerman

Previously confirmed for interviews are:
Art Chrisman
Carl Olson
Don Prudhomme
Joe Hrudka
Jim Kerr
Arnold Kuhns
Leo Kagan
Angelo Giampetroni

Jeg Coughlin Sr.
Bob Keller
Jim McFarland
Dennis Holding

Linda Vaughn *
Chuck Blum
The 23 interviews scheduled for the SEMA Show will bring the total number of pioneers interviewed to 88, and with more scheduled for the upcoming PRI Trade Show in early December, the total should exceed 100 interviews completed in a 14 month period.
* The Linda Vaughn interview will be continuation of an earlier interview, which was left unfinished due to prior commitments at the 2010 SEMA Show.

The Quarter Mile Foundation Booth 10900 is located in the Grand Concourse between the North and Central Hall near the entrance to the North Hall.

Performance Warehouse Association Lends Support To Quarter Mile Foundation And PROJECT 1320

Parma Heights, Ohio (October 25, 2011) – At the 2011 SEMA Show, the Performance Warehouse Association (PWA) surprised Quarter Mile Foundation Chairman Traci Hrudka with a generous contribution to the Foundation’s PROJECT 1320 effort to compile the history of drag racing and the performance aftermarket. “I guess you could say I was more than pleasantly surprised when John Towle (PWA President) presented me with the Association’s generous contribution,” said Traci Hrudka, Foundation Chairman. “I was aware that there was discussion among the PWA Board regarding some degree of support, but what the association provided us with definitely will be put to good use in securing additional interviews of our pioneers.”

John Towle, the PWA’s long time President (who recalled his own memories and observations in an interview for the documentary at the Show), commented, “The PWA is very proud and pleased to support the Quarter Mile Foundation and the PROJECT 1320 documentary effort.

“The industry has been blessed with many ‘pioneers’ who have given their blood, sweat and tears to make this industry what it is today. They developed parts and equipment which has been the driving force behind every one of our companies. But, we have missed hearing their stories, and lost far many important ones!

“We at PWA feel strongly that the Quarter Mile Foundation’s PROJECT 1320 is the best way to capture our pioneers’ recollections in their own words.

“On a personal level, I would like to ask you to please reach into your pocket and send the Foundation your check. Here is some simple math: If you have worked in this industry for 5-1/2 years and you put 5 cents in a dish each day of that period, you would have over $100.00. So send your $100 or more today! PROJECT 1320 must continue to preserve the “voices” for all to hear and see.”

Become a part of sharing our history, for today, tomorrow and the future generations!

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. # # #