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Legendary East Coast drag racing stars increase total interviews to 66

Parma Heights, Ohio (July 14, 2011) – The Quarter Mile Foundation secured interviews of 16 East Coast drag racing legends at the 10th Annual Musclecar Madness at the York Reunion (US 30 Dragway) on July 8-9, 2011. The interviews covered some of the stars of the formative years of the sport in what today is considered NHRA’s Division 1, as well as the extreme northern portion of Division 2 (Southeast Division). Don Gillespie, the respected drag racing historian asked these legends to recall their past, and that of their fellow racers. The interviews touched on the East Coast Gasser scene, as well as Fuel Altereds, Top Fuel, Super Stock, Pro Stock and A/FX-Funny Cars of the late ’50s through the early ’80s.

Quarter Mile Foundation chairman, Traci Hrudka observed, “We uncovered some interesting facets of the sport’s early days in the Eastern U.S. “The York US 30 Reunion provided an ideal setting to access these pioneers, and to help provide us with a regional perspective of the sport that is not that well known in other areas. Thanks to the Reunion’s promoter, Darwin Doll, and the staff, we were able to get the interviews done efficiently. The Reunion’s reputation for a first-class event makes it a ‘must do’ for the racers and owners of many of the East Coast’s best known race cars, and that made it perfect to reach the stars of yesterday in the region.”

Gillespie said, “Once again, the viability and depth of PROJECT 1320 led to the digital video captures of another critical slice of American drag racing history. While past ventures at the SEMA Show in Las Vegas, Nev., plus NHRA races in Gainesville, Fla. and Bowling Green, Ky. captured leading pioneer racers and industry figures, numerous prominent and truly iconic East Coast competitors lent their recollections as part of the York (Penn.) Reunion.

“What has resonated from all of these fascinating, heartfelt and informative interviews is that despite geographical differences, all shared a similar passion – and pride from being among a core group in their own respective territory – from professionals to sportsman racers. The tales they’ve spun speaks of innovation, tireless toil and the rise-to-glory careers, and continue to show why these are individuals and teams who earned and deserve our unyielding respect for taking drag racing from its infancy, into the professional sport we all enjoy today.”

With the completion of the York Reunion round of filming, the Quarter Mile Foundation has now interviewed 66 individuals, encompassing 80-plus hours of material.

A list of the interviewees follows below.
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Interviews completed at York-US 30 Reunion
July 8-9, 2011

• Ken Montgomery (“555” (aka “Triple Nickel”) 65 Plymouth Satellite SS)

• Jim & Alison Lee (TF owners – “Great Expectations”)

• Bud Faubel (Dodge Dart “Hemi Honker” A/FX)

• Wally Bell (Pro Mod Pioneer)

• Bill “Grumpy” Jenkins (Dave Strickland Chevy Impala Z-11 “Old Reliable” SS, “Grumpy’s Toy” Chevy Vega/Camaro PS)

• Jack “JA” Redd (East Coast track announcer)

• Carol “Bunny” Burkett (“Bunny & The Boys” FC)

• Darwin Doll (NHRA Division 1 Director)

• Kenny Warren (“Virginia Twister” Dodge Challenger A/FX)

• Tom Raley (Driver, Jim & Allison Lee “Great Expectations” TF cars)

• George Snizek (Pacer’s Auto “Tasmanian Devil” AA/Fuel Altered)

• Dick Estevez (Driver/Crew Chief for Phil Bonner’s “Daddy Warbucks” Racing Ford Falcon A/FX)

• Tom Sneden & David Reitz (Bob Banning Dodge Challenger FC)

• Fred Bear (S&S Team ’40 Willys B/G Gasser)

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Parma Heights, Ohio (23 June 2011) – The Quarter Mile Foundation has announced it has collected an additional 16 film interviews for the PROJECT 1320 documentary film series at the recently completed NHRA/Holley Hot Rod Reunion at Beech Bend Raceway (Bowling Green, Ky.) on June 16-18. The PROJECT 1320 documentary series chronicles the history of the pioneers of drag racing and the performance aftermarket from the late 1940’s through to the end of the 1980s.

The interviews were conducted by noted drag racing journalist/historian Don Gillespie over the course of the three day event. “It was an honor at Bowling Green to sit down with a terrific cross-section of the literal legends of the sport, especially from the east and mid-west region, and record firsthand recollections of drag racing’s evolution, their individual careers and friendships, on-track triumphs and tragedies. These are the faces – and voices – of our sport’s history, and the quest for interviews remains vastly important as the Foundation continues its efforts to create awareness and secure vital membership assistance at major drag races across the United States,” said Gillespie.

“Just listening to these individuals is not only important insight, but a real treat, as well. When you stop and think of the era in which they raced, the machinery they created – much of it by hand, and the mechanical behemoths they strapped themselves in to, plus the achievements and trial-and-error lessons learned, it is truly an amazing presentation. I’m sure viewers will not only enjoy their serious and sometimes tearful tales, but the content which traces exactly how our sport progressed from humble, post-war, hot rod beginnings to the professional form of 300 mile-per-hour entertainment it has become.”

Foundation Chairman Traci Hrudka commented, “We were able to get to some very significant racers who competed in a variety of classes. Don (Gillespie) again was able to pull out a tremendous range of emotions from these guys, as well as capture significant historical information.

“I want to thank the team of the Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum for their tremendous support to make this all come together. Greg Sharp, Tony Thacker and Steve Gibbs and the rest of staff made the train run on time. I also want to send a heartfelt ‘thank you’ to Jeff Stange and Strange Engineering for their timely donation to make this set of interviews a reality!”

Below is the list of the interviews obtained at the NHRA/Holley Hot Rod Reunion:

• Al “Mousie” Marcellus
• George “Bushmaster” Schreiber
• Gene Altizer
• Bobby Langley
• Al Bergler
• Kenny Hirata
• Bob Muravez (aka Floyd Lippincott, Jr.)
• Hubert Platt

• Bruce Larson
• Jim Oddy
• Bill Pryor
• Steve Gibbs
• Don Garlits
• George Montgomery
• Jerry Baltes
• Steve Reyes

This brings the total number of interviews completed to 50.

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Interviews deliver a roller coaster of emotion

Parma Heights, Ohio (26 May 2011) – Quarter Mile Foundation announces that the PROJECT 1320 documentary series interview process of pioneers of drag racing and the performance aftermarket from the late 1940’s through to the 1980’s has gained over 60 hours of footage from 35 legends.

“To put it in drag racing terms, we had some engine problems to start but the determination of the board’s crew to keep the throttle open has remained very focused”, states Foundation Chairman, Traci Hrudka. “Hey, we all came from this industry and we carry the same passion, determination, family unity and the will see this through.

“The overwhelming support we have received from the drag racing and performance aftermarket communities has put us where we are today with 35 interviews in the can. Support from Moroso, Mr. Gasket Co., Mallory, Express Parts, Mondello Technologies, Quick Fuel Technologies, World Products, SEMA, NHRA, Joe Amato, Lori Johns as well as over 500 members that are part of the “Project 1320 Friends” group has provided the opportunity to get this much accomplished. Additionally, the thousands of Facebook fans that have donated money, film, photos, memories and have kept following the progress, has also been a critical factor.”

These are the individuals interviewed to date:

Joe Amato
Linda Vaughn
Harry Hibler
Carroll Shelby
Louie Senter
Bill (“Speedy Bill”) Smith
Ed Iskenderian
Joe Schubeck
“Doc” Watson
Don Smith
Alex Xydias
Bob Airheart
Robin Millar (Pete Millar)
Raymond Godman
Joe Mondello
Rich Guasco
Roger Gustin
T.C. Lemon
Herm Petersen
Eileen Daniels
Marvin Graham
Don Hampton
Jimmy King
Bob Stange
Jerry Gwynn
Dale Funk
Barbara Hamilton
Dick LaHaie
Darrell Gwynn
Dale Emery
Jim Read
Jim Head
Jim Walther
Jon Lundberg
Dave McClelland
“To be able to listen in on some of the interviews as they were being filmed has brought a whole new meaning to me about ‘going through the emotions,’ says Ms. Hrudka .

“What I have seen and heard has been a roller coaster of blockbuster proportions about what these pioneers have to share with the audience. You laugh, cry, gasp, held your breath, grimace and go through many other emotions as they recount their life experiences. Yes, I even had to sit on my hands to hold back from clapping. To say we are able to capture their life adventure recollections on film is a miracle, and to know we will be able to provide a means for these stories to tell the story of how our sport and industry was built on the determination and exploits of these men and women and their contemporaries is a very satisfying, yet humbling, feeling.

“However, we must understand death has taken several of these pioneering legends from us in just the past month. Additionally, others have fallen into ill health. It is at a point where you’re afraid to open your e-mails or answer your phone for fear of learning more unpleasant news. But, it is a fact we have to deal with and continue to forge ahead.”

The Quarter Mile Foundation will continue interviewing at the upcoming NHRA Heritage Series Holley Hot Rod Reunion at Beech Bend Raceway Park in Bowling Green, Kentucky on June 14-16.