Follow

Foundation to establish classification guidelines

Parma Heights, Ohio (16 May 2011) – In mid-March, the Board of Directors of the Quarter Mile Foundation was approached by Jon Lundberg of Southwest Valuations, LLC, himself a board member, with the concept of the Foundation being the vehicle which would help establish guideline criteria for the growing restoration of vintage/nostalgia drag racing cars.

Lundberg felt, as a drag racing historian and an Accredited Senior Appraiser by the American Society of Appraisers, the need to establish criteria which would define various types of restoration/recreation of any such vehicle, which would help establish its value and validity.

He had been a part of an on-line discussion with the members of the highly respected “Standard 1320” group regarding categorization of various types of restorations and recreations which had occurred over the years. He told the group he would develop a set of criteria, based upon points raised in that discussion.

He then contacted several other individuals who had deep roots in the vintage/nostalgia drag racing vehicle world – Greg Sharp (curator of the NHRA-Wally Parks Motor Sports Museum), Bill Pitts (restorer of the famed “Magicar” front engine top fuel dragster), Carl Olson (former NHRA Vice President and restorer of sprint cars and drag racing cars) and Steve Gibbs (former NHRA Vice President – Competition, Board member of the NHRA-Wally Parks Motor Sports Museum, co-founder of the California and National Hot Rod Reunion events). Gibbs and Sharp also co-created the “Cacklefest” concept. All shared concerns about the current state of the restoration/recreation market environment.

Steve Gibbs authored the designations while the group supplied project suggestions and proof-reading. Then he and Olson proposed the Quarter Mile Foundation be utilized to distribute the Guideline White Paper to those who are participating as restorers/recreators, event promoters and automotive vehicle appraisers. Gibbs and Olson are also board members of the Quarter Mile Foundation.

Why use The Quarter Mile Foundation?
Lundberg said, “The Quarter Mile Foundation is already capturing the oral histories of the surviving legends of the sport and the aftermarket industry for the PROJECT 1320 film documentary series.

“Our small group who are involved with the vintage/nostalgia restoration market felt the Foundation is an ideal vehicle to use for distribution of these criteria. Since the Foundation is independent, unbiased and objective, it does not have a position other than that of protecting another key facet of the sport – in this case, the cars and their technological progress across the decades.”

Traci Hrudka, Quarter Mile Foundation chairman commented, saying, “Our board members, following the input of Jon (plus Carl and Steve), agreed this would be a logical forward extension of the Foundation’s goals. There is a need for the Foundation to look past the completion of the PROJECT 1320 documentary. By providing a service to the vehicle restoration and recreation market to define and protect the integrity of these historic race cars, we continue to fulfill our goal of preserving the sport’s history.”

What about the valuation of these cars?
According to Lundberg, the criteria may add to and protect the value of these cars. “I have seen cars which have been misrepresented sell for far more than they were actually worth, and then seen the devaluation when the new owner had the car appraised,” he said. “There is a need to protect both buyer and seller. There is also a critical need to establish a stable value with supporting documentation for insurance purposes.

“The business of appraising race cars is a very narrow field, and one which must recognize that a brand new race car undergoes continual change from the time the original paint dries in the quest to remain competitive. The important thing the restorer/recreator must do is identify the specific time, and bring the car back to that point. Additionally, there must be as large a data base as possible using photos, moving pictures, interviews with builders, owners, team members, etc. to give the historic perspective and provenance to the effort.

“With those pieces in place, the credentialed appraiser can evaluate; and with knowledge of the sales values – plus both historic and current genre awareness – for similar vehicles restored or recreated, place a value on that specific car.”

Lundberg also points out that these criteria have received concept approval by the Automotive Services Group of the American Society of Appraisers (ASA). The accompanying White Paper will be formally presented to the Personal Property Committee of the ASA for approval.

Use by nostalgia drag race event promoters
These guidelines will go into effect on June 1, 2011, and will be first used to designate vintage/nostalgia drag racing cars participating at the NHRA California Hot Rod Reunion at Auto Club Famoso Raceway in Bakersfield, Calif. on October 21-23, 2011. The criteria will updated annually, and published every February 1 by the Quarter Mile Foundation.

Follow

Parma Heights, Ohio (April 14, 2011) – The Quarter Mile Foundation has gained an important supporter of the organization’s PROJECT 1320 documentary film series. Joe Amato, the five-time NHRA/Full Throttle (formerly NHRA/Winston Drag Racing Series) Top Fuel World Champion and the former co-owner of Keystone Automotive Warehouse, made a donation to the Foundation to support the effort to capture the history of the sport and performance automotive aftermarket’s history with first person narratives from the influential personalities.

Amato has been very interested in the Quarter Mile Foundation’s efforts for some time, donating his time at the 2010 SEMA Show, signing autographs, in addition to talking to his drag racing and industry contemporaries about the importance of the PROJECT 1320 program.

“I really want to make the industry and the sport of drag racing very aware of the importance of this documentary project,” Amato said. “We need to tell the story about the sport and the industry it built, so the young people who follow in our footsteps understand the effort and the sometimes brutal sacrifices that were made.

“I want my support to, in a sense; tell people that I ‘endorse’ this, and that the concept is a solid one.

“What just happened to one of the legends of both drag racing and the aftermarket, Joe Mondello, should serve as a wake-up for us! I saw Joe at Don Garlits’ International Drag Racing Hall of Fame induction dinner, shortly after he had completed his interview for the PROJECT 1320 documentary. Three weeks later, he was gone! We need to understand how priceless these legends and pioneers are, and if we cannot get the recollections of their careers and to tell the stories of their peers who have died, these first-hand stories will never get recorded, and we all are poorer for it!”

Traci Hrudka, Chairman of the Quarter Mile Foundation, stated, “Joe has been a quiet, behind the scenes supporter of the Foundation. In addition to his very generous and welcomed contribution, Joe has volunteered his time and influence several times over the past months to advance our efforts. He has been there to offer quiet encouragement and advice, and this generous donation on his part is further proof of his belief in this important endeavor.

“We hope his commitment to the Foundation and PROJECT 1320 will resonate within the drag racing and aftermarket communities.”

Amato also observed how the NHRA (National Hot Rod Association) is reaching back into its archives to enhance the association’s 60th Anniversary of organized drag racing. “The NHRA is getting many of the surviving legends of the sport to help tell the story of 60 years of drag racing,” he said. “They’re bringing back many of the heroes and the special cars from the old days to help tell the story, and to perpetuate our sport and the industry.
“Many of the kids that are racing today, as well as getting into the aftermarket, do not appreciate how we got here! Folks like ‘Big Daddy’ (Don Garlits), Shirley (Muldowney), ‘Grumpy’ (Bill Jenkins) and so many others can help tell those stories…they bridge the gap between then and now.”

Amato added, “What the NHRA is doing is great, and gives fans at the races a chance to see and hear ‘how it was,’ but once the race is over with, those memories can fade. But in conjunction with the PROJECT 1320 documentary, those stories and images of how things were and how progress was made – on the track and making the parts (that made things go) – the memories and history are forever.”

Follow

Parma Heights, Ohio (March 4, 2011) – The Quarter Mile Foundation has recently gained the support of a well-known manufacturer and two prominent racing and industry legends in the production of the PROJECT 1320 documentary series.
Joe Amato, the five-time NHRA/Full Throttle Top Fuel Champion and co-founder of Keystone Automotive Warehouse (now Keystone Automotive Operations), has been a quiet supporter of the documentary undertaking since the inception. He has observed, asked penetrating questions and contributed his time to the undertaking.

Following the SEMA Show, Joe and Foundation Chairman Traci Hrudka had several in-depth conversations. His questions answered, he made a generous contribution to support the Foundation efforts.

“As a former racer, I am thankful for the pioneers of the sport that paved the way for my success,” said Amato. “We are pleased to be able to support Quarter Mile Foundation in its efforts to produce a documentary film that will archive the history of drag racing. We are certainly looking forward to seeing the final product.”

World Products, the manufacturer of aftermarket engine blocks, cylinder heads and intake manifolds, became affiliated with the Foundation when it supplied the core elements of the “Save Our Heritage” Raffle engine from Joe Mondello’s shop. The company, and principals Bill Mitchell, Sr. and his son, Bill, Jr., have pressed beyond that involvement and provided additional support to the Foundation.

“World Products has always worked hard at developing and bringing to market the most technically advanced product. But where would we be if it wasn’t for those who competed at the early drag races, and the companies that were built to supply the parts,” asked Bill Mitchell, Jr.

“Many of those people were there to help my Dad in his career as a sportsman drag racer, and later as he started our company. And he was not alone, for the help and influence from these pioneers contributed to the racing and business successes of many, many others.

“We see the efforts of the Quarter Mile Foundation and the PROJECT 1320 documentary as a way to preserve the history of the sport and the performance industry for today and the future. By seeing and hearing these surviving pioneering individuals, we can help keep our sport and the industry alive. To know where we are going, we have to understand where we have been, and we feel the PROJECT 1320 undertaking will help achieve that goal.”

Joe Mondello, whose career as an engine builder, manufacturer and drag racer spans over 50 years, has also contributed far beyond the value of the Foundation’s engine raffle. From his early days, when he partnered with “Sush” Matsubara with their legendary Fuel Altered blown Chevy powered Fiat, his understanding of air flow in, through and out of the cylinder head became legendary. Today, he shares his knowledge with young automotive machinists with his Mondello Technical Center.

Mondello stated, “The future of the high performance industry and drag racing began over 60 years ago. In the beginning, we had some great practical engineers and other pioneers who went to the race track and began racing by the seat of their pants. They engineered or designed, then built, all of the parts and pieces they needed, which were the basis for the parts we see today.

“These pioneers need to be recognized and supported from the racing community…the spectators, the manufacturers, and the racers – current and past. Without the contributions from these individuals and companies, the history of the early days of the sport and the industry will fall by the wayside. We cannot afford to let that happen.

“I feel this is a MUST! We need everyone to come forward and support it with whatever they can afford. The amount is not important, but we have to get these surviving legends interviewed and the documentary completed to preserve our history! We need to do this as our legacy to the future.”

Said Traci Hrudka, Quarter Mile Foundation Chairman said, “The generosity of Joe Amato, Joe Mondello and the Mitchells is deeply appreciated. Each, in their own way, has contributed in multiple ways to furthering the Foundation’s efforts to capture the personal memories of the pioneering legends of drag racing and the performance industry.

“Each has had significant accomplishments on the track and in business. It very heartening to see these individuals and companies believe in the Foundation and its goals to preserve the history of the sport and industry in a documentary format.”

* * * * *
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.