PROJECT 1320 gets 16 interviews at York-US 30 Reunion

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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)