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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.”
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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.