Big Car Racing Association & Hall of Fame, LLC BCRA ESTABLISHED 1958, SPRINGS CO th (50 Anniversary 1958 - 2008 )

BIG CAR RACING CHRONICLES January February March 2010

Bcra Staff: Ray Cunningham(Ks), Dave Tyson (Mo), Boyd Adams(Tx), Bruce Budy(C0), Jerry Miller(Tx), Tom Davey(Co), Wayne Panter(Tx), Gary Wolfe(Ne)

way while amassing nearly 500 Feature wins in the Mid and Welcome, Southern US. Steve Troxell of Denver won three RMMRA Good friend Dave Bermingham passed away in Cody championships and scorched the BCRA ovals in the Ken January 24th after a long illness. Midget and Slocum Chevy winning three features and a BCRA Sprint racer in in the 50’s turned artist after Championship during one of the most competitive seasons moving to Cody Wyoming. Dave was great help on the Big in club history. Ernie Dicroce was one of the most beloved Car history in the East and a selector for the BCRAHOF.. of the BCRA car owners and his host of drivers came from Many requests for Jacket patches have yielded a superb the four corners of the racing world. Gary Swenson and reproduction of the Original at 10.00 per patch, if interested Charlie Williams were one of the top car owner teams for in a patch please Email at [email protected] or a of years in the Midwest winning at Knoxville and call 308-325-5455 . Spectacular BCRA calendars will also on the BCRA. Ken Slocum was a car owner champ and be available by mail or for sale at the Hall of Fame served as BCRA president. Ken and son Casey ran the weekend in Lincoln at 10.00 ea and they are a beautiful RMMRA with great success. Ken passed away a few years tribute. This years calendar will contain history of the club ago but his legacy lives on. Dick Sutcliffe never won a plus pictures of the 2010 Hall of Fame inductees. championship but won five feature events during his tenure Thanks to Judy Payton and Jack Kline for the original with the BCRA as the City Champion had a most BCRA documents they recently forwarded and… Vintage successful career driving for several including the RH Oval magazine remains the only true vintage publication in Farms sprinter. Gentleman Davey Ross of Kansas was a the country, if you have a car or parts to sell remember the fan favorite on the BCRA driving for Pius Selenke and…. magazine for your advertisements and call 800-818-5624. Lincoln’s Keith Hightshoe spent decades on the Midwest Joe and LB Taylor of Amarillo have been located tracks running in the stockers, Sprinters, Supers and with the help of JD Cormack(National Sprint Car Hall of Winged Sprinters. Individual bios to follow in the Apr- Fame). Joe is alive and well at 93, LB passed away May-June Newsletter sometime ago with brother Monroe passing at 98 yrs old The 2010 National Sprint Hall of Fame inductees are just a couple of years ago. These boys had an interesting ready for induction and includes Bob Adamson, Hank career with the United Motor Contest Association, IMCA Arnold, Fred Kinder. Frank Riddle, Hal Robson, Herman and BCRA with AJ Shepherd, Ralph Parkinson Sr and Schurch,Clyde Adams, Casey Luna.Don Sheperd, George Bernie Shires as drivers. More to come on Taylor racing. Bentel, Fred Brownfield, Ben Krasner. One name Missing THE VOTES HAVE BEEN CAST and the 2010 class of again this year is Leroy Neumayer. One guy nearly Inductees in the BCRA Hall of Fame make up a Stellar forgotten in racing started in the early 20’s in group with Old Timer Warren Hamilton born in Shelby and later ran with the BCRA until about 61’ when his son Hill in 1908 and began racing in 1927 with AAA sold his car out from under him to get him off the track…. and his path along the race circuits of the day led him to

Colorado where he performed well in the Midgets and the

Big Cars while also serving as President of the BCRA after the departure of Art Myers . Warren would serve the club Table of Contents Page 1………………………………………….. . Welcome in many capacities for nearly two decades and 37 years Page 2……………………………. ”Pappy Noe”by Bill Noe after his first start Hamilton, 56 years old at the time, would Page 3……………………………… BCRA History Lesson th finish 5 in driver points with the BCRA. Page 4……………………………… .CARB, Pics and Clips Colorado’s Jack Kline would wrench some of the best cars Page5…………………. C&T Automotive by R. Cunningham on the BCRA and RMMRA during his career including the Page 6………………...... Wes Farrand Obituary Page 7……… Opperman Exhibit at NSCHOF and CARB Herring Offy’s. Few drivers in the country won more races Inductees By Dave Tyson than Edd French of Justin Texas during a career lasting over forty five years. He won a BCRA Championship along the

T. C. (Pappy) Noe …….Bill Noe 6 cylinder engine was actually made from a truck axle. was born in Ft. Madison in 1900. His family The axle was sent to Vic , and custom moved to Gallup, NM when his father got a job with ground to his specification. He made many of his own the railroad. He began working on race cars in 1922. parts, and his son Robert (Bob) did most of the His first tinkering with an engine was a 4 cylinder welding on the body, (Bob also flagged races in the flathead in a car capable of going 100 mph. He Southwest). He had a severe crash in 1948, when he married Katie Winders in 1924, and made a promise to went through a fence and flipped the car when the rear her that he would not drive a racecar.This promise was axle hooked a light pole. He sustained a skull fracture, kept until 1947 when she told him that his driver and the broken helmet is still in the trophy case. By wasn’t driving the car right, and that she could drive 1951 he had collected 31 trophies. His 6 cylinder better than that. It turned out to be the opening he Sprint car set a track record in Aztec, NM that was needed to get into the racecars he had worked on for held long after his retirement in 1961, when Bob sold years. his car out from under him. He passed away 30 years He began driving a racecar in 1947, and was given the after his retirement. nickname Pappy by another driver in Flagstaff, AZ. He was a member of: Most car owners at 47 years of age were in the stands, New Mexico Motor Racing Association not behind the wheel. The name stuck with him, and Southwestern Club, Inc he won his first trophy dash later that year in Artesia, Racing Association, Inc NM, August 14. He returned to Flagstaff 2 weeks Aztec Racing Association after that and won the trophy dash there as well. UMCA (United Motor Contest Association) He traveled all over the SouthWest, racing in towns The Big Car Racing Assoc such as Flagstaff, AZ, Holbrook, AZ, Artesia, NM, His other notable vehicles would have to include his Aztec, NM, Albuquerque, NM, and of course Gallup, 1954 Oldsmobile pickup, built by he and Bob in the NM. Durango, CO, Pueblo, CO, Hutchinson Ks , winter of 1955. The car is still running, owned by his Belleville Ks. grand-daughter Kathe Noe of Belen, NM. His first streetable roadster was a 1929, powered by a Corvette 327, featuring a manual 4 , and a torsion bar equipped rear axle, now owned by his Grand-son Bill Noe of Gallup, NM. His other streetable roadster was not completed before his passing, and is also owned by his Grand-son Bill.

Pappy Noe in the 52 Wayne Chevy at Hutch Kansas UMCA race in 58’ He collected many trophies from all of these locations, and traveled to other places as well. In 1955, he was awarded the Season Sportsmanship Trophy by the UMCA in Enid, OK. In 1956, he received the UMCA Season Owner trophy for both Owner and Driver by placing 8th overall in the UMCA. In 1958 he received the SARC Outstanding Car Owner award. Pappy Noe and son Bob on the UMCA in the late 50’s In the Ray Koch story author Bruce Budy mentioned During his career, racing was much different than it is the generosity of Ray as he handed the keys over to a today. A custom ground camshaft for his GMC inline

2 valued employee of some 40 years but couldn t recall In 69’ only , and Lonnie the name of this employee and if the story was even Jensen were Feature winners. 1970 was the year true. In a recent phone call with Leroy Byers he Lonnie Jensen would win his first championship mentioned Ray Koch and how he turned over the keys winning at Belleville with feature winners in Goodwin, to the business to Fred Neuschwanger who had been Brahmer, Sutcliffe and Bryant. Jon Backlund went on with Koch since he got out of High School and the to win four Features in 71 and the championship as well established business reportedly turned a Billy Powell, Parkinson Sr, Beckman, Buddy Taylor, consistent and impressive profit. Keith Hightshoe and Lonnie Jensen also won Features. In 72’ Leo Tucker surprised them all at Century 21 in BCRA History Lessson Denver as did Colorado’s Billy Ager while In the first season of the BCRA Wyomings Jack Sutcliffe(2),Davey Ross(2),Taylor, Beckman and Hahn won the first race at Canyon City Colorado. Jensen all won features. From 67 to 72 when Leo th During the season Earl Kouba and Roy Walker would Tucker finished 5 no Colorado driver finished in the each win a Feature with Wayne Wieler of Phoenix and top ten in points with the BCRA. The days of the Al Sherman credited with Main wins. In 1959 Gordon Rocky Mountain lead foots was until 1973 when Herring would win one feature as did Roy Walker and Steve Troxell and the Slocum Chevy won 3 and the ’s Curly Doggett would win three Mains on BCRA Championship. Opperman, Texan Ed French, his way to an Owners Championship. The 60’ season Larry Clark and were the Remaining was Hahns first BCRA Championship with four Champions of the Big Car Racing Association…... Colorado drivers in Herring, Walker, Kouba and Danny Morgan winning Features as did Texan Paul Pierson and Kansan Harold Leep in the Wilson Chevy. Two Coloradoan’s made it to the winners circle in 61’ Herring and Grier Manning (2 Mains) with Kansan Jerry Shumaker, Jack Hahn and Dale Reed rounding out event winners for the season. 1962 was an abbreviated schedule With Gordon winning at Norton and New Mexico’s Bobby Unser winning at the Colorado State Fair. This was Herrings third and final Championship with the club and the senior Unser’s only appearance with the club. A Colorado driver would not win a Main event for a decade. In 63’ Dale Mirl Barnett(9),Jack Hahn(41)and Pappy Noe at Pueblo Reed won the only feature and Eddie Jackson was crowned champion after a ruling by officials. 64 Feature winners were Hahn at Gurnsey Wy, Kansan Harvey Shane at Holyoke and Dale Reed at the Colorado State Fair. The nine race 1965 season had 7 Kansans winning features and Wyoming’s Jack Hahn won two on the rigorous schedule. Of the 7 winners in 1966 Nebraskan Lloyd Beckman and Californian Don Brown were joined by all Kansan’s with Wichita Champion Jay Woodside winning two Features ,one at the High Banks and one at Holyoke Co. In 67 Feature winners were Beckman, Bryant(2) and New Mexico’s Jerry Miller. In 68’ Kansas City’s Dick Sutcliffe eclipsed the field at Belleville as did Dale Reed and

Lonnie Jensen with Roy Bryant and Ralph Parkinson Bernie Shires in the Joe Taylor Wayne Chevy at Pueblo 59’ Senior enjoying winners circle accolades. This was Roy and Red’s second consecutive championship.

3 Just a little note to let you all know that "Tiger" Bob Williams is going to be inducted into the 2010 Central Auto Racing Boosters Hall of Fame Class. The other four members of the 2010 class include Luther Brewer, Johnny Luteran, Jim Penney, and Kenny Taylor.

There is also going to be a "Pioneer" Class of inductees who were involved in KC area racing prior to the inception of CARB in 1952. Those members will include Jimmy Sams, Guy MacHenry, Otto Haggert, Jimmy Campbell, Oliver Jennings, Dutch Miller, Scotty Scoville, and George Smith. These eight men were prominently involved in racing in the 1930s and 1940s. You can contact CARB by calling Diana Green at 816-280-

Two BCRA originals in Garney Johnson and driver Ardelle Young at Beatrice 07’ 3713 or by mail to C.A.R.B.,17580 Stubbs Station Road, Platte City, MO 64079.

Charter member and BCRA officer Bill Myton at Englewood 1960

RMMRA champ and BCRA feature winner Grier Manning in the Gene Podell built Pikes Peak#42 in 1963.

Jerry Weld and the Hank Henry built #93.Car is restored by KC’S Darrell O’Rear

From Don Budy file are times at Rapid City 1969, first caged car (4x) competed

4 Willie Davis was a large man, with a even bigger passion for . In the early 1960's the little known Californian built his first sprint car. Later in the decade, Davis would take a chance on a rookie sprint car driver, with one of the most famous last names in open wheel racing. Teamed with , Davis would win two USAC Sprint Car titles, and several features. But thats another story, for another time. The first car Willie built went to a Reseda, California owner by the name of Clem Tebow. who owned a business that was named C&T Automotive. Tebow pegged CRA veteran Chuck Hulse from Downey, to drive the C&T Special. The California based race team decided they would travel back East to take on the best of USAC, in the sprint car ranks. In 1963 Hulse won at New Bremen, and finished 4th in USAC points, behind McCluskey, Foyt, and Branson. The race team in 1964 raced very sparingly as Hulse turned his attention to the Indy Car ranks. Meanwhile back

Fan Bob,Lee and Greg Smith Belleville 65 in the Heartland, was the hottest driver in super modified racing. In 1963 the 19 year old Weld won the in a roadster of his own design. In 1964, the 20 year old racer from Kansas City, raced in the IMCA ranks, finishing 10th in points. His roadster was considered too radical for conventional sprint car racing, and a new car was needed for 1965, because Weld had a new racing goal in mind. Weld would turn 21 in 1965,making him legal to race with the stars of USAC, the most prestigious club in sprint car racing at the time. Greg obtained the C&T car from Tebow for his assault on the USAC ranks. That summer the USAC rookie became a national star in his first season with the club! Racing against drivers that

A shot of the Blanot Built rear engine “Lotus Blossom” at Pikes Peak included, A.J. Foyt, Don Branson, Jud Larson, Mario 1965 with BCRAHOF’er Orv Nance at the wheel Andretti, Bobby Unser, and Roger McCluskey among others, CT Automotive Special Weld more than held his own. As the season progressed By Ray Cunningham Weld became involved in a season long battle with Texas Over the 20 years that the BCRA was a racing association racing star . Weld with help from super many top owners, mechanics, builders, and race drivers mechanic Ted Hall, among others, won races at Reading, were involved in racing with the club at some point. One and IRP, before losing the title to Lonestar J.R., by a scant sprint car that was built in California in the early 1960's 2.5 points. That margin was the smallest in USAC Sprint raced and won in the BCRA, as well as USAC and IMCA. Car history. This sprint car had many of the finest names in sprint car For 1966 Weld would race a new roadster on the USAC racing in the 1960's, involved with it. This sprint car was trail, the first of the "Mechanical Rabbits" built and the first to be built by a guy named Willie, who by the end designed by Don Brown, Weld and a up and coming super of the 1960's would be known as one of the top owners modified driver, Joe Saldana. in sprint car racing. The drivers of this sprint car included a The former C&T car would stay in the Kansas City area brash 21 year old who dominated super modified racing, as veteran midget owner Bill Hoback bought the #92 STP before turning to USAC, and shocking the veterans of the Special from Weld. Hoback raced with many top pilots in sport who were known as the finest race drivers in America the Davis built sprinter over the next three seasons in any division, including the Indy Car ranks.

5 including, Gordon Woolley, Dale McCarty Jon Backlund, The California sprinter would change hands again Jim Moughan, and J.L. Cooper. in 1969, when future IMCA Champ Thad Dosher took over Racing against the finest of the BCRA ranks in ownership of the sprinter that began its life on the West Hutchinson, Kansas for a three day show at fairtime, the Coast earlier in the decade. Thad would race the former California sprinter showed its winning form. Hoback C&T car for the next few years with #74 on the tail. This teamed with former IMCA Champ Woolley, won at Hutch was a special number to Thad, as he won the Knoxville Nationals in 1967, racing for Jack Cunningham in his car number #74 super. What happened to the C&T Automotive car after the 1970's is a mystery. What is not a mystery, is the place this sprint car had in racing in the 1960's. Simply put, the car was one of the best cars of the decade.

Wes Farrand, 75, of Kansas City, Mo., passed away on March 31, 2010. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, April 8, 2010, at Floral Hills Funeral Home. Wes was born on October 21, 1934, in Independence, Mo., to Frederick and Louise Farrand. He was a truck driver and a member of Teamsters Local 41 and Local 541 for over 32 years. Wes was an avid race car driver. "Wes was a good

Gordon Woolley Feature winner, Jack Cooper, Bill Hoback #92 at Hutch 1966 hard racer whom I considered to be a clean driver. He also wasn't about to let anyone run roughshod over him." This and graced the cover of Speed Sport in the fall of 1966. was quoted from Bud Hunnicut's book, Up on the Wheel. Also that season, a little known super modified racer would Kansas City auto racing was synonymous with Wes race a cage less sprint car for the first time in his career. Farrand. As his career was in its infancy, so was the competition in Kansas City. He started with modifieds and At Eldon, Iowa in IMCA competition, Jon Backlund was graduated to Midgets and Sprints. He was always a top in a sprinter for the first time. The Kansas City nice guy competitor. He had a racing glint in his eye until the end of would start on the front row of the feature alongside his life. "If you raced with Wes fair and square, he could IMCA's multi-time Champ Jerry Richert. The Wyandotte race 100 laps with you and never touch you. And if you "Bulldog" showed he belonged with the big dogs, staying beat him, you beat him! But if you touched him, he was a up front all feature long and narrowly losing to the crusty little touchy about touching back. He was always forgiving; veteran Richert. believed in God, and a best friend." Quote from Ray Lee This performance led to a season long ride for "Jonny Goodwin, "Racer on Racer", Sprint Car and Midget Boy" in 1967 with Hoback.The former C&T car now Magazine, October 2009. Wes loved to hunt and fish, and painted with the familiar #16 paint job that was so especially liked to go morel mushroom hunting. He was successfull for Hoback when he raced with Howard House also a huge fan of Harry S. Truman. He was preceded in in the midget ranks, became a staple on the IMCA and death by his parents and brother Kenneth Farrand. BCRA trail. Backlund finished in the top 10, twelve times Survivors include children Shirley Farrand- Plaisance, in IMCA competition that season. Included in that run was Michelle Spring and husband Terry, and Wes Farrand, Jr.; Controversial 2nd place finish to Jay Woodside, driving for grandchildren Wes Plaisance, Bree Ottwell, Ashley and Ted Hall at Hutch. David Spring; great grandchildren Alyssa and Ethan Jon, also finished third at Minot, Des Moines, and Plaisance, Tanner and Tamera Ottwell, and many close Nashville, (on pavement), while setting quick time at at friends and racing friends. Hutch, and Mount Clemons, . Backlund's prowess on the pavement impressed many, as he had never raced on the surface before that season. Backlund would later win the track championship at Odessa, Missouri, in

1969 for super modifieds. When that season ended Opperman Exhibit on Display in NSCHoF & Museum Backlund had proven himself, much like Weld had two years before as top sprint car pilot. By Dave Tyson Jon finished 10th in IMCA points, losing out to Lee Kunzman for rookie of the year honors. One of the featured attractions on display this year at the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame & Museum (NSCHoF) in

6 Knoxville, Iowa has been an exhibit dedicated to the Scoville. National Sprint Car Hall of Fame & memory of legendary sprint car great Jan Opperman. Opp, Museum Executive Director Bob Baker was once as he was affectionately known, is a NSCHoF and Big Car again the emcee for the event. Racing Association (BCRA) Hall of Famer. The exhibit The inductees of the 2010 class are as follows: offered displays of Opp’s leather hat, moccasin shoes, Luther Brewer: former super modified driver, car pendants, racing helmets, drawings, and numerous owner/builder, 7-time track points champion owner, photographs taken over the course of his career, including photos of his Indy 500 racing experience. Knoxville Nationals and Jayhawk Nationals winning car owner, and Topeka, KS Mid-America Fairgrounds The highlight of the display includes the sprint car Opp track promoter. drove to the 1971 Knoxville Nationals Championship. The Johnny Luteran: former stock car driver and long- car has been restored and sits on the museum showroom time Kansas City Auto Racing Association (KCARA) next to the Opperman display. The car was owned by organizer. Larry and Ken Cahill at the time. The black number 6 Jim Penney: former jalopy, super modified, and stock car has a Roger Beck chassis and John Singer engine. car driver, 1965 (CA) jalopy champion, vintage car racer, and long-time Kansas City area racing historian. Ken Taylor: former super modified driver, six-time Central Missouri Racing Association (CMRA) champion, 1966 National ¼ Mile Champion, and 4th place finisher in the 6th Annual 1966 Knoxville Nationals. “Tiger” Bob Williams: former super modified, sprint car, and stock car driver, two-time Southwest Championship winner (Amarillo, TX), 46 feature wins in 1969 including track championships at Olympic Speedway, Topeka, KS Fairgrounds, and Knoxville, IA Raceway, and 1969 Knoxville Nationals 2nd place finisher.

John Singer was also the Chief Mechanic on the car. The car was restored by Lee Clark with assistance from Don Baker, Mike Mayberry, and Larry Jasper. Lettering was prepared by Frosty Harrington. Painting work was done by Craig Quigley of Ottumwa, IA. Powder coating work was performed by Fire Coat Custom Powder Coating of Hedrick, IA. The current owner of the car is Lawrence Coelho of Tulare, CA.

CARB Hall of Fame Installs 2010 Class By Dave Tyson

A capacity crowd of nearly 250 people attended the . Central Auto Racing Boosters (CARB) Hall of Fame Central Auto Racing Boosters pres JD Green, Ralph Parkinson and Bob Baker in Gladstone, Missouri at the Gladstone Community Center. The March 6th event inducted its seventh class Pioneer Awards were presented in honor of eight in its Hall of Fame. Big Car Racing Association individuals whose racing contributions in the 1930’s (BCRA) Hall of Fame and CARB Hall of Fame and 1940’s occurred before the creation of CARB. members Ray Lee Goodwin and Ralph Parkinson, Sr. Pioneer Awards were presented in honor of Jimmy were in attendance, with Ralph Parkinson, Sr. Campbell (sprint, midget, big car driver and later accepting the Pioneer Class Award for the late Scotty owner), Otto Haggart (midget racer and builder),

7 Oliver Jennings (midget, sprint, and Indy Car builder), Guy “Mac” McHenry (motorcycle, midget, sprint car, and big car racer), Dutch Miller (long-time Olympic Stadium promoter), Jimmy Sams (racing photographer), Scotty Scoville (midget, jalopy, and sprint car driver), and George Smith Midget driver.

2010 BCRA Hall of Fame

The 2010 Induction ceremony will be held on June 25th at the Smith Collection of American Speed at the Speedway Motors Complex in Lincoln Nebraska at 340 Victory Lane. The ceremony will begin at 6PM Can you guess who this guy is? He ran BCRA. Inside the Museum. A tour of the Museum will begin promptly 2PM on Friday and we suggest you attend this tour to fully enjoy Don Budy Memorial Award the facility. Tell the attendant you are with the BCRA&HOF. The ceremony will last about one hour with tours of the facility to The Don Budy memorial award for,”Obvious and Dedicated th follow. On Saturday the 26 the BCRA will meet at Joe Haags Passion for Oval Dirt and its Competitors” will go to st Speed Shop at 1901 1 street at Noon and for light lunch, Bench Jerry and Donna(Mismach) Norrick of Colorado Springs Co for racing and Rides before heading to Eagle at around 4 2010. These individuals served for decades in PM. There will be a static display and on track for the Vintage the Midwest at the Colorado State Fair, the Pueblo Speedway and cars in attendance and we will share the spotlight with a reunion on the BCRA circuits. of the Midwest Speedway drivers many of which were also BCRA competitors. Donna served as Trophy Girl,”The Prettiest ever”, in the Concessions with her mother among many other duties. Jerry was The Host motel is again the Days Inn at 2001 west O street phone an official at the Pueblo Speedway and other tracks through the # 402-477-4488 and tell them you are with the BCRA Hall of years. Congratulations to the Norrick family of Pueblo Co. Fame/Speedway Motors group to get the special rate. Father Carl Mismach 2005 BCRA Hall of Fame inductee will soon take his place in the Belleville Kansas, High Banks Hall of Fame this July in Kansas,

Big Car Racing Association and Hall of Fame 306 Montrose Ave Bertrand Nebraska 68927 308-325-5455

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