SUMMER 2009 1

“Jack the Bear” has been a strong infl uence in Rick Strat-ton’s life since he was an eleven-year old drag racing fan. Today, that name is even more a part of Rick’s everyday existence than ever before. Hey, we’re getting ahead of our-selves here. Let’s back up and fi ll in some background.

We have often heard of this or that drag car running “...like Jack the Bear.” Whoever, or whatever else Jack was, he was the fastest and quickest at his game, and for a car to run like him was the ultimate testimony to its performance potential. Here in the Midwest, the “Jack the Bear” that most remember was the Modifi ed Production ‘57 Chevy owned, built and raced by Paul Stewart and John Hettinga back in the 1960’s and, true to its name, that car did run quick and fast, winning races and establishing a reputation wherever it raced.

When the ‘57 was sold to pave the way for a new M/P car, a ‘68 Chevy Camaro, the “Jack the Bear” handle stayed with the new car, and Craig Clapp came into the partner-ship to replace John Hettinga. Resplendent in bright orange and white, the Stewart & Clapp ‘68 Camaro, “Jack the Bear II”, powered by .030 over 427 big block, was a sure winner wherever it ran. It remained a strong contender for several years, recording a best performance of 9.79 @ 140 before the partners separated and sold the car in 1978. Paul Stewart went on to buy the “Malmoose” ‘62 Corvette Modifi ed Production machine from Jim Overmyer, but that’s another story, for another time.

Back to Rick Stratton and his longtime affi nity for “Jack the Bear”. Several years ago, fi fteen to be exact, at a swap meet, the now all grown up Rick found and bought the orig-inal “Jack the Bear” ‘57 Chevy. It was still in its original paint and trim. With this car now in his stable, Rick started looking for a ‘68 Camaro to build into a replica of his all-time favorite drag car, the one he fell in love with many years before, the “Jack the Bear II” ‘68 Camaro. He found the car and began to modify it, installing a roll cage and fi xing up the body. As part owner of R&M Auto Body, one of Kalamazoo’s premier body shops, Rick and his partner, Mark Patterson, certainly had the resources at hand to do a fi rst class build-up of the replica and Rich called upon Paul Stewart for his help.

Those who know Rick will all testify that he is the type of guy who will drop whatever personal project he’s working on to lend a hand to a friend. As a result, Rick can boast of having many, many close and loyal friends, but progress on the ‘68 eventually ground to a halt. Then, three years ago, an amazing story began to unfold. It all started when Rick and his wife departed on a three-week Hawaiian vacation trip. No sooner were they through the security check at the

airport than many of those friends, in concert with everyone at R&M, began a Chip Foose, “Rides” type barn burner rush to fi nish the restoration of Rick’s Camaro before he came back home. The many friends who had benefi ted from Rick’s generosity showed up to return the favor, and Mark, his partner, pretty much shut down the rest of the body shop business for the duration of the hustle to get the Camaro fi nished in time. The car was fi nished to perfection in record time and was waiting in the shop, along with several friends and family members who were on hand for the unveiling and presentation.

The cosmetic part of the Camaro was fi nished in 2006, but it still needed an engine to achieve full drag race status. Rick handled that detail quite readily and now a new 427 “thumper” rests beneath the cowl induction hood. Not content with just owning a replica of a well-known racer, Rick plans to drag this car occasionally and, as a matter of fact, was one of the fortunate few to earn a shot at the “Pinks All Out” event at Martin Dragway in July. Preliminary shakedown runs netted some 10.80 time slips, with more improvement on tap. All in all, quite a story and certainly one to warm every hot rodder’s heart. R&R

FEATURES:The Spotlight .......................1 Editor’s Notes ......................2New Allstar Products ............3New Products .................. 4-5Mini-Poster .........................6

Lane Happenings ...................7,11Racing News ...............................8Manufacturers Spotlight ............9Rodding Journal .......................10Lane Collectables ......................12The Parts You Need and the Service You Deserve!

Jack The Bear Is Back...And “In The Pink”

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Top: The original at Indy.Bottom: Paul Stewart (left) and Rick Stratton and the reborn “Bear”.

2 Phone 269.463.Lane • Toll Free 800.772.5266

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Editor’s NotesPaul Volk’s Killer Mistsubishi

One of the biggest concerns among us so-called “old time” hot rodders has always been what will happen to the sport when it passes to the next generation. In my search for signs that a new generation of hot rodders is developing, a very convincing example of what it will take to keep our hobby alive and well turned up right under my ample nose, here at Lane Automotive.

Paul Volk, one of our wholesale phone sales personnel, has invested seven years of his hands-on time, and countless dollars to be sure, in the transformation of a 1999 Mitsubishi Eclipse GST from a stock machine into a fi re-breathing, pave-ment gobbling all-wheel drive terror. If a conversion process that has included twin turbochargers, conversion to all-wheel drive and massive rearrangement of an engine compartment excites you, then read on.

For openers, Paul has heavily bolstered the stock 2.0L (122 c.i.) 4G63 engine with .020” over, 9.0:1 Wiseco pistons and Eagle H-Beam rods. Further fortifi cation includes revised 3G lifters, dual overhead Kelford 272 cams, Kiggly Racing bee-hive valve springs with titanium retainers and ARP L19 head studs. Reasons for adding these muscular components to the block become very clear when we see the Turbonetics T-4 60-1 turbocharger Paul is installing to force feed the smaller MHI B16G unit. Fitted with an SBR/Kinetic front-mount intercooler, two GReddy Type-S blow-off valves and twin TIAL 44mm waste gates, the turbos will pressurize a Magnus Motorsports sheet metal intake manifold. A work of art in the very crowded engine compartment is the stainless steel 3” downpipe fabricated by Paul. This system’s compressors are capable of achieving a pressure ratio of 5:1 (roughly 75 psia), but Paul will have it gated to run 37 psig. The setup can achieve 20 psi by 3500 RPM and full boost in the 4000-4500 RPM range. The engine will be redlined at 9,500 RPM.

Fuel is provided courtesy of an in-tank Denso pump that feeds an inline Bosch 044 unit which, in turn, supplies Lucas 1200cc (120 lb./hr.) injectors. Engine electronic management is left to a GM 3” Mass Air Sensor, an Innovate LC-1 Wideband, Dynatek ARC-2 ignition box and MSD wires. According to Paul, his compound turbo installation should produce ap-proximately 710 horsepower at the fl ywheel and 600 horses at the wheels (fi guring an 18% drivetrain loss).

With this in mind, he has added a TRE-built transmission with double synchronizers in 1st-3rd, an 11% taller fi rst gear and has welded the center of the diff erential for added strength. Fidanza provided the 4.3 clutch and fl ywheel as-sembly and Driveshaft Shop Level 2 rear axles supplement the limited slip rear end. Shifts are controlled by a B&M short shifter.

Will this combo keep Paul happy? Maybe, maybe not. Just in case, future plans call for direct port methanol injection, JetHot coating for the entire turbo set-up, an aluminum driveshaft, and a taller 5th gear. If an old hot rodder can make one observation, let me say that we old geezers will surely love sitting in our rocking chairs and watching as Paul severely rattles the cages of Z06 ‘Vette owners. One word of advice to the ‘Vette-erans: Add bolts, straps, duct tape...whatever it takes to keep those fi berglass doors from being soundly blown off ! R&R

SUMMER 2009 3

New

Allstar ProductsNew Allstar Products

Spindle CheckersA bent spindle can cause all kinds of grief in a circle track car, but actually

determining if it is, in fact, bent can be more diffi cult than it fi rst appears. In order to make a sound determination, the upper and lower ball joints must be correctly aligned. That’s where the new Allstar Performance Spindle Checkers can come in handy. Kits are available for use with GM (ALL56206) or Chrysler (ALL56216) style lower ball joint and will fi t most spindles with 1-1/2” taper per foot upper ball joints.

Sprint Motor Plates With BushingsAllstar Performance now off ers two front motor plates for sprint cars. The

one-piece plate (ALL38128) uses the lower front mounting holes on the small block Chevrolet V8. The two-piece set (ALL38129) has a built in mount to accept a Barnes Oil Filter Bracket (BAR8930) and uses the lower front mount holes as well as the water pump mounting holes. Both plates are 3/8” thick aluminum and have 19-1/2” center-to-center chassis mounting holes. Bushings for limiting engine fl ex and to help with weight transfer are included.

Sprint Fuel Pressure GaugeAdjust the high speed, secondary and main valve opening pressures using the

pressure gauge and a compressed air source. Gauge can be mounted to the wall or tool box. 4-1/2” diameter dial has a 0-160 psi range.

Sprint Steering MountSolid aluminum mount off ers up to 1-3/4” of adjustment with adjustment holes

every 1/2”. Left side of mount has a bracket for convenient mounting of Waterman fuel shut off valve.

Sway Bar BoltsSteel bolts have 7/8”-10 thread. ALL56070 has a 1-1/2” swivel eye and measures

11” from center of eye to end of threads. ALL56071, with a 2” swivel eye, and ALL56102, with a 2” non-swivel eye, measure 11-3/4” from center of eye to end of threads. A weld nut (ALL56072) is available to fi t both swivel eye bolts.

Slotted Angle AluminumAllstar has answered the call for more versatile aluminum angles which car

builders have found to be very handy for mounting body panels and, espe-cially for mounting rear spoilers. Slotted aluminum angles are ideal for use with ALL23105 body brace kit for complete body installation. 120 degree angles are available in 26” (ALL23130) and 30” (ALL23131) lengths. A 90 degree angle is avail-able in 72” length (ALL23124).

Air Cleaner Bottom, 2BBLPlain aluminum air cleaner bottom has 14” overall diameter, a 5/8” drop and is

contoured to assure smooth, even air fl ow. Will fi t carburetors with 3” diameter fl ange. Great for solving limited hood clearance problems on any car. R&R

ALL11176

ALL38128

ALL40330

ALL52115

ALL56070

ALL23130

ALL26081

4 Phone 269.463.Lane • Toll Free 800.772.5266

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Integrated LS1/Chassis Harness PWI60608 Painless Wiring knows that the LS1 GM V8 has become a very

popular swap into a variety of older cars. Their new LS1 chassis harness has twenty-six circuits and 7 relays integrated into a

single fuse block to eliminate separate fuses and relay banks. Designed for 1997-2004 LS1 engines mated to 4L60E transmissions in any vehicle capable of using an 18-circuit GM color-coded harness, the integrated harness is perfect for completely rewiring a vehicle and/or transplanting an LS1 engine.

Convenience Module PWI60340Add 21st century amenities to any car with a module that will: gradually dim the domelight

after door is closed, leave headlights on for 15 seconds after engine is shut off , delay shutoff of ra-dio for 10 minutes after ignition switch is turned off , and sound an alarm if turn signals have been on for more than 150 seconds or headlights have been left on. Easy, straightforward installation.

Eliminator Series RadiatorsA perfect radiator for high performance muscle cars and pony cars

from the sixties and seventies, the Eliminator Series aluminum radiators from BeCool have dual 1” cores, billet fi ller necks, folded and tapered tanks and are available in popular sizes. An important addition to these high performance radiators, the high performance, internal automatic transmission coolers are standard and will defi nitely prolong transmis-sion life. Eliminator radiators are available for all automatic transmission

equipped small and big block 1967-81 GM intermediates and F-bodies, 1960-88 Mopar A-, B-, and E-bodies with small blocks, and 1979-93 Ford Mustang and Cougar small blocks.

Intake SystemsOwners of 2009 GM, Ford and Dodge Ram pickups can now

benefi t from AIRAID’s computer designed systems which off er maximum air fl ow for more horsepower, torque and improved fuel effi ciency. Off ering unmatched fi t, fi nish and a lifetime warranty, AIRAID fi lter elements feature SynthaFlow® Technology which relies

upon a synthetic nano-fi ber material that traps the smallest dirt particles, almost twice the percent-age of 2 micron particulates and more than six times the 0.5 micron particulates captured by other elements. Elements are housed in a hand-poured urethane body that won’t crack, curl or shrink.

Retro GM Steering WheelsThe classic combination models in Grant’s Retro GM style steering wheels

include the wheel and a chrome Chevrolet horn button that is offi cially li-censed by General Motors. The wheels are available in 3- and 6- bolt mount-ing styles with hardwood walnut fi nish grips in dark mahogany, light walnut, gloss black stain or thick cushion foam. These wheels are modeled after the

classic designs from ’60’s muscle cars and will look right at home in any GM restoration.

1956-62 Corvette Steering Wheel GRT15903Black leather, 14-3/4” diameter wheel includes chrome horn button with Corvette fl ag logo and is a

direct replacement for the original.

SUMMER 2009 5

Cylinder Heads For Small Block ChevyRedesigned, cylinder heads are cost eff ective and off er more

horsepower through improved effi ciency and modern technol-ogy. Features include “as-cast” ports and combustion chambers, raised intake runners, phosphorous-bronze valve guides, extra thick decks and a three angle valve job. Heads are off ered in

170cc, 180cc, 200cc, 220cc and 235cc intake runner versions, and all are sold individually as bare castings.

BearingsMotor State now stocks ACL Bearings. A product of more than half a century

of research, design, metallurgy and manufacturing experience, ACL tri-metal bearings are used extensively by racers and engine builders around the world. Available for numerous performance engines in standard and oversizes

Digital Gauge 5-packsBright, LED digital gauges use micro processor controlled

displays for the ultimate in precise, high-tech readings. Look to Auto Meter digital units for eye catching visual reference and an exact numeric reading. Choose from Sport Comp,

Ultra-Lite and Cobalt Series 5-gauge kits. All include fuel level, oil pressure, water tempera-ture, voltmeter gauges plus a programmable speedometer and all senders.

Brad Penn Oil We are now stocking Brad Penn Oil in several viscosities and formulations for high per-

formance use. Truly Made In The U.S.A., American Refi ning Group’s Bradford, Pennsylva-nia refi nery is the home of “The Green Oil” that racers, engine builders and performance enthusiasts have come to know and trust. Buy it by the quart or by the case (12 qts.).

Ultra Pro Magnum Rocker ArmsCurrently off ered for small and big block Chevrolet, and

small block Ford Ultra Pro Magnum Rocker Arms are virtu-ally unbreakable. The arched, web-like design increases strength and rigidity by 29%, reduces the moment of inertia (MOI) and optimizes dynamic balance for maximum lift and valvetrain control at high RPM. Larger valve springs, retainers and locks can be used with no clearance problems. Rocker arms are covered by a lifetime guarantee against breakage, for any reason, and best of all, they are rebuildable. They may just be the last rocker arms a racer will ever need to purchase.

EZefi Carb-To-EFI Conversion KitSet aside an afternoon and replace the carburetor with the

FAST EZefi conversion kit. Based on a the universally familiar 4150 throttle body, the system is completely self-tuning, requiring no experience or laptop computer. The throttle body works with the stock carb linkage and bolts on to any engine up to 550 horsepower. System includes a mini-ECU, wide band oxygen sensor, wiring harness, injectors, fuel pump kit and the throtttle body itself. Improve mileage, performance and cold weather start-ups with this new kit. The kit sounds like the perfect addition to any earlier carburetor equipped car or pickup.

New

ProductsNew Products

6 Phone 269.463.Lane • Toll Free 800.772.5266

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SUMMER 2009 7

Hot Rodders Of Tomorrow Engine ChallengeYoung engine builders from two Michiana area vocational-technical

centers topped a fi eld of eight teams to take top honors in the Hot Rodders of Tomorrow Engine Challenge Michigan Championship which took place at the 21st Annual Lane Automotive Car Show, May 23, 2009.

The Van Buren County, Michigan Tech Center Team #1, sponsored by Edelbrock Racing, fi nished in fi rst place with a time of 65:18, just a little more than eight minutes ahead of Team #1 from the Elkhart, Indiana Area Career Center, sponsored by Hedman Hedders/Trans-Dapt, who fi nished with a time of 73:18. Both teams qualifi ed for a chance to com-pete with three other teams for the national title at the Hot Rodders of Tomorrow National Engine Challenge Championship to be held at the 2009 SEMA Show in Las Vegas, NV, November 3rd through the 6th. The Van Buren team qualifi ed by virtue of their fi rst place fi nish at the Lane event. Elkhart #1’s time was better than those achieved by any com-petitors from two other contests around the country which qualifi ed them as the fourth team for the SEMA contest.

An educational program aimed at high school auto technology stu-dents, Hot Rodders of Tomorrow is as much an educational and team building experience as it is a competition. Each school sets standards and guidelines to qualify for the program, taking into consideration such criteria as academic grades, attendance and technical skill levels. Engine building teams from area high schools, technical centers and junior colleges are eligible to take part in the contests.

Teams, made up of fi ve students, enter into head-to-head com-petition to disassemble and reassemble fully dressed out Chevy 350 cubic inch V8 engines in the least amount of time. A team of judges levies penalties for any infractions of the rules which are then added to a team’s time. The winning team is the one that fi nishes in the best overall time.

The Chevrolet engines are high performance power plants typical of those found in many hot rods, muscle cars and race cars at shows and race events all around the country. Every part of the engine is removed and replaced with the exception of the camshaft and the crankshaft.

Sponsors of the Hot Rodders of Tomorrow Engine Challenge in-clude Edelbrock Corporation, Hedman Hedders, Trans-Dapt, Painless Wiring,Speed Pro, Fel-Pro, Moroso, AutoMeter, Fragola Performance Systems, MSD and Be Cool.

Members of the Van Buren Tech Center #1 team are: Ryan Beech-ing, Bill Tester, Emmanuel Perales, Sonny Degoede and P.J. Hacher. Instruc-tor/coaches are Dan Buzalski and Jason Forler. The Elkhart Area Career Center team members are: Josh Wilson, Chris Lawson, Cody Chupp, Brad Hobson, and Wes Brugh, The Elkhart team was guided by Paul Williams.

The remaining six teams included Van Buren and Elkhart #2 teams, Stevensville Lakeshore High School, Dowagiac High School, Coloma High School and Niles High School. R&R

Lane Happenings

Lane Happenings

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Racing NewsDona Marcoullier Takes Two Biggies At MerrittThe Who 55 Presented By K&N FiltersSecond generation Dirt Late Model pilot, Dona Marcoullier of Houghton Lake, MI, topped a stellar fi eld of over 50 entries to claim victory in the 3rd annual Who 55 held at Merritt (MI) Speedway in June. After transferring through a “B” Main, Dona started 14th and clawed his way to the front, taking the lead after a spirited battle with Michigan’s Brian Ruhlman and Wayne “The Sniper” Chinn from Ohio. Marcoullier’s winnings amounted to over $6000, including lap money, in the K&N Filters sponsored event. Earlier in the evening, Rob Harden of Ovid, MI set fast time. Qualifying heats were won by Adam Thrush, Andy Chester, Ryan VanderVeen, Mark Andersen, Wayne Chinn and Brian Ruhlman. “B” Feature winners included Dona Mar-coullier, Don Marcoullier (Dona’s dad) and Jeep Van Wormer. A special Race of Champions was also contested and the win went to Winston (MI) Speed-way champ, Rich Neiser, who grabbed $1000 in the process.

The Wood TicDona Marcoullier continued his hot streak in Northern Michigan by captur-ing Merritt’s 21st Annual Wood Tic, which was held in late July. The features for this two-day event were pushed back to Sunday afternoon by persistent rain, resulting in a racy daytime surface with plenty of side-by-side action. Dona grabbed the early lead in the 40 lap feature and led the fi rst 19 circuits before surrendering the lead to fellow front row starter, Sam Epling of Perry, MI. Marcoullier took back the point after a lap 29 restart and cruised to vic-tory, his second Wood Tic score in a row. Epling and Rich Neiser fi lled out the top three at the fl ag. Qualifying heat winners included Brandon Thirlby, Chad Foster, Justin Robinson, Jayme Zidar, Epling and Marcoullier. Josh Knoll and Adam Thrush grabbed the “B” Main wins.

Anderson Grabs Dart ModpalooozaLowell, MI UMP Modifi ed hotshoe, Mark Anderson, topped all comers in the second annual Hartford Motor Speedway Modpalooza presented by Dart Heads. Mike “Opie” Spatola was the early leader of the 25 lapper only to lose his advantage after contact with Brian Ruhlman. The resulting me-lee knocked out several contenders, including Curt Spalding and Danny Knowles, and allowed Anderson a clear path to the checkers. The win was worth $1500 and a Dart product certifi cate. Track regulars Frank Marshall, Chris Collier, Tony Roland and Chris May rounded out the top 5.

Alan Vochaska On Top In Lane 45Four-time Hartford (MI) Motor Speedway champion, Alan Vochaska of South Haven, MI, scored his biggest career victory, leading the fi nal seven laps of The Lane 45 Presented by K&N Filters. Shawn Toczek of Hebron, IN led the initial 11 laps of the event, giving way to track regular, JR Hotovy of Covert, MI. Hotovy piled up over $1300 in lap money, including the Midway Bonus presented by Corliss Signs and Merritt Speedway, before experiencing electrical problems on lap 38. Vochaska took control of the race, leading the fi nal 7 circuits for his fi rst ALMS win, taking home over $4700 in the process. Second thru fi fth fi nishers were Brian Ruhlman, Jon Henry, Toczek and Phil Ausra. 35 Late Models were on hand to compete in the ALMS and Ontario Dirt Late Models co-sanctioned event. R&R

Dona Marcoullier and Rod Ancel of Merritt Speedway

Dona Marcoullier

Mark Anderson

Jim Borden of Hartford Motor Speedway and Alan Vochaska

SUMMER 2009 9

Manufacturer Spotlight

Manufacturer Spotlight

Motor State Distributing welcomes Fragola Performance Systems to our line of qual-ity AN aluminum hose ends and related fi ttings. Fragola products are proudly Made in America, right at the Fragola facilities in Southington, Connecticut.

Since entering the highly competitive performance fi tting business a little over seven years ago, Frank Fragola rolled up his sleeves and joined his production staff in long hours researching, testing and retesting to perfect the production of all their AN hoses and fi ttings. Bright dipped instead of anodized, Fragola products maintain their original color and brightness indefi nitely.

According to the experts at Fragola, the anodizing process is not an exact science. This means that those familiar red and blue colors can vary considerably from batch to batch, especially with diff erent aluminum alloys. Sunlight, heat, and the passage of time can also fade traditional anodized fi ttings, which becomes very obvious whenever an old fi tting is replaced with a new one.

After carefully studying the fi ttings that were available at the time, the Fragola team made some valid observations concerning improvements that could be made to the basic, fi fty year old design used by other manufacturers. They went on to develop a unique, one-piece design that eliminated two braze joints and the inherent potential for leakage, improving both fl ow and appearance. The further addition of two Viton “O” rings rendered the hose ends perfectly leak-free for the life of the fi ttings. Other improvements included a wider, no-slip wrenching surface, tapered nipples for easy alignment and installation, “J” gauge threads for increased strength and the aforemen-tioned bright dip fi nishing process.

Jeff Stacy, Fragola Performance President of Sales and Marketing had this to say about the company’s entry into the performance automotive aftermarket:

“Fragola Performance Systems is very encouraged that in today’s uncertain economic climate more and more people are turning to an American manufacturer of AN fi ttings and hose ends. With our in-house manufacturing, and our ability to react to the customer’s needs in a timely manner, we feel we are poised to become the dominant manufacturer of plumb-ing parts for the performance aftermarket. With Motor State Distributing on board, we will be able to reach more and more people with our quality products, making our job that much easier.”

At Motor State, we strive to off er our customers the widest possible array of performance hose ends and fi ttings and the selection off ered by Fragola Performance Systems is a very important part of that eff ort. R&R

10 Phone 269.463.Lane • Toll Free 800.772.5266

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Rodding JournalGilmore Cacklefest

This issue’s fi rst stop along the hot rodding highway was at the Gilmore Car Museum at Hickory Corners, Michigan where we checked out the fi rst annual Dust-Off Car Show and Cacklefest May 24. The event was held to cel-ebrate their newest exhibit, Drag Racing - History a Quarter Mile At A Time. Comprising thirty historically signifi cant drag racing cars, the exhibit will run through October 31, 2009.

Adding their nitro-fed fl ames to the museum’s fi rst ever Cacklefest were the front engine dragsters of Al Bergler (More Aggravation), Ed Golden (The Probe), John Logghe (Logghe Brothers) and the late Larry Payne (Gang Green). The foursome were at our car show on May 23rd and then spent the night in Kalamazoo before heading out M-43 to the museum the next day.

The pre-Cackle publicity generated by minimal advertising still yielded a sizeable crowd by the start of the event, and we’re sure that many of those present had never before heard a race en-gine snapping and cackling on 90% nitromethane. An interesting sidelight was the eardrum shattering run made by Buck Boudeman and his jet-powered bicycle. Yes, he actually rides a standard bicycle with a “buzz bomb” style jet strapped to the frame. Riding the brakes all the way, Buck almost made his way to one of the distant barns on the museum property, at a less than sedate 45-50 miles per hour, before he ran out of fuel!

Getting back to the drag racing history exhibit for a moment, we can assure those who visit the museum will feel that the trip was well worth the drive. In addition to the drag race cars, the museum regularly displays nearly 200 antique, classic and special interest cars and trucks and off ers attractions like the “Blue Moon” Diner, an operating, vintage dining car type restaurant; a 1929 era Shell gas station; a very nice gift shop and a double-decker bus for tours around the grounds. Among the drag cars in the historical exhibit are the famed Gabby Bleeker fuel altered Bantam coupe, Don Garlits’ Swamp Rat XVII, one of Roland Leong’s Hawaiian Punch funny cars and two of Detroiter Walt Knoch’s “Walt’s Puff er” drag cars - a fuel altered Fiat coupe and a Monza funny car. R&R

National Hot Rod Reunion The seventh edition of the Holley National Hot Rod Reunion, held at

historic Beech Bend Dragway in Bowling Green, Kentucky, was HOT in every sense of the word. The rods were hot, the drag race action was hot, the Cacklefest was hot, and the weather was HOT. With temperatures hovering near the 100 degree mark on Friday and Saturday, water and shade were the orders of the day.

Approximately 2,500 hot rods found their way to Bowling Green for the three-day aff air that has become a “must go” destination for nostalgia buff s and modern rodders alike. It’s probably the only event - other than the California Hot Rod Reunion - that blends old and new, and makes the ages of the participants inconsequential.

Since its inception, the National Hot Rod Reunion, along with the Califor-nia Hot Rod Reunion, has primarily been a revenue generator for the Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum in Pomona, California. The recent NHRA announcement that the museum is going to close and send the majority of its collection to the Petersen Car Museum in Hollywood has raised some questions about the future of the reunion events. The most likely answer is that as long as the reunions continue to make money, the NHRA will keep staging the events, and fi nd some place else to spend the proceeds. R&R

SUMMER 2009 11

Lane Happenings

Lane HappeningsFirst Annual Motor State Pro-Touring Challenge

The skies cleared, the sun came out and all was good for the cruise. Despite threatening weather reports and pop-up storms all afternoon on Friday, June 19, the 1st annual Motor State Challenge adopted the attitude of “The Show Must Go On”. Motor State was host to almost 100 guests and over 50 pro-touring/G-machine vehicles from 15 diff erent states. Guests arrived on Friday afternoon from as far away as California and Maine. The activities kicked off on Friday afternoon with an impromptu pizza luncheon complete with facility tours... and an occasional power outage. Miraculously the rain stopped and held off long enough to get the cruise-in started, which depart-ed our parking lot at 4:00. The cruise took the group East on Red Arrow Highway, North up through Bangor and into South Haven where they made their way over to Blue Star Highway and ran that back down into St. Joe for a BBQ dinner at Silver Beach.

Saturday’s activities were held at Gingerman Raceway where the group spent a full day on the road course track running several sessions until our 5:00 departure time. Sunday was spent at the Lake Michigan College parking lot where our local SCCA group had set up an autocross for challenging timed runs. At the conclusion of the weekend the top three (excluding manufactur-ers) in both Touring and Time Trial class were awarded trophies and certifi cates. The winners of those classes were:

Time Trial Class 1st – Mark Stielow 2nd – David Pozzi 3rd – Matt Altamore

Touring Class 1st – Brian Finch 2nd – Chris McCormick 3rd – Jeff Tate

Big thanks go out to Detroit Speed, Air Ride Technologies, Baer Brakes, Heidt’s, Roadster Shop, and a host of other support-ing sponsors for helping make this event the success it was.

Pro-Touring is all about enjoying your car. Many of the partici-pants drove their beautiful cars hundreds of miles to participate in the events and then drove them home again.

Thanks to all those on our crew who stepped up and helped make this event run as smoothly as it did. R&R

8300 Lane Drive Watervliet, Mi 49098Phone 269-463-LANE • Toll Free 800-772-5266 • Fax 800-772-2618

Each Limited to 996 PiecesHal McCarty 1966 Shelby G.T. 350Part No. 119

1972 Oldsmobile 442Part No. 313

1967 Firebird 400 ConvertiblePart No. 409