Springfield Flyer.

[Ron Gibson]

Incredible parts you build, young man. People should have to pay dearly for your talents.

Ron

[tauruck]

Thanks all.

It would be cool if my countrymen felt the same way.

About 10 years ago I met a Belgian diamond dealer called David. I built him a custom bike. He said I should get out of SA and go where I'd be appreciated.

He's married to an African woman and to cut a long story short his daughter got into kart racing. Dave is a big guy and couldn't do more than a lap or two in a kart so I would drive his kart and show Naomi the lines. I would test different makes to get the best chassis for her. I was her driving coach in the early days but I'm not good at spectating. I could probably watch tennis though.
Dave really wanted me to be her manager but I'd probably be looking for a ride for myself more than mamaging Naomi.
Check her out. She's done quite well.
https://www.google.co.za/#q=naomi+schiff

[wobblywalrus]

It looks like she races a wide variety of cars.  It would be hard to do that here.  Those little formula 1 type cars seem like a lot of fun.

[tauruck]

I don't have much contact with them anymore but last time I spoke to her father she was racing Porsche Cup in China.

He's one of those guys that made a small fortune out of racing.
He started with a big one!.

[Tman]

I suspect we will hear her name in the future.

[tauruck]

I wish my late dad gave me just one chance.

I was into soap box cars from an early age and there was a yearly race at the show grounds.
I built my own car without help and the old man promised to take me to the race but on race day he went to the track to see a bookie about a horse/donkey.

I never forgave him, honest.
A year later he died at 36.

Any kid who gets help from the parents in racing should get down on their knees every night and thank the Lord.

I did things the hard way and they still never quite worked out but it made me tougher and wiser.

My last ride.

[tauruck]

When I was 13 I met the Bamine brothers.
They built a T bucket and I was hooked.

It grew and I got into the Altereds. I never saw one outside of the magazines because we never had TV here in those days but you could just tell they were EVIL!!!

Nanook, Pure Hell, Panic, Bad Habit and Mondello & Matsubara.

[gkabbt]

Nanook, Pure Hell, Panic, Bad Habit and Mondello & Matsubara.

Mike, Thanks for the pic of the Nanook Fuel Altered and a trip down memory lane!  
I lived in Southern California from 1969 - 1972 (to me, the Golden Age of Drag Racing) and went to many races at Irwindale, Lions and Orange County dragstrips.
Although Top Fuel is/was my favorite class, the Fuel Alterds were VERY exciting to watch.....You never knew what was going to happen!
One team you did not mention was Willie Borsch and Al Marcellus' Winged Express. How Willie drove that with one hand is still incredible to me!
Here is a link to the NHRA site that has him ranked at 34 of the 50 best drivers ever: http://www.nhra.net/50th/top50/W_Borsch34.html

EDITED TO ADD PICTURES:

The Wild One!



Thought you might like this one of Nanook!



Here is a real good link to NHRA about Fuel Altereds:

http://www.nhra.com/userfiles/file/NDLiveFiles/Features/FuelAltereds.pdf

I saw quite a few of these.....Good memories and thanks again!

Gregg

[Stan Back]

Here's a picture of two 200 MPH roadsters after the Hot Rod magazine show this year.  But they're a little different.

[tauruck]

I ended up checking out Willie Borsch and yes I do remember him. You can even buy a "missing arm" on Ebay.
Thanks Gregg and Stan.

I think all the drag racing I saw in the magazines had a huge effect.
I used to get very frustrated as a kid when I saw how local guys interpreted things and I could always identify a local rod or one from the UK. There was just something missing. They looked different.

I watched a whole bunch of Youtube stuff and ended up on Big Daddy. He was a hero back then but now I have a deeper understanding of the man. Things have come a long way.

[SaltPeter]

Wild Willie Borsch ( a boyhood Hero ) and the Winged Express, 


Pete

[gkabbt]

Here's a picture of two 200 MPH roadsters after the Hot Rod magazine show this year.  But they're a little different.

Stan, Yes, they are different but both are absolutely gorgeous!

Gregg

[gkabbt]

I watched a whole bunch of Youtube stuff and ended up on Big Daddy. He was a hero back then but now I have a deeper understanding of the man. Things have come a long way.

Mike, when you do get over here, PLEASE make plans to visit Big's museum in Ocala, Florida.

http://www.garlits.com/

I've only been once, back in 1987.....Man did that place bring back memories with the cars he has in there.
The Wife and I are doing a two week road trip to Florida in a few weeks and his place is on the list.

Gregg

[tauruck]

Do you think Wheelrdealer will show me around?.
I'd really like to see all of the cars he has there.

With all the places I'd like to visit I need about ten years.

Gregg, when you go please get me some pics?.

[gkabbt]

Do you think Wheelrdealer will show me around?.
I'd really like to see all of the cars he has there.

With all the places I'd like to visit I need about ten years.

Gregg, when you go please get me some pics?.

As for Bill, I'm sure he will!

Ten years is still probably not enough time to see everything! 
All the traveling that my Wife and I are doing are really hurting progress on the Rampage. 

Sure thing on the pics.....Really looking forward to it!

Gregg