The Big Car Racing Association & Hall of Fame NEWSLETTER

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1 stablis The Big Car Racing Association & Hall of Fame NEWSLETTER EST 1957 COLORADO SPRINGS, COLORADO Volume 3 January/February 2007 Number 1 Welcome Back The Newsletter is back, hope you all enjoy. Since the last issue in May 06, a lot has happened and as you will read here the BCRA&HOF crew have been moving ahead regardless of the distractions presented us in May. We must all dedicate ourselves to insure that acquisitive behavior will never again stain the fabric of the Big Car Racing Association. Many received information concerning the Hall of Fame induction in June through mediums other than a BCRA Newsletter. We feel it important to recount the activity in this return edition of the publication. And if you have a favorite driver /owner/mechanic you feel should be recognized please remit this information to the BCRA/HOF along with associated information for the selectors to use in their process. Thanks once again to John, Jenn, Bill and Joyce, Clay and the rest of the Speedway crew for this opportunity presented the BCRA&HOF. A must see is the Museum of American Speed.com website. We will also take this opportunity to remind everyone to send in dues for the upcoming season(still 20.00)to the BCRA at 306 Montrose Ave, Bertrand Neb Copies of all previous BCRA newsletters are still available, 1.50 ea printing/postage charge only, from the aforementioned address. These past issues should be in everyones collection. Once Again, I hope everyone enjoy s the Newsletter of the enduring Big Car Racing Association and it s Hall of Fame. GW. BCRA&HOF Induction 2006 The Big Car Racing Association has reached another mile stone in its long and glorious history with the first Induction ceremony at the Museum of American Speed, Lincoln Nebraska. If you re fortunate enough to tour this collection periodically, one of the first things you notice is the many new and fascinating additions to the collection. Curator John Mackichan has devised and directed a near continual evolution of dynamic displays within the facility as rare and exciting memorabilia has been received and/or organized for showing over the last four years. The Museum team continues to build this monument to American racing with new exhibits on hand at each visit. Jennifer Mackichan and Jim McNiel had spent many hours getting the art work assembled, adjusted and transferred to the stunning plaques for the display in the BCRA Hall of Fame and in the homes of the inductees and there families. Jim worked right up until the reception, which he attended, and then continued putting together shirts and hats at request during the weekend, Thanks to Jim for the ride in his T Roadster across Lincoln, retrieving parts for plaques. Bill Smith has always had a talent for assembling the right people in the right job and the more you work with the Speedway group you see that they do not really consider their position a job as much as a contribution to the Museum and Motor sports. The reception on Friday afternoon at the Villager was well attended as the inductees, their family members and guests arrived to enjoy the reunion. Many Families traveled a great distance to attend in support of the Hall of Fame. The Armstrong s of Colorado attended in full force as did the Norricks and Iver s, with Wyoming being represented by the Novotny s, Jack Hahn and the Bob Sommers family. Another highlight to the reception was Mom and Pop Smith who had cancelled a previous trip East to attend the event and could be found visiting with those in attendance. At 4:30 the group traveled to the Museum and an appointment with Wayne Dake and his crew of the ever popular Speed Secrets program. TABLE OF CONTENTS Wecome Back. pg 1 BCRA Hall of Fame Induction pg 1 The Tom and Jerry Show (J.Miller,T Davey) pg Don Budy Award pg 4 Photo Gallery pgs 5&6 Pikes Peak 2006 Pg 7 In Rememberance (R,Cunningham) pg 8 Belleville 2006 pg 9 NOVA pg 10 BCRA Directors and Selectors pg 10 Kunz team at Belleville, Reminisce & Beatrice Hall of Fame pg 11 1

2 Wayne interviewed several including Steve McCallum from Grand Junction while taking a look at the D.O.Hal sprinter he brought along, Gene Novotny and the 270 GMC Bumblebee sprinter left behind for display at the Museum, Harry Ivers and his Chevy sprinter and Kansan Mirl Barnett and the historic Propane burner. Thanks to these gentlemen for sharing this history with the members and their families and to Wayne and the crew for capturing this significant moment in BCRA history At the end of the filming we all moved indoors and the Induction ceremony began. I must say Jennifer Mackichan was a lifesaver as she assumed a significant role in the introduction of this very notable group of inductees. Her contributions over the last few weeks were immeasurable as she put together the photos and biographies that adorned the plaques; her creation of the Don Budy Memorial Award was Splendid indeed while also assisting in preparation of the meeting area. Plaques were presented and each recipient was able to address the assemblage with some of the highlights of their careers. Those receiving awards were Jack Hahn, Andy Anderson, Harry Ivers, Jerry Norrick for Carl Mismach, Jim Doggett for Curly Doggett, Harry Ivers for Orville Nance, Andy Anderson for Don Budy, Jack Hahn for Gordon Herring, Gene Novotny, and Bob Armstrong Jr for Bob Armstrong Sr. Steve McCallum s D.O Hal as driven by Bob Munier As many know Don Budy was a driving force within the BCRA during its 20 year History. Don had a way of directing his dedicated group of officials and supporters which brought out the best in each individual involved frontline with the club. His love of the Big Cars was conveyed to everyone involved and made the BCRA what it was. It did not take long for the idea of a Don Budy Memorial to form and this annual award goes to that individual who exhibits An Obvious Passion and Dedicated Devotion to Dirt Track Racing and its Participants. This year the votes were cast and Lincoln s Bill Smith was honored for his magnanimous contributions to the sport. I cannot think of many individuals who have seen more racing than Bill as he has competed in nearly every national Motorsports event in the country during his sixty year career. Bill had topnotch drivers and crews accomplishing a level of success nearly unparalleled. One of his crowning achievements had to of been in 76 when he made history with a young Jan Opperman at the Tony Hulman Classic in Terre Haute.Ind. On that day the Speedway Motors 4X took the lead against the best cars and drivers in the U.S. at the start of the Main and led every lap. Speed Sport News headlined the event with, The Outlaws from Nebraska came to Indiana and blew their doors off. Many believe this is where the World of Outlaws idea was first conceived and with the demise of the BCRA (& IMCA) the next year after future WOO champ Sammy Swindell won the clubs final Feature (Swindell and Bobby Unser Jr battled wheel to wheel throughout the event )and the 77 Championship, the World of Outlaws were formed and exist to this day. Bill s assemblage of racing memorabilia during his lifetime has produced the focal point of American racing history in the Museum of American Speed, which he makes available to the car clubs around the country to hold their events. This facility has been the home of the Nebraska Motorsports Hall of Fame, the national Model T Speedster Hall of Fame and now the Big Car Racing Associaion. It is impossible to mention the continued success of Speedway Motors without speaking of Joyce Smith, the Matriarch of this dedicated crew. In talking with this most gracious lady, originally from North Platte Nebraska, you soon learn the in depth knowledge she has in the business end of things at Speedway. She has been Bills lifetime partner and has played an instrumental role in the evolution of this premier Motorsports business and her dedication and influence are more prominent than perhaps many know. At the end of the Ceremony Jack Hahn of Moran Wyoming donated several of his Championship trophies to the museum in a presentation to Speedy Bill. This memorabilia will be staged in a 2

3 glass display case near the BCRA exhibit. Many thanks to Jack and BJ Hahn In another special presentation 1971 BCRA Champ Jon Backlund presented Harry Ivers with a Car Owners Championship jacket. Harry had loaned Jon his car in 71 during a critical night of competition with the Championship hanging in the balance. This presentation once again reaffirmed the true mark of champions. The evening at the Museum was indeed a landmark occasion for the BCRA and it was a privilege to be present and to see these competitors and their families all in one place and will be long remembered by all. Congratulations to the inductees, their families and to Speedy Bill Smith. Tours of the facility followed the Induction ceremony and it was interesting to follow along as first time guests marveled at the content and quality of the displays within the museum. USAC Champ Greg Weld with Joe Haag s roadster Mirl Barnett s #9 Olds in background Saturday morning started with breakfast at the Villager and then back to Speedway for the static display of the vintage big cars. Upon arrival there sat the Greg Weld roadster, the Barnett sprinter, Joe Haag s Indy Roadster, the Iver s Chevy, the Andre Hemi, McCallums DO Hal and the Novotny Bumblebee. Inside the museum we met Mark Randol, John Layne, Cecil Taylor, Greg Weld and Bill and Joyce Smith. Weld, the 1965 USAC Sprint champ is hard to break away from the Weld Wheels facility in Kansas City and it was a great pleasure to meet this top sprint competitor. Most all who had attended the Induction ceremony could be found again touring the Museum. Tours continued and at 1PM a meeting was held and suggestions solicited to improve next year s Hall of Fame. Several were made and will be addressed in preparation for the 2007 induction. We all broke for lunch and soon after, the on track participants headed to Beatrice for the Hall of Fame night in that town. The drivers in attendance enjoyed two fifteen minute sessions on the Beatrice oval and were a big hit with the fans in attendance. The group of past drivers and owners in the stands included Denny Oltman who suffered a career ending injury in the sprinters in the mid seventies and we enjoyed gaining new insights into the 1970 s BCRA history from this fine competitor. Sunday morning was breakfast while enjoying great conversation and bench racing before exchanging farewells and heading back home. As you can see the weekend activities brought out some of the great competitors and supporters including the following dedicated individuals who always seem to work their wonders behind the scenes which yield the success enjoyed. Thanks to the Speedway crew, Mark Randol, John Layne and Jon Backlund of Kansas City, Wayne Panter from Lubbock Tx, Jerry Brown of Denver and Dell Wolfe of Gothenburg Ne. A salute to the Hall of Fame selection committee who worked a near miracle at selecting this inaugural class of inductees in such a concise and timely fashion. The Tom and Jerry Show You have no idea how flattered we are that the BCRA&HOF wants us in the newsletter. They seem to think that we might have some memories to share, and we ll hope they re interesting. But you ll be the judges of that. They won t be in any chronological order either. Whatever our disordered minds come up with. We do have definite tastes we like dirt. We like our racecars without wings (or Hogsheds as Leroy Beyers calls them) but we ll accept the lunch counters if we must. We like Midgets. While we think we remember everything from 50 years ago with crystal clarity, we forget what we had for lunch; so we ll do the best we can, secure in the certain knowledge that, when we stray from the straight and narrow path, there are those of you out there that will waste no time in putting us right. Now then. We hear people today complain about dirt and dust at racetracks and we wonder where they saw their first races. In the old days. ( be prepared to hear a lot about the Old Days.) dirt was a part of the fun. If you didn t come home from an afternoon s racing covered in dirt, it wasn t a very good race. 3

4 An example comes to mind. Greeley, Colorado. Fairgrounds. Sometime in the middle to late 60 s we think. It was one of those beautiful clear days that Colorado has in the summer time with a few puffy clouds in the sky and just enough wind to blow the dust away from the track so everybody could see what was going on. (The people in the pits had a small problem but the folks in the stands were fine with that.) It was a combined Sprint and Midget program and, while we don t remember all the participants, we do recall that the big duel of the day was between Cotton Farmer and Lloyd Axel. If memory serves Lloyd won, but Cotton pulled into the pits and bailed out of the car like a scalded cat which, it turns out, he was. Seems a water hose had broken and he was slowly boiling his right foot. There was a strange pair of guys sitting right in front of us that day. One was a younger feller, probably in his late 20 s, and the other 40-ish. The older one was, in his opinion, an expert on auto racing and was giving his young friend a thorough explanation of everything that was happening. At one point one of the Sprinters pulled in and drove right by his pit. This led to a speech by the expert on what a mistake the driver had made and how they were now going to have to push him back to his pit, etc. (There s a lot of you way ahead of us here aren t you.) We don t remember who it was but it was one of the guys that ran Pike s Peak regularly and, of course, being a Hill Climb car, it had a transmission. When he flipped it into reverse and backed into his pit the silence from the row in front was deafening. The high point, if you can call it that, of the Midget portion of the entertainment was when many times RMMRA champion Foster Campbell ran over a wheel and got on his head. Foss climbed out of the basement and out from under the car and gave it a look like a man that had just been bitten by his own dog. He walked away and, we were told, retired on the spot. They said that it was the first time he d ever been upside down and the last. It wasn t a National event, and it didn t decide any great Championships Lots of action and nobody got hurt. It was just a nice weekend of racing, and the best thing was that we could do that almost every weekend! We ended that one up with an impromptu drag race on the way home with Eddie Jackson that we won! Barely. Maybe Eddie had a slight handicap since he was towing the racecar, but, Hey! A win s a win! T&J 2005 Don Budy Memorial Award Presentation 4 One BCRA Icon, Ody Fellows(left), recipient of the 2005 Don Budy Memorial award as presented by Bruce Budy Ody at Norton (1962) in the beautiful Roadster he designed and constructed. Ody would run midgets, Sprints and Stock Cars with IMCA,BCRA.CRA,NASCAR and PPTA.

5 BCRA PHOTO GALLERY Jenn Mackichan and 2006 Inductee Jack Hahn BCRA Sec/Treas Andy Anderson accepting Award Jerry Norrrick and Daughter Gina accepting for Carl Mismach 2006 Inductee Harry Ivers Brother Jim of Lincoln accepting award for Curly Doggett Two time BCRA Owner/Champ Bill Smith accepting the Don Budy Memorial Award 5

6 BCRA Hall of Famer Orville Nance (L) in presentation at Manitou Sprgs Co Bob Armstrong Jr accepting for Bob Armstrong Sr, BCRA Fire and Safety Director Bill Smith, Steve McCallum, John Mackichan 71 BCRA Champ Jon Backlund presents Harry Ivers Car Owners champ jacket Jack Hahn presenting his Champ trophies to Bill Smith At Neumayer memorial.lto R: Bobby Speers, Art Chrisman, J.L.Henderson, Jerry Jardine. Pinedale Wyo, June -06 6

7 2006 Pikes Peak Hill Climb After a phone conversation with Birty Blanit of Colorado Springs, I headed to that city to attend the Over the Hill Gang Reunion at the Trading Post in the Garden of the Gods. Once again we were reunited with Slim Roberts (charter member of the BCRA) and our conversation resumed on his Hill Climb and Circle Track history. We later proceeded to the VFW where many had congregated and 2006 BCRA inductee Orville Nance was presented his HOF Plaque as many interested onlookers took part in the ceremony. BCRA s Malcom Brazier s Hill climb car on display at the American Collection of Speed. It was a great pleasure to finally meet Orville who has been suffering serious health issues and was unable to make the trip to Lincoln. Bobby Unser s Jaquar Hill Climb car was on display as was the nearly restored Vince Conzy Offy that Roberts took a mid sixties tumble off the road (flipped 13 times)near Devils Playground. Hill Climb Champs Ted Foltz and Al Unser have been restoring the car for display at the Unser Family Museum in Albuquerque. BCRA, Hill Climb and RMMRA competitor, Grier Manning rebuilt the original 220 Offy and installed it in the car which was on its way to New Mexico at the end of the festivities. The following day I made my way up to Cascade and the 84 th Pikes Peak Hill Climb. Along the way I had the opportunity to visit with Butch Hardman in his pits where he had the only old style upright Champ cars in the competition. Walking along the fence near the start line I met John Mackichan and family who were once again taking in the Hill Climb, just as the first competitor was getting the Green. Butch Hardman with upright Champ car at the Hill Climb The Mackichans have made several trips to the Hill Climb beginning in 1982 but have spent more time at Bonneville where the Speedway Motors Streamliner has set numerous records with John maintaining this 3oo + MPH rocket on wheels. What a beautiful day on the mountain and the competition was fierce with a large group of spectators on hand. Perhaps this turnout will discourage the group who are now in opposition to continuing the second longest running auto racing event in the history of the United States. We later met Orville Nance at the Train restaurant on Nevada Blvd in the Springs and we enjoyed a cup of coffee as Orv went over his days with the BCRA, IMCA, at the Hill Climb and the many changes which have taken place since his last event. Late afternoon found us at the home of Andy and Mary Anderson as we delivered Don Budy s award to Andy, one of the few remaining Directors of the original Club. Anderson later presented it to Don s son Bruce, in a brief but significant moment, not only to Budy family, but the Big Car Racing Association as well. GW 7 B.Unser s Jag powered Hill Climb Champ car

8 In Remembrance Ray Cunningham FRANKIE LIES (Nov 19,1926 to Nov 8,2006) Frankie Lies 79, died last month just days short of his 80Th birthday after a long illness. Lies was one of the best drivers in the history of Kansas Racing. Driving primarily, jalopies that evolved over time to modifieds, and then later 100 inch super modifieds, Lies was a top competitor for over 30 years. Frankie started racing at Cee Jay Stadium in Wichita,Kansas in By the time he retired from racing the Wichita hot shoe had won 7 track championships,including two at Cee Jay Stadium and five at 81 Speedway. Lies also won three National Modified championships,winning his first in 1957 at Taft Stadium, in Oklahoma City. The next season the race was moved to Hutchinson, Kansas, and Frankie again took top honors,he won the race for a third time in In 1971 Frank lost his wife Alma in auto accident, and it looked as if the Wichita driver might slip into retirement from racing. Lies was not done though, from 1973 through 1979 Lies won 9 NCRA (National Championship Racing Association)races, and took the championship in 1974 and 1975 at age 49. Frankie got remarried during this time to Romi, and added three more beautiful children to his full life. Lies was also a great business man, owning and operating Midwest Sewing Center in Wichita for several years, as well as many other investments. Frankie is survived by wife Romi, and daughters Marlis, Heather, Holly, and Marisa, and several grand and great grand children. Rest in Peace Frankie, you were a true champion and gentleman... DALE REED ( Jan NOV ) Dale Reed 71, died last month just two months short of his 72ND birthday. Reed who died just 6 days after Frankie Lies, was another of the great list of drivers who started and cut there teeth in racing at Cee Jay Stadium in Wichita.Dale started his career in 1953 at the ripe old age of 18. In 1958 Reed moved to the sprint ranks and let his presence be felt in the Big Cars. Over the next decade Dale raced in several sprint car associations, but excelled in the BCRA and IMCA ranks especially. Driving for owners Pete Forshee,Pop Goodrich, and Pius Selenke,Reed tied for all-time lead in BCRA feature wins with 6, winning at Pueblo in 1961, Norton in 1963, Pueblo in 1964, and taking two at Oklahoma City in 1965, before winning his last at Belleville in During that same time frame Dale won 5 IMCA races and was in the top 9 in lifetime points among active drivers in the racing sanction. Reed's greatest sprint car win may have occurred in the CRA ranks,though. In the winter of 1967, Dale with owner Pius Selenke traveled to El Centro, California where the Wichita duo raced and beat some of finest sprint car drivers ever. The #43 team lost out on a sweep of the two day show when the car lost a engine while leading with a lap to go. In the 1970's, Dale's career took a new path as he put all his efforts in to racing the 100 inch Supers.Teamed with Trucking magnet Evart Isaac, Reed dominated Kansas super modified racing over the next five years, winning six track championships, three each at 81 Speedway, and three on the Merrick Circuit out of Dodge City.In the NCRA ranks, Dale was second in 1971, and 3rd in 1972, and won 4 races, finishing first at Wichita and Amarillo, (Texas) in 1971, and winning at Hutchinson in 1975, and Oklahoma City in Before his retirement, Dale also won the track championship at 81 Speedway for a 4Th time in 1979 for owner Jerry Wilson in the #25 car. In 1957 Dale started working for Jones Truck Lines, he worked for them for 37 years before retiring.reed was married in 1952 to Donna Hess, and the couple celebrated their 54Th anniversary this past September in Wichita. Besides Donna, survivors include daughters, Kim and Lori, as well as grand and great grand children. Dale was great racer, husband, father, and friend to many in the racing community. Rest in Peace Dale BERYL WARD ( ) Beryl Eldrinthoff was born in 1915 at Hollis Kansas and attended her first race at Belleville in 1919, carried on the shoulders of her father. 8

9 She later met Les Ward of Minneapolis Ks (1932) and the pair were married in 1934 with a Honeymoon taken at the Kansas City Auto Show. It was in 1938 that the Wards who traveled to nearly all of the races in the area, were sent press credentials from William Kay at National Auto Racing News. The Wards thus began a career in Photo journalism which lasted nearly six decades as they covered the Circle Track and the Pikes Peak Hill Climb events in the Midwest. In 1949 the Wards traveled East to Florida in promotion of the first year of the North Central Kansas Free Fair. Their trip brought many drivers to the Belleville high banks to compete and many became regulars. Beryl once stated that the days of the Central States Racing Association Big Cars on the high banks were the Golden Days of Racing, a lot of hot cars and no short fields. She told of the first lights at Belleville with Don Budy and the BCRA. Les was an expert photographer and helped out at the tracks in a number of capacities while running the stop watch, as Flagman, announced events and helped many a perspective driver get a start. Beryl also served where needed as she scored many races, was Timer and also as trophy girl. Many are quick to tell of the picnics in the Wards back yard on race days at the High Banks as she fed the competitors and her Baked Beans remain legendary among drivers. The Wards took thousands of pictures over the years and these were sent out to competitors each year at Christmas time and have become important heirlooms to second and third generation descendants of the many great drivers and owners. Beryl was a medical secretary and Les an Optician but their first love were the Midgets, then Big Cars and Sprints, the Pikes Peak Hill climb and the competitors who engaged these most challenging of Motorsports venues. Beryl was instrumental in the formation of the Belleville High Banks Hall of Fame. And after Les s passing in 1986, the Les Ward Memorial Trophy was awarded by Beryl to an individual who exhibited excellent Sportsmanship each year, with the presentation made at the USAC Midget Nationals. It was always easy to contact the Wards as for years they recieved their mail addressed only Ward Racing team Concordia Ks. ALSO F.Y.I Ed Watson of Witness Productions passes Oct 4 th 06 Bernie Shires passed away late July in Texas. Bios to follow. Belleville 2006 With Wheat Harvest near completion in the Sunflower state, it was once again time for the North Central Kansas Free Fair the last week in July. Arriving at Belleville Tuesday, I met Bill Thompson and got the camper set up next to Bill s rig near the beautiful Rocky Pond Oasis. Many thanks to Bill and Vivian for the place to camp as rooms and camp sights were at a premium during this week of activity. Bench racing was at a peak as Wayne Panter, Roy Bryant and others frequented the site during the week. Bryson and Bill Mills and Clark Racer provided an interesting morning get together at their campsite perusing old NSSN and visiting on the state of Vintage clubs & upcoming events. Bill, retired District Judge and one of the founders of the High Banks Hall of Fame, has been a tremendous resource while assisting NOVA through the process of organizing a Vintage event at this premier historical American track. There is always a little magic at work as one returns to the High Banks and as you stand at the gate to the track the history permeates the very air you breath and the roar of the Big Cars almost seems audible as one imagines the CSRA,IMCA,BCRA and MVRA drivers taking the High Banked Oval in the days gone by. Names from the past in Cockeye Brown, Leo Kerbs, Johnny Decamp, Deb Snyder,Pat Cunningham, Emory Collins, Andy Anderson, Jerry Blundy, Jud Larson and Bobby Grim come to mind as they rode high on the Rim. In later years it was Beckman, Jensen, Ray Lee, Opperman, Doggett and many witnessed the Herring and Hahn wheel inside wheel Feature duels, as car owners like Wayne Miller, Pius Selenke, Chet Wilson, Phil Mocca, Bill Harding and Pop Goodrich and the boys, watched from the pits in front of a packed house. Belleville continues to draw the top drivers of the day and many previous competitors still make the pilgrimage to the High Banks at Fair time. It has been interesting to meet many of these guys at past events 9

10 and this year it was the same with Art Peacock of Morris, Il. Art was a car owner in the sixties who gave a start to many drivers and boosted the careers of a young Jay Woodside and Johnny Rutherford while running with USAC and IMCA. We had breakfast with Art, Brad and Levi Wolfe on Friday morning as Peacock reminisced of those days and about his book entitled Rookie Sprint Car Owner, most interesting gentleman and book, for a copy call It was a pleasure to meet Wayne Panter s son Steve of Denver, grandson Trent and great grandson Josh along with good friend Kent Hardage of Manitou Springs,Co. Vintage clubs from around the country are looking forward to celebrating racing history in 2007 after 3 years of organizing a return of the Historical and Vintage exhibitions to the High Banks. The project has been a demanding one for sure but we feel the expenditure of energy, time and money will have been worth it when successful. Which leads us to NOVA (National Oval-track Vintage Association) With the endorsement of North American Racing Insurance of the NOVA protocol we have proceeded to contact various Vintage clubs around the country to solicit their participation in a return to Belleville,Ks. This is a very positive step in the preservation of Vintage on-track exhibitions of the earliest of the uncaged Big Cars and Midgets. These will be the first outlawed from on track exhibitions in the future. The NOVA protocol as approved will allow for promoters and participants to know what to expect when the Vintage cars are on site participating in a Historical exhibition. To date the IMCA Oldtimers, The Kansas Antique Racers, the Colorado Vintage Oval Racing Association, The Mississippi Valley Vintage Racing Association and the Big Car Racing Association have supported this process. Walt James and the WRA have also voiced interest(about to elect new officers)as have Jack Biddison and the Midwest Oldtimers and the West Coast Vintage Racers, all to run under NOVA guidelines. This protocol was designed by a host of contributors with experience in competition and Vintage to preserve the on track exhibition and meet the requirements at Belleville (and other tracks)and copies of this endorsed and approved protocol are available with a self addressed envelope received at the BCRA address as listed. Dan Fliesher of Visalia California conceived the idea of such an organization of Vintage about fifteen years ago. Three years ago the project was revived with Dan and Tom Barclay of the KAR getting the program off the ground with the formulation of a prototype protocol to build upon. Since that time twelve Vintage clubs were contacted and all contributed in some fashion. Those involved included Skip Pollack(IMCA), Pat Mewes and Ned Fry(MVVRA), Gary Hubregtse(CVOR), Tom Barclay and Bryson Mills (KAR), Dick Surratt, Jack Houseman and myself for the BCRA and Bob and John Layne of Layne Machine in Kansas City. Orv Nettifee, Paul Tainter, Richard Iverson, Bill Goodfellow and several others have also offered insight into the project. New members are welcome and for now,contact Ned Fry at the MVVRA or myself at the BCRA. Many thanks to all of the dedicated Vintage clubs, their officials and enthusiasts for their input in the design of NOVA. The progress of the NOVA project will be documented here in the future. BCRA &HOF Directors and Selectors The Hall of Fame continues to gather information on prospective Inductees for the future. Ray Cunningham has been addressing this history as many know after reading the first of nearly 18 bios he has formulated on request for the selection process. If anyone has an individual for consideration please submit name and brief bio to BCRA&HOF either at 306 Montrose Ave Bertrand NE or at gwolfe@atcjet.net. Once again the Selection Board is comprised of the following: Dave Bermingham of Cody Wyoming, Jenn Mackichan of Omaha, Mike Davey, Tom VanSwearingen & Bruce Budy of Denver, Joe Morosic of Indianola Ne, John Fotchman of Cozad Ne, Dell Wolfe of Gothenburg Ne, Tim Oniel of North Platte, Ne and Marty Boyer of Bellville Ks. The annual inductees into the BCRA&HOF will also have a vote in this process each year at selection time. It was at Belleville this Summer I had the opportunity to finally meet Ray Cunningham at the High Banks 10

11 Induction ceremony. After the ceremony a group of interested individuals met and discussed the BCRA Hall of Fame in Lincoln. Mr Cunningham brings a formidable and passionate insight into this History as I am sure many have surmised in reading his exciting and exacting biographies. Ideas were discussed and names for consideration were collected. Thanks again to the many members who have contributed with their time, history and interest for this Golden Era of the sport and the BCRA&HOF. THE KUNZ TEAM AT BELLEVILLE Driving around Belleville on Wednesday I ran into the Kunz Midget team and enjoyed watching the team in preparation for the upcoming weekend. Five Midgets were being, Freshened Up, and the crew of able bodied mechanics were hard at it. Kieth Kunz and Pete Willoughby own the team and brother Jerry Kunz was overseeing the preparation in the driveway of the Kim Harding residence on 21 st. He was first introduced to the Hardings in 1988 when he came to Belleville with Larry Howard when Chuck Gurney was driving. The Kunz team from Columbus, In has deep roots in racing with kin like Chuck Wyant and Don Branson. Jerry Kunz in final assembly of Kunz #67for High Banks The team has a remarkable history at the High Banks, several top finishes and with drivers like Page Jones in 1993, Kevin Doty in 94, Billy Boat in 95, and Jason Loeffler in 97. This years team included Jay Drake in the 97 car, Brian Clausen in #67, Darren Hagen in #71, Brad Moser in #3 and Rusty Kunz. The team has won the Midget Nationals five times, and also have three USAC Sprinters for competition. Over the Hill Gang members Jim Willy,Ron Mabe, Darlene & Slim Roberts, Jack Gwinn & MaryAnn Wolfe, Manitou Sprgs Co REMINISCE.. Jack Kline, Mechanic and car owner recalls that day in 65 at Greeley and a conversation which took place between Gordon Herring and Jack Hahn. Loyd Axel who had came out of retirement was driving the Shearston Offy and was leading the field. While watching Axle, Gordon began laughing saying, look at that old man Go, to which Hahn replied, Gordon, Look in the mirror. On another occasion at a recent Over the Hill Gang reunion. Hahn,Kline and Slim Roberts were rehashing old times when Kline made a suggestion( in jest), Jack you build the car, Slim you drive it and Ill mechanic, and as he looked back at Jack, Hahn Had that old gleem in his eye. Beatrice, Ne Hall of Fame Congratulations, Andy. Anderson was honored at the Beatrice Nebraska Hall of Fame Induction ceremony in November. Anderson won many races running with the Nebraska Hot Rod Association in the late forties and early fifties driving the Belle of Bellville. He won the Roy Boggs memorial trophy in 1953 and during his induction spoke of Boggs, the twenties and thirties Big Car driver from Beatrice, who was killed in 51 while flagging at the track. On concluding,andy received a standing ovation from the crowd on hand. McCallum Collection at Granite Falls Museum Steve and crew are heading to Monterey Ca in March for SCCA event with the 59 Indy Roadster. See pic 11

12 IN CLOSING. Novotny GMY now on display in Museum Iver s family tuning the Chevy for Beatrice 2006 McCallums Indy Roadster Greg Weld Roadster at Speedway Motors Big Car Racing Association & Hall Of Fame 306 MONTROSE AVE, BERTRAND NE,

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