WOW - Where to start?
The November El Mirage meet was one of unprecedented success. Try these
numbers for size - 28 records and 8 new 200 MPH Club members. Until this meet
there had been only 4 new members for the year.
To start at the beginning Rick Yacoucci drove the Costella-Yacoucci G/FS to a
new record of 212 cementing his number one points standing. This is Rick's
first car championship to go with his motorcycle wins from the past. I believe
that Derek McLeish has won the motorcycle championship, I'm unable to check
due to a down Internet server. Larry Lindsley recorded his second 300 MPH
record of the season driving Les Leggitt's AA/BFL to a super 308 this meet.
Larry was out of the throttle at least twice leaving a person to believe that
there is more speed available.
New members to the club include: Jim Crooke with the Ferguson & Crooke XXF/FL
at 216, Mike Cook Jr. driving the Hodges-Lee-Manchen-Cook B/BGR at 219, John
Beck drove the Simon-Beck-Davidson D/BGR to a 203 record, Jeff Bryant with the
family's Tom Thumb Special D/GCC at 206, Ken 'Bubba' Kelley added a new hat to
his collection driving the Kelley-Prentice A/CBGAlt to 214, Bob Jucewic with
the Cohn's Ron & Robs B/CGAlt Monza at 203 and Duane McKinney in the Sundowner
Corvette running in C/BGT class at 204. Duane is an original '49er so he has
been at this business a long time. Everyone thought Duane was a dirty two
member so this was a bit of shock to the gathered fans.
OK, pause for breath. On the motorcycle side of impound John Noonan rode his
1650-APS-BG Hayabusa to an unreal 232 record. John is now the fastest sit on
bike at Bonneville and the lakes.
The Nish streamliner was down from SLC in C/FS class with a new record of 244.
Jim Valentine drove the Flatliner XF/GS to another record, this time 168+.
Another flathead record this meet was Tom Vandenberg in the Newetts &
Vandenberg XF/BGR at 156. Jeff Stewart continued his record string, this time
in the Stewart Family and Creel V4/GR with a fine 148. Sam Buck had SCTA prexy
Roy Creel's Creel & Buck V4/VFCC to a record speed of 158. John Thawley III
took the Progress/Vortech Honda Civic to a great 172 in the G/BFAlt class.Tom
Stewart set the C/CGC record twice, first to 190 then ending the weekend at
194. Steve Shotrosky had the S & P Racing Mazda E/PMP truck up to two records
also, a 142 and finishing at 151. Ernie Hashim ran his G/DT to a 129. Ernie is
the original M & H tire distributor from Bakersfield. He and his group put on
the excellent Smokers March meet at famous Famosa drag strip. Pam Manghelli
couldn't sit back and let husband Mike take her records away with her Cyber
Racing H/DT. Pam ran the VW to a record of 100 at Speedweek taking out a head
gasket. Sunday she drove her down to a 104 and burned the engine down in the
process. "It's a race engine afterall" were her comments while acknowledging
the cheers of the fan.
Motorcycles were not to be left out of the fun with several records set. Petit
Cathy Butler had the 50-P-P Van Butler Racing Aprilla buzzing to a 75 MPH
record. Another 50cc entry was Randy Dugan on the Dugan/Picnel
50-SC-F Honda at 60 MPH. Derek McLeish rode the 175-SC-F Yamaha sidehack to a
record of 117. Andy Edwards brought his Bonneville record holding Yamaha
350-APS-G to the lakebed to set the class record to 161. Motorcycle committee
chairman Dale Martin ran 101 on his 350-A-VG Triumph. Keenan Tatro was back in
record setting form on the Tatro Machine Special 500-A-PF Harley at 149. Terry
Lewis' BSA ran a record speed of 131 in the 750-A-VF class. 200 MPH Club
member Jason McVicar from Canada way ran his 100-APS-G Yamaha at 179 this
trip. This bears repeating, John Noonan rode the blown, gas Hayabusa to two
records. The first in the 1650-APS-BG class put everyone on the floor Saturday
at 221. Sunday John was feeling pretty good and ran his fantastic 232 record
in the same class.
This was a long report, but well worth it as the weekend was just absolutely
super. It was great to see the ECTA guys John Beckett, Joe Timney and
'Airtight' Barnes(Jonathan to his folks). The Nish group are always a benefit
to have around in November as well. They are a real asset to our sport. I
watched Mike helping kids in and out of their streamliner while they waited
for their next run. I'm sure they made several young fans this weekend.
Until next year - have a good off season, work hard to try for these new
records and above all be safe so we can have you at our first meet in May
2003.
Dan Warner
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