Something interesting came through the Nailhead list today... I haven't written in a few years. I am the guy restoring a CRA sprint roadster to how it looked in 1962 where is finished 5th in CRA standings with Don Thomas driving. He also built and owned the car. There is a page on the restroation on my website stevebonesteel,com. Now the sad news. I ran the car last year at the Ascot reunion, and then at Willow Springs in Nov. Everything went great and ran about 80 laps. In March we went to California Speedway and ran a three day event on the 2 mile oval, Friday was great, just a few things fell off. On Sat. 75 year old Don Thomas drove the car. Now Sunday, everything was wonderfull running with vintage Indy cars when afterabout 5 laps I blew the motor. If yot can stand it I had mounted a video camera on the rollbar. Find the video on (you tube.com) type in steve bonesteel then search. So, at this point I am taking a deep breath and looking for a 364 short block somewhere here in Ca. I have talked to Russ, but to be frank I feel a guilty because he gives so much great information and I haven't spent any money with him. thanks Russ. I am thriled with the power,as you can see from the video and don't need a big race engine. So enjoy the video, all sugestions appreciated. Steve A link to the Sprint car restoration...
It is heartbreaking, but then again it was out there doing what it was meant to do. And it's getting fixed.... Kudos to Steve for getting out there and flogging it....
I have seen that car in real life, at the Ascot Reunion. It is a really cool car, I met the owner and the original driver/builder. It was a special evening for sure. Jimmy White
Gawd! Those engines sounded so great.... like sweet heavy metal. WishI could have seen more of the '35 Studebaker (the car with driver & mechanic).
Nice videos...thanks! Reminds me of running my 1937 Chevy coupe bodied Modified stock car at New Hampshire International Speedway a few times for their vintage events. Great fun. I guess it runs a little hot...our big-block Chevy did too. And I like when he blows by those rear engined cars. I found myself wheeling past a few 90's Winston cup cars too. There's nothing like being on a big track were you can really "open her up" for some pedal to the metal fun. The sound is great too...I could barely hear a thing after running a few hours with open headers that dump about 2 feet from your ears. What track was that? California or Michigan?
great post, i think front engine sprints and champ cars are awesome! brings back alot of good memories from my youth.
Oh man, what an experience, for you to be driving such a wonderful piece of American race car technology and for me just to watch you and all the others thrash their cars around the track. Sorry it broke on you! Sure takes me back to Oswego Speedway (here in upstate NY), the home of the fastest Super Modifieds around. Jimmy Shampine, Nolan Swift, Bentley Warren...those guys could race a wheelbarrow and probably did!!! Man, those WERE the good old days. Thanks again for posting. Keep us informed as to what's happening.
oldandcrusty, I remember Oswego from my youth. My stepfather is Marty Vachon and used to run the #6 "Challenger". Clyde Booth built the car years ago and it was the only Super Modified (to my knowledge) that they were able to mount the motor at a 45 degree angle and get it to run right. My stepfather never had much luck with the car itself but I remember him having a whole room full of trophies from other class cars. It's kind of a sad site to see it retired, but last I knew he was thinking about putting it into the Owls Head Museum in Maine. Wouldn't mind getting my hands on that motor (or the quick change rear end for that matter). Thanks for the trip down memory lane.
Z- Just watching all the other cars cross in front of Steve when heading out to the track was worth the price of admission! What fun he must be having (blown motors aside (-: ) with that beautiful car. Thanks for sharing.
Robert Smith Sr. "Round Daddy" has been refurbishing an old sprinter of his. He ran wicked fast nailheads at that time and I suspect that he would be putting one in it again. That reminds me to check on his progress on it. The ol' 3X was an icon at the Southeastern tracks in the 60's.
Here's a link to a whole bunch of pictures from Loudon New Hampshire International Speedway's vintage event that was held this week: http://www.racerhub.com/photos/showgallery.php?cat=775 Lots of Sprints, Champs, Midgets and Stocks
The Jalopy Journal
