The team consists of Dave Daunheimer: driver,
owner, team leader. Betsy Daunheimer, Dave's
wife and co-owner of the operation also handles
the merchandise sales, feeding everyone and,
if I guess right, is the one who really runs
the show. Don Daunheimer, Dave's father a.k.a.
"The General," handles the tow rig and pit setup
as well as team discipline. Scott Anderson wouldn't
tell me what he does, so I'll guess left side
of motor and publicist! Ron Bennett - right
side of motor and ace machinist. Jim Gorecky
- bottom end guy. Paul Fredericks - data acquisition.
Wes Scoggins - general helper. Kevin O'Kelly
- general helper who also runs a front engine
dragster. Ted Cannon - general helper who runs,
of all things, a rear engine dragster.
The team has got themselves a match race partnership
going with the big block Chevy car of the "Time
Bandits" team of Garrettsville, Ohio. Together,
they were featured players at the IHRA Night
Under Fire events in the past and will be back
again this year and in numerous match races
this summer. You can check the dates at their
website www.compfab.com.
So I think it's bitchin' that these guys have
built and are running a car that is fairly economical,
is safe and is a lot of fun to be involved with.
All it takes is the word to get out and
you just might see one or more of these types
of cars being built as an alternative to what's
happening out west here with the VRA. And if
not? Well it is cool to be the only one of anything
in my book!
I would like to throw in a little blurb about
a race happening at Famoso on April 24, lots
of Funny Cars, both modern Nitro and Nostalgia,
a CIFCA show, brackets, plus some Nostalgia
Top Fuel cars testing for the Goodguys Vegas
race. If you can't make Vegas then this might
be for you!
Also to wrap up this month, The Utterback household
was saddened to hear of the passing of Jan Berry
of Jan and Dean, on March 26, one week shy of
his 63rd birthday. I had the pleasure of being
in the opening slot drumming with the Surfaris
at numerous shows these past six years. It was
truly an honor to have met such a Surf and Hot
Rod music legend, whose ego didn't get the best
of him. Of course his spirit and music lives
on. R.I.P. Jan.
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