READY FOR MY CLOSE-UP, MR. DeMILLE
The Agent has learned that Jeff Utterback, DRO's Nostalgia
Editor and pilot for Jeff Gaynor's nostalgia fuel funny
car, has made his big screen debut in a starring role...at
least
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that what the film's credits say. "Joe Kid on
a Stingray," a Bang Pictures production, is a documentary
on the history of Bicycle Moto Cross or BMX.
Besides being a drag racer Utterback is also an ABA BMX
hall of famer and was interviewed as part of the film,
which is currently making the rounds at numerous independent
film festivals. Jesse James was the executive producer
and narrator for "Joe Kid on a Stingray," which
is set to have its Hollywood premiere in April. Those who
can't wait till then can get a small fix by viewing the
trailer here: www.bangpictures.com/joekid/ [2-7-2005]
NITROPLATE JOINS CONNOLLY
The Bullet Motorsports Pro Stock team announced an associate
marketing partnership with NitroPlate Coatings for the
first four events of the 2005 NHRA POWERade season. The
Bullet Motorsports Cavalier, with driver Dave Connolly,
will carry the NitroPlate colors for the NHRA events
in Pomona, Calif., Phoenix, Ariz., Gainesville, Fla., and
Houston, Texas
A new arrival in the high performance industry, Hendersonville,
Tenn., based NitroPlate specializes in high temperature
aluminum ceramic coatings for a wide variety of applications
including exhaust headers, valve covers, and intake manifolds.
"We're racers supporting racers," said NitroPlate
co-owner Mike Fuqua, who is also a Sportsman racer.
In addition to the partnership with Bullet Motorsports,
NitroPlate has committed to paying over $687,000 in contingency
awards for racers competing in NHRA, IHRA, Summit Super
Series, Citgo Bracket Series, B&M Series and Jr. Dragster
events. [2-7-2005]
WHAT'S IN A NAME?
ProMedia, LLC, the parent company of the PRO-Edelbrock
Series, has completed the purchase of the rights to the
NMCA trademarks and series name from Primedia. NMCA's trademarks
and rights are wholly owned by ProMedia, LLC. Beginning
with the 2005 season, the NMCA name will be incorporated
into the series and the event series will be official titled
the NMCA Hot Rod & Muscle Car Nationals, presented
by Edelbrock. The drag racing segment will remain the PRO-Edelbrock
Fastest Street Car Drag Racing series for 2005. The PRO
brand will be phased out in 2006, and the racing segment
will be re-named the NMCA-Edelbrock Fastest Street Car
Drag Racing series. [2-7-2005]
DON FRANCISCO PASSES AWAY
Don Francisco, a pioneering hot rod engine builder, race
promoter and technical writer for many early publications,
passed away January 29, 2005. Don loved hot rodding and
the chance to go to the Dry Lakes of Southern California
and race cars. He met Bill Burke in the 1940's, and
built the engine for Burke's Belly Tank. Wally Parks and
others drove the Burke/Francisco car at Bonneville. Parks,
the 1946 SCTA President, and later editor of Hot Rod Magazine,
offered Don a job at HRM as a writer and Technical editor.
Francisco worked for Bill Stroppe and Clay Smith in the
Pan-American Road Race, and later was a partner in the
Baja 500, Mexican 1000, Dam 500 and the Parker 500. He
raced in the East African Safari.
A memorial service will be on February 26, 2pm, at the
Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum, 1101 West McKinley
Avenue, Pomona, CA. The family requests that in lieu of
flowers, donations be sent to Save the Salt Committee,
as Don was an avid land speeder. [2-7-2005]
SCOTT SIMMONS SUCCUMBS
Scott Simmons, a Sacramento (CA) Raceway announcer beginning
in 1971, died Jan. 31. John is survived by his father, Leonard
Simmons, 76, whose Windjammer Blower Service built the 6-71
that helped Art Chrisman win the first March Meet, and the
four blowers that pushed Mickey Thompson's Challenger to
406-plus mph. No services will be held.
[2-7-2005]
