8/8/03

On a visit to "Drag Digest" in 1966 Suzy suggested to the newspaper owner what was lacking in drag racing was a social column dedicated to the people behind the sport. "Suzy's Scrapbook" was the result of that conversation and Suzy has been dedicated to "bringing the human side of racing to the forefront" ever since. In 1968 she moved her "Suzy's Scrapbook" gossip column to "Drag News" and was with that publication for several years before going to work for "National Dragster." While at Dragster she wrote "The Social Side" of drag racing and several human interest stories for editor Michael Dougherty. In the '70s Suzy wrote a series of articles for National Dragster, "Women In Drag Racing," which featured the private lives of the women who were the backbone of the sport; drivers, wives, sisters and the mothers. Along the way Suzy has written for "Drag World," "Drag Times," and wrote several feature stories for various programs and magazines. In the early 1980s Suzy was the publisher of the "Sand Paper" which was the official newspaper for the National Sand Racing Association. Her responsibilities ranged from taking the photos, writing the stories, laying out and pasting up the newspapers to selling and designing the ads. "As long as you don't take it too seriously, gossip can be a lot of fun. But you'd better watch out," she states, "it can also be addictive."

unny Car legend Arnie "the Farmer" Beswick was injured during an exhibition run at Mid-America Raceway on August 3rd after his car caught fire. Arnie suffered third degree burns on his ankles, hands and part of his face, and other burns on 80 percent of his body. He is listed in critical but stable condition, and doctors are optimistic for a full recovery. You may send cards (no flowers are allowed in the burn unit) to him at St. John's Mercy Medical Center, 615 South New Ballas Road, St. Louis, MO 63141 . . . Condolences go out to Kerry Weis, mother to Top Fuel driver Scott, on the loss of her only brother, John Griffith. She learned of his death from a hearth attack on the same weekend she broke her ribs at the races . . . On a happier note, Cara and Tony Schumacher have learned from a recent ultrasound that their unborn child, which is due in September, is another boy. Tony states they haven't decided on a name yet but "Daniel is on the top of our list."

Linda Vaughn was able to make a quick stop en route to a personal appearance at Dolly Parton's Dollywood located in Knoxville, Tennessee at the SEMA Board of Directors Induction Ceremonies to congratulate Marvin Rifchin on being named to the Hall of Fame. Linda, looking as radiant as ever, is hard pressed to keep up with her tight schedule. Marvin is in the process of building a new house next door to his daughter but manages to find time to go into work as a consultant to Tom Lorden, new owner of M & H Tires. Condolences go out to Linda on the loss of her sister-in-law who succumbed to cancer.

Rosalee Noble (seated), one of the D.R.A.W.'s Board Members, and Theresa Telford had a difficult time keeping up with the demand for the ever-popular "Cool Collars" at the Denver race. The Denver temperatures were more in line with Missouri weather than that of Colorado, with the Friday night qualifying session being rained-out. Rosalee was experiencing dizziness which she attributed to the change in elevation and her new high blood pressure medication.