9/17/03

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."

ongratulations go out to Chris Carlton and George Otto who were wed in the Penthouse Suite at the Bellagio Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada on August 23, 2003. The lovely bride was given away by her son Gregory Goldstein (son of the late Leroy Goldstein) while Candy Raes was Chris' Matron of Honor. Robb Scott was George's Best Man. There was a dinner/reception at Ruth Chris Steakhouse after the ceremony. A honeymoon is still in the planning stages . . . At the rain-delayed NHRA Nationals in Indy a college fundraiser was held in the memory of Kevin Van Ness who was once the cylinder-head man for Gary Scelzi where they raised over $1,000. Kevin was found on his ranch Labor Day weekend by his brother Randy between a front-end loader and his truck. All who knew him miss him very much.

David Baca is shown with retired National Football League Hall of Fame inductee Jim Kelly and Gina Rugari, who suffers from Krabbe's Disease. The famed Buffalo Bills retired quarterback has first hand knowledge of Krabbe's Disease as his son, Hunter, is in a fight for his life with this disease. By teaming up with Henkleman & Baca Motorsports at the recent NHRA U.S. Nationals, the Jim Kelly's "Hunter's Hope" Foundation hope to increase awareness about this horrible disease as well as other lukodystrophia and promote the need for continued research. Baca did the team proud by capturing his first Low Qualifier position at the prestigious race. When David isn't at the races he's trying to keep up with his two children, Alex, who is class president at Liberty Hills High in Brentwood Hills, California and is into golf and basketball while son David, Jr., an 8th grade student, excels in everything, especially keep his dad on his toes.

On a lighter side, Gary Scelzi's son Dominick started the first grade in school and already has "the hottest girlfriend in his class." . . . Condolences to "Jungle" Pam Hardy on the death of her mother, Lea, who passed away August 13th at the family home. Pam and her siblings, Tommy and Carol, were with their mother when she succumbed to a heart condition . . . Rocky Childs will be sporting a new "shoe" at the California Hot Rod Reunion as he was fitted with a prosthesis before the NHRA Nationals . . . Scott Weis took son Jacob to Kindergarten orientation and had the time of his life . . . Modern medicine can produce small miracles, just ask Ezra Boggs of "Moby Dick" Corvette Funny Car fame who recently had to have surgery on his knees. In order for the procedure to be successful, the doctors had to add about an inch and a half to his frame and now Ezra is standing tall and feeling much better. Ezra is also rebuilding his old Funny Car . . . Amy and Cory McClenathan drove through Lake Havasu City en route to the Nationals and don't be surprised if the "newlyweds" don't end up living in Arizona in the next year or so . . . An amusing tale from just outside Indianapolis Raceway Park; while ticket scalpers sat in the comfort of their lawn chairs shaded by large umbrellas they had pizza delivered to their corner. Nothing was going to keep them away from making a buck while enjoying a warm meal and cold soda.