Forum Activity for @dave-fulton

A Fishy Tiny Lund Surprise Re-Airs New Years Eve

General

Franc White seemed to be very much a free spirit. I loved the obit reference to his last two ex-wives!

Franc White
July 20, 1926 - June 06, 2012

Obituary

Hookerton, NC - Franc White, 85, producer of the Southern Sportsman television show from 1972 to 1996, died June 6, 2012 at his home in Hookerton, NC. He worked as a B-25 Mitchell bomber mechanic; served in the 91st Mechanical Cavalry Recon Squadron in World War II; and also served in World War II as a correspondent for the Stars and Stripes in Italy. He was a private pilot, restaurateur, radio announcer, public relations manager, cookbook author, salesman, newspaper columnist, television weather and sports commentator, and artist.

However, he is best known as an expert outdoor sportsman, writer, and conservationist. He made the Southern Sportsman show an institution in households throughout the South and even as far as California for over 25 years. The show was unique in its appeal to every family member. Outdoor sportsmen saw their favorite pastime through the eyes of a man as adept with following birds and fish with a camera as he was with a shotgun and fishing rod. His show included one of the foremost live cooking segments on television, much to the benefit of his last two ex-wives . He was widely known as Julia Child of the Wild. The shows cooking segment and his recipe books especially appealed to his female viewers who were eager to learn how to prepare the days hunting and fishing prizes. He ended each show encouraging everyone to Do yourself a favor, take a kid fishing. His guests included famous celebrities such as Joan Fontaine and Cale Yarborough as well as local sporting enthusiasts including their sons and daughters.

Although thousands have his cookbooks, tapes of his shows, and memories of Stalking the Wily Whelk, Goodbye, Little Tennessee, and the Poor Mans Tarpon, few are aware of the extent of his conservation and environmental efforts. He successfully stopped commercialization on many of the Carolina islands, one of which was the last nesting ground for some Atlantic sea turtles. He uncovered and publicly denounced some chemical plants freely draining millions of gallons of water from NC aquifers; factories dumping pollutants resulting in the denuding of mountain tops and forests; and manufacturing plants dumping sewage and byproducts that were ruining rivers and watersheds. He agonized over the loss in just half a century of so many natural resources and the deterioration of the planet - a loss he felt his grandchildren and great-grandchildren would probably never comprehend, yet have to endure.

Franc had an outstanding command of the English language and a keen sense of humor. At a family reunion he noted that his sister cut ham so thin it only had one side.

He did not want a funeral, visitation, or memorial. He wanted his ashes and those of his beloved dog, Fracas, strewn in the Linville River so the trout and his favorite sporting fish, smallmouth bass, can get even.

He is survived by his two daughters, four grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

In 1966 Franc was named Conservation Educator of the Year by the N.C. Wildlife Federation, an organization he long supported. Franc and his family ask that in lieu of flowers or cards, please join them in launching the Franc White Legacy Fund for Conservation Education, contributions c/o N.C. Wildlife Federation at 1024 Washington St., Raleigh, NC 27605 or (800) 264-6293 or online at https://www.ncwf.org/support/honor.php .

Shumate-Faulk Funeral Home & Crematory, Inc. of Goldsboro is serving the family of Franc White and online condolences may be directed to www.shumate-faulk.com .

A Fishy Tiny Lund Surprise Re-Airs New Years Eve

General

To answer your first question, although Franc White lived in the Greenville, NC area, he was not the White of Grady-White Boats. There's a neat book and 50th Anniversary video at this link:

http://www.gradywhite.com/anniversary/

A Fishy Tiny Lund Surprise Re-Airs New Years Eve

General

"Rockfish" - one word and Striped Bass are one and the same fish. In 1965 it was named the State Fish of Maryland. When I was a kid in Richmond in the 50s, everyone headed to the Potomac River when the Rockfish ran. I think your Rock Bass must be a different and smaller fish.

I saw the Tiny Lund movie in Charlottesville< Virginia when it was released in 1967. I'd love to see it again. Amazing that no copy seems to exist that anyone will claim. I remember a scene from a Daytona Sportsman race where Tiny was ready to try to whip Curtis over an on track incident.

Here's a piece from the State of Maryland, with their photo:

Maryland Manual On-Line - www.mdmanual.net
MARYLAND AT A GLANCE
STATE SYMBOLS
Maryland State Fish - Rockfish (Striped Bass)

[photo, Rockfish catch (from Chesapeake Bay) of three fisherman, Severna Park, Maryland] The rockfish (Morone saxatilis) was named the official fish of the State of Maryland in 1965 (Chapter 513, Acts of 1965; Code State Government Article, sec. 13-304). Originally called Roccus saxatilis, scientists corrected the genus designation in the late 1960s.

Rockfish catch (from Chesapeake Bay) of three fisherman, Severn River, Severna Park, Maryland, April 2003. Photo by Jeffrey M. Seiss (the third fisherman).
In designating the State fish, the General Assembly prefaced the 1965 law by noting:

"Whereas, The people of Maryland as long time and appreciative residents of the productive Chesapeake Bay area know of it first hand the recreational and gastronomic delights of this wonderful land, and

Whereas, Not the least among the good reasons for living in Maryland is the abundant and unexcelled delicacy of the Chesapeake Bay striped bass or rockfish, and

Whereas, In the judgment of the members of the General Assembly of Maryland, it is a simple act of justice and of equity that this fine old Maryland fish should be honored by being designated as the official fish of the State of Maryland . . . "

Known for its size and fighting ability, the rockfish also is called striped bass. It has an olive green back, fading to light silver on its sides, with a white underside. Seven or eight dark, continuous stripes run from head to tail.

Adult rockfish swim in the ocean but lay their eggs in fresh water. Between April and June, rivers and streams feeding Chesapeake Bay provide spawning grounds for most Atlantic Coast rockfish. Those born in the Bay spend their first 3 to 5 years there before migrating out to the Atlantic, where their life span may be as long as 30 years.

Rockfish is considered by many to be the premier sport and commercial species on the Bay. The silver-flanked, irridescent-striped rockfish is a challenge to catch and a delight to eat. The current Maryland record for rockfish caught in Chesapeake Bay weighed in at 67 pounds, 8 ounces in 1995. Declining stocks, attributed to overfishing and pollution, forced Maryland to impose a moratorium on harvesting the species between 1985 and 1989.

A Fishy Tiny Lund Surprise Re-Airs New Years Eve

General

In one particular respect I am fortunate to live in Charlotte, nearly straddling the border of North Carolina and South Carolina. All of the cable systems, satellite systems, as well as over the air channels in this television market carry both the programming of North Carolina and South Carolina Public Television.

I had settled back in the recliner on Thursday night to watch a South Carolina ETV special on one of my favorite South Carolina series named Southern Lens. The program being offerred up was titled LANDLOCKED . It was the story of how the previously salt water Striped Bass (Rockfish) came to populate the fresh water Santee-Cooper lakes of South Carolina beginning in the WWII era.

It was an excellent show and I highly recommend it. It is available on both DVD and a rebroadcast that will take place on New Years Eve at 8:00 p.m.

What, you are probably asking, does this have to do with stock car racing? Think back and you will remember that 1963 Daytona 500 champion, Tiny Lund used to operate a "Fish Camp" out of Cross, South Carolina in the 1960s.

Well, smack dab in the middle of this excellent television documentary, was a clip taken from a early 1960s color film produced by the South Crolina Tourism Agency to promote fishing. It featured another of my late heroes, Franc White , the "Southern Sportsman " taking a New Englander fishing in one of the Santee-Cooper Lakes. White would later own several restaurants in eastern North Carolina featuring wild game and wild fish. For 25 years, from 1972-1996, White's "Southern Sportsman" television program ran on 34 television stations in 17 states, including WRAL in Raleigh, North Carolina, where it was produced. White used to fly around in a black & white zebra striped airplane fishing and hunting. He also demonstrated how to cook what he caught. I can still remember the Grady White boat ads and House-Autry cornmeal ads from that show.

Anyhow, as Franc White escorted his New England friend into the boat in the old 1960s South Carolina Tourism film clip used in the show, it was suddenly apparent to me that the fishing guide was none other than Tiny Lund , even though he wasn't identified. I saw Lund again a second time later in the program - again not identified. It was a neat and unexpected treat during a really good show. Hope some of you good folks can catch it. Here's the news release publicizing the show:

South Carolina Striped Bass has Fishy History

For Immediate Release
December 18, 2012

Few states can claim they created their own fish, but thats the fish tale when Landlocked: How South Carolina Made Fishing History makes its television debut on South Carolina ETV Thursday, December 27 at 9:00 p.m.

The story starts in 1933, when 93% of rural South Carolinians lived without electricity. Federal funds were used construct 40 miles of dams and dikes in the largest land clearing project in U.S. history at the time.

The completed dams trapped thousands of ocean striped bass, which were not expected to flourish in their new environment. But nature had another plan; the fish adapted to fresh water and became a lucrative tourist attraction.

Fishing for stripers generates millions of dollars in revenue for the state each year. Its one of Americas greatest fighting fish and it all started 70 years ago, right here in South Carolina, said executive producer Rich King.

The striped bass was designated the official South Carolina state fish in 1972, with the record largest catch being a 63-pound striper from Lake Russell caught in 2009. The striped bass has caught on, becoming one of Americas most popular game fish that can now be found in freshwater in 36 other states.

An Encore broadcast of Landlocked: How South Carolina Made Fishing History is scheduled for New Years Eve at 8:00 p.m. on the South Carolina Channel.

Southern Lens is a showcase for independent film from and about the South, culled from film festivals and presented by South Carolina ETV. By turns warm, humorous, compelling, and heart-breaking, each film presents a place and time in Southern culture as seen through the eyes of one filmmaker.

South Carolina ETV is the state's public educational broadcasting network with 11 television and eight radio transmitters, and a multi-media educational system in more than 2,500 schools, colleges, businesses and government agencies. Using television, radio and the web, SCETV's mission is to enrich lives by educating children, informing and connecting citizens, celebrating our culture and environment and instilling the joy of learning.

###

For more information, contact Fran Johnson at (803) 737-6556 or fjohnson@scetv.org
OR contact Glenn Rawls at (803) 737-3337 or rawls@scetv.org.

updated by @dave-fulton: 12/05/16 04:02:07PM

DO YOU REMEMBER THE BLUE AND YELLOW RULE IN THE 91 RACES

Stock Car Racing History

All of the changes for the most part eliminated the advantage of having a pit spot on the back pit road at tracks that had one. Back in the day, Bud Moore would always choose the back pits if he could, gaining a big advantage on caution flags. I can see Dale Earnhardt now charging like there was no tomorrow after crossing the start/finish line, picking up the yellow and heading full speed ahead to Bud's back pit road spot at Darlington, Rockingham, Bristol, Martinsville...

I've seen Bud's crew change tires, gas the car in the back pits and have it back on the track before the pace car had even picked up the field. Pit strategy was certainly different back in the day.

"The Henry Ford of Race Cars," said Smokey Yunick

Stock Car Racing History

A couple of years back, journalist Bob Myers wrote an article for Circle Track Magazine about the late Banjo Matthews - one-time driver, car owner and proprietor of Banjo's Performance Center - home of the "Banjo Seat" and mass produced stock car racing chassis - "Where Money Buys Speed."

For many years you couldn't watch ABC Television's Wide World of Sports Saturday afternoon sports anthology magazine without seeing Cale Yarborough clearing the guardrail in Banjo's #27 Ford during the 1965 Southern 500 at Darlington.

One of my favorite memories is of watching Cale wheel the 1966 version of Banjo's bright red #27 Ford side-by-side, lap after lap beside the late Jim Paschal in the maroon #14 Friedkin Enterprises Plymouth at the first, last and ONLY Peach Blossom 500 at Rockingham in March 1966. That was a duel for the lead to behold!

NASCAR Scrapbook: Banjo Matthews - The Henry Ford of Race Cars

Circle Track Magazine
February, 2009
By Bob Myers

Smokey Yunick (left) and Banjo...

Banjo was a meticulous chassis engineer

For a half century, Stock car racing was Banjo Matthews' life, and probably his death. Banjo's Performance Center at Arden, a suburb of Asheville, North Carolina, is as well-known to racers as the Biltmore House is to tourists. Some drivers and car owners have better records, but Matthews had no peer as a race-car builder. And it didn't matter that most of the glory and the cheers of the crowd went to others.

Banjo's mobile at-track parts rig

Cars built by Matthews won 262 of 362 (72 percent) Winston Cup races from '74 through '85--all 30 races in '78 --and four consecutive championships from '75-'78. For many races his cars composed half the field, or more. Edwin Keith Matthews died on October 2, 1996 of heart and respiratory disease at age 64. He had been in declining health for a decade and was seriously ill for two years.

Cale Yarborough wheeled Banjo's '66 Ford with sponsorship of Virginia's Abingdon Motor Co.

"Banjo was a friend for almost 50 years," says hall of fame engineer Smokey Yunick. "He was the Henry Ford of race cars. When we go back and look at what he did for racers, fans, and the industry, he was probably one of the 25 main building blocks of Stock car racing.

"I think we can say in all honesty that he gave his life to the sport. I firmly believe what eventually killed him was the affects of exhaust gases he breathed in the early days when he drove cars with flat-head engines without headers because he got 10 more horsepower out of them."

Matthews, who was born in Akron, Ohio, on Valentine's Day in 1932, drove his first race at Pompano Beach (FL) Speedway at age 15, going on to win hundreds of Modified events. As a Grand National/Winston Cup driver, he had a best of second at Atlanta and grossed $29,455 in 50 career starts.

As an owner, Matthews' cars scored nine victories and sat on 14 poles in 160 starts, grossing $371,000. His cars won the Firecracker 400 at Daytona three times with drivers Fireball Roberts, A.J. Foyt and Donnie Allison. Allison also won a World 600 at Charlotte and two other races, one at Rockingham in 1968.

"My biggest memory was in Victory Lane that day (at Rockingham)," says Allison. "Banjo, standing there with tears running down his cheeks, says to me, 'I knew that I could win another race.' As a car owner, he just never had the opportunity to have a regular driver who could concentrate on winning races. As a person, Banjo was as good as I ever knew. As a racer, he was the most knowledgeable I've ever known."

Junior Johnson also won two races in Matthews-owned cars. "I was a friend and associate of Banjo's my entire racing career," says Johnson. "We worked together a lot on chassis development and most of the stuff used today resulted from that relationship. We used to talk on the phone five or six times a day. He was devoted to helping others a lot more than himself."

Establishing his business in 1970, Matthews built Ford race cars for Holman and Moody Co. [Indeed, his chassis surface plates came from that fabled shop --Ed.] and later Chevrolets for General Motors. Since 1974, Matthews' shops have built about 750 new race cars and repaired another 375, including Limited Sportsman, Modifieds, and IROC Series Stockers.

Matthews, hung with the nickname "Banjo Eyes" in grade school because of his thick-lensed spectacles, was a stocky, down-to-earth, unpretentious man who didn't solicit the attention nor seek the recognition he perhaps deserved.

"The basic construction of a car is not what wins races," Matthews said in a 1980 interview. "It's the team effort after the car leaves our facility that separates the winners and losers. We strive to build our cars as good for one customer as we do for another. The credit for their performance goes to the people who operate them.

"I get my kicks, and so do my employees, from how well cars that we have built perform and the satisfaction they bring to the customers. That's all the recognition I care about."

Craftsmanship was Matthews' hallmark. He treated each car like a bottle of fine wine. "When I was driving I couldn't stand to get outrun by somebody with better equipment," he said in 1980. "That's the way I feel about my business. I believe in and admire craftsmanship. I'm a man of simple tastes, but one reason I collect antiques is because of the way they were made. I like things that it has taken somebody a long time to make."

Some of the recognition due Matthews came in the months before his death. He received the Buddy Shuman Award for contributions to the sport, the Smokey Yunick Award presented by Charlotte Motor Speedway for lifetime mechanical achievement and, last September, was inducted into the National Motorsports Press Association (NMPA) Hall of Fame by Yunick.

Matthews' son, Jody, 31, (who accepted the hall of fame award in his father's absence) continues to operate the business, building cars and suspension parts. "My dad was real emotional about the hall of fame and I'm just so happy that he got to enjoy the honor before he passed away," says Jody. "He never was a trophy-chaser, but he appreciated recognition by his peers.

"He was hard on me the last few years. He had decades of racing experience, he knew what was going on with his body and he tried to force-feed me all the information that he could. I understand that now and wish I had paid more attention. We had a special relationship, though. I was around him long enough to know what he expected and I always tried to do more. I will continue to do that."

Read more: http://www.circletrack.com/thehistoryof/1804/viewall.html#ixzz2GCgu7XwU

updated by @dave-fulton: 12/05/16 04:00:58PM

Historic Cheraw SC Speedway For Sale

Historic Speedways and Ghost Tracks

And, you are the first bidder?

Sad News... Short Track Standout Doug Hoffman passed away.

Stock Car Racing History

May Doug's family and friends find comfort.

Santa at play in North Ga

General

Gotta love that Flying Red Reindeer on the nose replacing Mobil's customary Flying Red Horse. Nice touch!

Merry Christmas from Ruby

Administrative

Merry Christmas, Ruby!