Forum Activity for @will-cronkrite

Ervin Carpenter update

Stock Car Racing History

I was unfortunate not to have met this gentleman that lived in my home town. My condolences to you and his friends and family.

Racing History Minute - October 29, 1967

Stock Car Racing History

Cool stuff. Much here I did not know about. I remember Gene Grainger fondly, he always treated me nicely.

Thanks for posting.

RIP to the co-owner of the Skoal Bandit, Hal Needham

Stock Car Racing History

I am saddened to hear of the passing of Hal Needham.

As Dave mentioned we did supply some of the 'rolling stock' for the movie 'Stroker Ace'. We provided nine of the cars, two 18-wheelers and all the pit equipment. Our 'deal' was that they would provide me with a contract guaranteeing the signer 30 seconds of exposure in the movie. I could sell the contract for whatever I could get for it. As the word got out, I was not able to acquire cars fast enough to fulfill the requests. The 'new' T-Bird in the film was actually two new T-Birds that we built from (2) prototype T-Birds and the 5-Star Whisky car wasactually two of our own race cars. They needed two of each of these cars as the filming was done in 4-lap segments, repeated three times. One pass was with the camera in the 'bad guy's' car, one with the camera in Berts car and the third was from the camera truck. They would switch the camera mounts during the current 4-lap filming sequence.

The folks from Ford were really pissed that we had two of there prototype cars and had torn them all to hell. I have writtenthree stories on my website about thisfilming adventure. They can be found at http://www.mantiquesresto.com/aboutus/stories/storyindex2.html . They are titled Two Birds for Bert, Wounded Bird and The Lucky Penny. Please be aware that I amNOT a writer, but am merely trying to put memories together for the potential for a book later in life if all goes well. They are at the bottom of the second section on the summary page. Click the 'Read' button.

Hal was always upbeat and funny as hell. At the end of the Hal Needham movies there are trailers that show some of the funny stuff that occurred during the filming, and I was fortunate to attend the majority of those encounters. Each day after filming, they would send the film to L.A. for developing and then sit down that evening and review the film that was returned from the day before to evaluate their progress and make sure that they were in line with the screenplay 'book' that a lady would keep for their review. These meetings were attended by Hal, Bert, Lonnie, Bubba Smith, Ned Beattyand others as well as the 'B' unit director that was responsible for the upcoming film sequences. I was hired to be responsible for the movement, upkeep and maintenance on all the racing equipment, trucks and pit equipment, so I had to take notes, etc., for the next day's activities, Dave can attest to all the comedians in that group, and it was always so funny with every one of those folks making a joke or a wise crake about something.

Throughout all of this, Hal was the lead comedian, but kept the meetings going in an orderly fashion. He would always see to it that we all ate extremely well. He hired his regular caterers from the west coast to prepare the food locally. The "A" group was fed the catered food and the "B" group ate from local providers. After the first three days we got invited to the "A" group and the weight gain began in earnest. He was known to ask who wanted to go see a current Cup race, and when learning how many of us wanted to go, he would rent an airplane and take us all to the event. He was a class guy! I got every penny they said I would get and treated me and my guys with respect and courtesy the entire time of the filming.

RIP Mr. Needham

Racing HIstory Minute - October 1, 1978

Stock Car Racing History

Tim, thanks for posting these 'minutes'. This one reminds me that I ran up to Wilkesboro to watch the race, than back home to get the motor in the car for Dales last ride in my car at the upcoming NAPA National 500. Thanks for the memories.

Occoneechee - Orange Speedway Feature Story - The Daily Tar Heel - 9/24/2013

Stock Car Racing History

Good morning Tim, I wish I could take some credit here, because it is a nicely written article, but it is ALL Frank and Bryan. Bryan and his dad and I just talked some about writing and Model A's, etc. The credit is all theirs.

Occoneechee - Orange Speedway Feature Story - The Daily Tar Heel - 9/24/2013

Stock Car Racing History

Thanks for sharing this story Dave. The young man that wrote that story spent a great deal of time with me in my motorhome on Saturday afternoon. His dad and I met while competing in the National Model A Judging arena. He is an extremely bright young man and has a strong future.

Long Live RacersReunion

Stock Car Racing History

Hey Mike, don't hesitate to walk up and speak. I get to chattin' sometimes, but I always like to meet folks and make new friends. I did have a great time and am sure I was grinning often. It's agood crowd.

Long Live RacersReunion

Stock Car Racing History

This is a more serious post, LOL.

I never expected what I saw at Hillsborough this Saturday. Way more cars that I was expecting. High quality show cars and a wide spectrum of vintage race cars the exceeded anything that I had envisioned. Billy Bisco had 4-5 early cars, and I was really impressed with the Bill/Marrio Rossi and the Petty Cup cars. It was way cool to match faces to names as well. Jeff Gilder was particularly helpful for my first visit and I really enjoyed meeting Tim Leeming and Jimmy Johnson as well when I first got there.

Good food, plenty of souveniers, a huge gaggle of cars and PERFECT weather. I hope some one posts pictures.

Thanks RacersReunion folks, you made me feel at home and I have not had a more enjoyable time in many years.

updated by @will-cronkrite: 08/06/18 06:16:06AM

Returned from My First Racers Reunion

Stock Car Racing History

Robin, the pleasure was mine. I appreciate your help on Friday evening. You and all the others were most kind and gracious. I will be attending again. Thank you all.

Returned from My First Racers Reunion

Stock Car Racing History

Please tell us about Tims's award, I missed that, but whatever it was, I am certain that he deserved it.