Wally Duncan's Orange Crate
Drag Racing History
Forum Activity for @richard-gouldman
I had mentioned in an earlier post, a couple years back, that Jimmy ran D/S, but as you can see it was C/S. I may have corrected this already. A mutual friend informed me that Jimmy ran below the National record on a couple of occasions, but was never able to back it up. One time it was at the Bristol Nationals. I have this article on my computer. I do notice James Donati in the run-down, as well as several other friends and acquaintances, Jimmy Burkhalter, Kenny Glidwell, Jimmy Keeton, and David Cottrell. David hailed from Southside and Manchester High School. He had a strong '63 Impala 327/300. Ray Vincent supposedly did some wrenching on that car. (I think that was his name) I wonder if anyone has a picture or any memory of a Nova ('68-'72 vintage) that ran out of the Amoco on Williamsburg Road...had Donati and Glasco lettered on the sides. They trailered the car to Wallace's in Southside one night for a street race, but the race never took place, although a huge brawl did, and smack in the middle of Jefferson-Davis Highway. Not sure who won or got arrested....I left before the law arrived and before I got my ass kicked.
Jimmy Scott
General
Hey Woody, good to hear from you. My friend Roy Gunter tells me the car actually ran C/Stock. I have no idea if Jimmy ran at Suffolk, but I would imagine that he probably did. He took the car to some national meets, Bristol and where ever, so I would guess he tried his luck at other local tracks also. I will try and find out more from friends and relatives of Jimmy when I can. I don't recall that this car ever carried a "name" but it was unmistakable when you saw it run. Jimmy used the truck-arm suspension to it's best advantage and when the car launched, the car would raise up several inches, and seemingly rise another couple inches with each gear change. Power to the wheels and forward motion, no messing around. Deadly consistent. And yes, a black business coupe '58 Chevy 348 CI with 3-twos.
By the way, don't know if anyone remembers Lloyd Talley that I mentioned earlier. Among other things, he bought and re-engined the Wild Pony Mustang with Chevy power, and ran a modified class at Richmond with some good results until he crashed the car. I don't recall any details now, but I believe Lloyd suffered some headtrauma as a result of that crash.
Jimmy Scott
General
Concerning some discussion here maybe a year ago, a friend stopped by our shop recently who was a close friend of Jimmy and he rekindled my memory on a couple of things. Someone made mention previously that Jimmy converted his '58 Chevy drag car to go circle track racing. Actually, Jimmy sold the drag car intact to a former neighbor of mine named Buck Waldrop, a local businessman. Buck, with the help of another local wrench, Lloyd Talley, campaigned the car for awhile. I do not know the eventual fate of that car, but I would sure like to have some pictures of the car in it's hey-day. If anyone digs up any pics, please share them.
updated by @richard-gouldman: 03/13/17 02:03:44AM
Freedom 7
General
Thanks Don. Yes, I believe Bounty Hunter was there, and maybe Banning was the name that I was trying to recall. My memory may be a bit exaggerated, but I think there were no less than a dozen cars there that night, every single one a big name, cars that you would see in the magazines. They must have had a swell purse, but then I'm sure they didn't have to share the gate with NHRA or somebody. Ha! I have had occasion to visit dragstrips in a lot of states, from Kent Washington to the Carolinas, but I don't think I have ever been more entertained than the times I visited Budd's Creek Md and particularly this little podunk track near the beach. 'Course I WAS young and impressionable.
Freedom 7
General
Does anyone recall or know anything about Freedom 7 Dragway? We were vacationing at Va Beach with friends back in the 60's and were at some drive-in hamburger joint. We kept seeing drag cars pass by, on trailers and such. We questioned our waitress, and proceeded into what seemed the wilderness, and eventually found this place. We didn't arrive until maybe 11:00 PM, and saw the best darn show I have ever seen. We left around 2:00 in the morning and they were still running. There was nothing but A/FX, S/S, or whatever the top dogs were then, Lafayette Ford Mustang with wild wheelstands, Big Red Dodge, Color-Me-Gone Mopar, I can't recall names and cars now, but a field of top class name cars. Strip was not lighted. Everyone ran down the same piece of asphalt that was the return lane, albeit a few plastic cones. I don't know that anyone was eliminated. They would have a break and racing resumed, same competitors. Wildest Show I ever saw. (what the heck was that Dodge....Bundy or something?)
updated by @richard-gouldman: 12/05/16 08:52:34AM
MR Z11
General
Does anyone out there know of a car called "Mr Z11"? I vaguely remember seeing this car at a local outlaw drag strip near Fort Bragg North Carolina when I was in the Army. The car was an altered wheelbase racer, the predecessor to funny cars, as I recall, and running the Z-11 W-block, 427 ci if I remember correctly. The drag strip was a riot. Cars running down and back on the same pavement, passengers in the cars, snack bar on the pit side, so everybody traversing the track between runs....I guess liability was not a concern back then. I remember the car as a '63....rear axle pulled up near the doors, F/X style. Best thing going the particular Sunday I was there. (60s)
updated by @richard-gouldman: 12/05/16 08:52:33AM
Richmond Dragway
General
Not familiar with the name myself. You might visit Woody Delbridge's page here on RacersReunion to see if you find anything. Woody has some Richmond Dragway pics.
You might do a search for Bing Gatewood also. He has a whole bunch of Suffolk pictures posted on HotRod Hotline.
Richmond Dragway
General
Jimmy, I assume that you have a home e-mail address. Contact me at redicls@gmail.com.