 April 01/08
Gloria and I attended a show at the International Centre in Toronto last year. It had been twenty years since our last visit there when we attended one of the biggest annual car shows in Canada. Actually, our Northern Force Jet Funny Car was the events feature vehicle in 1987 and was again featured in the Molson’s Breweries display in 1988. This time we were there to check out the camping and R.V. show.
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February 01/08
I was kinda critical of John Force and his racing empire last season but I will stand by my judgment. I think his organization and the media were out of control, but as we all know John is big news, just about always the biggest news in drag racing. This attention to John sometimes makes our sport appear one dimensional.
The latest example of this was on one of the ‘Speed Reports’ in January. The show's host gave as much air time to the news that John Force had ‘maneuvered’ in and out of the cockpit of his Castrol Funny Car as he did to the story that Evan Knoll had pulled all race team sponsorship for the 2008 season because of health issues, but would continue event sponsorship with the IHRA and NHRA through his Skull Shine and Torco brands.
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December 19/07
Ok kids, put down your pencils and papers, it’s time for a pop quiz. Who can tell me the demographics of the Speed Channel audience that watches the reality show Pinks? I don’t see a show of hands. Anyone? What’s the problem? That’s right, no one you talk to admits to watching this show. It’s kinda the same when nobody ever admits to watching The Young and The Restless but like, we all know that Nikki and David have a thing going and that Heather has a real problem with Phyllis and that Karen… uh-oh I just blew my cover. Ok, credibility could be an issue here but believe me when I say I have never watched a complete Pinks show nor have I talked to anyone that has. I have tried to watch it but quite frankly I’d rather read a good book then use this show for my drag racing fix.
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November 16/07
I don’t want to alarm or frighten anyone but there is an imposter among us. This was not a Halloween prank. It’s true and it’s scary. Well, scary might be an exaggeration but it is true. Here’s the story…
In the late 1970’s Betsy Smith, Scott Spenser, Phil Strudwick and myself founded the Sportsmen Racers Association. Our objective was to provide a quality race program for drivers with stock, super-stock, modified production and comp eliminator drag race cars. I was honoured to be named the association’s president. We offered a self-regulated race day program to the track operator that included our own tech inspections. For this position we hired Joe Olynik who was certified by the National Hot Rod Association. At the time I had a super-stock Camaro but decided that my effort at the track would be better spent announcing and promoting our association and its members. My business partner Milo Finnie drove the car.
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October 11/07
The recent death of nitro funny car driver Eric Medlen brought about a number of questions from acquaintances of mine. They wondered how dangerous our sport is. Did I know Eric personally? Do the drivers of the nitro cars really have any control over them? Are there any groupie chicks hanging around the track looking for action? Actually, the last question was asked by my wife Gloria but you get the idea. Eric’s death was big news for three reasons. One: He was a driver for John Force Racing, one of the highest profile teams in motorsports. Two: Fatalities in drag racing are rare and draw the attention of the media because of that. Three: Eric was a genuine good person and ambassador of our sport.
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August 01/07
You know folks, we recently celebrated the 50th anniversary of our local dragstrip. The organizing committee rented the nearest community centre and sent out invitations. One large room was dedicated to pictures which were professionaly displayed. In the main hall, on stage, a master of ceremonies paid a tribute to and introduced special guests, dignitaries and shared an array of special memories. There was also a display with some really neat nostalgia cars. Personally, I have always had a soft spot in my heart for the supercharged altereds and gassers. Even Linda Vaughn (Miss Hurst) was there and geez was she ever looking good. As always she was overflowing with compliments and good wishes to anyone who came within range.
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May 01/07
I don’t know about you folks but I’ve had all I can stand when it comes to the NHRA/John Force Racing side show. I had a tough time getting through the Atlanta coverage. The amount of time given to the Force team is nauseating and the time taken away from promoting the other professional teams is unforgivable.
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