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Bonneville 2010

Do you remember how it was possible to disappear into your own small private world when you were a kid? At times in my world I would read car magazines that reported on far-far away events, like Bonneville. I would study the photos in great detail as though I was looking through a microscope. It seemed it was a time when speed records were falling every year with names like, Art Arfons "Green Monster" at (576.55 mph) that captured the imagination of millions, and Craig Breedlove at (600.6 mph). Then in 1970, Gary Gabolich's rocket car, "Blue Flame", attained a spectacular (622.4 miles) per hour.

Well, I've always had a hankering to load up a car and try this thing. One of the blog followers and a 'Facebook' buddie Sean Cridland has done just that. This was his second year taking a Porsche there. Here is what he has to share.

"Hi John, I didn't do that well this year. My car was down on power for some reason. I was shooting for the 150+ mark this year and only got to 128 and that was on a course 1.25 miles longer than last year, when I went 135. That said, once I figured I wasn't going to get the speed, I went for experience. Got 16 runs. The officials were kidding me that I had the record for the most number of runs at the B-ville event and that I had the fastest "lap-speed" because I wouldn't de-helmet or anything, just drive right back up to the start and go again. Hey, it's a PORSCHE! that's what they're made for right?"

Here are some images to check out.

The PCA pit 2010 "World of Speed" at Bonneville. There's not much out there in the way of creature comforts.

Needless to say, the famous yellow Vesco 444 garners more attention than the little silver C4. It should, it has over 70 records at Bonneville.

It's not how big your engine is...it's how big your heart is for the love of this sport.

Off we go...It's peddle to the metal. No turning back now, notice in this image all unused openings are sealed with tape.

See ya next time.

I just gotta' do this!!!

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It's That Time Of Year

Hey all...thought I'd put a smile on your faces and spread a little seasonal joy! Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas to ya'.

And have a "Happy New Year!"

Hope you're enjoying "Along For The Ride" and stay with us for more adventures!

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Del Mar Road Races

Del Mar is not only the site for Horse Racing and the IMSA races in the early nineties, but also early 60's sports car races with the SCCA. These races were held in the large parking area just west of Jimmy Durante Blvd. It was a 1.9 mile road circuit run clockwise with the boundaries laid out with cones and hay bales. One of the Pacific Coast Championship races was held there in 1962. Early TV star Steve McQueen even put his Porsche Speedster away to run a faster Cooper Junior at this event.

An image of the program cover for the fall 1964 event. This was the 6th running of this event and I believe the last.

You can see the pit area and the track layout as well as spectator parking around the outside of the parking lot in this image.
This Santee Race Car leading a Lotus was built in Santee. Two and a half cars were built, one is owned by one of our blog followers. Image via, Tams Old Race Car Site at.
The first lap of the Big Bore Mod. Race with Corvettes, Healeys, RSKs and some small bore Lotus cars. Pictured is Bob Harris in his rear-engined Campbell Special leading Dave Mac Donald in a Corvette. Image via, Bill Marsh and Toby Palmieri.
Jack Sutherland in his Triumph TR leads a Lotus Elite.
This was the Small Bore Race with MG's and Austin Healey Sprites. Image via, Bill Marsh and Toby Palmieri.
Ronnie Bucknum in a Big Healey leads the Porsche Roadster of Ed Barber and the Speedster of Alan Johnson. Alan would eventually go on the open a Porsche/Audi dealership in San Diego. Image via, Bill Marsh and Toby Palmieri.
George Follmer nerfed Dave Jordon out of the lead, but would later spin and turn the lead back over to Jordon. You can see the battle scares on the doors of both cars. Image via, Bill Marsh and Toby Palmieri.

The Del Mar races ran in '62, '63, and '64. The SCCA would next go to San Diego Stadium, Holtville, and Carlsbad Raceway to put on local events.

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Some Comments...Skoolin'

There have been quite a few comments coming in on the last several posts, which is great...keep em' coming. I've also received emails on "How To Comment?" Read along and I'll try to explain.

At the bottom of each post is something that will say "Comment here" or "Click" with the words "Here/Click/Button" highlighted. That's the place to click.

You will then be taken to a screen that will say "Post a Comment". Write your comment then click on "Select Profile". If you have a Google Account you can use that or one of the others. If you have no account you can select Anonymous and just put your name at the end of your comment. Then hit "Post Comment."

When you do that, I will receive an email that you have posted a comment, I then can "Publish, Delete or Moderate" the comment. Since I'm kinda' a free speech guy, I post em'. So keep them coming.

If you are receiving this by email, to read the comments on any of the post, go back to the blog at: http://www.johnstraub.blogspot.com/

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Day In The Life...A Night Out, El Camino

It was a little before 6 PM on an unusually warm winter night. Monique and I were shuffling towards the door as I glanced up, I could see the arrow slowly spinning 'Cocktails' one side, 'Mexican Food' the other. What caught my eye was the iridescent glow of the neon "El Camino" as a shower of color rained down and spattered puddles of fluorescent paint on our feet.

Once in a great while things click, this was to be one of those nights. What better place to eat, a Mexican restaurant with a car name. My favorite, a '59 "Elki" with the iconic cats-eye tail lights.

As we were lead to our table I could already taste the cold Margarita sliding down my throat, if only in anticipation. Then I noticed the eyes staring at me from the black painting on the wall, as to say, "Be Cool and Enjoy." The painting had been stripped naked of chrome clutter except the 16" five spoke Americans with low profile rubber wrapped around. The amber glow from the lights above highlighted the wood which it adorned. It wasn't a '59, but that was OK.

As hours passed I propped myself up on my elbow and stared at my empty plate and glass, I realized that the food and drink did not let me down. It was as we had become old friends. The El Camino driver nodded with his approval, it was only at that point I caught my breath at the sudden concussion of the sounds of a street band outside.

As Monique and I left the eatery it slapped me in the face, the music was coming from only yards away. As we crossed to the other side of the street to take it in, it reminded me of a night in New Orleans. An impromptu band with a 'saw-blade' cymbal and 'chain-wrapped' foot smashing against a wooden box for percussion was set back off the sidewalk, rocking the bones of everyone that was gathered around.

Once in a great while things click, I was with my girl, car culture, good music, great food and drink...what could be better?

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Sebring Forty Years Past

It's frequently taken for granted men are the only ones passionate about racing...wrongfully so. For years chicks have come and gone in the sport, and while they were competing or still are, many times they're taking names and kicking ass. Think of Indy Car, Drag Racing and Sports Car Racing to name a few. So let's hear it for the girls beating up on other competitors, more power to em'.

Here's an ol' image from the historic track in Florida. Check out the women racers exhibiting the latest in single layer Nomex garb at Sebring. Circa 1970.

In the image are, left to right: Judy Kondratieff (Ganley), Janet Guthrie, Sharlene Seavey and Rosemary Smith. They drove the #73 Austin-Healey Sebring Sprite to a first in class and 19th overall at Sebring in 1970.

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Paradise Mesa...'54

So I'm out messin' around at a cruise night and I come across this guys photo book on his car. I spotted this old image of his ride, and I snapped it with my I-Phone. It's the "Top Eliminator" at Paradise Drag Strip back in 1954.

This got me to thinkin', we should have "Trophy Queens" at all driving events today, and they should be clad in nothing but bathing suits. It seems with progress and all, us hard drivin' dudes have lost some very important perks.

So whadda you think?

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CARMEL-BY-THE-SEA CONCOURS ON THE AVENUE...2011

Hey guys...I just want to put an early word out on this show. This has been for-sure the best Concours I've ever seen, or been a part of. The first one was in 2007, then 2008 and again in 2009. The show in 2010 was reduced to a smaller happinin' with the economy taking its' toll. However, plans are being made for the same size of show held the first three years.

The cover of the 2009 Program with a 356 tach taking center stage.

The date is set for August 16, 2011 on the main drag of this awesome little car town. This is about the best way you could ever think to start off the "Monterey Car Week" and as a spectator it's free to boot. The show normally has special classes just for Porsches and Ferraris, but takes in all kinds of very cool cars including race cars, hot rods, micro-cars and more.

Doug and Genie Freedman came up with the idea for this show and have poured their hearts and souls into the event making it a memorable experience for everyone. Doug is one of the blog followers, and he is quoted as saying this is, "A Day of Sophistication With A Dash of Fun." I call it "Just a Totally Bitchen Day" and I love his saying, "RIDE'em, DRIVE'em, RACE'em and don't forget to SHOW'em"

For more info to start making planes to show or attend and/or if you have an interest in becoming a brand partner...you couldn't go wrong, contact them here. I'll be doing updates on the event as time passes.

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As Promised

When I read the letter in the last post saying there was a car lot at this El Cajon Blvd. location called the "House of Hardtops", that stopped me in my tracks. I thought, how cool is that name? My mind started spinning with past names similar to that, "House of Customs", "House of Color" and "House of Coolness." OK, the last one I made up, but the other two were big hot rod magnets. Anyway, I had high hopes of finding and posting a image of the "House of Hardtops," alas with no luck.

This photo was taken about 1957 at the same corner of what appears to be "Esquire Motors," on the northeast corner of El Cajon Blvd. and Euclid. A tire store has occupied this location from about 1980.

Here's a line up of Chevys with one Pontiac and Ford stuffed in for good measure. Image by Howard Rozelle, via.

Well maybe it was the "House of Hardtops" before it became "Esquire Motors." However, I sure do like "H o H" a lot better. One thing I do remember, before I could drive, riding my fat-tired Schwinn past the car lot, smelling those real meat burgers sizzling on the grill at Oscars a few blocks away lofting through the air. So where was the House of Hardtops? If you can solve the question, post a comment.

Referring back to to last two post, the comments have been flying in.