A few weeks back we got a bunch of old Legion Ascot Speedway pictures from Richard Parks. After a trip to the old track location and re-familiarising myself with some of the history it was scan a few of the large prints and see what we could find of interest. The first shot for today (RPC_008) is one of them. A quick scan of the results and car numbers lets us put this picture being photographed during the 1931 racing season. On the left is car number 4 that was driven by Ernie Triplett. The car was called the Miller Special and was owned by Bill White. Ernie is seen to the right in his racing togs sporting his cloth helmet. Note the stylish knee-high socks that were popular at the time. To the right is Jack Duffy's PAR Special. It may have been driven by Mel McKee this day. Behind it is the number 68 that could be either the Vic Felt or L&C Special. Without complete rundowns it's hard to figure out who's who because a lot of the drivers jumped from car to car and more than one ride carried the same number. The chap on the right with his hands in his pocket and the "Helmet" on looks like "The Whittier Sheik" Arvol Brunmier. These old shots are pretty nasty in the scratch department and have to be scanned in half and put back together because there to big for the scanner. Ah the fun of it.

We also tackled about 75 of Bill LaPolla's shots with keying and working on the exposure with an equal amount left to do. We're putting the first shot of Bruce Tappenier's rail job (LAP_072) as being at Santa Maria sometime in '60. From the looks of it they were using a Christmas Tree for starts instead of the usual flag man. Also this weekend at El Mirage I talked to Freddy Dannenfelzer who raced at the track in that era and he's volunteered to help us ID some of the participants and give us some details on their rides if he remembers. Cool!

Our next LaPolla shot was ID'ed as Jimmy Seaton. This shot is special for two reasons. First is the '29. If you look real close you might recognize it. No? The roll hoop and the toneau cover are the first clues. Still no? What about the white Spindles? Give Up? This ride is Tony Nancy's first 22Jr after he sold it. A couple of other shots of it at different angles confirm it, as the lightning holes in the chassis and the vent in the cowl match. An earlier shot shows the car before the front mount blower with it's grill shell on and the white striping is also a match. Now more fun with the shot. Note the custom '59 Chevy in the background. Does it look familiar? On the front fender is a George Barris emblem and the car was featured in Custom Cars and Car Craft back in the day with a how to on the rework of the eyebrows over the Buick headlight bezels. When we complete our research we'll show you the other shots and reveal a couple of more Seaton secrets.

In the middle of the week we received a package from Ernie Nagamatsu who is restoring the old Spurgin-Giovanine lakes car for Pebble Beach. As we have helped him some with those lost details that old cars hide he was kind enough to let us share with you a painting of the car he commissioned from British artist Barry Rowe. It shows the car at the last lakes meet in '48 with a happy crowd celebrating breaking a record every time out that year. Thanks Ernie and Barry, Great art!

With that lets head out to an El Mirage weekend with a couple of 100 degree days. Our first pix (JMC_1346) was snapped about 7 am and shows Master of all crafts Jack Costella with his latest Nebulous Theorem, number 8 body about to be dropped over its chassis. Helping is partner on the car Tim Cunha. It also happened to be Jack's birthday weekend (he said he was 30/70, and I don't think he was referring to oil). Seems three of his cars at the meet set records so he was indeed a happy camper. HB Jack.

Up by the starting line one couldn't resist capturing John Rank's Modified Roadster (JMC_1345). A revised intake and paint job put this one over the top as a real beauty. Official results aren't out yet so the speed will come later.

I returned Royce McClintic's pix that he kindly lent the Foundation at the lakes earlier today. He also brought a little surprise that can be seen in JMC_1344. After he had drug the Summers Brothers Goldenrod around Europe to show it off and demonstrating how to get in and out of it a zillion times for the amazed audiences  the brothers, Bob and Bill presented their friend with the steering wheel mounted on a great plaque. Through the magic of digital here it is. This is a real piece of history. Thanks Royce for sharing.

To sign off for this week there was another ride at Mirage this weekend that captured our imagination so here it is (JMC_1343). All sorts of chopped up trucks are making the scene these days and this one is definitely cool. It looks really mean with the big truck tires, especially the dualies. If you look close at the front you'll note the chassis is underslung to get it way down in the weeds. The leafs, front and rear, have big arcs that the axles are hung on to add to the lowness. Where are the boys at Hot Wheels when you need to inspire them?

It's time now for a cool, long shower to wash all the dirt off with and then some sleep so I can start again with more pix tomorrow. By!