High Desert Raceway and Bernie Longjohn

[SS427]

Does anyone have any information on either the track or Bernie? He ran HDR in Victorville, CA in the mid 70's. George Air Force Base had a base newspaper and somewhere in 1974/75 they ran a cover shot of my '69 SS427 Impala convertible driven by my sister-in-law. I am desperately trying to obtain a copy of that newspaper and cannot find any info or the name of the paper. I appreciate any information or other links that may help me locate a copy of this. Thank you in advance.
Rick

[StriperSS]

That would be a really cool thing to find. If you are still in the area,(oops, just noticed you're not in the area.) check antique stores, as they sometimes buy bulk stuff from estate sales. That would usually get thrown out, but if you tell them you want some old base newspapers, they may just hang on to the next batch they find.

I have a 19" X 21 1/2" dealer poster of a 69 Impala SS convertible being driven in the desert. Looks to be gold or beige with a red interior. Got it from the dealer I worked at as they were clearing out a storage room, along with a 69 Z28 poster of the same size. Z28 is red with flat hood, black stripes, and pinstripes, and black vinyl top. Cool stuff. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beers.gif

[Xplantdad]

[ QUOTE ]
Does anyone have any information on either the track or Bernie? He ran HDR in Victorville, CA in the mid 70's. George Air Force Base had a base newspaper and somewhere in 1974/75 they ran a cover shot of my '69 SS427 Impala convertible driven by my sister-in-law. I am desperately trying to obtain a copy of that newspaper and cannot find any info or the name of the paper. I appreciate any information or other links that may help me locate a copy of this. Thank you in advance.
Rick

[/ QUOTE ]

Bernie Longjohn owned/owns LACR here is an email address for the track [email protected]

He also serves on the Palmdale Chamber of Commerce

[ QUOTE ]
Vice Chair, Community Affairs Bernie Longjohn
LA County Raceway

[/ QUOTE ]

See Here! (http://www.palmdalechamber.org/executive.php)

[ QUOTE ]


Palmdale Chamber
[email protected]
817 E. Ave Q-9
Palmdale, CA 93550
661-273-3232
661-273-8508 (fax)

Monday-Friday:
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM



[/ QUOTE ]

Here's what Bernie looks like...
http://www.avbgc.org/components/bBerni%20Longjohn.JPG

I hope this helps!

[Late BrakeU2]

Beat me to it Bruce!
Rick,here's the home page also to LACR-
http://www.lacr.net/index.html
It's located a few miles west of Victoville in the Antelope valley.Click on the "clubs" link and that should get you going in the right direction.Try the So cal timing Asso-those guys were from the Muroc era prolly a few old desert rats left that could provide info.George AFB was one of the first to get the ax about fifteen years ago but you might try a call to Edwards,they're right up the street.

Is it January yet? http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/naughty.gif

[Xplantdad]

Yeah Mark...I guess I should have put the link to the raceway in there, too! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif

Are you coming to Barrett Jackson http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/hmmm.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/dunno.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[Late BrakeU2]

Bruce,
Actually Bart and I were/are thinking about heading out-we should hook up fo sho!I was thinking of bringing an empty enclosed trailer,but just pulled the trigger on one I've wanted for some time and the BJ juice bumped to 10% made that decision easy http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shocked.gif.We will just enjoy the experience vicariously through the drunk and famous,lol

[Xplantdad]

Sounds good to me...

So PM me and tell me whatcha got...I wont tell http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/no.gif



Hey Rick...we got yer answers here...what...are ya sleepin'? http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[SS427]

[ QUOTE ]
Hey Rick...we got yer answers here...what...are ya sleepin'? http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

Ah.............maybe I should be asking you that right about now! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/haha.gif What time is it anyway? Oh yeah, 5:50 am and I am headed for the dungeon already.

Thanks for all the help so far guys. I had located Bernies name on the net showing he was still active in the COC but was not sure that was the same guy. Hopefully he or someone else can provide a copy of that paper. I was only about 11 years old when I visited my brother while he was stationed there and he showed me a copy of that paper with his wife racing in powder puff. She was just accelerating off the line in the far lane when the shot was taken. If I recall she turned 10 flats in the 1/8 mile. I have no idea how "slow" that is in 1/4 mile terms but that was one heavy car! I now own that car and this would just add to the memories.

Guess I should have hung around longer last night had I known all you guys were going to be so bored but I had to get back out in the shop. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/dunno.gif
Rick

[SS427]

John,
Any chance you could scan a copy of that poster (likely not as it is so big) and e-mail it to me? I don't recall ever seeing something like that.

Mark,
Yes it is almost January.......... http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif I'm trying buddy, I'm trying.
Rick

[Xplantdad]

C'mon Rick...just funnin' with ya!

If anyone would know where you could get a copy it would be Bernie!

Good luck on your search...isn't the internet wonderful (at times)?

BTW, try and stay warm! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beers.gif

[scuncio]

Bernie is a nice guy but usually he is pretty busy, so it's sometimes tricky to get a hold of him. If you call LACR someone should be able to leave him a message.

[SS427]

Thanks Tony,
By the way I have not forgotten you, just a little busy as of late. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

Bruce,
You surprise me. Here I thought you would still be sound asleep at this time of the morning. Looks like you get about as much sleep as I do. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/haha.gif

I am going to work on this today and will let you all know what I come up with. If I ever get a copy of it I will post a cover shot. BTW, what does a 10 flat equate to in the 1/4 mile though I would imagine that depends on a lot of things?
Rick

[SS427]

I remember seeing a link to a drag site that has the history on old drag strips with photos. Anyone remember that site?
Rick

[1970Ls6]

Rick,
According to this conversion formulas (http://www.nightrider.com/biketech/calc_formulas_page.htm) website, your 10.0 would convert to a 1/4 mile of 15.83. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif

Reid

[SS427]

Eeeeek!!! I will have to ask my brother what it ran. I thought he told me the car would do a low 14 second 1/4. A stock 427 Impala should have been able to pull a low 15 second 1/4 and this car was not stock and very stripped. Hopefully I was wrong on the 10 flat 1/8 mile. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif If I ever find a copy of the paper, I recall it being listed. I also (used) to have several of the time slips when I got the car but that was in 1979 LONG before I cared about keeping documentation.

E-mails have been sent by both myself and my brother to Mr. Longjohn. Hopefully he will reply. Seems he knew my sister-in-law pretty well as she was the starter at many of the races when she wasn't driving.
Rick

[Xplantdad]

Cool Rick...keep us informed...we wanna know! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beers.gif