Famous Racers
 

I was wondering where all the old names are Today?
Like Jungle Jim,Gene Snow,TV Tommy Ivo,Art Arfons,Tom McKeown,to name a few.Add anyother names as well.
If anybody knows the where abouts of anyone,dead or alive,please post it here.
I am just curious to see how these classic names have kept on with the rest of us.

Re: Famous Racers
 

Rick,
Jungle Jim died in a Corvette crash several years ago. There is quite a story about him, his girlfriend and his career on one of the many sites on the net.
Rick

Re: Famous Racers
 

I think Art Arfons is still driving/building Green Monsters isn't he? Twin helocopter jet powered tractor pullers. Not definite though. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/dunno.gif[/img]

Ed

Re: Famous Racers
 

TV Tommy, McEwen, Snow, Prudomme, Garlits, Jenkins, Sox & martin, Dyno Don, Larson, McCandless, The Greek, Fast Eddie Shartman, Akron Arlen, Maverick, Beswick, Leal, Poole, Judy Lilly, Landy, Bagshaw, Roush (Gapp & Roush), H Platt, Proffitt all doing fine.

Not sure about Richie Zul, Bill "The Professor" Blandings (MIMI cars) who was in his late '50's in the early '70's, Dick Grotheer, Shirley Shahan, Reed Wheisant, Jim Nicholl, Shay Nichols, Bo Laws, Wally Booth, Ed Miller.

No longer with us: Lee Shephard, Dave Strickler, Dick Harrell, Dick Moroso, Pete Robinson, John 'The Zookeeper" Mulligan, Mickey Thompson

Re: Famous Racers
 

------I lived near the Arfons brothers as a kid and used to follow their antics closely.I have lost track a little bit but,I believe I have heard of some tractor pulling going on there.The Arfons shop was close to a very big military-style junkyard,and they used all types of stuff out of that yard in all the world speed attempts.Some really inventive guys!!!!!!!!!!.........Bill S

Re: Famous Racers
 

I remember talking to Tommy Ivo in 1969 at Keystone Drag strip in New Alexandria, Pa. He was driving a twin engine, Buick powered dragster. He seemed like a pretty nice fellow. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif[/img]

Re: Famous Racers
 

Don Grotheer and Irv Berringhaus both ran Pro Stock Hemi cars. I believe both have passed. Wally Booth is still around and Reid Whisant is still in Atlanta. His son runs Pro Stock and does well with a Cavalier. Sam

Re: Famous Racers
 

I actually owned TV Tommy Ivos Charger funny car body two year ago and sold it. It went back to California where it is being restored now. Tommy has a website tommyivo.com some cool photos.

Re: Famous Racers
 

Thanks Guys.
Your knowledge in this area amazes me.
Keep up,with keeping up with them. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beers.gif[/img]

Re: Famous Racers
 

Along with Art Arfons doing tractor pulling, last I knew the first guy to do a V-8 Chevy powered Harley drag bike, "The Michigan Madman" E.J. Potter, is alive and doing well near Ionia Michigan, and also doing tractor pulls, last time I watched him pull he had a tractor with six blown big block Chevys pounding the ground in unison. If my memory is anywhere near correct I believe it was the early sixties when he bolted a 283 crossways in a Harley frame, direct chain drive, no trans or clutch, they would put the bike on a stand and push it off at enough RPM that he left in a hole shot. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shocked.gif[/img] [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/eek.gif[/img] [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shocked.gif[/img]
Motown [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif[/img] [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shocked.gif[/img] [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/eek.gif[/img]