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.

[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

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

He also serves on the Palmdale Chamber of Commerce

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Vice Chair, Community Affairs Bernie Longjohn
LA County Raceway

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See Here!

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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



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Here's what Bernie looks like...


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?

[Xplantdad]

Yeah Mark...I guess I should have put the link to the raceway in there, too!

Are you coming to Barrett Jackson

[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 .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



Hey Rick...we got yer answers here...what...are ya sleepin'?

[SS427]

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Hey Rick...we got yer answers here...what...are ya sleepin'?

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Ah.............maybe I should be asking you that right about now! 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.
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.......... 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!