Page 25 - NM Spring_2021

but that certification, along with the friend, Bob McKray in California. asked him, “could you have fit in the
addition of other required safety Stanke rocker arm assemblies were tight cockpit”. With the wry grin of
equipment, would permit us to put used to activate the valves. a true racer, Pat exclaimed, “oh, I’d
it back on the track against other have gotten in there. They might
fuelers or alcohol funny cars. The car made its debut at not have gotten me out, but I’d have
Keystone Raceway Park in New gotten in alright”! Walt commented,
As the 2014 season was Alexandria, PA. Goldy and Mark you’re gonna make us proud? We
approaching, we also felt a power Becker worked on the tuning and I nodded yes, you’ll like it! With
plant upgrade would be required got back into the driver’s seat after Goldy, his son Rick from Las Vegas
since the track surfaces of this time many years. We had some handling and friends Pete Coffield and Mark
were far superior to when the car issues that we fought to overcome LeBranch crewing, we made a
last went down the quarter mile. but made appearances at various couple of solo exhibition passes. We
The ancient blown fuel 392 was tracks including hot rod reunions were honored to be asked to take
sold and a more robust, aluminum in Bowling Green, Kentucky and the car to the Doubletree Hotel on
Donovan 417 hemi block located. Epping, New Hampshire. The car Friday night of the event for the
It was fitted with a Crower crank was a huge hit so, we decided to awards ceremonies. A huge crowd
along with Bill Miller pistons and make the trek to Bakersfield for the at the hotel watched us fire the
rods for 472 inches of displacement. 2014 California Hot Rod Reunion. coupe on a healthy dose of nitro
Tom Hemphill Racing Engines in along with five or six other fuelers.
nearby Clarksburg, PA performed Upon arrival, Walt Austin and his At one point, a nice gentleman
the machine work and Mark Becker son Pat came by to say hello and approached Goldy and was asking
and I assembled the big hemi. To see their old car. Pat lamented that a bunch of questions about the
maintain an “old look”, we had a he’d been after his dad for years to car. Well into the conversation,
beautiful set of 331 “tunnel port” get the car back on the track so he he introduced himself, It was Tom
Chrysler iron heads made by old could drive it. Pat is a big guy and I

The crew at the 2017 Tucson Dragway Reunion. From left to right: Joe Morrison (driver), Ted Brine, Andy Baron, Mark Becker (seated
on tire). Paul Gold, Michele Johnson, Rick Gold, Frank Larrabee and Jim Senkewitz.

SPRING 2021 Nitro Madness Magazine 25