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Posted by Roger Stearns on 11/29/2007, 9:30 am, in reply to "Re: Real Oldtimers"
75.133.168.171
Tim,
Prior to my racing at "Palmdale International Raceway" I started at "Lions" in 1963. At that time I was still running a "Flathead" in my 52 Ford Sta. Wag. (surfboard carrier). It was long trips to Lions from Palmdale, so was sure glad to see "PIR" open. In 66 I moved to Garden Grove, so of course I raced locally at "OCIR" prior to going into the service in September 66.
When I came back from Vietnam, I started racing in the St Louis area where I was stationed. I raced at Alton, IL. Nashville, IL. Mid America, in St Peters, MO. and at SLIR just outside Granite City, IL. At that time I was running a 62 413 Plymouth. In 68 I partnered up with Claud Bradshaw of Granite City with his famous "Mr Mopar" (67 Dodge/Hemi) and in 69 we started running the Super Stocker in the new "Pro Stock" class. We had a consistant 9.80 car which was very close to class record at that time. In 71 Claud bought a new car (Barracuda) and used the Dodge engine. I became the soul owner of Mr Mopar, but with my 392 Hemi. Unfortunatly it wasn't as competitive as the 426 was. So the only times I won was when someone broke, or red lighted. The cost was getting to much for my budget, and I had to sell out.
In 72 I moved back to SoCal, and rarely raced. My job interferred with my fun times. But I did occassionally get to run at OCIR in a Hot 65 plymouth I ran on the street. (440 wedge) I started out one time for Palmdale with it, but an overheating problem forced me to turn back. It wasn't on a trailer, I was driving it.
In 75 I moved back to Illinois. The following year I started drag racing again. I just couldn't get it out of my blood. I started out with a Ford Fairlane (302). In 77 I purchased a brand new AMC Hornet AMX, strictly for racing. Over the next few years I dominated AHRA P/Stock Modified, and ET brackets in St louis area. I was points champ at "SLIR" in 1979. In 1981 I got the hairbrained idea to be the Pormoter of an event "1981 AMC Super Nationals" held at SLIR. We got rained out on the second day of the event. I had a lot of expenses out of my own pocket that sponsorships didn't cover. Momma told me it was racing or her. Well we all make mistakes, an I quit racing. But God only knows how I loved the sport, and miss it. I would like to send you a picture of my AMX, please send me youe email address. I ended up selling it a couple years later for a down payment to buy Momma a house.
Now I sometimes race on "RPM WORLD"
"V8_ON_JUICE"
Roger
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