Jan
16
Posted on 16-01-2010
Filed Under (Articles, Miscellaneous) by robc

Streamline Hotel

Easily established is the fact that the Daytona Beach area is North America’s birthplace of speed. At the turn of the 20th century the “elite” of the world attended Daytona Beach to shed the sinter blues. The playboy personalities brought along their latest inventions and toys (not much different than today, just the styles on the arm candy has changed) to show off.

The newest of inventions of the day was the automobile and with that came unorganized competitions between the owners and builders of the early autos. Documentation of the early unorganized events can be found in many locations of the area and will be covered in future articles.

Fast forward to 1947. Bill France, a garage owner, race car builder, race car driver and race promoter was living in the town of Daytona Beach and operating a vehicle repair garage on Main St. At the same time he had been promoting races and campaigning a modified class of race car throughout the south east. He had listened to other owner/drivers moaning about poor pay offs and unscrupulous promoters running off with the purses before the race was completed and decided to try to organize them into a solid group that would work together.

Big Bill, being a very successful entrepreneur felt that Daytona Beach would be the place of the inaugural meeting and the place would be the Streamline Hotel located just off the beach at 140 South Atlantic Avenue. The date is well documented to be December 14, 1947. It has been said (backed by hotel documentation) that Bill operated the bar at the Streamline Lounge that day in an effort to raise funds for the initial organizational costs of opening the new organization. All of the elite of stock car racing were invited an in attendance. Out of that meeting in the roof-top lounge came the Organization now known as NASCAR. Hence this hotel can claim the distinct title of “The Birthplace of Nascar”.

All of the aforementioned information can be further researched and expanded upon by visiting sites depicting NASCAR’s history, attending the NASCAR Hall of Fame, reading publications written by Greg Fielden and by Buz McKim.

The Streamline Hotel is unique in both its history and appearance. It is one of the few “art deco” buildings left standing on the beach, and the only one that has been restored to depict its famous history. The present owners of the building are entrepreneurs with a mission to preserve the history of the building, the beach and racing on the beach. They formed a perfect fit allying with the Victory Lane Racing Association in that they had the venue and the association had the history and living personalities. That is a winning combination to give it the necessary ambiance while paying distinct tribute to those personalities that made Daytona Beach and this hotel famous.
Upon entering Atlantic Avenue from International Speedway Blvd, the view of the building hits you immediately. You don’t have to be a fan of art deco to be overwhelmed by its appearance nor a fan of racing history to immediately see its association with the speed era. For those who are new to the area, the sign (from the past) says it all. It announces that it is the “birthplace of Nascar”.

So……now you’ve caught a glimpse of the building, its time to look inside. The moment that you walk in the door you are hit with an abundance of historical pictures. Drivers, cars, owners and builders are all honored by tributes surrounding the foyer. Behind the front desk you see a large picture of the building as it appeared in the early 50’s. The original mail/key slots are still in place retaining the authenticity of the building.

As you make your way down the corridor toward the rear of the building each door has the name of a driver from the days of beach racing. Inside those doors, the management has created a theme that depicts the racing history of the driver. Drivers pictures and memorabilia is found everywhere within that room. Names like Cannonball Baker, Russ Truelove, Ray Fox, “Mad” Marion MacDonald, “Fireball” Roberts and others are enshrined in the rooms of the Streamline Hotel.

Next you take the elevator to the rooftop lounge, yes the exact place that NASCAR was born on December 14, 1947. Just sit down and let your imagination drift you back to the time. You can almost hear the arguments taking place that day. Then you step out onto the rooftop deck and get a panoramic view of Daytona. You can even see the top of the Petty and Earnhardt towers at the present Daytona International Speedway.

We look around at others who like us are just drinking in the history that is available, not wanting to miss anything. One more lap through the building in case we’ve missed anything is in order, then outside to get another look at what the building means to us and the community.

A special thanks goes out to the management and staff of the Streamline Hotel and to the Victory Lane Racing Association (co-founded by Zetta Baker, president of Victory Lane realty inc.) for preserving a portion the history of racing.

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Classic Auto Appraisals

Welland’s Seaway Mall Cruise
2009 Season Winner of Daytona 500 tickets

September 19, 2009

Dear Cruise Participants;

Classic Auto Appraisals has been distributing lucky tickets to the driver’s of vehicles that attend the two weekly cruises being produced by Cruise Niagara and its directors throughout the summer of 2009. Those tickets were to be saved by each participant until today for a draw that you may have just witnessed.

At the start of the 2009 cruise season Classic Auto Appraisals pre-purchased two reserved seating tickets from Daytona International Speedway’s ticket office for use in this draw and provided the cruise coordinator with the specific information pertaining to the seat locations.

The seats are #’s 4 & 5 of Row 15 in Box “K” of the Weatherly Grandstand. This prime seating is located on the front side of the track just past turn 4 at the location where the cars begin their entrance to the pits. In other words “action central”.

The aforementioned tickets are distributed to the purchaser (Classic Auto Appraisals) through the mail by Daytona International Speedway’s ticket office, two to four weeks before the event. We will accept them using our confirmation number of X29X597XX and will then forward them to the undisputed winner. We will need to have a proper address for the winner so that they can be forwarded promptly.

We hope that the person holding lucky ticket number “207175? will enjoy his/her time at the track on Sunday February 14, 2010 for the 52nd running of the Daytona 500. The “500”has always been exciting for us and we hope that you will find it to be the same.

Sincerely
J.W. (Jim) Cowan

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May
17
Victoria Day Challenge first win for Maier Motorsports Corvette Pro Modified
 CAYUGA, ONTARIO (May 17, 2009) – It was Ike Maier’s day.
 
The Tottenham, Ontario racer qualified his 1963 Corvette Pro Modified number one for the PMRA season opener, and stayed on top during the weekend to win his first Pro Modified Racing Association event.
 
“We finally won something,” said Maier after his win. “But I have to thank the team. I just get in and drive.”
 
Maier was pitted against Jack Grainy of North Tonawanda, New York, in the final, and although Grainy cut a better light, his 1967 Camaro suffered tire shake and he had to let off. Maier’s final was a 6.158-second, 230.49-mph run against the 7.435-second, 141.42-mph clocking of Grainy, who qualified second in the eight-car field.
 
“I certainly have to thank Kirk (team crew chief Kirk Silbermann) and Carl (Spiering of ERD). I wouldn’t be here without them.”
 
The semi-finals pitted Maier against Bruce Boland of Hamilton, Ontario. Maier eliminated fifth qualifier Boland in B&B Racing 1967 Nova with a 6.151-second, 230.72-mph pass over Boland’s losing 6.796-second, 171.05 mph effort. Although Boland’s .155-second reaction time was quicker than Maier’s .281-second reaction time, Maier had the power to get the job done.
 
And in one of the tightest races of the day, Grainy ran a 6.398-second, 225.45-mph clocking over Joe Boniferro of Niagara Falls, Ontario with a 6.455-second, 219.33-mph pass. Boniferro, in the Smokin’ Joe’s 1999 Avenger cut a .034-second light while Grainy cut a slower .082 light, but Grainy powered past him for the win.
 
In first round action, Maier eliminated number eight qualifier Mark Nielsen of Brantford, Ontario, in his 1968 Camaro, and Boland took out Gary Irving of Toronto, Ontario, in the Al Hinds 2004 Corvette. Grainy disposed of number seven qualifier Eric Latino of Scarborough, Ontario, with his 1938 Chevy, and Dave Earhart of Strathroy, Ontario, in his 2002 Camaro fell victim to Boniferro.
 
TJ Schippling of Shakespeare, Ontario in his Top Dragster won the first Quick 32 Sportsman Series presented by NAPA Auto Parts over Jeff Gabel’s Top Sportsman of Stratford, Ontario.
 
Special Awards
Auto Meter Products – Low Qualifier Contingency Award – Ike Maier
Auto Meter Products – Event Winner Contingency Award – Ike Maier
Bear’s Performance Products – Consistent Qualifier Bonus – Bruce Boland
www.racensur.com Gulfway Insurers – Best Reaction Time & Round Winner – Joe Boniferro
Needles At Work – Voted by Officials – Mark Nielsen
 
NOTES…Former PMRA racer Tony Pontieri was at Cayuga over the weekend, helping the Pro Mod team of Eric Latino…2008 PMRA champ Bruce Boland made an auspicious debut with his new 1967 Chevy Nova. Even though his new car was missing second gear in the three-speed transmission, he still qualified number five in the eight-car show…Dave Earhart’s Camaro sported a GM-based two-speed TH400 transmission, a first in the PMRA…Jack Grainy of New York was the lone US Pro Modified racer by elimination time. Pete Farber of Massachusetts and Jason Kalso of Michigan suffered mechanical woes over the weekend, and did not make the show…Lisa Spiering, daughter of former PMRA competitor Carl Spiering, performed the tribute pass in her dragster in honor of the late John Massingberd, executive producer and host of Raceline Radio, in a special pre-race ceremony.
 
For more information, contact Bruce F. Mehlenbacher Bruce@PMRA.ca
 
About the Pro Modified Racing Association (PMRA):
The Pro Modified Racing Association, www.PMRA.ca, was organized late in 2004, started racing operations in 2005, and is entering its fifth year of operation in 2009. The PMRA is a self-governing organization with input from its teams, and adheres to the technical and safety rules as outlined by the International Hot Rod Association (IHRA) and the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA). The series has event venues in Ontario, Quebec, and New York State.
 
The PMRA will compete at several drag strips in 2009, including dates at Toronto Motorsports Park in Cayuga, Ontario, starting with the season opener on May 16 and 17, June 13 and 14 and the season-closer on September 19 and 20, at St. Thomas Dragway in Sparta, Ontario on July 11 and 12, and the South-western Ontario track of the Grand Bend Motorplex at the 10th Annual MOPAR Canadian Nationals July 17 to 19, the Ideal Supply & NAPA Auto Parts presents Hot August Nationals August 8 and 9  and on September 5 and 6.
 
Cars in the PMRA capture the true spirit of hot rodding, and the class is one of drag racing’s most exciting and colorful classes, offering a diverse group of race cars with different types of 2,500-horsepower supercharged, nitrous powered and turbocharged engines.
 
Combining classic body styles and modern equipment, constructors are permitted, within established rules and parameters, to modify and enhance the cars in both appearance and performance. The cars are fuelled by gasoline or methanol, propelling them down the quarter-mile in low six-second times at over 200 miles per hour. The PMRA provides drag race fans the opportunity to see, hear, and experience the popular Pro Modifieds, known as “the world’s fastest door slammers”.
 
Several of the PMRA events will be run in conjunction with the Quick 32 Sportsman Series presented by NAPA Auto Parts, www.Quick32.ca, offering fans a great show of drag racing.
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Pro Modified Racing Association launched its 2009 season this weekend at North Toronto Motorsport Park. Dispite the cold and rainy weather (a norm for the first ‘unofficial’ long weekend of summer) the racing has so far been enough to keep spirits kindled. By the end of tonight’s round Smokin’ Joe Boniferro is sitting second with a career best. The Vegas Fuel Dodge Avenger ran the 1/4 mile with a time of 6.34 sec., reaching a speed of 222 mph. With smiles among the entire Smokin’ Joe team, they are in a good position for tomorrow. As far as I know, the temerature may not be the most desirable, but the rain will hold off. We wish Joe the best of luck in his bid to win the season opener for the series. Keep in touch for further updates.

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May
09
Posted on 09-05-2009
Filed Under (Articles, Upcoming Racing) by robc

Will supply a Piston Kit in New Quick 32 Sportsman Series

WOODSTOCK, ONTARIO (May 9, 2009) – One of the top piston manufacturers in the sport of drag racing will be participating as a special award sponsor in the new Quick 32 Sportsman Series presented by NAPA Auto Parts for 2009.
 
Wiseco Performance Products will be presenting the Wiseco Piston award at the Quick 32 Sportsman Series Champions Banquet, starting with the season opener at Toronto Motorsports Park in Cayuga, Ontario May 16 and 17.
 
“This new series is just what was needed,” stated Harvey Silverthorn, General Manager of Wiseco Pistons Canada. “It will provide the serious Sportsman racer with some great venues and competition, and we look forward to being a part of it. And this new series will be a great tie-in with the Pro Modified Racing Association which will compete with the Quick 32 Sportsman Series at several of the events.”
 
A registered driver from the Quick 32 Sportsman Series Point Awards will be entered into a draw to take place at the yearend Champions Banquet for a Wiseco Piston kit from our AB09 or PT09 Automotive catalogues.
 
Wiseco Performance Products is a supplier and manufacturer of premium forged pistons and internal engine components. It has been serving racers and hot rodders since 1941. With locations in Ontario and Ohio, it is able to provide excellent customer service throughout North America.
 
“Wiseco is looking forward to becoming a long and staunch supporter of the Quick 32 Sportsman Series,” stated Quick 32 Sportsman Series Director of Operations Bruce Mehlenbacher. “We are pleased they are a part of this new racing venture.”
 
For more information regarding Wiseco Performance Products, go to www.wiseco.com
 
The Quick 32 Sportsman Series presented by NAPA Auto Parts, www.Quick32.ca will compete six times, several times with the Pro Modified Racing Association (PMRA), www.PMRA.ca, as well as selected special events, offering fans a great show of drag racing.
 
For 2009, dates include Toronto Motorsports Park in Cayuga, Ontario, starting with the season opener on May 16 and 17 and the season-closer on September 19 and 20, at St. Thomas Dragway on July 11 and 12, and the South-western Ontario track of the Grand Bend Motorplex on June 27 and 28, August 8 and 9 and September 5 and 6.
 
For more information, contact Bruce F. Mehlenbacher Bruce@Quick32.ca
 
About the Quick 32 Sportsman Series presented by NAPA Auto Parts:
The Quick 32 Sportsman Series presented by NAPA Auto Parts, www.Quick32.ca, of drag racing was started early in 2009 as an alternative for high-horsepower Sportsman-class teams to compete on a regular basis.
 
With 32-car qualified fields comprised of the 16 quickest open wheeled cars (Top Dragster) and the 16 quickest door cars (Top Sportsman), the Quick 32 Sportsman Series will feature the best in ET-style, dial-in drag racing, competing on a Sportsman ladder and will pit door-slammers against dragsters in every race day final.
 
Competitors in this Ontario-based series must comply with the IHRA Top Dragster and Top Sportsman Safety rules and regulations, and the maximum dial-in will be 7.95 seconds for the quarter-mile.
 
This new venture is providing $3000 to win for each event and $5000 for the annual point award series champion, payouts very popular with competitors and will provide large fields of race cars.
 
The Quick 32 Sportsman Series is committed in providing a professional atmosphere for its teams. It will also provide solid media and logistic support to ensure it becomes one of the most popular drag race series running Top Sportsman and Top Dragster race cars.
 

For more information, please contact:
 
Bruce F. Mehlenbacher
Director of Operations
Telephone: (905) 772-1800 Ext. #22
Cellular: (905) 517-5345
 
Tim Miller
Media Director
Telephone: (905) 870-1456

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