Bill Ott Story

Sunday, June 6

D - Day

3:15 AM

Schubert, Pennsylvania

Little Victories

Ed Sarkisian (left) congratulates ‘Sy’ Sidebotham on his Top Eliminator victory at the 1960 “Big Little Go’

As you step out in the night,

take a lesson from the trees...

watch the way they’ve learned to bend,

with each and every blowin’ breeze...

Little victories*

The radio is tuned to the AM band as I drive Eastbound on I-78. Art Bell (Coast To Coast AM) is interviewing some guy about man-made diseases when station break time rolls around. As Mr. Bell closes out this segment of the program the sound of his sinister chuckle fades into ‘Riders On The Storm’** by the Doors. Talk about your gloomy music for a gloomy morning. No, the wipers are NOT ‘keeping perfect rhythm to the song on the radio’***, not even close to it. I’d bet they’re moving about three times as fast as the music, and still can’t keep the windshield clear!

The sign from the truck stop at Exit 16 couldn’t have appeared on the horizon at a better time. It’s huge blue letters on the white background shining like a beacon on this dark stormy morning. Stopping out front of the truck stop, I switch off the engine and sit and listen to the rain hammering on the roof of the car. It started pouring in these parts Friday night and hasn’t let up a lick yet.

But I did get to spend some ‘quality time’ with the grandkids at the ‘All Ford Nationals’ over at the Carlisle Fairgrounds all day Friday before the rains came. I know, I know... one hell of a place for a Mopar guy, but there IS hope. The ‘All Chrysler Nationals’ (1) will happen at the very same place the weekend of July 10^th... which happens to be the same weekend as the York U.S. 30 Musclecar Madness/Reunion at the York Fairgrounds (2). Plus, the ‘All Chrysler’ drags at South Mountain on Friday night (July 9^th) AND the York U.S. 30 Nostalgia Super Stock Nationals happen Sunday (July 11^th) at Beaver Springs Dragway (3). Now tell me we don’t we live in exciting times.

But enough gibberish, crass commercial messages, and discussions about the elements... we’ve got some traveling to do. About 365 miles to cover this morning. Our Destination? Seekonk Speedway, Seekonk Massachusetts. And what would have me out here driving at this hour of the morning? Simple... The Seventh Annual Charleston Dragway Reunion/Ed Sarkisian Show. And ain’t no rainy skies or gloomy music gonna make me miss this deal, or not be pumped up when I get there.

Speaking of getting pumped up, I ran inside (no walking in THIS rain), loaded up the ‘ol 20oz. spill proof cup with coffee, visited briefly with some folks I used to see a lot more often when I was driving the big trucks, and ran back out to the car (damned rain!). Eastbound once more, I figure the caffeine ought to kick in about Allentown. THEN we’ll be rockin’! Which reminds me... I gotta find something better on the radio. Between Art Bell’s gloomy predictions of impending doom, Jim Morrison singing ‘There’s a Killer on the road - his brain is squirming like a toad’**, and all of the talk about the passing of President Reagan, I’m dangerously close to getting bummed out.

But there doesn’t seem to be anything worth listening to on the radio, and a quick check through the cassette tapes finds nothing appropriate either. Well... the coffees’ all gone, and just a little west of Allentown the rain stopped. A few more miles and the road has dried off. So who needs guitar music anyway? It’s still dark and the road’s still deserted (and dry). Maybe I’ll just listen to the music of the radials rolling on the concrete. Yep, this is more like it... made it through that stormy weather just fine.

Little victories.

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“All in all the meet brought together the best cars in the Northeast and proved that consistency is still needed to take the big wins. That and a bit of luck thrown in. An added sidelight was the fact that this was the first two day event held in Rhode Island which was not postponed or held up by rain. The Southern New England Timing Association are also known as the “Rainmakers of Charleston” a title earned through many, many cancellations and postponements ---

all due to rain!”

Wish I’d said that. But I didn’t, I just borrowed the above highlighted (and damn near clairvoyant) paragraph from the November 1960 issue of Hot Rod Magazine (pg. 52 - 54). That paragraph is part of a three page spread titled “Big Little Go”. A marvelously written piece covering the NHRA Bonus Points Regional Meet at the Charleston Dragway, just prior to the “Big Go” (as the U.S. Nationals used to be known) held at the Detroit Dragway over the long Labor Day weekend. The author of the piece? Ed Sarkisian.

Dubbed “New England’s dean of hot rod scribes” by Arnie Schuman (#1), Ed’s journalistic talents first surfaced in 1956 as the Southern New England Timing Association’s Public Relations writer, eventually leading to a stint as editor of the Southern New England Timing Association’s publication ‘Rod Journal’. During this same time period Ed also served as a Regional Advisor for the NHRA. A few years later Ed and wife Marge moved to Southern California when Ed was offered the job as editor of the NHRA’s new house organ ‘National Dragster’. He followed up that gig with a tour at the now defunct AHRA, this time as THEIR public relations guy. The feature above that I borrowed from probably was the first piece Ed penned for Hot Rod Magazine. I found some earlier things he did for Drag News starting with the June 2^nd, 1960 issue.

In ‘62 the Sarkisians returned to the New England area where Ed pursued a nine to five job, but still kept pounding out those huge event coverage features as well as numerous features on New England based cars and personalities. They must have numbered in the hundreds!

Unfortunately Ed was later diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (M.S.) and by the time 1973 rolled around Ed ‘received a disability retirement ‘(*1). A former Marine, Ed moved into the Rhode Island Veterans Home in 1985. Despite the handicap, this gentlemen stands six foot six in the eyes of all who are fortunate enough to have met him. And I guarantee you, he’s been a genuine inspiration to this wanna be journalist. You see... Ed even types out a column for the Veteran Home’s newsletter... one letter/key at a time.

Little victories.

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Sunday, June 6 - 8:30 AM

Seekonk Speedway

Seekonk, Mass.

Old route 6 is already alive with traffic as I make the left turn into the Speedway parking lot. The Reunion is not actually held in the Speedway itself, but on a large grassy area adjacent to the Speedway parking lot. So if you can find the Speedway... you’ve found the Reunion. You remember the old saying “getting there is half the fun?” Well this part of “getting there” is always one of the highlights of this deal for me... walking up to the entrance and telling the guys selling tickets... “ Don’t need a ticket... I’m on the VIP list.” Yes sir, Bob George and wife Mary Jane always roll out the Red Carpet for me. Although I have no idea why? But damn, they’re good people.

And so is the small army of friends and neighbors that see that this thing comes off as smooth as it does every year. Stopped and chatted with Jack Fowler, who has worked the Show Car entrance for all of these seven years. Jack sees to it that the Show Cars and the passenger cars use the correct entrance. After you pass through Jack’s station, your next stop will be at the Show Car Registration booth, manned by none other than Jack’s wife Lorraine.

Jack Fowler - working the Show Car gate since the Reunion’s inception

Lorraine Fowler - welcomes a Rhode Island based Deuce

Then you find a good spot to park somewhere on the grass... and head for the huge canopy (heretofore referred to as the ‘Big Top’) that you passed on the way in. That’s where the coffee and donuts will be found. And unfortunately on this Sunday morning... almost all of today’s attendees. Dark clouds along with a pesky heavy mist have invaded the area. I’ve had dry roads since Pennsyltucky and no more than a few minutes after I arrived here, this crap started. I won’t mention this to anyone... in case later someone wants to blame the ugly weather on me! But then again, Ed was writing about the effects these here Charleston Dragway folks have on the weather... forty years ago!!!

The first familiar faces I see under the Big Top are Jack Brady (Assistant Event Organizer and Altered Builder / Racer par excellent) along with the rest of the Brady Bunch. Jack brought the Brady & Mahan Fiat again this year, and son Pat brought his home built custom mini - chopper powered by an alcohol burning Junior Dragster mill... cool. Jack’s wife Suzy brought a picnic basket.

The camera shy duo of Bob “Bear” George (left) and Jack Brady - Bear is the brains and brawn behind the Reunion

Hey... there’s a lot of familiar faces around here now. Fred Hire is manning a table along with the rest of the members of the Push Rods of Waltham (Mass.). The Push Rods are one of the oldest still active (if not THE oldest) car clubs in the Northeast. Established back in 1957 by Fred and Bill Chaplis, the club has had a rich and colorful history. Member Pete Hamilton got interested in the roundy-round stuff, wound up driving for Team Petty, and in 1970 won both the Daytona 500 and the Talladega 500 Grand National races. Big time stuff, no?

Then there was the time they set and lost a NHRA Record for the B/Modified Roadster class in really close proximity. I’ll let member Terry Gauthier tell it in his own words.......... “On July 4^th 1960 the club set a ‘new national record’ in the B/MR class. It was at the Divisional Championship held at the Atco, N.J. strip. Wayne Murray was the driver that day with a time of 12.13 at 119 mph. This was great for the club but short lived. In those days records were broken every weekend. On this particular weekend three hours later, Dick Kalivoda broke the Push Rod record at Pacific Raceway in Seattle, WA. With a 120.32 mph run. So we held the record for three hours --- that’s the way it was back then.” (*2). The Deuce Roadster also took Top Eliminator at one of those “Big Little Go” meets mentioned earlier.

The table was covered with memorabilia about the club and features about their wild rear (mid) engined, nailhead Buick powered dragster. The digger featured a unique supercharger borrowed from an Allison airplane engine. But the boys had to leave a little space somewhere on the table, because during this afternoon’s Awards Ceremony the Push Rods are going to receive the ‘Club Spotlight’ (thanks Jack) award. They deserve it!

Little victories

Members of the Push Rods of Waltham and the ‘Club Spotlight’ award photo courtesy of Mark Hovsepian (5)

Back out on the Show Field the mist has gotten pretty serious but it still doesn’t stop your intrepid reporter from walking the grounds and checking out the cool machinery (some people really DON’T have sense enough to come in out of the rain!). But my old pal Jeff Howe had enough sense to bring a car cover for his beautiful five window Deuce Coupe, which we stretched across the coupe in anticipation of heavier rains.

Elsewhere on the field most of the older competition cars were parked close together as all were anticipating a mini ‘cacklefest’ later in the day. Included in the group was a way cool... get this... all steel Fiat Topolino coupe that Ed Perry had rescued from a miserable life as a home for various breeds of weeds, plants, and other assorted things that go bump in the night. The old Fiat had obviously seen duty years ago as an Altered, but... that was a long time ago. Didn’t get a chance to chat with Ed about his future plans for the car but it’s gonna be a big project.

Right behind the Topolino was Bob Medeirus’ “Iron Butterfly” (In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida, Baby!**1) A/Fuel Dragster. The blown Hemi mill appeared to be still under construction, but the V.J.C. (Vinnie Catalano) Fabrication built chassis was some pretty pipe. Next to the Butterfly’s trailer sat Frank Wade’s beautiful red, white, and blue “Freedom Machine”. The crew kept the Frank Huzar (Race Car Specialties) built, Tom Hanna bodied digger in the trailer waiting for the mist to stop.

One car that did sit outside and got the show off to a good start was Ray Helger of the Helger Brothers Speed Shop’s wild ‘72 Mustang BB/Funny Car. “Ohio George” Montgomery originally campaigned the Mark Williams built beauty. And it didn’t just sit outside quietly, oh no. The boys fired up the big 427" overhead cam Ford motor to the delight of all present. Cool way to liven up an dreary Sunday morning. Everyone loved it!

The Ellison & McGarvey Willys coupe’s wild paint scheme was a real attention grabber

A quick look around the grounds revealed a bitchin ‘33 Willys Coupe has snuck on the grounds when my back was turned. Gotta go over for a closer look. Bob Ellison has brought the beautiful psychedelic blue Ellison & McGarvey coupe over from Peabody, Mass. The coupe is a regular competitor on the East Coast Gasser Association (4) circuit as well as some of the Goodguys events.

Back under the Big Top who should I stumble into but old friend Arnie Shuman. I’m sure by now everyone is familiar with Arnie’s book “Cool Cars Square Roll Bars”. He told me it has sold out of it’s first printing. And it’s no wonder... it’s a damn good history of the early days at the drags up here in the great Northeast. If you don’t have a copy... shame on ya’. Perhaps a second run is in order? Congrats again Arnie.

Ran into Mark Hovsepian a few times today. Mark was working the show field with that very impressive digital camera of his. Mrs. Mazi - Hovsepian (Dawn) wasn’t here today, but both of them will be working the starting line at the Goodguys - Indy meet. ‘Tis the start of their ‘busy season’. Grabbed a copy of a cool poster they’ve put together.

It may not sound like much,

But it’ll mean a lot… you’ll see,

Every hour you survive

Will turn out to be

Little victories*

At precisely 11:30 AM that familiar white mini-bus from the Rhode Island Veterans Home pulls into the grounds. This can only mean one thing... Guest Of Honor Ed Sarkisian has arrived. As some of us gather near the ramp of the bus it’s just a matter of a minute or two before Ed makes his exit/entrance. And Ed looks like he’s up for this today... grinning from ear to ear, and so is his assistant Benny as they make their way to Ed’s special place at the head of the table under the Big Top. I was one of the first to get a chance to chat with him and his charming wife Marge. I passed along greetings from a few friends who couldn’t be here today. When I mentioned Steve Gibbs’ name the man’s face lit up. Seems that Mr. Gibbs has got friends everywhere. There’s a long line of friends waiting to visit with this Sarkisian guy too. So after what’s always too short of a visit I move along.

The victorious smile says it all

Ready for a great barbeque chicken lunch? Well I am, and it looks like I came to the right place. Sat down with Jack and Suzy Brady (thanks for saving my place, Suzy) and a table full of strangers, but got to know everyone before lunch was over. Race cars and weather are always great conversation starters, and there’s lots of both to talk about. Speaking of the former... that damn clouds and mist just ain’t going away. Now that lunch is over, I think it’s time to trot over to Sy Sidebotham’s transporter/museum/mobile home and hang with Sy, Tom (Tuna) Steed, and Tim... and stand in a dry spot for a while.

Tom ‘Tuna’ Steed (back to camera), ‘Sy’ Sidebotham, and the King & Marshall AA/FD stayed inside today

Maybe I should have called ahead and reserved a spot? Man, it’s crowded in here. But it’s OK. I’m surrounded by a great bunch of people all talking about... you guessed it... drag racing. Why hell, just standing here listening to the conversations between Jeff Howe and Don Roberts (former Jade Grenade pilot) I’m ready to build a blower and put an engine together. NOT! Plus... off in another corner we’ve got Tuna and Donny Gianquitto (Div. 1 A/Fuel racer) discussing the mysterious ways of NITROMETHANE. Don and I also had a great time identifying (or at least - trying to identify) some long ago forgotten dragsters from a great bunch of old black and white photos someone brought (sorry, can’t recall who). Now bear in mind, all of this reminiscing, identifying, and showing off is being done as we’re all standing around Sy’s Don Long built 1969 version of the beautiful King & Marshall AA/FD. AND it’s warm and dry in here! Time to be redundant - “It don’t get NO better than this”!

But alas, it doesn’t appear that any more cars are gonna ‘cackle’ today. Matter of fact, sticking my now dry head outside and checking out the grounds, reveals a half empty show car field. And the mini-bus from the Veterans Home ain’t here! Damn... once again I’ve missed about half of the goings on here at The Charleston Reunion. The moment of silence, the speeches, the awards ceremony... all over. Jeez... now I really feel bad about not standing out in the wetlands and witnessing all of that.

But hey, all kidding aside, the awards ceremony was special this year. Among those handed out was the previously mentioned award to the Push Rods. And another writer from days gone by was honored. The late Art Irwin III’s award was graciously accepted by his daughter. And a moment of silence was observed for Ralph Bannister who passed away over the winter. Ralph and his brother Fran ran a flathead powered digger that regularly beat on the overhead valve guys like an old bass drum. Thanks Ralph.

After helping Sy and crew clean up and close up the transporter it appears that everyone has left. As I’m heading for towards the parking lot anticipating the long drive back home I spot Bob and Mary Jane George. They appear to be ready to kick back, take a day off, and then start planning next year’s event. They also deserve another pat on the back and an ‘attaboy’ and ‘attagirl’. They did a good job of tying up all the loose ends and insuring a good time for all... AGAIN.

Little victories

More old B.S. later

Badco

Forward advice, rebuttals, and death threats to badco@comcast.net

A sad footnote here... Sunday (June 13) Bob Ellison was competing the Ellison & McGarvey coupe at The Goodguys meet at Indianapolis and crashed hard during a race with the Prock & Howell A/GS entry. He was admitted to a local hospital and placed in ICU. Bob’s wife Shirley flew in from Boston to be at his side. I'm sorry to have to report that Bob succumbed to his injuries on Friday June 25th. Some money was collected at the track and John Olcott of the East Coast Gassers established a fund to help with the Ellison's medical bills, As is usually the case within the racing family, the outpouring of help and well wishes was heart warming.

After hearing the tragic news this morning I contacted Mr. Olcott to inquire if they (ECG) were still accepting donations, he recommend that all future donations and/or sympathy cards be sent to

Bob's widow as follows:

SHIRLEY ELLISON

12 ELM STREET

PEABODY, MA. 01960