Memphis Rodders Reunion RSS Feed

Lakeland Speedbowl

lkkphoto@gmail.com — 2008-07-29T00:36:14-05:00

Sure, Riverside Speedway has been around since almost the dawn of time and has a grand history all it's own, but this place seemed to serve a most basic need for speed as homemade race cars competed on this almost flat circle of a racetrack. ...After all, it's all part of the bigger story of how these hot rods and their drivers became the seriously organized racing scene that exists today, and it's also a part of what was a diverse array of racing competition that was contested around the Memphis area in past years.

The Saga of Zot

lkkphoto@gmail.com — 2008-07-01T07:50:36-05:00

It came to be known as 'Zot' during this time frame, as most self respecting drag cars of the era had to have a cool name, so this racer was named after a popular character in the B.C. comic strip. ...His rebuild gave the car a new purpose as a nostalgic street runner complete with flathead power and remnants of it's last paint job still intact, and we can be glad that he did.

NHRR Recap

lkkphoto@gmail.com — 2008-06-23T00:22:36-05:00

As shown in the photo above, all manner of unusual machinery was seen at Beech Bend, including a replica of the very first Ramchargers drag car. Yes, the headers are from outer space, and take the notion of "fenderwell exit" to a new dimension, but it is what was. ...The King and Marshall top fuel dragster did one of these short sprints as they usually do, but the grip on the track surface must have been real good this year as the car almost did a backflip as it teetered on one slick immediately after hitting the loud pedal.

Push Start Down Memory Lane

lkkphoto@gmail.com — 2008-06-20T00:32:00-05:00

It appears that there are four such clips of the restored Stephens & Venables top fuel dragster over at the video repository known as You Tube, but I think this one says it all in hand held video camera glory....

Last Call for NHRR

lkkphoto@gmail.com — 2008-06-11T02:21:19-05:00

It's simply a well cared for 30 year old flopper that has received just enough re-hab to appear periodically and remind us what a real funny car was before they became the brutally fast but mostly unrecognizable cars that compete today. ...So just in case you haven't made long range plans to be at Beech Bend Raceway this weekend, you still have a couple of days left to make it happen.

Last Minute Thrash

lkkphoto@gmail.com — 2008-06-01T16:28:37-05:00

Now that the 2008 National Hot Rod Reunion looms as a targeted goal for completion, the wick is being turned up to complete the paint, lettering, and install various minor detailing pieces so that the car can make it's debut in Bowling Green.... As you can probably tell from the photos I made today, the tape has been laid out, and the painter is on his way, so it should be fully clothed by mid June if all goes as planned.

Gopher State Twin

lkkphoto@gmail.com — 2008-05-15T23:21:44-05:00

There were occasional twins in Top Fuel, but they found more success in the Top Gas wars, a hotly contested category of drag racing which emerged in the post nitro ban era and lasted until it was unceremoniously nixed in 1972. ...Yet this is the car that drew Ted to race car restoration, and the nobility of preserving the history of drag racing for future enthusiasts to enjoy.

Digest Magazines

lkkphoto@gmail.com — 2008-05-06T01:50:19-05:00

Follow along for a few months, and you'll see coverage of the NHRA Nationals in Detroit wherein Ray Godman, and Red Dyer won the A/MR roadster class and went on to the runner-up spot in top eliminator. ...You can probably still hide them in your history book, just in case you don't want your teacher to know what you're really reading, but it's OK to look upon them with newfound pride and find out how something old can be new again.

Coupe de Cool

lkkphoto@gmail.com — 2008-04-22T23:14:59-05:00

He's the same 'Captain' Jack that refurbished his late uncles 32 Ford roadster (built in the 1940's) and brought it to the 2006 reunion complete with a centrifugally supercharged flathead, Ardun style head covers and a bare metal finish. ...Built the way it used to be done before anybody had any money, and nobody but a true hot rodder cared about cast off Ford coupes that had been left for dead.

2008 Rodders Reunion Plans Announced

lkkphoto@gmail.com — 2008-04-17T23:29:48-05:00

As is usual, there will be good food, great camaraderie, and a multimedia presentation that will pay homage to the accomplishments of the honored guests. ...As the reunion seems to grow in popularity annually, it is inevitable that we will eventually sell out of available tickets, so don't get left out.

Klyce Motors 1952

lkkphoto@gmail.com — 2008-03-26T01:20:06-05:00

Not the average out of focus scrapbook image, this razor sharp photo is the result of the 4X5 inch negative that the Graflex press cameras of the day produced, and lends an almost surreal look back to see what a hot rod club did some 56 years ago. Many thanks to the Commercial Appeal for allowing this photo to be used on this web site. ...It was always a well maintained hot rod with a history that never strayed far from the look seen in the photo, but David has raised the bar and made subtle changes that have returned it's appearance more to it's mid 1950's look.

Return to Thunder Valley

lkkphoto@gmail.com — 2008-03-07T02:23:17-06:00

Robilio, Gilbert Bugg - B/Altered Charlie Edgin & (partner not remembered) - C/G Dragster Arthur Trim, Pat Williams, Albert Scipper - C/Gas Dragster Bill Davis & (partner not remembered) - B/Gas Dragster Leland Stanton & Ralph Freeman - D/Gas Dragster Tommy Calhoun & Gene McClanahan - AA/F Dragster ...After the 1967 edition of the NHRA Spring Nationals, things changed as the customary spring race weekend moved on to Englishtown New Jersey for one year, and then on to the new but short lived super track known as Dallas International Motor Speedway.

Ingenuity in Action

lkkphoto@gmail.com — 2008-03-06T18:21:34-06:00

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Two-Lane Memories

lkkphoto@gmail.com — 2008-02-25T21:55:58-06:00

Although not unexpected, and the hand writing has been on the wall for years, it looks like this old haunt is finally about to be "re-developed" into something that will erase all evidence that it ever existed. ...It looks like it's up to us that frequented the place to keep some memories of the old track alive, because it's bones are being scraped away and the strip is being paved over to make room for a new condominium or some such.

Shop Till You Drop

lkkphoto@gmail.com — 2008-02-25T00:43:40-06:00

Larry also has a web store on his site, where you can obtain the wicked cool 'Hawaiian' T-Shirt that was available at last year's reunion, as well as a poster of the famous flopper. More goods to come here as well, so add Larry's site to your bookmarks, and note that it's also on the Memphis Rodders links page.

Mr. 4 Speed

lkkphoto@gmail.com — 2008-02-05T00:12:09-06:00

Local Memphis area drag racer Herb McCandless made a name for himself as a serious threat in the Super Stock wars of the 1960's and by the time 1970 rolled around, he was in on the ground floor of the Pro Stock era.... He then opened Herb McCandless Performance in Burlington North Carolina where he served the drag racing community as a Hemi engine expert, and did considerable development work on Chrysler small block engines for the next 22 years.

1967 NHRA Springnationals

lkkphoto@gmail.com — 2008-01-19T03:37:31-06:00

I've poured through all the articles about the race that are in my stash of moth eaten magazines, and they pretty well confirm that the Memphis Rodders left their mark at the Springnationals. ...I know that at least a few of you occasionally look at this site who have the inside scoop on the spring of 1967, so consider passing some of that information along via e-mail or a blog comment and shed some light on what happened for those of us who are curious.

Reunion Donation Presented

lkkphoto@gmail.com — 2007-11-29T00:46:29-06:00

Those of us that weren't there when the Memphis Rodders made the whole rodding and racing scene happen around Memphis get a great look back at our local hot rod history, and have a chance to mix it up with some of the true pioneers of our pastime. ...A hearty "Thank You" to every attendee for making the reunion a continuing success, and insuring that donations like this are possible for such a worthy cause.

NHRR Returns to Bowling Green

lkkphoto@gmail.com — 2007-11-19T21:53:21-06:00

The event left last year for the larger grounds of National Trail Raceway in Columbus Ohio, but apparently some infrastructure improvements to Beech Bend, and a general fondness for the rustic Kentucky track has caused a change of heart. ...You'll see restored race cars you thought were long gone at this event, and many of the people that shaped hot rodding and drag racing into what it is today.

2007 Memphis Rodders Reunion Largest Ever

lkkphoto@gmail.com — 2007-11-19T00:47:57-06:00

It's now Steve's personal hot rod, but both Steve and Don were present at the reunion and everyone was impressed with the quality of the restoration, and with the original ideas Don used when he created this stunner some 48 years ago. A big thanks to Steve for bringing this red beauty in from Martin TN for everyone to enjoy. ...Ted was kind enough to tow the fabled flopper to Memphis for this years reunion, and Larry Reyes was on hand to visit with anyone and everyone who recalled his days as the driver of this once feared drag racing icon.

Larry Reyes & the 'Hawaiian' to be Featured at Reunion

lkkphoto@gmail.com — 2007-10-17T23:28:06-05:00

Larry Reyes was on hand to reclaim his old seat for the 'Cacklefest' and the cars original owner and event grand marshall Roland Leong, was also present before legions of admiring drag race fans. ...Seeing the notorious 'Hawaiian' flopper is enough reason to make this years Rodders Reunion a "must see" event, but an added bonus will be a photo slide show prepared from images made at both the CHRR and the NHRR of the 'Hawaiian' just for the Memphis Rodders Reunion audience.

Brasfield 36 Ford Restored

lkkphoto@gmail.com — 2007-10-17T02:14:57-05:00

A competitor at drag races on the airstrip at Halls TN, and then given the show car treatment in 1958 and returned to street duty, this exceptional car blends hot rod and custom touches into one special machine. ...Chrome reverse wheels with wide whitewall tires, a louvered hood, and custom nerf bars round out the most obvious nostalgic features of this car. The perfect red paint just screams "hot rod".

Memphis Rodders Website Online

lkkphoto@gmail.com — 2007-10-17T01:38:40-05:00

Visit this website to keep abreast of all the latest news regarding future Memphis Rodders reunions. You will also find coverage of past reunions, historical information, and items of special interest on these pages.