What happened to the Mulholland "King of the Hill" RSR? - Page 34

CRE · 03-07-2007, 05:01 PM

GEEZ, WHAT A SELF PROMOTER!

CRE · 03-07-2007, 05:03 PM

HEY TRE CUP, YA GOT THE HARDWARE AS SHOWN BY LBU2 TO BACK IT UP?

TRE Cup · TRE Cup's Garage

Nope- we got bored with waiting around- they give the trophies out at the end of the night , and the stench of the over fried chicken wafting into the stands was terrible.
Lil Tujunga was a much better attraction

CRE · 03-07-2007, 05:17 PM

HEY DAVE, WHEN DID YOU FIRST FIND YOURSELF ON MULHOLLAND?
I WAS ATTEMPTING TO SCRATCH THE GREY MATTER AND FIGURE OUT WHEN I FIRST MET EVEYONE.
FIRST PEOPLE I REMEMBER WERE JAY W., JOHN N., RICH G. AFTER THAT IT GETS FOGGY. I'M CERTAIN GLENN M. WAS HANGING WITH RICH G AT THE TIME.

SEEMED A BUNCH OF THOSE GUYS WERE WORKING AT A PIZZA PLACE IN THE VALLEY AND WERE PRETTY SET ON BRINGING THE PLACE TO IT'S FINANCIAL KNEES. TOMMY MIGHT HAVE WORKED AT THE SAME PLACE.

TRE Cup · TRE Cup's Garage

Jacopo's on the corner of moorpark and woodman. When a a-hole client would call in, they would spit on the pizza before putting it in the oven!
I always remembered to tip well to OTHER pizza places after seeing that! They probably were responsible for its demise

In 1969 my parents finally allowed me to drive the family Tempest out at night. Hey, graduation was coming soon and I stopped doing stupid stuff with my driving in front of them.
I was allowed to do a few mods (some- like the konis all around- they knew nothing about) as i could afford it. The hot tire at the time was the Delta T/A 60 wide oval ! I drove thru at night a few times, but was intimidated by so many people and all the fast cars. There was no way I was going to challenge the mini's, xke's, elans, and certainly not the "Trans Am" contingent (the Boss 302, Firebirds, set up early Z -28's) that came up in 70-71. It was really rowdy too with all the people.
I forget who i met first from the CRE group. I did teach myself how to handle a heavy under braked, underpowered car by going back and forth several afternoons a week after school. What approach and exit worked the best in maintaining the same speed. I kept raising the speed slightly as I learned the cornering sensations , the car's response to inputs, and pretty soon, I had a decent "mastery" of the Poncho and the road.
Bowmont was hardly parked on after the BIG BUST of the MRA group. So i would park there and eventually met all you guys.

Jeff Hail · 03-07-2007, 06:47 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by TRE Cup
Ego Challenge at Saugus Speedway: There was a 1/4 mile basically flat oval bull ring just north of L.A. where the stock cars, demo derbies, figure 8, and "train" races would take place on weekend nights. One of the POC guys told us about the Ego Challenge. For $10 you got to do 2 laps and set a time. They would send the cars out one at a time. The fastest of the evening receives a trophy.
My brother took his 911 RS clone- 3 liter RSR style engine, R compound tires, set up suspension. Fast tight car as we had taken 3rd overall in the 86 Tribute to Le Mans enduro. I took one of our Mini Cooper S's. You arrive well ahead of time before the real events , so the promotor helps fill the stands and patronage of the ever present smell coming from the Fried Chicken Stand. (Dang announcer just could not shut up pushing that chicken! )
Anyway, we perused the competition in the paddock prior to lining up. Amongst the cars were some sports cars, Honda Civic, and some Americun Iron. One of which was piloted by this woman that had apparently invested a LOT in her EGO Challenge car: 69 Z 28 all set up with offset rims on one side, weight jacking, automatic with quickshift, suspension, totally stripped and lightened.
Hmm... Ya' think she took this seriously? You betcha! We found out she was the reigning overall time lap champion and had not been defeated.
So we line up, I go out first in the mini. It does not like long flat turns at all. I was pushing (gotta use the right terms considering where i was) huge! Alas- you only get 1.75 laps from a dead start so that was it for me- I sucked

My brother, Jim, was further back in the line and went out to do his lap(s). The stock car racers were watching from the pit fence and immediately recognized something fast was on the track. I overheard comments like " Da*n fast corner speed" and " He's gettin thru there pretty good" . Jim was indeed doing a terrific job; the rear end was hanging out just right for the second lap. The announcer then told everyone that this lil porch set a new track record for the Ego Challenge ! Oh this was soooo.. cool !!
Well, the lady in the set up Camaro was visibly upset. This teutonic back motored back a** dragging car had whupped her. It came time for her to run. The announcer was making something of it to- " Will she take back her record?"
So out she goes- she drove straight across the track to the other side so she could get the turns 3/4 and the whole straight to warm up (Apparently this was allowed in the rules, but as novices we knew nothing about it)
She ripped and snorted thru the turns, sliding the back end out just right. Not good enough ! Porsche came and whupped a**

To celebrate we took Little Tujunga back to the valley and had a great time "road racing" . Something we understood a whole lot more than just turning left

Joe Volkommer was the Announcer slash Chicken Salesman at Saugus. Dave is right Joe could not stay quiet. I hate fried chicken because of him.

Then we had the Peanut Man. This guy was hard-sell, would chuck a bag of nuts at you and then yell "thats a dollar". Reminded me of a rodeo clown.

I do recall a Porsche tearing up a Camaro in the Ego Challenge. If the grey matter is with it that same night a guy brought a gorgeous Plum Crazy purple 67 Fury Convertible and made that thing go like a mutha. Those old Fury's were the size of a house. Same night a poor guy with a really nice maroon 70 Mustang brought the rear end around into the wall and bought a quarter panel for his $10.00 entry fee and a tow home.

Dave,
Lindy Hornaday (Ron Hornadays wife) used to run a street Camaro in the Powder Puff & Ego Challenge races back then. She was actually pretty fast. Car was street legal setup for the roundy round. I wonder if that was her?

Adding a little history George Barris the famous Kustomizer used to race Saugus Speedway when he was a bit younger. (George on the right geting ready to chop a roof)

Chuck Miller · 08:16 PM

I was shot-gunning for my buddy Hector from mid '66 to mid '69 when I bought Hectors old '59 Alfa spider when I was 20 and started do'n the deal on my own... The MRA was just starting up around then....

One person of note at that time was a guy with a huge hippie fro, coke-bottle glasses, and a quick smile named Jim Martini (never sure if that was his real name) he drove a very fast white and primer 'Sprigit' with a BUILT 1275, straight-cut close gear box, Goodyear Bluestreaks, and aircraft landing lights on the front... I remember getting a couple of rides with Jim thinking that it looked like you were pushing a fully lit stadium in front of you...

... Ya'know this thread is a little cathartic... in the sense like a veteran who doesn't talk much about his experiences because no one would really get it.... then starts talking to other vets...

Cheers,

Jeff Hail · 03-07-2007, 07:24 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Chuck Miller
I was shot-gunning for my buddy Hector for mid '66 to mid '69 when I bought Hectors old '59 Alfa spider when I was 20 and started do'n the deal on my own... The MRA was just starting up around then....

One person of note at that time was a guy with a huge hippie fro, coke-bottle glasses, and a quick smile named Jim Martini (never sure if that was his real name) he drove a very fast white and primer 'Sprigit' with a BUILT 1275, straight-cut close gear box, Goodyear Bluestreaks, and aircraft landing lights on the front... I remember getting a couple of rides with Jim thinking that it looked like you were pushing a fully lit stadium in front of you...

... Ya'know this thread is a little cathartic... in the sense like a veteran who doesn't talk much about his experiences because no one would really get it.... then starts talking to other vets...

Cheers,

Chuck,
Anyone here who grew up back then gets it. I almost busted a rib on the "hippie-fro" remark. This thread is definitely a purge of sorts for all car things past. Boring? By all means not. I would say it has even given us back a couple of years. Who needs Ginkgo Boloba when we have this thread? Considering the span of time the Mulholland episode's have crossed, the participants involved and experiences shared its very cool. The spirit is still alive.

"hippie-fro",hahaha, "brillo-head"hahahahaaha
Thanks I needed a good laugh today.

groundeffect · 03-07-2007, 08:42 PM

Hey Banning...here is some more fodder for your book!

I raced Charlie one night in my hi-po Mustang and kept up! That is about as best as anyone could expect since Charlie had more tire, more horsepower and more nerve. My '65 Mustang was pretty trick with over 300 hp, all the suspension mods, lowered and with Goodyear slicks on 7" rims...but it was no match for Charlie's 427 Vette. Still, I knew the road well and of course, so did Charlie.

I was cruising past the pits one evening with a friend (I think it was Henry) heading towards Laurel Canyon when I pulled up behind Charlie in his Vette in the residential section between Coldwater and Laurel. I could see Charlie scoping me out in his rear view mirror, as we approached the first right hander leaving the residential area, Charlie hit it hard. I followed suit and we both were flying through the very tight esses that led to Laurel. Charlie's Vette looked as if it was on rails...no body sway, no nose diving, just pure acceleration and deceleration. It was all I could do to hold on and follow those taillights.

Charlie was sliding the Vet in every turn and using every bit of pavement. It was only his "clearing" of the road that gave me the courage to also dive deep into the oncoming lane. After four or five turns I was surprised that I was still hanging with him, but in retrospect, that section of Mulholland is so tight that Charlie couldn't take advantage of his horsepower. We continued on...left-right-left-right until something was wrong...my car was not handling right. It was wallowing and hard to steer...Charlie was slipping away and I couldn't figure out why. Then suddenly the flop-flop-flop started...I had a flat rear tire!

I limped my car through the final few turns before Laurel and pulled over on a side street. Charlie was stopped at the light and took off across Laurel as the light turned. He later apologized for leaving since he didn't know I had a flat. I have to admit that following him was the fastest I had ever been through that section of road. As far as I am concerned there is no doubt that Charlie was the king of the hill!

47Hammer · 03-07-2007, 08:53 PM

Hey groundeffect, what color was your Mustang? What year do you think that was? I think I was around that night..

groundeffect · 03-07-2007, 08:55 PM

Red 1965 coupe.

Chuck Miller · 03-08-2007, 05:03 AM

Hey guys,

I'm the moderator over at the Early S Registry message board and I started at thread a long time ago that has some pretty fun stuff on it.... kind'of'a then and now kind'a deal...check it out

http://www.early911sregistry.org/forum/showthread.php?t=3911&highlight=older

Cheers,

Jeff Hail · 03-08-2007, 05:57 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Chuck Miller
Hey guys,

I'm the moderator over at the Early S Registry message board and I started at thread a long time ago that has some pretty fun stuff on it.... kind'of'a then and now kind'a deal...check it out

http://www.early911sregistry.org/forum/showthread.php?t=3911&highlight=older

Cheers,

Way cool. A lot of talent behind the wheel back then. I was fortunate to see many turn laps here in SoCal.

Thanks,

CRE · 03-08-2007, 04:08 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by groundeffect
Red 1965 coupe.

The only red 'Stang coupe that I recall had bits of grey primer on it. And it was driven by "Rocky". This couldn't be Rocky is it?

TRE Cup · TRE Cup's Garage

yep- the one and only
remember when he and Bullwinkle got nailed by the cops for DUI on Ventura blvd (?)

LateBrakeU2 · 03-08-2007, 05:00 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by CRE
GEEZ, WHAT A SELF PROMOTER!

Shameless plug no doub't,i'm getting some big pimpin' in early so when producers find this thread they'll sign me for car gags in the feature-!

I seem to remember the announcer mentioning the record was held by a 600hp Camaro,don't know if it was that skirt or what year Jimmy ran it but we nipped it that night in the SSGT car.Ran some serious funky pressures for that one as it was all the adjustments you could make on an SS car.The east corner was way more off camber than the west one if memory serves correctly.There was one cat in his brand new S/C T-bird that backed er in n turn 3,He got out of the car, took a bow in front of his soon to be clipped ride..
And the place went wild

CRE · 03-08-2007, 05:27 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by groundeffect
Hey Banning...here is some more fodder for your book!

I raced Charlie one night in my hi-po Mustang and kept up! That is about as best as anyone could expect since Charlie had more tire, more horsepower and more nerve. My '65 Mustang was pretty trick with over 300 hp, all the suspension mods, lowered and with Goodyear slicks on 7" rims...but it was no match for Charlie's 427 Vette. Still, I knew the road well and of course, so did Charlie.

I was cruising past the pits one evening with a friend (I think it was Henry) heading towards Laurel Canyon when I pulled up behind Charlie in his Vette in the residential section between Coldwater and Laurel. I could see Charlie scoping me out in his rear view mirror, as we approached the first right hander leaving the residential area, Charlie hit it hard. I followed suit and we both were flying through the very tight esses that led to Laurel. Charlie's Vette looked as if it was on rails...no body sway, no nose diving, just pure acceleration and deceleration. It was all I could do to hold on and follow those taillights.

Charlie was sliding the Vet in every turn and using every bit of pavement. It was only his "clearing" of the road that gave me the courage to also dive deep into the oncoming lane. After four or five turns I was surprised that I was still hanging with him, but in retrospect, that section of Mulholland is so tight that Charlie couldn't take advantage of his horsepower. We continued on...left-right-left-right until something was wrong...my car was not handling right. It was wallowing and hard to steer...Charlie was slipping away and I couldn't figure out why. Then suddenly the flop-flop-flop started...I had a flat rear tire!

I limped my car through the final few turns before Laurel and pulled over on a side street. Charlie was stopped at the light and took off across Laurel as the light turned. He later apologized for leaving since he didn't know I had a flat. I have to admit that following him was the fastest I had ever been through that section of road. As far as I am concerned there is no doubt that Charlie was the king of the hill!

I had a run a Charlie one night also.

It was raining and my 510 had really good rain tires
(for street tires that is) Dave B and I caught up Charlie just past Coldwater-valley side. We ran up behind him as he was going pretty slow. He picked up the pace and shortly thereafter Dave spun. I checked the mirror and realized Dave wasn't in any trouble as the spin was slow and looked harmless so I kept after Charlie. Figuring the rain, my good tires and his slicks would qualize things.

By the time we hit Grandstands we were flying! Down the LH sweeper and I had it wooded in the rain, now was my chance!
Down hill and rain. I was about 5-6 car lengths back and driving waaaay over my head...just as fast as if we were in the dry, we entered Carl's turn then made the left then as I swept through the right and I looked down the road Charlie wasn't there! Remember now I was only about 5 car lengths back. Just enough for him to get around the corner and out of sight but not enought to KEEP out of sight for more than one turn.

I hammered it until Deadmans, pulled off to the left, jumped out of the car and ran to the top of the berm. I expected to see him entering the residential sweeper. NO! NOT A SIGN OF him.

Instantly I thought OMG he's gone over. So I slowly drove back up the hill looking for tell-tail signs that a car had gone 'over'. No signs.

I told a few friends of my 'race' and fear that Charlie had gone over trying to stay on the wet road with slicks, stiff suspension and all that HP.

Days later we were hanging out and here comes Charlie making a run up the hill! Truth was that right after Carls turn he decieded to stop messing around and flat a-s left me!
And him on those stupid half-baked Goodyear slicks.

I remember when he was on a run and going uphill from Carls turn he'd shift gears and that thing just disappeard only to re-appear 4-5 car lengths further up the road. There was this distance that you didn't even see the car!!! Kind like time travel I suppose. That thing was Voodoo man. Not from this world.

He will forever be the KING OF MULHOLLAND to me.

Maltese Falcon · 03-08-2007, 06:16 PM

Still checking out Kirkwood Dr. for any signs of Charlies 4WD Olds.
Jeff R. that sold him the vette tells me that Charlie's mom( Estelle) is about 101 years old right now and proll'y still lives at home there

Here's a vintage shot of my '69 SS350 --trophies are from Lions dragstrip, taken in another part of laurel canyon Mt. Olympus--when these were just lots for sale. In the view south you can see the Park Labrea Towers in the area now known as the Grove.
Marty

Banning · 03-08-2007, 07:36 PM

Hi Groundeffect and CRE,
You are both very fortunate to have raced with Charlie. Few racers ever had that timing and luck to be there at the right time and place. I know that you feel good about having experienced Mulholland with a true legend of the road. Just as I do. Way to go!

Jeff Hail · 03-08-2007, 08:20 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Maltese Falcon
Still checking out Kirkwood Dr. for any signs of Charlies 4WD Olds.
Jeff R. that sold him the vette tells me that Charlie's mom( Estelle) is about 101 years old right now and proll'y still lives at home there
Here's a vintage shot of my '69 SS350 --trophies are from Lions dragstrip, taken in another part of laurel canyon Mt. Olympus--when these were just lots for sale. In the view south you can see the Park Labrea Towers in the area now known as the Grove.
Marty

Estelle Char Woit passed away in April 1985. She would have been 102 years old if she was still here today. I bet Charlie and Estelle are both still up there. For Charlie heaven has no speed limits.