Drag Racing Fans

[Michael M.]

We lost a Drag Racing Icon today. Bill "Grumpy" Jenkins 1930-2012. He really could make a small block Chevy sing. I saw him go down the strip many times.

[Ara G.]

Re: Drag Racing Fans

What a shame. I met him many times...He was a racer through and through...You could tell...He was still passionate about racing....even in his later years.. Was a pleasure meeting you Grump.....ARA

[Alan S.]

Re: Drag Racing Fans

Hi,
I remember him well, too
I spent many exciting days and nights at York U.S. 30 Dragway watching him.
Those really were the good old days!
Regards,
Alan

[Bill H.]

Re: Drag Racing Fans

Hi,
I remember him well, too
I spent many exciting days and nights at York U.S. 30 Dragway watching him.
Those really were the good old days!
Regards,
Alan

Oh, yea, Alan, U.S. 30 Dragway.
I was there before Super Stock mag bought the track. They had a trailer at the start line with a blue, rotating light on the top. When the light came on, racing stopped so they could land a plane. York's my hometown.

Grumpy was pardners with my cousin Dave. They put on the Strickler-Jenkins Performance clinics at the tracks.
Dave's 409:

[Russ T.]

Re: Drag Racing Fans

Became a fan after he outran the Chrysler 426 Hemi with a 1966 327/350 Chevy2.

His many drag racing innovations were key to advancing the sport.

Read that in 1972 he tied Wilt Chamberlain as the highest grossing athlete in the U. S., earning 250K that year.

Difficult to watch these great legends leave us.

Russ Trotter
NCRS #15044

[Dick W.]

Re: Drag Racing Fans

Brief memorial video by NHRA http://bit.ly/H3wvDK

[Stuart F.]

Re: Drag Racing Fans

Doug Marion will be writing a piece on him in the August issue if Super Chevy Magazine "Back in the Day" column. He will be sorely missed by all in the old Chevrolet community. I had just forwarded a color print to him through Doug from my history file of "Old Reliable" that I took at the Nationals in 1961. That was the last event I participated in before going to work for Uncle Sam's Army. Rest In Peace Grump.

Stu fox

[Bill H.]

Re: Drag Racing Fans

Doug Marion will be writing a piece on him in the August issue if Super Chevy Magazine "Back in the Day" column. He will be sorely missed by all in the old Chevrolet community. I had just forwarded a color print to him through Doug from my history file of "Old Reliable" that I took at the Nationals in 1961. That was the last event I participated in before going to work for Uncle Sam's Army. Rest In Peace Grump.

Stu fox

Stu would it be possible to see or get that pic?

[Stuart F.]

Re: Drag Racing Fans

Bill;

I'm nearly 73 now and in not too great of health myself. I sent the only Kodak color print (original) I had to Doug to forward to Grumpy or the owner of the new replica car of the Old Reliable. I have been purging my files and parts stock of late to anyone that might appreciate them or find need of them. So, I saw the article about the replica car in the April Super Chevy and noticed they had a few minor discrepancies in the lettering. They apparently were doing it from memory as they had no photos to refer to. That's why I sent the print to Doug to forward to either Grumpy or the new Replica owner, whomever he thought might appreciate it. He sent it to Grump, so I don't know where it will be now. Perhaps it may be returned to him. Sorry.

Stu Fox

[Bill H.]

Re: Drag Racing Fans

Bill;

I'm nearly 73 now and in not too great of health myself. I sent the only Kodak color print (original) I had to Doug to forward to Grumpy or the owner of the new replica car of the Old Reliable. I have been purging my files and parts stock of late to anyone that might appreciate them or find need of them. So, I saw the article about the replica car in the April Super Chevy and noticed they had a few minor discrepancies in the lettering. They apparently were doing it from memory as they had no photos to refer to. That's why I sent the print to Doug to forward to either Grumpy or the new Replica owner, whomever he thought might appreciate it. He sent it to Grump, so I don't know where it will be now. Perhaps it may be returned to him. Sorry.

Stu Fox

That's OK, Stu. I have some pics. And I do have the AMT car model kit of the 1960 Old Reliable unassembled.