remembering the pittsburgh international · pdf filejim senkewitz, jim henderson, don ... and...

www.FlashlightDrags.com | Flashlight Drags 1

E D I T O R I A L F L A S H L I G H TF L A S H L I G H T E D I T O R I A L

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Tagging Along with theP.I.D. Hall of Famers2

Runnin’ Down the RoadPage 20

Here’s How It WorksPage 2

Remembering thePittsburgh International Dragway


E D I T O R I A L FLASHL IGHT drAGS

P.I.D. Day at theFlashlight DragsWe talk a lot about “good old-fashioned, heads-up racing.” Today you get

to see it done – the way it used to be – the way it all started. Anyone who remembers Pittsburgh International Dragway has got to feel some nostalgia. Anyone who raced at P.I.D. will no doubt relive the thrill. And all you young tuners … pay attention because these are the masters.

We are so excited about this First Annual P.I.D. Day at the Flashlight Drags. This event constitutes the paragon of racing; the soul of the sport. The P.I.D. story is the story of drag racing, and you’ll have the opportunity to meet the guys who keep the story alive. Jim Senkewitz, Jim Henderson, Don Bye, and Bill Truby truly are some of “Pittsburgh’s Finest Automobile Enthusiasts.”

Producing an event like this requires many constituents to join forces. From Greene County, the Commission-ers got on board - Chuck Morris, Archie Trader and Blair Zimmerman; Director of Parks, Jake Blaker, and his team helped set the stage; Elizabeth Menhart and Candace Tustin from the Go Greene Tourism Office shared in promoting the event; Safety arrangements were handled by the Waynesburg VFD; Administrative duties were managed by Greene Country’s Chief Clerk, Jeff Marshall; Warden Harry Gillispie and his work team agreed to oversee the grounds; Melanie Longstreth at the Waynesburg Chamber of Commerce pitched in to support the event; and I can’t forget all of the pilots who graciously agreed to a ‘no-fly’ afternoon.

A special thanks goes out to Mr. Jack Pratt of Jack’s Excavating for being the Presenting Sponsor again this year. And thanks to all of the sponsors listed below.

And finally, to all of the Racers and Race Fans here in Greene County, we thank you for being a part of this cel-ebration of racing. YOU are the reason that Hot Rod Magazine selected the Flashlight Drags at the Waynesburg Airport in Greene County as one of the 57 Gearhead Must Attend Events! Yep, we made #35 on the list. Check it out in the August 2013 Issue of Hot Rod Magazine.

On behalf of the Flashlight Drag Crew, I extend our appreciation to all of you. Be Safe. Have Fun.

Michael Schindel Publisher Altered Gas Performance Events, LLC Photography by

Dan DishartPublication design byBill Bingham

Title SponsorJack Pratt of Jack’s Excavating

event SponsorsInstaCare Urgent CareOpen Throttle 360 TVPittsburgh International Race Complex CS TireSnyder Performance Engineering (SPE)Hartman & Hartman ConstructorsGreene County Tourist Agency

Observer-Reporter Pittsburgh Vintage Grand PrixTalkHotrods.comChuck Carnahan of State Farm InsuranceRodeheaver’s Hot Rod & Auto RepairJohn’s Sales & ServiceSpray-It-Racing

Contributing SponsorsCarCruises.com Elmer’s EnginesRoyprographicsBigAlsList.comApex PerformanceWVstreets.com

FLD

Michael Schindel, editor

“Like” us on

2 Flashlight Drags | www.FlashlightDrags.com

FLASHL IGHT drAGS O F F I C I A L R U L E S

Simple rules These events are intended for street cars and trucks only!

• SAFeTy FIrST! • Have fun – this is a family-friendly event• 1/8 mile distance – 660 feet of the fastest

pavement in Greene County• Valid Driver’s License• Proof of Insurance• Current State Inspection (if a PA car)• DOT Tires• Burn Outs – Designated Area only• No Passengers (except Parade Lap)• Racers must sign Greene County Waiver• Convertibles – tops up or bring a helmet• Speed limit in the spectator return

lane 25 MPH

How does this work? How do I find someone to race?These are the two most often asked questions at the Flash-light Drags. Finding a race partner isn’t hard … someone will usually find you. When you are ready to race and if you don’t have a race partner, simply drive up to the staging lane and follow the signs to Singles Lane. This lane is set aside for racers who don’t have a partner or for the person who just wants the thrill of racing, they are happy to race anyone who pulls up next to them at the starting line. It’s just like “street racing.”

What if I lose?There is no limit to the number of races you can run. Our format is simple: win or lose a race, get back in line and do it again. One year we gave an award to a racer for running 37 times in one day.

Can I race my buddy?Yes! We call that Grudge Racing. Some grudge matches ac-tually go back years – maybe even decades. These races happen in several different ways:

• Anyracercancalloutanyotherracerandgetinline

• Anyfancancalloutarace–notifytheDJandwewillcall out the cars for you

• Agrudgematchmayhappenspontaneouslyas anticipation in line grows

Who is the fastest?This is a hard question to answer. We try to stay away from putting cars into classes, and for the most part, we don’t classify racers. But everyone asks, “Who is the fastest?” It mustbearesultofgoodoldAmericancompetition.So,wegive out 8 PINK SLIPS for four different vehicle types:

Top Street – these racers are our true street cars, usuallymadeintheUSA

Big Dog – you’ll know these cars when people say, “That can’t be a street car!”

Top Tuner – sometimes called imports, usually a less than 8 cylinder under the hood, in the trunk, or even behind the back seat

Diesel Truck – this is a new class, and as the name implies, it’s for trucks. This will be a wild class.

Rain Out PolicyAllSundayRainOutswill be rescheduledbaseduponanagreeable schedule with the county. We will try for the fol-lowing Sunday.

If the event gets rained out after we start, keep your num-bered armband for admission for the following Sunday. No one will be admitted free of charge without a rain check armband.


W H E N I T ’ S N OT QU I T E A N E M E R G E N C Y

220 Greene Plaza • Waynesburg, PA 15370 • 724-627-1950 • www.southwestregionalmedical.com

EASY ACCESS. EXPERT CARE.

Your time is valuable, and so is the health of your family. At

Southwest Regional Medical Center, we care about both. That’s

why our new InstaCare Urgent Care is designed to treat less

urgent, non-life-threatening medical conditions quickly and

conveniently, with the same quality of care you’ve come to

expect from our full-service hospital. Best of all, we’re right in

the Greene Plaza, close to home, where you need us. InstaCareURGENT CARE

EASY ACCESS – we’re close to home and easy to find when time matters most

LESS WAITING – in and out of the clinic quickly

EXPERT CARE – you will always see a medical professional, that’s our promise

EXPANDED HOURS – we’re open Weekdays 9 am – 9 pm and Weekends 10 am – 6 pm

CONVENIENCE – when you don’t have a regular doctor, we are here for you

OCCUPATIONAL – Pre-employment physicals, laboratory testing, drug testing and MEDICINE treatment of non-emergency injuries

The Pittsburgh International Dragway (P.I.D.) opened in 1964, and for the next 11½ years, it was a special time in history. Motors,

Muscle Cars, and Memories . . . until the oil em-bargo in the 1970s, when many tracks, including P.I.D., were forced to close.

Twentyyearslater,TomLangwastheDJonthe“Rappin’ on Racing” radio show. He recounts that every time a caller would mention the old P.I.D. Drag Strip, his phone lines would light up. Realiz-

ing the significance of the P.I.D. experience to those who had been a part of it, Tom organized the very first P.I.D.

Reunion at the Keystone Drag Strip. The weather was a disaster for that

first gathering, but everyone saw the potential of growing the event.


C O N T I N U E D

F L A S H L I G H T E D I T O R I A LFLASHL IGHT drAGS F E A T U R E

Remembering thePittsburgh

International Dragway

By Jim SenkewitzEditor’s note - Jim Senkewitz and a hand full of guys work year round to keep this

piece of history alive. The Flashlight Drags crew Thank them for their efforts!


E D I T O R I A L F L A S H L I G H T


FLASHL IGHT drAGS F E A T U R E

Remembering P.I.D.Over the succeeding years, the P.I.D. Reunion idea has be resurrected by various enthusi-asts at several local venues: Bobby Johnsorganized an event at the Friendship Park Drag Strip near Steubenville; Hud Hood and the Pittsburgh C.A.R.S. car club held a Hei-delberg Raceway Night; Don Bye organized the yearly P.I.D. Reunion Car Cruise at Sonic in Bridgeville; and a Pittsburgh International Dragway Hall of Fame was established.

The 2013 season looks to be the biggest year ever with the addition of several events:

• TheP.I.D.BanquetandHallOfFameInduction Ceremony was held in February, and is scheduled for next February at the South Fayette Fire Hall

• QuakerSteak&LubeRestauranthas agreed to design a P.I.D. room at their Pleasant Hills location complete with photos, trophies, and other memorabilia

• The second annual P.I.D. CarCruise at Quaker Steak& Lubewasattendedby300carsinJune

C O N T I N U E D P A G E 8



Over the succeeding years, the P.I.D. Reunion idea has be resurrected by various enthusiasts at several OnSunday,July7,2013,thefirstannualP.I.D.DayisscheduledattheFLASHLIGHTDRAGSinWaynes-burg,PAattheWaynesburgAirport.Anold-schoolmatchraceisplanned. JimHendersonisbringingouthisNHRAlegalCHEVYStocker(1965Chevellewitha3274-speedtransmission)torunagainstBobLiberatore’s clone of a 1963 FORD factory lightweight racer (427 cubic inches – maybe more). Other old-school drag race cars will be on display for this event. Check the website www.flashlightdrags.com

OnWednesday,July24,2013,thethirdannualP.I.D.ReunionCarCruisewillrollintotheSonicinBrid-geville. Last year’s event saw 800 cars on display!

Andfinally,the2013seasonwrapsuponSeptember28and29withthePID/KeystoneNostalgiaNation-alsatPittsburghRacewayPark.FunnyCarsandFront-EngineDragstersarescheduledalongwiththeSuper Stockers and Gassers. Check the website for more program and schedule information at www.pittsburghracewaypark.com. Nextyear,2014,marksthe50thAnniversaryofthePittsburgh International Dragway track opening. Exciting plans are in the works including anew Pittsburgh International Dragway book co-authored by Bill Holt and Bill Truby. You can keep informed through the following media sources:www.PittsburghInternationalDragway.com

P.I.D. Facebook Page (including Bill Truby’s photo collection)

P.I.D. Twitter Account

FLD

Remembering P.I.D.


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Thanks to hot rod Ambassador Jim Senkewitz and the very

gracious permission of Mike Kosky and his wife Janet, I was privileged to be able to tag along with a small group of PID Hall of Famers who went out to see the track.

Yes the track is still there, but it’s also very close to a housing development, which just about guarantees it will never reopen. We can only dream.

In one of my dreams, I’m driving Joe Minert’s ‘64 Pon-tiac, “The Alaskan.”

Joe was at the track along with Don Liberatore, Bob Te-desco, Ted Brine, Mark Becker, Jerry Heard, Bob Jones and others who had a special connection to the track and its history. There’s a lot more to the story (video included) coming soon to talkhotrods.com.

Thanks Mr. Kosky. You are a true hero to all of us who love hot rodding in Western PA.

Be careful in the hot rod. —Hersch

Tagging along with the P.I.D. Hall of Famers

FLD

By Hersch

1249 National Pike, Hopwood, PA

724-963-1057

Cash and DJ want to welcome you to our new shop!

AnnouncingNew Owners

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You’ve spent all that time and money in the garage, now,

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F L A S H L I G H T D E P A R T M E N T

SHOTGUNRIDING

Modifications 433 cu. in. Big Block Chevy, single 82 MM turbo on E85, TH400, 3.55 gears

James J. Pitterich Jr. Hometown: Elizabeth, PA

Driver Profile:Cars are a big part of my life, both work and play. During the day, I am an automotive technician. In the evening my time is spent between family, motocross with my son and my friends race cars. My car started out as a shell, and with the help of my friends, it is now a classic car that I’lll enjoy racing for many years.

Likes - I really like the diversity of cars and the competi-tiveness between the racers.

Car Details Year: 1968 | Make: Chevy | Model: Camaro

C O N T I N U E D P A G E 1 6

Bob Jones Racing724-344-1156

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Brad Penn Racing Oil

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Uniontown, PA 724.430.1970

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F L A S H L I G H T D E P A R T M E N T

Car DetailsMake: Chevy | Model: S10 Pickup

sion is a 350 with Ratchet Shifter. The tires are the big-gest cheater slicks (DOT) that will fit without tubbing.

Editor’s note: Glen had a For Sale sign in the S-10 for a short while. He removed it during the May 5th race. He noticed that he was beating most racers from the line with a quicker reaction time. I asked him, what happened to the For Sale sign? He replied with a smile, “as long as can best someone off the line, I’m going to keep racing.”

Glen Kinsey Hometown: Waynesburg, PA

Driver Profile:I am a 79 year old, total Gear Head. I built my first hot rod in high school shop class. I built and raced Dirt Jalop-ies, Stock Cars, and Modifieds. I Moto-crossed until the summer I turned 50. I started drag racing when Flash-lights came to Waynesburg. No one remembers when I wasn’t there, but I’ve only missed four or five events.

I traded a model A sedan for the S-10 and have raced it from day one. The Only repair it had was a spark plug wire melted on the header, and I had to fix that.

Modifications The engine is a 350 bored-30 over, Double Hump 63cc Heads, approximately 12:1 compression, a good Cam and that damnedable Dog Bone Drive. The Transmis-

SHOTGUNRIDINGC O N T I N U E D F R O M P A G E 1 4


Modifications:56 fiberglass tilt front end; glass doors; California frame; straight axle front end; Ford 9” rear with a locker and 4.11 gears; 4-wheel disc brakes; 462 big block Chevy; rectangular port heads; dart intakeZL-1 cam; 1050 annular boost carb; 400 transmission with a manual valve body; 10” converter

Chris Cardiges Hometown: South Park

Garage: All the fabrication and restoration to transform this car was done in my garage. Still needs dialed in, but she’s ready to wake up and come to life.

Likes:I like the whole experience – working with good buddies in my garage, belonging to the LOCC car club, building, driving, and racing.

Flashlight Drags:I’ll drive this car to the Flashlight Drags, race it, and drive it back home again. That’s about 150 miles for the day. It’s all part of the fun – plus I’ve met new friends, enjoy the scene, and get the opportunity to race. Thanks to Mi-chael at the Flashlight Drags for being one hell of a cool dude that goes out of his way to bring this to us.

Car Details Year: 1956 | Make: Chevy | Model: 210 two-door

FLD


A C o l l e C t i o n t h A t S p e A k S f o r i t S e l f

For more informaton on this collection, contact:

GEORGE MYRTER100 North Meadows Drive

Wexford, PA 15090

724-935-2422Cell 724-316-5070

Car Photography by Dave [email protected]

FLASHL IGHT drAGS F E A T U R E

On Saturday, June 8th, I hopped in the Chevy II and went to the grand opening of the first Pep

Boys Speed Shop in western Pennsylvania. The day’s events featured a car show, raffles, prizes, food, mu-sic, a dyno challenge, and best of all, sale prices in the Speed Shop!

Ryan Serrino is the Speed Shop manager and a great guy. He told me about the product lines they offer and his goal to expand over time. I walked up and down the aisles noting many brands includ-ing Flowmaster, Edelbrock, Holley, Spectre Per-formance, MSD Ignition, Moroso, Auto Meter and more. The shop is all about convenient access to performance parts and supplies for us “car people” and our rides.

The Pep Boys Speed Shop is in-side the Pep Boys store located on Clairton Boulevard across from Century III Mall in Pleasant Hills … so cruise on over and check them out! FLD

RUNNIN’DOWNTHE ROAD

Editor at Large –Gerry Kerna


Western Pennsylvania’s SRT headquarters!

Visit us at:

1625 E High St. Waynesburg, PA 15370

Phone: (724)627-7111

remembering the pittsburgh international · pdf filejim senkewitz, jim henderson, don ... and...

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