I have been chidded for keeping my race car after my days of racing and fielding a race car are done. Thursday at Picton cruise night Earl Handley showed up with one of his boys and his old stock car from back in the day in tow. Earl was the scourge of the early stock car tracks along the lake and St Lawrence with Kingston being his main track. Car still carried the sponsors lettering , one being Art Brinklow Auto Wreckers in Napanee. Art's son Wayne, was at the Picton cruise two weeks ago. ) I talked with Earl Handley a bit, we being cousins once removed with me being one generation out of step. (He is my Dad's cousin )He posed with his car for this photo. Earl is 92. I hope I can sit there some Thursday night with my old race car in July 2042. It gives one a goal to shoot for. Way to Go, Earl!
don
-- Edited by Don on Saturday 25th of July 2015 04:03:29 PM
keep it , enjoy it , you been doing things your own way for a long long time now , don't stop now . 2 of the coolest old dudes I know have each a Harley in their shops , one blew the engine in 198 friggin 6 and it still sits under a blanket in his shop . I,d kill to have it , the other . Gets started once in a while , but hasn't ridden since maybe 2000 . Hot rods an Harleys , they just go together .
Even if its just static nothing is cooler then an old hot rod with history ..77.
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I,m as cool as Milner , but axeually a bit more like Beckwith
Great stuff.....Earl is still living the dream at 92...god bless him....I hope I'm able to do the same when I get his age....lol....thanks for the story Don!
Great photo Don !! I have heard the name Earl Handley mentioned on a few occasions among some of the ( long ago ) retired stock car drivers, and race fans from this area,..so his reputation precedes him a bit to the West also. The old Coupe looks to be in great shape yet,..as does the owner / driver. Thank You for sharing !!
Earl is a nice guy. Those old stock car racers are leaving us fast. I was just out in the Garage and turned my 283 over that I havn't had fired up since 1984.
Yup, I have it. New Dykes Rings, Delta wall bearings, a new CD cam etc. I may put it into a 57 2 door post car and head off to York / Beaver Springs next year. Built as a 1969 NHRA Jr Stocker. I may put a 9 inch rear in it so I can buy gears easily, probably 5.38s. I have a mech tach, cable and dist. 1957 factory dual four set up, BW four speed, cool can and other odds and ends. It would probable be a fun ride.
-- Edited by RWW on Tuesday 28th of July 2015 05:27:07 PM
I have been chidded for keeping my race car after my days of racing and fielding a race car are done.
Chided by whom? If the 'chider' is your wife, then you should give it some serious thought, if the 'chider' is ANYONE else .... their opinion shouldn't mean squat to you and you have already given their opinion WAY too much thought. Why would anyone care one way or the other what you do with your own car, coin collection, old lawnmower, garden rake, snowmobile, toys from your childhood, first bicycle etc?
And as anyone can tell you who has known me for long the status quo has never been any concern of mine. Otherwise I wouldn't have been running a slant six just for starters.
Everyone that has an idea what I should do probably know they are wasting air. I suspect some would like to try it and since I raced for many years from building and wrench but not driving know I could do that. However, this little car , built basically so I could try the 6 snowmobile carbs I had never had a chance to do has brought me more fun then any car I have previously owned or raced. Even on its last pass it gave a good account of itself against impossible odds and against one of the best drivers I have ever met. I want to quit right there and will. My niece Lori Ann, AKA Mrs Gran Prix drag racer asked me Sun why I didn't have brass poles and red felt ropes around it in the garage. Seems like a good idea to me. She gets it, obviously. All you said is right on the money.
don
-- Edited by Don on Wednesday 29th of July 2015 12:09:21 PM
-- Edited by Don on Wednesday 29th of July 2015 12:11:51 PM
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SR Dragster because old people need to have fun too!
I know exactly what Don should do - whatever he wants. if you have gone through the effort, time, and money to build a safe race car, then its nobodies business but your own what you do with it.
Thank you. I enjoy sitting looking and remembering.
RW and Wuga were here yesterday for an eyeball visit. Which reminds me Wuga, no joy on a hauler and Bob at Armdrop weekend for the plates.
don
don
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SR Dragster because old people need to have fun too!
I will have the steel plates out for Larry. I was off today looking at a 1957 Chevy 2 door post. Now I just have to decide if I want it. I am looking into my Crystal Ball and think I see a 60s style "Jr Stock" Drag Car. Now for a set of fender well headers, a 9 inch rear end and …….. Yup, a 245 hp 283 engined 57 Chevy.
hmm I wonder where I put it ? 
