Racers Grove Dave Dicky, Milt Mintner, Bob Tucknott

[Brad Ripley]

last air races out at Stead will be this year -- and maybe the last air racing in the US.

[Alan Klingen 2]

I HAD A LOT OF EXPERIENCE WITH MILT MINTER OR " UNCLE MILTY AS WE CALL ED HIM MY BOSS JUERGAN KIRBERG BOUGHT A PORSCHE 910 FROM VASEK POLAK BACK IN THE DAY AND RACED HERE IN THE SAN FRANCISCO AREA AND ACROSS THE USA I ALSO WRENCHED A 911 TR for Bruce O'Neil iN the San francisco area. We let Milt Minter drive the 911 TR one National Race at Sonoma raceway and he was magnificent. He could drift the to inches away from the wall lap after lap he was a joy to watch!. He also help set-up the IROC 911s at riverside and no one was able to post faster times. He was poetry in Motion to see him drive I was sad to hear he passed. RIP Uncle milty!!!!Alan The Stable.

[Harlan Halsey]

It is indeed sad to hear that the Reno Air Races are over. I flew the club Cessna 182 there in the early 1970s with three passengers abord to watch the races. Then, we landed on the runway before the races, walked over to the stands, and watched. End of the day we flew home. It so happens that I made the best landing of my life that day. I have never been back but nevertheless; the very existence of the Reno Air Races added a dimension to my life. I wonder what will happen to the highly modified warbirds and the small homebuilt formula class racing planes if they have no place to participate? I am nostalgic for the days when there were guys who designed, and built, and wrenched, and then got in the seat and tested their creation in life threatening competition with others. And when those not involved minded their own business and expected others to do the same.

[Steve Proctor]

Re: Milt Minter, never met him, but I recall a story Gary Emory tells about Milt driving Gary's Diablo at a racetrack. After a test drive, he came in and as Gary describes it, Milt told him in his unique accent that he was running out of revs part way down the straights. Gary, said, "Milt, it's a five speed."

[Harlan Halsey]

I recall a day at the MHAR fairly early on where Milt Minter gave a demonstration on how it is done. Milt was in a 904 running against the usual field of 427 and 289 Blivots. Milt led all but the start finish line where the fastest 427 would sometimes pull briefly ahead. So on the last lap Milt blocked. He swerved across the track three times and beat the Blivot to the finish line by a car length. It was a popular win, but way too much for Peter and Steve. They disqualified him. But what a race!

[Alan Klingen 2]

I had the pleasure of seeing Milt Minter drive. At Sonoma Race way he was driving A 911S that from Porsche north American. He wouls do a 4 wheel drift just inches away from the wall at turn 11. His favorite turns were blind ones. He raced for Ritchie Ginther Racinf which raced 911S's. Hewas agreat driver driver also dronve A 917 for vasek polak. He also help set=up the IROC 911S AND HAD The fastest time of all the drivers at Riverside Raceway in LA. Alan The Stable.

[Trevor Gates]

A photo of Harry Shorman and, I think Ritchie Lukes at the same Reno race with their "Pooper". In the first photo with Harry Weber the black speedster is the probably the Carrera that Tom is asking about as it appears to be carrying a #44 race nuimber.

That Pooper is killer! Does anyone know if it still exists?

[John Brooks]

Trevor

Denny has one, do not know if it’s the same car. I think he has some body bucks for it also

[Harlan Halsey]

There were several "Poopers" starting with Ken Miles Carrera engined one. That one was owned by Walt Matheson for a long time and is now owned by the family he sold it to. Then there were 356 pushrod engined versions, The best known one was owned by the well known Seattle guy whose name escapes me, now. He ran it at the MHAR for several years. And I'm pretty sure there was an East Coast Pooper too. The combination of a Porsche engine in the light Cooper body was un-resistible.

Added by edit: Pete LoveLy of course! One hell of a driver and competitor and innovator! Thank you, Jon.
Pete used to bring his car to the MHAR on a VW transporter with a big Porsche drive train. They said the rig was a little unstable coming down from over 100 MPH.
Cameron Healey's car is a thoroughly bastardized version, late model 356 engine in it. He drove the wheels off it for several years at MHAR after the MHAR dropped the H and morphed toward being a spectator event.

[Jon Bunin]

Denny has one, do not know if it’s the same car. I think he has some body bucks for it also

Then there were 356 pushrod engined versions, The best known one was owned by the well known Seattle guy whose name escapes me, now.

Denny Aker's car was built and raced in the 1950s by Pete Lovely, who owned a Volkswagen dealership in the Tacoma, Washington area.

[Steve Proctor]

Re: Seattle Pooper driver, I recall Cameron Healy races a silver #55 i believe it is and dices regularly with Gregory Campbell in his silver Devin at Laguna Seca. I think he is from the NE.

[Trevor Gates]

I’m pretty sure the one I saw at the Petersen is the same car I was asking about, but was just curious if anyone knew for certain.

[Alan Hall]

Trevor, I believe you are correct that it is the same car. I don't recall any of the other Poopers back in the day had the 356A horn grilles on the taillights, but can't say for sure.

[Brian R Adams]

I was re-reading Phil Carney's article "John Von Neumann and Competition Motors" in Registry 36-4 (Fall 2012). Happened to notice this reference to Reno:

Finally at Reno on August 3rd [1958], Lance Reventlow in his Scarab was able to beat Von Neumann driving a Ferrari 335 S.

This would have been at Stead AFB.
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[Alan Klingen 2]

I saw milt minter drive a VASEK POLAK 917 AT Sears point and drifted the car every lap just inches from the wall at turn 11. Everybody strained to see how close he came to the wall every lap. Alan Klingen The Stable.