125 replies to this topic

[Jerry Entin]

Chuck Jones behind his Maserati Coupe at Elkhart Lake with Briggs Cunningham
The fellow in the hat on the left front is Dick Troutman of Troutman and Barnes. The fellow under the wheel well is Jack Hoare the crew chief on the car. This is an ex Cunningham Maserati from their LeMans effort.

For my first Thread of the New Year I am going to tell the Forum members about a friend of mine who was involved in Lake Racing and Drag Racing and Sportscar and Formula 5000 and Formula One and Indy Racing.

His favorite driver was Clay Regazzoni and his partners in some of the racing were Mo Nunn and Jerry Eisert among others.


photo: Scott Sperka collection

Edited by Jerry Entin, 12 April 2020 - 16:56.

[Allen Brown]

Good choice Jerry.

[kevinbartlett]

Chuck Jones behind his Maserati Coupe at Elkhart Lake with Briggs Cunningham

For my first Thread of the New Year I am going to tell the Forum members about a friend of mine who was involved in Lake Racing and Drag Racing and Sprotscar and Formula 5000 and Formula One and Indy Racing.

His favorite driver was Clay Regazzoni and his partners in some of the racing were Mo Nunn and Jerry Eisert among others.


photo Scott Sperka collection

Having driven for Chuck in the early seventies I eagerly await your stories on his early days. I have lost touch with Charlie over the years and at one time tried an Email address someone forwarded with no response. Maybe it changed or he might not be in a position to reply. Anyhow regards to your good self and say g'day to Chuck for me. Kev B.

Edited by kevinbartlett, 04 January 2011 - 22:28.

[Jerry Entin]

Chuck Jones and his dad M. E. "Dick" Jones in 1949
They are getting ready to go out and brand some cattle. Chuck would throw the rope for the steers head and his dad would rope the rear legs. This in competition at the time was called Head and Heeling. It was a technique used for branding steers. Their brand was the M/J.
Chuck Jones was born November 15,1932. Chuck lived on a Cattle Ranch in Orange, California.

Chuck first got interested in racing when he went to the local library and checked out a book by George Monkhouse that told of the Racing Mercedes of the 1930's.

1927 Ford Lake Racer
This car is very similar to the one Chuck Jones built. His was Lotus Green in color.

When Chuck was around 15 he met a fellow named Bob Beam. Bob had a machine shop and Chuck went to him to make a fuel distribution log. It was later called a Gas Flow. Bob Beam was about 5 years older then Chuck and a World War 2 veteran. Bob Beam is the one who helped Chuck get into racing.
The first car Chuck helped to build was for Lake Racing, this was running older type cars with hopped up engines on dry lake beds and trying to go fast. Bob Beam took a 1927 Ford T and stripped it down and put in a hopped up Ford Flathead engine that was called a 21 stud engine. It had Dual Carburators and a Cam called a Potvin Cam. This car was driven by Bob Beam and Chuck Jones occasionally got to drive it. 

 

Patch depicting a 27 Ford Lake Racer
This was the Sanctioning Body for Lake racing The Southern California Timing Association or SCTA.

Allen: I know you are going to enjoy this thread.

Kevin: I have sent you an e-mail with Chuck's correct e-mail address and phone number. He was very excited to hear from you.

Edited by Jerry Entin, 20 April 2020 - 13:24.

[Jerry Entin]

1932 B Coupe
This car was built by Chuck Jones with help from his school mate De De Lembke. De De is in the door in the picture. It was a 32 Ford

with what they called a 1/4 X 5/16 Flat Head Ford engine. It had 4 Stromberg 97 Carburators on an Edlebrock manifold and ran a Potvin Cam. Chuck ran this car in the early 50's at Drag Strips at Santa Ana and Lions and Colton.

Chuck Jones in the outfit he wore to drag race his coupe in the 1950's
That is Chuck's 40 Ford pickup truck he is standing next to.

1932 C Altered "The OutCast Sedan"
This car had a Dodge engine and it was a Drag Racing machine. In 1955 it turned an elapsed time for the quater mile of 10.20 second and a speed of just over 100 mph.
This car was built by Chuck Jones and Walt Sandoval they ran it to many Drag Race records in the 50's.
This car was Flamed and pin stripped by Von Dutch.

photos: Chuck Jones Collection

Edited by Jerry Entin, 16 April 2020 - 14:27.

[Jerry Entin]

Chuck Jones's Revolutionary Dragster The Sidewinder
This car was built in 1958 and was turning over 170 mph in the quater mile with an elapsed time near 9 seconds flat on gasoline. The driver was Jack Chrisman.


Jack Chrisman getting the Jump on Tommy Ivo at Lions Drag Strip.
Mickey Thompson was the manager of Lions Drag Strip in the day. He brought things like a LeMans Start to Lions for the fans to enjoy. This was for passenger cars not Dragsters.
The Sidewinder was run by Chuck Jones and Joe Mailliard made the engines and wrenched on it. A friend of Jack Chrisman's named Wayne Reed helped supply the engines for the effort. The Sidewinder was light years ahead of the competition.


Here is a view of the double chains that Chuck Jones incorporated on the Sidewinder
The Sidewinder was originally built by Paul Nicoloni and his father in law Harry Duncan. They didn't have that much luck with the concept. Things kept breaking on them.
Chuck Jones bought the car and changed the front suspension and the way the chain drive worked. He added a double chain and made it 3 times larger then the single chain that Paul Nicolini had attempted to use.


photos: Chuck Jones collection
bottom photo: Don Nickles
all research : Chuck Jones

Edited by Jerry Entin, 13 April 2020 - 19:28.

[arttidesco]

I do not recall dated pics of Drag activity this far back the tyres are amazing ! Lovin this thread Jerry

[Dave Wolin]

Can't think of a better subject or nicer guy. Good goin' Jerry !!

[Jerry Entin]

Sidewinder 2 at Riverside Raceway in 1959 Jack Chrisman driving
Chuck Jones is sitting on the rear tire with his arms crossed.
The fellow in the dragster next to Jack Chrisman was called the Golden Greek.
He is Chris Karamesines from the Chicago, Illinois area. Chris was the first drag racer to go over 200 mph in the quater mile. He did this on April 4, 1960. Chris Karamesines was born November 11, 1931. He is I believe, the oldest active Professional racer in the World at almost 80 years of age.
The following comes from Chuck Jones:
"By the way I was co- editor of Drag News at this time, Dean Brown was my co-editor. I did small editorial, all the drawings, and a fair share of the photo captions. Came up with the weekly 1320 Records list for every class in drag racing. It then became the standard for Drag Racing information.
We quickly had all the major drag strips calling in their weekly results to an early voice activated recorder. I had talked Chet Herbert, who was one of my early sponsors into the funding of Drag News, a couple of years earlier. It was very successful for years. His sister Doris Herbert took it over when I left drag racing."

It is very nice to be able to tell this story and show the pictures of the different types of racing that Chuck Jones was involved in. It is also nice that Kevin Bartlett and Chuck are now in contact with each other.

photos: Chuck Jones collection

Edited by Jerry Entin, 13 April 2020 - 19:39.

[Jerry Entin]

Chuck Jones driving the Magwinder at Pomona in 1960
Jack Chrisman had been hurt and Chuck took the car out himself to shake it down.

 

 

 

Chuck Jones lifting the Magwinder

I would call this one Hercules Jones.


photos: Chuck Jones collection
bottom photo: Griff Borgeson

Edited by Jerry Entin, 11 April 2020 - 16:32.

[Jerry Entin]

Magwinder at its current home the Don Garlits Drag Racing Museum
This museum is located in Ocala, Florida and is very worthwhile touring if you are ever in the area.


Mickey Thompson's Attemp 1
Mickey Thompson asked his friend Chuck Jones to help on the design of an enclosed body for a closed course record attempt car. This is the design Chuck Jones came up with. This car had a 4 cylinder Pontiac Tempest motor and was Superchared. They attempted to break kilometer and mile records from a standing start with this car in its class at March Air Force base in Riverside, California in 1962.
Mickey Thompson managed a 2 way average of 112.088 mph in the standing Kilometer in 1962. The chassis was called a dragmaster chassis. It would have gone way better but on the return run the rear wheels locked up before the end of the Kilometer and the chute had also deployed. For the standing mile this car ran 230 mph. In the standing quater mile on 50% Nitro it ran 163 mph and an elapsed time of 9.50 second.

photos : Chuck Jones collection

Edited by Jerry Entin, 11 April 2020 - 16:34.

[grimeheel]

You're great Jerry. Thanks for the great memories. I started my motorsports fan career as a drag racing fan. The Sidewinders were my favorite dragsters and I built models of most of them. Then my older brother came home with a Morgan, gave me a ride, and showed me pictures of various other sports and racing cars. Terrific thread. Thank you very much. Mike

[David M. Kane]

What a talent!

[Jerry Entin]

The Lovely young girl with Chuck Jones is Janet Mary Cibello
She would become Mrs. Janet Jones.


photo: Griff Borgeson
Chuck Jones collection

Edited by Jerry Entin, 11 April 2020 - 16:29.

[Jerry Entin]

Chuck Jones showing the semi-reclining driver position of the Sidwinder
This car looked more like a Rocketship then a dragster.

Front end of Sidewinder
Chuck Jones says the springs on the front end came off his grandfathers 1872 Benton Buggy. The front axle is Ford Anglia and the steering wheel is off a go-kart. The front wheels were 19 inch motorcycle rims with Dunlop motorcycle tires with 55 pounds of air in them.

photos: Don Nickles
Chuck Jones collection

Edited by Jerry Entin, 11 April 2020 - 17:06.

[arttidesco]

[Jerry Entin]

Ak Miller and Douglas Harrison in El Caballo 2
That is Miss America next to them.

Chuck Jones's partner in his Altered Coupe Walt Sandavol worked out of a shop in Whittier, California that was owned by Ak Miller. Walt Sandavol introduced Chuck Jones to Ak Miller in the late 50's. This would be the first taste of sportscar racing that Chuck Jones would be involved in.

 

The sharp looking Photographer in the Sportscoat behind the El Caballo 2 is Chuck Jone. Ak Miller was taking this Chrysler powered, Kurtis type chassis to run in Italy in the Mille Miglia, Chuck Jones was asked if he would like to come over with them. This would be Chuck's first sports car adventure. Here he is taking pictures of the Adventure.

Bottom photo: Getty Images

Edited by Jerry Entin, 15 April 2020 - 20:11.

[Jerry Entin]

Ak Miller looking over the burnt out body of the El Caballo 2
Chuck Jones almost didn't get to go on his Sportscar adventure as the car had the body burnt off it shortly before the group was getting ready to go to the Mille Miglia.

Here is a nice story told about finding the El Caballo 2 and pictures showing it's restoration.
http://www.clublexus...caballo-ii.html

Photo: Chuck Jones collection

Edited by Jerry Entin, 15 April 2020 - 20:13.

[Magoo]

Great, great stuff, thanks!

[T54]

Ak Miller and Douglas Harrison in El Caballo 2

Jerry,
This car was in our own shop last week getting some aluminum panels repaired by Simon Leach, one of the best in the business.
Thanks for this great thread, Chuck Jones is a good friend and a former customer. Great guy with lots of great stories!
Best regards,

P

[Jerry Entin]

Peter Collins who befriended Chuck Jones in 1957

Chuck Jones's Press credentials
Note this is signed by Wally Parks, he was the editor of Hot Rod magazine in 1957. He would go on to be the founder of the NHRA. The sanctioning body for Drag Racing in America.

Chuck stayed on in Europe after the Mille Miglia event and went to the Monaco Grand Prix. He was given Press credentials as he was representing Hot Rod Magazine for this event. He will tell in his words now what it was like to be a young American at the Formula One event in 1957:

"I met Peter Collins and Mike Hawthorn at the GP of Monaco in 57, Peter Collins came to my room and got me up at 5:00am. (Then, at Monaco, practice was at 7:00am.)

We had coffee in a small shop and he then introduced me to everyone up and down pit lane. Mike Hawthorn first. Incidently, Mike Hawthorn always wore a bow tie, even in the race! Peter then invited me to the 1000 Km race at the Nurburgring Ring, Juan Fangio won that one in a 450 Maserati. For some reason we hit it off in the 1'st five minutes and started to build a genuine friendship.

Sadly he was killed August 3, 1958 at the Nurburgring during the German GP. Peter was a very gifted driver.....Had a lot to do with my ambitions regards F1. Only took another 19 years.

The next time I was at Monaco (1976) I signed our car in as an owner. Peter Collins was a year older than me....."

Edited by Jerry Entin, 16 April 2020 - 18:28.

[E1pix]

Barely a teenager in the '70s, I certainly remember the orange Jones-Eisert F5000 cars that Bob Muir and Graham McRae drove in — I believe — 1973 and 1974. I recall Bob Muir promising to win at Road America in that car, a brash statement by a really lovable personality. He didn't win but gave a valiant effort, and apparently, a memorable statement in my past.

Jerry.... what was your involvement in F1? Though I know your history a little, that's news to me.

[RA Historian]

We had coffee in a small shop and he then introduced me to everyone up and down pit lane. Mike Hawthorne first. Incidently, Mike Hawthorne always wore a bow tie, even in the race! Peter then invited me to the 1000 Km race at the Nurburgring Ring, Juan Fangio won that one in a 450 Maserati.

For the umpteenth time on this forum, it is HAWTHORN !!! NO 'E'!

The 1957 1000 Kms of the Nurburgring was won by Tony Brooks and Noel Cunningham-Reid in an Aston Martin DBR-1, not by Fangio in a Maserati 450-S. The only race Fangio won is such a car was the 1957 Sebring 12 Hrs.
Tom

P.S. Please note, Jerry Entin merely posted the quotes of Chuck Jones; Jerry did not make the errors I note here.

Edited by RA Historian, 13 January 2011 - 20:02.

[Jerry Entin]

Chuck Jones's first sportscar venture was this Maserati 151 Coupe #006
Chuck Jones hired Skip Hudson to drive this car for him and was off on his own sportscar adventure.
This picture is from Cotati, California on May 2, 1963. That is Rod Carveth in his Lotus 19 with Buick power next to Skip Hudson in Chuck Jones's doorless Coupe.
This car was previously driven by Stan Peterson of Northern Califonia. Chuck bought this car off Bev Spencer. He was also given many parts off the Briggs Cunningham owned car that Marvin Panch had crashed at Daytona.

RA Historian: I have not researched these events, I am only posting Chuck Jones's words. He also hasn't checked his facts. He is telling me what he remembers from 53 years ago.

I will slow this thread down and check the facts from now on. He may have spelling errors. I try to correct them if I see them. I have corrected Hawthorn above.

I believe Chuck meant Fangio was on the Pole. In the race he had a wheel fall off after like 9 laps in his 450S Maserati. Fangio was of course credited with 5th overall driving with others in a 300 Maserati in the race.

E1Pix: I have no history with Formula One. I did go to Long Beach when Sid Taylor was running Keke Rosberg in the Theodore. I was only there as a friend. I did help Brian Redman and Sid Taylor in 1972 when they ran Brian's Chevron B 24 in the F-5000 series in the states. I was also with Sid Taylor in 1973 when Jody Scheckter drove a Trojan and Lola in the F-5000 for Sid in the states. I also helped Sid Taylor in 1974 when Vern Shuppan ran a Lola in F-5000, this was with sponsorship from Teddy Yip, this was at the last two westcoast races of 1974.
The Team starting in 1974 was known as Theodore Racing. They ran Tony Brise in 1975 and Alan Jones in 1976. Patrick Tambay ran the last race of 1976 at Riverside for Theodore Racing. They then went into Formula One and also Indy type racing. I had nothing to do with Formula One or Indy with Theodore Racing.

photo: Rod Carveth collection
scanned for site Laurie Williamson

Edited by Jerry Entin, 15 September 2015 - 01:36.

[Jerry Entin]

Skip Hudson in the Chuck Jones owned Chaparral leading Chuck Parsons Lotus 23
This was at Monterey in 1963. Chuck Parsons was driving for his sponsor Randy Hilton.

Skip Hudson in Chaparral leading Don Wester in his Porsche RSK and Chuck Parsons in his Lotus 23
Chuck Jones called his racing group Team Meridian. Chuck Jones and Skip Hudson were looking for a name for their team. Meridian meant the highest point or Zenith or Apex, that sounded like a good name to Chuck and Skip and that is how the team happened to be called Team Meridian.

Chuck Jones's Chaparral is the car previously driven at Riverside by Rodger Ward. Troutman and Barnes refurbished the car and sold it to Chuck. The mechanic who worked on the Chaparral was Tim Witham.

Tim was a genius at making things and at one time was partners with Art Sparks in a company called S&W Racing.

Tim Witham was a vegetarian and was very careful about chewing everything very slowly. He died at 48 years of age, so I guess being careful isn't always a guarantee to long life.


photos: Gil Munz
scanned for site Ike Smith

Edited by Jerry Entin, 16 April 2020 - 17:20.

[Jerry Entin]

Skip Hudson at Indy with Bob McKee and Jochen Rindt in 1965

Skip Hudson driving the 1965 monocoque Eisert during his Rookie test

Chuck Jones went to Indy with Skip Hudson in 1965, Skip failed his rookie test and was told to come back the next year. He was under the direction of Jerry Eisert, who was running the team for J Frank Harrison. The Indy officials wanted him to have more open wheel oval experience. This 1965 Eisert is currently owned by Bill Wiswedel of Holland, Michigan

Chuck Jones felt that Skip Hudson wasn't comfortable at Indy. He probably should have gone to another Open wheel race to practice and get experience, not just being thrown into this type of racing.

Top Photo: Bob McKee collection
bottom photo: Bill Wiswedel collection

Edited by Jerry Entin, 16 April 2020 - 14:58.

[Jerry Entin]

Janet Jones's Cobra
This car was part payment on a building that Chuck Jones sold to Dan Gurney and Carroll Shelby in the mid 60's. That building in Santa Ana, California would become the home of All American Racers. Janet's Cobra had an automatic transmission in it.

Skip Hudson in the Chuck Jones owned  Silver Lola T- 70, Bob Drake in the White Cobra and Cary Loftin in Gold McLaren

This is from the. Elvis movie Spinout made in 1966.

 

Another car that Chuck Jones acquired in the deal for the commercial property in Santa Ana was this Lola T-70.
At the time Dan Gurney and Carroll Shelby were buying the property from Chuck Jones, Chuck noticed they had a McLaren Mk 1 and a Lola T-70 in their shop. He asked would they consider selling one of them. Dan Gurney kept the McLaren and sold Chuck the Lola as part payment on the property.

Chuck Jones got this car in the Elvis Presley movie called Spinout. That is where I met Chuck Jones and Skip Hudson. I also had two of my cars in this movie. I had a McLaren Mk 1 in it and a Cheetah. We became friends during the making of the movie.


Photo: MGM publicity

Edited by Jerry Entin, 11 April 2020 - 13:28.

[Jerry Entin]

Skip Hudson at Watkins Glen USRRC Race in May of 1966
During the making of the movie Spinout, Chuck Jones had asked Max Balchowsky if he would like to come to the coming sportscar races with the team. Max said yes and signed on to help prepare the car for Skip Hudson and Chuck Jones. Max had made front engined type cars on his own in the 50's. They were called Ol Yeller Specials. This would be the first rear engined type sports racer that Max Balchowsky would help on.


photo: Gil Munz
scanned for site: Ike Smith

Edited by Jerry Entin, 16 April 2020 - 17:03.

[Jean L]

Watkins Glen USRRC,May or June ?

[David McKinney]

Chuck Jones got this car in the Elvis Presley movie Spinout. That is were I met Chuck Jones and Skip Hudson. I also had two of my cars in this movie. I had a McLaren Mk 1 in it and a Cheetah. We became friends during the making of the movie.

So you got to meet the King?

[ReWind]

Ak Miller and Douglas Harrison in El Caballo 2
That is Miss America next to them.

Just for the sake of completeness: Miss America 1957 (crowned in September 1956) was Marian McKnight.

[RA Historian]

So you got to meet the King?

Richard Petty?

(sorry, David, I could not resist!)
Tom

[E1pix]

Jerry:

I remember your days with F5000 well — and as a Can-Am shoe before — but must have gotten bad info on your having F1 team involvement.

Watching Scheckter's late-braking slides into Turn 1 at Road America remains one of my fondest memories in a lifetime of racing. I imagine his style required extra parts but it all worked out rather well.

Thanks for helping Jody's career take off, and for your extensive efforts here.

[hlfuzzball]

QUOTE (David McKinney @ Jan 14 2011, 14:37) *
So you got to meet the King?


Steve Kinser ?

Edited by hlfuzzball, 15 January 2011 - 22:55.

[Hse289]

Excellent thread Jerry

[Jerry Entin]

Skip Hudson in the 1964 Eisert Indy car
Before Skip went out in the 1965 monocoque car he did some practicing in the tubed framed 1964 Eisert.
Jerry Eisert is behind Skip and on the pit wall is Duane Carter.

1964 Tube framed Eisert in front and the 1965 Monoque car behind

 

photos: Bill Wiswedel collection

Edited by Jerry Entin, 16 April 2020 - 18:39.

[Jerry Entin]

Rick Muther in the Chuck Jones entered Lola T-70 in 1967 at Riverside Grand Prix
Chuck Jones heard that a new Lola T-70 that Bruce Burness had been building may be for sale. Chuck and his cousin Jim Roehm approached the owner of the car. A deal was made to buy the car with all the spares and a spare engine and they raced this car at Riverside and Stardust in 1967. Jack Hoare helped Chuck Jones run the car.

Bruce Burness had hoped the original owner would fund the effort and put Jackie Stewart in the car. He had the car in show mint condition with most of the suspension pieces gold anodized. It was the most beautiful Lola T-70 I had ever seen.

photo: John Wilson
copyright 2008 John Wilson

Edited by Jerry Entin, 16 April 2020 - 19:36.

[Jerry Entin]

Chuck and Janet Jones in the early 70's
The thing I remember most about Chuck Jones was he loved wearing his buckskin Jacket and Squash blossom necklace. I also remember that Chuck liked his pipe. The jacket that Chuck is wearing was bought by Chuck at an MGM auction in the late 60's. Robert Taylor had worn it in movies. He still has this jacket but it unfortunately has become fragile after all these years.
And I remember Janet as being very pretty

Chuck and Janet Jones and Sean and Stephanie Jones


photos : Chuck Jones collection

Edited by Jerry Entin, 11 April 2020 - 04:12.

[Jerry Entin]

Group picture of when Peter Revson drove the J Frank Harrison owned Harrison Special at Riverside in 1968
This car was built by Jerry Eisert. Jerry invited Chuck Jones to come to Riverside and help the team for this event. It was called the Rex Mays 300, Chuck Jones really enjoyed being a part of Jerry Eisert's effort. This was Peter Revson's first road course Champ car race. His gearbox failed after 81 of the 116 laps. As he was the last car out he was credited with 10th place.

 

Chuck Jones in the 1969 Eisert at Riverside.
This was for a TV movie for MGM and Chuck is driving the car.


photos: Chuck Jones collection

Edited by Jerry Entin, 11 April 2020 - 15:59.

[Jerry Entin]

Kevin Bartlett's McLaren MK10B at Monterey in 1972
That is Chuck Jones in the hat and Jerry Eisert behind the car
Kevin Bartlett had met Jerry Eisert at Indy in 1970. He had taken his rookie test in Marvin Webster's car.

Kevin Bartlett with Jones-Eisert Racing at Monterey
In 1972 Kevin Bartlett wanted to race in the westcoast F-5000 races. He contacted Jerry Eisert and asked if he could work out of their shop and if they could arrange transportation for the car to Monterey. Chuck Jones and Jerry Eisert had formed a partnership, they were delighted to help. After going to Monterey with Kevin in his McLaren Mk 10B, Chuck and Jerry decided that they loved F-5000 racing. They also wanted Kevin to drive for them and they wanted him to have the latest car available

Jones-Eisert Lola T-300 # HU 17 Kevin Bartlett was sent to Lola cars in England and through his good friend and distant realtive Frank Gardner he was able to return in 10 days with a new Lola T-300 # HU 17.

Thus was born Jones-Eisert Racing.

photos: Kevin Bartlett collection

Edited by Jerry Entin, 21 April 2020 - 06:21.

[brucemoxon]

Chuck and Janet Jones in the early 70's
The thing I remember most about Chuck Jones was he loved wearing his buckskin Jacket and Squash blossom necklace. I also remember that Chuck liked his pipe. The jacket that Chuck is wearing was bought by Chuck at an MGM auction in the late 60's. Robert Taylor had worn it in movies. He still has this jacket but it unfortunately has become fragile after all these years.
And I remember Janet as being very pretty.

[

photos : Chuck Jones collection

Fantastic thread - really great stuff (I'd never heard of Jones before - this is what's so great here).

But telling us when this photo was taken was a bit redundant. I mean, LOOK at them!



Bruce Moxon

[Jerry Entin]

Kevin Bartlett and Jerry Eisert and his new Lola T 300 at Elkhart Lake

 

 

photo: Kevin Bartlett collection

Edited by Jerry Entin, 13 April 2020 - 13:45.

[Jerry Entin]

Jerry Eisert working on car Jerry Grant is the driver 1973 Riverside

Jerry Grant in the Jones-Eisert T-300 Lola at Riverside in 1973

photos: Chuck Jones collection

Edited by Jerry Entin, 12 April 2020 - 23:44.

[Jerry Entin]

Lola T-330 at Michigan International Speedway in 1973
Bob Muir drove the car in Michigan.

 

Bob Muir in Lola T-330 at MIS

 

Chuck Jones and Bob Muir

Top 2 photos: Mark Windecker
bottom photo: Chuck Jones collection

Edited by Jerry Entin, 20 April 2020 - 13:48.

[Jerry Entin]

Clay Regazzoni in Lola T-330
Clay is seen driving the Jones-Eisert Lola T-330 in 1973.

Clay Regazzoni waiting to go out in the Jones-Eisert Lola 330


photos: Chuck Jones collection

Edited by Jerry Entin, 11 April 2020 - 14:09.

[gdonahoe]

What a fantastic thread. Thanks for posting all of the wonderful pictures and information. It is a walk down memory lane for me. What I find amazing is how many of these people and places have crossed through my life.

As a kid racing slot cars in the sixties I traveled to various tracks with my friend Henry Saunders and his dad Gordon in his Citroen DS. Gordon was a designer/stylist and one of his projects was the Bugetta dune buggy built by Jerry Eisert. I remember visiting Eisert’s shop while the Bugetta prototype was being built and seeing the Harrison Special. As an avid race fan this was heaven for me. During that era, along with my mom and dad, I attended almost every race held at Riverside Raceway. We were there to see Skip Hudson win in the Nickey Cooper and later watch him drive the stunning silver Lancer Lola. Lancer was important to me because they made the bodies used on my slot cars. At Riverside I also got to see many of the Eisert prepared cars pictured in this thread in action. Nearly twenty years later I went to work at All American Racers, in the building that Dan bought from Chuck Jones, where I got to know Skip Hudson very well.

Now it’s another 25 years down the road and I am back to racing slot cars with T54 who contributed earlier in this thread.
It truly is a small world.

Gary Donahoe

[Jerry Entin]

Bugetta built by Jerry Eisert

 

The good looking young guy in this photo is Sean Jones
The car he is running by is a Lamborghini Espada and the Dune buggy looking car behind it is called a Bugetta. The Bugetta was built by Chuck Jones's friend and future partner Jerry Eisert. About 5 were made and Paul Newman had one of them. They were Corvair powered and had monocoque type frames built by Jerry Eisert. This picture was taken around the Lake Como area of Italy and it is from the early 70's.]
Vince Howlett and T-54 and Jerry Entin and Frank Lance

In the background are Scooter Patrick and Lois Bryant.

Gary: I am glad you are enjoying hearing and seeing about Chuck Jones's many contributions to motor racing. I enjoy being able to show them on this thread.

That T-54 is a lot of fun. I had a very nice dinner with him last year at the Legends of Riverside. I truly enjoy spending time with him.


photos: Chuck Jones collection

Edited by Jerry Entin, 20 April 2020 - 15:23.

[Jerry Entin]

Chuck Jones and Lance Laughlin and Trevor Harris and Geoff Brabham

Doug Stokes and Chuck Jones

This is last year at the Legends of Riverside event.

top photo: Chuck Jones collection
bottom photo: Vince Howlett

Edited by Jerry Entin, 16 April 2020 - 17:00.

[brucemoxon]

Chuck Jones and Trevor Harris and Geoff Brabham

top photo: Chuck Jones collection

Geoff Brabham, Bob Muir, Kev Bartlett - liked his Aussie drivers, didn't he?

Again, fantastic stuff.



Bruce Moxon

[gdonahoe]

I am pretty sure that is Lance Laughlin to the left of Trevor. Are you sure that is Geoff?