Sunday, August 23, 2026
Saturday, August 22, 2026
the Bahamas Speed Week at Nassau (end of the racing season grand party) was the brainchild of former aviation officer turned racer Sherman “Red” Crise, who realized the abandoned Windsor Field airstrip would make a great racetrack
Crise was an interesting figure. He cut his teeth as a page at the New York Stock Exchange while studying for an aeronautical engineering degree. After graduating, he invested his NYSE earnings in a chain of three garages in New York, where he soon also gained the racing bug.
Surviving the Wall Street Crash of 1929 relatively unscathed, he went touring across Europe with an American racing team in 1930 and returned to the USA the following year to set up a seaplane base, which soon became very successful.
The racing bug was still there and Crise soon tapped into the burgeoning interest in midget racing by establishing a chain of dirt tracks, which prospered from 1938 to 1942, when the USA entered World War Two.
The racing bug was still there and Crise soon tapped into the burgeoning interest in midget racing by establishing a chain of dirt tracks, which prospered from 1938 to 1942, when the USA entered World War Two.
Crise - already a pilot - was swift to sign up and was assigned to the First Photographic Squadron, flying unarmed fighter planes on photographic missions, before transferring to Air Transport Command as a Captain.
Towards the end of the war he was forced to bale out over China and suffered a broken neck, eventually being repatriated to Miami to recuperate. From his hospital bed he then dreamed up his next venture - the Miami Beach Marine Basin - which lasted a year until being destroyed by fire.
During this period, Crise and his wife would often take yacht trips out to the Bahamas and it was during one of these visits to New Providence Island, home to the capital Nassau, that Red first spotted the open expanses of asphalt that made up the abandoned Windsor Airport. An idea soon formed in his head...
When confirmed entries were slow in coming through, Red Crise put out feelers with the local car dealers and soon there were almost 100 unofficial enquiries for starting positions.
The addition of a bike race also helped to ensure the event would have a decent chance of success and, bit by bit, a good entry was finally obtained.
In 1954, the Nassau Trophy Road Races were born on the Windsor Field circuit, with Masten Gregory taking victory in a Ferrari 375 MM. The following year it was Phil Hill’s turn, behind the wheel of the Ferrari 857 S, while in 1956 Stirling Moss triumphed in a Maserati 300S.
The track saw the greatest names of the era pass through, including Alfonso de Portago, Carroll Shelby, Dan Gurney, A.J. Foyt, brothers Pedro and Ricardo Rodriguez, and Innes Ireland, alongside cars that would go down in history: the Lotus 19, the Scarab Chevrolet, and the Chaparral 2A of Hap Sharp and Roger Penske, which dominated in 1964 and 1965.
In December 1942, the airport was named Windsor Field (after the Duke of Windsor, who had taken up regular residency on the island after abdicating as the King of the United Kingdom.) and became a Royal Air Force (RAF) station.
The OTU returned to the UK in September 1945 and was disbanded.
Invitations were sent out to the competitors of the SCCA at the end of the 1954 season, anticipating the first Speed Week from 6-12 December. When confirmed entries were slow in coming through, Red Crise put out feelers with the local car dealers and soon there were almost 100 unofficial enquiries for starting positions. The addition of a bike race also helped to ensure the event would have a decent chance of success and, bit by bit, a good entry was finally obtained. In June 1946, the RAF withdrew from Windsor Field and it reverted to civilian use.
The track saw the greatest names of the era pass through, including Alfonso de Portago, Carroll Shelby, Dan Gurney, A.J. Foyt, brothers Pedro and Ricardo Rodriguez, and Innes Ireland, alongside cars that would go down in history: the Lotus 19, the Scarab Chevrolet, and the Chaparral 2A of Hap Sharp and Roger Penske, which dominated in 1964 and 1965.
In August 1942, the British govt started a (Coastal) Operational Training Unit RAF at Nassau Airport to train general reconnaissance crews using the North American Mitchell and Consolidated Liberators.
(Why train in the Bahamas? Far from the European theater of war?)
In December 1942, the airport was named Windsor Field (after the Duke of Windsor, who had taken up regular residency on the island after abdicating as the King of the United Kingdom.) and became a Royal Air Force (RAF) station.
The OTU returned to the UK in September 1945 and was disbanded.
Invitations were sent out to the competitors of the SCCA at the end of the 1954 season, anticipating the first Speed Week from 6-12 December. When confirmed entries were slow in coming through, Red Crise put out feelers with the local car dealers and soon there were almost 100 unofficial enquiries for starting positions. The addition of a bike race also helped to ensure the event would have a decent chance of success and, bit by bit, a good entry was finally obtained. In June 1946, the RAF withdrew from Windsor Field and it reverted to civilian use.
In November 1957, Nassau International Airport at Windsor Field was brought into full operation.
the Maryland Vehicle Authority is cracking down on out-of-state vehicle registration, primarily targeting thousands of vehicles improperly registered in Virginia.
The MVA said the data showed that 28,003 vehicles previously registered in Maryland were switched to Virginia. More than 50% of those vehicles would not be eligible to register in Maryland because of indicators on their records, and nearly all were out of compliance with Virginia safety inspections.
Baltimore City officials said drivers with Virginia tags often do not pay traffic citations. About 63% of camera citations issued to vehicles with Virginia tags remain outstanding from 2025. More than 80% of camera citations issued to vehicles with Virginia tags in 2024 also remain unpaid.
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a significant portion of the tires currently sold in California will now be forbidden starting in 2029 by a California Energy Commission new rule about rolling resistance (not that any paycheck to paycheck blue collar type asked anyone in Sacramento to outlaw cheap tires) (Thank you Doug!)
The first phase would begin in 2029, which would allow the sale of tires with a maximum rolling resistance level of 9.1 newtons per kilonewton (N/kN). In phase 2, the standard lowers to 7.2 (N/kN) starting in 2033. The commission came up with the standards after testing 537 types of tires.
The regulations, the commission says, will also reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 2m metric tons per year, equivalent to taking roughly 400,000 gasoline cars off the roads.
The CEC claims Californians could save $79 in four months in gas or electricity costs under phase 1, and about $153 in phase 2 within seven months.
"These regulations are a tool within our authority that can save money for every Californian," said Commissioner Nancy Skinner.
other industry groups and manufacturers objected to the regulations in an April letter, the San Diego Union-Tribune reported, including Goodyear, Yokohama and the California Tire Dealers Association. The letter said the cost of replacement tires would increase by roughly $6 to $10 per tire, with the industry leaders rejecting the state’s arguments that fuel savings would outweigh those costs.
The groups raised concerns about the standards in phase two of the regulations, arguing that the tires mandated under those stricter rules, which would begin in 2033, are “typically priced hundreds of dollars more per set than baseline alternatives”.
The groups raised concerns about the standards in phase two of the regulations, arguing that the tires mandated under those stricter rules, which would begin in 2033, are “typically priced hundreds of dollars more per set than baseline alternatives”.
I'll speculate that this instantly makes soft compound higher traction tires that street racers prefer, illegal in California, and that the sale of these simply transfers to Arizona, Nevada, and Oregon ... because getting them delivered by Summit or Amazon is likely to be a waste of money for anyone who does an annual or semi annual trip to SEMA (who? Me?)
Sure would be interesting if they did something to LOWER the costs of what drivers need.... gas, cars, tires... or FIXED the damn potholes, SMOOTHED the freeways (big grinders that EVEN the surface of the freeways) but UFOs, ghosts, and religions will be proven real, before the city state or federal govt does a single damn thing that pleases a majority of regular people (not the Karens and Carls)
Friday, August 21, 2026
thank you M Currie for the compliment of the day!
always worth reading this blog
M Currie (in the comment section of https://justacarguy.blogspot.com/2026/08/the-coolest-stories-in-history-often.html?sc=1787368586964#c2983579161324334594 )
wouldn't it be cool to find a tank? Even better, one that everyone forgot about? Even better, a WW2 Panzer! Well, someone was digging and found one that a university had buried and had used for chemistry experiments
The tank was discovered while an old underground storage facility was being dismantled. Rather than simply being abandoned, the Panther had been deliberately installed inside a specially constructed brick-lined underground chamber, complete with steps leading towards its turret.
University historians say the captured German tank was given an unusual second life after WWII. Scientists at the former Kazan Chemical Technology Institute used its heavy armor as a protective chamber for experiments involving explosives, gunpowder and pyrotechnic compounds. Researchers entered through the turret hatch, placed experimental samples inside and then remotely detonated them from the university building.
the Karens are at it again... now they want to stop the Freedom 250 Grand Prix in Washington DC on a two-mile course in the National Mall because the "vibrations" from the race cars are causing Mary Orkin, a non profit asst director, anxiety (oh poor thing)
Okin is particularly worried about the Wilbur J. Cohen Building, the original home of the Social Security Program and several historic murals.
The two-day event includes practices, qualifiers and warmups, culminating in the 250-mile race on Sunday afternoon.
Racing along the route, at about 180 mph, around a 1.7-mile irregularly-shaped track on the National Mall, they will zoom past institutions including the National Gallery of Art, the National Archives Building and the Smithsonian's National Air and Space and Hirshhorn Museums.
Thursday, August 20, 2026
A man dressed as the iconic “Star Wars” villain Darth Vader appeared to defend the use of Flock cameras before the San Diego City Council, assuring that “this is what the emperor needs.”
“This is what the emperor needs. This technology will help us find the rebel scum and the hidden base on Hoth,” the man said
He urged that the cameras be used to surveil any “rebel scum as they move from playground to playground, from playground to pool, from pool to gymnasium, because we all know that the Flock cameras are not only following the license plate readers, they are following children.”
“And how will the people trust this City Council when this City Council continues to vote for surveillance technology that imprisons them? Ms. Campbell, you must work on your Jedi mind tricks,” he said, addressing City Council member Jennifer Campbell, before waving his hand to the audience. “Do it like this.”
His last plea was for the Flock cameras to be used to “help us find Luke Skywalker as he traverses the universe in his X-wing.”
“This technology is a necessary, necessary force,” he concluded.
“And how will the people trust this City Council when this City Council continues to vote for surveillance technology that imprisons them? Ms. Campbell, you must work on your Jedi mind tricks,” he said, addressing City Council member Jennifer Campbell, before waving his hand to the audience. “Do it like this.”
His last plea was for the Flock cameras to be used to “help us find Luke Skywalker as he traverses the universe in his X-wing.”
“This technology is a necessary, necessary force,” he concluded.
San Diego has more than 550 Flock cameras across the city, according to the Flock tracking map DeFlock.
https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1431992038789213&set=a.381661467155614
https://thehill.com/policy/technology/6042349-darth-vader-flock-surveillance
https://thehill.com/policy/technology/6042349-darth-vader-flock-surveillance
see it on video at https://www.facebook.com/reel/2318039352264119
the coolest stories in history often start out wondering... how'd that thing become famous... like, this - the Zero Haliburton briefcase, that's been in over 300 movies and tv shows - was made because aluminum airplanes inspired Halliburton to build travel resistant durable suitcases
I had never heard of Ed Halliburton, or oil well cementing, had no idea how dang rich you could get on 1700 shares of one companies stock (Equivalent of 3 million dollars, per quarterly earnings, so, 12 million a year, from the stock of an oil well cementing company!)
You can still get a ride on a D Day LST (Omaha Beach), if you are going between New London, CT and Orient Point, NY, (on the eastern end of Long Island) on the Cross Sound Ferry company's Cape Henlopen (USS Buncombe County LST-510)
The Cape Henlopen (LST-510) served in the Allied invasion of Europe.
Built in Indiana, went down the Mississippi to New Orleans, then a shakedown run to Panama City Fla, then to New York City, where they loaded up 600 tons of ammo, then Boston, Halifax, then convoy'd to Ireland
Wednesday, August 19, 2026
NHRA stuck Steell Fuller and his Avanti called "The Glass Widow" in B/Gas Supercharged at the 1963 NHRA Nationals at Indy, where he didn't have a hope in hell of competing, because Studebaker hadn't released the official power rating of the Supercharged 289 R2
No, I can't tell what the words are between the windshield and NHRA... or to the far side of 289. I suppose it might be something to the effect of "it is only a"
Did Heff sponsor Bob Bondurant in the 1959 Laguna Seca?
from the enjoyable facebook page Vintage Men, Classic Sporting Life & Adventure https://www.facebook.com/groups/132380976935515/
thank you to Henry Cow for the compliment of the day!
Your blog is the best in the whole universe!
Henry Cow (mentioned in the comment on https://justacarguy.blogspot.com/2026/08/annie-soisbault-de-montaigu-took-part.html?showComment=1787156581087#c183400420585837790)
Tuesday, August 18, 2026
Ed Beyer and Dale Young's '69 Mercury Cyclone CJ 428. You may remember Ed from him being the Hurst "Shifty Doctor" back in the '60's. He also was a national record holder with his '56 Pontiac Stocker.
The team participated in both NHRA and AHRA competition.
They ran with a Holley 2-barrel in F-3 F/SA in AHRA and in NHRA with the 4- barrel Holley in F/SA.
They also had the option of running with the flat non- Cobra Jet hood bringing the car down to G/SA.
During the '69 season they were also able to move up into SS/JA.
The 428 was bored .030 over and featured a cross drilled crank by Holman-Moody and Stroppe who also did the final balancing.
Best time running in SS/JA was 11.87 at 118.42
Every single flock camera in this Winona Minnesota were sawed down and removed in one night, and the whole town is playing dumb
Someone cut down poles and removed all eight of the city's Flock cameras between July 29 and August 1, causing an estimated $24,000 in damage.
The thefts appear to have happened Replacement cost is about $3,000 each.
When police asked the public for tips, the responses poured in:
➡“The Flock cameras tore themselves down.”
➡“Whoever did it was fishing with me.”
➡“Whoever it was was at Bible study with me.”
Over 900 people commented on a WPD post about the theft before the department restricted further comments. “It’s almost like people don’t want to be watched 24/7,” one person wrote. “I need to buy whoever did this a drink,” another stated. “Hopefully it was a sworn officer, realizing that their duty to uphold the constitution necessitated the removal of the devices,” a third commenter quipped.
https://www.cbsnews.com/minnesota/news/winona-police-wont-replace-stolen-flock-cameras/
https://www.cbsnews.com/minnesota/news/winona-police-wont-replace-stolen-flock-cameras/
Maybe it was an autonomous sawzall. Mounted on a self driving tractor
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