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Tower Man
10-05-2007, 03:14 PM
While scrolling through the S.A.F.E.R Year Books since 1997, I realized there are so many missing cars. Where are they?

Mark Lento's #7
Bobby Wallace's #19
Knuckles Nunziatta's #2
Rob Nunziata's #64
Ralph Tasso's #3
The Late John Zell's #10
Tom Ferrara's #42
Al Wagner's #55
Lou Wagner's #36
Keith Tirripicchio's #41
Larry Caruso's #40
Ken Darch's #3
Chuck Hlatky's #60

Just to name a few...

W. J.
10-05-2007, 07:32 PM
Joe Larsen's #37???

00 RBDJ
10-05-2007, 08:10 PM
Ken Darch's #3 is now Tom Ferrara's #0x ...

RacinRob
10-05-2007, 09:49 PM
Then where is the old 00 of Tom Graff?

Tommyj16
10-05-2007, 09:54 PM
Lento's car was wrecked in X w/ Sean Hansen in 97,Ferrara's 42 is the 00 of Guy Lumis sitting at his house and the other is at Dalke's house #57,Tasso's 3 is the 85 of Hyde,Zells 10 is the 58 Hyde, Wallace's 19 is Farrell's 16, Nunziata's 2 is the 78 of Mike Brigandi. in garage, not for sale, Wagner's 55 is at gershow on trailer.
64, 40, 41, 60 I don't know, and the old 00 of Graff is the 0x now and was the 3 of Ken Darch
Yeah Joe, where is the 37?

Tower Man
10-05-2007, 10:24 PM
I sold the 37 to Saraceno who let someone use it. Then over night it disappeared.

RickFigure8
10-06-2007, 12:29 AM
Lou Wagners 36 went to Bill Nunziata minus motor and is now the 18 sitting on Rob's lawn. I think it's still on the lawn, lol. Chuck Hlatky's 60, the station wagon last I believe went back to him, I think bare chassis, but never got rebuilt past that point. Rob still has the 64 pretty much complete & sitting. Also the 4 is sitting. Ed Dunlop still has his car that Eddie Mistretta ran. The 45 that I ran is sitting with the 6 cylinder out of it.

Tower Man
10-06-2007, 09:39 AM
Thanks guys.

Hey Rick, is the 45 the 47 Denniston and I had rebuilt for Slim Jim when he came to Figure 8's?

Wonder what Rob is going to do with the 64? I drove that car once.

Tommyj16
10-06-2007, 11:58 AM
Joe you know you want to race again so buy the 64 and come racing w/ us again. there is room in that trailer for another car lol.

RickFigure8
10-06-2007, 07:27 PM
Joe yes it is. Freds old #1. the rear rails are pushed over from my crash. Needs front and rear bumpers and one gooseneck, V8 mounts set up and a mess of sheet metal work. Plus the usual stuff that needs updating, belts, padding, and probably cell, I don't remember what the rule is on that. The 64 I believe is sitting complete. Again updating safety stuff is needed. I was told from sitting so long the rear deck tin on the old Lou Wagner was rusted through. I'm sure underneath the car is fine. That car was brand new, ran, I believe, less than a full season and was a nice chassis.

figure849
10-06-2007, 08:48 PM
the 43 is ready to go ,coupe body v8. Keith Repp has it
if we got all the cars out we would have a full feild.

did Billy Stein have a motor in his car at the car show today ? and was it a v8 or a 6.
Health problems stopped me from bringing the 49 and 82 out today.

unowho243
10-07-2007, 05:32 PM
The 00 of Guy Loomis and the 12 of Rob Dalke.

Tommyj16
10-07-2007, 05:49 PM
00 Guy Loomis sitting in his driveway w/ blown engine, and 21 Dalke is coming back next season.

Jaws
10-07-2007, 08:14 PM
Lou Wagners 36 went to Bill Nunziata minus motor and is now the 18 sitting on Rob's lawn. I think it's still on the lawn, lol. Chuck Hlatky's 60, the station wagon last I believe went back to him, I think bare chassis, but never got rebuilt past that point. Rob still has the 64 pretty much complete & sitting. Also the 4 is sitting. Ed Dunlop still has his car that Eddie Mistretta ran. The 45 that I ran is sitting with the 6 cylinder out of it.

What would it take to get all these cars out?

Sponsors, selling them? bigger purse?

Just curious, the class needs a few more cars before they are down to single digits and dropped all together.

RickFigure8
10-08-2007, 04:04 AM
Well, money, lol. the 64 has a decent motor, but probably not enough as it sits to run with the best out there. Freshening is probably a few thousand. Most other cars sitting need complete engines. Now it's five grand and up. The odds of building a 4 grand motor that will run that strong and stay together are pretty slim. It's easy for people to wonder why these cars are not out there. The cars that have been sitting a few years usually need a mess of updating, especially if sitting outdoors. Belts, cells, brake lines, windshields, Possibly calipers, pads, rotors, it all adds up fast. On top of that tires, tubes, fuel and whatever else makes it a pretty good expense to get the car back out there. It's the same with the other divisions and I'm sure there's plenty of them sitting out there too. Anyone who knows me knows that I have always said we have the best division to be in financially, that you can at least break even and most likely make some money running a figure8 car, after you write off building it. As long as you don't blow up or trash the thing really bad you can do okay, and you really never know when either of the two will happen. Guy Loomis was out every week until his motor blew. You have to give a lot of credit to Billy Steen this past year. Now just from general talk I have a feeling we will have more cars next year. I'm sure there's other cars sitting that we haven't remembered yet.

Rick

sround
10-09-2007, 09:53 PM
What ever happened to the Coupe's?..... G. Browns and the other one that was out there for a couple of years? (Frank Seus?)... Just curious.

RacinRob
10-09-2007, 09:59 PM
Sitting on a front lawn in Ronkonkoma short.

Tower Man
10-10-2007, 06:28 AM
I'd like to go "visit" one of the coupes. Can somebody PM me with location?

Tommyj16
10-10-2007, 02:53 PM
Keith Repp has the coupe G. Brown drove. It almost came out this year. No money and a driver. I don't think Keith wants to drive. I don't know where he lives, but I think the Hydes might.

figure849
10-10-2007, 05:18 PM
I went to Keith's house today and bought the original coupe that George drove, rolling chassis and coupe body.
HE has the second coupe that George drove, then Roger. It is complete, ready to go. Mike and Keith would like to run the season next year, What they need is a sponsor for tires to get them started. Any one looking to sponsor a race car, contact them. If you have a problem getting in touch with them, Kenny Hyde or myself can give you the number.
The # 6 car that was out the end of the season is for sale, 6cyl, cheap, you can finish last and make more than winning the Blunderbust feature.

RacinRob
10-10-2007, 06:34 PM
Artie, are you going to restore the coupe or race it? Can you post some pics of it...I'd love to see it!

figure849
10-10-2007, 08:05 PM
How about we continue to find these missing cars? If you know where a car is, post it here, and we will find out what the deal is. If it is for sale, the condition, or the owner's plans.

RickFigure8
10-10-2007, 08:06 PM
Just in case anyone might not know it, there's three coupes. Keith Repps original one, which Artie now has, was white with flames. Frank Seuss has the #75, which I believe was complete when parked, and the newer Mopar powered one that George and Roger drove. (I took the first green flag in it, lol)

The Bullfather
10-10-2007, 08:18 PM
My dad used to sponsor the old 40 ford that Artie bought. He used to have a Golden Chariots Magazine logo on the trunk lid. The Frank Seuss car is a 38 Chevy. Not sure what the other coupe was off the top on my head. He Artie if you restore the car, maybe we can get that old logo back on! He put a lot of blood sweat and tears into the magazine, became sick and we had to fold. We did it for five years, a total sucess in the magazine biz. If he didn't get sick, it would probabaly be around today! We still get people that come up and speak to us about it and how much they enjoyed it!

randomrodder
10-10-2007, 08:52 PM
Pete, The 40 coupe had the RRRADD Logo on it. Rodders, Racers and Restorers Against Drunk Driving with a Steering wheel used instead of the circle with the single slash.Teddy from F&J Transmisson had the magazine on the deck lid of his Model A Coupe he ran at West Hampton.

The Bullfather
10-10-2007, 08:56 PM
ahhhhh either way it would be cool to see. :)

randomrodder
10-10-2007, 09:02 PM
My mistake, make that Ted's Transmissions, NOT F&J's

figure849
10-10-2007, 09:54 PM
Pete do you have any pictures ?

The Bullfather
10-11-2007, 06:45 AM
have to ask my dad, not sure if it made any magazines in a photo or not. I don't recall it. But we do have issues with the old logo though. Have to ask my father. Are you going to go through the car and restore it? Or just get it to race condition and get someone to race it??

randomrodder
10-11-2007, 11:27 AM
No, I don't have any photos of the car. I had one but it's in storage somewhere. I could scan in the logo from a copy of the magazine if needed. All the window decals are long gone.

figure849
10-11-2007, 03:51 PM
Ricky you must have some photos of the first coupe that George drove, I think this one is a 39 ford, was it ever yellow? I did see a photo of it white. I am hoping that at one time it was George Brown yellow.

Tower Man
10-11-2007, 09:15 PM
It was yellow. I have a picture, but no scanner. There is a Figure 8 web site that has a picture of it also, but I'll have to see if I can remember the site.

RickFigure8
10-11-2007, 10:01 PM
Artie believe it or not I don't. I wasn't sure. I just looked through all the photos I have and I have none of the 41 or 43 coupes. I'm sure I have videos of them racing but no photos.

Mike Fields
10-12-2007, 07:40 AM
Joe, we don't have all the Figure 8 tracks listed across the country, although we've tried to put up all that we've found. However, look at the links page on the SAFER8.com site to see if the site you're looking for is there.

If you know of other Figure 8 racing sites, drop us an email so we can list them.

The Bullfather
10-12-2007, 03:02 PM
I'd like to see the car return to it's white and flames form.

RickFigure8
10-12-2007, 08:09 PM
I forgot about that. And there's even photos I sent there, lol. Here's the "original" coupe. And the site is Pop's Racing Site. http://www.geocities.com/MotorCity/Downs/1752/

RickFigure8
10-12-2007, 08:17 PM
A few more from Pop's

RickFigure8
10-12-2007, 08:37 PM
By the way, I should have said that Pop's is a great site. Take the time to go there and roam through the photos. A little tricky to negotiate but it's worth it. Right at the bottom of the page is a link to Pops Photos. Also check out Friends. Lots and lots of photos organized by name, sent in racers and friends.

The Bullfather
10-12-2007, 08:44 PM
YEAH Pop's is a great site, as is Lasheefs.com tons of Long Island photos. The white car is the one that was sponsored by R.A.D.D..

Mike Fields
10-12-2007, 08:55 PM
Steve Lombardo, who runs Lasheefs.com, lives in Northern California, and is also an old Bomber driver from Freeport Stadium.

I guess when our Freeport Bomber days are older, we don't go away; we just start websites!

W. J.
10-12-2007, 09:31 PM
I thought it was "Old Freeport Bomber drivers don't fade away, they just blowup!" :lol:

Sorry, Thompson World Series Weekend humor there!

Great Pics, Rick, glad you were able to find them.

figure849
10-12-2007, 10:13 PM
All we need know is a picture of Frankie Zuess's coupe

unowho243
10-15-2007, 12:51 AM
GET THESE CARS BACK OUT THERE!!! I used to love watching the fig 8's when they were packed fields!


ALSO since the WORLD championship is already taken or given up why not start a NATIONAL championship race and add a lot of raised purse money to get people country wide to race!

Tower Man
10-15-2007, 06:31 AM
Pop's site...that was it. My hit at the X is there as well.

fisherman
10-15-2007, 07:04 PM
Hey Joe, look at who hit you.:lol:

RickFigure8
10-15-2007, 08:22 PM
It's way too expensive to travel these days, even with a better purse. These guys weren't just coming from N.J., Conn, and Pa. Plus many came for the television coverage. I agree it would be nice though. I am one who one year started 33rd, lol. Finished 6th too and had a blast. I always loved championship weekend. Well, maybe not so much the year I crushed my car and then Ernie flipped my motorcycle in the pits after the race, lol.

RickFigure8
10-15-2007, 08:26 PM
Just for you Joe. And I have to hunt down my video of your crash and put it up on youtube.

unowho243
10-16-2007, 12:09 AM
Wow, how scary was that hit for the both of you?

RickFigure8
10-16-2007, 12:33 AM
As bad as this hit looks, the worst was yet to come. Joe was knocked out with the throttle wide open. The car went straight into the straightaway wall at a perfect 90 degrees. The car was still accelerating when it hit. It's one hit I will never forget. The shield popped out, bounced off the chain link fence and back to the car. The car just hit and crushed, didn't even bounce a foot off the wall. The chassis buckled as far back as under or behind where the seat was. Joe's left foot ended up on top of the driver's upper a-frame.

fisherman
10-16-2007, 07:16 PM
Gotta say that was the worst and hardest wreck I was involved in. Thank God after healing Joe is still here and walking.

Tower Man
10-17-2007, 06:28 AM
Thanks Fisherman.

And thank God I have no recollection of the entire day, other than sitting in the car holding my sneaker.

Tracy87BB
10-17-2007, 10:20 AM
I wasn't there, but I've seen the video. Scary. Has to be the worst crash I've seen. You're one lucky guy, Tower Man...

charlie74
10-17-2007, 12:28 PM
Hello, my name is Charlie Hargraves. I have talked to a few of you all about the World Championship down here in Indy. This year we had our best run, we ran 7th in this historic event. I have been reading about these crashes, and I was wondering there is a place where I could see this. Also, I am looking for any figure-8 tape that may be out there. I have the 1971 race from Islip, my uncle won that race, Sonny Thompson. I am looking for more of those races and possibly some race from the 80's and 90's from Islip and Riverhead. Please, if anyone can help please let me know, I am really interested in the world championships in the 60's, 70's, 80's and 90's. I will pay for them, trade for them, or whatever. Also when are some of you going to come to race the big one in September again? Hope to here back soon,

Charlie Hargraves
#74 The Pink Panther

Tommyj16
10-17-2007, 06:16 PM
Charlie74,

I would love to come race the World Championship race, but our cars are not competitive with yours. You guys run something like an outlaw modified, where here we have rules to comply with. It would not be cost effective to travel and not even make the race on time, and then wait till we can go out. As far as tapes of championship races, contact Rickfigue8.

Tom F.

leah28racing
10-18-2007, 10:43 AM
If you're looking for any kind of tape you can email me. My father has 100's. He watches them over and over and over, to learn other drivers and what they do, and change what he might have done wrong in the race. I'll ask him tonight what tapes or DVDs he's got.

Mortgage Guy
10-18-2007, 09:59 PM
Hey Tommy, I read your first post, isn't the 58 Tom Rogers old car and the 85 Ralph Tassos old car?? Just curios, and congrats on your win this year.

RickFigure8
10-18-2007, 10:10 PM
Yes, the 58 is Tommy Rogers, George Brown, Johnny Zell, Ronnie Sprague, George Browns Probe, lol. And the 85 is Ralphs, #3.

Tommyj16
10-19-2007, 03:31 PM
Thanks Rick you hit the nail on the head w/ the 58 & 85
Thanks Mortgage Guy

The Bullfather
10-19-2007, 07:08 PM
I heard someone in the modified division has a figure 8 sitting... hmmmmm sorry not going to say who! As far as I know Tommy Rogers Jr. doesn't have his, so it must be someone else! Now the huge question will he bring it out to race? So now that I said "he", we know it's not Marissa! :lol:

figure849
10-19-2007, 07:12 PM
My guess would be JR, with the tie with Vinny Petro. Or John Fortin.

figure849
10-19-2007, 07:13 PM
Or maybe they would switch each week.

RickFigure8
10-22-2007, 02:49 AM
As of a couple months ago Vinnie's car had no motor. Joe does have the old #17 which was the Charles Bianco/ Al Wagner Nova. Been sitting for years and has a 6 cyl in it. it's been sitting on it's trailer at Gershows.

fisherman
10-22-2007, 07:23 PM
That 17 car has my old Chuck Deon 6 cyl in it.

Tower Man
10-23-2007, 05:56 AM
My understanding is that a Figure 8 car on a trailer was brought to Gershow. Both were in good condition. It was the car driven by Charles Bianco. It was put on the side for "future use".

The Bullfather
10-23-2007, 06:34 AM
both were in good condition??? The car and trailer?

art11758
10-23-2007, 11:51 AM
They may have been. Next time I am there, I will stroll over and get a better look. I see that car everytime we are there and it never occurred to me as to how it got there.

RacinRob
10-23-2007, 03:50 PM
Last time I was down there JR told me that the car was just scrapped the guy didnt want it. It has a blown head gasket but they have started it. The trailer is an awesome trailer, just needs a little tlc.

Tommyj16
10-23-2007, 06:18 PM
Racing Rob are you looking to drive a fig-8 car in 2008?

Tom F.

Ka$h25
10-24-2007, 05:02 AM
I think the story was he was trying to sell it because the town was hassling him. No one was interested in buying it so he scrapped it. Luckily Joey knew it had some value and just stuck it aside.

RacinRob
10-24-2007, 06:59 PM
Tom I am looking to leave the blunderbusts lol havent given much thought to figure 8 racing!.

unowho243
10-24-2007, 08:24 PM
I'll drive a fig 8, just dont have funds or time to work on the car, so if someone wants to give me a ride just to get more cars on the track, I will be more than willing to take to the X, lol.....

Jim Laird

Tommyj16
10-24-2007, 09:23 PM
Well rob the fig-8 are i think are the best div. to learn and if you look at the past mod champions ya mod champs they came from fig -8 or go carts making lefts and right turns. John fortin, Tom Rodgers former fig-8 champs and mod champs, Chris Young former fig -8 champ and JR drove go-carts. Lets not forget the purse just taking the green is $50 and top tens make 100 and you can ask cheese box the 11 fig-8 his first fig race made more than bb the whole prevs year, and he just went out and ran laps and got a top five. And the fig-8 div is the best for helping everybody from Roger and TK all the way down to the rookies every body helps each other and when you come to the safer dinner to recieve you rookie award you will see how close the div. is and oh ya the safer point fund check as well as a nice trophy.

RacinRob
10-24-2007, 09:39 PM
Where is this beautiful hot rod?
http://www.chassis-works.com/graphics/2.jpg

Tommyj16
10-24-2007, 09:45 PM
I always liked that car

unowho243
10-25-2007, 01:01 AM
whos car was that and is it still around?

Tower Man
10-25-2007, 02:31 AM
That car belonged to Mark Lento, who moved to Florida, and was the former John Fortin Championship car. I thought he took the car with him and turned it into a truck and ran it at the Florida Speed Park in Jacksonville Florida.

Tommyj16
10-25-2007, 04:28 PM
That chassis was scrapped from bent clip from hit at the "X" but took all bolt on stuff and put on a truck chassis

pappy
10-26-2007, 09:46 AM
Billy sold his car and is now retired. The expense to run to be competitive got too high. That goes for all the divisions.

Tower Man
10-26-2007, 01:51 PM
I heard that he sold.

00 RBDJ
10-26-2007, 03:24 PM
He sold it to Steve Stadler#6... Joe rumor has it you bought the #6 car, any truth to it??

figure849
10-26-2007, 03:50 PM
The expense to run and be competitive too high is bull, as far as the figure 8 division goes.
Joe, I also heared that you bought the 6 car. If so, are you going to have to put an 8 cyl in there as to be competitive and not just another car out there. I would be interested in the 6 cyl for a project for this winter.

Tower Man
10-26-2007, 06:21 PM
The 6 car was purchased by J & J Salvage and Towing and sponsored primarily by JTL Enterprises. The plan, as it stands, is for my BB driver to drive it.

We are looking to do laps and drive it off the track throughout 2008. We already know we will not be the car to beat.

Figure849, we can talk...but a conversion would be costly at this time.

racerwife
10-26-2007, 06:37 PM
I don't know about anyone else in our division... but to be competitive is indeed expensive. If you have no/limited sponsorship you struggle from week to week to make ends meet.
Just getting an engine is an easy $4,000.00 if you have some of the parts to start with. If you think that's a small amount of money, you are nuts. And if you have any damage and don't finish in the top 5, you're in the hole once again. Anyone in any racing division now a day is putting a lot out of their own pocket, let alone sponsors money, to be competitive... that's a fact!!!
I don't care what the payout is at the end of the night... 1 bad night or damage to the car and it's hundreds to start with. So yes, it is a lot for most of us to have to come up with. Even a good night of racing, you're lucky if you break even between gas, pit entrance fee, welding, let alone $400-$500 for tires!!! Our payoff doesn't touch that...
I really beg to differ with you Artie... who Roger is associated with and the number of sponsorships that he has on his car is not the norm in our division. Most cars have some sponsorship, not all for $$$... but it still costs all of us out there from our own pockets. I would imagine Roger, too.
So as far as I think most of us are concerned... yes, it is dollar expensive to be a racer.
I wonder how many still have outstanding bills with Dennis from Oval Speed???
Karen

fisherman
10-26-2007, 07:53 PM
well said karen

RickFigure8
10-27-2007, 04:10 AM
It is expensive, but compared to the other divisions, it is quite a bit less than it is to run in them. Artie, Mitch still has the 6cyl out of the 45 sitting complete. Still has the multidisc on it. He also has a brand new set of headers from Schoenfeld.

Tommyj16
10-27-2007, 09:27 AM
This post was written to atract other drivers to come and race w/ us not be turned away. I agree racing is expensive all racing that is from go-carts to the mods, but the fig-8's are the best bet to make or break even at the end of the night. and don't forget we are the only div. w/ two piont funds.

oh on six cyl I beleive Ed kyfe still has his and i have heard it was a good six cyl.

Tower Man
10-27-2007, 10:48 AM
You know, when Jessica won the Championships in the Jr. Sportsman Champ Kart in 2000 & 2001, the kart and motor cost well over $3,000. It's hard to break down, but I seem to recall it costing another $50 or so dollars to get in.

At the end of the day, if we were lucky, we received a trophy.

Let's face it, hobbies are expensive, whether it be bowling, golf, boating or photography.

But the time we spend with family and friends and the lifelong friendships we develope are priceless.

fisherman
10-27-2007, 11:10 AM
Bottom line is, if it's not fun, why do it? That's the only reason I left. :cheers:

Wannaberacer
11-12-2007, 07:04 PM
You know, when Jessica won the Championships in the Jr. Sportsman Champ Kart in 2000 & 2001, the kart and motor cost well over $3,000. It's hard to break down, but I seem to recall it costing another $50 or so dollars to get in.

At the end of the day, if we were lucky, we received a trophy.

Let's face it, hobbies are expensive, whether it be bowling, golf, boating or photography.

But the time we spend with family and friends and the lifelong friendships we develope are priceless.

At the risk of sounding weird, that's beautiful man.

Tower Man
11-13-2007, 02:40 PM
Thanks...and I really mean what I wrote.

leah28racing
11-14-2007, 02:28 PM
My dad has quite a few sponsors. But even some of the sponsors that were supposed to give my father money for this year didn't.

My dad came out of pocket too. With all those sponsors, he doesn't buy tires every week, either. It's not all about the tires, it's the way you set up your car and work on it besides being able to drive it. Some guys want to listen, some don't.

pappy
11-24-2007, 11:48 AM
It's true you have to work on your cars to make them run good. The cost outweighs the results. There are some good cars sitting and some outdated cars also. It costs a lot to upgrade as karen said. Bills at Oval Speed add up. Thank God for Dennis. Tires are too high, motors too expensive. Motor builders need to work with drivers and owners to come up with something within reason. $10,000 dollars for a fig 8 motor is crazy. Cut costs and get back to be the best division dollar for dollar. It's up to you to get the cars back. If you do not want to drive, there are guys who want to drive who are just sitting. Get together with them and work out some kind of deal.

art11758
11-25-2007, 02:32 PM
I was at Gershow on Friday. The figure eight car is still there as described and is not for sale. Hmmph!