But what about our current Y-Block enthusiasts, especially the ones who are waving the Y-Block banner today at tracks across the nation?  I just thought it would be fun to mention a few for any of our Y-Block community who might not otherwise know about them.

Yehaabill said something today that started me thinking.  He mentioned a few racers who are currently trying to give the Y-Block the reputation it deserves.  What I hope to do with this thread is to share some names and a little about them for the enjoyment of all readers.  In addition, please feel free to add names and efforts of those who you know something about.

With no particular order of success or fame:

1.  Harry Hutton,  here is a guy who very successfully campaigns a 312 automatic in a 1960 Mercury that he struggles to keep under 4000lbs.  With a weather station in one hand and a notebook of past performance information in the other, he is one of the most consistent drag racers in the business.  He is many-time winner of the Y-Block Shootout and has very successfully competed in national associations for junior stocks and classic muscle cars.

2.  Dennis Leeking, with a name like that he must be a plumber (he is!).  This guy runs a 1955 Ford pickup with a warmed 239, running three twos and three on the tree.  His consistency and Christmas tree smarts puts fear in the best of them while searching for the 17s.

3.  Michael Henaults, although he is only 70 miles away, neither Tim nor I have been to his shop or have had the opportunity to watch him race, but time after time he blows away the scrubs with great torque coming out of the corners of the Central California dirt tracks.  He runs basically stock 312s in a narrowed and sectioned 1960 Comet.

4.  Jerry Christenson, he has been one of our biggest Y-Block performance leaders.  He don't do computers, so he doesn't know what is going on here unless someone tells him.  Most everyone knows of his success with the Blackbird ('56 fiberglass T-Bird) drag car, but others might not know of his long- running articles in Y-Block Magazine, moral assistance in the Engine Master's Challenge, and being a player in the success of Bob Lindsay's current record-holding Y-Block dragster.

5.  John "The Hoosier Hurricane" Feistritzer, he is so well known to all the "F" code crowd by running his stock, supercharged '57 Ford for as long as I can remember.  With all of his drag racing and Y-Block experience, he is just as quick to share his well-earned knowledge as Ted Eaton or John Mummert.

Please feel free to comment on a name (it would take a book to do any of them justice), post a couple of your own, or just say thanks to those who put their time, energy (and money) on the line for us on most weekends.

9 Randy Gummelt(SP?) current 1/4 mile record holder and from Texas

10 Ted Eaton racer and engine builder also from Texas

11 Bob Martin for organizing and keeping track of the Shootout for at least 12 years that I know of

12 Wally Keirstein (SP?) one of the most beautifully finished and fastest street Y's that is twisted to over 7000RPM every gear

So that is an even dozen racers (oops there were only 5 in Charlies post) although it is a little heavy on 1/4 mile performance and there is at least one othere circle track car that has been written up in YBM.

The parts suppliers should also come in for props! Heading that list would be John Mummert and Frank Rice (Rebop castings.  These are the guys that make the performance of the the others possible

  6.  Doug Thrasher – ’56 Thunderbird, another regular participant at the Y-Block Shootout on Labor Day weekend.

  14. Bob Lindsay – Front engine dragster and is actually the current Y powered record holder at 7.96 et (quarter mile).  Showed up at Y-Block Shoot Out in 2006? Running high eights in a Y powered roadster.

  15. Dave Fuszner – 1957 Ford with Y power.  Was a four speed but is now a C4 automatic.  Sees regular drag strip action with headline wins at the St. Louis track.  Another regular participant at the Y-Block Shootout.

And here are pics of some already mentioned and of others not yet mentioned.

  Gordon Payne in John’s (Hoosier Hurricane) blown T-Bird.

  Randy Gummelt

  Ernie Phillips 

  Ernie Bennett 

  Harry Hutten

  Frank Rice

  Jerry Christenson

  Paul Johnston

  Ralph Alix

  Rich Hudson in Bill Duncan's '57.

  Wally Kirstein

  Gary Burnette

I think I started the post a few weeks back . Just bought some parts off Denis Carpenter last week and there was a flyer from a Ford Museum that is opening up,(or about to ) in Auburn ,IN .

Wouldn't that be a great place to start up a "Y Block Hero " display ????. Only trouble is I can't find where I put the flyer ??

Hopefully we will visit there after Columbus .

Lon

  John Feistritzer (supercharged)

  Bill Patridge aka Yahoo Bill  (Turbocharged)

 Bob Martin (rare shot of Bob actually driving his own car)

  Charlie Burns at the drag strip.  Dual purpose machine?

  Dennis Leeking

  Bob Bell

Gary Croan, he races his road race T-Bird in the vintage class with Sports Car Club of America (SCCA).  It has been a while since I have talked to him, but he still advertises in Y-Block Magazine for his AOD adapter.  At one point he gave me a tour of his shop which included a prototype of a potential 450 cu. in. Y-Block.  it had block extensions under the heads, but I don't remember what he did to raise the cam (or lower the crank) for a big stroke.  He also showed me his T-Bird which was very nicely done.  Like Michael Henaults, he claims that its the torque of the Y-Block that gets 'em out of the corners.  He definitely marches to the beat of a different drum, but don't we all?

Carson, while placing 2nd in his class in the Mexican La Carrera Panamericana road race in 2009, he was the 1st place winner in 2007 and 2008.  It must be a blast rocketing through the Mexican countryside in his Y-Block powered 54 Ford Victoria.

Sam (57 ranchwagon), shows great promise with his new landspeed car.  The 55 Fairlane looks mean and fast.  He already has his 125 mph license in a shake down run at Maxton that went nearly 140 mph.  I see a 150 mph license comming soon.

  Mickey Bogden

  Rob Bolzon 

  Sam Alix

  Kevin Samarigan 

  Proof that Gary Burnette will put anything on a drag strip!

  Michael Henaults

There is one picture that is conspicuous by its absense.  Ted Eaton's roadster.  Give us a picture larger than your avatar.

Bruce brought scattered Y-Block enthusiasts from around the world together and made us realize that we weren't the only ones on the planet.

  Ted Eaton

  More detail of those Goodyears being wadded up.

  Royce Brechler, LYB powered.  LYB is close enough to being a Y that it counts.

  Bob Hopkins

  Chuck Cline

  Doug Dover, ‘Glass Topped’ ‘56 Wagon.  Now how novel is that!

The most nostagic Aussie Y Blockers

MoonShadow (7/13/2010)

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I recognise Lyn but who is that bloke with her? Chuck in NH

Chuck, i think thats the mechanic??

yyy

I think Carson's 54 has made five La Carrera's now. 2 with previous owner and Carson has gone to 3 as I recall. Haven't heard if he going this year.

two prior years w/ the previous owner/builder

Lots of Europeans this year as the USA entries are down

also Mexico's bi-centenial anniversary of their Independance

only one other Y block this year - a '54 Lincoln Capri

check out    www.lacarrerapanamericana.com.mx

giddy up