Forum: HoseHeads Sprint Car General Forum (go)
Moderators: dirtonly  /  dmantx  /  hosehead

This is an unofficial poll for Dave, asking whom the audience would recommend for his next book.

There will be so many names thrown around, maybe soem will spark some interest for Dave to pursue, as if he doesn't already have multiple choices already. All of his current books, were written on people still with us, meaning above the ground, so keep your suggestions with that in mind.

Some ideas:

-Al Hamilton

-PA Posse as a whole, maybe a paragraph on some popular drivers and parargaphs surrounding the competition in PA (idea sparked from Wolfies book and his mention of his years in the first Beef Mobile) and then some history of the tracks (past & present)

-Knoxville Raceway and the history of the Nationals and museum

-Brent Keading & Family

How about a collection of the IMCA drivers from years gone bye who traveled the country.

Rick Ferkel

Kinser!

How about Ole Scruffy Bobby Allen or Keith Kauffman

I like the Kaeding idea...but it goes back long before BK.

Sam, sons Herb and Howard, sons Joel and Brent, sons Adam, Tim and Brandon...not bad for a bunch yahoos.

"As long as I can have a fast boat, a margarita 
machine and can light my hair on fire, I'll be just 
fine."

Jason Giambi

Danny Smith

Kinser. Just stop and think a moment what he has done. All of his contenders were and are serious about what they do and no one set out to let him win. Just think about it.

Think of the different story lines for a Kinser book. How first started, his first time driving for Karl, him and Karls relationship throughout the years, the involvement from no-sanctioned outlaw races to the evolution of the WoO, the travel, Steve's Indy venture in 1981, Steve/Sammy (of course), Steve's domination in the mid 80's through the 90's, both splits (USA/NST), his comptetion throughout his career, his friendship with Wolfie, watching his son win the Nationals, etc.

I just think all those topics would be a great read for the most dominating and recognisable sprint car drivers of our era.

David Smith Jr.
www.oklahomatidbits.com

Dave said on this board a few weeks ago, that he and Steve Kinser have already talked about doing a book. Steve has said yes, but need to work out how they can get together to get it done. Can't wait for that one!!!! Just got going on Lone Wolf, really good so far.

I'm not opposed to a Steve Kinser book, IMO his story isn't done, he is still racing and winning. A book now might be premature. Also a book on "The Racing Kinsers" was written by Philip Le Vrier in 1989, published by Carl Hungness Publishing, providing some good back ground in this area.

Some of the drivers mentioned above have had very successful careers, but with little personality and thus possibly not providing the zing to sell many books. On the other hand, looking at the history of the Keadings, I don't know how far back it goes, reference the reply above, but this sounds interesting. As does a book on Bobby Allen, who built his own cars and developed many of the modern day features used on sprint cars, or so I've ben told.

The Complete Supermodified Story

the pictures alone would be worth the price of admission...

Lincoln 1845 ft/.35 mile T1=118MPH 
Eldora 2287 ft/.43mile T3=135MPH
Port 2716 ft/.51 mile T3=TBD
Grove 2792 ft/.53 mile T3=135MPH
Selinsgrove 2847 ft/.54 mile T1=136MPH
"I didn't move to PA from El Paso in search of better 
weather." Van May

We're not talking about a normal human being here. At least in the racing world. It surprises me so many are so nonchalant about his role in our sport. This is our Tommy Hinnershitz, Babe Ruth of our generation. HE HAS WON ENOUGH CHAMPIONSHIPS TO COMPLETE FIVE CAREERS. He ate 2 day old pizza with Karl and Elrod just so the money could go back into the operation. He shaved in rearview mirrors, felt lucky sometimes to have a motel room to sleep in. His first heat win was with a springer front chassis. Pound for pound, lap for lap, none comes close to what this man has seen and done.

Do the book right, you will have to do a second book later.

i would buy one on Danny Smith after reading shortly about him in sprintcar and midget magazine

How about a book about Robert Bell and John Lambertz???

Kinser or Scruffy

 
 
 
They don't even know how to spell sprint car 
much less chromoly...http://www.ycmco.com

My three suggestions are already mentioned, but I would like to second these nominations:

1) Rick Ferkel

2) Bobby Allen

3) Steve Kinser

1) I would like to learn more about my boyhood idol Rick Ferkel the first person that I ever saw flat foot it around the old Atomic Speedway (KC Raceway). I know Rick is still involved in the sport, but he is getting up there in age and his story should be told. The "Original Outlaw" the "Ohio Traveler" would both be good titles for this one.

2) This man would have some good stories to tell I am sure and his colorfull past may be the most entertaining to here about. How about the first hand account of his Knoxville Nationals win. It gives me chills just thinking about it! By the way what has "Bottom Bob" been doing lately. Any updates or sightings from the Possee crew?

3) The King. This one may have two be written in two editions. Maybe one about the Kinser Klan in general or even a book on Karl himself he is a very colorful character.

Steve Kinser is the obvious choice for Dave Argabright's next biography. Dave could go on the road with Steve. Do hours of interviews with Steve during the many miles of travel between tracks. Document what Steve's life is like at home, the shop, on the road and at the races while Steve is still an active racer.

As far as the rest of the great racer's biographies, maybe it's time for John Sawyer to write "Dusty Heroes, part 2" to document the history of sprint car racing that has taken place since penning the original "Dusty Heroes". Reprint the original "Dusty Heroes" also. Sell both books separately and have a both volume lower combo price.

....Opperman forever!

An absoulte YES!!! to John Sawyer doing a "Dusty Hero's 2" or even just re-issuing the original. Maybe Dave and John could get together and do something?

Personally, I would like Dave to expand himself beyond just biography's. I do like the idea of releasing "The Best of Times" in book form. Dave makes an excellant fiction writer. Beyond that, some sort of historical retrospective or analysis would be very interesting to me. Let's face it, "Earl!" was about the man but more so about the history of Eldora. Something similar to that about Knoxville or even the PA or CA circuits would be pretty cool.

My favorite Argabright creation so far has been "Let Them All Go!", probably because I didn't think too much of Ecnomaki before reading it....it changed my attitude 100%.

One thing for sure....Dave Argabright is a tremendous asset to our sport and I think he is capable of reaching out to more than just the die hard race fan. His only flaw so far is that it takes so long in between releases. Anyone know how to clone him so we can get more than one book every 18 months?

 I think a book on Van May would make for some great reading.  He's a great guy to talk to in person, oh the stories are awesome.  I seen him a couple years ago in Eldora keep a group of us hanging out at the Dingus Bus occupied for over an hour just talking about the past.

2 others that would be interesting reading: Kenny Weld and Steve Smith.

.