Team "Check Mate"
 

Here's a link to a few pictures of Mike Keener's D/G Vega, A/SM Camaro, the "Check Mate" Pro Stock Camaro and the Booth-Arons race shop that Mike was nice enough to send for me to scan. Hopefully I will be able to add more in the future.
Bob Rice
http://albums.photo.epson.com/j/Albu...&a=32610889&f=

Re: Team "Check Mate"
 

Hey, Mike. Whats' up with the rear quarter on that SS/D 69 Camaro? You were literally stretching the rules before you and Merc teamed up...LOL. Hope to see you next year. Thanks for supporting Top Stock. AR

Re: Team "Check Mate"
 

AR...You kill me! Hope you and Lynn are doing well!

Thanks for the kudos on Top Stock and I loved every minute of helping to get it off the ground. The first race in 2000 still seems like yesterday to me!

MK

Re: Team "Check Mate"
 

the first version and racing-action of Top Stock and it's intension was the best thing for a long time,i am glad to see it's started to evolve around that idea again!

Re: Team "Check Mate"
 

great pictures-thanks for the memories again guys!

Re: Team "Check Mate"
 

Thanks for the great pics from Mr. Rice. Just 2 questions:
1. How much ballast does it take to put a mouse motor Vega into "D" Gas??? How small must that motor have been???

and,

2. What kind of induction system is on that Vega???

Thanks for any info...

Re: Team "Check Mate"
 

Kinda makes me feel nostalgic for Vegas .Never thought that would happen. Nice ironhead Sportster, too

Re: Team "Check Mate"
 

Bill...The Vega ran D/G (8.5#) with motors from 287-292 cu in so the car weighed between 2440-2482 including the driver. This was a very light (entire body acid dipped) car built by SRD and had about 300 pounds of ballast in it (a lot of it mounted forward) when we ran it. The tunnel ram was an Edelbrock TR-1Y with 660 cfm center squirter carbs that were converted to dual feed float bowls. Our engines in that day made about 2.1 HP per cu in which was pretty stout back then.

Mark...Good eye on the Sportster! I not sure if Merc still has it or not....

The partial photo of the 5,000 sq ft shop was shot by Carol Arons and we were fortunate to have shared it with Wally Booth during his AMC days. Immediately to the right of the Camaro in the back of the shop is where the dyno room was which was quite rare for drag race teams to have in those days, but AMC paid for it so...hey never look a gift horse in the mouth! Hard to believe there were only 8-10 National events in those days and of coarse we ran them all.

The Vega was a really great race car and remains my favorite Team Checkmate car to this day although I'm having fun getting used to my GT/A Cavalier. It was the second SRD car built for Carmen Rotunda and modified by Mike Fons from a Jenkins designed 3 link with under the bumper wheelie bars to a more more modern style ladder bar system with current Pro Stock type wheelie bars used in the 75-76 era.

The car ran some high 9.20's and low 30's on good tracks in decent air at 145-146 mph. It was a really fun car to drive with the Chrysler 4 speed trans and a real H pattern shifter. In 77 we put a 5 speed Nash in it with an inline shifter which may have been a tad quicker but I'm not so sure. These were the days when the Modifieds left the starting line at 9,500 RPM and were shifted right about 9200. What a rush to drive!

If anyone has any other questions about any of the Detroit Gang or the Pro Stock/ Modified/Comp days of yesteryear...feel free to ask. If I can't answer them I can usually tap another racers memory bank that can and pass it along!

Thanks to all that viewed my pass down memory lane and especially to Bob Rice for putting this together. I promised to send Bob more photos from the old days so now I just have to find them all. OK Merc...I guess I'm coming over for Christmas to look through your collection. This guy has everything stashed away for sure and stuff I probably didn't even know he had!

MK

Re: Team "Check Mate"
 

Arnold,
I think those wheel openings were Wally Booth inspired.
Bob Rice

Bill,
The thanks go to Mike for allowing me to scan his pictures and post them.
Bob Rice

Mark,
I?ve always had a soft spot for the Vegas. The one picture that seems to elude me though is a nice color shot of Jack Trost?s ?Vegabond?.
Bob Rice

Re: Team "Check Mate"
 

my brother and i have a 68 camaro that we have drag raced since the late 80,s. mostly bracket racing with jerico. we used to go over to the checkmate car pit area. to investigate how they set up there stockers because we new from watching these guys they were no beginners like us. my brother used to say these guys have put some serious thought into everything and it looked as tho they built most rear suspension pieces in there own shop. thanks for the pics of your past. i had no idea you guys ran all those classes. no wonder we were and still are impressed .....thats keener and mercure

Re: Team "Check Mate"
 

MIKE KEENER i was replying to you with some questions. being from cincy ohio and growing up around modified production with the granny goose cars and dick weinle,a friend of mine by the name of eric halverstadt recently purchased a 1973 vega notch back from a man in canada by the name of bob black, mr black told them that the car was built by you guys and if so we were curious about some backround of the car, he was told by someone that this car won a national event in modified. thank you for your time.

Re: Team "Check Mate"
 

Bob, thanks for setting me straight on the picture deal.

Mike, RE laying those pics on Bob for scanning...Thanks!!!

And, thanks for the engine information on the Vega. Back when I was running Gas Coupes, D Gas was 13 pounds per cube... That's why I wondered how small that engine might be (not thinking.... again!)

Sometimes I forget how old I am... :(

Re: Team "Check Mate"
 

Castle5- First of all, thanks for the kind words! Believe it or not they mean everything to old dogs like Merc and me! You are absolutely correct about the special suspension pieces under the Team Checkmate A/S and B/S Camaros. The entire traction bar systems we developed in-house for our cars were definitely three-of-a-kind pieces. However, most of the credit for these unique suspension pieces goes to Tom "Muskie" Stiel who has been racing on and off with our team since 1975. This guy is one hell of a fabricator and was trained in the business by another one of my heroes "Mike Fons?. Eventually, there were serious challenges filed by a disgruntled racer(s) during our one and only trip to the West Coast (Pomona & Phoenix) with the 3 cars in 1998. As a result of the whining, letters and phone calls to the NHRA Tech Department over the months following the two events, the tech ?heavyweights? Danny Gracia and Wesley Roberson were all over, under, around, and through my stuff because they were under serious pressure to do so. Finally, after the traction bar system on my B/S 69 Camaro was ?removed for inspection? at Englishtown later that year, Danny's exact words were "looks exactly like it did when you brought the cars out (1992) originally, go ahead and put it back together."


Scotty-The notch back Vega is another unique story. We acquired this car as a partial trade from a guy in your area by the name of Bob Tidwell. Bob was a body shop owner from your area and was the guy that purchased Merc?s 67 ?flamed? Camaro that he ran in 72-73 before we became partners. The notch back Vega was never worked on or prepared by Team Checkmate and was in fact only a partial race car. The car was sold to a local bracket racer in our area and then we lost track of it. Perhaps if you can find Bob Tidwell he can fill you in a bit more but the only Vega we ever raced, and won a National Event with, is the one pictured that I drove to the Fall Nationals title in 1976.

Hope this helps fill in a few gaps!

Re: Team "Check Mate"
 

Bob Tidwell is still alive and well in Dayton,O. Have not talked to him for quite a while and might be able to get his number for you.

Re: Team "Check Mate"
 

Growing up at Atco Mike Fons was one of the guys you could depend on bringing something out that would run like a scalled dog , does anyone know if he's still in the game.

Re: Team "Check Mate"
 

Spoke to Bob today and told me alot about the Vega. Have to call him back thursday and he will give me the rest of the info on that car............

Re: Team "Check Mate"
 

Mike,

I was obsessed with Modified as a kid and was devastated when NHRA dropped the category (so much for dreaming I guess). Always wanted to be part of what you, Merc, Surles, Kopp, McDonald, Cannon, Hutchens, and a host of others did back then. IMO you and Merc were to Modified like John Force is to F/C.:D

Anyway I was lucky enough to see Merc debut the (I believe) '62 Vette in '79 running either B/MP or C/MP at Pomona. I remember going to OCIR on the Saturday before the Winters with dad and seeing the Vette with the motor out and Paul up to his elbows in grease and oil (and his dobermann tied to the trailer!!) I was amazed how fast he put it back together and see it run. Tom Turner/Ronnie Wong Vette and Coonce/Clark Vega were there testing as well. What a real treat that was!!!

Would love to see photos of the Vette again, if possible.

Re: Team "Check Mate"
 

Gary,
Here?s a link to a picture of the Corvette taken at Suffolk.
Bob Rice

http://albums.photo.epson.com/j/View...070&p=66535190

Re: Team "Check Mate"
 

That's the car Bob!! Thanks!!

Re: Team "Check Mate"
 

Gary- Being compared to John Force in any fashion blows us away. Thanks a bunch but there were a lot of Modified hero's and you rightfully named quite a few others. It was one of the best times in drag racing as far as I'm concerned and I still love living in the past!

The Corvette came along in late 78 and was run off and on with the Camaro's through 1980. This car was owned by John Piper who purchased it from the Stewart and Clapp team from Kalamazoo MI. John Piper was the same racer that had our Vega before we made a trade for our Super Mod Camaro that we ran in IHRA during the 75 season. As usual Mike Fons did some 4 link modifications to the car before we ever ran it.

I only drove the Corvette at one event which was the 79 Springnationals. This was a pretty wild ride and much different to drive than the Camaro or the Vega. I'll never forget that for the third qualifying session at that race we believed the car had been hitting the wheelie bars too hard and unloading, so we disconnected them for the last run. Well....needless to say looking at the sky didn't help the ET much eitherLOL!


MK

Re: Team "Check Mate"
 

Mike, With everyone's obvious love for the "good ole days" of Modified Production, I have often wondered why a few, i.e. 8-10 M/P racers, don't form a touring circuit and put on an exhibition show using REAL M/P cars- as they were ( 5speed Nashes) at drag strips during a nostalgia race. It would probably be more fun than you've had in 25 years. For spectators, it would sure beat watching the lies shoved down our throats at the nostagia races now- all those so called gassers with powerglides in them.
I would build a car to race that type of circuit.

Re: Team "Check Mate"
 

Bob Rice...thanks for posting these pictures. I have fond memories of watching all the Keener and Mercure cars, especially in the great modified production days. It seemed that any of the mod-prod cars with that "Booth-Arons" decal on it were serious pieces.

Mike Keener...I know you guys raced all over, but can you talk a little about any of the Michigan race tracks which may not exist today, ones you particularly liked? With all the great race cars in that state, where did you go locally to race? Test?

Thanks for the memories. I look forward to seeing the GT car.

Re: Team "Check Mate"
 

Would they have to be DNE-5s? How about Jerico or G-Force 4 or 5 speeds? Don't tempt me... I have all the parts to transform my late Dad's car into a C or D/MP car!!!! Although rare, there were a couple Mustangs running back in the day. Here's how "mine" would size up:

'65 Mustang, Jerico 4spd, 370 Cleveland w/ Weiand tunnel ram & 2 660s, raised port heads, etc. etc. Motor needs freshening, install clutch linkage, rear suspension work & I'd be ready to go!!:)

BTW Mike, I hope the Cavalier continues the Checkmate heritage (familiar logo, white body & blue hood!!!)

Re: Team "Check Mate"
 

Wow, Mr.Rice going to the photo that you posted for the corvette is just the begining, If you continue to view some of the other photos of some of the cars(PRICELESS).

Re: Team "Check Mate"
 

Mike I was born in michigan and lived there until 1982. My dad raced for about thirty years at mostly the old tri-city raceway,central michigan(mid-michigan now I think) and Ubly. One of my best memories was at central one year(I don't remember exactly) you guys were there with the 68 checkmate camaro. I think you ran D/MP. That small block was SINGIN' on the starting line. There was a A/MP 69 camaro there a you guys were outrunning it with a D car. Awesome. My old man said he thought your engines were built by diamond engineering back then. He wasn't sure. Oh yea you guys went to the final that dayonly the LEAVE the ring and pinion at the starting line.Great stuff.

Ed Carpenter

66 Chevy II

4244 SS/I

Re: Team "Check Mate"
 

If someone had told me this thread would have over 3,000 hits and growing I would have said they were crazy! I had no idea there was this much flavor still left for the good old days of Modified Eliminator, but who am I to argue with the success of possibly one of the greatest venues ever created in drag racing? Thanks again to all that are following this thread and I’m only too happy to keep answering everyone’s questions with great pleasure!

Thumbprint-Sorry I missed your question about Mike Fons’ current status. Mike is indeed alive and well and living in Northern MI these days. We haven’t been in touch for a while now, but I think it’s about time for us to catch up. Wally Booth, Dick Arons, Gordie Foust, and Dave Kanners are also doing very well. I speak with Dick quite a bit and try to keep in touch with Wally and Dave too. Gordie was in Detroit recently to take part in the unveiling of the hugely popular “Berger Chevrolet 69 Camaro Super Stock car that was recently restored. A great article about the restoration of the car, its history, and color photos is now on the stands in Camaro Magazine.

76 Racer-Keep us posted on what you learn from Bob about the Notch Back Vega!

Mloboda-I’m with you on seeing these types of cars do it all over again and you’re right I probably would really enjoy it more than anything I’ve done over the past many years. If it ever got started I have some good idea for rules. I think in order for it to be successful it would probably have to be heads up competition since there is already handicap/dial in versions of stick shift only stuff available now.

Don Whitmore-Most of our testing in the very early days was done at Milan which everyone knows still exists. Then about 1977-78 we switched our test sessions to Central MI Dragway aka; Mid MI Motorplex. We did run frequently at Detroit Dragway, Motor City, and Tri City in Saginaw, but that was mainly in the days (67-70) when I raced with Richard Maskin and Dave Kanners. We also used to run a bit a Ubley, Lapeer, and even crossed the border to go to Windsor Dragway every month or so during the season. Obviosly those tracks that are now closed were all pretty crude compared to todays conditions, but I wouldn't trade any of those memories. Actually I take that back about Tri City. Merc and I ran quite a bit there until they lost their Div 3 points meet somewhere around 77.

Gary-Right now the Cavalier is all White. It will have to earn it’s blue hood, etc by being a fastball. So far so good though as the car has run some low 9.30’s at 144mph in over 3,100 feet of air.

Ed-The 68 Camaro was also a favorite of mine and I had a good day with it in 74 when I won the Pop Hod Rod Race at Martin with it in D/MP. That car was sold to Frank Boyas who came all the way from Edmonton Alberta Canada to buy it in 1975. Frank raced that very same Camaro for a few years and was in the field when I won at Seattle in 76.

MK

PS Merc has some more Camaro, etc., etc., photos on the way to Bob. I'm sure he will post them as soon as he has time.

Re: Team "Check Mate"
 

In the early days you either modified your own trans by grinding synchros teeth, or run a trans modified by Liberty Gears, or run a Doug Nash... :)

Re: Team "Check Mate"
 

mloboda,
Some guys in the northwest are currently working on a heads up Nostalgia Super Modified Association based on the old NHRA Super Modified cars.

Don,
It?s my pleasure. I enjoy looking for old drag racing pictures and Mike was kind enough to send me his to scan so that everyone could enjoy them..

thumbprint,
The pictures that you are referring to are in my photo albums.

Mike,
Paul?s pictures arrived today. I will be adding them to the album in the next few days barring any unforeseen problems. By the way, did Yamarino drive for you guys back then? Some of the pictures have his comp number, 3231, on them.
Thanks again,
Bob

Re: Team "Check Mate"
 

Bob,

No, Mark didn't join Team Checkmate until we started the Stocker program in 1993. Mark adopted Pauls old NHRA competition back when he ran #31 for winning the division in 79 or 80 if memory serves me correctly. Merc now runs with the Divison 2 number 2503.

MK

Re: Team "Check Mate"
 

I was over merc's place 2 days ago to give him some parts for my car and evry time I walk in the shop it's so cool to see the old photo's and all the trophies. It's was my dream since I started drag racing ( 1978) to be involved with keen & merc. reading and seeing all the photo's in pop hot rodding and thinking these are the guys I want to do my race car and now I'm living my dream. I have been helping merc at the track every chance i get and now merc is putting my own race car together (MPR built 97 firebird for super stock). I'm so very lucky because merc also built the engine from top parts i got from mike keener and hell yes it's a stick car. Mike the cavalier look awsome and just like your car my all white firebird would have to earn it's blue hood too...thanks to you and merc I'm living my dream...luke awdish

Re: Team "Check Mate"
 

For those interested, I have added more pictures to the Team "Check Mate" photo album.
Bob Rice

http://albums.photo.epson.com/j/Albu...&a=32610889&f=

Re: Team "Check Mate"
 

Good job Bob, as always. Its good to see more people sending photos in. The Nostalgia Super Modified group is gearing up for a debut season at Pacific Raceways this spring. Hopefully more will get involved as the year progresses. Take care Bob and Happy Holidays,,,,,,,,,,, Danny Durham

Re: Team "Check Mate"
 

Bob...thanks again for posting the additional pics. Great stuff! It looks like Buster Couch is in one of them...

Mike Keener...thanks for your reply on the local tracks. By the way, how did the Keener and Mercure paint scheme evolve? How did the 'blue hood' and trim come about?

Re: Team "Check Mate"
 

Danny,
I was wondering where you were. Glad to hear that the Super Modified group is coming along.
Bob

Don,
Buster is in a couple of the pictures. I?ll have more to post in a few days.
Bob

Re: Team "Check Mate"
 

Don,

Interesting question about the Blue & White paint scheme. That came about as a general compromise between Paul & I when we became partners in 74 and this is how it worked we worked it out.

Paul wanted to retain the "Check Mate" name because he had been using it since 1970 or so with good success. I agreed but wanted to bring something of my past to the team as well so it was agreed that Team Checkmate would adopt the Blue & White 70 Pontiac Trans Am colors (polar white & lucerne blue) from the record setting C/MP Camaro that Richard Maskin & I built for the 1970 season. The 68 Camaro that Richard & I built was only run for one season because I was drafted in Mid 1970 and wound up selling my inteest in the car to Jim Gilbert. When Jim aquired my interest in the car at the end of the 70 season it was then painted the "Wally Booth Green" color for 71 and the car was then titled "Mouse Pack 1".

MK

Re: Team "Check Mate"
 

lookin at those modified production cars is better than any playboy magazine...

Re: Team "Check Mate"
 

I too love looking @ pics like these.
I was a kid during this time, my dad took me to the drags all the time, I had a National dragster subscription of my own and couldnt wait to get it. I never read it, just looked at pictures.
Mike, I remember your cars from pics with the Checkmate name on it, but didnt Fletchers dads cars have the same name also around this time?
Thanks. Please post more pictures from this era if you have any.
Tony

Re: Team "Check Mate"
 

Luke--Sorry for the delay in answering your kind words about the Cavalier and I hear your new ride looks great! As usual Pustelny did a great job on the chassis and now we just have to get you going fast. So far so good Merc tells me.... so let's just keep workin on it!

Tony..I know Dan ran the Checkmate name on his 69 SS car but I didn't know his Dad did...Bob sid he will be posting more photos soon, but if anyone has any photos of the Camaro that I ran with Maskin I would appreciate seeing them. The car was only run with the blue & white colors in 1970. I must have some somewhere but I can't put my fingers on them right now so they must be in storage. Maybe Arons, or Maskin have some.....

MK

Re: Team "Check Mate"
 

Mr. Rice thanks for the photo's. I just looked at about 300 of them and it's great to look back at these cars. Alot of ol Chevy II's. I really like that.

Ed Carpenter

66 Chevy II

4244 SS/I

Re: Team "Check Mate"
 

MIke, The last time i was at Dick Aarons shop he had a ton of photo's all over the shop you might want to call him about them...I will check with Jim Tarian "JT" he has a large collection of magazine's and photos...luke