Bill Jenkins

[Randall Klein]

Reading these "special moments" are great; I have been reluctant to throw in our interactions with Grumpy, but reading the others are nice, so here goes:

In the staging lanes at Topeka with the Nomad (265-2 4's) Bill goes wheeling by on his scooter as Pros were under the tower, he about flips as he turns around, looks into the engine bay, and says that plenum is all wrong...my partner Ron asks if he could make one better, Grump says could I? or would I?

Don't rush me, and I'll mess around with something....send me your measurements, especially from the Chinese mark (what?) Not wanting to look stupid, we didn't ask

I called Jake about February to check on status (and cost!)...Jake said, yeah he's been tinkering on something in the back

Later we asked him to make one for the '57 we put together....he said how about the old Vega one, I'll modify it...if it don't work, I'll make another

He caught up with us at Topeka again, came over to out pit, Ron was working on the WCFB's, Bill took the floats and drew some lines on them....make 'em smaller so carb holds more fuel...it might work, then again it might not...worth a try

He asked if we ever thought about fuel injection, Ron said it don't flow enough: "it will when I get done with it"....we never did

Once, late at night, second round at Dallas he's asking how its going...heck engines were running, he had a cigar and had enjoyed a couple, I was so embarrassed I couldn't understand a word

At Joliet during first round of Jeg's AllStars, he was with Ron watching...at that time we were leaving at 6600 on the brake (with a blinder)....he walks back with Ron and said: leaning on 'em kinda hard aren't 'ya?

A few years ago we headed to Maple Grove for the Dutch, and took a half day to go over to his shop...heck I had a GPS and still got lost, we finally noticed the garage door half open and noticed some engines...went in and talked with Jake, then Bill came out of the office....I got one picture (posted in Ron Taylor photo gallery), I was too scared to asked for a second....he's got our car photos hanging on the wall...what a great feeling

Never in a million years, drooling over Hot Rod and Car Craft mags in the '60's did I ever imagine meeting the guy....

Gracious, kind and straightforward....great memories

The night at Mickey's Landing in Topeka will have to wait.......

Randall Klein
Ron Taylor
(I think Grump's pic with Ron is in the gallery 5 or 6 pages in if interested)

[Dan Bennett]

Originally Posted by Randall Klein

Never in a million years, drooling over Hot Rod and Car Craft mags in the '60's did I ever imagine meeting the guy....

Gracious, kind and straightforward....great memories

Randall, that is an absolute perfect description! You nailed it, sir.

Adding to the reminiscing:

Though I really think he enjoyed the attention, Bill pretty much wanted to be left alone when was trying to relax and unwind. A fact most people didn't know about the Grump is that he made restaurant reservations under the name Jensen when he wanted to keep a low profile. When that name was called for a table, everyone in the place didn't start looking for a pen and paper for an autograph.

Second little known fact: The man was a dancing fool. After a few drinks, imagine a shorter John Travolta and you're there.

[Tom Moock]

Ron Taylor and Grumpy

[davidhuff]

Great picture and thanks for posting.

[Frank Bennett]

R I P Grumpy!

Weird thing....I was at a training seminar in Exton, PA earlier this week, and on the way home I saw the exit for Malvern PA and thought I would love to drive by Jenkins Competition, but was really pressed for time. I figured I would make it a point to get there next time, but the fates thought differently. I have to admit I had a weird vibe when driving through there around 2:00 Thursday afternoon. How sad, my condolences to the Jenkins family. I've heard many tales of his short communications to people he would talk to, and the silence to those he wouldn't. My old friend Joe DeLorenzo had a bit of a friendship with the Grump, and they would wonder why they were talking to each other at the races after 30+years!

A legend that will never be forgotten!

God speed, Bill!,

[G Schenck]

Originally Posted by Dan Bennett

Randall, that is an absolute perfect description! You nailed it, sir.

Adding to the reminiscing:



Second little known fact: The man was a dancing fool. After a few drinks, imagine a shorter John Travolta and you're there.

Memphis late eighties
The "Grump" and Linda Vaughn dancing all night in a hotel lounge. He wasn't feeling no pain. RIP

Greg

[Mark Yacavone]

Originally Posted by Frank Bennett

R I P Grumpy!

Weird thing....I was at a training seminar in Exton, PA earlier this week, and on the way home I saw the exit for Malvern PA and thought I would love to drive by Jenkins Competition, but was really pressed for time. I figured I would make it a point to get there next time, but the fates thought differently. I have to admit I had a weird vibe when driving through there around 2:00 Thursday afternoon. How sad, my condolences to the Jenkins family. I've heard many tales of his short communications to people he would talk to, and the silence to those he wouldn't. My old friend Joe DeLorenzo had a bit of a friendship with the Grump, and they would wonder why they were talking to each other at the races after 30+years!

A legend that will never be forgotten!

God speed, Bill!,

Frank, I knew Joey was a friend and customer in the mid to late 60's but he would never bother The Grump at the track.
One day in about 1973, we're walking behind the grandstand at Englishtown ,and we run into Jenkins..
Joey grabs him, and the two wander off in discussion. Later I ask Joey what that was all about...
Joe says " I never get to talk to him anymore. I figured I better ask him something. I asked him about the new (at the time) H&H racing fuel.
He went off about the fuel weight and make -up to where I didn't know what the hell he was talking about. He said he'd get some in the shop and let me know what he thought"

Don't know if he ever did...

[boss351]

great video

[XFlatRock]

Hard to add much to what has been said but still my sincere condolences to the Jenkins family. Jenkins was a true legend.

[Geerhead55]

They should do a Pro Stock parade on Sunday, prior to eliminations, with a "missing man" formation, like they did for Lee Sheperd many years ago,,, just a thought.
Danny Durham