Team "Check Mate"

Mike Keener · 11-29-2007, 02:46 PM

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.

11-29-2007, 02:46 PM	#29
Mike Keener Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Posts: 294 Likes: 102 Liked 24 Times in 13 Posts	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. __________________ Mike Keener A/S B/S C/SM Last edited by Mike Keener; 11-29-2007 at 02:50 PM.