Team "Check Mate"

mloboda · 11-28-2007, 09:46 PM

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.

Don Whitmore · 11-28-2007, 10:47 PM

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.

Gary Smith · 11-28-2007, 11:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mloboda

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.

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!!!)

thumbprint · 11-28-2007, 11:16 PM

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).

SSDiv6 · 11-29-2007, 03:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gary Smith

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!!!)

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...

Bob Rice · 11-29-2007, 08:10 PM

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

Mike Keener · 11-29-2007, 09:02 PM

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

rx dealer · 12-01-2007, 01:41 PM

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

Bob Rice · 12-02-2007, 08:31 AM

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=

11-28-2007, 09:46 PM	#1
mloboda Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: cleveland Ohio Posts: 124 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	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.

11-28-2007, 10:47 PM	#2
Don Whitmore Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Central Illinois Posts: 140 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	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.

11-28-2007, 11:16 PM	#4
thumbprint Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: N.Myrtle Beach SC. Posts: 109 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	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).

11-29-2007, 08:10 PM	#6
Bob Rice Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: New Bern, NC Posts: 617 Likes: 0 Liked 1 Time in 1 Post	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

11-29-2007, 09:02 PM	#7
Mike Keener Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Posts: 294 Likes: 102 Liked 24 Times in 13 Posts	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 __________________ Mike Keener A/S B/S C/SM

12-01-2007, 01:41 PM	#8
rx dealer Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Lake Orion, Michigan Posts: 337 Likes: 12 Liked 53 Times in 13 Posts	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

12-02-2007, 08:31 AM	#9
Bob Rice Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: New Bern, NC Posts: 617 Likes: 0 Liked 1 Time in 1 Post	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=