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Old 11-28-2007, 09:46 PM   #21
mloboda
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Default 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.
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Old 11-28-2007, 10:47 PM   #22
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Smile 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.
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Old 11-28-2007, 11:02 PM   #23
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Default Re: Team "Check Mate"

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Originally Posted by mloboda View Post
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!!!)

Last edited by Gary Smith; 11-28-2007 at 11:05 PM.
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Old 11-28-2007, 11:16 PM   #24
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Default 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).
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Old 11-28-2007, 11:33 PM   #25
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Default 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

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Old 11-29-2007, 02:46 PM   #26
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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.
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Old 11-29-2007, 03:22 PM   #27
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Talking Re: Team "Check Mate"

Quote:
Originally Posted by Gary Smith View Post
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...
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Old 11-29-2007, 08:10 PM   #28
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Default 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
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Old 11-29-2007, 09:02 PM   #29
Mike Keener
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Default 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.

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Old 12-01-2007, 01:41 PM   #30
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Default 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
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