Slot car legends: John 'The Jet' Cukras
Started by
Cheater
, Feb 12 2024 03:44 PM
6 replies to this topic
#1
Cheater
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Posted 12 February 2024 - 03:44 PM
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Gregory Wells
Never forget that first place goes to the racer with the MOST laps, not the racer with the FASTEST lap
#2
Martin
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Posted 13 February 2024 - 11:17 AM
Thanks for posting this, Greg.
I would like to know more about the revolutionary "lightweight aluminum chassis" he designed. Its' at the 4-minute mark.
Anyone know more about this ?
Martin Windmill
#3
Eddie Fleming
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Posted 13 February 2024 - 11:36 AM
I think that was just after he created the internet.
But don't let it get in the way of the memory of one of the greats of our hobby.
But don't let it get in the way of the memory of one of the greats of our hobby.
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Eddie Fleming
#4
Steve Deiters
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Posted 13 February 2024 - 01:12 PM
The late Ken MacDowell of Parma International told me on many occasions that John's win at the HemisFair race in San Antonio using a Parma controller was the thing that made Parma what it was and what it became.
It solidified the move to a "pistol grip" controller as the weapon of choice as opposed to a plunger-style unit. That legacy lives on even to this day.
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#5
MSwiss
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Posted 13 February 2024 - 01:44 PM
I would like to know more about the revolutionary "lightweight aluminum chassis" he designed. Its' at the 4-minute mark.
Anyone know more about this ?
In that era where they were still talking about being employed by Mura, I can't see where an aluminum chassis could come into play.
There wasn't any lightweight cars back then.
Maybe guys started running lighter and lighter, in the early '70s, but not to the extent where lightweight materials were needed.
I would credit the invention of the aluminum chassis, in about 1992, early '93, to Gunther Fass.
It was a way to make an International 15 one-piece chassis, that got around the no sheet steel beyond a certain point, from the front of the chassis.
I can take credit/blame for getting the ball rolling with them with faster cars, when I ran a modified I15 chassis on a whim in a small regional G27 race and won.
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Mike Swiss
Inventor of the Low CG guide flag 4/20/18
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#6
Clyde Romero
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Posted 30 April 2024 - 01:06 PM
He was lucky that he did not get drafted into the Vietnam War
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#7
Steve Deiters
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Posted 30 April 2024 - 09:12 PM
He was lucky that he did not get drafted into the Vietnam War
He had a medical condition that precluded him being drafted.
