Fortner and I were both 15 in 1967, we made a road trip to race in West Covina with Rolf Koteles and Devin Singer who were just 16 and had drivers licenses. the trip was made in a 1959 Chevy Impala with street drag trim and 4:11 gearing, gas was cheap then.In answer to some LA sacred cows that said that people in AZ never traveled to races blow it out your tailpipe, you know who you are. We were on our way to Thorp's to get a dozen or so of my hand winds balanced and for me to buy a box of blanks when the Pomona Police Dept pulled us over as a training exerciser. Two hours of pulling our boxes out and practically stripping Rolf's car down looking for drugs the let us go. We got to meet John Thorp and Gil Gundersen, two great guys. Our travels led us to an American Orange next to an archery range, I met Pete Zimmerman the hard way by plowing into the *** end of his car as it was on its way down the bank after launching, not a good way to meet Zipper. I next met Mike Steube by shouting "It's Steube!" as he was about to release an arrow, also not a good way to meet Mike, remember I was 15 from Arizona. we had some exciting times including my turning 16 there. Dave Fortner and the wing car thing happened at a race at Speed & Sport not Tucson, Kuhns, Tarver and Bob Barnhard were part of that group that were playing with long strips of lexan while I was buying a Simco magnetizer. After the race program Billy Steube auctioned off a few items, one of his RTR's that I bid on until one of the "Rich Boys" like Stephan or Barsoomin beat me out on, I did win the bid on a Dave Howard RTR.
As far as consistent winners or podium guys in those days it was Fortner, Kuhns, me with Singer being almost always TQ in AZ racing. Bill Rogers from Tucson along with several of the Tucson guys were always in the hunt. Best AZ body painter was Carl Atherton of Gun's fame.
Jess Gonzales
