Health and Welfare

The Gear Grinders are sad to announce the passing of Frank Scott. If you looked in the dictionary under “volunteer,” you would see his picture there. A friend to everyone and loved by all those who knew him. Frank’s intention was to join the club to go racing. For whatever reason, that never happened. (Time, health or finances?) But I think he was still racing, every time he was in the tower and saw a vehicle make a run. Whether he was Chief Timer or Assistant Timer, he felt like he was experiencing a small slice of heaven. He was in love and had a piece of his youth every time he was in that tower. The title of the "job" he was performing never mattered, he was volunteering so others could race, and he was good with that. He would often laugh or joke about it. “I joined the club to go racing, but for some reason that never happened,” followed by a smile and a brief laugh. The other side of his volunteering in the tower for the SCTA-BNI, was making sure the timing trailer was in top shape and ready to go, every time and failure was not an option. When the SCTA purchased a new timing trailer, it needed a lot of finishing work inside. Frank spoke to his employer and got permission to pull it into a parking lot they owned, on the weekends, so that the club and others could work on it. He did this for several weekends and over a couple of years. Along with Alan and James Rice, they were the 3 musketeers', a team with one goal in mind................accurate and consistent timing, every time, without fail. There is an empty chair in the tower now and it will be difficult to fill it to the level Frank did. In 2007, Frank received the “Gary Cagle Award”. In 2011, he received the “Jim Lindsley Award” and in 2016, he received the “Special Achievement Award” from the Gear Grinders.

Thank you for everything you gave of yourself. Gods Speed Frank Scott!!!!!!!!!!!!

 The family of Bret K. Batchelor is saddened to announce that he passed away on Aug. 25th as a result of complications from a previous surgery.  Bret, who worked as an orthopedic surgeon, was active as a driver at Bonneville  and El Mirage in the 1990’s along with his father, Steve.  He was 59 years old and held several records during his racing career. 

 Stephen Batchelor       

Mrs. Villa Sulzbacher Hizer, age 74, of Rome, GA, passed away on Monday, February 6, 2023, at her residence.  Villa was born in Rome, GA on December 16, 1948, the daughter of the late Joel and Betty Hanes Sulzbacher.  She was also preceded in death by her husband, Courtney Hizer, and by her two brothers, Joel “Jody” Sulzbacher and David Hanes Sulzbacher.  She attended Thornwood School (Darlington) and graduated from the University of Georgia with a degree in mathematics, then continued graduate work at Georgia Tech in computer science.

 Survivors include her cousins, Susan Sulzbacher, Jacksonville, FL, Ann Sulzbacher (Bill’s widow), Jacksonville, FL, Bob Hanes (Becky), Houston, TX, Doug Hanes (Carol), Balboa Island, CA, and Pat Hanes Meyer, Wilmington, NC, and their children and grandchildren.  Her husband’s cousins, the Stroh family, a close friend and business partner, Bobby Hogg, Atlanta, and her special friend, Al Barron, Jr., Rome, also survive.

With her late husband, Courtney, she owned and operated North Georgia Distributing Co., now Beverage South, for 28 years.  They grew the company and achieved multiple Miller Master Awards.  Since retirement, she has worked with real estate commercial developments in the Atlanta area. 

Her leisure activities include being a member of the Seven Hills Garden Club and CO-Vestors Investments Club.  In recent years, she has continued her late husband’s hobby of driving a race car on the Bonneville Salt Flats.  Courtney and Villa started racing at Speedweek with their Buick V-6 and later V8 powered Regal/Grand National. They were both true friends to many of us in our racing world. They are both dearly missed.             

Ken Walkey passed away on 12/17/22.  Ken was a Korean War Navy Veteran, Disney Imagineer, 300 mph Landspeed racer, Car builder, Model T club president, Brother, Husband, Father, Grandfather, Great-grandfather and Friend.  

I am very sad to say my Grandfather, Ken Walkey, passed away on the 17th of December. He always lived his life to the fullest and chased every dream. The drive to chase my own dreams of sailing across the Pacific to Japan, has a lot to do with him. He built many cars, both funky 3 wheelers and 300 mph race cars, from his own ideas and with his own hands. To the very end, he was tinkering and driving his 1927 Model T ford (Lulu) with his Model T Club, which he founded. I had hoped to communicate with him from our boat, via Ham radio, and he was excited about our plans. Miss you grandpa! - Terry Walkey

We lost a great man today. Love you Grandpa! I am so thankful to have had someone in my life. I will miss you so much. My kids will miss you. And I'm sure a lot of people will miss you. You did so many amazing things in your life. I wish i could be even half person you were. Really hope i will get to see you again some day. Thank you so much for just being you and being such an amazing presence in my life. - Kevin Walkey

Funeral Service to be held on January 5, 2023 from 12:00pm - 1:00pm & Graveside Service from 2:00pm - 3:00pm. The location is Pierce Brothers Valley Oaks-Griffin Memorial Park - 5600 Lindero Canyon Road - Westlake Village, Ca.  91362

***Ken did request in his will to be buried with his Blue Bonneville 300mph Hat and that everyone attending his funeral wear Bonneville Racing T-shirts***

It is with a heavy heart we let you know that Monte Warnock passed away today (9/18/22). We will let you know the plans for a Celebration of Life. Our hearts go out to his family and friends… 

Skip Hedrich was my father in law and I wanted to let you know he passed away the night of the 7th of September. He has spent the last 3 years rebuilding his 60's Indy car to race at a Vintage Indy event. He got his wish as he and his friend Larry went out to St Louis for Skip to finally be back in the car. As he tried to get in the first race the car would not start, so they decided to fix it and race the next day. But the next day it rained out. Either way he was so happy to be at the race, in his car and everyone shooting photos and skiing what his story was. On the way home he fell in his hotel room and broke his pelvis. When he got home he went to the hospital where he caught pneumonia. 

He was doing great until Wednesday night when he took a turn and went into a coma. He passed that night. I wanted to let you guys know because he is in the 2 and 3 club and pretty much everyone knew Skip, whether they liked him or not, they knew him. Thank You - Roger Hickey

Skip joined the Bonneville 200mph club in 2006 with a record of 323.126 and later updated to 331.178. He was also in the El Mirage 200mph club in 2005 with a record of 223.250.

God Speed

It is with heavy heart that we report that Bob “Grumpy” Chilson passed away on June 17th, 2022. Bob graduated from Garfield High School in 1950. In 1951 he joined the US Navy. After is honorable discharge, he perused his passion for racing. He joined the Gear Grinders in the mid 50’s, running his Studebaker  at El Mirage. In June of 1958, he set fast time for the meet, just over 121mph. During 1957 and 1958, Bob was also on a pit crew at the Indy 500, for driver Ray Crawford. The Crew Chief was Edgar Elder. After retiring from a 36 year career at General Electric, Bob would again rejoin the Gear Grinders in 1997. In 2003, driving his G/BGL, he set his first record in that open class at 177.253mph. Bob was a behind the scenes kind of guy and enjoyed working on the car and tuning the engines, more than he did driving. When asked why he painted the engine in the race car orange, he said “that’s the color I’ve always painted every race engine I’ve ever built”. The only color photo of Bob at Indy, was taken inside the garage of him working on an Offenhauser engine and it was painted orange. God’s Speed.

Terry King, 86, of Ocean Park, WA. died on Sept 14, 2021.  Terry was born on March 3, 1935 in Longview, WA.  After service in the US Army, he attended San Jose State College in California where he received an M.A. in Industrial Education. He taught at the Juvenile Court Schools of Santa Clara County for over 20 years.  He retired to Ocean Park, WA. and built a large shop to house the many cars he collected.  Terry was a regular at Bonneville for many years, and helped out his friends from Northern California.  He accompanied Dick Williams to Australia for the “Thunder Down Under” event in 1995.  Services were held at the Beach Barons Car Club House in Ocean Park on May 21, 2022.  He is survived by his three daughters. 

It is with great sorrow and sadness that the Gear Grinders report the passing of one of our long time members, John Salkins. John was an active member of the Gear Grinders for 30 years. He started out partnering with Burke LaSage and at that time sought an engine builder for their car. John contacted engine builder Les Leggitt.  That phone call John made to Les, sparked and was the beginning of a 30 year inseparable partnership and friendship. Throughout the years, John was involved in land speed racing, sand drags and  Nitro Pirate Corvette Nostalgia funny car. Though John didn’t perform any mechanical duties or drive, he was always in the shop providing what-ever help the guys needed. John had an incredible smile, wit and sense of humor about him that will be forever missed. Every vehicle John was involved with was first class in both looks and speed. His name was on the side of some of the fastest cars to run at both Bonneville and El Mirage. John will be missed by all those who knew him. A better friend, racer or club member will not easily be found. Godspeed John.

2/12/2022

Bob Jackson passed away at the age of 85 on February 12, 2022, in Chandler, Arizona at approximately 5:15 PM. Bob was preceded in death by his wife Sharon Jackson.

Celebration of life will be held at Santan Auto Body on April 2, 2022. Address is 18415 E San Tan Blvd. Queen Creek, Az 85142. 

Robert was born August 15, 1936 in Southern California to William and Carol Jackson. He grew up in Michigan and Southern California until when he turned 17 and moved out to find his own way.   Bob became a mechanic working for a Ford Dealership and starting drag racing in several national events and he also wrenched on drag boats. He married Sharon Lee Little on October 22, 1960, and there were married for over 50 years before Sharon passed on May 13, 2014.

Bob moved wife, his son, Rocky Jackson and daughter, Glenda Jackson to Southern California in the late 60’s and worked for Beckman Instruments until his retirement in 1995. In 1999, Bob got the Land Speed bug and built a front engine modified Roadster. He raced for 14 years and set two Land Speed Records. Bob provided a good life his family with water skiing and motorcycle riding every month.

Bob and Sharon moved to Parker, Arizona and lived at the dream river house until they moved to Queen Creek, Arizona to bring Sharon closer to better medical facilities and experience doctors. Bob and Sharon traveled around the country going to various street rod shows and experiencing different states and sites.  

1/9/2022

Lost a true friend of the SCTA in November last year.

Tony Huntimer
November 22nd, 2021  ·

Bring your memories to the Donut shop at Lugonia Ave and Wabash Ave, Redlands, CA.  January 15th 6:30am till?

4/9/21:

Bob's family will be holding a Memorial on Saturday, May 1st at 2:00p.m. via Zoom.  

Join from PC, Mac, Linux, iOS or Android: https://cccconfer.zoom.us/j/93809992748

Meeting ID: 938 0999 2748

Or iPhone one-tap (US Toll):  +16699006833,93809992748#  or +12532158782,93809992748# 

Or Telephone Dial:     +1 669 900 6833 (US Toll)

3/18/21:

Greg Carlson - Celebration of Life Update - April 17, 2021 - Starts about Noon - 13005 Avenue 132, Orosi Ca 93647 - Please RSVP with JoAnn at 559-528-3201 or email her at office@scta-bni.org 

2/14/21:

I'm sad to pass this along,  Bob Webb passed away this past Monday morning. He died of a sudden heart attack around 10:30 AM. No services or celebration of life has been announced, if I hear of any , I will pass the info along. Bob was a lifetime member of SCTA-BNI ,was a member and past president of the Gear Grinders. , Bob served as Chief Timer and tower worker at El Mirage and Bonneville for many years.

Mark Vigeant - President, Gear grinders

1/27/21:

Long time land speed racer Terry Haines passed away in Las Vegas, Nevada after a short term illness. Terry first ran at Bonneville in 1983 as a partner and co-driver of the Stevens/Haines/Young GMC six powered front engine lakester. He later campaigned the rear engine Saline Solution car. He joined the Bonneville 200 MPH Club in 2004 with a speed of 203.489. Joining forces with partner Jim Harte they ran Saline Solution II with a turbocharged OHV six cylinder GMC. At their last two races they set records at Bonneville and El Mirage with Jim driving. Terry was a person that was always fun to be around. He had a great sense of humor and was an awesome story teller. He will be truly missed by his fellow racers, friends and family.

Alan Barbee